February 16, 1945 Friday

France

Hello, my Honey,

I did not get to write to you yesterday because I was on the way up to division for G’s trial. O’Brien, the T.G.A., got an ambulance to make the trip in. Sgt. Huddleston and Sgt. Mike Urbaniak came with me a patient-witnesses, too. It was a beautiful day, almost like May, and we enjoyed getting out and around again very much. The weather made us all cheerful and we had a lot of fun as we toured over the pretty French countryside. Green and rolling, but marred by the ruined houses and villages. It was a 3 hour ride, and tho the war rolled by most of it some time ago, the evidences are still around. The quaint red-tile roofs must have been beautiful in peace time. I see now where Van Gogh got his red roofs.

We got to the administrative center just as it was moving to a new town, so we ate and went right along with it. We rode the ambulance but wore new G.I. clothing issued at the hospital. Had a warm reunion with Spetgang and Cardon, our company clerks. I took a picture of the bunch with the camera you sent me. It was the 4^th picture, by the way. I took three at the hospital. Eventually you will see them, I’m sure.

We came to Chateau-Salins and got a place to sleep with the medics. Wandered around the town, but could get no wine, even with my persuasive French! So we spent a wordy evening getting re-oriented on all our various adventures – Gino, Abie, Spetgang, Cardon and old Sgt. Warren (now a battle 2^nd Lt.). Up here they knew all about my own promotion. It was the first battlefield promotion given in the battalion, and will make me platoon leader, first platoon, when I get back. Had a lot of fun ceremoniously white-taping my bar -(had only one)- and placing bits of tape on my field jacket shoulders. Made me feel good to see the enl[isted] men so enthusiastic over it. Satisfying to know they back you up after all we’ve been thru. They are a great bunch. The very best. 

Today, the trial. I spoke my piece this morning, but must stick around in case of recall. Have my fingers crossed for G. I am writing this while waiting. Tonite I hope to go forward to the company area to see the rest of the “old” men. It’s just for fun now, you know – I’m only on leave from the hospital and must return Sunday. My arm is O.K. but I can see from this trip that my all-around condition isn’t as tough as it was. I get tired fast.

Funny thing, I bumped into the doctor who treated my arm the very first thing when I was being evacuated today. He remembered me, strangely, and was interested in my arm. He says it has healed well, that he thought the joint was surely injured when he first had seen it. Also that the lack of sensation in my little finger and part of my palm may last for several months while a new nerve grows from my elbow down. That’s just a curiosity, tho, it doesn’t cut down my efficiency. The motor nerve is O.K. – the ulnar sensory seems gone. That accounts for the continual numbness. Here’s how it stacks up now--

I shall not mention to the folks about the numb area. They would make a mountain of it maybe and actually it is of no more consequence than that nick I got in second finger at Camp Wheeler. O.K.?

In a letter I got yesterday you gave me the dickens for not saying I love you and Gee, Hon, that’s one thing I don’t want to be lax on. That’s the main reason I write at all, and the one thing I want you always to have absolute faith in. I know that being sure you love me is my firmest “leaning post” [? partly illegible], and I want you to have the same feeling – because my love is just as certain and will always be there regardless of anything. So if I keep on being negligent, you may tickle me to pieces for every time I fail you. I love you – so there.

You are always my honey, 

Wallace

February 15, 1945 Thursday

[V-Mail]

France

21st General 

Dear Pa,

Thanks for your V-Mail of the 14th of Jan. I can tell you now that I am in the 7th Army, but that can change quickly, because armored units are rushed around wherever they are needed. Also, you can’t very well judge what an individual is doing from the disposition of an army. A small unit might well be withdrawing while the army as a whole goes ahead, or vice versa. Or it might rest in reserve throughout. Initially, censorship had to be extremely strict, but by now Jerry knows all about us, so it isn’t as bad. When we first went in, he didn’t know there was any armor around—we wore no patches or other unit markings and moved at night. Consequently we had a big advantage at first.

Marjorie says you are working very hard. She marvels at the amount you do. Don’t do any more than you want to. 

I’m as good as new again now, and inactivity is beginning to bore me. The weather here is like April already—snow and freezing lasted only about a month and a half. 

