THE LETTERS BELOW WERE SENT HOME IN 1945
The letter most recently posted is shown on top below
Welcome Back!
1945
Apr. 24, 1945 3090 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred writes the Folks; is getting along O.K.; doing detail; getting dental work; it’s summer – feels good; glad they heard from Cliff – he’ll have plenty to talk about when he gets home; just finished another steak; sees that a third of Berlin has been taken – should break the Germans – just bombed it for the first time a year ago; this year has seen a lot of changes – hopes next year is successful; is out of things to say and closes.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Clifford sent a V-mail home to his little sister Patsy on April 22, 1945.
April 22, 1945 3080 CP Saaren (near Mulheim), Germany
Clifford sends a V-Mail to the his little sister, Patsy; hears she looks like Margaret Robinson; bets she is wearing out the bicycle; asks about school – needs to keep up the Maxwell standard; asks if he should send her a few German ears or toes, tells her to be good and too stop making Goo-Goo eyes at Lynn Merrill; signs off Brudder Cliff.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home to the Folks on April 21, 1945 – one by Clifford and one by Winfred.
April 21, 1945 (2) 3070 WF Sacramento, CA
Winfred writes the Folks from Sacramento on pass; usually spends all of his passes there – nice town, plenty to do, gals & stuff; summer has arrived; hasn’t heard from Cliff – things are moving fast over there; don’t know how long he’ll be in the states but makes more money when he is gone; closes now to get breakfast.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home to the Folks on April 21, 1945 – one by Clifford and one by Winfred.
April 21, 1945 (1) 3060 CF Saaren (near Mulheim), Germany
Clifford sends a V-Mail to the Folks; still okay; it’s raining; tells about beautiful German countryside – looks more like the U.S. than any other in Europe, same weather, (not the cities now) – why would they want to attack others?; hopes they can get together soon and forget about this stuff over here; tells Patsy he’ll write soon and wishes her a happy birthday.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This v-mail from Clifford was addressed to his Uncle Granville Bartlow who lived in the small town of Leadwood, MO. It is the only letter we have that Clifford addressed to him. Granville was married to Clifford’s mother’s oldest sister – Maude. They had three sons – James, Lloyd and Lynne. James was serving in the navy. Granville worked as a brick layer and carpenter in the local lead mines.
April 20, 1945 3050 CF Saaren (near Mulheim), Germany
Clifford finally gets around to writing a V-Mail to the Folks – but this time, the Folks are NOT his parents but rather his Uncle Granville Bartlow and family. (See the Maxwell Family Tree)
He is okay but will be glad when it is over; is in the First Army; was in the Battles for the Ruhr, Cologne & the Siegfried line; asks about cousin James in the navy – South Pacific is rough; got a letter from Winfred – said the Japs bombed the field right after he took off (many killed & injured) – may get over there someday; doubts he will get home when war in Europe ends; will be 21 next month – army keeps men that age with no dependents.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Two letters were written home on April 19, 1945; one from Clifford to the Folks and one from Winfred to Margaret.
Apr. 19, 1945 3040 WM Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred tries to write Margaret – just got back, many letters to write; had a nice trip to Leyte (90 flight hours); glad she got home to visit the Folks – travelling on the ‘milk train’; is eligible for a furlough but depends on the army’s need – would sure like to get home; is doing well on income – makes as much as a major; Roosevelt’s death took the wind out, a great loss – wonders about Truman, closes to write home.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Two letters were written home on April 19, 1945; one from Clifford to the Folks and one from Winfred to Margaret.
Apr 19, 1945 3030 CF Saaren (near Mulheim), Germany
Clifford sends a V-Mail to the Folks; knows they are worried because he hasn’t sent any letters recently – wrote plenty but forgets to mail them; is getting along swell but Germany can be rough; is in the First army; was in the Battle for the Ruhr & Cologne – was rough; heard from Winfred who had just got back from his second trip to the South Pacific – rough over there, too; was in the Battle of the Siegfried line; will write more where he is at now; closes with don’t worry.
EDITOR’S NOTE: April 12, 1945, the American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died of a cerebral hemorrhage (stroke) at the age of 63 while taking a restful break at "The Little White House" in Warm Springs, Georgia - the polio treatment center he had created in the late 1920’s.
Apr. 3, 1945 3020 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred writes the Folks a few lines as he goes on ‘alert’ at 1:00; now scheduled for Leyte in the Philippines – 18,000 miles, 90-100 hours of flying; asks about Bob Dickey; Monk is in OCS; feeling good again since not flying for a couple of weeks – gained back weight (from eating steaks and eggs everyday at the PX; hopes Cliff can come home as soon as the war in Germany is over – mybe he could get a furlough at the same time; and closes.
Apr. 2, 1945 3010 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred scribbles a few lines to the Folks as he is still here and doesn’t go on ‘alert’ until tomorrow; just mailed a money order -let him know if they get it; just ran across some money he didn’t knew he had; California is the windiest place – 60 mph; scheduled to go to Guadalcanal -10 to 15 days, little was done about Easter there – bought a steak with sliced tomatoes for dinner; can’t think of anything else so closes.
