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.

15 December, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 515 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Wed. Dec 15, 1943       1000

England

Dearest Sweetheart –

I thought I’d write early today. Last night I waited for the mail before writing and when there was none for me I felt blue and as a result wrote you a sad-type letter. That is something, darling, that I should never do, and I’m sorry for it. By writing now, I can anticipate the coming of a letter and reflect some gaiety in what I say rather than disappointment.

Now, let’s see – what can I be gay about? To tell the truth, nothing particularly funny has happened here, that I can recall. I have to start most of it myself, as a matter of fact. The other day, at a so-called free hour for the battalion, assembled in one building, the party wasn’t doing too well. About half-past the hour I received a message to come quickly to that building. I took my stethoscope, thinking some one had either fainted or been hurt, but when I arrived the Colonel told me to get on the stage and entertain the boys. Well I did, in one way or another, dear.

By the way, darling, do you remember the one about the bald man who was in the restaurant and when he was brought his plate, took the vegetable and started rubbing his head with it? When the manager saw him, he approached him and wanted to know why he was doing that with the cabbage. “Oh!”, the man answered, “I thought it was Brussels Sprouts.” That, dear, is current in England now. I used to know a lot like that.

Well, today it’s pretty quiet around here. For one thing, sickness, thank goodness, is at a minimum; secondly, a good part of the outfit is away. That reminds me, darling, I’m getting a new APO number again in a couple of days. You can start using it anytime. The new number is 527. It has only slight significance and you can gather from its resemblance to 515 – that it is not an important and far-reaching change.

I just heard the news re-broadcast from N.Y. They give a summary here every morning and they include actual voice recordings of R.G. Swing, Paul Schubert and others – of the night before. It is nicely done and brings you right up to date with home. Incidentally, one of my radio tubes is weak and I’m afraid my radio may go on the bum soon. I’ve written my father, hoping he may be able to get one and send it out. It’s aggravating, because I was able to buy a battery for the radio the other day and was now fully equipped for electricity or battery.

An item in the news by the President, dear, must have been depressing to you – I refer to the estimate of 2 years for demobilization. Don’t get discouraged, darling. They usually demobilize by entire battalions, and it will undoubtedly be by seniority. My battalion is an old one and that would help. Anyway, we’d get married when I returned, in the Army or not, and we could live wherever I was stationed, until I got out. How does that sound? I haven’t expressed my opinion very much on the ending of the war – but this morning I feel optimistic – so I forecast the end of the European part of the war before my outfit ever gets into anything resembling real action.

Anyway you look at it Sweetheart, it will all turn out all right – for the very good reason that Fate will make it so for us. I have always felt that way about things I have wanted and felt I deserved. I don’t see why fate should quit on me now. I haven’t changed.

Ten days before Christmas, dear, and the days are slipping by; four days before your Graduation and I suppose the days can’t slip by fast enough to suit you. By the way, dear, are or rather did you have a picture of yourself taken in cap and gown? I hope you did, just for remembrance sake. I have some somewhere – not good, but a least a memento. If you’re over my house of an evening, have my mother show it to you. It’s very somber, as I recall it.

Sweetheart, that’s all in the line of chatter this a.m., except to remind you that I love you very much, Wilma and aim to marry you – or did I already propose to you? I have yet to ask your folks, by the way, but the pleasure will be all mine. So long for now, dear, and until later –

All my love

Greg

14 December, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 515 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Tuesday, Dec 14, 1943  1930

England

Darling Wilma –

I suppose I might as well tell you the truth; I’m horribly lonesome and my longing for you and your sweet company is beyond anything I imagined. I hate to write like this Sweetheart, but the last couple of days have seemed so utterly empty, I might as well get it out of my system. I insist I am not fundamentally unhappy because as I’ve said before, a person in love may be intermittently sad, moody, distraught or lonesome – but basically his love and its realization should make him a happy and lucky being. I feel that way, too, dear. If I didn’t – I couldn’t stand this aloneness which I guess every soldier must combat when he leaves home.

