12 August, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

12 August, 1944        0950

Good morning, Sweetheart –

We almost slept in a 15th century chateau last nite – but just missed out. Maybe it’s just as well – because the walls weren’t very thick. When we make a move – a reconnaissance party precedes us and picks a site – according to our tactical needs. If there’s a farmhouse or building at the spot – they take over. Then they radio us their position – and we meet them. Something went wrong. They had the beautiful estate all picked out – but when they returned – someone else had moved in. The French persist in saying “C’est la guerre” to that – which I guess it is, darling, although I always reply with every other French saying I can think of such as “Cherchez la femme”, “On y soit qui mal y pense” and Pauline La Fouef. Anyway – we picked another spot – and it was just as noisy, dear.

The nights here – I should say evenings – are beautiful, darling, and make me miss you horribly. I have lots of time to think – in the evening and the night – and it’s always about you and us, dear – and always satisfying. That’s what I like about it. Soon, I’m sure, our love will have a chance to be translated, sweetheart, and whether literally or figuratively – I sure am looking forward to it! All for now, dear. Love to the folks – and

All my love is yours –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about When the French Angered the Americans

On 12 August 1944 the population of Alençon awoke in the early morning in a liberated city. The capture of Alençon by the French 2nd Armored Division, which had arrived on Utah Beach on 1 August as Part of Patton's Army under French General Leclerc, had upset German General Eberbach's strategy to reorganize a front line south of the Falaise pocket. The 116th Panzer-Division had been assigned the mission to occupy the area of the Orne River. But the Germans suffered losses when they arrived at the north gate of Alençon, where the French had installed a defense.

Generals Jacques-Philippe Leclerc and Heinrich Eberbach
  

Without further ado General Leclerc launched his combat commands northward. The French armored column named "Putz" advanced toward Sées skirting east of Écouves Forest. The 5th American Armoured Division under Major General Oliver entered Le Mans from the east. American General Regnier's Combat Command A penetrated into Sées around 10 a. m. ahead of the Panzergrenadier Regiment of the 116th Panzer-Division. Without any tank or artillery support, the Germans were pushed back. One hour later the arrival of the "Putz" column caused a huge traffic jam and aroused the Americans' anger. Intervention by American General Haislip, who commanded the XVth Corps, was required to settle the disagreement.

11 August, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

11 August, 1944          0900

My dearest fiancée –

Here I am writing you a little bit earlier than usual. One thing about actually living under war conditions is the comparative freedom of our private lives. By that I mean – we’re under no training schedule as we were in the States and in England. When I stop to realize that while in England we used to be doing calisthenics at 0630 and the boys were making long marches daily – I’m glad to be over here – where 0900 seems early. We don’t have the inspectors or the inspections we formerly had to endure – either. And another thing, dear, we don’t have to worry whether our blouse and pinks are cleansed and pressed. I’ve had mine out of my val-a-pak once since leaving England – that was to air it in the sun one day – after a long rainy spell. It was a mess – as are all our clothes – but there’s nothing you can do about it.

Yesterday, Sweetheart, I got your V-mail of July 27th. In this direction there doesn’t seem to be much difference in the time to reach here – between V-mail and airmail. I’m still surprised to find that airmail reaches you earlier. They keep telling us to use V-mail because it’s quicker – but I don’t like it. I don’t mind getting them from you, though, dear. They are quicker and easier to dash off and as long as it’s a letter from you – I enjoy it. So don’t hesitate using V-mail as often as you like, darling.

I sure would like to see that shiny new red raincoat of yours. Is it one of those transparent types? You should see the one I have, dear, it’s an oilskin and about a size 46 or 50. I got it that way on purpose. I can wear it over my trench coat and it reaches down over my overshoes. So that when it really rains – I can keep pretty well covered. Incidentally – I can now tell you that I had plenty of opportunity to use it here in France.

What made you think of my clarinet – darling? I did bring it with me and on one occasion since being here I played it – while sitting in the back of the truck. It had been raining for about 7-8 days. There wasn’t a dry spot around anywhere. We practically lived in the truck and everyone was getting bluer and bluer. I dug it out and tried a few songs. It was a sad attempt. But the strangeness of a squeaking clarinet in a spot not far from a battlefield – made everyone laugh and we had a good time for awhile. I haven’t had the opportunity or inclination, for that matter, to play it since.

