MilColl_WWII_33_Morrison_Robert_R_Jr_Papers_B2F11_Corr_1946

2 January 1946 Bamberg, Germany

Dearest Mother,

Sure was glad to hear from you yesterday! It was the first mail I have received since the 24th of December. Also heard from Marvin Brant. Says he is getting along fine and has moved to Coloma, Michigan. He is going to school and studing Mechinical Drawing. Sure was glad to know he is still improving.

Certainly was glad you felt the same way I did about staying in the army for another three months. I was quite sure I was doing the right thing at the time, but I just wanted to hear you say so too. And believe me, Mother, I'd never make the Army my career! That's just for fellows who had it better in the Army than they did in Civilian life----and that doesn't take me in by a long shot. And a fellow would have to have little or no ambition to make any part of the Armed Forces his career.

I have finally met a nice German family. One of the boys in my room has being going to a girls house almost every night for supper and he always came back with the best tales about playing games and the good food and how much like home it was. And most of all he talked about the 18 year old sister. So New Years Eve I went over to the house with him. It was just as he had said. There is a "Mother" and "Papa", three sisters and one of the sisters has two small children--Elizebeth and Robert. We had a swell time. Ate a good meal, played with the kids, talked--in my broken German-- and about eleven thirty we went over to another house and all drank schnapps and toasted the New Year in right. Coming on back to their house, the sky was full of flares, guns shooting, and firecrakers poping. Sure did have a good time. First time I've been able to feel "at ease" around the Germans. They call the kid "Klien Robert" and myself "Grosser Robert" (Little Robert and Big Robert).

You spoke of liking the picture I sent Goldie. You have one on the way about three times as big! Maybe by now you already have it. Hope you like it. Glad I look a little fatter in the picture, wish I could gain more weight. Must be gaining a little for two people have commented on how much fatter I look in the face in the past two days. I hope they

II

are right, but I can't see it!! Maybe when I come home and can drink all the milk I want and have something decent to eat every meal instead of just on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, I'll start gaining weight up a storm.

Last night I saw the first "Horse Opera" I've seen since I left the states! Boy was it corny!! And to think I used to like those cowboy pictures. What a low type of entertainment they are.

I do hope I get home in time to start school with the rest of the boys. Although at the present time I have no idea, whatsoever what I would like to take. Before I came in the army I was all out for art, but now I'm not quite so sure. But I guess I'll know after a year of general studies in college. I'm afraid I've forgotten so much I'll have to take a refresher course before I'll be a ble to pass the college examination.

That's about all for this time. Give my love to all the folks. Here's hoping that Tommy is still improving. Hope to see you before too long.

Love Ya' Bob

7 January 1945 Hamberg, Germany

Dearest Mother,

Well, I guess you have read the news about the redeployment situation. Sure doesn't look too good does it? But most of the fellows here seem to think It won't have much effect on my case. I have 54 points and was scheduled to move out either sometime the last of January or the first of February. I certainly hope they are right and that I'll be on my way soon. Anyway, I'll be among the next to leave from my outfit for I have one of the highest point scores and more service than most of the boys. I might have known they would pull a trick like that just when everything was looking so bright.

You'll never guess who I heard from day before yesterday. Ernie! It was about time. But guess he had been pretty busy moving around up til now. Sure was good to hear from him.

Me and one of my buddies spent the week end with that German family I was telling you about. They sure do treat us like kings. Especially the mother, she can't seem to do enough for us. When I arrived Saturday afternoon a big hot tub of water was waiting for me. After my bath we had supper. They have relatives in the country so do pretty well, on the food situation. Then we passed the night joking, playing and drinking egg-nog. Anna, the younger sister speakes fair English and with the German I've picked up here and there we get along fine. At 10:30 we had hot tea and cookies and by eleven we had our beds turned down for us with bed warmers beneath the covers. Didn't get up until 10 o'clock the next morning. All the family sleeps upstairs and leaves the whole down stairs to me and my buddie. Sunday afternoon we went for a walk along the river that passed through the middle of town and took pictures. When we got back the mother had a fire in the living room and we had strawberry short cake waiting for us. (She ahd some strawberries canned) About eight oclock we had supper. Potatoe balls, sour kraut, liver fried with eggs and onions and coffee and bread. Sure was good. We left for home about 10:30. See what I mean when I say they "treat us like kings"?