The days go by, one like the other. In this country, the blasted, gray, misty fog which apparently is always here, makes each day even more like the one it precedes or follows. I’m not really fed up with it so soon, darling, because my better sense tells me I don’t dare. I guess I’m just in love with you dear and long for you and your company. Thank the Lord for our memories. I see you all the time, near me, holding or squeezing my hand; glad to be with me as I was with you; riding around nowhere in particular but always enjoying it; visiting at your house and managing to get from the library to the living room where I could sit near you and give you what can only be described as a hurried hug; kidding with Mary and being chided by your mother for not knowing or caring about Bridge; wanting more and more each time I was with you to be alone with you, and when that was possible, enjoying it more and more; enjoying the physical contact because I knew already our intellectual desires were mutual and had wondered about the bodily –

Sweetheart – all these things come to me, over and over again; and more. Then why shouldn’t a fellow get lonesome when he has that to think about? How empty a life if that feeling doesn’t enter a person’s soul! Whatever you read into my writing, darling, please don’t get me wrong. I write this way, not to make you unhappy over my lonesomeness and not to make you feel sorry for me. If I thought either, I wouldn’t write like this. I’m just letting my thoughts come out as if you were here with me tonight and I was telling you how I felt about you and us, and life. I love you darling more than I knew. I know it’s easy to say a fellow writes a lot because he’s away. I’ve been almost as far away in the States from home as I am now, and I’ve never felt like this. I’ve merely had more time to think, and analyze my own reactions from the first night I met you – until right now. They all add up to what I’ve been writing about, dear – and I pray only that you always continue to feel about me the way you did when I left; that you’ll want me when the war is over as your husband, and that you won’t meet anyone while I’m away that will take you from me.

I remember well my reactions the first night I met you. You felt the same, I guess, dear – but on the way over to your house I said to myself “What in the world did I get a date for?” I was certain I wouldn’t have a very pleasant evening. And when I rang your doorbell, I was ready for anything. You answered the ring yourself, but I didn’t get a good look at you, but you wheeled around to get your coat and bag, and as you did I remarked mentally “Not bad!” And then we went on to have a very happy and joyous evening. And so it started and you must admit I never really let go of you until you loved me – although, darling, I remember when you accused me of being led into an ‘understanding’ with you.

It was a summer and fall, Sweetheart, that I’ll always remember, because it brought you to me and with you, a feeling I was beginning to believe I was to miss in life. Instead I am proud of you, and proud that you want to marry me. I love to refer to you as “my girl”, although I know that’s an ordinary way of putting it. In certain company, I say “my fiancée” and like to hear the fellows say, “and you, too?”

Do you think, dear, that this is all foolish prattle? Do you wonder perhaps that I never spoke this way to you and yet I write it? Remember – I was fundamentally shy and reserved in my actions and reactions – although I think I was changing fast under your tutelage. I have felt this way ever since I knew I loved you. I believe I was telling you more and more as each week slipped by. What you read, darling, is merely steady progress.

If I only had another letter or two from you, dear! Gee, some of the fellows are hearing from home more regularly than others – for some unknown reason. Today our dentist got two airmails dated Dec 1st – out of N.Y. Well – I’ll continue waiting, but I do so want to hear from you, Sweetheart!

I guess I’d better stop now, dear, and please excuse me for sounding so blue at the start of the letter. I feel better just having told you about it. I know, dear, even before I get your letters – how you must feel and I mind that more than I mind my own reactions. Cheer up, darling, we’ll make up for lost time – don’t you forget that! I’ve told you I’m very jealous of time and life and we’re going to make up for what we lost, with God’s help.

Take good care of yourself, darling, and be well. And send my fondest regards to your folks. If I haven’t mentioned them often in my letters – it’s not because I don’t think of them; it’s merely that I get so absorbed in my writing – that I finish the letter to you and that’s all I think of. So long, dearest, and you have

All my love

Greg

13 December, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 515 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Monday, Dec 13, 1943   1800

England

My dearest sweetheart –

For variety’s sake I didn’t write you this p.m. and waited until now, just after supper. Also I hoped to hear from you today, but no luck, dear – and I’ve already used up my ration of two letters from you which I received a few days ago. That last letter, darling, was written November 8 and was a pretty blue one. I guess you expected me to call, and I didn’t. You’ve heard long since how restricted we were at that time, dear, so I know you understand.

