27 January, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

27 January, 1944    1330

Dearest sweetheart -

The mail has been erratic this week, but good. Although there have been gaps in the dates – the fact is, dear, that I’ve been hearing from you regularly now for several days. When I got a letter from you day before yesterday, stamped Jan. 14 – I was tickled, but last night, darling, I got one stamped January 17th and getting mail in 9 days is really something. It’s a shame it can’t be like that more often.

By now, sweetheart, you must be well entrenched in your job and yet I have not received the letters which tell me actually whom you’re working for; but I know it’s for at least a dress and sweater shop. That’s darn good experience, dear, in handling people for a starter and you won’t be sorry for it I’m sure. One of your letters should have more detail and I’m looking forward to it, the hours you work, when you get home – etc. It certainly should help pass the time more easily – and I know – that’s what we’re both striving for during this lonesome stage.

I don’t know the Dr. Aronoff you refer to, darling, but he’s certainly lucky to get back to Boston. But everyone agrees that after 19 months in Iceland – you deserve a trip home. You remember dear my mentioning another MD who went home recently from here after 19 mos. in Iceland and 5 mos. in England. I laughed at your description of him and his wife; it was short but concise – as they used to say in English Comp. By the way, dear, how does it feel to say casually “when I was at Holyoke?” In backing up your description, though, all I know is that a few years ago there was a mad rush of fellows to Edinburgh School of Med. – who didn’t get into a U.S. school – until a couple of years ago the AMA forbade it by refusing to grant AMA membership to graduates of foreign medical schools.

Your description, Sweetheart, of your emotions on a lonely Sunday afternoon in the winter are well appreciated by me – and I only wish I could take you in my arms and tell you how much I love you and understand you. You made a significant statement in this most recent letter of yours – when you said it was surprising how attached you became to me in so short a time – and how much you miss me. I think of the reverse myself – often, and it is very surprising and yet satisfying because if on such short notice we got to love each other so strongly and we’re willing to give up anyone else in our affections – then we really must have something that attracts us to each other, and just think how that something will cement us when we’re together.

There have been so many definitions of love that I would hardly attempt it. There’s always a poignancy about it that could conceivably be interpreted as sadness – but on the whole I find in loving you the same happy, invigorating, fulfilled experience that you must feel. It makes you feel that fundamentally – all is well or will be well with the world. I feel that, sweetheart – and that’s why I’ve told you so often that being in the war isn’t too hard for me – knowing and loving you. Without your love, darling, I know I would be as bitter as many other soldiers are.

I also got a letter from my father yesterday. He speaks again of you – and us Sweetheart – but I really can’t say I’m jealous. They really love you, dear – my folks do, and that makes me very happy; but then you remember I told you they would.

I’ve got to go now, dearest. I’m writing a history of the Medical Unit from its beginning – for submission to the Surgeon General’s office and it’s a headache – but I’m pretty well along with it now. Evenings here have been very very quiet. I haven’t been out of camp – except to a town on business one day – since my trip to London. But I don’t mind. I read, listen to the radio and think of you, darling. The latter is so easy and pleasant. So long for now, darling, and

All my love

Greg.

Regards!
     Love

G

* TIDBIT *

about US Troops in Iceland

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

American Forces arriving in Iceland in 1942

When Hitler's army occupied Denmark on April 9th, 1940, communications between Denmark and Iceland were severed. Although Iceland by then was a fully-sovereign nation, Denmark still represented its foreign affairs and defense interests. On the 10th of April, Iceland elected to take control of its own foreign affairs, strictly adhering to a position of neutrality. However, a month later, on May 10, 1940, British military forces, fearing that Iceland may be another target for Hitler, invaded Iceland by sailing into Reykjavík harbor. Iceland protested this violation of neutrality, yet Icelanders were directed to treat the British troops as if they were guests. At the peak of their occupation of Iceland, the British had around 25,000 troops stationed there, all but eliminating unemployment in the Reykjavík area and other strategically important places.

