Download pdf - Robert Friederichs

Days spent in the Army: 1

ROBERT NORMAN FRIEDERICHS:

An American Soldier in

WWII


Reference Maps—USA

Oakland

Camp Abbot, OR

Walla Walla, WA

Fort Lewis, WA

Monterey

Camp Howze, TX

New Orleans

Direction of Travel

Camp Shanks, NY

West Coast

South

Northeast


Reference Maps

Europe (WWII)

Le Havre Charleville

Bruxelles (Brussels), Belgium

Germany


Important Documents


Important Documents


Important Documents


Important Documents


Timeline of Events Contains significant events both from Robert’s time in service and WW2

1944: February 2nd — Robert graduated High School

1946: April 30th — Robert left the U.S. Military Service

1945: Sometime between mid-March and late-April — Robert went overseas to Europe

1941: December 7th — Japanese attack on Pearl

Harbor; U.S declares war on Japan; Germany & Italy declare war on U.S.

1944: April 1st — Robert sworn into U.S. Army at 1:30

1944: June 6th — D-Day

1944: June 1st — Robert had appendicitis surgery at 12:30 am

1942: The German concentration camp Auschwitz starts receiving and killing tens of thousands of Jews

1945: April 30th — Hitler’ dies

1945: May 9th — Victory in Europe Day

1945: January 27th — Soviet troops invade Auschwitz and release approximately 7,000 prisoners

1945: August 6th & 9th — The U.S dropped two atomic bombs on Japan

1945: August 15th — Japan surrendered to the Allies

1945: September 2nd — Japan signed Instrument of Surrender, officially ending World War II


Introduction By the Editor; Paige E. Johnson

World War II started on September 1st, 1939 when Germany in-

vaded Poland spurring Great Brittan and France to declare war on Germany. The United States of America did not enter the war until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. On this day not only did the U.S. declare war on the Empire of Japan, but Germany and Italy declared war of the United States. Exactly one week after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a young high school sophomore from Oakland, California turned sixteen. His name was Robert Norman Friederichs. Bob’s high school had already been practicing an accelerated program in order to provide the U.S. military with additional recruits in minimal time. Un-der this program, Bob graduated from high school on February 2nd, 1944. Bob had registered with the Selective Service at the end of that previous year on December 15th. Thirteen days after graduation, he received an order to report for a Preinduc-tion Physical Examination in the mail. And on March 17th, his order to report for induction arrived via post as well. Robert Friederichs was sworn into the U.S. Army at 1:30 on April 1st, 1994; one day shy of two months after his high school graduation. One month into service, Bob contracted appendicitis and was separated from his original unit when he remained behind in Camp Abbot, Oregon to have surgery. He was then sent to Walla Walla, WA along with all other soldiers who had an operation due to the large military hospital at that location. From there he went to Fort Lewis, WA, a new camp at the time. While this appendicitis can be viewed as a setback from a military perspective, it served as a [blessing in disguise] for Bob. His first letter home after the surgery was dated June 6th, 1944; a day that many people all over the globe remember as D-Day. On this day over half a cen-tury ago, thousands of U.S soldiers lost their lives; Robert Friederichs however, was just beginning recovery after an emergency operation to remove his appendix.

“Many soldiers felt pangs of guilt about escaping death when their friends died, a

phenomenon known as ‘survivor guilt.’ Francis O’Donnell of the 1st Infantry Divi-sion survived the carnage of Omaha Beach on D-Day in June 1944, but asked him-

self, ‘Why was I chosen to make it when men with wives and children didn’t?’”§ Mary Broadus, mother-in-law to Robert’s oldest son Brad Friederichs, reported in an interview that her brother cried when he found out that he could not serve in WWII. A childhood bout of scarlet fever had left him with hearing prob-lems and he was labeled as a 4F when he tried to enlist. This classification was given to a registrant who did not meet the physical standards of the military. Mrs. Broadus recalls that at the time many 4F’s were cruelly teased for being unable to enlist, despite their strong desire to serve their country. Robert however manages to maintain a generally positive attitude throughout his time is service, regardless of the fact that he never saw combat. These letters take the reader through the normal range of boredom, anxiety and homesickness that can be found in nearly every other soldier who serves their country.

A PRAYER FOR PEACE Lorraine Moore

Dear Lord - - give us rest From the rich red flood

Of our boy’s blood! From the bombing

Of children pleading, From the killing Of the unwilling,

Give us rest, give us peace. Amen.

Oakland High School Creative

Writing Classes 1945-46

§ Mark D. Van Ells, a history professor at the City University of New York, wrote the book To Hear Only Thunder Again: America’s World War II Veterans Come Home. This article originally ap-peared in the August 2005 issue of America in WWII.


Saturday, April 1, 1944

Dear Family,

We were sworn in at 1:30 today. We still haven’t got our uniforms or dog tags as yet. We will probably get them tomor-row. The food is swell. I eat twice as much. We had a small physical today plus about 5 different mental tests; boy were they hard: mostly math and a cou-ple of vocabulary tests. We saw some movies of Military Disci-pline and sex hygiene. Tomorrow we have more tests and get our uniforms. I haven’t got my hair cut. I will phone the first chance I get. Love,

Robert

(SHOW THIS TO JEAN)

Presidio of Monterey, CA

1


Dear Sis,

Thank you very much for coming down Sunday. I know it must have taken Cliff a lot of gas, thank him again for me. I haven’t opened your box of candy as of yet, I think I will wait until I finish the other food. I hope “maw” (mom) can get that bag for me because it will be larger than the one I have. It isn’t necessary to have a zipper. Thanks again. Your Brother,

Robert

Monday, April 10, 1944


10


Dear Mom and Family,

There isn’t much I can say because there isn’t anything new. I think the train will go through Oakland, I hope. I have to go now. Love,

Robert

Wednesday, April 12, 1944


12


Tuesday, June 6, 1944…D-Day.

Camp Abbot, OR

“I sat there with a chill and my stomach paining to beat heck.”


I guess you received a telegram saying I was operated on for my appendix. That’s why I haven’t written for so long. Wednesday, May 31st, I went over to the infir-mary with a bad stomach ache; at least that’s what I thought it was. This was about 9 PM. The guy took my temperature which was 95 degrees. The guy said it might be my appendix. He said to walk over to the hospital, which is about a mile away for a checkup. I waited for about an hour and a half so they could see what was wrong with me. I sat there with a chill and my stomach paining to beat heck. They finally decided my appen-dix was bad. The Major and Captain operated on me. They had to get the Major out of bed. He is really a swell guy. He’s from San Francisco. I was pretty scared. They gave me a shot in the left leg. This makes…

67


Tuesday, June 6, 1944

Camp Abbot, OR

...your legs feel kind of heavy. I

waited outside the operating room for about three minutes. One of the nurses’ said they would send a tele-gram home if I wanted it so I guess they sent it (I hope!). In the operating room they gave me about four spinal injections; a cou-ple of them hurt. After these every-thing got numb from my waist down. I felt the first cut—it was a funny sensation—it didn’t hurt though. Gee, I’m writing this in bed lying down. It’s kind of hard that way. They operated at about 12:30 Thursday morning. I noticed the clock as I went in the room. It took about ½ hour. I kept talking all of the time. They told me to go sleep but I couldn’t—even though they gave me a sleeping pill.

