18 December, 1943 (2nd Letter)

[Note from FOURTHCHILD:
Apologies for posting this letter,
the second written on the 18th of December, 1943,
three days late.]

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Sat. Night, Dec 18, 1943 1930

England

My dearest sweetheart –

It’s the Eve of your graduation and instead of being with you and wishing you luck I'm way off here in England using my imagination. Needless to say darling, I wish you the best fortune and future a girl can have and I not only wish it dear but I’ll devote my life to helping it to materialize. You know Sweetheart that it was futile for me to attempt to send you a Graduation card or gift. I did want you to know though that I did think of it. I hope you got a little note from me anyway. I arranged for that myself a long time ago and I hope it wasn’t forgotten.

I wrote you a short V mail letter earlier today, thinking I might miss the p.m. mail. Right now I’m in my room, alone – and I must tell you of our conveniences. Honestly, to date I’ve fought the war much harder in the United States than I am here. In the first place dear I now share a separate house – yes house – not an ordinary gov’t building – with several other fellows from headquarters. The house would make a group of fraternity boys envious. It has 7 rooms – all separate, two bathrooms with tubs, individual sink, closet, mirrors and chest of drawers in each room and yes, dear – a fireplace in each room – which by the way is typically English. Of course it’s fully electrified. Oh yes – steam heat.

About 200 yards down the road from us and still in the camp proper is an officers’ club that rivals a good sized hotel. It has a main lobby with plush carpets, a large reading room (about the size of your mess-hall at Wilder), with leather chairs, etc., two billiard rooms, dining hall, radios, piano and I don’t know what else. Just behind this building is a small gym with squash and handball courts and there are shower rooms too. I tell you this, darling ,not in an attempt to exaggerate – for it’s the truth. I didn’t believe they had set-ups like this, but I’m actually experiencing it. At the Officers’ Club by the way, they have a movie every night, gratis. One other thing they make available for every officer – a bicycle for his personal use. Now Sweetheart – I have not been drinking. It’s the truth. There’s no reason in the world why anyone should want to leave this spot to go to town for an evening. On Mondays they run Art Classes, Tuesday – Photography, Wednesdays – Open forum, Thursday and Fridays – visiting speakers and Sunday late p.m. – 2 hours of Symphonic recordings with a commentator. Tomorrow they’re playing Beethoven’s 5th.

I hope I’m not boring you, darling – but there’s more. I have the use of a hospital set-up, with laboratory and x-ray equipment, an office for myself and one for my clerk. I can really see and do a great deal of medicine; certainly more than I’ve been able to do since I’ve been in the Army. It’s really an Utopia and I can’t get over it. When I get through writing you, dear, I’m going to write my folks the same. If my mother will only believe it – it may make her feel a little happier. No one says it, but I suppose my mother is taking my absence hard. The Lord knows I try to paint as pretty a picture as possible to them – for her sake. If they sometimes tell you I’m having a good time here – it’s merely because I always write that everything is fine and that I’m enjoying myself. The truth is darling that I’m terribly lonesome for all of you and if I wax enthusiastic as I did above – it’s because I’m searching for an outlet. I don’t intend to find it in anyone else while I’m gone and haven’t. The only satisfaction I can get, therefore, is in something inanimate, as in convenience. I hope I make myself clear, dear.

This past week I’ve thought especially hard about us. It’s probably due to the fact that you’re graduating and I’m wondering what you’re going to do now. I just hope, Sweetheart, that you don’t get too bored or tired of waiting for me. I so want you to be there when I come back and I shudder at any other possibility. Darling I love you so deeply, I’ll never be able to tell you in words. You will just have to see for yourself. I’ll stop now. The boys are starting a Bridge game in a few minutes. The best and truest of luck Sweetheart and you have –

