Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, July 16, 1945

I really don’t have much of news tonite since we havn’t done much of interest today. So far we havn’t had mail call so as yet don’t even have any questions to answer.

We didn’t get to go on our scheduled trip through Salzburg today because of lack of transportation. A couple of our vehicles have been wrecked recently consequently they are all grounded for the present.

This morning I helped Bob for a couple of hours and this afternoon Insull and I went swimming over at the pits. The sun was shining brightly and it was very hot this afternoon however it is now thundering and is very black so it looks as though our nice weather is over again for a few days. We were all in hopes the rain would hold off for a couple more days as we hear we may move to billets then. I didn’t any more than get the above written when things really broke loose including a high wind. It blew down our movie tent which the boys just put up today and also loosened the cross beam in the center of our squad tent. We had to drive in a few extra stakes to hold the thing on the ground. Oh for the life of living in a tent. When I get back we   can save a lot of rent that way honey. Ha! Seriously, they wouldn’t be too bad except for the inconveniences. No place to wash and shave except by using the helmet, no showers and we use slit trench latrines. Incidentally the wind also blew down the canvas around our latrine. Man oh man, it is really pouring down right now.

We had mail call just before the storm hit and I received three letters, two from you the 10th and 11th and one from Elsie of the 11th. She is really planning on Frank being here or rather there for Xmas and I hope she isn’t disappointed. One consolation if he is fortunate enough to get back, he should be a cinch to stay in the States with his overseas service and age combined. I hope they continue to do that when we get to the states after the 1st of the year. By that time we will have had 12 months overseas and I will be going on 35, perhaps that will help me. Elsie remarked about your asking her to come for a visit but stated she had gone to Tulsa for a while and was feeling considerably better. I just had to take time out so we could move every thing in our tent as the water is coming across the floor. I got half of my stuff up on my cot so guess I will have to sleep “scissors” by myself, anyway I’ll have to have my knees under my chin.

I heard another good rumor today. It was that the 222d or the Reg’t we support will be spread out thinly from Salzburg to Vienna. Thats a distance of about 400 miles so if true means we will probably move   quite some distance however will still probably be a long way from Vienna.

Sounds as though you girls had a swell party at the Pineboard and the legion Club that night. Honey you must be luckier than usual to play the slot machines all evening and lose only one dollar. Bet Ruth felt pretty lucky to hit the jackpot. That was nice of her to be so generous.

So you came almost being chaperone. Honey I can understand why the girls would love to have you however as you say, it may have proved to be a headache. You could hardly feel free to tell them anything especially if you don’t know some of them. I see according to the S & S they are returning troops considerably faster than anticipated so perhaps we will be back before the end of this year.

Well honey, it is getting quite late and my candles are practically out so guess I better say “Goodnight for now.”

PS - Please send a box of food Bye again honey C.