… they gave me four spinal injections. A cou-ple of them hurt. After this everything got

numb from my waist down.

67


“After they finished they fed me a bottle of liquid through my veins.”

After they finished they fed me a

bottle of liquid through my veins. I guess I slept all that day and night and also part of Friday. They gave me quite a few shots for pain. I could hardly eat anything. I still don’t eat all my meals. I just haven’t an appetite. I’ve had severe head-aches because of the spinal injec-tions. You get them when you start walking around. I threw up twice when they were oper-ating. I don’t know why. They send everyone that has had an operation to Walla Walla, Washington. The Army has a large hospital up there. I will probably stay there about a month to recuperate; then down to Fort Lewis which is a new camp. Ken will be . . .


Camp Abbot, OR

67


“I received your swell package; although I couldn’t eat most of it.”


Camp Abbot, OR

...there about Sunday.

I received your swell package, although I couldn’t eat most of it. I guess I won’t be able to eat sa-lami and stuff l ike that for awhile. Yesterday I had to turn in most of my clothes except a suit to wear and my personal belong-ings. We won’t need much stuff in the other hospital. Today I moved out in the ward. I had been in a room by myself all the other time. I threw up yesterday when I got back from checking my clothes. I was sure weak and very tired; also a headache. The headaches are the worst things to worry about. My side doesn’t bother me much anymore. The stitches are still in. Sorry for the sloppy letter. Love,

Robert

67



Gee I’m sorry I haven’t written but I spent most of my time with Ken be-cause he left yesterday for Camp Beale. I’m in a different company now. We will be on our eighth week next week. It rained all day yesterday. Of course, we were out in the field all day. We fired our rifles from the hip. We also fired the carbine the same way. We went to the range and fired at silhouettes—we didn’t use slings. They were very small, about 300 yards, and it was foggy.

Friday, September 22, 1944

Fort Lewis, WA

About three o’clock we went through the “German village.” It was a block of houses and sheds. We used the whole pla-toon. Some fired the machine guns which used blanks while others took the houses as or-dered. We used live rounds and

blank hand grenades. It was a lot of fun, except it was raining.

“We used live rounds and blank hand grenades. It was a lot of fun, except it was raining.”

175


We fell out last night at about 8

o’clock for a night problem of booby traps. We set them out for another squad to find and we had to find the other squads’. Only one went off in our squad. They have large firecrackers attached to them. They fired artillery shells and flares over our heads for a half hour to make it more like the real thing, I guess. I’ll sign off now. Love to All,

Robert

Friday, September 22, 1944

Fort Lewis, WA

P.S. I finally got a letter today from you. I’ve been moving around too much.

“...a night problem of booby traps. We set them out for another squad to find and we had to find the other squads’.”

175

Lighter and cigarette case



Well the first thing we did this morning was to go over the obstacle course with packs and rifles. After that we learned how to disarm a person who is coming at you with a bayonet (on the rifle). After that we studied aircraft identification the rest of the morning. In the afternoon we had a test

Wednesday, September 27, 1944

North Fort Lewis, WA

on airplanes and then we practiced tying knots the rest of the afternoon. I haven’t received any mail for about three days now. They take their time about sending it over when you transfer around. Tomorrow we will be out in the field all day. Saturday we have a big inspection. If I’m not on K.P. Saturday or Sun-day I will go to town; that is if I get paid Saturday.

There are too many Mexicans in this outfit; personally I would rather have Negros. Write soon. Love,

Robert

180



The first thing we did Saturday was run the cross country mile with packs and rifles. After that we had an inspection the rest of the morning. In the afternoon we went out on the 22 range and shot 22’s. I went over to my old company and got paid. At about 5 o’clock I came back and got my pass and went into town. I met a Sgt. I know so we got a bed up at one of the churches and went to a show.

Monday, October 2, 1944


185


We hitch hiked up to Seattle Sunday morning. We got there at about 11:30. We went to a couple of

USO’s—they are very nice up in Seattle. We went to a show later in the afternoon. They run a ferry from Seattle to Tacoma so we took the ferry. It isn’t as large as the ones down there. It took 2-1/2 hours. We got to Tacoma at 7:30 and got a bus back to camp. I would like to have my pipe, tobacco pouch, Brownie camera and some film. Maybe Joan would let me use her camera. I would like to take some pictures while I’m here.



“We hitch hiked up to

Seattle Sunday

morning.”

185


I think you would enjoy them if you could get some film for me. It’s pretty hard to get film up here.

Please send the stuff as soon as possible. The weather is usually cloudy and cool. This morning we tied knots and drilled. This afternoon we played games. We had an easy day. Well write soon. Love to All,

Robert



185


“I met a Sgt. I know so we got a bed up at one of the churches and went to a show.”

-October 2nd, 1944


Thursday, November 9, 1944

223



November 9th, 1944

223



November 9th, 1944

223



November 9th, 1944 “We had an easy day.” -October 2nd, 1944

223


Sunday, December 24, 1944


Dear Mom and Fam-

ily, Well I’m in town today. I came in last night. My pass is good until Tues-day morning. When I got in last night I had a nice big steak dinner. I then went to the show. I got a bed (with sheets) for 65 cents and slept until 12 this morning and I have just finished another steak breakfast. I have a place to eat Xmas dinner out at someone’s home. I met a Sergeant friend of mine and we decided to go to Olympia in about an hour as the Elks are giving the boys a big feed about four o’clock.

268




The food in the com-

pany is terrible. Most of the meat has been ground so I don’t eat that. In other words I don’t get very much blood so I have started eating lots of steaks to keep me healthy. I am getting along fine in school. I have a pretty good record. I haven’t had a gig on my rifle since I started and most of them have had at least one. I have got-ten about 87% on most of the tests and 82% yesterday on public speaking. The U.S.O. today is crowded with soldiers. I mailed all my pack-ages. . .

268




...yesterday—you

should get them in the middle of the week. The boys left for Texas yesterday. I believe it’s the infantry. There moving a lot of guys’ every day. It looks like the will move the whole camp by the end of the year. It’s been very cold lately. The puddles of water on the ground stay frozen solid all day. Everyone wears overcoats now including me. That’s all for now—write soon. Merry Christmas to everyone,

Robert

268


Sunday, January 21, 1945

Camp Howze, TX


Yesterday, which was a wet Sat-urday, we heard three guys that had been overseas talk about different experiences—it wasn’t bad. In the afternoon some 75 other guys and I had to go over the infiltration course because we hadn’t gone over it before—I missed it when I went to the hospital. Well anyway we walked out there—it was three miles. We carried rifles, bayo-nets and cartridge belts. We got in a trench which had at least three feet of muddy water. We crawled out of the trench on our bellys—crawling through three to six inches of mud and mud puddles. Of course, there were machine guns firing over our head. I didn’t mind it to bad except my belt buckle came off and when I got to the end of the course my pants were down . . .

