76th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge and Photo Album

 

Today marks the 76th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. Even through I have already posted information about this important, turning point battle of WWII and this is not normally the day of the week that I post in Letters from a Foxhole, I thought this would be a good day to create an online photo album of the pictures that my Dad sent home during the war and also to take a few pictures of items that are in Geraldine's scrap book and some pictures of various mementos and awards that Dad brought home and/or received for his service.

The pictures in the album that I have created are in no particular order. Some pictures were taken several months after the Battle of the Bulge and during the final months of U.S. occupation. Most of the pictures include my Dad in them, but many are either pictures of some of his buddies during the war, or just pictures of the countryside.

There are several pictures of some sort of an "assembly" in some,

yet to be identified city. Dad appears in several of those pictures as a member of the "color guard." If anyone who views the album and recognizes the city, or knows anything about this particular assembly of troops, I would love to know more about it. My intention is to add any information that is gathered over time about each picture as I learn more.

If you are interested in looking through the Album please CLICK HERE

February 10, 1944 - Somewhere in Luxembourg*

 *(Dad wrote 1944 on his letter below, but it was actually 1945 as you will see on the envelope post mark)

Dear Sis -

Well I guess it is about time I was trying to write you a few lines. I sure wish I could write more often. but I just can't seem to get around to it. I have received several letters from you and mom the last few days, and I sure was glad to get them. I got a big kick out of your newspaper letter, maybe you should go in to the newspaper business.

It looks as if Jake isn't doing so bad this year. He sure ran off from Bruceville and I hope he beat Princeton on the 2nd.

I was just thinking about that stuff you sent from at N.Y. I sure would like to have seen it. I bet it was a big laugh.

You have been asking about the snow and cold weather. Well our snow is all gone. And we are having some of that same old mud we had two or three months ago. The rivers and streams are about twice their normal size. And it makes it bad for crossing.

I think the last letter I wrote to your or mom one, I was in another rest but now I am back to the old job.

You have told me some thing you have saw in the newspaper at home and you have been wondering if it was in the Stars and Stripes. And all most everything you write about is in it. I am going to try to send you one later on.

You were asking about Gerald McGee and Bob N. well I never did receive any answer from Gerald, and I haven't received any answer to the last letter I wrote to Bob. But I guess they are as bad at writing as I am.

I see where the big 3 meeting is on. I sure hope it gets the damn ware over sooner. And for good to. I would hate to see my son over here twenty years from now, that is if I ever have a son. (HA)*

Well I guess I had better cut this one short, as usual, and say Good Night. I'll try to write again very soon.

Love

"Bert"

*(It is interesting that just 4 1/2 years later Dad and Mom had that son he was talking about in this letter (me) and 10 years after he wrote this letter the United States became involved in the Vietnam War. And 27 years after he wrote this letter I received my Draft notice.)

January 25, 1945 – Somewhere in Luxembourg

Hello Sis:

Well, here I am again, and I guess it’s about time. I haven’t been to busy the last few days but have been too lazy to write, I guess.

I have been getting plenty of mail the last few day, but there all mixed up. I got some written January 9^th and some as far back as December 20^th. So, it makes it hard to keep up with the news at home. I got one letter saying you beat Petersburg, and about a week later I got one saying that you were playing then that night. But I’m glad you bet them anyway.

I’ve been wondering about this draft. Tell Jack if he has to go up for another exam to try his best to get in the navy. Because I hate to see anybody that has to go to this infantry.

I was just thinking about one letter I got from you. You asked me if we go our evenings off, and don’t you think that is a funny question to ask? Don’t you know there is a war going on over here? But I guess it is hard for you to think of what I am doing, and it is hard to explain in writing. All I can say is, War is hell. I guess you have heard that one before.

I have your basketball schedule looking at it now and have been wondering how you did in the Wabash valley. Hope you won it. And I would like for you to send me a list of the games that Bicknell has played this year and the score of them. I have some of them but missed out on some of them. I also see where you play Princeton the 30^th and I hope you beat them anyway.

Well, I have run out of anything to say so guess I will have to close for this time. Until next time I will just say so long.

Love,

Bert

(Would like to have some more fruit juice if you have rationed stamps.

Write, written by G.G.)