As the need for men mounted on the British at home and in the Middle East, and while the U.S. was still a neutral nation, responsibility for Iceland's defense passed to the U.S. under a U.S.-Icelandic defense agreement in July of 1941. An American occupation force of up to 40,000 soldiers was eventually stationed on the island. This number of soldiers was greater than the number of all grown Icelandic men. A very detailed history of the planning and execution of the US deployment to Iceland can be found at: US Army In WWII: Guarding the US and its Outposts by Conn, Engleman and Fairchild. Also from that source came the photo above and the two below:

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

"Main Street" of an Icelandic Camp


Mountains from Camp Pershing

In October 1946, Iceland and the U.S. agreed to end U.S. responsibility for the defense of Iceland. Still, the United States retained certain rights, such as the right to re-establish a military presence there, should war threaten. On March 30, 1949, amid an anti-NATO riot, Iceland became a charter member of NATO with the reservation that it would never take part in offensive action against another nation. Following the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, and requests of NATO military authorities, the United States and the Icelandic Parliament again agreed that the U.S. should take responsibility for Iceland's defense. This agreement, signed on May 5, 1951, authorized a controversial U.S. military presence in Iceland, which remained until 2006. Although U.S. forces were ultimately withdrawn, the U.S. still assumes responsibility over the country's defense through NATO. However, since the withdrawal of U.S. forces, Norway, Denmark, Germany and other European nations have increased their defense and rescue cooperation with Iceland.

26 January, 1944 (Postcard)

[Note from FOURTHCHILD: This "real photo" postcard (left picture) was mailed on January 26th and received on February 23rd, 1944. It is a picture of St. Mary-le-Tower on Tower Street in Ipswich, about 40 miles from Honington. On the right is a picture of the church today.]

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE



* TIDBIT *

about the Bells at St Mary-le-Tower

CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE

The information was provided by George Pipe at St Mary-le-Tower

"Change ringing, the traditional English method of sounding bells swinging full circle, evolved during the 17th century. The basis of the art is that having started from 'rounds' (ringing down the scale), each bell follows a pre-determined path amongst the others, so that the bells ring in a different order each time until they return again to rounds. Fully developed, this becomes an intricate and exacting science which today is keenly pursued by over forty thousand men and women of all ages. They form a well organized and important part of the Church and social life of England and indeed many other countries where campanology has taken root.

The bells and ringers of St Mary-le-Tower are amongst the best known in Britain. There were five bells and a Sanctus in 1553 of which Miles Graye I of Colchester recast the Treble in 1607 and the Tenor in 1610. In 1671 John Darbie of Ipswich recast the 2nd and 4th and added a Treble to make a ring of six. By the addition of two trebles by Christopher Hodson in 1688 this ring became the second octave in Suffolk. The first full peal recorded on the bells is Grandsire Triples on 12th December 1735. Here is a quick video showing three leads of Kent TB Max being rung on the glorious 12 at St Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich. The bells were being rung at the end of the railway guild tour to Ipswich. Rob Lane, who posted the video to YouTube, is ringing the 11th.

Two more Trebles to make ten were cast by Taylor in 1844/5. Then with the great Victorian rebuilding of 1865, the opportunity was taken to provide Suffolk with its only ring of twelve, for in the following year a new Treble and Tenor were added. In 1976, a full scale restoration took place with the recasting of eight of the bells by Taylor of Loughborough, including a fine new Tenor of 35cwt in the key of Dflat, retuning the remainder and rehanging with all new fittings. A sharp 2nd was added in 1980.

In 1999 the 5th was recast, and the 8th retuned. Bells 9, 10 and 11 were replaced with bells cast to a heavier weight. The old 9th went to Australia to form the Tenor of a ring of 8 in the key of F#. The old 10th is hung in the Tower as the 'passing' bell and the old 11th is also hung in the Tower as the Sanctus bell. Here the bells are shown by diameter, date, weight and note. The peal is tuned to the key of C# (545 Hz).