296


Sunday, January 21, 1945

Camp Howze, TX

...to my ankles. Of course I

was a little muddy but definitely I had to have help to pull my pants up. Boy that three miles back was tough;—especially car-rying 50 lbs of mud. Everyone hit the shower with clothes and rifle. Boy, talk about a pig pen! I finally got clean and worked on my rifle for an hour after chow. I was going to town but decided to wait until today. Went into town today with a guy and got a steak and saw a movie. The town is terrible. It’s small and dirty—don’t think I’ll go again. The sun came out again—hope it stays out—then there won’t be anymore mud. We start training (6 weeks) to-morrow. Write soon. Love,

Robert

296


Camp Howze, TX


Received the books and candy today. Thanks a lot—the candy is swell. Half of the company was out on the range today—we go out tomorrow. We had some more positions on firing some old stuff while they were out there. My radio was stolen this afternoon. We suspect a guy that moved out Saturday because he was hanging around when we fell out this afternoon. I reported it to the Captain and he told me to go down to this guys’ company and have his stuff searched—which I did (a 2nd Lieutenant did it) but no radio. The guy wasn’t around and the 2nd Lieutenant said he was in the hospital so I went up there. But they didn’t have any record of him being there so I never found the guy. I thought I might by luck find the radio on him but I suppose he has sold it. I reported it right away and I didn’t get back to the barracks until about nine o’clock so I missed supper. That’s all for now. Love,

Robert

“Half of the company was out on the range to-day. We go out tomorrow. We had some more positions on firing; some old stuff while they were out there.”

Monday, January 29, 1945

304


Tuesday, January 30, 1945

Camp Howze, TX

Dear Folks,

Well we went out on the range today—it was pretty cold. We have been getting up at about 5:00 to 5:30 around here every day because it’s three miles out to the range. We left the com-pany about seven. I borrowed a kind of big sock from a guy to keep me warm. You pull it over your head and it has a square cut in it for your eyes and nose— it’s very warm. When we got out there we pulled targets all morning (got out there about eight). In the afternoon the other platoon pulled targets for us while we fired. We got the best end of the deal because it’s . . .

“In the afternoon the other platoon pulled targets for us while we fired. We got the

best end of the deal . . .”

305


Tuesday, January 30, 1945

Camp Howze, TX

...a little warmer in the pits—

even that early and we got to fire when it was lighter and warmer. We fired twenty-eight rounds out of a possible 140. I made 120 which is expert on record day but on record day of course you fire more than 28 rounds. A possible would be 210, expert 180, sharp-shooter 165, marksman 140. A possible is considered almost im-possible because it’s all bulls-eyes. We didn’t get off of the range un-til 7:45. We practically ran back making three miles in 35 min-utes (my feet are sore). We ate supper when we got back. I cleaned my rifle and went to bed. The Captain called me in last night. He said that he went down to that guys company and found out he is in the hospital now; or should be anyway. He wanted a better . . .

“We fired twenty-eight rounds out of a possible 140. I made 120 which is expert on record day, but on record day of course you fire more than

28 rounds.”

305


Tuesday, January 30, 1945 & Wednesday, January 31, 1945

Camp Howze, TX

...description of the radio—

which I gave him. After that I hit the hay and went right to sleep. Wed. 7:30 AM Today we are go-ing to hear about the B.A.R. (Browning Automatic Rifle) and light machine gun. We don’t go on the range today. It’s going to rain because it’s warm outside. It’s rained every day this week now. 7:45 PM We are waiting for the other platoons to come off the range so we can eat supper. We have been over in the day-room all day learning everything about Browning Automatic Ma-chine guns. Of course, we tore them apart and put them to-gether. Tomorrow we go out on the range. Oh yeah, I received . .

.

“. . . learning everything about Browning auto-matic machine guns. Of course, we tore them

apart.”

305


Wednesday, January 31, 1945

Camp Howze, TX

...another package of maga-

zines this evening. There isn’t much more to write about so I’ll sign off. I’m going to hit the hay early tonight. Love to all,

Robert

306


Camp Howze, TX

Sunday, February 4, 1945

Dear Folks,

Received your other box of fudge and funnie books—thanks a lot—the fudge sure is good. I haven’t had much time during the week to write as we were getting in off the range about eight and eight-thirty every night. We finished firing Friday. I made sharpshooter again. I would have made more if the weather had been better but it was cold and windy all of the time. Yesterday we had an in-spection all morning. In the afternoon we had an hour of orientation and we got passes at three o’clock—but I hadn’t decided to go to town until five so another guy and I went to town with two bucks between us. We fooled around all night and got back about eleven. I am on guard duty to-night—there are lots of de-tails today. We will proba-bly get paid next week—I hope so anyway.

310


Camp Howze, TX


Today is just another

cold and cloudy day—it never seems to change. I haven’t had any luck in locating my radio. I guess it’s gone for good. Well, I guess I’ll sign off for now. Write soon. Love to All,

Robert

“We finished firing Friday. I made sharpshooter again. I would have made more if the

weather had been better but it was cold and windy all of the

time.”

310


Monday, February 5, 1944

Camp Howze, TX

Dear Folks,

I have just finished taking a shower—I am very tired as I only got about five hours sleep last night because of guard duty. It was really cold from two ‘til four this morning. This morning we learned all about mortars which is some-thing new to me. It was cloudy and cold all morning but it cleared up this after-noon and we didn’t have to wear our overcoats. We had the light 30 cal. machine gun in the afternoon. I received two letters from you with two dollars in it. Thank you. It came in handy as I am very, very low. We expect to get paid the end of this week. We usually get paid the last day of the month but we signed the payroll late. The P.X.’s down here don’t have anything. They charge 5 cents for candy bars when they get any in. They must be hauling in the dough. This week of training is sup-posed to be easy because it’s all weapons. It seems like the wind only

stops blowing at night. In the daytime it always blows no matter what kind of weather. I received a letter from Byers today. I guess he didn’t get my two letters because it was my old address.

I am putting on weight again. I can feel it. Now if the sun would only shine once in awhile.

311


Monday, February 5, 1944

Camp Howze, TX

Well, guess I’ll sign off for

now. Write soon. Love to All,

Robert

P.S. You sure had a big storm there didn’t you.

311


Wednesday, February 7, 1945

Camp Howze, TX


I received the cake, cheese, meat, etc tonight. The cake is really swell. I ate some of it with a quart of ice cream tonight after supper. Boy the wind was blowing today. The sun was out but the wind blew dust and sand in your eyes making it bad. I got a letter from Cliff also. We had fried eggs for supper to-night—that’s how short they are on rations around here. Well I haven’t much to write about tonight. Last night we had to clean machine guns. Tonight another platoon is cleaning them. We practice with them every day. We will fire them on Friday or Saturday.

“I ate some of it (cake) with a quart of ice cream tonight after supper.”

313



Camp Howze, TX

313

“We had fried eggs for supper to-night—that’s how short they are on rations around here.”



