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.

May 22, 1945 - Germany

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

 

Germany -  13

May 22, 1945

Dearest Mother

After such a long time the censorship has been lifted and the idea alone inspires me to write a few letters today.

From my room here, which is a corner room on the third floor of a German civilian hospital I can see for some distance in places where the trees do not restrict my view.  The sky is overcast and has been trying to rain but perhaps eventually the sun perhaps will shine.

Another sergeant and myself are the only ones here, and that is only for the military portion of the hospital of which they have 200.  Our business is merely the Allied Administration of POW Hospitals and the last place I was doing the same work only the major was with me.  He is now across town at another hospital.  I only make rounds with him once in a while.

My last station was at Bad Salzuflen, which is one of the very beautiful little towns in the famous resort center of Germany.  The Wehrmacht turned it into a hospital center before their defeat and we have taken over and are clearing out all the sick POWs.  Our house there was surrounded by beautiful gardens full of trees, shrubs and flowers. We have gardens here but we are more or less in a hotel.  We had maid service there for everything including the serving of the meal.  We have the same here. And the beds here are the real thing for comfort.

You will find our location not far off the Autobahn south of Hannover in case you have a map there.

The last place had hedges (artificial) constructed through which the run water slowly, and when the breezes blew thru them the air became cooled.  They had a great number of them all about 30 feet high in various places around the hospitals.

The town here is quite torn up since it was a German Army headquarters and hospitals or not they had to get the headquarters.

You mention Iris being in bloom in your letter No15.  Here in the resort place which I am (at) they have been originated here and are really beautiful.  You should also see the Rhododendrons which they have here.  Nurseries are quite abundant here.  Pansies are certainly beautiful in the large beds outside.

You perhaps can tell from the outward appearances of things that I am very happy at present, despite the enclosed clippings which I have always known would more than likely happen, as I have told you previously that I did not expect to get out for some time to come, so the news does not affect me too much.  The MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) number of 861 is mine and the 225 is Sgt Ryan since he is a male nurse.  The doctors are all worried now since they are declaring us essential.  Ha Ha!

Has Mrs. Miner heard anything of Richard yet?

Received a very nice letter from Howard Kiel the other day.  Also others received have been from Thelma, Aunt Dell, Jay, Miss Mosher and Joe.

In your letters 16 and 17 you at the time were expecting something to happen.  I often before then had heard of things happening but that type of thing always take time. Conditions here with the Displaced Personnel such as the Russians is becoming impossible in more ways than one.  But enough of this for now as the time will come when I can tell you more.

Glad to hear of you getting the chickens.  You should save the best rooster of the bunch and have your own source of chicks hereafter.

Muriel’s birthday has slipped upon me without me knowing it so it you think of something she wants within reason, will you get it for her as a present from me?

You need not worry about replacing the money too soon.  If you need it for other things, do not fail to use it for such, as I am in no need of it here and perhaps will not be for some time.  No need of caching bonds for cash as long as you have my money handy.  You have invested in them so get the full value from them.

I had a notion some time ago to ask you for Mrs. Ohashi’s address, only I thought it would seem rather strange to him if not an insult.  You get it for me and I may be able to use it some day in the administration of Japanese hospitals etc.  Would be rather interesting.

Well about all for now and thanks for the airmail stamps enclosed in two letters and I hope this reaches you in good health and that Dad is well recovered from the accident.

All my Love,

Stanley

 

May 2, 1945 - Germany

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

 

Germany

May 2, 1945

Again this morning I will write you a few lines to let you know how things are on this side of the Atlantic with me.

Have here your letter of April 16, Nov 13 which I received two days ago.  Received a letter from Joe and wrote one to him the day before.  That always happens.  I hear from him at the same time I write him.

I have the package mentioned previously, all packed and ready to mail this afternoon (German) and the jackets.  Muriel can have one of them, Dad another and you one if you wish.  They are quite warm and perhaps of a little souvenir value.  The other or remaining ones you can put away for me.  You can make a scarf for Muriel and yourself if you wish but do not let Muriel have wholesale usage of it. Ryan told his sister he was going to send her enough silk for a handkerchief or two, and he sent the whole parachute, case and all.  Won’t she be surprised when she opens that.

