Early on the 3rd, mass fire by all units on enemy installations was called for and after the treatment, our supported units moved swiftly forward through enemy territory against sporadic and disorganized resistance. The battalion suffered one casualty during this phase. Lt Thomas T Currie, Battery B MO and acting FO with the infantry was advancing with their leading platoon when it was pinned down by German artillery and mortar fire. As he was unable to observe from his initial position, he moved out under enemy artillery to a place where it was possible to adjust his guns. During the process, he was wounded in the leg by a shell; however, he continued forward, and as the infantry pushed on past him, it was his fire that silenced the offending guns. Lt Currie then walked 2 miles to an aid station of an infantry battalion and was later evacuated.
By noon, the east bank of the canal had been sufficiently cleared for the Artillery support to move across and at 1330 the battalion reconnaissance parties went forward to recon new positions. At 1600, the call came for the remainder of the battalion and thru a squally darkening evening, they moved east thru Nederweert and across a Bailey bridge to the new area. The batteries went into position at Weeuse Straat in the usual flat marshy terrain found everywhere thru-out southeast Holland and by 1800 were closed in for the night. The country itself here clearly showed the imprint of war because in this land of small farms and peaceful orchards, there was hardly a house that was not partially or wholly wrecked by artillery and mortar shells and everywhere were blasted stripped trees.
November 3rd
Holland.
Letter #5
My darling;
Well honey you should see my home now. The old man in this house has put in an extension on his electric lights so I now have electric lights on the back porch. This is the first time I seen electric lights since I left England. Now I’ve also taken some very light wire and made an extension for my radio speaker. Now I’m about 150 yards from the vehicle and my loud speaker in here. So I got music all the time.
Betty there is so much noise in here. There is at least ten men in here now listening to my radio set up. And I’m sure getting a razzing for this set up. I guess only a Ginther would over step the limits that much. Honey it is crazy to have this set up and outside our guns are firing and the Germans’s fire on us. But a person should fix up the best that the current condition provides. Borcherding has been in, but never stayed long. All he has said is I shouldn’t fraternize with the enlisted men so much. I personal think it is my own business what I do, don’t you? I know what I can do and what not to do.
Honey you hit a spot which is sort of sore with all the men up in the combat areas. I never mention it but you have asked for it so here it is. People in the states read the movie stars come over here and entertain the soldiers. You say yourself there has been plenty of them over to entertain us. Well actually honey there hasn’t been even one for the combat soldiers. The closest any ever came was Ben Crosby and he was forty miles behind us. Honey when you are ten miles behind, you are out of the war except for aircraft. To me it is nothing but a good advertising stunt for those people. Maybe I’m wrong. They do entertain at Base Hospitals and Service of Supply Headquarters. Let me know what your side of this story is?
I received the Richard letter you sent on. He should be here if he doesn’t like “C” Rations. I ate them for a month straight and had to get along on them. I do get eggs from the civilians to have for breakfast once in a while.
What did Mr. Rembarger mean by the statement "Sue here old gal, this has got to stop?" I should have a dozen or so packages in the mail by now. Everyone writes they sent packages including Bev. Yet I never receive any, it seems. Some day I should really get a carload.
I never wrote mom and let her know that John was on one of his sprees. She sure tries to hide his faults, doesn’t she. Nally is on one of his sprees again. I sure wish someone would take him in hand and straighten him out. Too many of the men think it is a big joke.
Betty this family here are wonderful. For the last three nights they have had cake and coffee for my section. They usually call us in about eight each evening. That sure helps out. The old man was a Hollander Captain in the Artillery in the last war and has seen action in Belgium. He claims he had to give to Germans two horses when they went through this town. He gave them the horses at the point of a gun. He sure is a likable cuss. Even if his wife does all the work and has nine children beside. How would you like to have a family like that. She had her first child when she was 27 so you could still do it. I hope I’m home with you when you’re that age.
Well darling I guess I better close. This is probably an overweight letter already. I should let you’re uncle Lynn pay the extra postage. But honestly honey I do think of you very much and sure wish I could be home with you. I often wonder just how a person will feel to come back and settle down to his daily work and come home for meals again. I sure could go for a good meal a bath and then off to a show down town like we did in Columbus. I bet it would be raining too. It always seems to rain every time we went some place. And then after the show to come home and go to bed. But here is one thing I want to change. I want every morning to be a Sunday morning. Honey would that be a kind of life for you.
Be good darling and pray that we get home soon. I sure am looking to that day. I’m taking good care of myself and sure hope I continue to. I'll try and write you Sunday honey. Tell mom hello and also some of these things I write cause I never tell her much. Say hello to everyone especially mom and grandma, Mr. Holland and ok yes to our addition Teddy, the chicken chaser.
All my love
Jack