Camp Howze, TX

Dear Cliff,

Received your letter today—was glad to hear from you. You seem to think that Texas is a bad place. Well I wouldn’t want my worst enemy living here. The wind only stops blowing at night. Today and yesterday the sun was out but the wind kept blowing dust and dirt in your face—getting the rifles and everything dirty. My eyes and face are sore from the wind and dirt. They should plant some trees around to break the wind a little. All this week we learn about the mortar and light machine gun plus the Browning Automatic Rifle. Friday and Saturday we fire the machine gun—next week the other two. This morning for four hours we practiced getting into position on the B.A.R. This afternoon it was the machine gun.

The conditions are lousy here. One guy went on sick call because he had fever blis-ters on his lip. The 2nd Lieuten-ant at the dispen-sary told him to go back and let it d r y u p — h e wouldn’t give him anything for it. And the chow we get here is an-other thing. We had fried eggs, potatoes, cold meat and cab-bage for supper tonight. That’s how short they are on rations. You can’t buy anything at the P.X. Candy bars are 5 cents if they ever get any in.

313

M2 Browning

Machine Gun

round.



Camp Howze, TX

I have been getting to bed pretty early at night, trying to

catch up on some sleep, which is impossible. I guess you know that my radio was stolen. I would sure like to catch the guy that took it. I had two weeks of enjoy-ment out of it anyway. Well I guess I’ll sign off for now. Write again if you have time. As Ever,

Robert

“You seem to think that Texas is a bad place. Well I wouldn’t want my worst enemy living here . . . The conditions are lousy. . .”

313


Thursday, February 8, 1945

Camp Howze, TX

Dear Folks,

Received a letter from Bud and Harriet today. Bud didn’t say much as usual. Said he was get-ting over his cough. It’s funny your nose started bleeding like that all of a sudden—it might have been some-thing you ate. Today the sun was out and the wind wasn’t blowing hardly at all. We had mortars and B.A.R.’s today again—we fire the B.A.R.’s to-morrow. Tonight they had to have a detail to clean machine guns. Of course another guy and I were hiding under the barracks at the time the Sergeant came around. The time goes fast as anything down here—that’s one good thing about this place. We will probably get paid Saturday I hope. I think I will take a gov-ernment correspon-dence course and make up some credits for col-lege. It costs $2.00 to enroll and the rest is free. You can take as many courses as you want but only one at a time. I’m so sleepy I can’t write a half way decent letter. Guess I’ll sign off for now. Write soon. Love,

Robert

314



Camp Howze, TX

Dear Folks,

Received a package of funny papers and calendar today. You probably have been wondering why I haven’t written. Well I have been going to bed earlier than usual and trying to catch up on some lost sleep. Friday we fired the Browning Automatic Rifle. When we got in that night we had to G.I. the bar-racks. Yesterday we had cover and concealment, and techniques of fire. It was very cold. We had our overcoats on all day. I have run out of stationary so I am using this until I get paid. We still haven’t gotten paid yet.

317



Camp Howze, TX

I got a pass last night and was supposed to go to Dallas with two guys but I changed my mind

as I have a cold (again) and only a couple of bucks. So I stayed in last night and read. I slept until 10:30 this morning. I got up and went to town. I mailed a $2.00 money order for that cor-respondence course. I took English grammar. I will get credit for it towards college. It will give me something to do when I get overseas anyway. After I mailed the money order I wanted to get a steak but I didn’t have enough money to get it and have 15 cents to get the bus trip back . . .

317



Camp Howze, TX

...to camp so I got a sandwich instead.

Boy it was sure nice out today. Just like summer. I walked around town thinking of things I would buy when I get paid. I’m getting some good stationary for one thing. I have a box of stuff I am sending that I don’t need; the pants are extra. We have three more weeks of training. Lots of the guys can’t talk because of colds. I went to the U.S.O. and read awhile and got back to camp at about 3:00. We had chow at 4:00. It consisted of cold meat and potato salad.

317



Camp Howze, TX

I will get to Dallas sometime I hope. It cost $1.75 on the bus which takes three hours and it’s

almost impossible to get on. But you can go private car which cost $3.50 per person but takes half the time as the bus does. Your face gets sunburned very fast down here. I got weighed last night with my clothes on of course. I weighed 170 lbs. I’m gaining all the time but I don’t look like it so far as I know. There is a rumor going around that the Captain got caught sleeping by the Major out in the field Friday., the Major was . . .

317



Camp Howze, TX

...supposed to have restricted him for a week.

If you happen to have an Old Testament laying around I wish you would send it. I have a new one. Well I guess I’ll sign off for now. Please write soon. Love to All,

Robert P.S. The Yank magazine has some very good true stories in it. It is in the box. Also save those letters.

317



Here is the story up until today. We got all ready Sunday morning. Packed our barracks bag with blankets, etc. and left the barracks at eight o’clock. At about ten it started to rain a little bit; at two we arrived to the bivouac area. It took us six hours to hike out there. It was about fifteen miles. We pitched our tents right away be-cause we thought it might rain harder and the ground would get wetter. They let us pitch four man tents so I pitched tents [with] three other guys I hang around with. We ate supper and went to bed. (We were in between two hills with some trees around us.)


Camp Howze, TX

About ten o’clock the wind came up—it was warm though! At three it started to sleet—at five we got up for revile; it was really tough. The wind was blowing a gale and sleeting at the same time. Every-thing was ice covered. At eight o’clock we fell out for the overhead artillery range (it was raining then). It took us two hours to hike there—by that time the rain turned to ice—when it hit you eve-rything was icy.

“Hope you can read this letter. I didn’t take much time to write it.”

334


Our feet and clothes were soak-

ing wet and when we stopped walk-ing they froze. There were icicles hanging from our steel helmets. We had to crawl through the mud while artillery (105’s) shells landed 100 yards away. They rushed us through this and as soon as we were finished we hiked back to our tents. What a mess. They let us build fires to keep warm but that was a miserable day. We had some whis-key to help keep warm but it didn’t last long. We had a big fire outside our tent. We wouldn’t go to the mess tent for chow because of the rain and mud. Even if you ate with your gloves on your fingers were still cold. You


Camp Howze, TX

couldn’t hold your fork. Well we went to bed early Monday night mostly because there wasn’t anything else to do. About two o’clock in the morning the limbs started breaking off the trees from the weight of the ice. We were really scared. After we got up a couple limbs fell on a few tents but nobody was hurt. At about nine o’clock in the morn-ing they decided we would go out and . . .

“There were icicles hanging from our steel helmets. . . Even if you ate with your gloves on your fingers were still

cold.”

334


...fire the machine gun. We

walked about a mile and the Major came by in a jeep. So we went back to our tents and were told to strike our tents and after chow we would go back to camp. Boy was everybody happy. Wow. We left at 2 o’clock in the after-noon. My shoes and socks were wet but I made it all the way in. At times I almost fell out. We got back at eight last night. There were no lights on in the camp or town; also no water for a shower in camp. Right now there isn’t any water at all. I don’t know what the score is. The water mains are fro-zen and I guess they have used all the water out of the storage tanks. We all got a clean blanket to sleep


Camp Howze, TX

with last night and boy did I sleep. This morning we cleaned our stuff as best we could without water. We were told this afternoon that we would go out again tomorrow and probably stay two more days. The sun has been out an hour all day and the ice is falling off the roof. A lot of guys won’t be able to walk out tomorrow.

