POST EIGHTY-ONE & TWO ("Grenades, Hiking, Blisters") 22 /23 SEPTEMBER 1943

September 22, 1943

Wednesday

Dear Mother,

    Here it is 7:30 pm and dark. I just got down from my bunk. I've been lying up there since chow to-night, about 5:30. Gee, I'm sore all over. We've been throwing hand grenades to-day and ending up with a 15 or 18 mile march. I don't know why it took ahold of me so unless it's because I'm coming down with a little cold. I feel all tired out, my eyes smart, so I guess it's a touch of a cold. I have a small blister on my left foot big toe. Ha! ha! guess that's all wrong with me, but I'm going to take a shower, shave and be in bed just as soon as I can get there. It's been a good day here. A little cool but not like it has been in the pass.

    No news here so sometimes it is hard to write but know you you like to hear even if it's just hello - goodbye. May have more to-morrow night. 

    Mom, I'm going to hit the hay very soon. Give Dad and brother my love. Good night all.

                                      Love

                                         Charles

[While reading what he had been doing during the day, I would have been exhausted and with a blister on every toe.]

September 23, 1943

Thursday night

Dear Mother and All,

    Another day gone by and I sure feel a lot better than I did last night when I wrote your letter. Have a little cold but guess it won't amount to very much.

    Maybe you're wondering why I am writing with a pencil. This morning I dropped my pen on the floor and bent the point. To-night after chow I took it down to P.X. #1. There's a girl there that knows Marian; she lives in La Crosse. They had no points there but she offered to take it to town and have it fixed in the morning if she can. Now you see why I'm writing in pencil. Sure hope I get it to-morrow as I miss it a lot.

    I wrote Helen and Joe a long letter to-day or this morning as I didn't have much to do. Seems to me I'm all caught up on mail now.

    Got your letter to-day that you wrote last Saturday. You're right, Mom, some of us are as young as we were two years ago, so I don't know see how you can be. Did you ever stop to think I'm twenty-eight (28) going on twenty-nine (29) years of age. Will be an old man soon.

    Do I remember Scottie Grant. He always had a remark to make.

    Glad Cora and Mrs. True could come over. Hope they will come often as it will help shorten these long winter nights. I noticed the sun as I went down at five minutes to seven. I was walking down the road alone and as I looked back at the sinking sun it made me think of home, how the sun would go down behind the Pines at the same time making its way down toward the brick chimney to set directly behind it on the shortest day of the year.

    No, Mom, don't kick as things could be worse and it won't be long before everything will be alright. 

    Seems funny why they don't write for Grammy. Guess I told you I sent her a letter with a picture or two. Do they say she is well or what do they write?

    Has Lester Rogers gone yet? I know he was suppose to leave about the 20th of September. 

    Have you heard anymore about Warren? [His cousin]

    If you see Mrs. Wilcox tell her I was asking about her and sent my best wishes.

    Guess I'll have to say So Long to the three Bears for to-night. Don't worry. Keep that chin up. 

                                                Good Night

                                                    Mom

                                                    Dad

                                                    Bro

                                                      Love

                                                         Charles

^^Sep 21 Soviet 13th/61st Army reconquer Chyernigov, a city in northern Ukraine. In its historic center, Dytynets Park is home to churches like the Troeckiy Cathedral.

^^Sep 21 The Battle of the Dnieper was a military campaign that took place in 1943 on the Eastern Front of World War II. It was one of the largest operations in World War II, involving almost 4,000,000 troops at a time stretched on an 870 mi long front.   

CROSSING THE DNIEPER

BATTLE OF THE DNIEPER

^^Sep 22 British dwarf submarines attack Tirpitz and was damaged and subsequently subjected to a series of large-scale air raids. Tirpitz was the second of two Bismarck-class battleships built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine (navy) during World War II. It was sunk 12 Nov 1944.