Love to all, 

Wallace

February 13, 1945 Tuesday

France

Dearest Marjorie,

One thing I have had a chance to do since I have been here is to listen to some good music. The “American Forces Network in the field with the Seventh Army” puts onto a pretty good volume of classical music and our reception here is perfect. Concert bands, operatic recordings, Strauss waltzes and lighter music. Was reading an article on the therapeutic qualities of music—the radio people must be in on it, too; I have noticed that their programs include a big share of pieces thought to be best for lifting spirits. It is swell to hear good orchestras once more, to be able to give undivided attention to the music, and to have a radio that has practically natural tone reproduction. The “Merry Widow” comes in for its share, as do Gilbert & Sullivan. Lots of ballet music and, as I said, Viennese waltzes. In most groups some dope will always turn out a good orchestra selection for a jazz band, but I have them cornered here, since we have only this one American station!

Lt. O’Brien came down to see me about the coming trial again. Looks like I’ll be a witness—may even get an ambulance to take me to the trial. That would be a chance to see some of the boys again anyway.

Obie brought me word that I am now a 1st Lieutenant. Imagine the junior officer of the U.S. forces in Europe getting a promotion. Captain Fairbairn never told me he had me in for it, even. He recommended me after our engagement on Hill 310. That’s financially better than a star or other decoration, he says. Capt. Fairbairn is one of the squarest-shooting men I have ever seen. This increases my pay by a little over $30 a month. As soon as I can I’ll have that all added to your allottment. Makes my total pay now $300.34, as near as I can figure. I have lost all but one gold bar, anyway. 

It’s beginning to look as tho the coldest weather is all over here. It has been melting ever since the first of the month and today it is almost warm, like an early May day. Oodles of mud and water, but no snow left. All this weather talk is vitally interesting to an infantry man, so excuse me if it is not to you, Hon.

Our job in Alsace seems to be pretty well finished now. Where now? Maybe to our old stomping grounds further north. Hope not too far north, tho.

Everybody is pretty well oriented on Russia now, so I am currently engaged in research on a new talk. Have a copy of Edgar Snow’s “People On Our Side,” and plan to dig up something pretty erudite! Figure this one will be a lecture with fact presentation more than discussion.

I am now ready for some more letters. Our mail-orderly better get on the ball. You know, I have a game with him—giving him rank as he brings mail. He was up to master-sergeant when he brought those 18—but he is rapidly becoming a yard-bird again.

Bye now, Honey. I love you all the time, and think about you every minute. I hope everything is wonderful at home.

Always all yours,

Wallace.

February 12, 1945 Monday

France

Hello, dearest Marjorie,

It’s the same here as it was at Camp Wheeler’s hospital. They do not discharge a person until he is cured and in better condition than ever. I am cured, but still I stick around and no mention of leaving. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not agitating to leave this haven at all. Am perfectly content to let nature take its course. Actually tho, I am waiting to go—heard that Capt. Fairbairn is already back with the company and that they are doing O.K. on their latest job. Don’t want to miss too much, after all that 2nd platoon is mine and they shouldn’t forget all about me. As I see it, they have either forgotten I am in the hospital, or they consider my orientation lectures too essential to interrupt. 

They tell me in the C. & R. dept. that the army is searching for clinical psychologists now. If I had been able to get a master’s degree I might have qualified for the job! Well, our chance will come sooner or later. The men of the C. & R. dept. are the most intelligent I have met in the army, particularly one sergeant from the Univ. of Cal. with whom I have a good talk most every day.

Went to church yesterday. The minister here is above average. The services are held in an interestingly designed building—the whole hall is shaped like a pointed arch—even thusly (!)-

The acoustics are terrible, but it is a pretty affair.

So much for now, Hon, I’ll write some more in a little.

I love you very much,

Wallace

P.S. You’d get a laugh from the number of letters I censor that are signed in this fashion:

Loads of love from your ever loving husbin to his itsy-bitsy toodles,

2nd Lt. Wallace A. Russell

Co C 56AIB APO 262

c/o P.M.N.Y.N.Y.

hugs & kisses