In that connection you also made a statement about not being able to write once I left for overseas and until I arrived. I wonder who started that rumor. It’s probably German propaganda, dear. I do hope that since then you’ve learned that was not true, because I’m still waiting desperately to hear from you from Nov. 21st on. As long, darling, as you have any APO number of mine, you can write me at any time. Even if you think my APO number has changed, it makes no difference. It’s always forwarded to our new location – and you just use the latest address you have.

Now having straightened that out, darling, all I have to do is sit back and wait for those letters to roll in. This past week-end was terrible. It just dragged along until I thought Sunday would never end. I did manage to play some bridge part of the p.m. – and it helped kill a couple of hours. Incidentally, I believe I’m improving, to wit – my partner and I trimmed a pretty good team yesterday made up of Charlie and another good player. Charlie plays a very good game – and playing opposite him, I’ve learned a few things. I’ll probably play again tonight, dear. My greatest fault I think is my tendency to under-bid my hand – which is a throwback to the old auction bridge, but I’ll get over it, I guess.

Today, dear, was very cold and gray, but still there’s been no snow. Shortly after lunch, and in deference to your express wish, darling, I went to a neighboring town and looked up a photographer. He didn’t want to take us (I interested another officer in going) because he was too busy for Christmas, but I told him I had left the States without having been able to give my fiancée a picture of me. He looked quizzically at me as if to say he could understand why, but the result was he said he’d do it. I doubt if this one comes out any better, dear. For one thing, I was frozen, and the British stores, etc. are all kept very cold. I don’t know how they stand it. Anyway, I shall look at the proofs and if anywhere near decent – I’ll have some made. If not, Sweetheart, be patient. I’ll keep trying to get one I think you’ll like of me – right up until the end of the war – even if I have to bring one back in person and hand it to you. If not, we’ll take one together after we’re married.

As each one of these days go by, darling, I think I’m as excited as you are about your graduation. No doubt you’ll tell me all about it, but it would have been so wonderful to have been with you this coming week-end. I would have loved also to be able to send you a gift – but it was impossible. Among other reasons is the paucity of gift items available in this country; also – you have to have points for about everything and the Army is reluctant to issue them or have them issued to the soldiers because it encroaches on the English. I’m now down to looking for little trinkets of one sort or another, but up to now have failed to find even those. I do hope though, dear, that you receive a little card from me wishing you the best of luck.

One thing has worried me the past few days, darling, – the flu epidemic which the U.S. is supposed to be having. You may have read of one here. Don’t worry about me. I’m immune to it and I have felt fine. I do hope there’s none around your way and that you stay well. And do you have to be told to wear your scarf, dear, when you go out, or are you taking care of yourself for me?

Darling, that’s all for now. I have to check some men who want to go on pass and have just got over being sick. They’re not allowed out until I clear them. I miss you dear more than I can express in writing, and I love you just as much. Do you keep reminding yourself of that? Goodnight for now, Sweetheart – and

All my love

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about the Flu Epidemic in December of 1943

[Note from FOURTHCHILD: The following is an excerpt from Atlantic Magazine published in March of 1944, discussing the ongoing flu epidemic and the numbers for December of 1943.]

Although influenza is still far below its 1918-1919 level, we must not be complacent. Some signals are flying. The number of influenza cases, 82,951 reported by our State Department Health for the week ending December 18, 1943, was more than three times greater than the previous week and more than twenty-seven times that of the corresponding week in 1942. While the fight goes on, let us consider what advances have been made since 1918-1919 in the prevention and treatment of influenza and its ally, pneumonia.

[Click here to see the full article, a good read as it discusses the future of "virus" research, some of which remains true today. The following excerpt is an example.:

One can only hope that by "cookbook chemistry," the laborious making and testing of thousands of compounds, or a lucky strike, someone will find an agent which can penetrate our cells and reach the viruses so securely ensconced within them. When this discovery comes, it will be one of the last steps needed for the control of infectious disease.