I am enclosing there snapshots, two of scenes on the recent convoy and 3 of myself.  The one of the tower was taken in Reckinghausen and the other one across one of the rivers.  The three of myself are fair.  The one on the generator is the better one.  Will send Muriel a couple of them later when I have more prints.  I really have a surprise for you in some forthcoming portraits, some of which are not bad.  I have had no real goo pictures taken overseas tho.

The cannas annoyed me while at home and you remember me digging out quite a few.  The cacti needed repotting long ago.  A grape arbor over the driveway between house and garage would be rather nice, with an added driveway gate at corner of the house.  There is already part of the grape vine near there.  What are you going to do about the water in the garage?  I always have ideas for yards etc tho that may be impractical.

Richard and Myrtle owe me a letter but it does not make much difference as I am not overly fond of hearing from them anyway.  Too many others of more interest.

I am not surprised to hear of gophers again appearing.  Is the rear lot again being used for gardening?  Blairs never did take care of their yard.  It will be a good thing when she gets out of work again and stays at home I guess.

Received also your 5 air-mail stamps.

I expect soon to again be recalled to headquarters as have done nothing and no one else is either.  Very little use for us I guess anywhere.  Some teams have already been recalled.  And I have the thought of going back.  Well we may of course get a chance for a pass and get the chance to see something again.  I have really seen none of the places very well.  That all started when we arrived at New York.  It has been a rush ever since.  I went aboard the boat on an advance party, the only enlisted men among about fifty officers.  My job as Sergeant Major required that I be aboard over a day early.  We left camp by police escort, sirens and all.  I went thru the tunnel and over the skyline bridge and the chauffeur carried my baggage.  I was quite in style.  Nothing less than a stateroom alone for me after a complaint of poor quarters.  I quit a long time ago going thru a lot of misery from people in the army.  If you do not look out for yourself no one else will.  The channel crossing was on one of Belgium’s pre-war largest boats. And a regular hag pen it was too.  Well enough of this for now and on to other subjects.

Enclosed you will find some German stamps which were sent me by Olson in headquarters.  Quite a few of them knowing I collect them, save them for me from time to time.  71 of them are enclosed.

Received a letter from Muriel the other day also.  She is getting much better about writing for some reason.

The weather has been cold and damp and a jacket is still required for warmth.

We now have a French surgical team here.  Something new.

Thanks a lot and until I write again, all my Love.

Your son,

Stanley

9 February 1945 - Holland

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Holland

9 February 1945

Dearest Mother:

Received your envelope of pictures yesterday and find some of them very good, others not so wonderful.

Mailed a box this morning containing a statue and some wooden shoes.  The large pair is for myself.  The three souvenir Belgian shoes are for you, Muriel and Nina and the two large ones are for the Chapin children.  Also you will find a wrist watchband sections which I would like to use in getting me a new one.  The sample is merely for width.

Heard from Muriel Oswald.  Very excited as usual.

Well about all for now as I have little time.

All my Love,

Your son,

Stanley

4 February 1945 - Holland

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Holland

4 February 1945

Dearest Mother:

Have here before me your most welcome letters of Dec 14, 30 and January 9, so you have an idea the way the mail had been arriving here recently.  Altho the other day we really had an abundance of mail for the month of December.  So far all that has arrived here recently has been Air and a couple V-Mail.

Yes I can well imagine the trouble which Jay is giving you now and of all the trouble in the future.  I very promptly answered him for the candied fruit and have sent him one of my recent pictures.

In Muriel’s letter which I received today she mentions George Ohashi as being in Los Angeles on business.  I was very much surprised to hear that.

I am certainly beginning to wonder just where the increased allotment has gone to for three months.  I am going to have to investigate a little.

