World War II in the Words of My Uncle: Nov 17, 1944 "Sick Letter but I'm Punk" (Post #80)

Part 9

I appreciate the words of encouragement and thanks from my readers and am honored when they share their personal or parent's memories. This week I received some memories from Cleve Barkley, the author of his father's WW II story entitled In Death's Dark Shadow: A Soldier's Story available on Amazon.
In post 78 I shared my uncle's thoughts about the snow and the rain falling in their area of Schnee Eifel and the mail. It reminded Cleve of his father sharing about the weather conditions and mail.

Cleve Barkley
Peter,
Your recent blog, re: the commencement of snow in the Ardennes and the lack of mail sure resonated with me. My father, as you know, was on the line with the 38th Infantry in the Schnee Eifel at that time and recalled shivering while on outpost duty. For the most part, it was boring, monitoring the tree line for enemy activity. He did go on a number of patrols which reconnoitered the German lines, etc. and on a rare occasion exchanged gunfire with an enemy patrol doing the same (generally both sides quickly withdrew), but mostly life on the line at this time was cold, muddy, wet and miserable. They hadn’t received any winter foot wear and their boots absorbed water rather than repel it... socks became soggy so precautions were taken to prevent the scourge of trench foot.
He and his buddies slept in foxholes whose floors were lined with pine boughs to create a layer of insulation – other boughs and thicker logs were placed overhead as protection against artillery tree bursts. At one point the squad was quartered in a dank concrete pillbox which had been captured by a previous unit. At least it was dry. The Germans harassed them now and then with a few mortar or artillery rounds, but not very many at any one time.... nothing like the sustained barrages endured during the Normandy campaign. Casualties were rare at this time, other than weather related evacuations.
The mail. – just as you mentioned, dad wondered where was all of his mail? He hadn’t received any letters from home for quite some time. He supposed the foul-up was due to his being wounded in France and being placed in different hospitals and then the repple-depple. Then one day the clog was freed and he received a thick bundle one day; and more the following day. It was a real morale raiser for a nineteen year old far from home.
(Thank you Cleve for sharing.)

From Staff Sgt. Rice Diary

November 15, 1944 (Wednesday) “Cut wood and it is still snowing. I got wet. Took a shower on pass.”

November 16, 1944 (Thursday) “It was a cold ride (into town). Got shaved and cleaned up and saw a picture show.”

November 17, 1944 (Friday) “On pass- saw a good show. Good chow and Camel cigarettes. I hate to go back (to camp) tomorrow.”

Somewhere in Germany

Nov. 17, 1944

Dear Mother,

Will see if I can send a few lines to-night as last night I intended writing but gave it up. The darn square heads must of had a little extra ammo for it seemed they were shelling every where and the ground trembled all over. Our guns were sending plenty but which added to the pounding. As the shells came over they would sure whistle in the frosty air.

I wrote in my last letter how the snow was falling from the trees and worst than rain, then we had more snow and the Pine trees are loaded more than before, in fact a few have broken off. Yesterday wasn't too bad as the sun kept trying to stay out. Last night was the coldest night we've had. To-day it has been cold, snow and sleet most of the time. We had to work fast cleaning up the gun so the hot water wouldn't freeze before we could wipe it off.

Gee, we are all wondering where the mail is. I did receive one letter from you postmarked the fourth of November on the twelfth. Oh yes, and one from Florida.

You tell Pauline (my 5 year old sister) Uncle Charlie is doing all he can to get the Germans out of the way as he wants to get home as soon as possible. I want to see that baby brother (Leroy, almost 11 months old) of hers.

I hear we are going to get sleeping bags. I hope they soon come as they're a lot warmer than sleeping in three blankets. I have been holding off putting on my long Johns but guess the time has about come. Already have on the wool undershirt.

Eugene is right about that red headed girl. Where do you think my car was going noon hours?

Yes, must write Marian but just don't seem to get around to it. So she wrote you about her girl friend? I have been where that fellow is. Did she tell you how they had moved? (A girl he had met while at boot camp in Wisconsin.)

Sure glad to hear the good news about Eugene. Maybe by April things will be different.

Here is just an advertisement picture from a Collier's magazine September 16 that I'm sending, wonder if you notice anything about it? No, the people are not real so don't think you know them. Let me know.

Well, Mother, this is one heck of a letter all around sick but to tell you the truth I feel punk. I was going to rewrite it but paper is getting low so must save. Please send just some writing paper if you can, like you did once before. Have to go on guard duty at two so will say good-night. Remember Dad and Eugene.

Love

Charles