The German prisoners that worked at the hospital were quiet, well-behaved and good workers. They were guarded only at nite – sleeping together in one large tent. During the day – they came and went freely. In all the time they had prisoners – not one tried to escape. You see, dear, they were all first-aid men in the German army. They made bandages, cleaned instruments, helped carry litters – etc. They would keep a batch about 10 days and then ship them off to England. They hated to leave the hospital – by the way. Several of them told me they didn’t know what treatment to expect from the English or the Americans, and a good many were under the impression they would be emasculated. That was the reason, they said, so many of them fought so stubbornly. That’s the sort of rotten propaganda we have to fight, dear, and that’s why – among other reasons, of course, the Germans won’t give up but will have to be whipped.

And one more thing, sweetheart, I want to clarify. The day I went to the beach – was not a day of relaxation. I went back to the beach head where we had landed just to see what it was like. It was still bristling with guns, etc. that we had seen on our arrival. It was a beautiful day – the day I returned there, dear, and I would have loved to have gone for a swim – but there’s not much of that going on over here yet.

I got a letter from Lawrence yesterday telling me about his dilemma i.e. the Army not wanting dentists etc. Poor kind – he’s always running into problems. I hope this one straightens out soon.

Last nite I dreamed of you, darling. I was getting ready to buy you a wedding ring and I was darned if I knew what type you liked. As most dreams are – this one was hazy – and I never found out. I don’t believe we ever discussed it, dear. What type do you like? Incidentally – the part you played in the dream was very very nice. Wish I could dream more often. We sure did love each other – but then we do!! More and more I do, sweetheart – and it pleases me so to realize you feel the same way. Gangway for the explosion!!

Love to the folks, darling,

All my everlasting love –

Greg

Route of the Question Mark


[CLICK TO ENLARGE]

From Page 26 from The Route of the Question Mark:

August 11... Milly. Here the Nazis dropped orange chandelier flares on our field all night. Pvt HAYES acquired a pet duck that followed the Col's chicken around continually. We took sunbaths and rummaged through the rooms of a nearby chateau, and T/4 LANG and T/5 CONWAY rode a horse that had been abandoned there.

* TIDBIT *

about Montgomery's Message
and The Plan to Close the Falaise Gap

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

From the U.S. Army Center of Military History's "Command Decisions", Chapter 17 by Martin Blumenson, comes this slightly modified excerpt:

Allied commanders first discussed the idea of ensnaring the Germans on 8 August, the day after the German attack, when Bradley, in the presence of General Eisenhower (who was visiting Bradley's headquarters), telephoned General Montgomery and secured approval for a change in plan. His proposal was based on the fact that while the Allied armies in Normandy had fought hard during the first week in August against bitter opposition conducted from good defensive positions, American General Haislip's XV Corps had rounded the left flank of those defensive positions and was attacking through lightly defended territory. The XV Corps was well on its way to Le Mans. By capturing Le Mans, the XV Corps would have moved an enveloping Allied arm around the German left flank to a point 85 air miles southeast of Avranches. By turning the XV Corps north from Le Mans toward Alencon, the Americans would threaten German forces from the south. This action seemed doubly attractive because the First Canadian Army on that day, 8 August, had launched its attack south from positions near Caen toward Falaise, thereby threatening the Germans from the north.

The formation of the Falaise Pocket, from 8-17 August 1944.

It suddenly became apparent to the Allied commanders that the Germans in Normandy, by attacking westward toward Avranches, had pushed their heads into a noose. The bulk of their forces-two field armies amounting to more than l00,000 men-were west of a north-south line through Caen, Falaise, Argentan, Alencon, and le Mans. If the Canadians attacking from the north took Falaise and if the XV Corps attacking from the south took Alencon, thirty-five miles would separate the two Allied flanks and the Germans would be virtually surrounded. Allied possession of Falaise and Alencon, besides threatening the Germans with complete encirclement, would deprive them of two of the three main east-west roads they still controlled. If the Canadians attacking from the north and the XV Corps attacking from the south pressed on beyond Falaise and Alencon, respectively, and met at Argentan, or as General Montgomery put it, "If we can close the gap completely, ... we shall have put the enemy in the most awkward predicament." He projected a meeting of Canadian and American forces just south of Argentan, forming an encirclement of the Germans. The British Second Army and the First U.S. Army, pressing from the west, were to herd the Germans into the Canadian-American line and assist in the total destruction of the surrounded enemy forces.