^ APRIL 1945 ^
Mar. 30, 1945 3000 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred tells the Folks the war situation looks better every day; they announced at Hickman the other day that the war in Europe was over – everyone went wild – wishes it was so; still on ‘alert’ to leave on a short trip to Hickman (Hawaii) – no money in it – would rather go further; heard from Cliff yesterday who is pretty busy (letter not dated); thinks Cliff seems more concerned about home and family than he used to be -maybe grown up since going overseas; hopes Patsy is over the mumps, thanks for the nice Easter card – birthdays and holidays sneak up on him – such is life in the Allergic To Combat; must close/all out of gab.
Mar. 29, 1945 2990 WM Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred tells Margaret he was glad to hear from her again – he may leave at any time; things are looking good in Germany – ‘little man’ will be on the windup – ETO interests him more than the PTO ( Frankfurt was one of the roughest targets is now ours; this A.T.C. is a rut and he hates it – getting old – would like to stay in one place – will only come when the war is over! ; thinks about the clothes he will buy in a year; guesses he will be really busy once Germany is whipped flying personnel and equipment from Europe to the Pacific; guesses the more land we gain in the Pacific the farther he will have to fly each time; asks what she does for excitement; must close now and thanks her for the “Sad Sack’ cartoons.
Mar. 26, 1945 2980 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred tells the Folks he is in the orderly room pulling C.Q. over night – the First Sargeant knows him by name; hasn’t heard from anyone in a couple of days – everyone must think he is gone on a trip; goes on ‘alert’ the 29th; is a ‘hot rock’ sitting behind a desk answering the phone; Japan will be invaded soon & Germany almost finished – what will we do without a war? – go home?; could have gone to town tonight, but – ; too busy here so must close.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were sent home on Mar. 25, 1945 – One each by Clifford and Winfred to the Folks, and one by Winfred to the Margaret.
Mar. 25, 1945 (3) 2970 WM Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred tells Margaret he will be there a couple more days; it’s a nice rainy morning – rainy season in California; figured out the money he’s made is not bad – but you earn it – takes a week to recover from each trip – such a life in the Army of Trembling Civilians; feels ashamed when he thinks of Clifford and the poor guys in the walking army -doesn’t have anything to gripe about; will be sent overseas in a few months; doesn’t like the idea of being in the pacific for long – life is miserable there; closes now to take in a movie; “Sad Sack” is a typical G.I.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were sent home on Mar. 25, 1945 – One each by Clifford and Winfred to the Folks, and one by Winfred to the Margaret.
Mar. 25, 1945 (2) 2960 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred tells the Folks will be there a few more days; it’s raining there again; is out of anything to do – wishes for summertime; guesses they are glad to have Uncle Herman back – he’s tired of the big city; bets Patsy is a pretty sight with her big jaws from the mumps – typical Maxwell; guesses they are concerned about Cliff since crossing the Rhine; guesses the post office is still busy; close with a P.S. – will write again tomorrow.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were sent home on Mar. 25, 1945 – One each by Clifford and Winfred to the Folks, and one by Winfred to the Margaret.
Mar. 25, 1945 (1) 2950 CF Rhine River near Gernsheim, Germany
Clifford sends a V-Mail to the Folks; knows it’s been a while since he last wrote – been busy giving the Germans the devil as papers say; got his first letter in two weeks last night – isn’t so bad as long as one hears from home; been nice weather; asks Mom to write often, glad Margaret is getting better, will answer Patsy’s letters too.
Mar. 24, 1945 2940 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred writes the Folks he is on ‘alert’ today – only a short trip to Hickman; feels fine + a little happy – giving furloughs again – may be home in May; gets paid today/will send some home; must close and get ready to go – waiting around is tiresome.
Mar. 22, 1945 2930 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred asks the Folks about the Irondale Front; all is well except for the cold rain – too use to tropical islands; heard from Margaret who is weary; wishes for the good old days of the depression when all were home and happy; heard that Uncle Herman is going to Irondale; has a few days before the next ‘hop’; flew 17,000 miles his last trip; asks if Rolla Bradley was in on Iwo Jima ( he’s in the 4th division with Bob Merrill; closes but will write again tomorrow.
Mar. 21, 1945 2920 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred asks the Folks how everything is; has nothing to do this morning; weather is nice and sunny; is ready to go home but can’t; asks about his bank account; is concerned about Cliff in the thick of it but glad he’s not in the Pacific – lots of wounded, jungle fever, and mental cases/raving maniacs (PTO works on the mind); says 20 year olds look like old men; must close and get some sack time
EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home by Winfred on Mar. 20, 1945 – one to the Folks and one to Margaret.
Mar. 20, 1945 (2) 2910 WM Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred composes a letter to Margaret; will leave again in a day or two and not too eager; asks about St. Louis and their cousin Irma; will have a chance to see Stack in Hawaii; pauses to go to a show – ‘Bathing Beauty”; [continues after the show] the show was good – has Red Skelton; must close and write the Folks – tell the Dickeys ‘Hello”.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home by Winfred on Mar. 20, 1945 – one to the Folks and one to Margaret.
