Clifford to Folks

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.

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. CLIFFORD’S TRAVELS: 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.

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. 

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 other letters and the 768th Medical Team Summary. *Feb. 17, 1945 *Approx..        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. CLIFFORD’S TRAVELS: 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: 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.

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. 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 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.

1945 The year begins with Clifford and his 768th Field Artillery Battalion attached to the 30th FA Group stationed in Swanage, England awaiting deployment to the fight going on in France and Western Europe. France has been liberated, and the Allies have advanced near the German border. The Germans have mounted a major offensive to counter the Allies advance. This Battle of the Bulge will be the costliest battle of the war for the Americans. U.S. forces will suffer 100,000 casualties including 23,000 missing and over 19,000 killed. The battle lasted from December 16, 1944 until January 25, 1945. Winfred, having returned from his time serving in Europe, is still finishing up 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. EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the first letter/V-mail sent home by Clifford in 1945. 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.