On 9 August the Canadian attack bogged down in the Caen-Falaise corridor eight miles north of Falaise. But on the same day the XV Corps took Le Mans, and on the 10th it jumped off to the north. General Montgomery made a new analysis of the situation on 11 August and attempted to anticipate the probable consequences of the implicit juncture of Canadian and American troops. As the gap between Canadians and Americans narrowed, he estimated, the Germans could bring up additional divisions from the east, or, more probably, could move their armored and mobile forces eastward out of the pocket toward ammunition and gasoline supplies. If the Germans chose the latter course of action, they would probably operate in the Argentan-Alencon area "to have the benefit of the difficult 'bocage' country" there. Their purpose would be to hold off the Americans while they used the more advantageous terrain in that region to cover their withdrawal. Expecting, then, the Germans to mass stronger forces in defense of Alencon than of Falaise, Montgomery concluded that it would be easier for the Canadians to make rapid progress. The Canadians could probably reach Argentan from the north before the XV Corps could attain Argentan from the south. General Montgomery therefore ordered the Canadians to continue their efforts to capture Falaise and proceed from there to Argentan. Meanwhile, the XV Corps was to advance through Alencon to the army group boundary just south of Argentan.

Meanwhile, although the Germans had started on 11 August to withdraw to their salient at Mortain, Hitler was still insisting that another attack toward Avranches was necessary. In order to maintain the conditions that would make it possible, he ordered an attack against the deep left flank of the XV Corps.

10 August, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

10 August, 1944      1000

My dearest sweetheart –

Zounds! Again ze V-mail! Excuse it dear – but always keep in mind I use it only when absolutely necessary. Blame it on the advancing Yanks. I read with interest your statement of being a bit frightened at the thought of actually leaving home and being married – etc. That’s natural, darling, and don’t think a fellow doesn’t feel a bit the same way – but I know we’ll be happy together, dear, and very content to be living alone.

You mention a Rhea White a couple of times, dear. Do I know her? You also mention the fact that you hope I like your mother as much as you’ve grown to like mine. You’ve had quite a head start on me, darling, but there’s no doubt in my mind at all that your folks will be my folks and that I’ll love them as I do my own – and that’s a great deal. I liked your folks from the first; they were always very nice to me at first and very lovable before I left. I’ll never be able to thank them enough for their broadmindedness in allowing us to become engaged, dear, I really owe them a lot.

Yes Mr. 5x5 was always that big. I could have gotten rid of him in the States – but he’s a good dental technician and a pretty good all around man. Sorry I didn’t think of that bracelet myself – and earlier – but I’m glad you’re enjoying it. All for now, dear. Love to the family and

All my love for now

Greg

P.S. Saw Pete yesterday.
        Sends his love.

* TIDBIT *

about The Fewest Pitches by a Single Pitcher
in a Single Game


"I'd rather be lucky than good." - Red Barrett

On 10 August 1944, Red Barrett of the Boston Braves threw a 58-Pitch Complete Game against the Cincinatti Reds at Crosley Field in one hour and 15 minutes.

From Baseball Almanac comes this:

In the new age of baseball, relief pitching can be the key to a championship. Teams pay top dollar for a good closer and proven middle relief. Starting pitchers are too high-priced to damage their arms by going over 100-pitches or finishing a complete game. Nowadays, it is quite unusual to see any pitcher complete more than 2 games in any season, but that was not always the case. In the early decades of the game, most pitchers finished what they started unless they got into too much trouble.

This was the state of baseball in 1944 when Charley "Red" Barrett played for the Boston Braves. Barrett was a career .500 pitcher during eleven seasons with the Reds, Braves, and Cardinals. It was on 10 August of that year, playing for the Braves against his former team, that Barrett made history. He threw not only the shortest night game in history at one hour and fifteen minutes, but also the complete game with the fewest pitches ever. Barrett needed only fifty-eight pitches to shutout the Reds 2-0 with only two hits and no walks.

09 August, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

9 August, 1944         1600

Dearest darling –

A hurried letter today, dear, because it has been a busy day. Chief among the things that has preoccupied the medical detachment – has been the “capture” of a small German vehicle similar in purpose to our jeep. It’s the cutest thing you ever saw and in good running order. The only trouble is that a recent order makes us turn in all such things. Up to then we were able to keep them. Anyway – we’re painting Red Crosses all over it – until such a time as we have to give it up.

