Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 26, 1945

This has been another of those gloomy old rainy days good for nothing except reading magazines and writing letters. Insull had three late copies of Time Magazine which I have read from cover to cover in the past two days. Yesterday I caught up on most of my back correspondence. After writing you I wrote Dorothy, Eileen and mother.

Just finished listening to the newscast and it sounds as though our airforce is really pouring it on Japan now. I doubt very much if that war will last too much longer. In fact I would almost bet it will end this year. That is one reason why I hope to go by way of the states if we must go to that theatre. By the time we got to the states, had furloughs, a few weeks training in Jap warfare and finally arrived in that theatre for action, I think the war there would be very near its end. So far we know the 1st Army is headed in that direction also 4 divisions that arrived here after ours have been alerted. Also according to the Stars and Stripes there are 1,400,000 men in the states even yet that are earmarked for shipment.

All those men would total approximately four armies if they all go to that theatre. That would give them as many armies as we had here on our Western Front. Any way I’m still clinging to the one last hope it will end before we arrive if we have to go.

I see by last night S & S where Otto is finally getting a break on the age limit. All men 38 or older can now ask for discharge. It also stated men 30 or over who are now on useful jobs will be automatically deferred. That really burns me up since they sure as hell never consider the guys they already have over that age bracket.

They ordered us to turn in all our Francs today so apparently we aren’t going back into France. I had 1813 of them, so should get a little more than $36.00 in Marks in return. As yet we can figure no logical reason for the above but there are several possibilities.

We were standing on our porch today watching and laughing at the old guy who owns this lodge. He has a big fat old tame duck that he can call to him just like a little dog. There is a small pool of water about 6 feet in diameter in the yard and he takes the duck, tosses him high in the air and every time he lands on this tiny little pool of water. He seems to like it   as he comes right back for more. He also has an old turkey hen that is very tame and is mothering 1 turkey, 1 chicken and 2 ducks. She really takes care of them too.

I think the hairdresser is probably mistaken in the Rainbow Patch. There are several others having the same colors in fact from a distance the 7th Army patch looks exactly like ours.

Your inclosed clipping regarding Leni Riefenstahl, the actress, was interesting because I was just reading the article in Time Mag. about her capture by 7th Army however I didn’t know the 42nd did it. They also included her picture however I can’t say much for her looks. Stern, the kid with us, formerly from Germany, stated he had seen her in many pictures before leaving Germany. As yet he hasn’t had a chance to get up around Dusseldorf to find out if his parents are still alive. He doesn’t have much hopes for them because of being Jewish.

Honey you sound so enthused over your apartment, I’m glad you took it and think it swell that Kavka’s are so grand to you. Incidentally you might tell them I would surely like to sit in on another of those Pinochle games we used to have. I suppose Nadine is much happier now that she is married and settled down. I   think it was swell for her and also for him.

Honey I am inclosing a few more pictures that were taken at La Petite Pierre, France and DBS. They are all described on the back.

At last you gave it away, I mean why you missed me so much, because you couldn’t warm your feet on mine. Fine Stuff. Seriously honey, when I get back I’ll never complain about it again, just to have you that close to me would be the most wonderful thing in the world.

Well darling it is now time for bed so will close and turn in but will be dreaming of you. Goodnite Dear, all my love and kisses —