All my love

Greg

21 December, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Tuesday, Dec 21, 1943  2030

England

My darling –

Gosh how I miss you tonight and how I missed you today! I miss you all the time, dearest, but you must know what I mean. Every now and then you get it particularly hard; it hurts more, you’re more aware of it, you can’t forget for a moment of the day. Have you felt it, dear? Today and this evening I’ve been that way. No one could have acted as company for me, today, but you, Sweetheart and you just weren’t around. I try these days to push aside the thought of distance between us, dear. I tell myself that you’re near me but that I just can’t see you for one reason or another. It’s only an illusion and doesn’t work too well. Then I re-read your letters and I do feel better – when I realize that you love me and are willing to wait for me. Darling, you just can’t conceive what that thought means to me. Just to know that I’m coming home someday, not to an empty world but to you, dear – gives me so much life and energy to come back, that I pity anyone who is over here and has nothing to look forward to.

I know, sweetheart, that at home people must say that a soldier gets around, sees the world, lives an interesting life and one full of adventure. Let me tell you, dear, that with all the above – life here is just an existence; it is void and empty and not a moment of a day goes by, not an incident occurs – but what you think in terms of home and the girl you love. I don’t mean to imply that it’s the same for everyone. Some of the men and officers apparently are enjoying themselves. I’m speaking for myself. My ties, affection and liaison to you are stronger than they were when I left – if that is possible. In writing to you, darling, and hearing from you – I feel that we are getting closer to each other and I hope that you feel the same way.

I’m glad, darling, that you’re 20 years old. You always made me feel that you were a woman and not a girl, anyway, – but somehow you were still nineteen. The mere change from 19 to 20 somehow makes me feel that we’re closer. I know that sounds silly, but I’m just writing my reactions.

I’m at the hospital now, dear, in the OD’s room. This is my turn for Officer of the Day and I sleep at the hospital tonight. I’m in my room. It’s large, warm, comfortable and convenient. As OD I cover everything that comes in during the day or night. It reminds me of my intern days. So far since returning from the Club I’ve seen a private and a Captain. The former had a cinder in his eye – obtained when he was under his truck checking the exhaust; the latter cut his right thumb while cutting some bologna and trying to drink beer at the same time. I guess that proves that different scales in the Army get different types of casualties.

Earlier this evening I ate at the Club – as usual. Starting with Christmas dinner – we begin to eat at our own battalion officers’ mess. We ought to get turkey on Christmas – although we don’t expect the nuts, fruits etc. Still we won’t complain – because we had K rations for Thanksgiving dinner – and on a train. If I were home, dear – we’d all eat together. We will though. And also on Passover, the New Year – and all such events. It will be fun getting into the car and trekking over to Mattapan or Newton to have dinner with the folks, then saying, “Well, it’s getting late and we have a long ride, so we’d better be going”. So we’ll get in the car again and head for home alone. Can you visualize that, darling? I can and I’m planning on it.

Dear – there’s another call for me to go to the accident room – so I’d better close now. I sometimes say “I love you” somewhere in my letter, don’t I darling? It’s hard to make it sound expressive. When I’m with you I could say it slowly, or softly, or with accentuation. In writing – it’s just “I love you” – but Sweetheart – in my mind and heart – it’s the deepest and sincerest feeling I’ve ever had – and it’s for you only, Wilma – and will always be. Good night for now, darling and take care of yourself.

All my love,

Greg

Fondest regards to your folks.

Love,

G

20 December, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Monday, Dec 20, 1943 1430

England

Dearest sweetheart –

I am now at the hospital in my office. The sun is streaming thru the windows behind me – and that, dear, is a rare treat. Since I’ve been in England proper the sun has shone brightly on only 3 days. Stars have been out and visible on 4 or 5 nights. All the rest of the time it’s cloudy, misty, foggy – or a combination of all three.

Anyway – today is clear and it makes me feel better – although I felt especially homesick a couple of hours ago. One of the doctors here at the hospital received orders today returning him to Washington, D.C. – immediately and by the most available route of transportation. He’ll probably fly back. But here’s the catch, darling: he spent 16 months in Iceland and 5 months here – so no one begrudges him his going home. But it makes a fellow awfully wistful, dear – awfully.