Everything else is about the same, sweetheart, except my love for you which is one day older and therefore that much richer. Incidentally I loved your part-letter in French. It was well done and strangely enough – I understood all of it. It must be that “language of love” that they write about.

Haven’t heard from home yet about Mother’s visit to the hospital – and naturally, darling, I’m rather on edge until I do. I hope all is well. Love to the folks et al and to you, dear,

My deepest love

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Some Photos from 9 August 1944

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

At Saint Manvieu Bocage, soldiers of the 28th Infantry Division
paint "USA" on a captured German Kübelwagen (jeep).
This photo belongs to PhotosNormandie's Flickr Photostream


Soldiers of the 28th Infantry Division read Stars and Stripes.
This photo belongs to PhotosNormandie's Flickr Photostream


Saint-Servan, market town and fishing port on 9 August 1944,
and (below) as part of Saint Malo today.

Saint-Servan was then the market town and fishing port of three municipalities: Saint-Malo, Parame, Saint-Servan. This community was liberated by the U.S. 83rd Infantry Division on 9 August 1944. Quai Solidor is shown in both pictures.

08 August, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

8 August, 1944         1015

My dearest sweetheart –

I do love you more and more with each passing day – I know that. Your letters – our only medium of contact – make me realize it, too, darling – and I am happy. You say you’re concerned because I keep asking you how you grew to love me in only 4 months. You shouldn’t be concerned, dear. When I ask you that it’s because I can’t believe I was lucky enough to make you love me in so short a time. It’s a combination of ego and satisfaction. It is not doubt that you love me – not that at all, because, darling, I feel that you do. Sometimes you leave just a little suspicious note in a letter about my love for you. I imagine it follows receipt of one of my letters in which I didn’t express myself too well. Dearest girl – by now you must really know and feel too how much I love and care for you. In every thing I do – you are foremost in my mind and with success or not – I try to tell you that, dear, in every letter I write.

I was elated beyond description last night, darling when I received a batch of letters: from you – the 5th, 6th, 7th, 24th, 25th, 26th of July; also a letter from Dr. Finnegan, and one from Lil Zetlan. It sure made a good night’s reading – believe me. And you can see why I kept writing I wasn’t hearing from you. Those letters filled in a lot of spots. By the way, though, dear – there’s been no mention of your being away on vacation. How about that? I really wish you’d go. I think it would do you a lot of good. And before I forget it – how about this dieting business? And who ever told you I’d like you thinner? I liked you – every bit of you – I might add – the way you were, dear – and I don’t want you to get sick – dieting. I do think that weight can be kept level though by judicious eating and see no harm in cutting down on excessive sweets etc. But don’t overdo it!!

You’ve been very sweet and considerate in writing me about my mother and I love you for it. I’ve always loved my mother in a quiet sort of way. As I’ve written you before, I’ve seen other fellows’ mothers and I don’t think they can hold a candle to mine in honesty, simplicity and sincerity. There’s no doubt about it – she lives for her children – and you are one of them now – I know. To feel that you are so close to her dear – is very comforting. I can imagine some young girls feeling that a mother like mine is too old-fashioned and plain to have much to do with. Well – maybe she is, but that’s the way I like her and I’m glad my wife will feel the same.

Frankly I’m worried about her going to the hospital. She had held out so long – she must have felt quite low to allow herself to be persuaded. Yes – I had wanted her to go in for some time – but that was when I was around and could keep in touch. I just hope and pray that nothing seriously wrong will be found.

Speaking of gifts, sweetheart, again I wish I could send you something. I’m a hell of a fiancé. I should be buying you nice things, taking you places and doing things for you. Is there something you’ve wanted, dear, that you just quite haven’t gotten around to buying for yourself? Really – I wish you’d be honest. I would feel better if I could get you some sort of gift. What do you say?

I wondered about your remark about Irving looking tired – and after his vacation. I still don’t understand his set-up with Verna. Maybe he’s worrying about getting into the services. His case used to come up every six months. And why, darling, were you so sure I’d know the Wilcoff girl because she was someone Stan had been taking out? The fact is that I got back from Manuevers – a year ago June. I had been away – since the previous November. Between June and July 24^th – I did not go out at any time with Stan – see?? You were the first date – sweetheart – and I had seen enough. Oh – no – I’m all wrong. Boy! How one forgets! I did go out with Stan – about two or 3 times. I’m sorry, darling – I took more than one look – but I knew when to stop looking. You were the girl for me and I believe I told you so in a very short time.