“...there isn’t any water at all . . . water mains are frozen and I guess they have

used all the water out of the storage tanks.”

334


It’s a long hike up hills and down hills. They let water run over the road so you

have to walk through it and then your feet are wet. They say this is the worst storm in 15 years. We had rain, sleet, snow and hail but no sun [for] the two days we were out there. I’ll sign off for now. Hope you can read this letter. I didn’t take much time to write it. Love to All,

Robert

P.S. We got paid today.


Camp Howze, TX

“They say this is the worst storm in 15 years . . . no sun the two days we were

out there.”

334

Army Good Conduct Medal


Dear Mom and Fam-

ily, The last time I wrote you was Wednesday. Well we started out on biv-ouac again Thursday morning but they carried us out in trucks. We carried full field packs with an extra blanket strapped to our packs. We were really loaded down. We didn’t go to the biv-ouac area until that night. We fired the B.A.R in the morning and in the afternoon (rained) we fired the ma-chine gun. This is called field firing. After we finished, we walked to the bivouac area. It wasn’t the same one as we had the first time but a different one.

Sunday, March 4, 1945

Camp Howze, TX

I

II

III

IV

V VI

338


We pitched tents

right away because it was getting dark fast. I pitched tents with the same three guys. It rained some that night. In the morning we went through the Ger-man village. It was lousy—everything cov-ered with mud. In the afternoon it cleared up and we went over to field firing targets and fired our rifles. That evening was swell. We sat around outside for awhile. That was Fri-day. We went to bed real early because we had to get up at three (Saturday) in the morn-ing to strike the tents. We ate chow and left the area at five.


Camp Howze, TX

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338


We could see big

lightning flashes off in the distance but the storm went around us. We walked about eight miles that morning to the squad problem area where they ran a squad at a time through the problem. We built big fires but as it got hot later on it was just like summer. We ate chow out there and the trucks started carrying the company. We got in camp about three o’clock. There still weren’t any lights and the water went on at 15 min. intervals and stayed on about 5 minutes. So everyone filled there steel helmets when the water came on.


Camp Howze, TX

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II

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IV

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I washed pretty good

out on the porch in my steel helmet. We had a clothing in-spection after chow last night. We can keep extra clothes of our own such as socks and handker-chiefs but I had to turn in two perfectly good suntan shirts. If I had known we weren’t going to keep them I would have sent them home. I went to town last night intending to take a shower but I couldn’t get near the showers. Some places in camp have lights but most of the . . .


Camp Howze, TX

I

II

III

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...camp doesn’t have

any yet. This morning the water came on and stayed on so I washed everything I could be-cause we still couldn’t take a shower—but this afternoon they lifted that also. We have plenty of water now but no lights. We use candles. I have two footlockers piled up with a candle on it and I am sitting on the bunk writing this. This afternoon I cleaned all my equipment, rifle, etc. and turned them in to the supply room. The boys that get furloughs are leaving Wednesday. The rest including . . .


Camp Howze, TX

I

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...me are leaving

Thursday for Ft. Geo. Meade P.O.E. so I guess I don’t get a furlough as only the guys that have-n’t had one in the last six months get one. I haven’t received your other box of candy as yet but I received four dol-lars from you since I told you I was short of money. I will be able to see the Capitol and I can go to N.Y. and see Kenny while I’m at Meade. Guess I’ll sign off for now. Write soon. Love to All,

Robert


Camp Howze, TX

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Saturday, March 10, 1945

New Orleans, LA

Saturday at 1:40am

Dear Mom,

We finally arrived in New Orleans. We got to the Mississippi at three this afternoon and waited for the ferry. The Capitol looks just like this card when crossing the “River.” We had to stop and go for several hours, (very slow time). We had a half hour at New Orleans so we ran up town.

344


Wednesday, March 21, 1945

Unknown Location

355


Sunday, April 29, 1945

Somewhere in France

Dear Mom and Dad,

Boy we sure have had some lousy weather this week. It has been snowing today. All we do is sit around the fire in our tent and try to keep warm. We have been getting quite a bit of Spam lately (good old Spam). They have loudspeakers set up around camp and they have mu-sic and programs on most of the day. Will you please send some six cent airmails—they are kind of hard to get here? I have a lot of clothes to wash but it’s not a very nice day to wash things—it stays pretty damp also. I’ll bet Frisco is really crowded with distinguished people right now. Harriet ought to go over and see some of the characters. Can’t think of much to say again.

394

The figure atop this bell is a representation of the statue “Manneken Pis,” a popular attraction in Brussels, Bel-gium.


Sunday, April 29, 1945

Somewhere in France

394

The mud around here reminds

me of Texas only I’d rather be in Texas than here at least I would be in the States. We haven’t had any mail for quite awhile now—I sure miss it. Please send lots of fudge and any-thing else that’s available as I get pretty hungry for sweets. How is Lee getting along anyway? Has he still got his job or did he get fired again? I suppose Bud and Howard are still going to school. I am enclosing a few more pic-tures of Charleville. Well I guess I’ll sign off for now. Hope to here from you soon. Love to All,

Robert

P.S. Some whiskey would be swell. Pack it in a popcorn can; anything like that will work.


Somewhere in France

Monday, April 30, 1945

Dear Mom and Dad,

I’m sitting around the fire in our tent writing this while outside it’s snowing like the devil. This morn-ing everything was cov-ered in snow. It really looked swell but what a pig pen. We had to police the area this morning with two inches of snow on the ground; sounds silly doesn’t it. I haven’t anything to send you for Mother’s Day as we can’t buy anything where we are at now. I guess you will just have to wait until I can pick something up. You can cut the center out of a loaf of bread and put the whiskey in it. Cliff will know how to send it. The war sure looks like it’s finished; at least over here. Hitler is supposed to be dying and most of

“The war sure looks like it’s

finished . . . Hitler is sup-posed to be dying . . .”

395

Berlin is taken now. Hope everyone if fine. I haven’t got a cold anymore. Guess I’ll sign off now. Write soon. Love,

Robert


Tuesday, May 8, 1945

Somewhere in Germany


We received the news yesterday that the war was over so this morning we had a parade. We marched through the town showing off to the Germans. Boy was it hot. This afternoon they had base-ball games, etc. in the stadium (they have a big one in camp). But I did all my washing and then took a shower. Washed the clothed in the creek; they took about an hour to dry in the sun. The news of the war being over didn’t seem to have any effect on the boys. It doesn’t mean that you will get out of the Army any sooner because they still need men for occupation and the Pacific.

403

German lighter




When we marched through the town today it was kind of a pleas-

ure to see some of the expressions on their faces. Some were crying, some laughing and others unsmiling. We also passed the Rhine River this morning. Haven’t had any mail yet. Hope we get some soon. Can’t think of too much to say without any letters to answer. The people around here dress better than the French and seem to have plenty to eat. The women and girls in my opinion are prettier than the French women. We can’t talk or associate with them. Hope you can translate this writing into English, it’s pretty bad to-night. We had two weeks of really bad weather; snowy, rain, . . .

403




...etc. but now it’s really swell—in fact it’s too hot.