Mar. 20, 1945 (1) 2900 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred writes the Folks a few lines; is still here and okay; will be leaving again soon; is kept busy – a lot to move and few crews to do it; wants to know if they got the money orders he sent; almost caught up on his correspondence; lots of the Irondale boys are in the crap now; sorry to hear about aunt and uncles sickness; would like to get home but it’s impossible, must close – chow time.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were sent home on Mar. 18, 1945 – One each by Clifford and Winfred to the Folks and one by Winfred to the Margaret.
Mar. 18, 1945 (3) 2890 WM Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred asks Margaret how the world is treating her; just returned from a 17 day trip to Hickman, a search for Gen Harmon, Tarawa, Johnson Island, Los Negros, and Biak – 100 hours; flew back wounded, sick and insane; was glad to hear from Cliff who is in the thick of things; saw “Puss’ Brennecke playing basketball on Johnson Island; received a lot of mail when he got back; going out again in a couple days, dreads these long trips (13-16 hours at a time); feels like an old man; will try for something else but likes the bucks; don’t like the idea of flying to death – can hardly take it; must close.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were sent home on Mar. 18, 1945 – One each by Clifford and Winfred to the Folks and one by Winfred to the Margaret.
Mar. 18, 1945 (2) 2880 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred scribbles a few lines to the Folks; is still here and well; asks about Irondale and the weather; will go out soon; is tired of this already but will do until something better comes along; received the boots they sent; saw “Puss’” Brenneche on Johnson Island; has a pretty good crew – pilot is an ex-combat man from the Pacific, the rest strictly A.T.C. but swell; going to look up Stack and Bob Merrill in Hawaii; will try to write more later.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were sent home on Mar. 18, 1945 – One each by Clifford and Winfred to the Folks and one by Winfred to the Margaret.
Mar. 18, 1945 (1) 2870 CF Breitfurt, Germany
Clifford mails the Folks a V-Mail and sends another letter he has been carrying around a few days; is getting along swell; keeps busy but can relax now & then; has toiletries and cigarettes but asks them to send a fountain pen, comb, and fudge; says they are giving them the devil over there and he’s helping a little; answer soon.
Mar. 17, 1945 2860 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred tells the Folks he just got back from Biak and a search for Gen. Harmon in the South Pacific; had a lot of mail waiting – even heard from Cliff in Germany; flying tires him out – flew 100 hours over 7 days; tell Margaret & Cliff he will write when he gets the time; encloses a money order; will write more later.
March 17 – 20, 1945
On March 17th (Saint Patrick’s Day), the 768th, having fired 256 rounds from Woelfling
(-les-Sarreguemines*), moved out of that little village prepared for whatever might lie ahead.
That morning, once again, they crossed into Germany through fields scarred by recent shell bursts and littered with enemy dead. They came up to the town of Gersheim, which was almost completely evacuated.
On March 18th, the 768th moved onto Breitfurt, a sadly shattered little German village containing no civilians.
[Near Breitfurt was a heavily fortified hill, still held by the Germans, a bastion of the Siegfried Line. In the early morning of March 20th, a howitzer of Battery C with a volunteer gun crew, went forward to bring direct fire on a particular stubborn pillbox on that hill. However, the Germans had evacuated the position during the night.]
This mission cost the battalion two casualties. Captain Joseph W Dale, Jr. and his driver, Pvt Robert W Owens, entered an enemy pillbox and accidentally set afire a fluid from a flame-thrower which had been spilled on the floor. In the resulting explosion, Pvt Owens was killed, and Captain Dale was severely burned and shocked.
[About this time the Third Army, under the command of Lt General George S Patton, was getting into high gear on its historic rampage into Central Germany, and things were in a highly unsettled state as the enemy everywhere was withdrawing across the Rhine and far beyond.]
*There is also a smaller village of Woelfling located further south nearer the French-German-Swiss border.
Mar. 15, 1945 2850 CF Woelfling, France
Clifford sends the Folks another meaningless V-Mail; has seen combat and is now in France; is entitled to a battle star; is okay & can shoot the bull with the best of them when he gets home; has been busy today – pulled guard duty and erected ‘straddle trench’, will get along fine as long as he has a strong back.
March 9 – 16, 1945
On March 9th, the 768th was ordered to <not cross the Rhine> move back through Belgium and Luxembourg to Woelfling, France, a 325 mile trip.
They would now be under the Seventh Army, XV Corps, 173rd FA Group.
En route to Woelfling, the battalion spent one night in a schoolhouse at Marche, Belgium and another night in a thoroughly wrecked and filthy barracks building at Verdun, France.
[Woelfling was an Alsatian village where the inhabitants kept their livestock – horses, cattle and sheep – in the houses, and piled the manure in great heaps at their front doorsteps. It was mid-March, and the weather was becoming warmer, but the streets were ankle-deep in mud and filth, and the odors . . . . The fields near town were better; the grass was green, and one could remain a safe distance from the occasional rotting carcasses of long-dead horses which dotted the landscape.]
The battalion remained in this position, firing in support of the 45th Inf. Division, until March 17th. East of Woelfling lay the Saar Valley and the Siegfried Line.
