Mulhausen - April 1945

If you recognize anyone, please contact me and I will be glad to forward copies of the pictures.

May 31, 1945

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

 

Bielefeld, Germany

May 31, 1945

Dearest Mother :

Here this morning before departure for headquarters.  I will write you a few lines and let you know the happenings of the last few days here in Bielefeld.

Two days ago we were all called to headquarters, and the rumors are wild. Some say we go to the Pacific via the states, others say direct, and still others have other ideas on the subject.   Well more on the subject in a couple days.

The other day I was taken by one of the people at the house, to the Botanical Garden[1], and much to my surprise they really have a beautiful one here with a good many plants, some of which I had not seen previously, others are old acquaintances.  The names of course are the same and the curator and myself got on very well.  I took some pictures which I hope turn out well.  They had some beautiful Iris there which excel anything before seen by me.  Some day, I will have a large collection of them, I hope.

Again the other day instead of writing or otherwise, I went up to a castle[2] on the hill here which is quite old and had a very nice time.  The place is very historic and only recently was used for aircraft observation, which resulted in the bridge being blown out by bombs. Well anyway I was so very pleased that the boy got one of the German patients who is an artist to make me a water color of it for me which was delivered last night to me and it is truly a beautiful piece of work, and I will have it on its way very soon.  Well on and on I have gone until I have practically see all around here in the way of scenic value.

The people here are very sad to have the Americans leave and the British takeover.  They do not seem to have much use for the English.  Perhaps that has been ingrained into them for so long a time.  I have learned a lot about them since my arrival here and I have some definite impressions on them.

Well this is about all for now as my time is short and I will write longer and better the next time.

All my Love,

 

Your Son,

Stanley

  

 

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[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botanischer_Garten_Bielefeld  and http://www.bielefeld.de/de/un/boga/  

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparrenburg_Castle

May 19, 1945 - Germany

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

 

Germany

May 19, 1945

Dearest Mother:

After so many days of not writing I am going to write a few lines this evening to let you know I am still in circulation around Germany.

I have had your letters 15, 16 and 17 which I will not answer now but will do so in the near future.

Was quite sorry to hear of the recent auto accident but am much relieved to hear of Dad getting out of it well and unhurt.  He is very lucky and I am glad of that.

I am now engaged in the allied administration of PW Hospitals.  I am living at one of them in a grand style.  We are in nice rooms with sheets and all and we have maid service at our table.

As far as the German and I (are ) concerned, I am not doing too well and I am not too enthused over it anyway.  I would rather they would learn English and be on an even keel in my own language.

Hamm postcard for sale at Delcampe.net

The grounds around here are very beautiful and have all kinds of interesting copper beech outside there which is by far the most beautiful I have ever seen.  The weather here has been very warm and ideal, except yesterday when I went to Hamm on a trip and then a summer storm came up and drenched everything, but it very soon cleared off and once again when we got back here we had a beautiful thunderstorm which lasted until about midnight when it cleared off and was nice this morning.

I am going back to headquarters for a while tomorrow which will take half a day or so.  That is where most of my time is spent. On the road between one place or the other.

I suppose you are quite busy with the house and all at present.

I was glad to hear of you using the 1,000 dollars.  You may as well have the use of it as the bank.  More regarding this all later.

Well about all for now and I send you my fondest regards and ask you all to take care of yourselves and another and better letter will follow.

All my Love,

Stanley

May 6, 1945 - Germany

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

 

Germany - 9

May 6, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Again on a wet afternoon I am going to write you a few lines and answer a few of your questions asked in letter No 14 of April 20.

We are still here and still have (been) hanging over our heads the prospect of returning to headquarters at any time, which is any time will be too soon for me in my present mood, regarding them.

In regards to the word we being used in letters such as Nelson’s.  Things will pass the censor quite often if the word I is used which would not be indicative of a unit movement.

It seems that the news of today noon’s was that the war is over, but one way or the other we do not or are not excited over it as in my present position I wonder why it has not been sooner.  Beyond me is the explanation of “things are on schedule”.   I cannot understand why armies wait at rivers etc.

As yet I have seen no Russian army members, have seen quite a few refugees tho.  We have even a few Indian ghurka troopers here in hospital and they are certainly characters.  They no longer have their turbans which were taken away from them because of them being (lousy).  They therefore wear bath towels.

I went to church this morning in the Prostestant Church here in town and the sermon was given by our chaplain here.  The church is the first protestant one I have seen here in Europe.  Very beautiful interior as well as quite old.  But even tho, it showed signs of the German race and their top heavy architecture.

