438th AAA AW BN
APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.
England
12 February, 1944 1235
Wilma, darling –
I notice that today is the 12th. That should make it Lincoln’s Birthday back home. Here it’s just another Saturday, of course. For that matter it wasn’t much of a holiday back home. And Monday is Valentine’s Day. The days slip by before you realize it. That’s the paradox of being over here; there’s little or nothing to do, time should drag and yet the months are slipping by.
In that connection we got notice today of furloughs for the men and leaves for officers. In the States – these were given every 6 mos. In the ETO apparently the practice is 7 days every 3 months and our time is approaching. Gosh how I used to look forward to time off when I was in the States. Now I can’t seem to get excited about it. I should be one of the first, dear, to get a leave because my last one was in June – and several of the boys had theirs after that. Where to go and what to do is the question. There’s really no incentive when you can’t get home – but the advice is to take the leave anyway because you don’t know when you’ll get another. Darling if only I could see you for a few hours – that would be tonic enough for me – but that’s impossible right now and I better stop thinking along those lines.
Edinburgh, Scotland, dear – seems to be the place where most soldiers head for. One of the reasons is that the Scotch are very friendly to the Americans; another is that it’s very pretty there. I don’t know right now and really sweetheart, it makes very little difference. It seems to me I should get my leave, barring complications, around the first week in March. I might go to Oxford or Cambridge just to take in some lectures. Or I might go to London and visit some of its hospitals. Whatever I do, dear, will be a very poor excuse for what I’d rather do.
I got a letter from you yesterday, darling, written January 30th. You had spent the day at my home – and I so like to read about that. It makes me feel very happy sweetheart, when you write about enjoying yourself with my folks and finding it natural to be with them. It makes you that much more close to me. You’ll really know them well when I get back. I guess I’ll have to catch up with your folks, though – won’t I dear? Well it won’t take long, I know. You know – when you visit with my family and get to know them – it makes me feel as if our courtship is going along in natural lines and not just by mail.
As for my folks being crazy about me, dear – it isn’t just I, it’s the same for all their children. They just happen to be perfect parents and children could wish for no better – I know, because I’ve known the parents of a good many friends of mine and they are in no way quite like my folks – but there I go boasting again, darling. The fact is – you’ll see for yourself, because when I marry you, you too will be their child.
You mention two pictures which you’ve sent me, dear. So far I’ve received the one I wrote you about – and that was a blessing. I’m looking forward to the other 1 and of course I want the ones your Uncle took – and as many more as you can get to send me. I’ve almost given up on trying to get a portrait of me to send you. They don’t even take recognizable passport photographs. Maybe if I ever go to Italy I’ll be able to get one of their artists to paint me. Seriously though, dear – I will continue to try to get one to send you.
Darling – one thing we’re bound to have in our home (yours and mine) will be dishes. That, anyway, I can guarantee you. Yes I know the Ranchero Style. I always liked it because it’s bright and gay. I hope your mother likes it, too, and I hope my father doesn’t over charge you!
Before I stop dear I want to tell you how touched I was by your likeness – depicted by you (free hand – no doubt) at the end of your letter. I was deeply moved, darling, when I realized whom I was looking at – it was sweet of you to do it. Honestly, though, I roared and in answer I am truly right, dear, there isn’t an English girl – or any other – that can hold a candle to you – and I mean that, sweetheart. I love you, dear, and I know I always will – so sit tight, darling. It will be a happy day when I can call you my wife. Until then and forever after – you’ll have
I notice that today is the 12th. That should make it Lincoln’s Birthday back home. Here it’s just another Saturday, of course. For that matter it wasn’t much of a holiday back home. And Monday is Valentine’s Day. The days slip by before you realize it. That’s the paradox of being over here; there’s little or nothing to do, time should drag and yet the months are slipping by.
In that connection we got notice today of furloughs for the men and leaves for officers. In the States – these were given every 6 mos. In the ETO apparently the practice is 7 days every 3 months and our time is approaching. Gosh how I used to look forward to time off when I was in the States. Now I can’t seem to get excited about it. I should be one of the first, dear, to get a leave because my last one was in June – and several of the boys had theirs after that. Where to go and what to do is the question. There’s really no incentive when you can’t get home – but the advice is to take the leave anyway because you don’t know when you’ll get another. Darling if only I could see you for a few hours – that would be tonic enough for me – but that’s impossible right now and I better stop thinking along those lines.