Mar. 8, 1945 2840 CF Widderdorf, Germany
Clifford tells the Folks in a V-Mail it’s another cloudy day in Germany; got 3 letters today – one from Winfred dated Feb 20 – Winfred had just returned from Hawaii and talked about his next trip and liking the job better than bombing; says the people there seem friendly but he wouldn’t turn his back on them; would give anything to stand under a hot shower – ambitions have changed; and asks about his bonds.
March 3 – 8, 1945
On March 3rd, the 768th left Geilrath and moved to Sindorf, Germany, another beat-up village.
The next day, March 4th, Glessen, Germany was the next stop.
[At Glessen, for the first time, the 768th FA Battalion encountered Germans still in their homes. The Germans were ordered out of their homes to provide shelter for the 768th. No friction or fraternization was noticed between the soldiers and civilians. Some clothes were washed and other services performed by the German civilians who were anxious to please. The men of the 768th became convinced that Germans aren’t hard to get along with after you kick the stuffing out of them and are holding a weapon on them.]
On March 6th, the 768th moved to Widderdorf, Germany, within sight of the spires of the Cologne cathedral and the Hohenzoliern bridge across the Rhine. Most citizens were in their homes, and some had to be moved, or surrender their beds.
[Citizens had already begun the work of repairing their roofs and walls indicating they thought the war was over, as least as far as they were concerned. The Americans would not shell them again – the Germans couldn’t.]
News came through that the American First Army had captured the Ludendorf bridge at Remagen, Germany intact. All reconnaissance and preparations were completed for moving the 768th across the Rhine River when on March 8th a < no move tomorrow > order was received.
Having crossed the Roer River near Duren, Clifford is now in combat in Germany with the 768th FA Battalion; under the First Army, VII Corps, 18th FA Group. They are now part of the much larger Rhineland Campaign. The have fired their first shots, captured prisoners, had their column strafed, and suffered their first casualties. Now stationed at Geilrath, they will provide support in the capture of Cologne and hopefully cross the Rhine moving further into Germany.
March begins with Winfred now assigned in the Air Transport Command stationed at Suisun-Fairfield Air Base in California. He has been assigned a crew and completed his first round trip (as a trainee radio operator/navigator) on a C-54 Skymaster Transport to Hickman Air Base in Hawaii. He is on ‘ALERT’ awaiting his next ‘hop’ to somewhere in ‘the Islands’.
^ MARCH 1945 ^
February 27 – March 3, 1945
On February 27 at 1025, the 768th crossed the Roer River and took up positions at Binsfeld, Germany, a battered little village on the Cologne plain. Binsfeld had so recently been taken that it was still smoking in places. The battalion spent the night there.
The next day, February 28th, the battalion moved up to Geilrath, Germany. A few vehicles became lost and spent the night in Manheim, Germany.
At Geilrath the 768th had its first contact with German civilians and took its first prisoner.
[A German woman, found wandering in the vicinity of B Battery’s position, was brought to the Battalion Command Post, interrogated by Major Drury, and sent to the CIC at Heppendorf. Her mission had been concerned about the welfare of her livestock left in the wake of battle.
The cows suffered as much as any animals because of the war. The owners fled, and the cows missed their regular milkings. The men of the 768th that had been raised on farms took this to heart and did what they could about it.]
Feb. 27, 1945 2830 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred tells the Folks he didn’t take off yesterday so goes on ‘alert’ again tomorrow; dreads the long hops which tire him more than they use too; rumors are they’ll be based at Hickman’s in Hawaii – if so, he may try for O.C.S. but is getting paid more now than he would be as an officer; read the article about himself in the County News clipping they had sent – had several typos, no such thing as a C-45; wonders how Cliff is making out now; and closes to write other letters.
February 25 – 26, 1945
While stationed at Rolsdorf, the 768th Field Artillery Battalion that Clifford was in sustained its first casualties.
On February 25 at about 1630, while flying in the vicinity of Duren, First Lieutenant Alvin N Parker, liaison pilot, and Second Lieutenant William T Morton, Jr., air observer, were killed in action by a burst of enemy flak.
On February 26th at about 1330, Captain Paul S Rice and Lieutenant George S Isham were wounded in action by shell fragments while on reconnaissance in the vicinity of Rommelsheim, on the east side of the Roer.
EDITOR’S NOTE: February 24, 1945, Winfred sent two letters home; one to the Folks and one to Margaret.
Feb. 24, 1945 (2) 2820 WM Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred asks Margaret what’s new in St. Louis (sew any buttons on her bosses shirt?); all is well though recovering from a pass; will go on ‘alert’ again tomorrow to go all the way down to the Islands; saw a good show – ‘The Suspect’ set in England; is anxious to hear from Cliff – does he ever write her?; has been assigned a crew – hasn’t met them yet, pilot is a captain (hopes he has some combat experience); war news looks good – hopes for peace in ’45; brings the letter to a close.
EDITOR’S NOTE: February 24, 1945, Winfred sent two letters home; one to the Folks and one to Margaret.
