438th AAA AW BN
APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.
Monday, Dec. 27, 1943 2100
England
Dearest sweetheart –
One of the things that makes me happy when I think of you is the fact that I have your love. And when I read your letters, you tell me that and the lift you give me is tremendous. This morning, my darling, I received three letters from you and if you’ve waited the way I have, you’ll know what a feeling that creates. I looked them over carefully from the outside, showed them to everyone around me, noted the post-mark for the date and then proceeded to open one of them. Two were stamped Nov. 29 and the other Nov. 30. I wanted to read the earlier of the two dated the 29th – so I opened each carefully took a quick look and found one was written on the 27th, the other the 28th. I put the latter aside and must I say I read your letter, slowly, carefully, happily? The other 2 letters I put into my pocket. I don’t know where I get the power of restraint but I shall read one tomorrow and the other the day after. Don’t think it strange, darling. I just feel so horribly blue when the days go by and I don’t get a letter – that this is less painful. In the morning I’ll give my driver, Corp. S., the ‘letter of the day’. I’ll tell him to wait for 30 minutes to an hour, then knock on the door of my office and say “Capt. A., I have a letter for you!” Do you think I’m crazy, dear? Yes or no – that’s what I do and that day becomes for me a full one, sweetheart. Perhaps you can understand now why I have the will-power to wait. Regardless of what Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday have to offer – for me they are already assuredly complete.
In that connection, darling, you are the sweet girl I know you are to write me so constantly. Perhaps I don’t thank you for it dear – but when the time comes, and I’m in a position to – I will never let a day go by without remembering to be thoughtful to you too – sweetheart. It won’t be a re-pay, it will be delightful to do, anyway.
Your mention of the Roger Smith brings fond memories to me too, dear. I have in my folder a post-card which I took from the hotel that week-end and I look at it often – and do I feel frustrated! It must be worse for you because there are so many couples around where you are. That’s one thing I’m spared. For example the only time I saw a female in the past 10 days was when I went to a neighboring town a few miles from here to try to get some Christmas decorations. Don’t get me wrong, dear. I don’t miss them. It’s only you I miss and if I can’t be with you, I don’t care if I don’t see a couple or a female until I get back to see you.
I enjoyed your clipping from the New Yorker. It was quite apropos and I could see us ordering our drinks and hearing myself say “must be dry or will be returned”. They tell me it may be possible to get a martini in London and if I get around to going there – I’ll have four in a row.
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I saw ‘Claudia’ when I was at Edwards and enjoyed it very much, including the sentimental parts, too. There were a couple of parts when the dialogue had a very significant meaning and I think that’s probably the part that you liked too.
From one of the other Officers who received mail today also, I learned that his family had received his cablegram on the 7th of December. I was delayed a day, as was he, and we didn’t send ours out until the day after Thanksgiving – so you can see it took about 11 days – which isn’t remarkably speedy. However I’m glad you heard from me, anyway, and I know you must be hearing from me now – if not regularly, at least spasmodically. I haven’t heard from my family since the letter I received with your first batch – but I ought to hear soon. I’ve written them, dear, just as constantly as I have you.
I am eagerly awaiting the receipt of your picture darling. I had a glimpse of the proofs – you remember – and I liked the one you picked – very much. I shall not keep it in my wallet, however – but somewhere where I can see it all the time. Meanwhile, darling, I suppose I ought to stop writing and go to bed. I’m at the hospital now – O.D. and sleeping here. We’re on every sixth night.
In your letter you say that you wished we had spoken to your folks “at this point”. I don’t exactly get the significance of “at this point” – but I too wish I had spoken to your folks. However – if they don’t know how I feel about you – it’s not because I haven’t tried to show them, darling. I think they do, as a matter of fact. I love you, want to marry you – and shall so inform them when I ask their permission. I used to be a good salesman, darling, and I know I can convince them that I can make you a decent husband, provide for you and keep you happy. I believe that will satisfy them, don’t you, dear?
I’ll stop now – but again thanks, darling, for your letters which I love, and keep your spirits up because this war just can’t go on too long, you’ll see. Good night, for now – and you have
All my love
Greg
* TIDBIT *
about George Grosz
about George Grosz
Here's the back of that comic from The New Yorker, with part of an interesting discussion about the artist and caricaturist, George Grosz. There follows one of his caricatures:
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
For more of George Grosz's art, visit "George Grosz - The Hanging Judge of Art" on the website called Animation Resources.
