July 4, 1945 - France

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Marseille Area, France - 17

July 4, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Again this afternoon I will write you a few lines and let you know I am still here, and have not been blown away or covered with dust, which the air has been full of the last three days.  Everything from fine sand to particles of gravel have been in the air making everything miserable.

In regards to your questions about my preference of directions.  I think as you do that it would be better to go direct there than home.  It would be much harder the way home first.

Our unit is changing quite rapidly.  Major Grubin is gone.  Major Kuhns is leaving and a good many of the other familiar faces are going.  It will not be the same.

The candy covered walnuts are certainly good.  They have kept when all else has melted.

Received a letter from Muriel telling me of our recent school etc.  One today from Frances and a couple days ago one from Miss Mosher’s niece.

Yes, you are right about us seeing planes in abundance over here.  They have gone over for hours at times in the past, especially when we were near Eindhoven.

Tales are rampant over here whenever Patton is mentioned.  A couple o my friends here worked on teams with the 3^rd Army Hospitals.  He is quite a character.

Have heard no further from Ed Pfan(?) or Herbert Shaffer.  They both owe me letters.  One which I wrote while still at Ft Sam and Herbert was sent a Xmas card last Xmas.  I can no longer be bothered with that type of people.  So busy themselves.  And Jay is another one.  He can just wait.  I am in no mood to write most of the time recently.  Condition here are not at all favorable for writing.

I again giving lectures.  My first one was Tuesday, entitled “History of China”, others will follow later on Japan etc.

Muriel also tells me of Blair’s house being sold and to whom . Witzel really has his nerve.

I want you to send me my brown swimming trunks (short style) and a good pair of sunglasses, which you may have trouble getting.  You will have to pay a good price for them but you can charge to my account.  Polaroid are good ones. Use your own judgment of course.  Do not send until I ask again.

You should have received the 1 June money order by now.

I am going to make plans to see Lloyd Whelchel soon if possible.  I wonder is I will recognize him.  Tell you the details later.  Don’t you have his last address.

Enclosed you will find some negatives which you can have prints of each made and send them to me when I ask for them.  There will be more to follow these.  They are some taken at Bad Salzuflen and Bielefeld.

I am looking forward to getting another letter from you today, as I have not received one from you for some time.

I suppose Richard has reached home by now.  Give him my regards.

Well all for now.  Hope this reaches you all in good health and happy.

All my Love,

Your son

Stanley

10(ten) negatives enclosed.

Marseilles, France - June 1945

Palais de Longchamps

June 16, 1945 - France

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

 

Vicinity Marseilles, France  -  15

June 16, 1945

Dearest Mother :

After a long silence I again will pick up my pen and write you a few lines.

The heading tells you that again I have moved, which is of course no new thing to you by this time as you have seen by the letter headings of the past.

Recently I had the chance of seeing the walled city of Metz and thought it very beautiful from my location at the time.

The climate here is quite like California.  And the landscape in the immediate vicinity is quite a bit like Mojave.  In fact some of the boys here remarked how like Injo it is.

We are again in tents, which I do not mind so much as long as it remains warm.  Of course it is much harder to keep clean, but I am used to that by this time.

Ryan was saying that if this was the Riviera, they could send him home.  Same here.  There would have to be a lot more here than I have seen already to make me live here very long by my own desires.  Of course time will tell more, and my later letters will tell you more of the sights I intend to see while here if the dust clouds do not restrict my view.

While still in Wiedenbruck I saw “Meet me in St Louis”, the Judy Garland picture which has been raved about so much and I thought the whole thing smelled.  What don’t they find to make a picture of these days.  They will have to put her in better pictures than that or she will soon lose all her popularity if it depends on me.  Otherwise no other movies have been available.

By this time how is the house remodeling coming along?

Or have you mad much headway.  You can add on a solarium for my tropical plant collection.

In regards to my morale.  I feel quite well and am in high spirits, which is very good considering how some of the others feel.  I never built myself up for any let down as you know and I am glad you have the idea you have in one of your recent letters.

Well all for now and I hope you are all well happy.

All my Love,

Your Son,
 Stanley