Post by jrwentz on Sept 4, 2020 2:27:07 GMT -5
This thread will be used for things in letters to and from my father that may be of interest to others studying the experiences of POWs.
On Dec 5 1944 Dad writes to his mother from France using V-Mail. It is postmarked Jan 2 1945 in the states and a note on the envelope says it was received Jan 3 1945.
Dad reassures his mother that he is okay and no one should worry because his location is no more dangerous than it is in the states, except for the danger of catching pneumonia. He says he must be immune because he has been exposed to it a lot without catching it.
He describes the area as nice, much like the farm lands around home. He says the French farmers must have kept some of their stuff well hidden because there are still some horses and cattle around.
He says not to worry and he will write as often as he can.
On Dec 24, 1944 his mother writes him a nice letter using V Mail. It is returned as undeliverable. Date uncertain.
On Jan 4 1945 Dad writes to my Mom from Stalag IV B. Date received uncertain.
Dad assures Mom he is safe and well and worries about the folks at home because they have not heard from him for so long.
Dad says he will not be able to write very often and suggest Mom should spend some time studying cookbooks a practice cooking because when he gets home because eating will be his favorite hobby, sport, and pastime.
Dad tells Mom to check with the Red Cross about sending packages and asks for cigarettes or tobacco and lots of hard chocolate because money is no good, but he can trade tobacco and chocolate for things he needs. He goes on to say he was captured shortly before Christmas, so it was not a very merry holiday but they will make up for it with Christmases yet to come. He explains that he didn't write before moving to the front lines because he didn't want Mom and his mother to worry. He explains that he will write to letters for my Mom and his mother to share because he will only be allowed to write two letters and four postcards a month. He sends his love and says he spends a lot of time staring at my Mom's picture.
On Jan 9, 1945 Dad sends a reassuring postcard home from IV B and asks them to "have a plentiful supply of eats" when he gets home.
To be continued.
On Dec 5 1944 Dad writes to his mother from France using V-Mail. It is postmarked Jan 2 1945 in the states and a note on the envelope says it was received Jan 3 1945.
Dad reassures his mother that he is okay and no one should worry because his location is no more dangerous than it is in the states, except for the danger of catching pneumonia. He says he must be immune because he has been exposed to it a lot without catching it.
He describes the area as nice, much like the farm lands around home. He says the French farmers must have kept some of their stuff well hidden because there are still some horses and cattle around.
He says not to worry and he will write as often as he can.
On Dec 24, 1944 his mother writes him a nice letter using V Mail. It is returned as undeliverable. Date uncertain.
On Jan 4 1945 Dad writes to my Mom from Stalag IV B. Date received uncertain.
Dad assures Mom he is safe and well and worries about the folks at home because they have not heard from him for so long.
Dad says he will not be able to write very often and suggest Mom should spend some time studying cookbooks a practice cooking because when he gets home because eating will be his favorite hobby, sport, and pastime.
Dad tells Mom to check with the Red Cross about sending packages and asks for cigarettes or tobacco and lots of hard chocolate because money is no good, but he can trade tobacco and chocolate for things he needs. He goes on to say he was captured shortly before Christmas, so it was not a very merry holiday but they will make up for it with Christmases yet to come. He explains that he didn't write before moving to the front lines because he didn't want Mom and his mother to worry. He explains that he will write to letters for my Mom and his mother to share because he will only be allowed to write two letters and four postcards a month. He sends his love and says he spends a lot of time staring at my Mom's picture.
On Jan 9, 1945 Dad sends a reassuring postcard home from IV B and asks them to "have a plentiful supply of eats" when he gets home.
To be continued.