Feb. 24, 1945 (1) 2810 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred writes the Folks a few lines today – goes on ‘alert’ again tomorrow – may not have another chance to write; is okay; his pilot is a captain but has yet to meet the crew; mail is scarce; got paid $19 per diem plus overseas pay; bought a good Ronson lighter; may send some more money home when he gets paid; asks about Cliff – only heard from him twice since he left the States; is glad they sent the film to Capt. Pflug; closes now to write a few more letters.
February 23 – 24, 1945
After the floodwaters receded, in the early morning of February 23rd, the Allied artillery massed on the west side of the Roer, (including the 768th, whose position was opposite the city of Duren) and cut loose with a terrific barrage. That day and night, American infantry and armor (VII Corps +) crossed the Roer, took Duren, and began to fan out across the level plain of Cologne.
On the evening of the 24th, the 768th moved out of Heistern and up to the village of Rolsdorf, still on the west bank of the Roer, about 2 miles from Duren. As they moved, German aircraft strafed the column’s tail, but no injuries were reported.
Feb. 23, 1945 2800 CF Heistern, Germany
In a V-mail, Clifford drops a few lines to the Folks letting them know he is okay; got 3 letters from them yesterday & Margaret has been having sick spells; don’t worry – gets plenty to eat; tells all ‘hello’ & Patsy to be careful with her new bike + got her letter.
Feb. 22, 1945 2790 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred tells the Folks he is still here; guesses Missouri is cold; mentions the struggle in Iwo Jima – friends may be there; will look for Stack when he gets back to Hawaii; closes to write others.
EDITOR’S NOTE: February 20, 1945, Winfred sent two letters home; one to the Folks and one to Margaret.
Feb. 20, 1945 (2) 2780 WM Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred writes Margaret with his new Parker 51 pen; just returned from Hawaii; answers some of the letters that piled up; sorry to hear that Cliff is in France but better than the Pacific; will go on pass tomorrow then be assigned a crew; not a bad deal there but tiresome – up at all hours, the boys they bring back are pitiful; thanks Irma for her letter and promises to write soon; and brings this composition to a close.
EDITOR’S NOTE: February 20, 1945, Winfred sent two letters home; one to the Folks and one to Margaret.
Feb. 20, 1945 (1) 2770 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred tells the Folks he was sure glad – had a pile of mail when he got back from his first trip – a short one ; only to Hickman Field, HI as a student R.O.; Hawaii is pretty -lots of sun & warm; returned a load of sick & wounded; will get a pass then assigned his own crew; likes the job but the long hop to Hickman is a real grind; glad they heard from Cliff in France – better there than in the Islands; asks they send his boots he left at Margaret’s – can’t get a shoe coupon; got a cigarette lighter and a fountain pen in Hawaii – cigs are only 50 cents a carton; closes to write others – maybe able to write from some of his stops.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is a follow-up V-Mail Clifford sent to the Folks after he had sent the previous letter - estimated date February 17, 1944. This letter too was not dated. The date has been approximated based on content and comparison to the other letters and resources.
*Feb. 19, 1945 *Aprox. 2760 CF Heistern, Germany
In a V-mail, Clifford tells the Folks he had better be writing often since he had told them he was in Germany or they might get worried; he could use a good scrubbing; was in Liege, Belgium – people seemed friendly; likes German chicken & beef steak; isn’t a lot he can write but will have a lot to tell someday; hopes all are okay; tells Patsy to write; and closes.
February 15 – 24, 1945
Now assigned to the First Army, VII Corps, 18th FA Group, the battalion remained in Heistern, Germany until February 24, 1945.
At Heistern, the 768th fired its first shot in combat. Battery B registered on Check Point Number One at 1504 on February 16. The next day, February 17th, beginning at 1742, the battalion fired its first mission.
The main entertainment at Heistern was provided by the anti-aircraft batteries in the vicinity who fired frequently on high flying German planes – to keep them high! At night, the gunfire, tracers and shell bursts were quite a spectacle for the men.
[While at Heistern, the 768th was visited by Major General J Lawton Collins, commanding the VII Corps, and Brigadier General Palmer. Major Willard A McDonald, commander of the 768th, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.]
During this time, American forces along the Roer River were waiting for the stream to subside. German forces had destroyed dams in the river’s headwaters creating a flood to delay the Americans from crossing the Roer and advancing on the German city of Cologne.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the first letter Clifford sent to the Folks after his battalion had moved into Germany. The V-Mail was not dated or postmarked. The date was estimated based on content and comparison with Clifford's other letters, the 768th Medical Team Summary and DESTRUCTIVE: A History of the 768th FA Battalion.
*Feb. 17, 1945 *Aprox. 2750 CF Heistern, Germany
In a V-mail, Clifford guesses the Folks have been wondering why they haven’t heard from him; he has been busy – his battalion on the move; He states he is somewhere in Germany – but don’t worry too much because if he can’t be at home, this is where he would want to be; the weather is pretty chilly; he wants to help get this war over and go home; asks about his little sister Pat; and closes.
February 13 – 15, 1945
On February 13, 1945, the main body of the 768th Field Artillery battalion left Camp Twenty Grand, France by convoy travelling for three days (more than 300 miles) reaching the front at Heistern, Germany on the night of February 15, 1945.
