December 27, 1943 (To Dorothy Jordan)

December 27, 1943

Dear Dot & Arlo –

Hi there you two, how are ya? I hear you’re both pretty well snowed under with eggs these days. Sounds like you have a profitable business there. Have you learned enuff about chickens yet to tell me which came first – the egg or the chicken? We get plenty of fresh milk & eggs where we are now, but back on the “Canal” any of us would have given you $5 for one.

Well how was your Christmas – did you spend it in Austin or Mpls? As for me – had a very quiet one here in camp for I was O.D. on the day. Our Xmas dinner was superb however. I’ll bet we had more to eat than any of you people back there in the states – we had turkey & all the trimmings. To give you an idea – for dessert we had strawberry shortcake, pumpkin pie, & ice cream. Now you can pick your tongue up off the floor & turn the page.

Say – I guess this is the first time I’ve written you since coming to this spot isn’t it. I should tell you all about it but it would take up more time than I can spare so I’ll just hit the high spots. You can get the details from mother – she knows “where” too.

It’s a wonderful country – the climate is ideal, countryside is beautiful & the people are friendly. We are here only for a rest period & will be going back into combat – don’t know how long it will be.

We have lots of freedom & relaxation here. Both men & officers get plenty of leave to visit the big town about 50 miles away. The men take the train & we use the command cars. I’ve been on pass about 8 or 9 times since landing here. We change off within the batteries – two of us officers go in for 2 or 3 days then they come back & the other two take off. Seems like we stay in camp just long enough to rest up for the next pass. At the moment I’m the only officer left in our battery – the other 3 are in town painting it different colors. So that makes me the “Chief Bottle Washer” or in other words Btry. Commander. Tomorrow one of the officers is returning so that’s my cue to take off for about 3 days. A rugged life we lead!

The gals here are very much like those at home – they don’t come up to American standards of course but then what can you expect. They are lots of fun, good dancers, intelligent, & good sports. Some of them drink & smoke – some don’t. I guess the Yanks have taught them most of the bad habits. I have 3 or 4 nice girls that I date when I get in town. Usually go to the big Officers club in town where they have a good band (our own Div. band) & a good dance floor. Once in a while we take in a show – they have the latest Am. pictures.

I’ve been chumming around with Lt. Gene Eckroth from Mandan, N. Dakota. We always double date together & have a big time. When we really want to be operating on a big scale, which is practically every time we go on pass, we rent a car to get around. It’s fairly cheap & worth it considering the convenience – taxy? service is very poor. (That day I fell asleep in Miss Hoopers spelling class I must have missed that one!)

There are lots of odd things about this country – they drive on the left side of the street – 90% of the cars are small like Austins, with right hand drives – People even walk on the left side of the sidewalk – Tea is the big drink – I’ve had so much of it that I’m gradually acquiring a taste for it. Steak & eggs is a popular favorite, & in many restaurants it’s the only dish on the menu. And hold on to your hat on this one – a plate of steak & eggs & French fries plus tea costs exactly 41¢ - are you impressed? All the people here speak with that high falutin English accent – they have an odd system of currency too which we’re gradually getting used to – we all had to convert our American dollars into the stuff. You can imagine the fun I had the first of the month when I had to pay-off the men with all that strange money. Came out OK tho – right down to the last penny.

Well enuff about me – if you have any questions to ask about this spot, fire away in your next letter. How’s my little gal, Nancy? Is she very excited about her brother’s anticipated visit? I’ll be she walks & talks all over the place by now. Sure would like to see her.

Was just reading your letter – what does it mean when the chickens’ faces are red? Does that show they’re trying hard? Do they get purple in the face before they finally “lay” one? You see I’m not much of a farmer – I’d like to know.

Yes – all officers censor their own mail.

Now – if there are no more questions I’ll say so long. Hope everything is O.K. & smooth running in the Jordan family & please write soon. Take care of yourselves.

All my love,

Dorance