I’ll have to stop now – dearest. Remember that you’re the only girl in the world for me and that I love you more than anyone or anything. Always remember that! Love to the folks, darling - and

All my love to you

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The German Counterattack Failure


A U.S. soldier moves cautiously across a narrow road under tank cover .
The tank is fit with a hedgecutter,
and its gun is set to shoot while moving.
This photo belongs to Photosnormandie's Flickr Photostream.

The Germans, who had lost approximately half of the 145 tanks engaged in Operation Luttich, continued their vast counter-attack. But the surprise effect had passed, and the Americans now have seven divisions - including two armoured - attached to General Collins's VII Corps to counter the troops of the Seventh German Army of General Hausser.

During this time, Operation Totalize was fully engaged. The 1st Polish Armored Division took part in the offensive and attacked towards the East against the 85th German Infantry division. Allied bombers attacked the sectors of Bretteville-sur-Laize, Haut-Mesnil, Cauvicourt and Saint-Sylvain in the southeast of Caen. The 2nd and 53rd English Canadian divisions attacked in the West through the Forêt de Cinglais, and the 4th Canadian Armored division recorded a strong progression along the Caen-Falaise road.

General Bradley noticed the surrounding of the German Army and, seeing a unique opportunity to precipitate the end of the German Army in the West of France, proposed a new operation to Eisenhower.

07 August, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

7 August, 1944        1030

Good morning, sweetheart –

Another fine day here, sunny yet cool, clear skies and droves upon droves of beautiful American planes flying overhead. It’s a good sight to see. And no matter how many fly over nor how often – we always look up and some one cries “Give ‘em Hell boys!” And I guess they are. Even the most optimistic here didn’t think we could sail along as swiftly as we are and when we move now, dear, we do it in big chunks. It’s wonderful. I hope it lasts; if it does Paris is going to be mighty near to us soon. Enemy planes do come over – but mostly at night and it is then that we “sweat it out”. How often and to what degree, darling, I’ll tell you after the war.

Yesterday, Sunday, I didn’t do very much. I visited one of the batteries in the forenoon and was invited to stay for dinner. They were eating at 1330. I had to be back at battalion by noon – so I returned and had lunch there at 1215 – spaghetti. I then went back to the battery and had roast duck. It was swell. I wasn’t very hungry at supper time – somehow. In the evening – there wasn’t a damn thing to do – so we played poker – 1st time in a long while. I won about 500 francs. Today I’m going to visit one of the other batteries with our executive officer – Major Bolich. We’re going to stay with the battery for a couple of days – but we’ll be in contact with the battalion of course. We do this every now and then just to get in closer contact with some of the other officers and enlisted men. At the present moment – they’re several miles from here but I think Hq. will probably move down to that vicinity tomorrow.

You mentioned the subject of voting, darling, in one of your letters. That made me wonder – how many more years, dear, before you can vote? Don’t worry, though, I’ll vote anyway. I’ve written for a ballot – by the way. By writing to Salem I’ll get one that covers everything from the President down to State Representative. I’m taking this means to vote rather than the G.I. form because I wanted to be kept listed on the Salem lists. As you mentioned – there seems to be considerable apathy among the soldiers. No one seems to give a damn about anything except getting home – which is certainly a short sighted point of view.

You keep wondering when I’m coming home and I keep wondering the same, sweetheart. I want you so badly I’m at a complete loss at explaining it to you. Everything we do here, every piece of good news is always interpreted in terms of ‘when do I get back home?’. But every day I feel closer to you even though our backs are facing the Atlantic. Despite all fanaticism and inability on the part of Hitler to try for peace – his armies will eventually be so completely smashed, surrounded and broken up that I’m sure they’ll lose all capacity for making war.

I enjoyed that clipping concerning dates and the end of the war. I passed it around and of course that started a wave of speculation. I think Sept. is a bit early. I like to think it will be by November – the late fall – when a good many wars in the past have ended.

There’s been little mail this past week for some reason or other – but then – we’re getting farther and farther away from the beachhead or Cherbourg – whichever place the mail is being landed. There’s been a statement in the Continental S and S that soon mail will go directly between France and the U.S. without stopping in England. That should help speed things up a bit.

