July 26th, 1945

26 July 45

Wallhaussen.

My darling;

Well honey I’m back from my first legal pass in the E.T.O. and I had a very nice time, except I wished many of times that you were with me. I’ll try and let you know exactly what I did.

Sunday morning I left with a ¾ ton truck and six men. Taking out of Wallhaussen south on Route 27. On these road we went thru a town called Hallbronn, which is completely destroyed. We had to take a ferry across the Neckar River to get to Stuttgart. South of there we hit the autobahn, or super highway and didn’t stop until we got to Munchen ( or Munich) where we had some coffee and donuts at the Red Cross House. We then went on down the highway cutting south at Sighsdorf on Rt 306 to Berchtesgaden. The ride from the autobahn to Berchtesgaden, was beautiful. Very steep hills and usually they had a stream of water coming down the side in water falls fashion. We stay in Berchtesgaden Sunday night and all day Monday. Saw many places, including Hitler’s home and what they call “Eagles Nest”, which was Hitler's party and war room. This is located on top of one of the mountains. Janey I have pictures of all these and when I get them developed I send them on home to you.

Monday afternoon we went up to Salzburg, Austria and spend the night there. There is a monument to Mozart in the middle of town. I wanted to take a picture of this, but it was to late in the day. Tuesday we started home. We stopped in Munich again and saw Hitler our hall and came as far as Stuttgart where is billet for the night in what was left of a hotel. That town is pretty bad, but every big town is well beaten up.

Wednesday morning we came on back to the battalion and I spent the afternoon trying to rest. It was over 325 miles one way so you see I can get quite tiresome riding.

Well Janey nothing new on transfers. Surely wish something would happen, so I could tell you when I could come home. I really like to come with the division. But I really don’t expect that break. Be good darling. And I surely hope someday that I’ll be able to be with you. Whether it is in America or Europe. I want to be with you -

All my love

Jack

July 21st, 1945

21 July 45

Wallhaussen

My darling:

Honey it may be two or three days before I write you again. Believe it or not I’m going to Berchtesgaden, Hitlers hideout in the Alps, for three days. I guess Milner thought it was about time to give me a break.

We have got men and officers going to the 1st Armored next week. When those are gone I’ll have eight of my old men left. As yet the officers aren’t announced, but they didn’t call for my type of work.

Everything else is the same. We got up at 03:30 this morning and made a search of the town and as usual didn’t find anything.

Well honey be good. I miss you as much. The fellows saw the inside of my footlocker tonight. They ask me if I would ever go hungry. I have at least ten cans of soup in there.

There is nothing else to write about so I’ll close. Sure wish we could go together tomorrow.

All my love

Jack

P.S. Here are some negatives you can get developed.

July 18th, 1945

July 18th, 1945

Waldhaussen

My darling;

I missed writing last night. Our medical officer, Michael and Geo Schwarz and myself played bridge until eleven. The medical officer, Capt Bray takes his bridge as serious as Clem Ferrell and he has yet to beat me. He does get so mad at all of us.

The last two days have been routine. Not a thing new and for sure Milner and Shirley aren’t doing anything for anyone. They have turned the Battalion over to me the last three afternoons, and it sort of burns me up. Cause then I have to stay at Battalion headquarters and take care of all the visiting ranks, etc. I did take off and take a shower this afternoon. I had to have one, it’s been at least two weeks since the last one.

Got your letter about Clem arriving today. Honey I want to come home to you, so bad, and if I can’t I want you to come to me. Somehow we must get together. I am afraid darling I’m not even able to recognize you in person. I love to be there, too. Maybe soon.

Be good darling - I need you and somehow we will get together.

All my love

Jack