March 4, 1945 - Germany

Sgt. Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

APO 339

c/o Post Master

New York  New York

5

Germany

March 4, 1945

Dearest Mother:

Received today V-Mail of February 12 and received three days ago your Air Mail of Feb 15 which enclosed your clippings of Gov. Dewey’s speech, which I have not read as yet for lack of time.

Your mention of the many Spring flowers in bloom makes me homesick, but I enjoy hearing of them,  Out here in the deserted garden the other day I found a small clump of Spring snowdrops among some primroses of the English type which have survived the Winter somehow, so you know me, I picked a few crystal glass on our dressing table and in front of the minor they make a pleasing picture and add a bit of color which I miss so much over here

Have just finished reading two very good stories, one entitled “The Larrish Hundred”[1] by A R Beverly Giddings and the other entitled “Four Years in Paradise”[2] by Osa Johnson.  I have enjoyed reading, for it has been some time since I had read any.  I will read the articles next and let you know what my opinion on them is.

You are perhaps right about the photo.   I did look bad and was tired.  That was shortly after our return to Headquarters.  Enclosed you will find a picture of our street at Dodd Field.  Our office was the second tent on the left.  The other side of Bulletin board.

Received also a V-Mail from Nelson in Hawaiian Islands.  Also a note from Miss Brode.

Very glad to hear of you getting rain after so long a dry spell.

I was never able to get a package off to Muriel, but will try again some day.

I hope Dad is able to get rid of his trouble without an operation.  Quite a life if a person doesn’t weaken.

I will try and have a few more pictures taken soon.  Would you or do you like pictures of the destruction etc.  Usually my camera is not handy when the chances are for a good picture as I hate to carry the box around.  If you get the chance I want you to pick up a case for me and send it on.

Soon I am going to have a box ready of my civilian shoes, short dress sox, Anatomy book, etc.  I am getting tired of carrying these things around and am going to send them home as I have worn them only once in Paris.  They are too nice to throw away.

Well about all for now and I will write again in a few days.

I have forgotten this number again.

All my Love,

Your son,

Stanley

Please excuse the writing as I have been writing on my knees

Dodd Field, Fort Sam Houston, 1944

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[1] Larrish Hundred by A R Beverley-Giddings http://pics.librarything.com/picsizes/d1/99/d19989a20b858275932694553414141414c3441.jpg

[2] http://www.nickharvilllibraries.com/2010/06/four-years-in-paradise.html

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