Sweetheart – I’ve got to pack a couple of things because we’re taking off right after lunch or chow. Dear if I come home after being out on a call and yell “Is chow ready?” – you won’t mind too much, will you? If you do – you can punish me by making me kiss you, say 5-20x. Boy – what punishment! Chow! Chow! Chow!

I hope all is well at home, dear, my love to the folks and

All my love is yours –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The German Counterattack

The Germans launched their last large offensive in Normandy, Operation Lüttich, in the night from August 6 to August 7. All the units planned for the attack were not yet joined together, but General von Kluge did not wait and ordered the beginning of the Lüttich operation. A strong force of German tanks and infantry led the attack, and the brunt of the blow fell on the 30th Infantry Division in the vicinity of Mortain. Von Kluge aimed both to drive a wedge between the American First and Third Armies and to reach the sea, along a line connecting Mortain to Avranches.

CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE

Americans on the road from Avranches to Mortain.
The jeep coming up on the Sherman tank has a
German prisoner on the hood.

145 German tanks attacked at dawn through an impenetrable fog. The 2nd SS Panzer Division headed towards Avranches from a distance of approximately 10 kilometers. The Americans decided to engage the 3rd Armored division to counter the attack. Although they knew their Sherman tanks couldn't counter the Tiger tanks, they felt the German offensive must be broken or slowed down at any cost.

Initially, the Allies air support was unable to intervene because of the weather. But about midday, the fog rose and the American fighters took off to attack the Panzers columns. The take-off of the American fighter-bombers marked the beginning of the end of Operation Lüttich. Before the Tiger tanks even met the 3rd Armored division, the VII Corps artillery and supporting air units stopped the German progression and nearly 60 tanks were destroyed. Von Kluge received a message from Hitler saying that he was extremely disappointed by this result.

As for the American planes that Greg was delighted to see, the U.S. Eighth Air Force flew three strategic missions on 7 August.

1. 672 bombers and 352 fighters were dispatched to hit rail andother targets in the French/German border area and oil dumps and bridges southeast of Paris.

2. 482 bombers and 178 fighters were dispatched to oil installations and dumps in the Brussels, Paris and Lille areas as well as V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais.

3. 133 P-38s and P-47s flew fighter-bomber missions against rail traffic in the Metz-Strasbourg-Saarbrucken areas.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Ninth Air Force flew tactical missions. In France, more than 180 A-20s and B-26s bombed rail bridges, overpasses, and junctions at Mantes-la-Jolie, Chartres, La Chenaie and Merey, a fuel dump at Maintenon, and alternate rail targets in the North. In addition, fighters escorted IX Bomber Command bombers and a few C-47s, provided cover for ground forces, and flew armed reconnaissance over wide areas of Northern and Western France.

06 August, 1944

438^thAAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

6 August, 1944       0915

Dearest sweetheart –

It’s Sunday morning – but heck, no funny parts. We see them once in a while when a fellow gets a Sunday paper mailed to him. I can’t say I really miss the funnies themselves. What I miss is the free and easy, relaxed feeling I used to feel on Sundays; didn’t care if I shaved or not, wore some old gray flannel trousers and a sweatshirt etc. I always liked Sundays and I expect to after the war also.

Oh by the way dear, speaking of funnies and papers made me think of the Stars and Stripes and Yank. The reason you’re not getting them regularly now is because there’s very few of them around. We get a small number for Headquarters Battery and they're passed around and around. I did manage to get the first issue of the Continental S and S and also the first one of the Yank. You probably have them by now.

Well I wrote you yesterday p.m. darling that I was going to sleep in a farm house. I did and it was quite comfortable and also unusual after sleeping on the ground and outdoors for a couple of months’ stretch. In addition it was a fairly quiet night and that was well appreciated also. I know the news of our advance here in France must be making you happy – just as it is us. We study maps from the first thing in the morning until it gets dark and we know every element and factor concerned in an advance or penetration. Being in Headquarters and eating and living with the Staff – which includes an S-2 and a liaison officer – I’m getting to be quite a tactician. Just where we are on the map, sweetheart, I can’t tell you, naturally, despite the fact that some of your friends hear more from their boy friends. I don’t know what they’re writing darling, but I’ll bet they aren’t giving away much military information. Also, dear, in respect to the types of cases – etc. I worked on at the hospital – that is strictly taboo. I can tell you this – on the whole, the work was gruesome and for the first few days I was shocked. Then everything seemed natural again. I was a doctor and supposed to see such things and I went about my work.