The ride across Northern France and into Belgium was uneventful and took place in good weather for that time of year. The battalion made bivouac the first night at Cambrai, France and the second night at Namur, Belgium (except for the advanced party, consisting mainly of Headquarters Battery, which spent the second night at Liege, Belgium*).
On the afternoon of February 15, the 768th crossed the border from Belgium into Germany, near the town of Aachen.
[The Germans had put up a stubborn defense of the city, as Aachen was the first sizable town that the Americans would capture that was actually in Germany, a part of the Siegfried Line. The Battle of Aachen (Sept. 12 – Oct. 21, 1944) had been intense. With bombs and artillery, the Americans won by completely destroying Aachen; not a building was unmarked, rubble was everywhere.]
That night the convoy slipped through smaller ruined towns east and southeast of Aachen until it reached Heistern, Germany on a hill above Eschweiler. Heistern was no longer a town. Its buildings were run-down, there was no water or electricity, and what walls and roofs remained were full of holes. Not a single German, citizen or soldier, was found in the place.
*Clifford’s letter dated 2/19/45 mentions he had been to Liege, Belgium. His return address indicates he was in the HQ Battery which had spent the night at Liege.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Winfred sent two letters home on February 13, 1945; one to the Folks and one to Margaret.
Feb. 13, 1945 (2) 2740 WM Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred tells Margaret he will be on ‘alert’ tomorrow for his first trip to the Islands – 10 to 18 days; all is well – likes the climate, thinks he will like the job and base (only there a small part of the time); heard from Cliff who seems fairly happy – glad he’s not in Texas; no chance for a furlough for 2-3 months; asks about the Dickeys and if she gets home anymore; wishes they could all get together for a family dinner – fine war!, and closes be good.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Winfred sent two letters home on February 13, 1945; one to the Folks and one to Margaret.
Feb. 13, 1945 (1) 2730 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred writes the Folks today – will be on his first Pacific trip tomorrow for 2 weeks; will be on a safe C-54 as a student Radio Operator – won’t be too bad; heard yesterday from Cliff in England [Cliff is actually on the move into Germany – his battalion left England two weeks ago.] who says England is much better than Texas; is getting mail now; asks if they received the money order; closes to go to chow.
Feb. 12, 1945 2720 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred writes a few more lines to the Folks; is still here and O.K.; has been on alert but has yet to make a trip; says trips will last 10 – 18 days – may miss some writing; will send a money order – don’t like to carry too much cash; hasn’t received mail for some time – will all come at once; signs off to answer some other letters.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is Clifford’s first letter home since leaving England and arriving in France.
Feb. 10, 1945 2710 CF Camp Twenty Grand, France
In a V-mail, Clifford reminds the Folks that ‘no news is good news’; is staying in pyramidal tents that aren’t too bad with a stove; guesses Winfred is finished with radio/navigation schooling; didn’t get many letters while in England and now his A.P.O. has changed – may be some time before letters catch up; really misses getting letters; closes to write the rest of the family.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the first letter Winfred sent to his sister Margaret from his new base – Suisun A.A.B. Fairfield, CA.
Feb. 8, 1945 (2) 2700 WM Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA
Winfred tells Margaret he is not happy being stationed so far from home as he was promised; says they were in serious need of R.O.s to fly C-54s down to Saipan and fly wounded back; is at the second field (Suisun AAFB – far from any city) since leaving Reno – was at Mather Field 3-4 days; guesses letters will be infrequent as he will be on ‘hops’; will get a three day pass after each trip and will continue to go to school; closes as it is late; asks about any news; tells her to be good and write.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Winfred sent two letters home on February 8, 1945 from his new base at Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA; one to the Folks and one to Margaret.
Feb. 8, 1945 (1) 2690 WF Suisun A.A.B – FAIRFIELD, CA
Winfred apologizes for not writing the Folks but has been on the move – see his new address; went from Reno to Mather Field, CA where he was processed then shipped to this mudhole far from home; will be on C-54 transports flying to the South Pacific to bring back our wounded; is at a new field – still being built – near Sacramento; hasn’t heard from any one in a while – mail should start coming soon; closes, will write Margaret, will be busy for some time.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Happy Birthday Margaret! (She turned 26 on February 2, 1945.)
February begins with Clifford and his 768th Field Artillery Battalion having arrived in France - now at Camp Twenty Grand - awaiting orders to move to the Front.
Winfred, has finished advanced radio training/navigation at R.A.A.B. (Reno Army Air Base) near Reno, Nevada. He awaits his assignment to the Air Transport Command where it appears he will be headed to the Pacific.
^ FEBRUARY 1945 ^
January 31 – February 12, 1945
After arriving at Le Havre, France on the morning of January 31, 1945, the battalion travelled to Camp Twenty Grand (near Duclair, in the vicinity of Rouen, France). The battalion remained at Camp Twenty Grand from February 1 to February 12, 1945. Camp Twenty Grand was one of nine ‘Cigarette camps’ located in France – they were tent cities (sometimes referred to as ‘Repo Depos’ by the GI’s). The men stayed in pyramidal tents and were confined to base (except for some who got out on work details and errands) awaiting movement to the front under the 15th Army.
