Letter from Germany, 1945 February 14

Creator

Robert D. Davis

Files

Creation Date

2-14-1945

Keywords

WWII, World War 2, letters, Army

Subject

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

Description

Davis writes about going to see a movie, which he didn't think wasn't very good. He wrote letters to his friend John and to Mrs. Aultman, the latter of which was written in Spanish.

Transcription:

14 February 1945

Germany

Dear Folks:

Not much new to report. That a funny thing to say in a military letter, because we could be in the middle of an attach and I couldn’t mention it; but old habits stick with us, so I always use the phrase, indulging myself the luxury of hinting that I could say anything I damn well wanted to anyway.

This evening we made a run in the jeep to go to a movie. Now I’ve explained my reactions about black-out driving already, so there’s no need to repeat them. But I absolutely cannot drive myself in the total night, and it doesn’t help my appreciation of the trip to peer hopelessly ahead all the time, as if I were driving, and continually see nothing in the darkness to justify the driver in going where he does and at the speed he does. At the end of the trip I’m generally ready for a drink, cigarette, and recriminations, which I heap on the driver, in spite of his successful return. The show wasn’t particularly good tonight either, and we enjoyed the unique approach to a movie of arriving after the announcement of name and cast, and sitting thru’ the entire performance without finding out either.

For some weeks I haven’t heard a thing from John. He’s probably busy in some push somewhere. This afternoon I wrote him and Mrs. Aultman. Mrs. Aultman’s letter was in Spanish, as we always correspond.

We are a terrific organization for scrounging. This afternoon, after two days of furnishing the nurses, we hauled a complete set of dishes for a General’s mess. It was a neat, gold rimmed set, too.

No mail came in on the afternoon courier, except packages. I received your Vargas calendars, which will be as useful for time-keeping purposes as for gazing purposes. They were greeted by an enthusiastic howl by my Roommates.

You can use either of these two addresses that I have been writing under. I believe that for the time, however, the APO 29 address will get quicker results. Some of the other men are beginning to get their first mail thru’ this new address. Either one is valid, tho’.

Love, Bob