Don't however, think I have for one minute converted and have gone all out for the "good" Germans. They're not good, I know that. I'll never forgive or forget all the suffering they have caused so many people. But a very few are better than the average and this family is the first I've really been able to feel "at ease" with. But even then I always let them know how wrong they were and how silly to think they were any better than anyone else! And if no other Germans believes he or she made a big mistake, I'm sure this one family does.

II

I have quit doing any more than my share of the work around here. I do what I think I should, or in other words as little as I can get by with and that's all. I'm sich and disgusted with the whole affair. If I had any faith in the army left, its certainly all gone now.

Hope you received your big picture of Johnnie and myself by now. Also the one of me in the Scottish Clan Kilt. Seems they are taking an awful long time in reaching you. But they say the mail is being held up all along the way. Guess you will receive it soon.

I have not heard from Johnnie since he left France on the boat that was taking him home. Guess he is a civilian by a few weeks now. So I should be hearing from him pretty soon.

Did Eddie or Billy Williamson make it home by Christmas? Hope they did.

Guess that's about all for now. Very litte doing around here now. Sure had turned cold though. Fair and Cold. Give my love to all the folks and tell them I hope it won't be long before I'll be seeing them. Especially keep a lot of lovin' for my own sweet family-- you, Mac, and Mama.

Love Ya' Bobby

P.S. Forgot to tell you that I went to Nurnberg today. Same old place, but it was good to get back there again. I know it so well, just like meeting an old friend. My main purpose in going there, however, was to visit one of the fellows who used to be in my section and is now in the Hospital there. He developed a bad case of TB. He is being sent home as soon as possible, so I carried him all his things that he left here. Sure did look bad, just like a different man. Sure is funny how quick it struck him. I thought TB grew on you. Anyway he was very glad to see me and the nurse said it was good to see him smile. Love again,

-Bobby

8 January 1946 Bamberg, Germany

Dear Mac,

Glad you received the card and Money Order I sent you. Just wish it could have been more. Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that this year will be a happy one for us all.

Bet you had a good time playing Santa Claus this year. That's something I don't believe I have ever done. I'll have to try it next year. I can just see you now in those "very loud shirts" and new pants.

Too bad you forgot to get Mother's stationery in time for Christmas, but I know she will appreciate it anyway. Just what is this "Mask and Gravel Club" you spoke about? Don't think I have ever heard of that before.

Boy, is it cold here!! But there is no snow, the sky has been very clear for the past three days. Each morning however, there is so much frost from the cold and fog that it almost looks like snow. The trees certainly do look pretty in the morning.

I went to Nurnberg yesterday. I traveled in an ambulance so it wasn't such a cold ride. Ambulances have heaters in them and are closed in. Nurnberg hasn't change much since we were stationed there. It's the same old wrecked and tumbled place. But a nice place nevertheless.

Did you have two weeks holidays for Christmas and New Year's? Bet you had one good time.

I was on CQ all last night and still am until 0830 this morning. Its about 0800 now so I've just got thirty minutes more. Everything was pretty quite last night and I didn't have to get up to answer the telephone all night. That is the way I like my CQ's.

Got a letter from Ernie a couple of days ago. He said he has a Jap Rifle and a Samaria Sword. Guess when he gets home we will have to compare each others souvenirs. He was somewhere in Japan when he wrote the letter.

Guess that's about all for this time. Give all my love to youself, Mother and Mama. Also to all the rest of the folks. Write again soon. Hope to see before many more weeks pass.

Love Ya'

Bobby