Letters To Home - September 18, 1952

Bremerhaven, Germany
September 18, 1952

We're just about ready to start back to the States. We left Giesen last evening at
11:00, got here about 10:00 this morning. It rained the whole way North, and the closer we got to the sea, the colder it got. Right now it's pretty chilly, but no snow as yet. Anyway, our ship leaves Sunday afternoon at 2:00, so we should be in New York City by October 2 at the latest.

This is a pretty nice little camp. It reminds me a lot of Schweinfurt, especially the barracks and all the trees. It was probably one of the camps that the German navy used during World War II. There aren't many troops permanently stationed here, either. Almost everyone I see is waiting to go home.

Almost all of the guys I took basic with are here, even though we didn't see each other during our time in Germany. Most of them were sent to the Infantry when we hit Fort Benning. Ray, my old bunk-mate from Fort Dix, is in the bunk right next to me, and my buddy Joe is on the other side. I heard Bob Nelson's name called today, but didn't see him. I don't think he's going to be leaving when we do; some are being held over for the next ship, and lots of them will be catching KP much of the time while they're here. We all were surely afraid that that might happen to us, but it didn't. It seems that the guys from the 28th Division are the ones doing all the dirty work.

From what we hear, most of us will be processed in Camp Kilmer, New Jersey for two days at the most, then will go elsewhere for separation. We'll be separated from a camp closest to our home; that would be Fort Indiantown Gap, I believe.

I sent three packages out yesterday, so they should get there about the same time I do.

I'm a bit tired from the train ride, and the "hurry up and wait" we've been going through here. I did sleep a bit on the train, though. It was just about like those Youngstown to Cleveland rides I used to take on the Erie. Most of the guys couldn't sleep while sitting in a coach, but it didn't bother me a bit.

I'll keep you informed on what is happening. If you write, I probably won't get the letter.

Letters To Home - March 24, 1952

Schweinfurt, Germany
March 24, 1952

Joe and I got back "home" Saturday evening about eight o'clock after a very wonderful leave. It was so good that we're thinking of going back in June or July, if we're still here then. The weather wasn't so good during the days, but it seemed always to clear up early in the evenings. It snowed a few times, got cold just one day, but warmed up again. Spring in Germany seems to be quite mild.

Munich is a very nice place to spend a leave. We did quite a bit of sight-seeing around the old town, which is pretty-well bombed out. The old town still has its old fort at each end and its big draw-bridge, even though it isn't used anymore. We went to the circus as often as possible, also went to the zoo.

We found a little night club that I believe would go quite well back home, especially in Youngstown. It was located in the basement of a large building. You went down a flight of stairs, and walked right into the bar. Off the bar was a room that would hold, probably, 40 people. There were huge wine casks scattered around the room, about ten of them, I guess, with doorways cut into one side. Inside each cask there was a table for four. On the table there was an empty Four Roses bottle, with a candle stuck in the neck. That was the only lighting for your table. The juke box was wonderful; Red Nichols and Muggsy Spanier and lots of American big band swing. Better than anything I ever saw in the states.

One night there was a small band playing; a vibraphone, bass and drums, but it was good. No singers, thank heavens. The place seemed to be open all night, though we never stayed beyond midnight.

On our last week in Munich we found an Italian restaurant, with the best spaghetti I've ever eaten, so that's where we ate most of our meals. The prices were very reasonable, too. That's the first spaghetti I've had since I've been in the army, believe it or not. We never get it in the mess hall.

Regards my income tax refund, if you can get it cashed there, do it. If you have to, you can send it over, and I'll sign it and send it back. We have a pretty hard time getting checks cashed over here.

That's about all for now. Tomorrow, back to the old routine. I feel rested, though, so it shouldn't be too bad.