WITH
FIFTH
Dear Family- 1 SEPT. 1944
We had to move out of our spacious castle so we’re in the field again. It is quiet except for “Josephine,” our lone German plane who strafes and bombs each night. The heat doesn’t let up - it is miserable during the day. Today in our area three Italian peasants built a fire under a pile of Teller mines. The resulting explosion was terrific - there was no piece of body as large as a dollar bill found. These people will be blowing themselves up for the next twenty years. I received a letter from Fred Brunngraber today. He’s over here.
WITH
FIFTH
Dear Family- SUNDAY-
It has been so hot lately that everyone hoped for a little rain to cool things a bit. Last night it came - a cloudburst - rained from 0330 to 0500. The wind drove the water in sheets and the thunder and lightning had a field day. Everything and everybody got wet. It is most uncomfortable to try to sleep in a sopping wet bed. Today all the earthly possessions of thousands of soldiers are scattered throughout the vineyards for miles - the hot sun will dry everything in a hurry. Things look good but the war isn’t over yet.
WITH FIFTH
Dear Family- 6 SEPT. 1944
Autumn is
here. These mornings are crisp just like
back-to-school weather at home. All
except today - we’ve had a gentle drizzling rain all day. It will keep Jerry’s “Lone Ranger” home
tonight. This Saturday has been
designated “Salerus Day”—a holiday for all
troops. In this Army (if we’re still
here). Don’t think this thing in
WITH
FIFTH
Dear Family- 9 SEPT. 1944
There is not
much going on right at present, but it won’t be long now before things begin to
“pop”. The build-up has already
started. But, of course, the news
doesn’t reach you until several days after it happens. Our mission is to utterly destroy the German
Army in
Dear Family- WITH
FIFTH
The
headlines in some newspapers in the States really are funny. In three-inch type the Chicago Tribune blasts
across the front page: “Yanks Battle Inside
Pisa.” Strange, when the truth is that
the city was taken without a shot being fired.
Was much surprised by the deluge of mail that has been coming my way
recently - but very much pleased. Our
future passes - when things calm down enough to go on pass again - will be to
WITH FIFTEH ARMY-
Dear Family- 13 SEPT. 1944
Outside, the artillery booms constantly. The sky is lit with flashes from many guns. And another defense line is tackled - this time the strong GOTHIC LINE. I just took a message that came in by radio interception in which the German Paratroop commander in front of us says: “Cannot hold our outpost - are falling back to main position.” This is the beginning of another broken defensive line. Wish you could see the highways jammed with all the military vehicles moving to the front.
26 SEPT. 1944
Dear Family- WITH FIFTH ARMY
Sorry I haven’t written sooner, but I really haven’t had time. I’m well and having a good time pushing the Krauts back. The terrain is the roughest I’ve ever seen - nothing but rock mountains that rise straight up. No vehicles can negotiate - not even jeeps. We use mules entirely. Working hard and getting no sleep, but feel a satisfaction in helping to push the Boche back.
WITH FIFTH
Dear Family- 28 SEPT. 1944
Everything goes according to schedule. The 337 Infantry was picked by Gen. Clark to take a certain hill which was holding up the advance, after the whole army butted its head into a stone wall - the vaunted GOTHIC LINE. The outfit came thru in fine shape and took the hill. This ground is really rugged - no roads, not even any trails. Many places mules can’t even go. Now it is raining hard and this makes everything that much harder. Yesterday we watched an entire battle to our flank - the artillery, the enemy mortar fire, the tanks, the planes bombing the tracers, the exploding ammunition.
WITH
FIFTH
Dear Family-
Rain and
cold and mud - but the fight goes well.
The Krauts to our front pulled out the other night under cover of the
mist and rain, and we’re now awaiting orders for the pursuit to
Love, Henry