Here is a farmhouse and its vast view in La Chapelle-Cecelin.
Perhaps it is where Greg stayed...

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE
  

I was re-reading one of your letters of a recent date, Sweetheart, and I got a real laugh out of the story about the Rabbi who forgot about the wedding. That must have been an awful situation to have been in. I don’t know what we’d have done, dear, but I’d have been damned impatient – I know that much! I don’t know L. Beckwith – although if he’s the Beckwith of the Riding habits etc. – I believe some of my family knows them.

G-dammit how in hell do all these guys still get away with these few months at Harvard and a few months at MIT set-up? It makes you wonder what the Army’s thinking of. Are they still planning for something long in the Pacific – or is the machinery for stopping these schools too cumbersome to cut out such stuff? What the Army needs now – is a lot of men in the infantry – and personally I think they’re wasting a good deal of time and money. Oh hell – I don’t really care, darling, but sometimes I wish I could be stationed near you for a couple of months – even weeks. (I’ll settle for 1 hour.) Boy! I’d love that. You’ve been telling me how you’ll show me how much you love me, sweetheart – well – you will if you’re still able to when I’m through showing you. I sure do miss you these days and nights, dearest. The moon the past few nights was particularly hard to take. Am I ever going to kiss and hug and love you once I get hold of you!

And so ends another letter and so lingers another thought. I was wondering one day why I hadn’t had a diary since coming to France – but I guess my letters will serve as such, because my every thought and emotion, darling, has been translated into my letters to you.

Hope to hear from you today, darling; I haven’t for a couple of days now. Send my best love to the folks and for yourself keep

All my everlasting love

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about the S-2 and Liaison Officers

Greg mentioned becoming a tactician by being around an S-2 and liaison officer. Here is an explanation of how that could have helped him.

In the continental staff system (also known as the general staff system), which is based on one originally employed by the French Army in the 19th century, each staff position in a headquarters is assigned a letter-prefix corresponding to the formation's element and one or more numbers specifying a role.

The element prefixes are:

A, for Air Force headquarters;

C, for combined headquarters (multiple nations) headquarters;

F, for certain forward or deployable headquarters;

G, for Army or Marines headquarters, division level and up ("General" or "Ground")

J, for Joint (multiple services) headquarters;

N, for Navy headquarters; and

S, for staff roles within headquarters of organizations commanded by an executive officer with the rank of major or above, such as regiments, groups, and battalions.

The staff numbers are assigned according to function not hierarchy, traceable back to French practice; i.e., "1" is not "higher ranking" than "2". Here are the numbers:

1, for personnel and administration

2, for intelligence and security

3, for operations

4, for logistics

5, for plans; and

6, for signal (i.e., communications)

The intelligence section, #2 above, is responsible for collecting and analyzing intelligence information about the enemy to determine what the enemy is doing, or might do, to prevent the accomplishment of the unit's mission. This office may also control maps and geographical information systems and data. Thus, an S-2 of a battalion is the executive officer with a rank of major or above who is responsible for the intelligence and security operations of the battalion.

The liaison officer is a special staff officer responsible for representing the commander at the headquarters of another unit, to effect coordination and promote cooperation between the two units. Liaison is established

from left to right,

from rear to forward units for units of the same level,

from higher to lower level of command,

from supporting to supported units,

from relieving to relieved units.

Liaison involves the contact or intercommunication maintained between elements of military forces to ensure mutual understanding and unity of purpose and action as well as the reduction of the "fog" of war through direct communications. Liaison is important during operations and normal daily activity to help preserve freedom of action and maintain flexibility between units. Liaison is meant to ensure that senior commanders remain aware of the tactical situation by providing them with exceptional, critical, or routine information, verification of information, and clarification of operational questions, thereby helping the commander synchronize and focus the combat power.

Thus, a liaison officer is given both the role of pursuing mutual cooperation and understanding between commanders and staffs of different headquarters and the role of enabling coordination on tactical matters to achieve mutual purpose, support, and action. He does this through the exact and precise understanding and communication of implied or inferred coordination measures, with the goal of achieving synchronized results.