Edinburgh, Scotland, dear – seems to be the place where most soldiers head for. One of the reasons is that the Scotch are very friendly to the Americans; another is that it’s very pretty there. I don’t know right now and really sweetheart, it makes very little difference. It seems to me I should get my leave, barring complications, around the first week in March. I might go to Oxford or Cambridge just to take in some lectures. Or I might go to London and visit some of its hospitals. Whatever I do, dear, will be a very poor excuse for what I’d rather do.
I got a letter from you yesterday, darling, written January 30th. You had spent the day at my home – and I so like to read about that. It makes me feel very happy sweetheart, when you write about enjoying yourself with my folks and finding it natural to be with them. It makes you that much more close to me. You’ll really know them well when I get back. I guess I’ll have to catch up with your folks, though – won’t I dear? Well it won’t take long, I know. You know – when you visit with my family and get to know them – it makes me feel as if our courtship is going along in natural lines and not just by mail.
As for my folks being crazy about me, dear – it isn’t just I, it’s the same for all their children. They just happen to be perfect parents and children could wish for no better – I know, because I’ve known the parents of a good many friends of mine and they are in no way quite like my folks – but there I go boasting again, darling. The fact is – you’ll see for yourself, because when I marry you, you too will be their child.
You mention two pictures which you’ve sent me, dear. So far I’ve received the one I wrote you about – and that was a blessing. I’m looking forward to the other 1 and of course I want the ones your Uncle took – and as many more as you can get to send me. I’ve almost given up on trying to get a portrait of me to send you. They don’t even take recognizable passport photographs. Maybe if I ever go to Italy I’ll be able to get one of their artists to paint me. Seriously though, dear – I will continue to try to get one to send you.
Darling – one thing we’re bound to have in our home (yours and mine) will be dishes. That, anyway, I can guarantee you. Yes I know the Ranchero Style. I always liked it because it’s bright and gay. I hope your mother likes it, too, and I hope my father doesn’t over charge you!
Before I stop dear I want to tell you how touched I was by your likeness – depicted by you (free hand – no doubt) at the end of your letter. I was deeply moved, darling, when I realized whom I was looking at – it was sweet of you to do it. Honestly, though, I roared and in answer I am truly right, dear, there isn’t an English girl – or any other – that can hold a candle to you – and I mean that, sweetheart. I love you, dear, and I know I always will – so sit tight, darling. It will be a happy day when I can call you my wife. Until then and forever after – you’ll have
All my love
Greg.
Regards
Love
G.
* TIDBIT *
about a "Directive to Eisenhower" on this date
about a "Directive to Eisenhower" on this date
This directive was issued February 12, 1944, by the Anglo-American Combined Chiefs of Staff, formally authorizing General Dwight D. Eisenhower to implement Operation Overlord, the plan for the Normandy Invasion.
"1. You are hereby designated as Supreme Allied Commander of the forces placed under your orders for operations for liberation of Europe from Germans. Your title will be Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force.
2. Task. You will enter the continent of Europe and, in conjunction with the other United Nations, undertake operations aimed at the heart of Germany and the destruction of her armed forces. The date for entering the Continent is the month of May, 1944. After adequate Channel ports have been secured, exploitation will be directed towards securing an area that will facilitate both ground and air operations against the enemy.
3. Notwithstanding the target date above you will be prepared at any time to take immediate advantage of favorable circumstances, such as withdrawal by the enemy on your front, to effect a reentry into the Continent with such forces as you have available at the time; a general plan for this operation when approved will be furnished for your assistance.
4. Command. You are responsible to the Combined Chiefs of Staff and will exercise command generally in accordance with the diagram at Appendix. Direct communication with the United States and British Chiefs of Staff is authorized in the interest of facilitating your operations and for arranging necessary logistic support.
5. Logistics. In the United Kingdom the responsibility for logistics organization, concentration, movement, and supply of forces to meet the requirements of your plan will rest with British Service Ministries so far as British Forces are concerned. So far as United States Forces are concerned, this responsibility will rest with the United States War and Navy Departments. You will be responsible for the coordination of logistical arrangements on the continent. You will also be responsible for coordinating the requirements of British and United States forces under your command.