Diameter	Bell		Date	Weight	Note
2' 1"	Treble		1975	4-0-0	G#
2' 2"	2#		1980	4-2-15	G
2' 2.5"	2		1975	4-2-10	F#
2' 3.5"	3		1975	4-3-1	F
2' 5.5"	4		1975	5-2-26	D#
2' 7"	5		1975	6-1-12	C#
2' 8"	6		1975	6-2-26	C
3' 0"	7		1946	9-0-13	A#
3' 2.5"	8		1975	10-1-14	G#
3' 6.5"	9		1999	14-2-12	F#
3' 9.5"	10		1999	18-2-0	F
4' 3"	11		1999	25-1-21	D#
4' 9.5"	Tenor		1975	34-3-16	C#

There has been a ringing tradition at St Mary-le-Tower for over 300 years and certainly from 1880-1939 the St Mary-le-Tower society was the leading twelve-bell Company in the land. Over 400 peals have been run, here, many of them for notable occasions. George Pipe, who contributed this history to the St Mary-le-Tower website, is the great great great nephew of James Pipe, who rang a peal here in 1816.

26 January, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

26 January, 1944     1400

Wilma darling -

Two more letters from you today as well as one from your Dad – and if you don’t think this has been a good week so far – you’re mistaken dear. And your letters are swell. Before I forget it, sweetheart, will you please stop belittling your letters? They are not ‘boring’ and not ‘nonsensical’, and whatever in the world makes you think so, dear? I love your letters for their directness and sincerity and because of these qualities – you become more vivid to me. I wouldn’t have you write them otherwise for anything, sweetheart. When you say you feel futile and frustrated after finishing one, dear – I do too, but I know it’s just a substitute and that after the war I’ll be able to tell you what and how I feel.

I love to have you think about the future, darling, because I do so much myself. I honestly don’t know what the set-up will be in Salem after the war. It seems that Mrs. Tucker is still holding an office for me and expects I’ll be back. Yet Frank M. will probably want to go back, too. Since Mrs. T. has converted my office into a living room – I don’t know what she has in mind. That office was a good spot – as you would more easily realize, had you lived in Salem, darling. Where we’ll live at first is also a mystery to me. There aren’t too many spots available and right now I think Marblehead is a bit too far. As for schooling – I honestly don’t know. The thought of a sort of honeymoon after the real one, combined with brushing up in medicine for a few months appeals to me strongly, darling; yet I know that the longer the war lasts – the more anxious will I be to get started right after our marriage.

In that connection, sweetheart, I’m pleased to read that your folks are getting used to the idea of the two of us. Believe me – they’re very sweet in not opposing it – even in your mind – and again, all I can say is I know I won’t let you down in any respect whatsoever.

Also – in connection with my future status in Salem – I got a swell letter yesterday from no less a person than Dr. Walter Phippen – about whom I’ve spoken so often. I know I’ve told you of his stature as a medical man, not only on the North Shore – but in Eastern medical circles as well, and frankly I was pleased that he took the trouble to write me. As I look back on it though, I did do a lot of work for him – because he mentioned that fact; he also mentioned that they were working hard at Salem H. to keep it as high grade as when we young fellows were there so that we wouldn’t be ashamed of it when we got back to take up where we left off. He closed by wishing a speedy return etc. and all in all – it was really a swell gesture on his part. I shall write him one of these days.

About your periodic distress, sweetheart – honestly there’s no known material for injection that has proved worthy of the trouble (at least there wasn’t any while I was in practice and I haven’t had opportunity for research in the Army, dear.) Very often the condition is greatly alleviated by married life – or after the birth of a child – so – darling bear with me a little while, will you? (Seems to me I’ve used that pun before?)

I think a lot of the time we’re away, dear, but never in terms of estrangement – in the actual meaning of the word. No doubt we’ll run through a whole gamut of emotions right before we re-meet, but oh! how I’m looking forward to that moment!

The book you mentioned, “Land Below the Winds”, sounds good. I’ve had a chance to do quite a bit more reading than for a long time – and I like it. I’m just finishing an interesting little book called “The Late George Apley” – by John P. Marquand; it was a Pulitzer prize novel – but it’s written in the form of a memoir. It’s particularly interesting because it traces the history of a Boston family, brings in many familiar scenes in Boston, Milton, Harvard, the North Shore etc. Starting tonight – I’m beginning “Oliver Wiswell” by Kenneth Roberts. The latter, incidentally, is the patient of a fellow I interned with at Beverly one year – Ken Cuneo, a swell fellow – who was practicing in Kennebunk, Me – before going into the Navy. I’ve always been in touch with him, visited once, and promised to stay longer as soon as I got married. He has a swell place up there; you’ll love his wife Mary who is a swell girl, too. She was from the Dutton family of Houghton-Dutton – remember, dear? They love to go fishing, hunting, golfing, etc. and I now we’ll be able to visit them from time to time. For that matter – a couple of other fellows I interned with – will be around New England – and our friendship was so close as interns – that we always kept in touch. I don’t know if I ever mentioned that fact to you – or not, but then dear – we had so little time. But put them on the list of our future friends – darling.