You should never worry about the expense etc which I may go on gifts etc, as I enjoy doing it and I never go out my way to get things.  As a rule things are quite high and of no value so I choose to not bother.  I am in hopes of going to Brussels soon and you may get something from there.

In regards to your lace doilies mentioned in your letter of Dec 27.  They as well as the wooden shoes and little vases were all purchased in Bastogne, the little Belgian city so recently in the news.  The little soap shoes are some of my work, done in spare time.

I surely hope your glasses do you some good as evidently you are in need of something and I hope they are the answer to your problem.

Grace Safford, Jan 1945

All of your gifts sound very nice.

The lace handkerchief is not quite as nice as it could be.  The lace is just very poorly sewn on and would stand no wear at all.

Nelson owes me a letter as I wrote him last.  I am quite behind in all my mail as quite a bit of old mail has arrived recently.

I received your letter of Jan 1 with the 2 pictures and the 4 air mail stamps.  I really like the picture of you and appreciate your sending it.  I think the picture of Muriel and her friends is nice and Howard Kiel is a very nice looking fellow and I am looking forward to hearing from him.

In regards to the celebration you mentioned. We had a small one and that was about all.  I will tell you more later when my other news runs out.

We have done a little more moving here again and I am in a small room again which I enjoy very much as I have the privacy to write and have a restful mind.  We had to move after New Years and now again makes it two times so far this year in the same building.

I am now up to your letter of Jan 8 and will answer that one.

You have no reason to feel ashamed of not writing as I am quite tardy also with mine.

You have not yet acknowledged the receipt of my last two money orders.  I hope you have gotten them.

In answer to your question about me receiving all of your packages.  I have received all five of them and found them all in good order.  I have certainly enjoyed all of your nice long letters this season and enjoy going back over them before writing you today.

Christmas 1944: Earl Fickle, Muriel Safford, Carl Davis, Howard Kiel

Your mention of meeting people with war brings to my mind the thought that there are quite a few I would never have missed.  And there are a few of them I certainly will not miss if we were to part tomorrow.

Mrs. Miner mentioned Donald as being in bed but did not mention the cause.

One of the boys here knows just where the Lyons lodge is.  He says it is beautiful there.  His home is not far from Cour de Lain[1], Idaho.

No we do not have a chaplain and I feel as tho we are getting along without one.  I have seen some awful examples of chaplains over here.  Yes, we have the Engineers here.  They build all the bridges and other construction jobs.  Some of the 4^th Auxiliary boys were flown into Bastogne.  They received the Bronze Star.  One of the Majors of theirs is the brother of one of my Service School friends from Boston. He had a third III on the end of his name etc.  quite surprised to hear of his brother over here flying around.

I heard from Barbara Olmstead moving back East, didn’t help her much.

Well about all for now and more at a later time.

As always, all my love

Your son

Stanley

From the transcriber:

CODE: BOMBED(?)

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[1] Coeur d'Alene

January 31, 1945 - Holland

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

 

Holland

January 31, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Received your Air Mail letter from 1 Jan. today and also a nice letter from Aunt Nina.  The day before yesterday received one from Mrs. Miner and received a couple from Muriel.  Have had better luck so far with Air Mail and received a couple Vs.  Received your letter of the 13 of Jan. on the 25^th, which is not to(o) bad.  Had intended on writing a long letter today but failed to do so and will start on another tomorrow.  Received the Air Mail stamps along with the picture of you and the one of Muriel is not bad but the boys do not interest me too much.  Mailed off my photographs today.

Love,

Stanley

10 January 1945 - Holland

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Holland

10 January 1945

Dearest Mother:

After a few days of running around all over the country and seeing all of the shows within a radius of several miles I will sit down and write you a few lines.

Sgt Ryan returned from the provinces, as we call them, with a mental breakdown and very much in need of a rest so we decided to see a lot of the sights.

First of all I want to tell you of a very nice picture we saw in our travels entitled “Rhapsody in Blue”[1], the life of George Gershwin.  They held the world premiere here and it was attended by full houses at all showings and the audience really enjoyed the picture.  A general attended the night I went. We have seen quite a few other shows and find that most of them are about the same old type.

