Wednesday · March 10, 1943
So obviously liars.
Listening to the radio in bed: the BBC, Berlin, and “Frankie.”
March 10, 1943
My Darling Wife
Another grueling day is over and I’m in bed listening to the radio. It is right beside my bed. The news just came in—not much doing except that the Germans are counterattacking at Kharkov. Last night B.B.C. put on a dance band which is a copy of our four best dance bands. It sure sounded swell. Later Berlin came on with some more. F.D.R. is referred to as “Frankie” and every night they repeat his Boston campaign pledge which was something like “You mothers of America can be assured your sons will never be sacrificed on foreign soil.” Then they tell us about how bad conditions are supposed to be at home—profiteering—shortage of food. In a way it’s funny to listen to them because they are so obviously liars.
Mail came in today—but not much—I got one copy of the newspaper. More mail is coming so I hope to connect. I’m anxious for a little late news.
I wrote to Karl & Margie yesterday and told them they were taking advantage of us. At any rate we can make up for lost time when I get home—if I’m not an old man—and no good. I don’t know whether we will ever do anywhere as good the next time. We couldn’t have anything better than our little Princess.
We should get paid tomorrow—if so I’ll probably be sending a money order home soon. I heard today that incorrect forms were used to put in for my promotion—so it had to start over again.
Sweetheart, I miss you and the princess terribly—I hope and pray you’re both well. Take good care of yourselves and write to me just as often as you can. I love you bushels & send you all my love that you don’t already have
Your John
About this letter
A V-mail, written in bed after “another grueling day.”
THE V-MAILOne V-mail form in ink. His serial number at the top is blurred.
“FRANKIE”Berlin radio’s name for Roosevelt. The pledge they repeated is from his 1940 campaign: “Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.”
READING CLOSELY
“We couldn’t have anything better than our little Princess.” “I heard today that incorrect forms were used to put in for my promotion—so it had to start over again.”
The Third Battle of Kharkov: the Germans had counterattacked in February and retook the city on March 15.
Karl and Margie were expecting a baby (Feb. 8 letter).
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, as II Corps under Patton prepared to attack toward Gafsa.
In this letter. The Kharkov news was real: German forces had counterattacked in February and retook the city on March 15.