Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 21, 1945

No mail from you again today but did receive a nice long letter from Dorothy. Its the first I have heard from any one over there since V-E-Day and I was anxious to hear of the reaction to the surrender. Apparently there wasn’t much celebrating around Omaha from what she stated in her letter.

We took quite a long trip today as I wrote to you yesterday of the plane. We went down to and through the Brenner Pass. I was a little disappointed in the Pass itself after hearing so much about it however the scenery enroute is really beautiful. We passed through Innsbruck and it is quite a swell city, not too badly damaged by the war. It was completely surrounded by the snow capped Alps. At this town itself (I mean Brenner, Italy) there are very few buildings, that is, near the gate that drops across the road like a railroad crossing. One of the buildings near the gate on the Austrian   side is where Hitler and Mussollini (misspelled) held one of their noted meeting. I took some pictures there but the sky was very cloudy so they may not be any good. I’m hoping they turn out okay so I can send them home.

Dorothy mentioned you hadn’t heard from me in several days and was afraid I may have shipped. No doubt you will soon receive some of my letters telling what we hear regarding shipment. We did hear today that we are now in Patton’s 3rd Army so I don’t know what that means. I had thought before that we would have a furlough in the states now I don’t know what to think. I hate to plan on one and be refused but it is surely hard to keep from hoping.

Tonite we were informed there was another day pass to Nancy, France, open so we drew names out of the hat. Bob Mendenhall won the pass so leaves the 24th. I imagine he will be gone about a week including traveling time.

The medical Bn has now set up what they call the rest center at the lake in the mountains where we have been going swimming. They are supposed to be three day pases also and supposedly, you get to do as you please for three days. Sleep as late as you like, swim, fish, go boating or play tennis. Oh yes, I forgot to mention free beer and sandwiches throughout the day. I only hope the officers at Bn Hqs don’t spoil it as they usually do everything else. Ordinarily when some thing that sounds that good comes along, we find a catch in it. If they let me come home I don’t care what happens. I’ve seen all the foreign scenery that I care for.

Well darling thats about all the news for now so will say “Goodnite Sweetheart”

I am enclosing a few more pictures. All except one is marked on the back, that one was in the   camera when I liberated same. It is typical of the entrance to many of the old walled German cities so thought you may like to see it. It was taken on a 127, you see I now have three cameras however none are too good. The 120 is the best.

Bye Again
Love
Clarence.