Last night I saw a stage show put on by G.I.’s and after that they showed a movie. The stage show was pretty good. The guys go around from camp to camp putting on the show—it’s a Special Ser-vice branch. Am enclosing some French money. I thought you would like to see what they look like. The new stuff is made by us. Ten francs=20 cents; two francs=4 cents. Turned in my money for German Marks tonight. One mark is equal to ten cents. Well guess I’ll sign off for now. Hope to hear from you soon. Love,

Robert 403




403

“Am enclosing some French money. Thought you would like to see what they look like. The new stuff is made by

us. Ten francs=20 cents; two francs=4 cents. Turned in my money for German Marks tonight. One

mark is equal to ten cents.”




403

“Am enclosing some French money. Thought you would like to see what they look like. The new stuff is made by

us. Ten francs=20 cents; two francs=4 cents. Turned in my money for German Marks tonight. One

mark is equal to ten cents.”



Saturday, May 12, 1945

407


Dear Mom and Dad,

I am now in artillery. Boy what a deal, lay around all day, pull a little guard duty once in awhile. The last place we stopped at was really swell. A big lake and the Alps in the distance. Boy what a picture. We went swimming for awhile but we had to leave. The place I visited the other times was Worms. We had all the bad weather down there but now it’s hot and I’m getting really sunburned. When we got here they moved the peo-ple out of the house for us. They stay in the barn. You ought to see all the souvenirs they guys picked up: rifles, pistols, knives, etc. We still haven’t received any mail.

Sunday, May 13, 1945


We probably won’t as long as we keep moving around. Hope you received the cable gram I sent for Mothers Day. Love,

Robert

“Lay around all day, pull a little guard duty . . .”

408

Nazi fabric and pin



Germany

Dear Mom and Dad,

I just came back from the creek. I fooled around and fell in so I had to come back and change clothes as the sun isn’t out. It looks like rain. I got a cot today so I don’t have to sleep on the ground any more. I was on guard duty last night and this morning and Thursday K.P. I was sick last

night. I played a little football and ran around the field and then I drank a cup of lousy beer. After I got off guard at 12 I got sick. But I feel pretty good now. Half of the guys are out on road blocks. They should be coming in today. We still haven’t received any mail. Maybe another month. Happy Birthday, Mom (I can’t send anything). Love,

Robert

414



Germany

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well today has been another busy day. I was on K.P. again. It seems they don’t have enough Pvt’s to pull it. Last night a bunch of the boys came in off of road blocks. They had just got to bed and they had to go out again. Of course, it was raining and thundering. They made a mistake in bringing them back. Our letters are not censored anymore so I can say anything. Send me some [original hand-writing unclear] They say in the States that everything is over-seas—well it isn’t. We eat “B” rations. That’s mostly hash, spam or stew, it’s not the best. We can’t talk to the Germans—it’s a $65 fine.

“Our letters are not censored any-more so I can say anything.”

415

Nazi pin



Germany

Of course the officers have

their fun. At the P.O.E. which was Camp Shanks we were about 20 miles from New York and we couldn’t go in because we were supposed to leave right away. We came over in a convoy on the Marine Panther. We landed at Le Harve, France which was flat-tened out like a pancake. There are rumors going around that we will get training but no-body knows. Three old guys left for home the other day. I’ll be one of them in a couple of years. Guess I’ll sign off. Love To All,

Robert

415



Germany

Dear Mom and Dad,

Last night I was sick again only this time I really had the cramps. The medic gave me some paregoric but I threw it up and got cramps again so they drove me down to battalion down by the lake and gave me a shot of morphine. I feel pretty good so we came back and I went to bed. They had somebody else pull my guard. This morning I pulled two hours. It started to rain last night and rained this morning but it’s cleared up now. We had fried chicken for dinner and it was really good for a change. I wish we could get some mail soon. I’m looking for a box of fudge and lots of letters. They are going to open a bar tonight; probably have gin, etc. Love,

Robert

417


Germany

Thursday, May 24, 1945

Dear Harriet and Cliff,

Well things are pretty tough. Sleep all day, go to the show in the afternoon if you want or in

the evening. Of course, we pull a little guard duty and detail. We have a bar which serves gin and grapefruit juice for nothing—all you want. Put a floor in our tents yes-terday and today it’s all warped up of course. It’s only to keep our feet dry. Guess how many hundreds of points I have (sixteen)—South Pacific here I come. How is Cliff getting along with the house, car and work? Write once in a while. Love,

Robert

419

Letter Opener

The blade of the letter opener reads “Manneken Pis,” which is the name of a statue in Brussels, Belgium. The figure that makes up the handle is a basic represen-tation of the statue itself.


The Adjusted Service Rating Score was devel-oped in World War II as a means of determining which soldiers could re-turn home. Points were accrued based on time served, awards received during service and de-pendent children under the age of 18.

“Guess how many hundreds of points I have (sixteen)—South Pacific here I come.” -Thursday May 24th, 1945

Germany

Thursday, May 24, 1945

419

Excerpt from The Stars and Stripes, a newspaper of the U.S. Armed Forces



Germany

421

Change of Address



Germany

Dear Mom and Dad,

Today we received some of our mail. I got four V-mail letters from you. I expected more but I guess we will get it next week. The V-mail are not very much as far as letters go. I was on guard again the other night. Yesterday it rained but cleared up in the afternoon so I went down to the creek and washed. Also washed my dirty clothes. Last night some more of the boys came back who had been out on road blocks. We are going to move Monday or Tuesday to Mannheim which is about three hundred miles from here. We are going to occupy the town I guess. All the new guys such as me may go into the 1st Army sooner or later; they are going to the Pacific you know. We had a clothing check this morning to see if we were short anything. I have been down to the creek this afternoon washing some clothes and taking a bath. We have six P.W.’s pulling K.P. and working around the mess tent now. I would sure like to have a camera. If you can get some 6x16 film and send it to me because a friend of mine has a camera that size.

“This is the longest let-ter I have

written in a long time.”

422



Germany

I guess it’s better that you have a

boarder because it isn’t as lonesome that way. Doesn’t June ever come over anymore? Now that we are assigned to an out-fit our mail should come in pretty regular so don’t worry about any packages you send. I need airmail stamps right now. Also a box of fudge and some magazines, not funny books, would be appreciated very much. I know that today is your birthday but I have nothing to send you. Maybe sometime I will find something. “Happy Birthday Mom” What kind of skin disease has Lee got anyway? It couldn’t be very bad

if he has it. Howard had better wait until he finishes school before he joins anything. He doesn’t know what it’s like. By the way who’s bathroom has Cliff finished working on? Ours or his? How is the weather? And what are Cliff and Harriet doing now? They brought a P.X. down to us the other day. We got eight packs of cigarettes and eight candy bars plus some toilet articles which were gone pretty quick. They had two nice looking service watches, a pen and two lighters. They drew lots for them and I got the pen. It cost $4.10. It’s a Schaeffer's Life-time. I’m writing with it now. Once it’s broken in it will be all

422

“Howard had better wait… before he joins anything. He doesn’t know what it’s like.”


right. We had steak for dinner today. We have it once in awhile but most of the time it’s hash (canned) or stew. They had “See Here Pvt. Hargrove” on at the movie the other night. I hope it’s changed because I want to go tonight. Who has the Ford now? I’ll bet it’s a wreck by now. They are lining up for supper but haven’t started serving as yet so I’ll wait awhile. I wrote Ken a couple of letters but of course I haven’t heard from him yet. The old boys that have gone through all the fighting seem to think they will be going to the Pa-cific or stay over here awhile as occupation troops but nobody knows. I am running out of things to say so I’ll sign off. This is the longest letter I have written in a long time. Love to Everyone. Write Soon.

