Letter from Jerome Epstein, Jr. to Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Epstein and Mr. Louis Green, dated August 15th, 1944
Item
Identifier
C0262B001F003L008
Title
Letter from Jerome Epstein, Jr. to Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Epstein and Mr. Louis Green, dated August 15th, 1944 See all items with this value
Creator
Epstein, Jerome, Jr. See all items with this value
Description
Letter written by Jerome Epstein, Jr. while undergoing training at Camp Polk, LA discussing war news and movies. See all items with this value
Date
8/15/1944 See all items with this value
Extent
4 pages
Coverage
World War, 1939-1945
Subject
Military See all items with this value
Motion Pictures See all items with this value
Source
Jerome Epstein Papers #C0262, Box 1 Folder 3 See all items with this value
Publisher
George Mason University Libraries
Rights
Copyright not held by George Mason University Libraries. Restricted to personal, non-commercial use only. For permission to publish, contact Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.
Transcription
C0262B001F003L008
Image 1:
August 15, 1944
Dear Mother, Dad, and Grandpa,
I just finished lunch here at the Service Club and now I’m sitting upstairs here writing this letter.
The news of the invasion of Sothern France was certainly thrilling, wasn’t it? All I know so far is that the invasion has been made and I heard on the radio in the barracks this morning. I did hear another news report a little later but it was the same thing. On days like today, especially, I wish I had a radio more than ever. I think I will go over to the Guest House in a little while and listen to the radio there. I see someone here reading the morning paper from Shreveport and it doesn’t say a thing about the new invasion. It looks as though they are succeeding in trapping the Germans in Northern France. The headlines on the paper I see are screaming about that. That in itself is thrilling enough. It looks like it will be a major
Image 2:
victory. Events are really popping thick and fast now. Wait til the Russians get going again!
I was able to hear Kaltenborn last night and he said that he remarked a few days ago that they were not driving towards Paris, but instead were aiming to trap the German 3rd Army. He also said that they would not advance any farther in Italy for the rest of the war because of the mountain barriers. He did predict this invasion of Southern France.
The Lake Charles paper comes in around 3 o’lock o’clock here at the Service Club, and I am anxious to get a copy.
It will be difficult to get used to living in the [undecipherable] field again after leading such a leisurely life this week. It must be wonderful in the M.P’s, for their life is always like this.
How I wish the war would come to an end quickly. It can’t be too soon for me or for anyone else for that matter. How can the Germans hold out under all this pressure?
I washed out a [undecipherable] suit of torn fatigues this morning and I’m going to turn the pants in for salvage and get a new pair. I tried sewing them up, but it doesn’t look good.
Image 3:
(3) Aug. 15, 1944
and won’t hold anyway. As soon as anything wears out you can turn it in and get it replaced. A lot of fellows take advantage of this, and if their equipment had the slightest flaw they make it much worse in order to get something new. Confidentially, I slashed my pants a little bit more myself, although they were very bad anyway.
I hunted for my barracks bag last night for a long while and finally as I was getting to the end of the pile I found it. I got everything I wanted—fatigues, towels, civilian shoes, socks, handkerchiefs, underwear, etc.
I will probably go to a show tonight. It is a double feature and sounds terrible, but I want to get out and have something to do. “U-Boat Prisoner” and “Sing, Neighbor, Sing.” They sound terrible, don’t they.
It was grand talking to you this morning, Mother. It’s hard to realize we are a thousand miles apart – the connections are so good.
It’s strange that there isn’t a radio here at the Service Club.
Image 4:
I saw the Conrads here Sunday. He said they are going on maneuvers too, so I guess they aren’t going overseas as soon as he had expected. The last time I talked to him he was very definite about their going over.
I received a box of candy (Chuckles, a sort of glorified gum drop) from the Daniels yesterday. It was very thoughtful. They are always showering me with something. Also a carton of “Lucky Strikes” from Harry and [undecipherable] Leonore. Was I surprised!!!!
I haven’t received the Dayton paper for several days, but I’ll probably get a bunch at one time. There may be some in the field for me. The company mail clerks give our mail to the battalion mail clerk and he brings it in to us. But I don’t think he is getting everything. I told him to check on the papers today. I have been getting all the letters and packages, however.
