Feb-Mar 1944: Bathtime hijinks (Maggie)

 Feb 19, 1944

 

Dear Maggie

 

This is Sat. night & belive it or not but I am staying in camp tonight, & it's not because I don't have a pass its just because so there too. I did go to town last Sat night & had quite a time. We had a couple of shots of whiskey & then bought a qt of Rum & a qt of Vodka. Well we killed those & went to a dance (I still dont dance) & started drinking beer. I don't know how we ever got in or how we ever stayed there. They had a cop stationed at the door & a couple of M.P.s there but we didn't have any trouble. We had a hotel room so when we got there I decided to take a bath it was only 3 A.M. A couple of the fellows came in & started washing my hair. They finally went out, they also turned the light out & shut the door. I had the idea I would drownd so I really crawed out. I wen to bed & they said I ask for a drink so one of them brought over the rum bottle & finished pouring it on my face. It burnt like the devil so I got a towel & had it about wiped off when they brought a pitcher of water over to wash it off. Well they poured it all over my head & all in all I got a nice cold over it. The next morning I thought a mad Russian had hit me in the head with a axe it's the worst head ach I have ever had – me I have sworn off.

I thought you knew better than to drink my wine. That stuff will kill you – if you remember what it use to do to "little Bill" Me I never touch wine any more one of the fellows said he wanted a bottle of wine last night but I finally talked him out of it. 

You made some crack about the sarg making me hurry up – well you weren't just kidding. They are always riding me a bout lagging while we are marching but I just can't help it because I am slow. I also got bawled out by a officer on the drill field just because I was smirking. I was just thinking how silly the things we were doing & he caught me. That one thing I like about the army you aren't supposed to think & I can't come to realize it. 

You wish you could have a few more Sat nights like we use to, well you aren't alone. I sure wish I could go out like we use to again, maybe after the war we can get together again I hope, or may be sooner. That is if Wayne doesn't get married, I half way think he might later on. You said we ought to tell him they ain't worth it (women I mean) I think he ought to know it after what happnd to him but I guess he doesn't. 

Well my first week of basic is over now so I only have 15 more days that is if I can take it. The first few days were sure tough on me. I would come in & just hit the sack & try to rest. My poor old [___] aren't as young as they use to. They just want to make me tough & I don't want to be tough I just want to me "little Bill" I did hit a buddy of mine, who is 6'-6", & really laid him on the floor. He is so tall about all I could reach was his chest & I let him have it, see I am getting mean.

Some times this army has its brighter moments like one of the fellows just now. He is sewing P.F.C. strips on one of the fellows cloths because the fellow is trying to get a head by acting smart & etc. There is always something  happening in the barracks but still I would rather be a good old civy.

Say what does your roommate look like you never did tell me, not that I am interested but the army has made me want to know what all of these guys _^ ^girls look like. 

Some of these fellows really get mad at me for wanting to read letters from there best girls. I guess its not right but some of them are really all right, they ought to make a book out of them. Don't get me wrong I don't let them read my mail but some of theres is really good reading.

I was telling you about sewing P.F.C strips on the guys cloths, well he is sewing up the buttons of the guys pants now. He is doing a good job of it too even If I have to say so myself. 

Talking about sewing I got all my sholder patches sewed on now & I think I did a good job of it too but thats just my opion against the whole barrack. Thats where a woman is nice. 

I have my income tax filled out now so all I have to do is mail it. Belive it or not they owe me the whole sum of $12. I really think they owe me more but the way I filled it out thats all it comes to so I'll let it go at that.

Say how on earth does anyone read my writing I sure can't but I guess it's all right.

I heard a new rumor the other day to the effect that we get shipped over seas for our training. One fellow I know is going either to Australia or England. If I cam shipped I hope I go to Austriala.

You ask about how my fortune came out well it hasn't worked out up to yet so I don't know what to think. I guess it's all right but I still am doubtful.

Everyone has gone to town tonight & the barrack sure is quiet infact too quiet to suit me there isn't a whole lot doing.

Well may be this is enough for a while so write soon

Love 

 

Bill. 

March 6 1944

 

Dear Maggie 

I recived your letter so will try & answer it while the barracks are 1/2 way quiet. Every one is out eating the slop they call food so it will be peaceful ? for a while.

You tell me I ought to stop my drinking  –  well I have. I havent been drunk since the last time I wrote you. Infact I have only been in town once in 3 sundays & then it was only for about 6 hours. A week a go Sunday I had a pass but no money last Sunday I didn't even get a pass. We are on the alert so couldn't go any place. We are expecting a shipping list out so we can't do any thing. I can't even turn in my laundry. We expect to leave this week some time & also get a 15 day  delay in route which will be very nice.

We went out on biovac last week & stayed the whole sum of 3 days. They darn near starved us and, we nearly froze to death to top that off. We were sleeping in tents, 6 of us, with one little stove. My head was out the flaps about half the time so I had a nice cold over the deal. We also had to crawl 60 yard while they were firing machine guns over our head & land mines blowing up on each side of us. I survived o.k. but was a muddy mess when I got through. I made some of the fellows mad because I talked to them as we were crawling, they didn't seem to like my cracks

We were having wonderful weather & then all of a sudden it started snowing then to top that off the wind has been blowing the roof of the place. Evey place & thing is covred with dust which makes it nice.

Well I can't think of much more to write & I also have a few things to do as usual so will close

Bill

 

We sure are learning more about Jack and Maggie, aren't we?

 

Here are Jack's letters to Gram during this period:

Mid-February 1944: Basic Training Begins & What About Wayne?
March, 1944: Biovac, Guns, and getting ready to ship