When I got back from the club last night, I wrote you, dear – so nothing much has happened since then. After breakfast this a.m. – I spent the morning at the hospital and saw a couple of interesting cases – one fellow with a swollen jaw, exact cause as yet obscure, and another fellow with an interesting knee case.

This afternoon I’ve got an appointment to meet a fellow and play some squash. I’m still stiff all over from a game the other day, but another workout will really limber me up. I’ve been in poor condition from a stamina and wind point of view for some time. Why, darling, I recall I could only kiss you for about 18 minutes before having to take a breath and I know I should do better than that.

A little while ago I got some concentrated sunshine in the form of ultra-violet light. They have a swell machine here and it’s a good opportunity to get a nice tan as well as Vitamin D.

I went into town several days ago, darling, and while moseying about found a book store. One little book caught my eye because of its title, so I bought it. The name: “I Love You, I Love You, I Love You,” by Bemelmans. You can see, darling why I purchased it. It has some delightfully humorous free hand drawings on every other page or so. I haven’t started it as yet – but I will – soon,

2000

Well, sweetheart,

It seems as if I can’t finish a letter I start in one sitting. Several things turn up to interrupt me – and before you know it – it’s time to eat. I stayed to see what the movie would be. It was a German film “Baptism of Fire” – which I saw somewhere in the States over a year ago. It deals with the German invasion of Poland and has German dialogue only. After seeing the start of it, I left for our quarters – where I am now, dear.

I haven’t had any mail from you or the folks for some time now. I guess I ought to hear soon now. I’ll be glad when Christmas is over and we perhaps get a little better mail service. After the war, Sweetheart, I’m going to ask you to write me for awhile, even if we’re living together in Salem – just to get the thrill of receiving a letter the day after it’s written.

I’m going to get ready for bed now, dear, and pleasant thoughts of you. I haven’t had a good dream about you for about 3 nights, now, and I’m going to complain if I don’t have a real good one in the next couple of nights, dearest.

Before saying “good-night”, darling – remember that the author of the book has no corner on the words of his title – so I can also say “I love you, I love you, I love you” – and mean it sincerely. Be well, dear, and take care of yourself. I understand that it’s a bad winter in New England – so don’t get any colds. I feel fine physically, myself, especially with a workout every other day. I’ll soon be in good shape – and as I’ve said before dear – I’m saving myself only for you.

All my love, darling

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about the author of I Love You, I Love You, I Love You

This book, a light collection of the exploits and escapades of a world traveler, was written by Ludwig Bemelmans and published in 1942. Bemelmans moved from Austria to the United States in 1914 at the age of 16. He started out and became successful in the restaurant and hotel business before authoring his first book in 1934. In 1939 he published, Madeline, named for his wife and fashioned after his daughter, Barbara. More Madeline books followed and Bemelmans eventually wrote a total of 15 children's books. In addition, he not only wrote articles and illustrated covers for the New Yorker and other magazines, but also published many books for adults.

Here are scans of the copy of I Love You, I Love You, I Love You that Greg sent to Wilma, including the inside cover with notation, the Title page and the Table of Contents:

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

19 December, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Sunday, Dec 19, 1943 1700

England

Darling Wilma –

This must have been a thrilling day in your lifetime – and I hope – a happy one too. I’ve wanted to write all day – but I spent most of it just thinking about you and home and your folks and us. Believe me, dear, I was with you in spirit and every other type of communication except physical. I hope you had some inner feeling dear that I was with you.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

And now, I suppose, back home for good – or rather until I can take you with me to our own place. Did you move out today or did your plans call for a later removal, dear? And how much time are you taking off before you start some kind of work? No doubt you’ve been writing the answers to these questions before now.

Here – it was a quiet Sunday. The weekly schedule calls for a 7 day week here and things went on just about as usual. I spent most of the morning at the hospital, then an hour or two at the Club, and again back to the hospital. I got here a little while ago, dear, and am going to dress for supper – or rather dinner. Among other things – at our evening meal we are obliged to wear our blouse and pinks. It’s all quite formal, I assure you, darling.

