Monday · March 8, 1943
Poor me—I only got one.
Mail call in the rest area, and Berlin’s dance music.
March 8, 1943
My Darling Wife
A big bunch of mail came in last night, the officer next to me got 15—including six from his wife. Poor me—I only got one—mailed in Jan 15. I also got a letter from mother dated Feb 14 in which she thanked me for the perfume. I suppose you got the perfume and gave her some. I hope it arrived OK. The censor opened some—and the rest evaporated from some of the packages sent home by the other officers. I received a letter from Bert Rolfe and several copies of the Newspress.
We just listened to the B.B.C. newsbroadcast and a musical program. It surely sounded good to hear music. However Berlin in its half hour program puts on some swell American dance music which we like best. Their propaganda is no longer subtle and their lies are very obvious.
They keep me awfully busy—in fact busier than anyone else. However it looks like my promotion is going through and maybe it will be worth it. The promotion has passed division and is now at higher headquarters for final action.
It is raining again tonight but it is nice and cozy here inside the tent. It is a little warmer than heretofore so we are a little more comfortable.
I’m hoping that tomorrow will bring the letters I didn’t get. Oh I miss you honey and I sure hope to get some mail from you. The mail man must have it in for us.
Goodnight honey. I love you just as much even if I haven’t got as much room to write it in. Give “Daddy’s Princess” a kiss for me.—and keep a million for yourself
All my love
Your John
About this letter
A V-mail from the rest area behind the lines, four days after the battalion came off the line.
THE V-MAILOne V-mail form in ink. His serial number at the top is blurred.
BERLIN RADIOGerman radio played American dance music to draw Allied listeners, then added propaganda. He found it no longer subtle.
READING CLOSELY
“Goodnight honey. I love you just as much even if I haven’t got as much room to write it in.” On a V-mail form, with room for only one page.
The perfume is the Coty he bought in North Africa in November 1942.
Bert Rolfe also appears in the Dec. 28, 1942 letter.
A second scan of this V-mail (IMG_20261108_0007.pdf) in the folder is an identical duplicate.
The Big Picture
Patton takes over
On March 6, Lt. Gen. George S. Patton took command of II Corps, the American force in Tunisia that included the 1st Division. He cracked down at once. Officers had to wear neckties, and soldiers had to keep their steel helmets on. Breaking the rules cost a $25 fine, half a month’s pay for a private.
The same day, Rommel attacked the British at Medenine and was beaten back. On March 9 he left Africa for good.
Where he was
In a rest area behind the lines in central Tunisia, preparing for the next attack. On March 6 Lt. Gen. George S. Patton took command of II Corps, which included the 1st Division.
In this letter. The BBC and Berlin were the two stations he could hear. German radio played American dance music to keep Allied soldiers listening.