Thursday · Jan. 14, 1943
Figure them out.
“They all make sense unless I’m going crazy.”
Jan 14, 1943
My Darling Wife
Your letters of Nov 9. and Nov 21st came in today—good service, eh what. But I ought to spank you—you admitted in both that you hadn’t written to me in several days. I hope that isn’t the reason I haven’t received any of the late mail which has come in during the past few days.
The air-mail stamps you sent back in November came in O.K. You had better start sending some more because I am getting low—and it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to get anymore for awhile at least.
I was interested to hear of Linda’s new teeth, but not of how cross she was. They all have those spells I guess, I hope she doesn’t get in habit of calling you “Ginny”. For some reason or other that doesn’t seem very appropriate.
We have been busy all day today, and tonight I am a witness at a special court trial. Everyone is writing so I figured I had better get my daily letter written: Now they are interrupting us for dinner—back later
We had P-nut Butter & Jelly for supper—so the rest doesn’t count. My tent is quite cozy. I’m in with another officer and by joining the two tents together we get one which we can close at both ends.
Mail is on the way in tonight—more packages—maybe a few letters. I hope I’ll get some recent letters from you in this bunch.
Some of my letters may seem crazy, but figure them out. They all make sense unless I’m going crazy.
Right now I’m going to have to close this letter as court is about to begin. I love you honey but I haven’t so much time tonight to tell you so. I wish I could put my arms around you now and hold you tight.
Goodnight, sweetheart
All my love
Your
John
About this letter
Written in a hurry between supper (peanut butter and jelly) and a court-martial where he was a witness.
SPECIAL COURTA special court-martial was the Army’s mid-level trial for lesser offenses.
HOME NEWSLinda, two years and four months old, had new teeth and a temper.
READING CLOSELY
“Some of my letters may seem crazy, but figure them out.” He was telling Ginny to read his hints, not just his words.
Her letters of Nov. 9 and 21 took about two months to reach him.
Pup tents came in halves. Joining two made one that closed at both ends.
The Big Picture
A secret meeting
On Jan. 14, President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill met in secret at Casablanca, in French Morocco. Soviet leader Joseph Stalin did not come. He said the battle at Stalingrad kept him in Moscow.
For ten days they planned the next stage of the war. Their biggest decision: after North Africa, the Allies would invade Sicily, the island at the toe of Italy’s boot. A landing in France would have to wait.
They also agreed to step up the bombing of Germany.
Where he was
Near Oran, Algeria, now on the 3rd Battalion staff as intelligence officer (S-2). The 1st Division was still training around Oran while British, American and French troops held a line in the hills west of Tunis, more than 500 miles to the east.
In this letter. As he wrote, Roosevelt and Churchill were arriving in Casablanca, about 400 miles west. Nobody in the Army knew.