Capt. T.G. Leske 0-387336
Med. Det. 354th Inf
APO 89 C/O PM
N.Y. N.Y.
Postmark U.S. Army 89 Apr 5 1945
Miss Jane Axtell
538 S. Normandie
Los Angels, Calif
USA
Thaddeus G. Leske.
2 April 45
Somewhere in Germany
[Historical note: http://www.89infdivww2.org/memories/354_19.htm ]
Hello Jane:
Here is some beautiful German stationary which was donated by the people at whose home I am staying. Their donation cannot be construed as being voluntary.
Received a short note from you today and as I have the time to write for the first time in days I will try to do right by you.
My latest letter to you must have been written some time ago but I really did have to discard their (?) shorts. In fact, our first sergeant was one of them. My big moment was when a shell came through the roof of the building our aid station was in, about a hundred feet from the Rhine.
Everything has been interesting and exciting. We have been on the move constantly and lack of sleep is much too common.
My live has been a busy one as my major the surgeon has made me his right hand man. Among my duties are administrative work, running the detachment, advance party officer, PX officer, Exchange (money) officer, pay officer, dental officer, and other little jobs that come along.
[There appears to be missing pages here…]
…have no idea as to when it was.
Writing by electric light was something I was going to brag about and the damn things had to go out. Now its candle light. Our headquarters picked up a German Army gasoline operated generator a day or so ago and we have been having the comfort of electricity here, except when the generator goes on the blink.
We left France some time ago, went to Luxemburg, and then came into Germany. We have two river crossings to our credit, the Moselle and the Rhine.
Crossing the Rhine was rough and I really needed a change of under clothing. Many of the men freely admit that they [There appears to be more missing pages here…]
… Love life has been non-existent, on the Continent. France, or at least the part we were in, had all its young prettier girls sent into German or they were married to German soldiers and would have nothing to do with the Americans.
Non-fraternization in Germany has its shortcomings as there are a great many pretty girls here.
Every once in a while I sneak a look at your pin-up picture and, definitely, my thoughts do not dwell on your hair do.
Time is short, the candle is low, and I would like to be with you tonight.
Bestest
Ted