Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, June 10, 1945

I received four letters from you tonite which made me very happy. Your latest was postmarked June 5th which is the best service I have yet received. Five days from Omaha to way down here in Austria sounds almost unbelievable doesn’t it. I couldn’t help but notice how much more cheerful and happy you seemed when writing after received some letters from me and also a few pictures. I am always glad to get a few pictures to send home and as you say, in years to come they will be invaluable. (Especially as unhappy memories). Of course the trip and scenery has been very nice, and educational but if I ever get back, I wouldn’t accept the same period of separation from you for all the money in the world.

As you will probably notice by the heading of my letter we moved to a new location from Bayrischzell, Ger, last night. This town is much larger but our place to live isn’t nearly so nice as we had back there. We are now in the very large building that looks as though it may have been an old castle, however we heard from one source it was some type of orphanage and from another, a house of correction for girls. It has great long hallways like a hospital, that echo when you talk and there are rooms on either side. The entire company is in this building and I think there would be room in here for a couple more units of equal size. Four of us have a large room so makes it fairly homey, one thing you always have some one to talk with. Another thing, there are several showers which always helps. Insull and I have been reading all day and I have really enjoyed it. I read about half of "The Strange   Woman,” and find it very interesting. I think it is written much in the order of Gone With the Wind. Anyway it is a nice quiet way to spend a Sunday when I can’t be with you.

I was sorry to hear of Hutchie’s death. She really was a good old soul and was surely good to us. Those were the good old days honey even with our worries over other things.

Well we hear more rumors tonite one that we are going to Italy before long and the other that we are now in Phase #2 which means we are either Army of Occupation or are to be here quite a long time in the redeployment program. Also in Phase 2 we are entitled to the schooling that is being offered by the Army Institute. If any one knows differently, I wish to hell they would give us more information so we could plan accordingly.

Sounds as though you had quite a week end with Bertha in Omaha. I know with her the sky is the limit, financially, so know she would stop at nothing.

I was sorry to hear of Vic being wounded but in a way believe he was very fortunate. By the time his wound is healed, that war should be well on its way, and I doubt he will see any more battle. That should keep him out for a couple months and here in the ETO if you were to be hospitalized for 60 days or more, you were returned to the states. Perhaps that may happen to him.

I doubt if Pauline told John I was in India however when I last wrote Ada, I mentioned we may be headed for CBI but never stated anything definitely as we have never known.

Well sweetheart it is now 11:00 so think I better turn in. Surely wish I could crawl in with you tonite.