THE BRITISH DWARF SUBMARINE

THE DWARF SUBMARINE SUNK THE GERMAN TIRPITZ

^^Sep 22 Destroyer HMS Keppel sinks U-229 

DESTROYER HMS KEPPEL

GERMAN U-299 SINKS

Marching with Johnny

Army Infantry Marching 

by Posterizza

Marching In Step

I Fought For You

POST EIGHTY ("Plans are Up in the Air But It Will Happen") 21 SEPTEMBER 1943

September 21, 1943

Dear Mother and All,

    Here I am in the reading room of the Service Club. It is quiet here so will write a few lines. Our Battery picture was taken in front of the Service Club #2. The building is in the left of the picture. You'll notice a few cars in front if you look at the picture.

    First of all, I plan to send this by air mail as I want you to be sure and get it before Sunday.(Sep. 26, 1943) Now don't plan too much on it as you never can tell what will happen, especially when you are in the Army. In regards to the letter I wrote Sunday, I think everything will be o.k. until Monday. (September 27, 1943)

    Gee, it seems good to have you write that you have been feeling good such as I read in the letter I received to-day. Tell me, Mom, where do you find all the flowers you put on your writing paper? You sure take time doing that.

    I sure would like to be home to use the ironing board and maybe talk to twelve or one to two o'clock in the morning. Guess by what I read there would be some juicy gossip to tongue lash about. Who could we drag over the ground? Maybe, I shouldn't say that but it makes me feel the mill (S. D. Warren) or some in it must be lost for something to fall back on, in the fact that when they couldn't find anything else, it was Helen Ladd and me. Poor kid, guess she is lost now. Maybe she has a little time to think it over. I wonder what that damn Red Head has to offer her now? Maybe someday, Mother, you can talk to her in a kind way but always remember, with Helen you can cut no corners. It's just plain English. (I feel so sorry whatever happened between Helen Ladd and Uncle Charlie. I know the family thought they were definitely getting married and from these letters I know he still loved her. No other lady he dated could replace her. It appears she decided to break off the relationship for some reason. The mill where they both worked at didn't make it easy after the break-up with gossip etc. Uncle Charlie never got married. His last girlfriend was with him for several years. They never lived together, but they did a lot together. His last girlfriend even asked the family if she could be buried beside Uncle Charlie when she died and we gave her that permission.)

    By what you write I figure Mr. Stevens wants to move the house before winter or as soon as possible. It sure will make it better all around.

    There were a few more ratings given out to-day, that is some of the boys have been transferred to other outfits so it left a few ratings opened. You may guess who got them, none of us Yankees. One fellow made Cpl. because they said he had been in so long. Ha, ha, he gets so excited he'll ask a question then answers it. He'll see you doing something, so to make himself think he's giving orders he'll tell you to do it. The same thing you're doing. (I have noticed in these letters and the books I have read that often when there was a soldier given a higher rank that those under them could see he was not a good pick. I would imagine you didn't dare to share with your superiors about your opinions. I wonder how common this was during the war?) We got some new dog chains to-day. They cost $2.50 a piece at wholesale to the government. It has a special safety clasp with directions on the envelope. I'm not fooling, I had to laugh to see some of them try putting their dog tags on themselves. It must be cold out at home but give me Maine.

    Well, Mother, will close with no news left to write about. Tell Dad the news grows better every day. It won't last much longer. Bet I'll beat him with a rifle when I get home. (ahem) Of course, I don't mean shooting them (the squirrels) when they jump from a telephone pole. I think that grey squirrel died before it hit the ground ----

I mean of heart trouble. Ha ha that hole was from a stick or rock on the ground. Oh well, we can wait and see. Say hello to brother as I sure think of him many times a day.

                                        Good Night All

                                          Charles

P.S. I have a couple pictures I'm going to put them in the same mail as this letter. I'll send them in a different envelope but not air mail. See the difference in time.

-----------

Dear Mother,

    Here I am back from the Service Club so will send this note just to see how the two letters make out. One air mail the other regular. Marian sent me these two pictures as I told her not to keep them. I use to send her a lots of the other pictures and then bring them back when I saw her.

