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