Well – I’ll close now, darling, but not without reminding you again that I love you more and feel closer to you now – than when I last saw you – and the reason is, dear, that with each passing day – our love is standing the test of time, and that is what counts. So long then, for now – and you have

All my love

Greg

Regards to the family and
that does include Mary

Love

G.

Enclosing some silly stuff from The Stars and Stripes, dear

Love

G.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
   

25 January, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

25 January, 1944      1345

Dearest darling Wilma –

I ought to have my head examined for some of the things I write, dear, particularly anything that sounds lonesome. You wouldn’t believe me if I wrote I never was, but it’s something better not to write about. Honestly, darling, if I’ve sounded very lonesome in my letters I haven’t meant to. Perhaps my expression of love for you makes me sound that way in my writing.

Today I got the letters which yesterday I wrote were missing. That practically completes me up to date to January 9th – except for one letter in early January that must have told me about the job. In your letter of Dec 29 you refer to a lonesome type letter I wrote you earlier. Someone ought to kick me for having written it. I can only say, darling, that it was the holiday season, I hadn’t heard from you, and we are so far away from each other. I can also say that no one letter you ever wrote me so far did more to make me love you than that one I’m referring to which I received today. Really, darling, you are just the tonic I need. It was a swell letter and must have been difficult to write after having received a sad one from me. And your drawings!! There’s no doubt in my mind that one of our four children will be an artist – well, a cartoonist anyway. And when you drew a picture of a ‘smile’ I didn’t smile, dear, I roared. I’m glad you like the name of Mrs. H.G.A.; I like the sound of ‘Mrs.’; your picture depicting my kissing you or vice versa had me puzzled, darling. I didn’t know who was who. I tried to get a hint from your drawing of a diamond ring – as to what type you like; anyway you made it sparkle, sweetheart, so I’ll do the best I can; the bride and bridegroom look like a couple of sad-sacks (if you’re receiving the YANK, you’ll know what I mean, dear), but I like the idea! And finally, the pièce de resistance! The home! I can see it all, the picket fence, the arch of roses, the trees (what kind?), and the colonial (or was it?) style home with nursery for 4. Sweetheart – you shall have them all – and more, for you are without a doubt the sweetest and most lovable girl a fellow could ever hope for – and don’t think I don’t know it.

I also got a letter from your mother – written about the same time, as well as your letters of Jan. 1st. Your mother made some sweet wishes. I’m sorry I left the impression I was so lonesome – because she remembered about it too. I wasn’t worried about the Cornell Stationery, dearest. I used to have some nice Harvard stationery like that.

Sweetheart – I feel badly about people noticing your hanging around and not going anywhere. You are young and should be doing a great many things and maybe they’re correct. The Lord knows I don’t like the idea and yet, darling, I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for you. All I can say is that when the time comes I hope you can tell them I was worth waiting for and that you’ll feel proud of me. Anyway I get consolation out of the fact that almost anyone you might have met would have had to leave you eventually for some service or other – unless he were 4F – and so it might as well be I. Gosh – people are fundamentally selfish, aren’t they, dear?

One more thing I want to mention, darling, is your thoughtfulness about my folks. Needless to say, I love them and you are sweet to call them so frequently and to reassure them that all is well with me – even to the point of saying you heard from me on a day you didn’t. That shows me a great deal about your character, dear – and I like it. In every letter from home – your name is always mentioned and my mother and father never stop telling me how crazy they are over you and how much they love you. Darling, your in-laws will not be a problem! Barbara and Stephen write me that they love you. I’m still waiting for a letter from Ruth and Irv – but I know how much they think of you already – thru my Dad’s letters.