There isn’t much else to write. I’m anxious to hear some war news. I’ll write more tomorrow.
The holidays are very early this year, aren’t they?
Well, that’s about all for now. Love to all of you.
Lovingly,
Jerome, Jr.
P.S. Have you read Stanley’s article yet? If so, what do you think of it?
All my envelopes are sticking together today from the heat. I’m having a time trying of to find a good one.
Image 1:
August 15, 1944
Dear Mother, Dad, and Grandpa,
I just finished lunch here at the Service Club and now I’m sitting upstairs here writing this letter.
The news of the invasion of Sothern France was certainly thrilling, wasn’t it? All I know so far is that the invasion has been made and I heard on the radio in the barracks this morning. I did hear another news report a little later but it was the same thing. On days like today, especially, I wish I had a radio more than ever. I think I will go over to the Guest House in a little while and listen to the radio there. I see someone here reading the morning paper from Shreveport and it doesn’t say a thing about the new invasion. It looks as though they are succeeding in trapping the Germans in Northern France. The headlines on the paper I see are screaming about that. That in itself is thrilling enough. It looks like it will be a major
Image 2:
victory. Events are really popping thick and fast now. Wait til the Russians get going again!
I was able to hear Kaltenborn last night and he said that he remarked a few days ago that they were not driving towards Paris, but instead were aiming to trap the German 3rd Army. He also said that they would not advance any farther in Italy for the rest of the war because of the mountain barriers. He did predict this invasion of Southern France.
The Lake Charles paper comes in around 3 o’lock o’clock here at the Service Club, and I am anxious to get a copy.
It will be difficult to get used to living in the [undecipherable] field again after leading such a leisurely life this week. It must be wonderful in the M.P’s, for their life is always like this.
How I wish the war would come to an end quickly. It can’t be too soon for me or for anyone else for that matter. How can the Germans hold out under all this pressure?
I washed out a [undecipherable] suit of torn fatigues this morning and I’m going to turn the pants in for salvage and get a new pair. I tried sewing them up, but it doesn’t look good.
Image 3:
(3) Aug. 15, 1944
and won’t hold anyway. As soon as anything wears out you can turn it in and get it replaced. A lot of fellows take advantage of this, and if their equipment had the slightest flaw they make it much worse in order to get something new. Confidentially, I slashed my pants a little bit more myself, although they were very bad anyway.
I hunted for my barracks bag last night for a long while and finally as I was getting to the end of the pile I found it. I got everything I wanted—fatigues, towels, civilian shoes, socks, handkerchiefs, underwear, etc.
I will probably go to a show tonight. It is a double feature and sounds terrible, but I want to get out and have something to do. “U-Boat Prisoner” and “Sing, Neighbor, Sing.” They sound terrible, don’t they.
It was grand talking to you this morning, Mother. It’s hard to realize we are a thousand miles apart – the connections are so good.
It’s strange that there isn’t a radio here at the Service Club.
Image 4:
I saw the Conrads here Sunday. He said they are going on maneuvers too, so I guess they aren’t going overseas as soon as he had expected. The last time I talked to him he was very definite about their going over.
I received a box of candy (Chuckles, a sort of glorified gum drop) from the Daniels yesterday. It was very thoughtful. They are always showering me with something. Also a carton of “Lucky Strikes” from Harry and [undecipherable] Leonore. Was I surprised!!!!
I haven’t received the Dayton paper for several days, but I’ll probably get a bunch at one time. There may be some in the field for me. The company mail clerks give our mail to the battalion mail clerk and he brings it in to us. But I don’t think he is getting everything. I told him to check on the papers today. I have been getting all the letters and packages, however.
There isn’t much else to write. I’m anxious to hear some war news. I’ll write more tomorrow.
The holidays are very early this year, aren’t they?
Well, that’s about all for now. Love to all of you.
Lovingly,
Jerome, Jr.
P.S. Have you read Stanley’s article yet? If so, what do you think of it?
All my envelopes are sticking together today from the heat. I’m having a time trying of to find a good one.
