June 6, 1945 Somewhere in Austria

 Dear Sis

Just a few lines to let you know that I am still O.K. You have probably been wondering why I haven't written sooner. Well I just got back from the hospital. I was there about 2 weeks. But I am just as good as ever now. I had an abscess on my right hand, and a big boil on top of my head. This was the first boil I ever had. And my hand was swollen up about twice as big as it should be. 

Well, we are still wondering what they are going to do with the 3rd Army. We hear new rumors every day. Mom thinks I am coming home now because she hasn't been hearing from me. But I haven't heard anything yet. I am now in Bad Ischl, Austria. I don't know whether you can find it on your map or not as it is a small place. And before we moved here we were in Gmunden about 25 miles from here.

I have several pictures I am sending you. And will send some more later as the lady that took them is enlarging some for me. I received the 6 pictures you sent and linked them very much.

Well I guess I had better say so long for this time. Will try to write again very soon.

All my Love

"Bert"

May 18, 1945 Somewhere in Austria

 Dear Sis:

Well I think it s about time I was writing you a few lines. Its been so long since I last wrote you I almost forget your address. I don't even remember the last letter I wrote to you, and I'm sorry for not writing more often. Well I guess you would like to know what I have been doing since the ware ended. We have been taking it pretty easy. We were going to a lake for rests a few at a time, but now the whole outfit has moved to a big lake. It is really nice around here. Some of the fellows have motor boats, but I have a big blister on each hand from wowing. I have some pictures I am inclosing that were taken around here. They didn't come out so good but I have the negatives and can be made better at home. I can't send them in the mail.

I guess you are wondering what the German writing means at the top of this paper. Well I don't know either (HA) all I know is the last word. It is the name of a town we were in a few weeks ago. Me and some of the fellows took some pictures of the Nuremberg Stadium, you have read about it haven't you? That's where Hitler used to make his big speeches. But they (the pictures) didn't come out as it was to dark.

I received a letter from Bob N. the other day. I will have to answer it tomorrow. And I also have two more money orders to send to mom, my bank roll should be getting pretty big.

In one of your letters Jake put T.S. on it about the rifle I promised him. I guess I waited to long. I can't find any good ones now they have all been broken up or burned. But I have two German pistols and I'll give him one of them when I get home. It will be better anyway. Bot the fellows over here that haven't got any will pay almost anything for them. And by the way did you ever get the package of German "junk?'

Well I guess I had better say so long for this time as it is getting late. But before I do I just remembered something else I wanted to tell you. I guess you have been hearing about the point system, well I only have 41 points so it looks like I'll be seeing some more of the world before long. but we are hoping for furloughs, and I think we will get them. That is all for this time.

Hoping to see you soon.

Love, 

Bert

April 25, 1945 - Somewhere in Germany

 Dear Sis:

Well how are you by this time? I am just fine as usual. Your mail is beginning to catch up with me, I got 6 yesterday, four from you and two from Mom. They were all written about the time Mom was over to your house.

As usual I don't know anything to write about. But I guess just a few lines is better than none. I haven't heard any late war news but it looks like we're going to be seeing the Russians soon. And I haven't heard any more about Berlin falling, but the Russians can't be far away from it.

You keep wondering where I am, and sometimes we move so fast I don't know where I am myself. But the last place I was at was Bamberg. I wish I could tell you more but we have to be at least 25 miles away from a place before we can write about it.

I never did get a chance to send that rifle to Jake. But maybe I will before the war is over.

Well I guess I had better close for this time. I will try to write soon again. Be good and don't worry about me.

Love,

"Bert"

April 22, 1945

April 22, 1945, Somewhere in Germany 

Dear Sis: 

Well, I guess it is about time I was writing you a few lines to let you know that I am still as good as ever. Sorry, I haven't written sooner but I have been plenty busy. And your mail has been coming in very slow too. 

 We heard some pretty good news this morning. We heard that the Russians were in Berlin, I sure hope it's not just a rumor. It looks as if we'll be seeing the Russians soon. I didn't think the war would last this long. But maybe I'll be home for next Christmas. 

I received a letter from Tommy D. on one of Mom's letters, I was sure surprised to hear from him. And I didn't know he was in the 80th too. I guess he's a pretty lucky fellow but I hope they don't send him to the South Pacific. 

Well, I haven't heard from Bob N. anymore since I wrote him that last letter, have you? I guess he is on the move pretty much too. Gerald McGee hasn't answered that letter I wrote to him either. 

I guess you have been wondering if I got the news about Roosevelt dying, I got the news not long after he had died. I wonder what Dad thinks about it? 

I can't think of anything else to write so I guess I'll have to say so long for this time. I'll try to write sooner next time. I'll try to write sooner next time. 

Love, 

"Bert" 

 PS - Be sure and tell me when you get the package I sent.

April 9, 1945 - Somewhere in Germany

 Dear Sis:

Well, how are you by this time? I am just fine as usual. I am writing you this letter to tell you that I sent you a package today. Be sure and tell me when you get it.

Well, I wish I could tell you where I am tonight but I can't. But I can tell you that I was near Kassel the other day. And about a week before I was near Frankfurt.

Well at the present time I am feeling pretty high. We got several bottles and we are all feeling pretty high. Well, I had better cut this short as I can't think of anything else to write.

Be good and don't worry about me.

With all my love,

Bruce

PS - Tell Jake I couldn't send the rifle as yet but will send it later.

                                 A street scene in Kassel, Germany

March 24th 1945 - Somewhere in Germany

 Dear Sis:

Well at long last here I am again, and I am just fine as usual. Have been keeping plenty busy the last 3 or 4 weeks so that explains why you haven't heard from me.

I have received two boxes so far and liked them very much and I also received the very nice birthday card and thanks very much. And I also received the pictures of Jakes ball team. They looked good. And was glad to hear you won the sectional and better luck next year.

I received the newspaper clippings from Mom about Gib Burris getting hitched. It sounded like a big deal. And was very glad to hear that Tommy Dodson was home. Maybe we'll all be home soon. I read in the stars and stripes where Hitler was willing to give up if we would let him remain in power. Wouldn't that be a laugh?

I received a letter from Bob N. last week and he was just fine at that time. I am going to answer his letter tonight. But I never did hear from Gerald McGee. 

Well, I guess I had better close for this time and will write again as soon as I can.

Love,

Bruce

March 6, 1945 Somewhere in Germany

Hello Sis: 

Well how is my favorite sister by this time? I am just as good as ever. I received a letter from you yesterday and one today with one from Jack in it. (I am sure that my Dad was referring to my Uncle Jake but I don't remember Jake being referred to as Jack.) And I am always glad to hear from him. He asked me if I thought things looked any better over here. Well to me it looks like they are on the run. But we have one big job ahead of us and that is the Rhine. And if they last that long I don't think they will old out much longer after we cross it. 

I was glad to hear you won your first game in the Sectional and hope you win it. I guess you have been wondering if I received the packages with the juices in them or not. I have received one so far. I guess the others will be coming in soon. 

I was wondering if Jack would like to have a German rifle for a souvenir as we can send them home now. Be sure and answer this.

Well I guess I had better close for this time. As we have a picture show tonight and I don't want to miss it. I'll write again as soon as possible. Be good and don't worry about me. 

 Love, 

 "Bert"