Letter 1 from Basle and Strasbourg, 1946 February 26

Creator

Robert D. Davis

Files

Creation Date

2-26-1946

Keywords

letter, correspondence, army, World War II

Subject

World War, 1939-1945; Letter writing; United States. Army

Description

Envelope addressed: Mrs. R. L. Davis 1619 Boston, Muskogee, Oklahoma Sgt. Robert Davis 18107121 Co. Em G 237, 3MGR APO 403 c/o Pm. N.Y. Enclosed letter: Davis writes that his attempt to explore the "uptown" region before boarding train to Zurich was hampered by rain and a lack of time. He describes watch shops in the vicinity of the railroad station as "opportunistically decorated with U.S flags", displaying signs enticing GIs to take advantage of their bargains. He refers derisively to these tactics as "the usual clip trade". He writes that after an hour of wandering around town he returns to the railroad station and takes the train to Zurich. Davis lists the members of his tour group of 20 Americans: 16 enlisted men, 2 officers, a Women's Auxiliary Corps girl and a Red Cross girl (both of whom he says are married to enlisted men). He describes the group's Swiss English-speaking guide as keeping himself "as scarce as possible".

Transcription:

Sgt. R. Davis 18107121

G237, Co. E, 3MGB

APO 403

% Pm. N.Y.

U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE MAR 4 1946 9

AIR

Mrs. R. L. Davis

1619 Boston

Muskogee, Okla.

26^th FEBRUARY 1946

Strasbourg, France

Dear Folks:

When I first emerged from the R.R. station onto the streets of Basle, it was raining lightly. Imitating the examples of the civilians, who were unconcernedly strolling around in the drizzle, I drew my overcoat high and set out. We only had a couple of hours before out train left for Zürich, and the shortness of time combined with the weather, limited my explorations. In other words, my tentative efforts to get a look “up-town” were unsuccessful.

There were numerous cheap little watch shops in the neighborhood of the R.R. station, opportunisticly decorated with U.S. flags, and the G.I’s in for “real bargains” in watches. The usual clip trade.

After an hour or so of drifting I went back to the R.R. station and read Swiss Newspapers until our train left for Zürich.

In our group, Tour 11, there were 20 of us, Americans, and one Swiss English-speaking guide, who made the hotel arrangement, and in general, managed to keep himself as scarce as possible. 16 Enlisted men, 2 officers, and a WAC and a Red Cross girl (both married to an Enlisted Man).

This is my 5^th letter, so I’ll knock off for awhile.

Love,

Bob