Gosh, Sweetheart, I could go on for page after page telling you why I love you. I’m not concealing a thing from you, dear. I’m occasionally lonesome – but 98% of the time I’m happy in my thoughts of us in the future. That thought easily overcomes everything else. When I hadn’t heard from you early in my days over here – it was natural to let my imagination develop my doubts. Your subsequent re-assurances, sweetness, thoughtfulness and sincerity – have instilled within me such a satisfied feeling that I can stand this damned war until the day I return to you. And return I will! Mentally and physically, darling, I’m in excellent shape – better than when I last saw you. I’m carefully watching myself because I have something to guard myself for. That – you will see for yourself.

I’ll close for now, sweetheart, not that I couldn’t go on writing. But tomorrow is another day and I may not hear from you. So I’ll save some ideas for then. Bless you, darling, for being the person you are and forgive me for my doubts and occasional sadnesses. I believe I have mastered both. For now, dearest, so long and you have and will eternally have –

All my love.

Greg.

Regards to everyone
in the family, dear.

Love

G.

24 January, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

24 January, 1944    1620

My dearest Sweetheart -

Sometimes I hear from you, and when I get through reading you letters I feel so full of joy and love for you that I wonder at my own reactions. I don’t wonder darling that I’m in love with you; I know that; but the sensation is one of feeling so close to you, of wanting you, of realizing that someday you’ll be mine alone, of everything that is so mysteriously wonderful about two people in love – that I know you must know what I mean when I say I sometimes can’t quite analyze my reactions.

Sweetheart – as the days and weeks go by and become months I find that you are just as sweet and thoughtful in your letters as when you first told me you loved me. That is the gratifying thing to me, darling, that whatever magnetism first attracted us to each other is still holding and growing stronger. In one of your letters you warned me you would have to give me another lecture for even intimating that you might have hidden thoughts and feelings that you might try to veil from me – so as not to hurt me, for example. Darling – I didn’t write that to cause any trouble between us; I guess you know that. It’s merely that I feared I might not be able to hold you. Don’t censure me, dear, for my thoughts. I just couldn’t bear anything like that and when you’re alone as much as I am – the mind runs away with itself.

When I get letters like the ones I received today (Jan 6 and 7th) I just can’t tell you how much it means to me. The world looks good, the war seems short – and only one thing pervades me – the thought of both of us married and happy after the war. Believe me, sweetheart, we will be happy and if you only keep that in your mind always and don’t find waiting for me too difficult, I’ll make up for all the waiting, dear. You must have (and I know you do) faith in me.

Sometimes the letters I get are all out of sequence. The last letters have been like that. I have letters of the 29th and 30th of Dec; the 3rd, 6th 7th, and 9th of January. The ones in between are still missing. I got the one of the 9th before the ones of the 6th and 7th. In it you mentioned starting a job the next day and that came as a complete surprise, dear. The letters of the 6th and 7th also mentioned a job – but some earlier letter must have told me what it was. I’m anxious to hear what it is, but whatever the job – I know you’ll do well and will be liked by your employer.

Your Birthday wishes, Sweetheart, were swell and I certainly loved to read what you had to say – because I know you meant it.

Another thing that surprised me was the mention of a sweater and socks which you are making for me. It’s wonderful to read that you think of me so often, darling. I know you are – but it’s still wonderful to read it. I like heather and I like the stitch – as drawn by you and I’ll love playing golf in it Sweetheart – or just lounging around at home between or after hours.

And save the cribbage board. Every good home in Salem has one, dear. Say – what is honeymoon bridge, anyway? Is that two handed bridge? And if on a honeymoon, why play bridge?

I’m glad you get an occasional letter of mine as early as 1 week after mailing. Once in a while I’ve received one like that from you – and doesn’t it make things seem so much closer, dear? Incidentally, I didn’t think they’d allow that menu to go through – since it had the APO number of the Airbase on it, but apparently they are not concerned. I’ll admit my job sounds soft darling, but waiting for you isn’t – except when I realize that what I’m waiting for is worth it, and more.

