ww2letterproject

“Gee Mom I’ve sure seen some beautiful moonlight nights since I’ve been here. The kinds of nights I used to spend with Ardis. Building dreams. Now I’m still dreaming about the day I’ll be back.”
–March 16, 1944

Bill begins the month in Algeria, North Africa. On March 24-25 the 337th departs camp by truck convoy and arrives in Oran, Algeria where they board the USS Florence Nightingale and USS Lyons.

They land in Naples, Italy on March 27th. Next they move by foot and truck to a staging area at Bagnoli, Italy, a seaside area near Naples.

Abe is in Ft. Meade, Maryland. His unit will move to Camp Miles Standish as they prepare to depart for the ETO.

Ardis begins writing to Anna.

As the youngest of the Banis girls, Annie barely knew her older brother Bill. She was three years old when he left in 1939 to serve in the Civil Conservation Corp (CCC) and seven years old when he left for basic training in December of 1942. During that time Bill was home only for brief stays on several occasions.

One of Annie Banis Blackmore’s fondest memories is from age six. She accompanied her older sister Fanny (age 11) as they set out on a great adventure. Fanny and Annie walked to the bus station in Eaton and boarded a bus bound for Dayton. They traveled the 20 miles to Dayton to visit with their older sisters Eva, May and Ruth (the Girls). The Girls lived in a boarding house on West Third Street, located above a flower shop. “The Girls were so kind to Fanny and me.” The Girls’ rooms were filled with the scent of flowers. “I loved that smell.”

Annie spent many hot, humid summer days playing with her sister and brothers (Fanny, Sam and Victor) in the fields surrounding the Burnt House. Near the house there was a spring-fed creek. “We had a spring house where the cool spring water flowed through troughs where we kept our milk in large glass jars and our butter in large tins. The spring water flowed into a small catch basin.

One day I left the house to fetch water. When I arrived at the basin, I found it occupied by a snake.” After that day, she always approached the basin with caution.

Annie was a loner with a vivid imagination, on some of those warm, summer days she would leave her upstairs bedroom and wander alone into the nearby pastures where the cows grazed and rested. She would find a comfortable place and lie on the grass watching white clouds scudding across a blue summer sky. On some of those trips, “There was a cow that would lie calm and content as I approached her and I would drop to the ground and prop myself on her side.” As Annie stared towards the sky, the summer sun, the smells of the field, the buzz of the insects would take their effect, and Annie would drop off to sleep. Her protective cow would remain calm and still until she awoke.

The family tended their large garden on all but rainy days. Annie, Fanny, Sam and Victor shared in the frequent watering and weeding. In the late summer or early fall, the feed corn was harvested. The locals would gather in a nearby field, and a meal was served to the men who harvested. The tables were constructed of planks and saw horses. The men sat on benches and in some cases kitchen chairs. Anna and other local women cooked and served while Annie and other children helped by serving food and drink.

As Annie recalls, “I loved my life as a kid.”

 

 

March 3, 1944

Dear Mom

Just received a letter from you & Abe both tonight and gee I sure enjoyed hearing from you. Boy it was sure swell to hear from Abe to again. He and I manage to get a couple of letters a year to each other. Seems like he enjoys it where he’s at. I hope he stays there instead of getting shipped over here. Say sounds like you’re having real winter there these days. Tell Mr Quinn I said hello when he drops in. Wish I was there to help butcher. Don’t hear from the girls very often but I guess they are pretty busy to. I guess Ruth is up to her neck in work to isn’t she. Its been quite a while since I heard from her.

Gee it sure would be swell if Abe and I could get to see each other over here. But, still this is a big place. How do you like the v mail mom. It’s quite fast but you can[‘t] say much on one of these sheets. I’ll continue tho on another page. How is Sam these days. Whats the kids doing in school. Tell them all I said hello. I’ll have to write Fan if I ever get time. I just came off guard a while ago. So I’m writing by candle light. Continue on next letter

Love Bill.

Dear mom

As I said I’ll continue on this sheet. Shucks I’m sure sorry to hear that Polly is sick. Is Elwood in the army. Say hows Dad getting along these days. Sure hope he’s well. By the way mom ship a piece of that chocolate pie in the oven and I’ll eat it when I come in this evening. What did Ardis have to say. She’s liable to get tired of waiting on the altar. I hope not. I’m sure glad to hear the kids are well. Mom Ruth is trying to get me a camera. But go ahead and send the razor blades, candles and stationary. You should have seen me last night mom. I went fishing with a couple other guys. Only got 7 though sure did get wet. Well it looks like you won’t have to buy milk for quite a while. How many calves have you got now mom. Oh yes on my address you could leave the D off the APO#85 don’t forget that. Well give my bet regards to Grandpa and everyone and tell the kids and Dad I send my love as usual. Tell Ruthie when you see her I’ll write soon.

Lots of Love

Bill

March 16, 1944

Dear Mother

Just a line old Dear to let you know I’m able to gripe in the usual way.

So you can see I’m well & happy. Haven’t a thing in the world to complain about but I’d give anything for some good old home made doughnuts and coffee. Would they go good. Gee it’s hot here this morning. Still I’d lots rather be here then where it’s cold.

I was just reading Fans letters over a little while ago and I sure enjoy them. I’ve gotten several of them from her and I doubt if I’ve ever written her but one or two. She can sure write some interesting letters. And tell her for me mom that I like the verses of philosophy she puts in her letters. I’ve been saving all of them. I got a feeling I am going to have to burn all my letters soon though. It must be getting close to chow time cause I’m sure hungry. Well I’ve been three days getting this much written so I guess I better finish. Don’t tell anyone Mom but I think we’re having chicken tomorrow noon. Boy our chow is sure improving, in fact it’s good. Wells how tricks at home these days. I sure hope everyone is well. I just received a v mail letter from Eve this evening and if I have time I’ll try to answer it. The sun has gone down and it’s starting to get chilly. There’s a good show on somewhere tonight so I think I’ll go. Gee Mom I’ve sure seen some beautiful moonlight nights since I’ve been here. The kinds of nights I used to spend with Ardis. Building dreams. Now I’m still dreaming about the day I’ll be back. Well Mom give dad and the kids my very best love and a kiss for you mom. Tell Dad & Dick to take good care of themselves and I’ll be around to see them one of these days. I’ll think of you when I eat that chicken tomorrow.

Lots of Love to all

Bill

** “Italy Defense Lines South of Rome 1943 4” by By Stephen Kirrage [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons
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