Capt. T.G. Leske 0-387336
Med. Det. 354th Inf
APO 89 C/O PM
N.Y. N.Y.
Postmarked U.S. Army 89 Feb 19 1945, and Los Angeles Calif.
(Wilshire La Brea Parcel Post) Mar 30 1945
Miss Jane Axtell
538 S. Normandie
Los Angels, Calif
USA
Thaddeus G. Leske.
18 Feb. 45
France
Greetings Jane!
Time has passed, I have sailed, and the damn war is still going on.
A few days ago I received your letter dated Jan. 12. It was addressed to Camp Butner. You should have had a change of address card from me that was sent while I was still at Butner in December.
We have been here in France for a month now and still haven’t gotten near the front lines. That is nobody has been throwing "stuff" at us. We have had a lot of stuff thrown at us but it is of a different category.
When we first came here life was quite miserable – no food, no heat, no tents, no nothing except snow, ice , and freezing cold. These conditions prevailed for some time and there was quite a bit of suffering in many respects.
Everything is practically like garrison. We have food, tents and some little comforts. The snow and ice are gone. The ankle deep mud is now only a couple of inches deep and we see the sun occassionally.
On pass I have visited Rouen, Deippe, and La Hauve as well as many villages and towns. La Hauve took the worst beating from bombardment. If those at home could see the damage in these once beautiful towns and the ways things are rationed I think that they would behave differently and put more into their efforts.
My meager knowledge of French has been used but as yet I haven’t had the opportunity to see if the "mademoiselles" would understand.
A couple of opportunities have come up for me to taste the liquors of France and I did all right.
My brother managed to find my location and traveled about 200 miles to get here. It was a big thrill as I hadn’t heard from him for three months. He brought along some Cointreau, Bordeaux, Scotch, and a few otehr brands. We had quite a time together.
Despite the fact that right now life isn’t too hard Los Angeles would be much better deal. I’m in favor of you and I getting a bottle of Scotch tonight, going to your place, have a few drinks, and then "couchez avec". Non?
A touch – I know you would love to send me some goodies in order to (make) life more pleasant??? So I am ending in a request. You’re sweet for thinking so much of me!
Thats all for now – goota get some water in my helment and take a bath.
Try to dream of me and see what happens!
Bestest
Ted
[This page of the letter had a Mar 30 L.A. Post Mark on it for some reason ]
Please send non-perishable foods of any type. Can use 35 mm film, all you can get. Thanx
T G Leske