Jan. 7, 1945 2540 WM R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred informs Margaret he has finished ground school, will check out in the air, be assigned, and maybe get a furlough; is cold there; has only been studying and going to school – no time to write; guesses her grind is the same; asks about boyfriends, etc.; guesses Cliff is having a time England; has a chance to become an instructor or go to O.C.S. but would end up in the ground forces overseas – can make more money as a R.O. in the A.T.C.; and closes.
Jan. 25, 1945 2640 WF R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred writes a few lines to the Folks; says he is still here and OK; has had lots of job opportunities – ground instructor, flying instructor, O.C.S., or R.O. on navigator training ships at Miami -but will wait and NOT volunteer for anything; will not get out of the service right away when the war is over – A.T.C. will be last to demobilize because it will have plenty to do; thinks it might be nice to work for an airline as a civilian; received Cliffs picture; got the underwear they had sent; encloses some of his school papers he wants to keep; closes to get some sleep.
Jan. 28, 1945 2660 WM R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred scribbles a ditty to Margaret; says it is a rare, beautiful day there; hasn’t been doing much but wait; says some of the boys are going overseas again – hopes he is not with them; complains the army is getting more disagreeable – camps are much stricter hopes to see her soon and closes.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Winfred sent two letters home on January 31, 1945; one to the Folks and one to Margaret.
Jan. 31, 1945 (2) 2680 WM R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred replies to Margaret to letter – everything is about the same but he just got paid; will be shipping out soon but doesn’t know where – still hopes for Memphis; bets Aunt Maud had a big wedding reception for Cousin Lynn; asks about how the Folks looked – bets their sister Pat will be a foot taller; hasn’t heard from Cliff who had a good time in London – almost wishes he could be there for a day or two; hopes Cliff isn’t in it( the war); should be based in the States for several months doing ‘hops’ – then overseas – at least its not bombers!; cans the gab & tells the Dickeys ‘Hello”.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Winfred sent two letters home on January 31, 1945; one to the Folks and one to Margaret.
Jan. 31, 1945 (1) 2670 WF R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred observes another month has rolled by and he just got paid again; comments on the big reception they had for his cousin’s wedding – wishes he could have been there; was going to enclose a money order but ran out of time; was glad they got to see Margaret – she stays away a lot; hasn’t heard anymore from Cliff; guesses he will leave any day but still doesn’t know where he will be sent; won’t get a furlough anytime soon; will; eventually go to a base overseas; comments on Pat Merrill’s romances; must close to go to detail formation to pick up cigarette butts!
January 28 – 30, 1945
The 768th FA battalion, now attached to the XXI Corps, 30th FA Group, left Swanage, England on the morning of January 28, 1945 and spent the night at the Weymouth assembly area. They embarked on LST’s (Landing Ship Tanks) and LCI’s (Landing Craft Infantry) for France on January 30, 1945.
Jan. 26, 1945 2650 WM R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred has a lot of spare time so writes Margaret wile waiting for shipping orders; yesterday turned down going to Miami to be a R.O. on navigational training ships – will now probably end up somewhere even further away from home; saw ‘Winged Victory’ last night – it had B-24s in it; heard from Cliff who asked about his connections in London; comments on all of the Bartlow cousins being married now; and closes.
EDITOR's NOTE: Winfred’s January 25, 1945 letter to his Folks was found in the box of letters without an envelope.
Jan. 25, 1945 2640 WF R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred writes a few lines to the Folks; says he is still here and OK; has had lots of job opportunities – ground instructor, flying instructor, O.C.S., or R.O. on navigator training ships at Miami -but will wait and NOT volunteer for anything; will not get out of the service right away when the war is over – A.T.C. will be last to demobilize because it will have plenty to do; thinks it might be nice to work for an airline as a civilian; received Cliffs picture; got the underwear they had sent; encloses some of his school papers he wants to keep; closes to get some sleep.
Jan. 20, 1945 2630 WF R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred scribbles a few lines to the Folks – (says it is Sunday but uses Saturday’s date); an sleep in on Sundays; doesn’t know how much longer he will be there; wishes he knew where he was going – could be many places; complains about the cold; hopes to hear from Cliff and get his views on the English; hopes the Russians get to Berlin soon to ease pressure on the West; closes to get breakfast at the P.X.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Winfred sent two letters home on January 19, 1945; one to the Folks and one to Margaret.
Jan. 19, 1945 (2) 2620 WM R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred writes Margaret again; says they have been flying his “fannie” off; completed his schooling yesterday and requested Memphis; asks how she is doing; was ‘on the carpet’ because he missed flying this morning but got out of it because he is finished so then got into trouble for not saluting; closes now to write the Folks.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Winfred sent two letters home on January 19, 1945; one to the Folks and one to Margaret.
Jan. 19, 1945 (1) 2610 WF R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred asks the Folks how everything is in Irondale; says all is well with him – finished flight training yesterday; guesses he will ship out one of these days; asked for Memphis but may not be lucky; hasn’t heard from Cliff (though he has written him several times); says the weather is cold like in Missouri – wishes he were there; and closes to write more letters.
