Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, June 7, 1945

This will probably be my last letter to you from this location as I understand we are moving down into Austria again tomorrow. I don’t know the exact location of the move but from what I have heard believe we will be very near Innsbruck. If what we hear is true, I don’t believe we will be down there for a long period of time as we are still hearing reports of being in the States in August.

I didn’t receive any mail from you yesterday but didn’t really expect it since I had four the day before. Your mail has been coming through very good for the past couple of weeks. Incidentally, I meant to ask you to let me know when you receive the money order I mailed a couple days ago, just as an final check to be sure it doesn’t get lost. I don’t think it happens often but is very possible and I will hold the receipt until you notify me of receiving same.

This is another of those beautiful days with the sun bright and warm. Think I will go swimming again this   afternoon, also get a little more tan. Several of us went over yesterday for about three hours and the sun really wears one out and makes one lazy. I was so tired that I went to bed about 8:45 and really slept. I even hated to get up this morning. The night air here is cool and crisp as you would expect in high altitudes.

We are really getting poor rations again now, I don’t know why unless it may be because of an anticipated move. We get no more fresh meat whatever, just canned stuff as hash and vegetable stew and one they call beef and gravy which tastes as I imagine horse meat would. It is very dark in color and not at all appetizing. We have had one of the two every day for dinner and supper, for over a week now. I am getting so I can’t eat that crap any longer so am eating a big breakfast (which is usually fried eggs or pancakes) and then piecing on candy etc. the remainder of the day. We had corn flakes for breakfast this morning, the first cold cereal since we have been over seas. It certainly tasted delicious even though using powdered   milk. I don’t know of any reason why we couldn’t have had things like that previously.

I don’t believe I wrote you earlier about Insull being a new papa again of course this was his second. He was very unhappy when he found out the baby came two days too late to give him an extra 12 points. They have a boy and girl now (the latest a girl) so are very happy. He is surely one swell guy and is very clever, keeps us laughing all the time. I think if it wasn’t for him I’d have been completely nuts by this time. He worked in the Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York as a civilian. You met him at Gruber when you were there with Joe’s wife that evening.

Well darling, guess that’s all for today. Perhaps I’ll receive some letters from you today and can write again this evening. Until then, all my love and kisses.