                                  Will say good night to all.

                                             Love

                                              Charles

Here are the pictures and items included in today's letters.

Uncle Joe (Aunt Helen's husband) on left, Uncle Gene on right.

Uncle Joe on tractor holding David Billings (my cousin), Uncle Gene beside Donald ??? preparing to plant beans in 1943.

The U.S. Navy and the Landings at Salerno, Italy.

US secures Baanga, Arundel, and Wana Wana in the Solomon Islands. 

The Service Club Uncle Charlie was likely writing the letter.

Northern Ireland and WWII

Wartime Choir The D-Day Darlings

POST SEVENTY-NINE ( The Next Day, It is Hitting Home) 20 SEPTEMBER 1943

 

Preparing to leave for Camp Shanks in less

than two weeks from where the 2nd Infantry

Division will embark for Northern Ireland.

September 20, 1943

Dear Mother and All,

    Here it is Monday night almost 11 o'clock. I got my picture today. It has been a swell day here. Quite a bit warmer than the pass.

    I went up to have my front tooth filled this afternoon. I reported before leaving I was going to the dental clinic. I was lucky and it only took me a short time. All done at 2:30. On my way back I took my time taking a round about way back. I walked over into the woods and upon finding a nice warm sunny place figured I'd take a little rest. Ha, ha, when I came to it was 4:45. Gee, what a sleep I had. You see it would only be 15 minutes to chow so I hurried back, washed up and no one seemed to notice me. They had been scrubbing barracks, washing windows etc. Oh well, I got by, that's just the way I feel. When I have a chance to be lazy or get by with something I do. I'll never get anything so what do I care? 

    Mom, please don't send any more boxes. It's o.k. to send letters until I write different. I'll let you know anything as soon as I find out.

    I'll write Marian's whole name and address on a piece of paper. You don't have to write her. I did that just in case you feel like asking her something later. If and when you do write it would be alright to say you'd be pleased to meet her in person and hope she might someday enjoy a trip to Maine. 

    You wrote in your letter to-day how good you felt the other morning. Gee, I'm glad.

    I read about Buster Webb in the paper. He's working in Portland. More money I guess. You don't get much teaching school.

    I'll find out about those insurance papers and let you know. 

    By the way you wrote I feel Warren Knight is surely going overseas but he's been in quite a long time. Wonder if Aunt Annie will keep her chin up. Remember, Mom, that's what you have to do. Everything will be alright. Aunt Annie hasn't the same faith you have to lean on.

    Mother, Friday night the time has come. I'll keep writing as long as I can. This letter will not be censored, but they may start any day. Always remember this, you never know about the army, anything can change.

    How is Dad? What does he have to say about the bear story? I think Mr. Stevens (neighbor) always liked Dad. Ask Dad to kind of keep a check on my car now that cold weather is coming.

    Mother, I may try to put through a phone call if I can. It's hard because some times you have to wait 3 to 4 hours before you make connections. Some of the boys said it was taking 2 hours just to get through to Chicago last Friday night. I'll see what I can do.

    Well, Mother dear, must say good night. Say hello to all. Tell brother to keep on. 

                            Love to all three at home

                                Charles 

    It has been less than 12 hours since Uncle Charlie has written home from Tomah, Wisconsin, at Marian's home he is heading overseas. Except for a clear paragraph about going to the dental clinic, he appears to be in a fog in spite of a sunny day. The news of his soon coming trip overseas has deflated his hopes of going home soon.

    I would expect these are normal reactions when a soldier is deployed overseas. So many ideas, dreams, hopes, fears, questions and the unknown must be bombarding Uncle Charlie. It has even led to exhaustion as he falls asleep in a sunny warm place. He wakes up with little enthusiasm and expresses a I don't care attitude. Depression has hit straight into his heart as well as the mind.

    He tries to rise to the occasion as he writes to his mother to keep her chin up and everything will be alright. Those words are meant for him as much as for his family. Trying to make sense what he has just recently been told. "You are going overseas to use the training we have given you."

