Author: Bob

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
 

 

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

Capt. T.G. Leske 0387336

Med Det
354th Infantry
APO 89
Camp Butner, N.C.

Postmarked Durham, N.C. (Dec 1 2:00pm 1944)

Miss Jane Axtell
538 S. Normandie
Los Angeles, Calif.

Wednesday Nite

Hyah Jane:

 

I know that much time has passed since I wrote you last but I have been pretty darn busy – more busy working thatn playing.

Recently we got the news that we will be going overseas in the very near future.  In fact, we are practically on our way.

Unfortunately, I don’t believe that we will be out your way.  We actually don’t know where we are going but my idea is that we leave this way.

Believe me, when I do get overseas and have nothing to do nights but dream, you will be in many a dream.

I’m trying to separate all the junk I have accumulated over the years so I’ll close now. 

Will let ya know my address as soon as we get  same.

Bestest

Ted

Capt. T.G. Leske 0387336

Med Det
354th Infantry
APO 89
Camp Butner, N.C.

Postmarked Camp Butner, N.C. (Sep 2 1:30pm 1944)

Miss Jane Axtell
538 S. Normandie
Los Angeles, Calif.

 

1 Sept

Hello Jane!

Its sure been a hell of a long time since I wrote you but every thing seems to be so damn confused here. I just can’t seem to do the things I should.

Life here is getting duller and duller by the minute.  I think I need a change of climate – preferable the West Coast. – L.A., for instance.

When my brother went overseas he left me his car to use – a ’41 Chrysler and it sure is coming in handy.  The nearest  place to go is Raliegh on account of Durham, although nearer, is hell on wheels on parties in their hotels.

You know the more often I look at your picture the more it seems I should have seen more of you.  Don’t you think?

I am completely pooped and its getting late – so to bed.

 

Bestest

Ted

 

Capt. T.G. Leske

354th Inf.
APO 89
Camp Butner, N.C.

Postmarked Camp Butner, N.C. (Aug 9 1:30pm 1944)

Miss Jane Axtell
538 S. Normandie
Los Angeles, Calif.

Monday Nite

Hello Jane:

 

It’s been too long since I wrote but I had a couple of weeks leave to see my brother before he went overseas and so every thin has been upset.

Your notes and the pin up arrived safely.  In fact, the picture is in front of me and it is giving me all sorts of ideas.  Many thanks. – For the picture and the ideas.

I weill write again soon but I must get up at 4:20 tommorrow so – off to bed, alone.

 

Bestest

Ted

Capt. T.G. Leske 0387336

Med Det
354th Infantry
APO 89
Camp Butner, N.C.

Postmarked Camp Butner, N.C. (Jul 3rd 1:00pm 1944)

Sunday A.M.

 

Hyah Jane!

 

Its been awhile since you received one of these code messages but I have been quite busy since we arrived here.  I just can’t seem to be able to settle down for a session of letter writing.

Your sily little poem sure covered the situation.  It wouldn’t make sense to a stranger but to me it will bring back memories of some mightly enjoyable times, together with the laughs that were part of the fun.

Thinking of yoru poem gies me a funny feeling with the wish that I was with you right now with no phones, or Larsons, or Duffys to interfere.  It’s a wonderful idea, don’t ya think?

Story – Ever hear of the girl who came home after being out with some rank and immediately started douching herself.  Her roommate wanted to hear what the matter was.  The girl replied that she was cleaning up the Officer’s Mess.

Don’t ya have a bathing suit pin-up picture?  As long as I can’t have you I may as well be able to look at those curves of yours.

Closing time.

 

Bestest

Ted

Capt. T.G. Leske 0387336
Med Det
354th Infantry
APO 89
Camp Butner, N.C.

Postmarked May 23 3:33 pm 1944, Camp Roberts, Calif, postage "free"

Miss Jane Axtell
538 S. Normandie
Los Angeles, Calif.

5-22-44 

Hello Jane!

Got into camp a short while ago and thought I would let you know how I made out.

After I was on the train I asked for advice from the conductor as to whether I should get off at Salinas or S.L.O.  He suggested Salinas and it only took me four and a half hours to get home from there.  Lord only knows what would have happened to me if I had gotten off at S.L.O.

When I arrived here I found that I had no home – no pup tent, no nothin.  I finally made arrangements to use another officers tent.

In answer to the letter that I found awaiting me – don’t save your vacation for me.  I have serious doubts as to being able to make it from N.C.

I hope you enjoyed my being with half as much as I did with you.  The week was nice although fa(?)t.
In case you ever get fresh with me I will flash the receipt you gave me.

Thats all – g’nite

Bestest Ted

Good picnic?  And did you take your supplies?
By the way, call the hotel like a good kid and see if I left my pet hair brush there, won’t you?  Vanity – a hair brush!!

Capt. T.G. Leske 15 T.D. Gp Camp Gruber, Okla. 3-22-44 (Postmarked Mar 32 3pm 1944, Camp Gruber, OKLA, postage “free”) Miss Jane Axtel 538 S. Normandie Los Angeles, Calif. Hello Jane! Long time no write! Me I mean. Ever since we have been here I have felt out of sorts and sort of blue. Occasionally rays of sunlight would filter through into my darkened soul – of course, this happened on the days that I received letters from you. Before I forget it – many thanks for the camera. What was the damage, in terms of the coin of the realm? Your cartoons have gone over big with officers in my Group. I have them up on the wall next to your W A C on the urninal. Your several letters are here next to me and I will see if I can include answers to your questions, if any. If Casey only knew what my reaction was to her moving out, she would probably feel very hurt. Why the creature had to wait so long, I can’t understand. If she had any brains at all her moving date would have been several weeks earlier so that we could have been more convenienced. Just imagine, no open doors, no roommates, no Larsens. Where, by the bye, did you ever get the idea that I was crossing you off my list? And especially, as soon as I got on the train. After all, it would be pretty darn hard to so quickly forget as nice an episode as I experienced in L. A. with you. It was not only the fact that I saw you but the way in which you received me and just put up with me. I have often thought of the weekend and at the same time wished for more of the same. While on subjects concerning L.A., if a little birdie should whisper in your ear that this is a possibility of my being transferred to a post fairly nearby, have a little faith in the whisper. Your darling little co-workers – Farras(?) and Stephanie – certainly knocked themselves out in helping you compose one of your letters and it was more than generous of them to offer to let me buy them drinks next time I come to L.A. on a personal appearance tour. They might not be so free with their good intentions if you were to admit to them that I was old, bald, and snored and talked in my sleep while kicking my bedmate. Any hoo say hello to them This letter has extended itself to an amazing length. What an effect you have on me. Here my roomie is sleeping, it Sunday, a day of rest, women constantly calling me for dates, and I sit writing simply  volumes to those eyes and those xxxx (censured) in L.A. That’s all for now. Bestest Ted  

---

Mom wrote on the envelope, a racy poem.  Can anyone decipher shorthand?    

Capt. T.G. Leske 15 T.D. Gp Camp Gruber, Okla. 3-22-44 (Postmarked Mar 32 3pm 1944, Camp Gruber, OKLA, postage “free”) Miss Jane Axtel 538 S. Normandie Los Angeles, Calif.   (note:  I scanned this letter so you could see the letterhead.  The scans are scaled down. To see larger images, right click and “view image”)