Tuesday · Nov. 24, 1942
A house of your own.
The first mail from home, seven weeks late.
Nov 24, 1942
Dearest Ginny
The first of the mail came in today & I received your letter of Oct 5th—mailed Oct-6th! I also received a V-Mail from Ren Lawson a letter from Grandmother and five cards from Jr. Chamber members. It sure felt good to hear from home.
Your letter was the one telling me of your renting the place at [street address left out] I think I have a pretty good picture of the place in my mind. I wish I could …
… be there to help you move in.
I can imagine just what you were up against with Linda & the folks. They used to interfere too much when I was there and I can imagine they took more liberties now that I’m away. I can say what you couldn’t.
A house of your own should keep you busy and occupied so that time won’t drag too much for you. The house should also keep you busy getting the knick-knacks you want around.
You asked me not to be angry with you for your decision. Don’t worry. I’m not and I think you have …
… undoubtedly done the best thing under the circumstances. We want our daughter raised as we think she should be—and I know you and I see eye to eye—on what we expect—neither of us wants a spoiled brat and she would get a good start in that direction if she got away with things at mother’s. She’ll get away with plenty with you—and would with me—but that doesn’t mean that she has to be driven into being a brat.
It looks like tomorrow is going to be moving day—we are probably going to some …
… beautiful Spanish hacienda where the people all speak Spanish—If so muy bien. I’ll be able to get along pretty good after a little refreshing.
Nothing of interest—other than receipt of mail has happened today—except that we were able to send telegrams home—saying “Safe and well in North Africa” I sent one to you and one to grandmother. You should have received it, long before you receive this.
Ren Lawson wrote that he was still trying to get in the navy. Grandmother told of [Sarah’s?] marriage, and the fellows from Jr. C of C mostly …
… wrote postcards saying hello.
I wish I could be with you in our new home honey and I surely hope I can be by “next summer”. I miss you ever so much and love you more than I can write.
Goodnight sweetheart
All my love
Your
John
About this letter
Two weeks after the landings in North Africa, the first mail finally arrives. Ginny’s letter, mailed October 6, took seven weeks to reach him.
A PLACE OF HER OWNThis is the same address written on the forwarded envelope in the British Isles letter. Ginny rented it and moved there with Linda.
THE TELEGRAMThat day the men were allowed to wire home “Safe and well in North Africa.” John sent one to Ginny and one to his grandmother.
READING CLOSELY
“We want our daughter raised as we think she should be.” Linda was two. Ginny had been living with John’s parents, and he backed her decision to move out.
“Jr. Chamber” and “Jr. C of C” are the Junior Chamber of Commerce (the Jaycees).
“If so muy bien” is his Spanish for “if so, very good.” Many Spanish speakers lived around Oran, Algeria.
The Big Picture
Torch lands
On Nov. 8, 1942, Operation Torch landed about 107,000 American and British troops in Morocco and Algeria. These French colonies answered to the Vichy government, which had made peace with Germany. Some French troops fought back hard.
The fighting stopped on Nov. 10 and 11. On Nov. 22 the French commander, Admiral François Darlan, signed a deal with the Americans, and French forces in North Africa joined the Allies.
Next came a race for Tunisia. Germany began flying in troops on Nov. 11. British and American forces raced east to take Tunis first.
Where he was
In camp outside Oran, Algeria. On Nov. 8 his 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry landed east of the city near Arzew. On the night of Nov. 9 it slipped past French troops at Arcole and reached the edge of Oran, which surrendered Nov. 10.
In this letter. The telegrams home could say only “Safe and well in North Africa.” Ginny’s letter of Oct. 6 had been mailed before anyone at home knew where he was going.