January - February 1945
Belgium
6 Jan. '45
Dearest -
Just a note to let you know that I'm O.K. Yesterday three packages caught up with me, Marcille and Bert's, your dads and your grandmothers. I'm sorry I haven't the time to write letters just now, so please thank them for me and I'll write them at a later date. It was so kind of your dad and grandmother to remember me.
Yesterday I received cards from Aunt Bertha, Garnet, Alamada, Francile Huser and mother. Nearly each of them also contained a short letter.
I understand that the radio and newspapers back home are giving our Division the headlines, so you will be kept abreast with the news. I'm right in the midst of it, but I assure you I'm O.K.
Dear, you and mother are in my thoughts always. Please write often.
With All My Love,
Be - Be
Belgium
18 Jan. '45
Dearest -
Sorry I haven't written sooner. I've just been pretty busy. I assure you I'm in perfect health and getting along fine.
I haven't received any mail for several days but I expect them to come through in a bunch. I owe so many letters but I'm only writing you and the folks for the time being.
Thank s a million for the beautiful and tasty Christmas box. Please thank Mrs. Gerken for the box she sent me.
I'll write you a longer letter in a few days so good nite dear.
With All My Love,
Be - Be
25 Jan '45
France
Dearest -
Sorry I haven't forgotten you, just been a little to busy. I hadn't received any news from home since Dec. 30th, until today I received a card from Mrs. Bennett, Helen and Blaine Foughty and Lollie, also letters from Frances Mary and Mother Brinkman. It was all old mail dated Nov. 8th and 10th. I can't remember when I last received a letter from you. Quite a while back, I received the picture of dad that mother sent. I'm still carrying the money order that the factory sent me for Christmas, as there is no way of cashing it, here. It really doesn't matter, as we don't have any use for money anyway.
Did you ever hear where Chas. Benecke is now stationed? Last week I was in the same town as Lawrence Kurtz.
Dear, I've even picked the name for our little love nest. How do you like it? "Atlanta Haven". Ask Mrs. Brinkman how she likes it. Please thank your people for the lovely Christmas presents, just what I wanted, eats.
Mother Higgins, the poem was lovely, thanks a million, but I miss your letters. Please don't let me down.
With All My Love,
Be - Be
P.S. Greetings Grandma Frease and Dad Higgins
France
30 Jan. '45
Dearest -
We seem to be a little more settled now for a while, I hope, so perhaps I shall be able to do more writing.
To-day brought me two Christmas packages. One form the Brinkmans and one from the factory headquarters, from New York. It was indeed a grand box including my favorite razor blades, Personia. They send me some from time to time and I had a quite a few saved up, and what happened? They are at the bottom of the Channel.
Please thank the Brinkmans for the swell box and tell her that Be - Be is the nickname that the boys have given me. Its my two first initials.
I hope you have been able to keep up with my, during my latest moves. I've been jumping from country to country as you do from town to town.
Dear, I wish I could tell you how and where I spent the holiday but that must wait. You perhaps know the latter.
With All My Love,
Cpl. Be - Be.
France
6 Feb. '45
Dearest -
To-day brought me letters from, Mrs. Gerken, with Wilburs picture enclosed, Kenny, two from mother, Lauren, Mabel, Emma and Frieda. The only late ones were Fredia's and Emma's. the V-mail comes thru the quickest of any mail, at present. The one I received to-day from Emma, was her fifth, written this year.
Say a little bird told me that you haven't even started making that dress yet. What the holdup? I'm also awaiting for a letter from you. It seems like ages since I've heard from you. Oh know it just seems that way, I received one from you three days ago.
Mrs. Gerken asked me to write John Murphy's wife but I feel that that would be rather hard to do, as I had never met him. However, I'll enquire about him.
Dear I have ordered a pin for you which will be sent direct to you from a factory in the States. It may take some time but I know you will like it.
With Love,
Cpl. Be - Be.
P.S. Carolyn Ann also enclosed a cute little letter.
France
10 Feb. '45
Dearest Eloise -
Marcille and Bert sent me this stationary but the little writing that I do, I shall never use it all.
When you write your sis and Stan, tell them that I received their package this evening. I had just written them last nite but I hadn't received it then.
Sgt. Bernth has returned to the U.S. to visit his folks, so I really have my hands full at present. He was my section leader, I've written the folks, and I hope they and yourself will be able to make arrangements to meet, he and his wife, He's a swell fellow. He perhaps would spend a few days in Napoleon, but I don't think his folks have a car. Dad can drop him a line.
Emma and Frieda have been so faithful in writing but I just haven't the ambition to write them.
I sure wish I could visit them all.
I never shall forget the good times we have had. The week at the lake, etc. Your folks have treated me so well and especially your grandmother, letting me have the use of her car. Deeds of kindness are never forgotten, by me. Your grandmother is one of the grandest people, I've ever know. She is very much like my grandmother was. I do hope we can be to gether again, soon, so that we can once more enjoy life.
Well, they can't stop me from dreaming.
Its now 9:00 PM. I shall open some canned figs I have and eat whatever else I can find and then retire.
To day I received a letter from you and Emma.
With All My Love,
Cpl. Be -Be
P.S. Yes, I've seen the picture that you mentioned.
France
17 Feb. '45
Dearest -
I have certainly been busy since Sgt. Bernth has gone. I've been working from ten to twelve hours a day. I'll perhaps be more bust then ever now as one of the fellows in our section has gone to the hospital for an operation.
Do you ever hear from Mrs. Honigman? Did you ever answer Mrs. Ulrichs letter?
I've received a lot of mail but I haven't much news to write back. Please tell Fredia to date her letters and thank her for the snaps. They were all very good.
Sorry to hear of your Uncle Charlies death. Please give me the low-down.
We took a few pictures yesterday.
Love to you Dear,
Be - Be
France
22 Feb. '45
Dearest -
I have a few minutes, so must drop you a line. I've been wanting to write you before, but I'm being worked to a frazzle since Sgt. Bernth has left. I do hope you get to see him. Have him explain each ribbon and decoration he is wearing, as I am sporting identicals. He might help your mother write up something for Sattler, as we have always been to-gether.
We are having a little sloppy weather. That is muddy, but a little sunshine now and then. I'm still at the same place.
I hope some day to get a furlough to England, and again visit the Hughes. I'd rather spend a furlough in a country where the people speak English.
Well dear, I must get to work, so until next time, Cherrio.
With Love,
Be - Be.
France
26 Feb. '45
Dearest -
We have now moved back to the rear, and we are billited in tents. (12 to a tent). It could be better and it could be worse. They keep me so d--- busy that I just don't have time to think, which may be a good thing.
Have you met up with Sgt. Bernth, as yet? I certainly hope it can be arranged.
This afternoon I had four teeth filled and some work done on my plate. They kept my plate and tonite finds me almost toothless.
I'm pretty disgusted with my work. It seems that the more you do, the more they expect you to do. It wouldn't be so bad if you were getting paid accordingly. This afternoon while going to the dentist, was the first half day I've been off work since leaving England, and this wasn't a pleasing afternoon. It has been exactly eleven weeks, almost four months since I have had a chance to wear my blouse. Sorry to say, I've gotten to the point where I don't care what happens. I think let the ones that have the rank and are getting paid for it, do the work.
Mother sent me Doris Mohler address again but that doesn't help matters. I wish she would let me know if she knows what town he is near. We can't write it in our correspondence, altho we write back and forth. Did you ever receive the tablecloth?
I just received a North West which is only about three months old, so I'll close and read it.
I'll write more when I'm in a better mood.
With All My Love,
Be - Be