A couple days ago I received a full handful of mail, the first in some time and will now have to answer all of them.  Received also a box from the Matsons and Miss Mosher, each including film.  Miss Mosher also sent a book and stationary and a very nice Christmas card.  The Matsons box also included some “Yardley’s English Lavender” soap.

Received a card and note from Cousin Gertrude telling me of her going to Florida again.  One from Joe, Aunt Dell, Muriel and Whitney.

Yes I remember when Ruth Wilde[2] was at our house on their return from Arizona.  Have they sold their sand business?

I found your Christmas card a very beautiful and entirely different one and I really think it very nice.

Yes it will be quite funny to see you in glasses but if you need them that is all there is to it.  Joe has mentioned this doctor several times.

Your day at the races certainly sounded quite interesting.  We shall have to go upon our return home.

Your telling of the delivery boy playing the piano sounds quite interesting.  A person would really be surprised at the number of boys who can play something of that type.  I am going to take something up on my return.

I really appreciate your Birthday message in your letter of December 5 and hope I can live up to it.

I am looking forward to seeing the points of the pictures and you perhaps will like some of them also.  You have prints made of the ones you wish at my expense.

The weather here has been quite cold with snow and ice.  They are skiing nearby and ice skates are being used quite a bit.

You may have some pictures (Studio) of me coming up soon if they turn out well.

Louise Ingles mentioned Bernard entering regular grade school.  News to me.

About all for now and I will write again soon.  Enclosed find a clipping and some more stamps.

All my Love,

Stanley

CODE: LIMBERG (=Limburg)

 

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[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhapsody_in_Blue_%28film%29

[2] Ruth Wilde was Stanley’s cousin. Their common ancestor was Isabella Griswold who married 3 times.  Ruth is also Clarences sister.  They were born to George Henry Wilde, grandson of Charles H Wilde who was the 2nd husband of Isabella, while Stanley was issued from her first marriage to James Hartwell through their daughter Cora. Isabella later married William Henry Matthews who survived her and with whom she had 2 sons: Ralph and Elmer Matthews.

December 24, 1944 - Holland

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

Holland

December 24, 1944

Dearest Mother, Dad and Muriel,

Received your V-Mail of December 2, the day before yesterday and was quite please to hear from you again since it had been about then days ago since I had last heard from you.  They are using what transportation they have left for packages and the 1^st class will come later since all transportation is being used elsewhere.

I was quite pleased to hear of you enjoying your anniversary at the races and I am anxious to hear from you regarding your day.

My arm is well healed now and once again I will have to resume my writing and catch upon my mail.  I will be far behind again.  The hospital had a couple very beautiful Christmas trees and quite a few other nice decorations which added a nice touch to things.  The headquarters here has a very pretty tree and all are engaged in a Christmas spirit and I was until this afternoon.

I had a box which I had put the popcorn and the chocolate, dried fruit in the blue cellophane wrapper and the salt in for safe keeping. So last night I put it under my bed after arriving here and this afternoon I discovered it gone.  Some dirty sticky fingered individual here seems to have wanted it more than I.  It certainly burns me up to think that above all else we put up with here that we have to live and put up with this type of person.  A person of this type does not deserve to exist over here in my opinion.  Enough of this before I become angry.

I opened this evening the little package with the billfold and I really like it and think it very attractive and nice and sincerely want to thank you for such a nice gift.  I think Muriel’s Yardley shaving cream is also such a nice gift.  I want also to thank you for the money other nice and useful gift which you have sent me this season and they have all made me very happy. I only wish there was more I could do for you.  I certainly hope you are all going to have a nice day tomorrow and the many that follow it.  You all deserve them.

We have again been transferred and are now going to a larger hospital for a while.  I do not as yet know how that will work out but expect a good experience.

This is about all for now as the news is very scarce here and not too much we can write about.

I close sincerely hoping you are all in good health and that you are having a Joyous Christmas.

I send you all my Love,

Stanley