6. Coordination of operations of other Forces and Agencies. In preparation for your assault on enemy occupied Europe, Sea and Air Forces, agencies of sabotage, subversion, and propaganda, acting under a variety of authorities, are now in action. You may recommend any variation in these activities which may seem to you desirable.
7. Relationship to United Nations Forces in other areas. Responsibility will rest with the Combined Chiefs of Staff for supplying information relating to operations of the Forces of the U. S. S. R. for your guidance in timing your operations. It is understood that the Soviet Forces will launch an offensive at about same time as OVERLORD with the object of preventing the German forces from transferring from the Eastern to the Western front. The Allied Commander in Chief, Mediterranean Theater, will conduct operations designed to assist your operation, including the launching of an attack against the south of France at about the same time as OVERLORD. The scope and timing of his operations will be decided by the Combined Chiefs of Staff. You will establish contact with him and submit to the Combined Chiefs of Staff your views and recommendations regarding operations from the Mediterranean in support of your attack from the United Kingdom. The Combined Chiefs of Staff will place under your command the forces operating in Southern France as soon as you are in a position to assume such command. You will submit timely recommendations compatible with this regard.
8. Relationship with Allied Governments - the re-establishment of Civil Governments and Liberated Allied Territories and the administration of enemy territories. Further instructions will be issued to you on these subjects at a later date."
"1. You are hereby designated as Supreme Allied Commander of the forces placed under your orders for operations for liberation of Europe from Germans. Your title will be Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force.
2. Task. You will enter the continent of Europe and, in conjunction with the other United Nations, undertake operations aimed at the heart of Germany and the destruction of her armed forces. The date for entering the Continent is the month of May, 1944. After adequate Channel ports have been secured, exploitation will be directed towards securing an area that will facilitate both ground and air operations against the enemy.
3. Notwithstanding the target date above you will be prepared at any time to take immediate advantage of favorable circumstances, such as withdrawal by the enemy on your front, to effect a reentry into the Continent with such forces as you have available at the time; a general plan for this operation when approved will be furnished for your assistance.
4. Command. You are responsible to the Combined Chiefs of Staff and will exercise command generally in accordance with the diagram at Appendix. Direct communication with the United States and British Chiefs of Staff is authorized in the interest of facilitating your operations and for arranging necessary logistic support.
5. Logistics. In the United Kingdom the responsibility for logistics organization, concentration, movement, and supply of forces to meet the requirements of your plan will rest with British Service Ministries so far as British Forces are concerned. So far as United States Forces are concerned, this responsibility will rest with the United States War and Navy Departments. You will be responsible for the coordination of logistical arrangements on the continent. You will also be responsible for coordinating the requirements of British and United States forces under your command.
6. Coordination of operations of other Forces and Agencies. In preparation for your assault on enemy occupied Europe, Sea and Air Forces, agencies of sabotage, subversion, and propaganda, acting under a variety of authorities, are now in action. You may recommend any variation in these activities which may seem to you desirable.
7. Relationship to United Nations Forces in other areas. Responsibility will rest with the Combined Chiefs of Staff for supplying information relating to operations of the Forces of the U. S. S. R. for your guidance in timing your operations. It is understood that the Soviet Forces will launch an offensive at about same time as OVERLORD with the object of preventing the German forces from transferring from the Eastern to the Western front. The Allied Commander in Chief, Mediterranean Theater, will conduct operations designed to assist your operation, including the launching of an attack against the south of France at about the same time as OVERLORD. The scope and timing of his operations will be decided by the Combined Chiefs of Staff. You will establish contact with him and submit to the Combined Chiefs of Staff your views and recommendations regarding operations from the Mediterranean in support of your attack from the United Kingdom. The Combined Chiefs of Staff will place under your command the forces operating in Southern France as soon as you are in a position to assume such command. You will submit timely recommendations compatible with this regard.
8. Relationship with Allied Governments - the re-establishment of Civil Governments and Liberated Allied Territories and the administration of enemy territories. Further instructions will be issued to you on these subjects at a later date."
