Saturday · Feb. 20, 1943
A front seat for the broadcast.
Kasserine week: four nights of two hours’ sleep.
Feb 20, 1943
My Darling Wife
They tell me this is the 20th. If so I owe you an apology because I haven’t written—or maybe I don’t owe you one.
As I told you before I am S-2 and acting S-3. Today the Colonel told me he was going to request that I be made S-3, and receive my Captaincy—The Regimental Commander has to approve and since Col Fechet is from Calif maybe it will go through. However, out here in the field it takes a long time for appointments to go through. If it does go thru it means that you will be receiving $300 per mth in allotments (approx). What would you do with so much money? You had better figure on saving quite a lot to pay income tax & 5% defense tax. I understand we do not pay it until end of war.
Needless to say, I haven’t written only because there were not that many minutes. The S-3 of the Bn. obtains all necessary information to enable the Bn C.O. to give his attack order. As many times happens the C.O. goes over plans for operation of Bn with S-3, makes decisions on policy, and S-3 gives the order & supervises generally the carrying out of the order. For instance in case of a movement, the S-3 automatically makes all arrangements, issues the order to the company commanders and supervises the carrying out of the operation. When a Bn moves forward the S-3 also has to make a reconnaissance in order to advise the Bn C.O. as to what tactics to use. It’s tiring and not too certain.
You have undoubtedly heard the …
… news of a set back in Tunisia. We had a front seat for the broadcast.
It has been very cold this past week raining, & hailing. It is no fun to sit in ice cold wet clothes for 24 hours—but then there is really no choice in the matter. For 4 nights in a row I have been able to get only about 2 hrs sleep—now you know why I haven’t written. It is 9 P.M. now and I’m going to get some sleep and try to get a sponge bath tomorrow. I’m really filthy.
How did I get such a lovely wife. I’m looking at your picture and snapshots and it doesn’t seem possible that I can have such a lovely young woman for my wife—and such a pretty little doll for a daughter. I’m one proud poppa looking forward to seeing my loved ones …
… soon. Things are happening all over the world and I hope they are going to result in my getting home soon. If I could only hold you in my arms once more and tell you how much I really love you. I’m hoping I’ll be able to say the things I feel and think when I do get home—but I think you’ve always known just how I felt even when I said nothing—
Well—time for bed. Goodnight.
All my love
Your John
P.S. I ran into Freddie on three different days this week. He told me about his baby and gave me hell—for writing so often. It’s getting him in dutch. He has a fairly safe job as motor officer—so that should comfort the new mother
About this letter
Four pages, written the day German tanks broke through Kasserine Pass. He carried it in his pocket for days before it could be mailed (Feb. 26 letter).
“A SET BACK IN TUNISIA”The Kasserine battles of Feb. 14 to 22. “We had a front seat for the broadcast” is as much as the censor would allow.
A POSSIBLE MISSING PAGEPage 1 ends with taxes and page 2 opens “Needless to say, I haven’t written.” A page may be missing between them.
READING CLOSELY
“I think you’ve always known just how I felt even when I said nothing.” Written at 9 P.M. after four nights with about two hours’ sleep each.
“Col Fechet”: Col. d’Alary Fechet, the regimental commander (spelled “Fosha” in the Feb. 14 letter).
The “5% defense tax” is the Victory Tax.
Freddie’s baby: Lucille’s, the arrival John asked about on Feb. 6.
This scan appears to be made from a photocopy; the last page was written upside down on the back.
The Big Picture
Kasserine Pass
On Feb. 14 German tanks struck American troops at Sidi Bou Zid in central Tunisia. In four days the Americans lost more than 100 tanks and fell back to the west.
On Feb. 19 Rommel’s forces attacked through Kasserine Pass, a gap in the mountains. Short of fuel and ammunition, they were stopped, and on Feb. 22 Rommel ordered a retreat.
It was the first major battle between American and Axis forces in Africa. About 300 Americans were killed, 3,000 wounded and 3,000 captured.
Where he was
Central Tunisia, near Kasserine Pass. He later wrote that his battalion rejoined the regiment near Tebessa, and that the 16th counterattacked after the German breakthrough at Kasserine.
In this letter. That day German tanks broke through Kasserine Pass, the worst American defeat of the campaign. His “front seat for the broadcast” is as close as the censor allowed him to say.