I have met a boy here at the hospital who comes from Momence.  He knows Aunt Dell and family also Cousin Gertrude and sons in lumber business.  His name is Raymond Montgomery.  He says you may know a family by the name of Kelsen as it is his mother’s family.  Strange how small a world this is.  He states that the HESS family id the first family of Momence.  He used to mow lawns for Gertrude.

I must have been in a hurry to get somewhere or something else may have come up to distract me so as not to sign my letter you mention.  I usually am not that rattle brained.

In regards to my change of teams I can not tell you now but will do so later when the chance comes.  It is a long story.  I have requested them and thankfully have known the Col. Well enough to do so.

Enclosed you will find one of the afore mentioned pictures which I hope you will like.  I will inscribe one of the better ones and send it on later in a large card boarded envelope for you.  All my love,

Your Son,

Stanley

April 28, 1945 - Germany

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

 

Germany

April 28, 1945

Once again I will start a letter to you and hope to finish today, as my mood nor temper is any too good today.

Received your very welcomed letter of April 10, Nov 12 and, as always, enjoyed it.  Found also the enclosed clippings and stamps. Some of the articles are very good as well as witty.

Glad to hear of your receiving the Russian and Polish currency.  Also glad to hear of you receiving the M.O.

I can imagine how the card from Arthur.  I as yet have seen no liberated American prisoners up here.  Have seen practically all other types of liberated people tho.

Was very surprised to hear of you buying the place there, in fact rather disappointed for some reason.  Never liked the place or the neighborhood, but again it is your home.  I do want you to use my money tho for any use you see fit.  I think you are very likely wise in doing such at this time in view of the other conditions.  My idea on the place is that what will it be when thru with it, garage and all.  A wire fence would be the thing but not for that place.

I recognized the names of the fellows mentioned in the clipping.

They really moved Nelson over in a hurry.  I should hear from him soon as a couple of my forwarded letters should reach him soon if not already.  But the mail routes are long between us.

You can use my money for the purchase of a new cost for Mother’s Day.  I referred to the subject previously.

You can also send me a couple pocket combs and a bottle of good hair oil in your next package.  My stationary may also be exhausted again by that time.  I have been doing a lot of writing the last couple days.

Enclosed you will find 5 postcards which I asked Kupfer to bring back for me from his recent Paris pass.  He also brought back more for e and I will enclose them in future letters until they are absorbed here.  Also you will find some pictures, the negatives will also be sent home in the future with instructions if any.

The weather here is still cloudy and wet and I hope it soon clears up as I am tired of dampness.  My sinuses do not act favorably to dampness.

I am going to try and get a shower this afternoon at the showers which they have here in town for our use.

Well I can think of no more for now so will close hoping this finds you all well and remaining so.

As always, Love

Stanley

4 pictures

5 negatives, one of which you can have one made of me and bicycle.

Battle Participation Credit Jan-Feb 1945

April 14, 1945 - Germany

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

4

Germany

April 14, 1945

Dearest Mother:

With rather irregular hours the last few days I have been unable to write.

While writing the other night, even tho supposed to be on day duty, at about 11:30 we received the news of Roosevelt’s death.  It did not strike me so very strange for some reason.  We certainly have a mess now and I wonder if Truman is the answer.

The weather here was quite wasn’t for a few days, and all the trees are coming into bloom, but the last few days the weather has been overcast and a little cooler.

Well about all for more and a little more later.

All my Love,

Stanley

March 19, 1945 - Germany

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Germany

March 19, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Altho no news from you since last I wrote you I will write a few things this evening.

I once again have moved and am on a new team but till in Germany as you see by the heading.  I have never mentioned in any of my previous letters any of  my present team officers.  Altho here I find a very agreeable group of enlisted men who I have been friendly with before at Ft Sam.

I have just completed a very ornate leather writing or stationary portfolio which will replace the one which Miss Mosher gave me prior to leaving worn with all my travels.  This one should last for some time and them some.

I took a very nice walk into the fields from here today and became very much refreshed by the pleasant countryside, since it has been sometime since I have been in the country.  The countryside certainly shows signs of the coming Spring.  The Pussy Willow have become full blown trees and shrubs are beginning to bud and will soon burst forth in their fresh green splendor.  For some reason I have noticed Spring here more so than ever before.

The other day I received a couple letters which were mailed in December.  They were both Christmas cards, one form Miss Mosher and the other from her nephew.  Also a letter of more recent date from Sgt Rapp telling me he is the father of a baby girl.

