Dear Family-                                                                                                    WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

            Am sitting in our farmhouse CP listening to the Army - Navy game.  We’ve been issued new winter equipment - sleeping bags of soft goose feather, wool lined parkas, snow boots, sweaters, jackets, etc.  You can see we’re preparing for cold weather fighting.  We’ve already had some snow - it looks beautiful on the distant peaks that tower in the air - but it ain’t so pleasant to work in.  Don’t’ need anything - the army takes care of everything.  Could occasionally use some toilet articles, soap, tooth paste, razor blades, some of those good wool socks, some canned delicacies, chicken, lobster, tuna, olives, you know.                                                         

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                9 JAN 1945

            Have been doing a lot of moving lately.  The threatened enemy push didn’t materialize in the other sector so we’re back here again preparing to go back to the line. We’ve had a lot of snow and extreme cold.  The prospect of spending the rest of the winter in the frozen Apennines is not pleasant.  But how any advances can be made here, now, with narrow, mountain passes clogged with snow drifts and the peaks swept by driving blizzards, is beyond me.  Our winter equipment includes white camouflage uniforms, parkas, sleds (for evacuating casualties), ski socks, snow boots, and feather bedrolls

[The rest is unable to read due to the page being cut off.]

 

 

18 JAN 1945

Dear Family-                                                                                                    WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

            We’ve been pretty busy getting set in the line again after the long vacation.  We relieved the British and had a lot of fun in our relations during the turnover.  We get along fine with the British.  Incidentally we’re back in the same church we were in several months ago.  But instead of mud, we have snow and more snow.  Very beautiful but it hampers operations and supply.

            Got back a letter I sent to Auffy in October marked “Deceased” and “Verified.” It makes me feel very sad.  It seems so damned stupid.                     

 

 

30 JAN 1945

Dear Family-                                                                                                    WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

            I know I haven’t written lately but not much happens - that is nothing unusual enough to talk about.  And this, despite the fact we are opposed by a tough paratroop division, the best in the Kraut army.  The snow is deep and the weather is cold.  Our action consists of improving our positions, patrolling raids, artillery duels.  We wear white camouflage suits when going near the front line.  Even the mules are draped in white suits.  You still feel naked walking around in view of the enemy on these full moon nights.                     

                                                                                                            Love to all,

                                                                                                                        Henry