    Marian even enters the picture. He is even suggesting it would be nice if Mother asked her to visit Maine. There is no doubt in my mind no matter what he says, Marian has become an important part of his life. He has fallen in love to some degree. A man can't hang out with a caring young lady and not start having feelings for her. He is doing his best to deny these feelings considering the distance between Maine and Wisconsin and so many unknowns in his immediate future. 

    A soldier, a young man, a man of integrity who wants to do what is right. Knowing at the presence his life is not in his control. We will listen to him as he travels a road never taken by him as we continue to read his letters. 

^^Sep 19 Fanny Whiteers-Koen breaks jumping world record. She set a record that would last for another 11 years. She won the long jump in the Dutch city of Leiden, clocking in at 6.25 meters. 

Fanny Blankers-Koen

^^Sep 19 Liberator bombers sinks U-341. No one Survived. Dietrich Epp was the Commander.

Dietrich Epp Commander of the U-341

Mr. Red White and Blue - Coffey Anderson

POST SEVENTY-EIGHT ("The Letter from Tomah Sharing the News") 19 SEPTEMBER 1943

Less than two weeks before leaving Camp McCoy

September 19, 1943

Sunday Evening

Dearest Mother, Dad, Brother & All,

    Here I am in Tomah at Marian's house. Had a nice dinner and also supper. I asked Marian what she thought about me writing this letter and she said I should. Here it is.

    Now, Mother dear, keep your chin up and don't forget you have someone to lean on in times of troubles. I know you pray and your prayers will always follow me no matter where I go. Mother dear, I may move, although I'm not sure it may be overseas. Don't worry, Mother dear, I'm coming back because your prayers will bring me back home. I'm O.K. and feel fine. I've got my chin up, shoulders back and marching straight forward like a good soldier. Please don't take it hard dear. I'm coming home soon. It won't be long now. Next week is like a black cloud on the horizon, but I'm ready because I have the grandest Mom in the world going with me even if I can not see her beside me. You know the old saying, "For Mother's prayers will follow me. Will follow me the whole world through." After to-night my letters I send may be censored. Give my love to my family and my friends. Good bye, Mother, Good bye, Dad, also brother and sisters.

P.S. I love you, Mother. Love and Kisses to All. Charles.

I was choking back tears as I wrote this letter this evening. It had to have been one of the hardest letters he would ever have to write. He must be scared but is also assured his mother's prayers, my grandmother's prayers, will bring him back home. 

I was also moved to know he had shared this news with Marian and had spent time with her and asked her what he should do about writing the letter to the mother he loved so very much. I know without a doubt Uncle Charlie and Marian's relationship was completely platonic. He knew and had said several times marriage would never be a possibility for them. However, I can see Marian sitting beside my uncle as he wrote this letter and even holding him in her arms while tears may have flowed down both their cheeks. By the postmark on the envelope, it is clear the letter was sent from Tomah, Wisconsin.

Even after going overseas Marian and Uncle Charlie would write letters to each other and Marian would even write to Uncle Charlie's mother at least once. I don't know when the letters stopped, but I know Marian gets married to Bernard Sauer a month after my uncle was discharged from Camp Swift, Texas in October 1945. So sometime a letter must have been sent from Marian about her engagement.

We are, however, two years from those dates. The evening of September 19, 1943, at Marian's family home, Uncle Charlie writes the letter that would have a major impact on many lives in Wisconsin and Maine. I am thankful my uncle had Marian in this time of his life where he could have been completely open and honest to share with someone how he was feeling as the "black cloud on the horizon" was moving closer to him and his future.

Marian and her family

 ^^Sep 17 Load of "ammunition in transit" explodes at 

 Norfolk, Virginia Naval Air Station 

 Norfolk, Virginia Naval Air Station

 Norfolk, Virginia Naval Air Station

^^Sep 17 Soviet city of Bryansk is liberated from Nazis.

   Bryansk is liberated from the Nazis

  MEMORIAL  

Lonestar - I'm Already There (Soldiers Tribute)