October 29th, 1944

The 29th was a day marked by strong German attacks on CCB and CCR fronts directly north of us. Some local success was achieved. In our sector there was no counter-attack, but activity on the German side of the canal was reported by all observers. G-2 reports indicated a considerable number of new units in the area between the Maas River and canal front. A Liaison Officer from the British 4th Royal Horse Artillery reported to our CP preparatory to support the division in this sector. No missions were requested from the British. 946 rounds were fired.

Oct 29, 1944

Holland

Letter #3

My darling;

Well honey I’m all set up again. This time I have set up my office on the back porch of a farmer’s house. It seems pretty good too. They have one coal stove out here plus my small gasoline stove makes it pretty warm out here. Tyler has spent the entire morning with me, which is something new. He usually sits across the field and burns ammunition boxes to keep warm.

Your packages are ready. There will be two boxes the size of a milk case plus one other small package. I sure hope you get it in good shape.

The unit is putting out a book which will tell of all the items that have happened up to the time we captured Verdun. I have ordered three of these, one for you, mom and sis. Do you think that is enough or should I have purchased more? Let me know.

I have also ordered fifteen dutch Christmas cards. Do you have any particular distribution on these? Please let me know and their addresses also.

Betty there isn’t any news to write about. Time just continues to go by. It is almost the first of November and the war isn’t over yet. I wonder if this European war will be over before the Pacific war. I sure would hate to fight in both sections of the world.

I received those family pictures you sent. Honey I’m awful glad you have fallen into our family as easily as it appears. So far as a wife you have been more successful than I ever thought. Now don’t ask for any explanation of that statement. I love you very, very much.

Well honey, I’ve got to get on my horse and get to work. I haven’t got much to do today but I want to get it done as soon as possible. Be good. I miss you a lot and sure wish I could be home and be a husband again.

All my love,

Jack

October 27th, 1944

On the night of the 27-28th, the enemy attempted a rubber-boat-crossing in force on the town of Nederweert. It was a clear moonlit night and when their intentions became clear to Lt. Stelma, watching from his outpost now located in a warehouse he landed a concentration on them completely smashing their preparations. In the daytime, enemy activity went forward and the sound of hammering was clearly audible in our outposts on the west bank of the canal. Heavy shelling of Nederweert continued, and Weert itself was subjected to a light shelling by Nebelwurfers with the target apparently being the bridges spanning the canal in town. A small task force under Captain Nelson, of the 40th Tank Battalion, was sent to clean out a pocket of Germans across the canal north of Nederweert. Lt Edward E. Hayes, of the 489th went as forward observer with them. The day’s expenditure was 806 rounds.

Oct 27, 1944

Letter #2

My Darling;

At least it hasn't been a week since I wrote you last, but almost. We are still doing the same as we have been doing. Last night I went to a little beer tavern across the road from me and stayed two hours. They had a sax and accordion player and it seemed real good to hear a little music if you call that music, for a change.

Betty I finally got something I think is pretty nice for you. But again it is for our house. I guess most things you get your wife are for her house. Well I don’t know how many boxes it will take to pack it in. I figure about four milk boxes will do it. I’ll tell you the number after it is packed. I sure hope you like it. I am also sending you some foreign money.

Honey you should see my office. I got a barn with a cement floor with straw lining all the sides. I also got a kerosene stove for heat and this morning I got two kerosene lanterns so now I’m all set except a radio and I sure know the place to get that.

Keith is having trouble with me because everything I get he always has to carry. If we moved now he claims he would have to have a 6x6 to haul it in. I sure doubt it but we make a point to argue so we don’t get too bored with each other.

Now honey, with my new set up I’ll sure try and write you oftener. But now that I’m set we’ll probably take off like a bird and that will be the end of my little house.

Two hours later.

What did I tell you. Borcherding just came back from headquarters we are going to move this afternoon. Now I’ve got to get a new set up some place. I have to write about that later.

Honey, why won’t this war get over so I can come back home to you. I sure would like to be there. I wonder if we’ll be the same when I get home. I know for sure we are going to start our family when I do arrive.

The other day I was going through a town and I wasn’t in too much of a hurry and I stopped and saw the show. It was an English speaking showing so that was the main reason for my going.

Honey, I must close for now and get started in packing up for the move. I sure could stand for coming home to you. Maybe I can figure some way to get home, but somehow the Army is always ahead of me and stops all my efforts.

Be good - I love you & miss you terrible.

All my love

Jack

September 9th, 1944

The daybreak attack on Amanvillers planned for the 9th of September was delayed somewhat, until the 2d combat team of the 5th infantry division with whom the attack was being coordinated could concentrate at Habonville. At 1115, the battalion military was alerted for an H-hour of 1315. At 1315, a 15 minute preparation, in which the battalion military fired 923 rounds was begun on Amanvillers and at 1330, the tanks moved forward. At 1400, a report came through that the forward movement of the tanks had come to a standstill in the open fields between St. Privat La Montagne and the objective. FO 2 tank was knocked out, but firing on enemy strong points continued through FO 1, the Air observer, and Btry B RO.

The battalion military fires called for by FO 1 forced the enemy to keep under cover and resulted in the withdrawal to safety of the crew of nearly all the knocked-out tanks. There was no news of the Second Combat Team. The supported forces withdrew somewhat to reorganize and little activity on either side took place during the night. After the preparation, 1542 rounds of supporting fire were sent out with considerable effect on enemy infantry, but with little or no effect on the concrete pill-boxes and fortress-like emplacements with which Amanvillers was ringed.

Sept 9, 1944

France,

My darling;

I better write you while we are having a little rest. My letters sure are far between aren’t they honey. That just can’t be helped.

Last Tuesday I saw Fred Maye. Bill and I went to a mobile shower unit and while there Fred came in. It’s the first time I’ve seen him since we left England. Had quite a conversation as all of us knew that you girls had been together lately. I wonder what you talk about. I really hope you had a good time.

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Everything is the same with me. I guess I’ll always be taking care of this unit. Yesterday some Germans got behind me and I took one tank and 30 men and started after them. I don’t think we got any cause we only fired about five shots and yet we chased them three miles. Betty if you remember how to play hide & seek, well that is war without shooting.

Everyone in the unit is ok. It rains every day and we do get wet. And the last five nights it has really been cold. A little frost this morning on the ground. Paul just came by and claims he’s ready to return to the states. Well I’m ready too.

Well this is all for now. You know I’m ok up to now. If you see or call mom, tell her you received this letter. I’ll write her the first chance I get. I sure will be glad to stay in a nice warm and clean bed with you. This is all this time. Be good. I love you much.

All my love,

Jack