Maxwell's Letters Home

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is Clifford’s first letter home since being reassigned to the 3169 Quartermaster Unit, which appears to be a Laundry Detachment. He has been with them now for the past two weeks in Marseille, France on the Mediterranean Coast. September 2, 1945          3370          CF          Marseille, France Clifford writes the Folks – it has been a month – kept thinking he would be on a boat; is Category 2 – will go to the Pacific through the States – but maybe not; the point system is being lowered fast – supposes Winfred will be out soon with a couple thousand dollars stashed away; doesn’t intend to draw on the money he has saved; got a letter from dad and thinks it would be nice to go to school and take a course in business or administration; has nothing to do except eat and sleep; swims daily; has a peeling tan; can pay for his schooling; has more than he deserves; hopes to follow this letter home. EDITOR’S NOTE: Today, September 2, 1945, is the day the official Japanese surrender was signed aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. WORLD WAR II is officially OVER!!!

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the last letter home from Clifford while he was still with the 768th F.A. Battalion. It was written on August 2nd but not postmarked until August 8th, six days later. This is the only letter sent home from either of the boys during the month of August. August 2, 1945 (as the 768th F.A. Battalion is being broken up)          3360          CF          Rheims, France Clifford writes the Folks this will be the last time they hear from him in the 768th F.A. – it’s being broken up; is going to a quartermaster outfit – frontline combat is over – funny, as he’s always been in artillery; will know soon if coming home or not – hope so; feels fair but hates to see the outfit broken up – been with them for over 2 years; has 10 bonds but have 12 due – if hadn’t cashed 2 would have 14 – not bad for a P.F.C.; hasn’t heard from Winfred – must be on another trip; will send new address when he can; tell Winfred to lay off the furlough for a few more days – just in case; answer soon.

July 29, 1945          3350          CF          Rheims, France Clifford writes the Folks; received two letters from them today so morale is high; is feeling okay but wonders what he will do next; is positive his outfit will be completely broken up – whatever, he will still be in the Army; enjoys the county papers they send; news doesn’t look good about going to the Pacific; talks about a bomber that hit the Empire State Building; has no chance of getting home soon; is off guard duty tonight so signs off to go into Rheims and see a movie; wants them to send him a picture from when he was in New York; APO is 513.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is Clifford’s first letter home since being released from hospital care in Nancy, France on July 14th and returning to what is now left of the 468th FA Battalion which had moved from Bad Sodden, Germany to Rheims, France. July 20, 1945          3340          CF          Rheims, France Clifford apologizes to the Folks for not writing sooner; is disgusted with the current situation; got out of the hospital six days ago; is with what is left of his outfit again in Rheims – about 100 of the men were transferred to the armored division – doesn’t seem like the same outfit; now pulling guard at different warehouses – French & Polish soldiers were doing that but too much stuff was being stolen so now we have to watch the guards; is on duty 4 hours then off 8; PWs (Prisoners of War) cook our meals, clean our rooms, make our beds; sometimes wanders off when he guards them so one will try to get away – they won’t though – I would sure like an excuse to shoot one – it’s an awful way to feel; tells Winfred not to wait for him to get a furlough – won’t be home this year; has gained some weight; feels swell physically; there are beautiful girls in France but hard to date one after seeing them with a negro – has caused some brawls over here – most guys says it’s okay over here but not back home; news is scarce so signs off; his APO is now 513.