After we eat – there’s a recorded concert at one of the buildings near here – and several of us are going over. I’m going to stop writing now, dear, but I’ll continue later.

2200

Hello darling!

I just got back from the Club. After our supper we played billiards for awhile. I know very little about the game – but it helps pass the time. Then we saw some Russian war films – non-fictional and very vivid. I hadn’t been at the Club before – so late in the evening – but on our way out there was a buffet set-up with sandwiches, dough-nuts and coffee. I tell you darling it’s going to be hard to be a real soldier again. Now I’m in my room once more and getting ready to go to bed.

Today I heard from someone in the battalion that one of the soldiers finally received a letter addressed with APO 515 and not 4916. That means that figuring about 8 days for V mail, he must have been heard from somewhere around the 10th of Dec. I hope only that you heard from me by that time, dear – and not later. I know it must be damned difficult writing letters and getting no answers – but I’m sure you’ll realize sweetheart – that every time you were writing, I was too – and very likely the same things were running through your mind as through mine.

I haven’t done as much visiting of towns since coming to England as I thought I would. I wrote of the places I’ve been to already, I believe. I still have to visit London and I intend visiting Cambridge and Oxford if I get the chance. Right now I see no reason for going traveling at all – it’s so convenient here. The minute you leave an Army station you meet difficulties in getting food, and traveling conditions on the whole are not very good. No one at all, it seems, drives a car; and dear – I mean no one. You just don’t see autos on the road at all.

Well, Sweetheart – it’s getting late, so I think I’ll stop for now. Here’s good luck and wishes for an interesting job and easy waiting for me to come back to you. I’m saving my love, all of it dear, for you – and when I do get back, I’ll be able to tell you in person just how much I do love you, darling.

For now – goodnight, dear and my

Deepest love

Greg

Wilma's Mount Holyoke College diploma is dated the 19th day of December (DIE XIX DECEMBRIS). In addition to marking 1943 (MCMXLIII) years since "man's redemption", (SALUTIS HUMANAE), the diploma marks 168 (CLXVIII) years of the American Republic(REIQUE PUBLICAE AMERICANAE).

18 December, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Dec 18, 1943   1400

England

Darling –

I’m in a hurry now and plan to write you later – but I can get this off in today’s p.m. mail – so I thought I’d jot down a few lines.

I can’t help but wonder what we’d be doing now if I were up at Holyoke with you getting ready for tomorrow. You’ll no doubt tell me everything, dear – and I’m anxious to hear about it.

This place is amazing for its conveniences. I’ll tell you about it when I write a regular letter, later.

That’s all for now, dear – and until later

All my love

Greg

Regards to the family

* TIDBIT *

about V-Mail (Victory Mail)

That V-Mail was faster to arrive than Airmail was never certain, but the tons of shipping avoided by photographing the mail, sending only reels of film, and then processing the film for delivery Stateside was substantial:

• 150,000 ordinary 1-sheet letters weighed 2,575 pounds in 37 mail sacks
• 150,000 V-Mail letters (as written) weighed 1,500 pounds in 22 mail sacks
• 150,000 V-Mail letters (microfilmed) weighed 45 pounds in a single mail sack

Therefore, using V-Mail was encouraged as a patriotic act, as can be seen from this comprehensive web site located in the Smithsonian Postal Museum Online Exhibit: Victory Mail at the Smithsonian Postal Museum.

V-Mail postcards, packaging and posters... all encouraged its use.


Postcard


Packaging


Posters

17 December, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Friday, Dec 17, 1943     2100

England

Dearest Sweetheart –

I hadn’t intended writing tonight dear because I believed I wouldn’t be settled, but here I am again. I didn’t want to lose a day and I don’t have to. In that connection, darling, let me thank you for your sweetness in writing me so constantly even though you haven’t heard from me at all. Your guess as to where I was at a certain time was almost correct. The fact is that I haven’t missed writing you dear since Thanksgiving Day – or did I mention that, dear?

