November 3, 1944

November 3, ‘44

So. Pacific

Dear Mom & Dad –

We’ve been out in the field a week now and expect to be out another one before we return to camp. It’s rather a nice change from the drudgery of our regular drill schedule back at camp. If I had my way we’d stay out here in the woods.

Living conditions – at least for the officers are just as good almost as back in base camp. We live in pyramidal tents and sleep on cots (we take along our bed rolls which include a mattress.) To make things even more enjoyable we run a jeep up alongside the tent & hook up a car radio. Of course we always take along our tables & chairs, so, as you can plainly see we lead a rugged life out here in the wilderness.

Don’t blame me too much if I suddenly fall asleep as I write this letter. You see I had only 3 hours sleep last night. We got interested in bridge after supper last night & sat there bidding like mad for 7 hours straight. All told there were six small slams bid & made during the session. My partner & I beat Healy & Ayres by 1200 pts. after trailing them all evening. We only won about 2 out of 7 or 8 rubbers but we made a million by “doubling” & “setting” – it’s a great point maker. You’d get a kick out of our contract bridge “nomenclature”. You’re never vulnerable in our games – instead, you’re either vulgar, pregnant, or stagnant, etc. The system of Blackwell is known as Inkwell or Blackboard.

I’m just listening to “Radio Tokio” – they certainly give out a huge portion of “bologna.” We’ve been going great guns over here in this theatre – haven’t we! That Philippine landing was big news back there I’ll bet. It certainly was over here. Soon we’ll probably dear of a new push into Germany – right now I judge they’re organizing their reserves & supply lines. Naturally we’d all like to see a quick end to that war over there. We could use that extra power against these stubborn so & so’s over here.

I just had a letter from Micky Stensrud in which she said she was going to call you that night. No doubt by now you have all the latest. Maybe she told you about Vi (Seabloom’s) husband, Lloyd, being declared dead after going down in a bomber over Germany. It’s the first casualty among the gang. And expecially sad because Vi just became a mother a month ago.

The mailman certainly came around yesterday & today because I got a letter from home each day. Say don’t you do business with Uncle Sam’s mail service anymore. Another of your letters (Oct. 22nd) came thru sans cancellation stamp. Use ‘em again – maybe they’re “charmed.”

Glad to hear you’re home safely & well after you N.Y. trip. I guess it’s only natural for you to be tired out after the pace you must have set while you were there. And those long train rides are no joke – I know.

Gee – our chow here has certainly improved of late. We get some kind of fresh meat almost every day. For instance yesterday for lunch we had steak & French fries plus fresh sliced tomatoes & cucumbers. Today we had baked ham – very tasty too. We have the best cooks in the Bn. which helps.

We all took a shot in the arm today – and did it “take”! I couldn’t hardly move it for an hour afterwards.

Oh I forgot – one more luxury that we enjoy out here in the woods is the nightly cinema. The night before last we had “legs” Grable in “Sweet Rosie O’Grady” – pretty fair picture & in color.

Well I see my bed over there in the corner is holding out it’s beckoning arms to me, so I’ll close. Hope all is hunky-dory there. G’night.

Love, Dorance