MS 984 - Byron Armbruster World War II Papers Transcripts (November 1 - 16, 1943)

November 6, 1943

6 Nov. 1943

Somewhere-in-England

Dear Folks -

I received your letter to day, dated Oct. 26th. It doesn't pay to send anything air mail, as there is no air mail service between here and the States. Everything goes by ship. It took the air mail ten days, the same as straight mail.

Sorry, that I won't be able to send many greetings this season but I think everyone understands. Thanks for the clippings. I hope Dwight gets along O.K.

I'm sending a few novel Christmas greetings. I know everyone will like them.

If you don't feel equal to caring for my herd of cattle, feel free to dispose of all of them you care to. There's no need of you overworking.

Have you given the North-west News my new address? We all feel that we aren't getting the amount of mail that we should.

Thanks a lot mom for writing me so many letters.

Love to All,
Byron

November 8, 1943

8 Nov '43

England

Dear Folks,

I really haven't any news but feel that I should drop you a line now while I have the chance. The time may come when I will not be able to write so often.

My friends, relatives and neighbors certainly haven't forgotten me. Many said that they have gotten my address out of the North-west News. Everyone that has gotten it from the paper has, S-S Co. instead of H-S. Co. The cards and letters are pouring in. Yesterday I received twelve. I don't think I'll be able to acknowledge them all. I hope they will forgive me. From among the many, I received a beautiful card from Eloise's aunt and uncle from Florida.

I had a grand visit in a private home Sunday afternoon. The master of the house was a vicar of the Church of England. I received a lot of information on where to go and see different things of interest, if and when I go on leaves.

We no longer use our fireplace but have a little heater similar to Mrs. Longs. We pop our corn on that. Its sure swell but nearly all gone. Will close and "shoot the bull" with the boys the rest of the evening.

with Love,
Byron

November 12, 1943

12 Nov. '43

England

Dearest -

Just a note to let you know I'm thinking of you. There isn't much I dare tell you. I'm going with a friend of mine, on pass, to Sherborne, the middle of the week, to visit a friend of his that he knew in the States. I'm getting to see my share of England.

Tell Russell to keep up the good work and carry on as my guard.

I've been sitting here now for half an hour reading the last five V-mail letters I've received (three from you and one each from Fredia and Marilyn Ann) and I can't think of anything to write.

I'll now drop your Aunt and Uncle, in Tampa, a note of thanks and spend the rest of the day doing nothing.

Hoping you all have a good time over the holidays.

with Love, Byron

12 Nov. '43

Somewhere-in-England

Dear Folks,

Can you picture yourself going into a city the size of Fort Wayne or Toledo, some nite in a total blackout, with a dimmed out flashlight and cigarettes the only lights showing? That is the condition over here and on top of that sometimes the fog is so thick you can almost cut it with a knife. (Believe it or not) It will be a happy day when the lights come on again, which we think will be very soon.

This is indeed a beautiful country. I have seen many homes as beautiful and larger than Neuhausers brick home, with grass roofs.

I received my first package yesterday, one from you, one from Marcille and one from Garnet. I received one from Fredia to-day also a letter from Marcille. I'm glad to hear that Mabel and baby are O.K. and also Dwight. I received a north-west paper yesterday dated Sept. 15th and two to-day. Have you given them my new address?

Up to now, I have enjoyed my stay here in England, better than at Bragg.

With Love,
Byron

P.S. Thanks for packages.

November 13, 1943

Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Huddle,
Napoleon, Ohio,
R.R. #3

13 Nov. 1943

Somewhere-in-England

Dear Sir -

I received your Christmas package yesterday. Thanks a million. It certainly was a practical package. Everything that I have received, is very practical. No excess baggage, which I hate. Please if you see Marcille, thank her for here box. I won't be writing her for several days.

I hope by the time you receive this, that Dwight will be well enough to be home. That was quite a surprise. I received an announcement from Mabel to-day and two letters from Eloise.

I'm planning on going into London either this week or next on a pass.

This will be my second Christmas spent in the Army and I hope it shall be the last, however I like it here just as well, if not better than I did at my last camp.

Love and best wishes to all.
Byron

P.S. Thanks for your letter Marilyn Thank ------------ too. I'll be dropping you a letter one of these times. Hi Hurdy and Joy, have you had any sledding or skating yet?

November 16, 1943

Miss Marcille Armbruster
1324 Superior St.
Toledo, Ohio

16 Nov. 1943

England

Dear Sis:

Why I am writing is a mystery to me,
Can't tell what we're doing or the things that we see
The places we're been, or are apt to go,
Must not be discussed, there a secret you know.

Our port of embarkation and the name of the ship,
Must never be mentioned by pen or lip,
The day that we sailed is a secret too,
And our time of crossing the ocean blue.

Any mishaps or action we might have seen,
Would be taken out by the censor, so mean,
Cant tell where we landed, or what town we are near,
For fear it will reach the enemy ear.

Any sort of weapon, from a gun to a knife,
Is truly a secret to guard with our life,
Vehicles, no matter how large or small,
Must never, no never, be mentioned at all.

Now what can we say that the censor will pass?
In a letter to mom, or my beautiful lass?
I'll tell you now so you won't get sore,
In case my short letters are such a bore.

That the food is good and I'm happy and well,
That we have lots of fun and work like hell,
Any games that we play, or shows that we see,
Can all be discussed from A to Z.

Anything more might be out of bounds,
And the censor would be on me, like a pack of hounds,
So if you don't mind, no more will I write,
Just say "so long", and sign off for tonite.

Love,
Byron