I’ve got to go eat now, sweetheart. I hope you like your work – and I’m anxious to hear about it. Darling I love you more – the more I think about it and Lord how I think about it! So long for now and all my love

Greg

Regards!

23 January, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

23 January, 1944     0900

Dearest darling -

It’s been some time since I wrote you so early in the day. Actually I like to because it seems to give me a good start for the rest of the day, dear.

As I wrote you by V-mail, yesterday was a busy day and involved my getting set up in a slightly different way than most recently. As you see, my APO is still the same and everything is actually status quo, darling, so don’t start worrying.

I’ve been re-reading the last batch of letters I received from you dear, and I enjoy them just as much with each new reading. There are several parts where I just couldn’t help laughing out loud. Way back in December, for example, when the so-called flu epidemic was on – it seems that Shirley was sick. I’m proud of your ability to take charge of things, dear. I have no doubt at all that you will make an all-round competent mother and wife – but then, I decided that a long time ago, sweetheart and that’s among the reasons for my loving you. What actually made me laugh about the Shirley incident was your account of the string running from one girl to the other, thru the corridor. That really must have been something. How any of you got much sleep, is beyond me.

From about the 1st week in December – up to graduation, dear, you really had a time – according to your letters. I knew you must have been studying hard, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to give you much comfort, was I? The net result is that you got your Bachelor of Arts degree, sweetheart, and again I’m very proud of my future wife. I really have a lot to be proud of in regards to you – and all I can say is that I’m ever-mindful of it. By the way – you ask me in one of your letters whether or not I like to eat in bed. Yes, dear, I guess I do – but – why eat?

I already mentioned a couple of times, I believe dear, that I sent you a little charm which I hope you like. It actually wasn’t sent out until day before yesterday – due to, shall I say, manufacturing difficulties? It’s a little thing – but took a lot of work and was done entirely by hand, without aid of machinery. The only thing that makes me tell you about this in advance, darling, is the fact that it is incomplete. It requires a chain for wearing and I cannot get one in England and I’ve tried at least 20 places. So if you decide you may want to wear it (and by no means, dear, do you have to) – I know you won’t have any trouble in procuring a chain in Boston.

When I got back from London the other day – there was a letter from Frank M. – of all people, or have I mentioned that already, darling? I’m not sure I did, but anyway he’s here in England – and that’s what I meant by “of all people”. He has the old APO number that I had – 515 and has been here just a short time I presume. So that’s someone else I must get together with. I’d really like to see him and talk things over. He was at home in Salem as recently as Christmas and he may have some news. The other people I haven’t looked up as yet are Elliot L. and Morris Z. – brother of Al – who is a Bombardier in a Fort and not far from me. Elliot is quite a jaunt from my direction and not on a main line; so far when I’ve been off – I’ve preferred to head for London.

Darling – your picture has not yet arrived and now I’m worried. It seems to me it should have come by now and yet – on talking with some of the boys who are expecting packages – some of them tell me they’ve heard from home that parcels, etc. were sent out in early December. The fact is they don’t lose things in our mail service and it must be turning up soon. One more thing – dear – my wallet has been cleaned out of any and all pictures long ago! See?? Anyway – I’ll have a frame built for your picture and I plan to keep it on my desk. When I travel – I can keep it safely also, dear.

Sweetheart that’s all for now. I’ll write tomorrow and I hope you are well and still hopeful. I am, myself, and with you the same way – they can’t beat us, darling.

All my deepest love

Greg

Regards – How about your Aunt Bea’s address?

Love.

G.

22 January, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

England

22 January, 1944

Dearest Sweetheart,

It’s not often I resort to V-mail but today was a busy one and involved many changes. I’m still busy, dear, but I had to take a few minutes off to write a few lines.

I don’t expect any mail today, darling, but I’m expecting a few recent ones any day now. Yesterday I finally sent out the box of knives, forks, ash-trays and miscellaneous items – so when you see a large box for you, don’t expect too much. Your mother will probably think I’m crazy for troubling to send stuff like that across the ocean – but then, dear – we have our sentiments.

Tomorrow I’ll write you a long letter, darling; I still have some things to discuss with you – from the big batch of letters the other day. For now, dear, so long – and

All my love

Greg.