I was in to headquarters the other night for a visit and they are in a former textile mill and are quite well situated.  Some of the looms are just as they were left when they fled.  Some of the rolls are only partially completed.  I enjoy going thru some of these mansions which the Nazis have fled and left. They have certainly lived like kings here in some of their places.  They of course have been gone only a short time.  Some of the homes still have plants and such still alive in their green houses and solariums.  And the furniture is certainly all in a grand manor.  Some of the places the furniture is being moved out because it is of such value.  The signs remaining of their existence showed a very pleasant and idle one.  You can well imagine my glory in going thru some of these places.  Can’t you?

Well once again it is bed time and I am ready since it has been a very active day for me since I have played baseball etc for the first time in some time. 

Hope you are all well and happy.

I remain,

Your son,

Stanley

1 April 1945 - Germany

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Germany

1 April 1945

Dearest Mother:

Have here your V-Mail (4) of March 13 and your letter No2. So far am missing your No3.  Will start out anew on my new series.

I finally got the box mailed off to you a couple days ago.  It included my civilian shoes and short sox and my anatomy book.  Also included were my Bavarian porcelain and the excess pictures I have been gathering along the way.

We have really been on the move recently.  I spent a couple days with Col. Mac Intyre’s hospital a few days ago and have been on the move ever since from one place to the other.  At present am in a cow pasture again.  I spent a little time in a former German slave labor camp and had the chance to observe and see quite a few things while there but there was too much filth there for  very long stay,  There were quite a few Russian, Polish, Italian and French people there.  The Russians interested me very much and very surprisingly they impressed me.  They were all quite happy and in the evenings would dance and sing their beautiful music and songs.  They always impressed me anyway.

At the Evacuation Hospital they had a very beautiful garden just full of interesting and beautiful things.  I took some pictures I hope turn out well.  They had espalier fruit trees in long harbors and beds full of bulbs which included daffodils, hyacinths and grape hyacinths.  A lot of fruit trees were in bloom and other trees coming into leaf.  Also was a nice collection of statuary of a religious nature.

I am looking forward to receiving some more mail today as I have received very little with all my moving around.

Enclosed you will find a money order for fifty dollars ($50) which you can deposit use or invest in more stock or something with whatever appears best to you.

Also you will find some more souvenir money for my collection. Some Russian and Polish which is something new and different.

I had a roll of film in my camera the other day which may have been some of the French film for it didn’t have numbers on the right side and just when I wanted to use it I was unable to, much to my disgust and I missed some good pictures.

I heard from Albert Chandler regarding Onas severe spell.  Very sorry for her.

 

Well about all for now as my time is short and I am rather tired.

All my Love,

Your son,

Stanley

1 Italian stamp

1-50 Zlotych Polish note

4 Russian rubles

1-3, 1-1,1-5,1-1 yepbehin (?) (10 rubles)

Note from the transcriber:

CODE : ACROSS

March 2, 1945 - Germany

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Germany

March 2, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Have here your letter of February 9, the last I have from you, and am looking forward to the next ones.

The day outside is indeed a funny one.  The weather seems to be the type that just can’t make up its mind whether Spring is here or whether it wants to return to Winter.  Every time I go outside here I get a feeling of tragedy or something as thee are buildings all around here full of holes and things are so desolate and forlorn.   I saw the first bird in some time outside a few minutes ago.  The trees are coming out in buds, that is the ones still standing and the bulbs are coming up thru the rubbish piles.  The garden in the rear of the house is again coming to life.  The rhubarb and strawberries are coming to life again along with all the other things.  The street out in front is knee deep with mud and everywhere else there is vehicles we have mud.  Quite a place we are in or can you imagine it? It does seem strange tho that matters is still showing thru even after all the destruction caused by man.

Near us here is a church which has been quite nice when new.  Built quite recently of quite modern design.  It is deserted now but still beautiful in a way.  Some of the windows are still hanging in sections by the lead work.  No, I never caught a car in the subway terminal.  It is quite a place tho.

Yes, I had thought of being home a year ago when the date rolled by and I wish I were home again, but I suppose it will be some time before I get home again, as the things look to me now.

The Knotts Berry Farm story is quite interesting and is quite unusual.  Rather interested to know why it was started.

We are living of the Germans here and find them quite comfortable, considering the time and place.  They of course had to leave everything behind so a lot of furniture is being used by us.  Some of it is quite nice and other is just a lot of junk.  And a lot of course was ruined.

Enclosed you will find some more pictures which you may seeing.  You can put them away for me or keep them yourself.  I will send the negatives later. 

Will close for this time.  Hoping this first you well , I remain with

All my Love

Stanley