Letters from George

Editorial note: one or more pages of this letter appear to be missing.

Germany February 6

Dear Marian

I received two letters from you yesterday, they were dated the second and twelfth of January. It might have been true about a lot of mail being lost but I don't very much if any of mine was. The letters didn't always get here very quick but they were dated at almost regular intervals so I believe it was delayed by the Christmas rush. I don't think enemy action slowed it down, the Heinies probably know better than to fool with my mail.

I received your other Christmas package too. Thanks a lot. It contained two boxes of cookies one of them was cocktail crackers, candy, and cigarettes.

Don't worry about me not having enough cigarettes now. I have plenty. I got way ahead on those Christmas packages. The army is handing us out free butts regular now too. Besides that I have a buddy that got back to the states. He is in a camp at home and is going to send me some more. Don't get an idea from this that I might be getting back to the states soon too. He got home the hardway

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That hair tonic that Alice sent was really a pleasant surprise. I didn't share that with anyone. I couldn't afford to give any of it away. I was generous enough though to let my friends smell the empty bottle when I was through.

That radio that we bought was expensive. It cost about a hundred dollars in American money and it is only the size of that one of mine. It doesn't cost much though when a bunch all chip in and the pleasure you get from it is well worth the money.

We aren't playing the radio now though because we don't have any electricity. I'm writing this letter by a home-made oil lamp. It is a tin can filled with kerosene and a piece of string sticking out of it for a wick.

The other day the Red Cross mobile unit caught up with us. We had coffee and doughnuts for a change. Those Red Cross girls go through a lot to make the soldiers happy. They are as good a morale booster as the movie actors and entertainers. You know how I am always thinking of my stomach. I had a hot shower too. I should be ashamed to say it but it was the first one in a couple of

months. I must have lost about ten pounds.

Well Marian there isn't much more that I can think of to say except that I am doing O.K. for myself and feeling in tip-top shape. Katherine sent me a picture of myself that was taken when I was home on furlough. She said that she gave all of you one. I didn't look bad compared to who it was taken of.

Gary really must be a killer. Give him my love and tell Nick that I was asking about him too.

Best of Luck Your brother George