Jan. 16, 1945 2600 CF Swanage, England
Clifford is going to start writing more or he may quit getting letters; says all is peaceful, is getting along okay but has a bad cold; goes to the picture show now and then but they only have pictures he has already seen, comments on his sister Patsy’s bike for Christmas; saw in the paper that the Russians are on the move again and hopes they keep it up; received Xmas cards from all the folks which keeps up the morale; and closes.
Jan. 15, 1945 2590 WF R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred composes his weekly Sunday afternoon letter to the Folks (letter date is for Monday); got back late last night because the plane he was on was forced down over Hammer Field due to mechanical failure; has been staying on the base but occasionally dates a WAC from Texas; wishes to hear from Cliff who has been getting around some lately; still has some checking out to do in flight before getting out of there; has enclosed a clipping about the ARTU school there; heard that Pat (Merrill) has landed a guy – never knew one quite like her; tells his sister Patsy – he read her letter and asks about her bicycling; then closes asking about Jim’ s (unknown) new hat.
Jan. 12, 1945 2580 CF Swanage, England
Clifford asks the Folks to excuse his delay in writing this V-Mail; is not a lot to tell, was in London again; got a letter from Winfred today; thought they had been hearing from him but not according to their last letter; sorry that Kenneth Frago, an Irondale boy, was killed (last October); doesn’t worry about getting hurt as long as in England; is glad Winfred is assigned to a transport plane – much safer; received two swell Xmas packages; answer soon.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home on January 11, 1945; Winfred wrote Margaret, Clifford wrote the Folks.
Jan. 11, 1945 2570 CF Swanage, England
Clifford writes the Folks since he doesn’t have anything else to do; is still okay; doesn’t like the weather; has grown tired of this ETO business; glad Winfred finished with such a high average – guesses he will be stationed on the West Coast; didn’t realize Pat (Merrill) was having so many heartbreaks but guesses someone has to keep the Irondale gossip rolling; tells mom not to worry; and tells dad he got and enjoyed the letter he had sent.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home on January 11, 1945; Winfred wrote Margaret, Clifford wrote the Folks.
Jan. 11, 1945 2560 WM R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred writes Margaret he is at the close of another rainy day; arose at 4 A.M. for third day in a row to fly for five hours; should check out from there in a couple of weeks; use to build the C-46 cargo planes he now flies; not doing much lately outside of his regular duties – goes to shows 3 or 4 times each week and visits the N.C.O. club nightly; asks about the man situation in St. Louis and comments on the WACs and civilian girls there; has graduated from school there with a 96 or 97 average – maybe should have studied more in high school; asks about the Dickey girls; and hopes she can run into some of the boys he had fought with in Europe that are now stationed at Scott Field.
Jan. 9, 1945 2550 WF R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred writes he was glad to hear from the Folks and received the county newspaper; all is as usual; been doing some flying which tires him out; hasn’t heard from Cliff; may leave this base in a month; hasn’t heard from his friend Bob Dickey in a long time – Bob is off fighting the Germans; Winfred hopes to get a furlough when he leaves there – his first one in the U.S.
Jan. 6, 1945 2530 WF R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred has finished ground school and will start flying again; doesn’t like the idea of flying but it will be better than being an instructor – he can be his own boss; hasn’t heard from Cliff but guesses he is enjoying the peculiar English customs; sent another money order to keep up the old reserve; weighs 184; and must close to get some sleep.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the first letter Winfred sent home to his sister Margaret in 1945.
Jan. 4, 1945 2520 WM R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred writes Margaret while awaiting inspection; two more days of ground school before being checked out in the air; has a 95.5% average plus a 25 W.P.M. code speed – as high as you can get; hopes to get stationed at Memphis and fly the Southern Route to Africa; his war buddies are at Scott Field; hopes for a break and closes to get the wrinkles out of his bed.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home to the Folks on January 3, 1945; one by each of the boys.
Jan. 3, 1945 2510 CF Swanage, England
Clifford scribbles a V-mail to the Folks; hauled ashes all day; has really enjoyed the rest since leaving Texas; thought it would be good if Winfred was still in Florida; hopes they got the letters he had sent before Christmas – didn’t want them to worry; may change before he is twenty-one; and asks for the latest gossip from Irondale.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home to the Folks on January 3, 1945; one by each of the boys. Below is the first letter Winfred sent home to the Folks in 1945.
Jan. 3, 1945 2500 WF R.A.A.B. Reno, NV
Winfred writes a few lines to the Folks because they had ‘got on him’ about doing so poorly in writing them; has only 3 more days of ground school with a 95+ average & 25 W.P.M. code speed; encloses a money order from has surplus cash and asks about his account; is glad they heard from Cliff and that he is still in England, heard from Lt. Pflug who asks for some 120mm film – Winfred can’t get it at his base so asks his parents if they can get it and send it to Pflug who is now a Captain.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the first letter/V-mail sent home by Clifford in 1945.
Reminder - Letters sent home by the boys stationed overseas are censored.
Jan. 1, 1945 2490 CF Swanage, England
Clifford tells the Folks in a V-mail he is behind in his correspondence again; had turkey for Christmas and New Years; heard that his cousin James will be getting married soon; and needs them to send him a watch – right away.