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[Correspondence], 1944 July

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 10

Scope and Contents

94. 7/2/44-Normandy, France. (Date of letter is out of order, but the envelope is numbered 94) They have captured 50 Germans, who "don’t look like Superman" to him. Is using the French translation book Army gave before the invasion. He’s writing in pencil because he ran out of ink. Someone took his knife, fork and spoon, so he found a German combination spoon and fork. No longer in envelope: the shoulder strap from one of those prisoners. Also will be sending a Nazi flag, parachute material from D-Day, belt buckle and some "other odds and ends." Has a belt, bayonet, rifle, "Burp" gun, canteen-all German. 96. 7/4/44-France. No longer in envelope: some photos the Germans took and left behind; a German skull and crossbones "which is ordinarily attached to a metal stake" to denote a mine or booby trap; "patches used on German hats and a patch of an eagle and the swastika." 97. 7/7/44-France. Got some fresh vegetables from a garden kept by a German headquarters. No longer in envelope: some cartoons and articles by Ernie Pyle; a German newspaper which is for their solders dated 6/14/44. 98. 7/9/44-Normandy, France. Seen the destruction of war. Arrived D-Day plus 9 days. Off shore on June 15th, landed June 16th. Climbed over side of a Liberty ship to a waiting Rino. No longer in envelope: French invasion money that is printed and backed by the US. Also no longer in the envelope, a comic strip. 99. 7/10/44-France. Has a Nazi belt buckle with the inscription "Gott Mit Uns". One of the boys in his Battery made a belt out of parachute shrouds from D-Day and attached it to the buckle. No longer in envelope: pictures of the invasion. 7/19/44-V-mail to Russ (Natalie’s brother) with a bit about the invasion and German prisoners. 7/19/44-V-mail to Grandpa and Grandma Rosow with similar information. 100. 7/11/44-France. Very descriptive letter about the war. No longer in envelope: copy of a program for the A.E.F. Radio station in England. 101. 7/13/44-France. Informative letter. Sending home a wooden nose from a German shell and a shoulder strap from a German prisoner. 102. 7/15/44-France. Moving to a hidden room in the middle of a German mine field. 103. 7/16/44-France. Interesting letter about food and location. No longer in envelope: picture of a cab in London. 104. 7/17/44-France. More comments on food and army life. 105. 7/19/44-France. Bathroom habits of the French. 106. 7/22/44-France. Interesting letter. Attempt on Hitler’s life. No longer in envelope: "Pony" edition of Time magazine about the invasion. 107. 7/23/44-France. He misses her.

Dates

  • Creation: 1944 July

Creator

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

English

Conditions Governing Access

Advance notice required for access.

Extent

From the Collection: 9.39 Linear Feet (10 boxes)

Repository Details

Part of the USC Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles California 90089-0189 United States