Robert

P.S. This ½ Mark is worth five cents.


Germany

422

“They had “See Here Pvt. Hargrove” on at the movie the other night.”


Wednesday, June 7, 1945

Karlsruhe, Germany

Dear Mom and Dad,

We are living in houses again. Yesterday we moved into this town. It was about an hours ride from where we were at. We took over a half of a block of houses. I am a clerk at Battalion Supply now. Of course I don’t know too much about the job but they are willing to teach me. We live in a doctors house. It’s a large place with a bath-room on each floor. They really must have money because it’s beautifully furnished and the bathrooms are tiled. I sleep in a single bed with a swell mattress and sheets. Another has a bed right alongside of mine. I guess it was the ladies bedroom. I took a hot bath for the first time in I don’t know how long. This doctor must have been a Nazi lover be-cause he has a lot of pictures of German offi-cers, etc. I have my clothes hanging in a clothes cabinet and some of my stuff put in the dressers (I just had to type out a requisition). I sure like it here. It’s not like sleeping in tents. Out there the bugs were terrible and the grass bothered me. The other batteries are out guarding PW trains so I’m glad I got in this set up as it’s a very good deal. They have a backyard, strawberries, cherries and a beehive. It’s really taken care of too. Boy the weather is so hot you can hardly stand it. Last night it was hard to sleep because it was so hot. I guess summer is here at last. I just got finished eating chow and have been fooling around a little bit. It’s too darn hot to do anything. Haven’t had any mail for a couple of days now. I have collected quite a few medals and picture postcards since I’ve been in Germany. I’ll send the postcards to you sometime but of course I don’t send the medals. Also, I have a pistol a guy gave to me. It’s not a very good one but it’s better than nothing. (Hope you don’t think I make as many mistakes in my work as I did in this letter). Have you heard from June yet? I haven’t been able to get a camera yet. One guy had one he was selling but he wanted too much. [Practically] all the guys in the battery have a dog of some sort. One of the Warrant Officers’ has a little black puppy four weeks old and a Capt. has a great big police dog which takes up more room than four guys.

I still haven’t gotten any airmail stamps. Maybe some will turn up. I will probably get your package the next mail call. Write soon and get everyone else to write. Love to All,

Robert

“This doctor must have been a Nazi lover be-cause he has a lot of pic-tures of German offi-cers . . .”

433


Wednesday, June 7, 1945

Karlsruhe, Germany

433

Medal awarded to German sharpshooter during WWI.

“I have collected quite a few medals . . . since I’ve

been in Germany . . . Also, I have a pistol a guy

gave to me. It’s not a very good one but it’s bet-

ter than nothing.”


Monday, June 18, 1945

Durlach, Germany

Dear Mom and Dad,

Boy oh boy, I received almost all of my back mail and some late ones: June 1st and 5th. I am sure happy. I haven’t had any mail for quite awhile. It’s really hard to be away from home and not get mail. I got a letter from [original handwriting un-clear], Bud and June and eleven V-Mails and three letters from you—plus a package dated April 23rd with the candy bars, cookies, olives and prunes in it. Thanks a lot—they are a little old but still good. I was going to the show tonight but when I got all this mail I said the heck with the show and sat down and started read-ing. Now I’m going to answer them. Bob, Lee and Ray are just a bunch of bums I guess although Ray is at least working. I am going to write on the back . . .

444

“It’s really hard to be away from home and not get mail.”



Durlach, Germany

...of the paper so as to

save space for some pic-tures. I think it’s best that Cliff is-n’t working for Mack be-cause he is another guy that will turn his back on you when you need him. Har-riet— I’m glad you and Cliff baked a cake for Mom. It was very thoughtful. Please don’t’ let Mom send her box of candy that Bud gave her for Mother’s Day—he gave it to her and not to me. I’ll bet our house really looks swell now that Cliff has painted it. I think Dad should go see his folks if he wants to—after all, his Mother is getting old. Yes, I went to Easter Ser-vices on the boat. What is the matter with Butch’s ear? I have read of the Japs send-ing those balloons over with bombs on them but I don’t think it is much to worry about—start worrying if they send V-2’s over. The Ger-mans that invented the V-2 are in Japan you know. I guess they must have cen-sored that letter I asked for whiskey. You can send it if you hide it and wrap it good.

444



Durlach, Germany

I am glad you liked the

cable-gram I sent. Yes, I guess meat is pretty scarce back there. They are cutting down on our food rations also. At the other place by the lake we used to get more but now that the war is over it’s different. It is dangerous to walk up that dark street at such a late hour espe-cially when you are alone. I don’t believe George Burage ever got over here—maybe he did though—I don’t know. I had a letter all written Saturday but I decided not to mail it until I heard from you. I was on guard yesterday from 12-2 in the after-noon. We have a 24 hour shift on the street. Went to the show last night and saw “Guest in the House”. It was a crazy picture you’ve probably seen it.

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Durlach, Germany

I am out on the porch

writing this. It’s a very nice evening. We usually sit out here with a pair of German scopes (they are big, power-ful binoculars) and watch the German girls work in their gardens. I am still working in the of-fice. We are pretty busy today as the Sgt. went out to the Quartermaster to get some stuff and I was in charge of the place. A man that has been taking care of the hot water for us has been bringing over strawberries and raspber-ries which are very good. We can usually get plenty of sugar and cream for them. It’s surprising how many Germans can speak Eng-lish. A girl that lived here with her mother is 19 and not bad looking either. She pressed my clothes for me one night. She said it was no work for a man. The boys in the Btry. are pretty excited because they got another star for some battle which brings their points (most of them) up to 87 which means they will be going home soon. Wish they would make a

444



Durlach, Germany

...mistake and send

me with them—but I can see two years at least occupation for me if I don’t go to the Pacific. I think the war with Ja-pan will last about a year—but I hope not. I could send some German rifles home but you can’t get enough ammunition to fire them so what’s the use. We don’t get any days off here but the work isn’t hard. Thanks for the stamps. I bought a bunch of them last week. I haven’t anything more to write about so I’ll sign off for now. Hope the letters keep coming and I’ll try to write more often. Lots of Love to Everyone,

Robert

P.S. Your June 4th V-Mail was numbered (32). Send more fudge when-ever you can. Thanks,

Robert

444



Durlach, Germany

444

Pictures from pg 74?

Went to the show last night and saw “Guest in the House”. It was a crazy picture you’ve probably seen it.

I am out on the porch writing this...We usu-ally sit out here with a pair of German scopes… and watch the German girls work in their gardens.