 

Somewhere in Luxembourg January 17, 1945

 Dear Sis:

Well how are you by this time? I am just fine as usual. I guess it is about time I was writing as it's been so long. I wish I could write more often but I guess I am just to lazy.

Well I haven't received any mail for at least a week now. They say it is because of the transportation. But I know you have been writing.

Well it looks like the Germans winter drive has gone into reverse and the news sure looks good on the Russian front. But I sure hope this thing is over soon.

I have received two letters from Bob N. now. but I haven't had time to answer his last one. The first letter I got from him I thought he was in the 35th Division and that is in the 3rd Army. But the second letter I got he was in the 1st Div. and that is in the 1st Army, so I guess he in the the 1st Army.

Well I sent another $75 money order home yesterday. So tell me when Mom gets it.

I don't remember whether or not I have written you since I have been in Luxembourg or not but that's where I am now. An you asked me if I had ever seen or been through Metz. Well I went through it about a month ago but it was at night and couldn't see much. boy that was a trip I will never forget. I'll tell you all about it sometime.

Well I guess  I had better close for this time. I'll try to write more often from now on. Until next time I'll just say so long.

Love,

Bruce

January 1, 1945 Somewhere in Luxembourg

 Dear Sis:

How are you getting along, by this time? I am just fine as usual. Haven't been receiving any mail from you the last week, but I know you have been writing. It has been quite a long time since I last wrote you. I think the last letter I wrote you I was in Mardenbaugh, France. 

You are probably wondering what I did Christmas. Well it was just another day over here but we did have a very good Christmas dinner. And then Christmas night we got a bottle and set around the fire and talked about our homes. And we also had the same good meal today as it is new years. And as I told Mom we got our P.T. rations today, we get them about every week, we get cigs., candy, soap and all the stuff we use. And we don't have to pay for it. 

Well I was glad as well as surprised to get a letter from Jake and I think his basketball team must be doing a little better now. I hope so anyway.

Well I have run out of news so I will just say so long for this time. And will try and write again soon.

Love,

Bert

Geraldine (Dodson) Godwin - Picture dated April 7, 1944 - Taken in front of 226 Ogden Street, Washington, Indiana while sitting on a City tractor.

Jake Godwin with some kittens taken the same day and location of the picture of Geraldine.

December 13, 1944 - Somewhere

 Dear Sis:

How are you by this time? I am just fine as usual. Well I finally received on of your packages. That makes two I have received, one from you and one from Mom. It was the one that had the cheese spread, cheese crackers, cookies, 1 pack of camels, pack of razor blades, potato chips and two news papers. And I was very glad to get it.

I received a letter from Mom yesterday and I was sure glad to hear that Jake won a basketball game. Maybe that will change his luck. I hope so anyway.

Well I am still in the rest area, but don't know how long I will be here. I hope we are here until this war over here is all over.

Well I had better close and write Mom a few lines. I will try to write again this week.

Love,

Bert

(I am not certain if I previously mentioned that all of these letters are still in the envelopes that Dad sent them in, so I decided to scan this envelope for you to see.)

Saturday December 9, 1944 Somewhere

Dear Sis -

Well how are you by this time? I am just fine, and hope this letter finds you as well. Have received several letters from you the last few day and decided it was about time I was writing you a few lines.

 I haven't been doing much the last few days, except clean my jeep and trailer and boy was it a job. I had mud that has been on it ever sense I left Toul. And then I had to grease it and paint the rusty spots and that is what I have to do when I am resting. (ha ha) Well anyway it is good to get a rest. You see we are living in houses and believe it or not I have a bed and it has a real sheet on it. (ha ha) What a life, but it makes me homesick.

I see from your letters that Jake is having bad luck with his basketball team again this year. Tell him I said to get on those boys ass, and make them win a game. That's the way they do us guys. And I know he can do the same.

I was sure glad to hear you have finally got a car. I mean another car. (ha) And I hope it doesn't play out on you like so many have already. Well I had better wind this up as it is getting late and I have to write to Mom. I will try to write again about Monday.

So long for this time and,

Love, Bert

PS I have been receiving all the gum.

If you can get fruit juice I would like to have you send me some. Write soon.

(Written by G.D.G.) I assume that this was written by Geraldine...but not quite sure.