I slowly and by ration method read the 4 letters I received from you the other day. The orchid seems to have lived longer than I thought they could – but at any rate, I’m glad you liked it.

You please me darling when you write that your mother and father are fond of me. That is just what I want, because I’m very fond of them too and don’t let anyone tell you, Sweetheart, that that isn’t a necessary prerequisite to a happy marriage – aside from other factors which we’ve discussed before – and satisfied?

I can understand now, darling, why you re-read my letters, good or bad. I do the same with yours now darling and I too get sad and yet happy when I put them all together and get their true significance. They mean Sweetheart that we’re in love with each other, that we want to be married – and that you’re willing to wait for me until I come back. That knowledge dear is what makes me so happy – the sad part being due to the fact you have to wait for me because of this damned war, and also because of the sweet sentiment you portray in your letters. The latter, dear, I cherish and look forward to with so much anticipation that I’m almost surprised myself.

V-Mail may be quicker, dear – but I don’t use it because somehow I don’t find it satisfactory. Sometimes regular mail takes 2-3 weeks, Air-mail 10 days to 3 weeks, and V-Mail 10 days to 2 weeks. They’re all mixed up and I don’t know. I like your letters as they are dear, as long as I get them.

On Thanksgiving Day I had K-Rations, dear – although I wouldn’t tell my mother or she’d be aggravated. On Christmas I think I’ll have a regular holiday meal from the way the set-up looks here.

I too envy anyone that resembles a couple in love, but what can we do about it. I still think that going overseas was a necessary evil and that any soldier hanging around in the States who doesn’t get over before the war’s end is going to feel left out afterwards. As for being your favorite pin-up man – I’d better hide your letter for fear someone might find it and read that, dear. I know darling that they’re none too sharp but I can’t help it. And I do wish your picture would arrive soon!

Gosh would I love to be going out with you tomorrow night, sweetheart! What would we do and where would we go? I leave the answers to you, dear. But don’t you worry, darling – we’ll be going and doing and having a wonderful time. Just sit tight, dear, and please try to feel that you’re not missing too much. I know what must be running through your mind from time to time – and I’m helpless to do a thing about it. All I can promise you dear is that I’ll do my best when we’re married to make up for any loneliness you had while I was away – and I think I can make it up to you, too, darling.

Sweetheart – there’s so much noise here and confusion I’ll have to stop. For tonight, several of the officers are living in one large barracks. We’ll get settled tomorrow in our own buildings.

In a day or two I’m hoping to hear from you again. I heard today that some of the fellows’ families received cablegrams on Dec 1st. I’m hoping you did, too. So long for tonight, darling, and

All my love for now

Greg

16 December, 1943

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 515 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Dec 16, 1943

England

Wilma darling –

Just for variety’s sake and perhaps more speed, I’m sending this letter this way; Also, dear, because I’m very busy today and I wanted to make sure I get at least something out to you. I haven’t missed a day since Thanksgiving, but I won’t be able to write tomorrow. I wrote in an earlier letter what my new APO is to be. I repeat, dear, 527 and everything else the same. You can start using it right away.

Today was a very happy one, darling, for I received 4 letters from you, Nov 22, 23, 25, 26. It was a great struggle but I read only the first two, and I’m saving the other 2 for tomorrow. It’s the only way to avoid disappointment, for it seems our mail is bound to come in bunches. In that connection, when you do finally hear from me you ought to get a stack of mail.

I’m glad darling you got the orchid. I was afraid Carey’s might overlook it. I arranged for it the first week-end, no it must have been the second one – at Holyoke. I’m glad I did and I’m glad you liked it.

I’ll write more, dear, as soon as I’m settled again which should be in a day. The new APO no. has no far-reaching significance at all. For now, so long and

All my love

Greg

Regards to your folks

* TIDBIT *

about Carey's Flowers

Carey's Flowers has been a family owned business since 1912 and is still owned by the Carey family as of this writing. Located at 300 Newton Street, South Hadley, MA, this picture has been on their website.