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.