Durlach, Germany

Thursday, June 21, 1945

Dear Mom and Dad,

Yesterday I received three V-mails and a letter (Air Mail) from you. They were dated May 28 and 29 and June 2 and 7. It took airmail 13 days to get here which is pretty fast. I went to the show last night. They had an Italian stage show which wasn’t any good. And it was also bank night. You buy tickets at a dollar apiece and then they have a drawing for the money. First prize is 50%, second prize is 30% and the third prize is 20%. The first prize last night was $176.00 dol-lars which isn’t bad money. I was sorry to hear that Cliff’s mother had died. The weather has been hot the past two days—you can hardly sleep at night it’s so warm. I was pretty busy yesterday typing out the PX ration list for each bat-tery. I found a [camera] in this house. I gave the women that does our laundry some money—she said she could get film for it. I guess that’s all for now. Write soon. Love to All,

Robert P.S. Had a lot of fun tonight. A couple of girls were working in the garden (I had my shorts on) and they turned the hose on us. They came in the house and played the piano and we sang (German songs). One girl is really nice. She is 19 and speaks a little English. If you can get some 120 film it will fit my camera.

Robert

447


Saturday, June 23, 1945

Durlach, Germany


I have a camera that I found in this house and now I have two rolls of film for it. We asked our laundry lady to get some for us but she couldn’t find any so I asked the boys if they knew where I could get some. One of the fel-lows told me of a place so another guy and I took a jeep down to his house this morning. We each got two rolls. We gave them a loaf of bread and four packs of cigs. The

size is 6x9 which is 120 so if you can get some please send it. Yesterday most of the boys were drunk or out looking for girls so I didn’t have anything to do but lay around and read. I didn’t touch the typewriter once. We had a big electrical storm the other night. It rained like the devil and the lights were out all night. Yesterday and today have been two hot days. We had ice cream last night for supper. One of the Battery’s makes it so we went over and

got some. It’s the first I’ve had since I’ve been overseas. We have to get up at seven o’clock now and stand revile at 7:30. They started this because guys (like me) would-n’t get out of bed and go down and eat chow before eight. They were supposed to stop serving at eight but there were so many there that they had to feed them. Well I guess that’s all for now. I haven’t had any mail for a couple of days. Love to All,

Robert

“We had a big electrical

storm . . . It rained like the

devil . . .”

449



Durlach, Germany

449



Durlach, Germany

449

Stuttgart Everything is wrecked but this is a laff.



Durlach, Germany

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well it’s now 1:00 and I just got back from chow, they had Spam but I ate a little against my bet-ter judgment. I came back to the house and the Sgts. were frying steaks in the kitchen so I had a lovely steak sandwich. That’s one of the many advan-tages of being in B.S.O. When the boys go out for rations they always bring back some-thing to eat. The other day they brought back six dozen eggs and a slab of meat with some loaves of bread. Last night I had fried eggs before I went to bed. The wind came up last night and it rained like the devil for awhile. The lights went out. It seems like they go out at the least little storm that comes up. Took some more pictures this afternoon—there were quite a few clouds though—hope they turn out o’kay. (It’s now 6:30). I received a V-mail letter tonight. It was dated May 26th. You said that Bud was down. This was the first time I heard anything about it. You never mentioned it in any of your later letters. Why did he stay at Kellers in-stead of our place? Has he changed much—or does he look very much older? I haven’t gone to the show lately—too lazy I guess. I got that letter from Ferrio you mailed to me the other day. I wrote him today. You can put whiskey in a bottle with a different label on it and it will go through the mail. Well I guess I will sign off again. Write soon and say hello to War-ren and Emily for me. Love to All,

Robert Three pictures enclosed

“...they had Spam but I ate a little against my better judgment...”

454



Durlach, Germany

“Took some more pictures this afternoon, there were quite a few clouds though, hope they turn out…”

454


Sunday, July 8, 1945

Durlach, Germany

464

In WWI, the British Army started using the term

“Basket Case” to refer to a quadruple amputee; or someone who had lost all of their arms and legs. By WWII, U.S. soldiers had picked up on the expression.


Sunday, July 8, 1945

Durlach, Germany

464

Nazi ashtray


Wednesday, August 1, 1945

Durlach, Germany

488

Dear Mom and Dad,

I received another letter from you today dated the 23rd. I thought I had better answer it as soon as I could. I am on guard again tonight. I just pulled two hours from 6-8 and later tonight it will be 12-2 and in the morning 6-8 and then I don’t have to do any-thing all the rest of the day (but sleep). This morning it was raining when they woke us up at six for roll-call. Luckily it rained all morning so we slept until dinner. This afternoon it cleared up so another guy and I went with a truck to Heidel-berg and saw Jack Benny, Ingrid Bergman, Martha Tilton and Larry Adler in a large am-phitheatre overlooking the city. It was really a swell show. In fact the best I’ve seen since I’ve been in the Army.



Durlach, Germany

488

Jack told a bunch of jokes

and played his violin. He plays good too! Ingrid Berg-man went through the play “Joan of Arc” roughly. Martha Tilton sang a lot of swell songs (she has peroxide her hair) and Larry Adler played his harmonica. He is the world’s greatest harmonica player. It was a swell show. Lots of laughs and songs. A G.I. band was there also. The amphitheater holds about 10,000 and there were about 7,000 G.I.’s there. Boy, what a traffic jam of trucks and jeeps, etc. We had to wait a half-hour before we even moved a little and then it was slow. I didn’t bring my camera be-cause I thought it would be inside but I should have used my head. Bob Hope will be coming this way soon and I will get some pictures of him maybe.



Durlach, Germany

488

Jack Benny looks just like

his pictures. The boys that went to Paris on that detail came back tonight. I gave one guy a carton of cigs to sell and he gave me 700 francs (14 dollars). He said they were selling just as good as ever. I wish I could get in Berlin for awhile. I’d have a small bank roll. No, I have never received the package with the knife. It might turn up one of these days though. Well I’ll sign off for now, write soon. Love,

Robert

“Jack Benny and Ingrid Bergman performing for troops overseas.”


“I think the war with Japan will be over sooner than you think, they are fighting a loosing battle and they know it.” - July 8, 1945

“...South Pacific here I come.” - May 24, 1945

I can see two years at least occupation for me if I don’t go to the Pacific. I think the war with Japan will last about a year—but I hope not. - June 18th, 1945

Five days after Bob’s last letter, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japa-

nese city of Hiroshima. Three days after that, a bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. On the fif-teenth of August, Japan surrendered to the Allies and on September 2nd, 1944 World

War II was officially over.

After the Letters...



Robert Friederichs escaped D-Day with appendicitis and never saw battle in the Pacific because America ended the war. He was honorably discharged from the Army in Oakland on April 30, 1946. He met Alice Buttyan soon after and they married on August 21, 1947. They had a daughter, Kristine in November 1948, Brad in March 1952 and Eric in September 1953. Bob passed away on January 4, 2004. I speak for many when I say I am thankful for his service to our country. Were it not for God’s grace in sparing him from combat, I might never have known my Uncle, Brad Friederichs, Bob’s oldest son.

I would like to take this moment to thank all who have served our country in any manner. Your sacrifice is appreciated more than words can say.

Paige Johnson, editor

