Open Works

Title

Letter from Germany, 1945 March 09

Creator

Robert D. Davis

Files

Creation Date

3-9-1945

Keywords

WWII, World War 2, letters, Army

Subject

World War, 1939-1945; United States--Army

Description

Davis writes that he and the rest of his unit have moved into two new homes, of a wealthy banker and merchant. He discusses the amenities they have and the divide between the rich and poor during the Third Reich.

Transcription:

9 March 1945

Germany

Dear Folks:

Today we moved into a really lovely place. One of the best homes in town, we ejected a banker from it, and a wealthy merchant from the adjoining house. The house are superbly furnished, and show eloquently enough how only the wealthy could fare well in Hitler’s third Reich. For example it has all the conveniences found in ordinary American homes; central heating, running water, running hot water, and an adeouate electoral system. There is even a rudimentary icebox. Additional evidence of considerable wealth is of course the size and situation of the houses, the beauty of the furniture, and, to mind the most important, the extent of the libraries. The cellar is stocked with some wine, which we are planning to deplete in the near future, tho’ I have been too interested in the almost inexhaustible libraries to do anything more than skim over books. I finally got a large German-English dictionary, which I have needed a long time, but delayed buying, because I knew I could find one sooner or later.

We are situated in two houses, the officers in one, and the men and the office in the other. Each pair of us has a bedroom, with great clothes closets, and a large bed piece. The dining room and kitchen are in the downstairs of the officers’ house, and we have a huge dining room for the three officers, and an adjoining room, sort of like a day room, abutting out and surrounded by windows, for our dining room. It is also a sizable room. Tomorrow we are going to send back and bring up our old cook, whom we plan to take with us from now on. Then we will really be living in paradise. The boiler is coal operated, but it is apparently perpetual, because a shovel of coal lasts hours, and that will obviate the unfortunate necessity of making fires every-morning. We have taken to our new quarters with unqualified delight.

Dad, I got a copy of “Thus Soke Zarathurstra.” It is in very easy German, and is deceptively easy to read, like Easop’s fables. “What a war!” says Joe Keller, who just came in, from making up a comfortable bed.

Love, Bob

P.S. Don’t worry about sending me boxes now send all boxes to I7E3 3^rd ECA 658 (other address)