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November, 1943
Dearest Cass,
Today we went to our new outfit and got
our bunks. So far I don’t like this camp one bit, as it is too big and we aren’t allowed out of the company
area. We didn’t do anything today except play ball in the afternoon. Tonight, I’m going to call you
up and I am going to give you my address. Honey, I sure wished I could of stayed home, for I really love you beyond words.
Well Cass, as I’m going to call you
tonight, I’ll sign off.
Loving you always,
Dutch
P.S. How’s the babies cold?
I love you both.
November 4, 1943, 11 P.M.
Dearest Cass,
Last night when I called you, I didn’t
expect to find you home. I called station to station, as I wanted to find out off of Edith if you were home yet.
It took me all night to place that call, as everybody got paid today, (except me). Right after I called you, I went
straight to the orderly room. They told me that Regimen the headquarters was looking my case over. I guess I’ll
know tomorrow whether I get it or not. If they don’t give it to me, I’ll take it anyway. The most
they can give me is 7 days in the kitchen. Today we didn’t do anything except gamble and honey, I have pretty
bad news for you. I lost all of the money except 15 dollars. (am I blue). I still didn’t get paid,
so in looking forward, to pay day. Well its pretty late honey, so I’ll sign off. I really and truly love
you more than anything in the world.
Love and kisses,
Dutch
P.S. See you soon.
Note from WOLF: Carl, Jr., I mean Carol, was born on November
5, 1943.
Dearest Cass,
Received a letter from you last night, but
none tonight. The 2 day pass list for Friday and Saturday was up, and guess who was on it? Me. So I’ll
be home Friday morning sometime, “O.K.” I was posted on guard at 5 o’clock last night and walked
my post till 6; then I had 4 hours off, and then on again for 2 hours, then off for 4 hours, then on for 2. That made
me finish up at 6 o’clock and then I ate breakfast till 6:45 and then I went on guard again, only for the rest of the
day. I was guarding prisoners, American prisoners that had went over the hill. I was riding on a truck which was
collecting ashes, and many other details. I got finished at 4:15, and boy I sure was tired after being on duty 24 hours.
Don’t you think I should be? Well honey, I just about got this letter written, as my eyes are closing up on me.
Goodnight honey and god bless you and the babies. I’ll see you Friday, o.k.
Loving you always, Carl
Monday, November 8, 1943 6:15 p.m.
Dearest Cass,
Well, I’m back in camp and not too
happy about it. I got in Baltimore at 10:34 last night and didn’t get a bus back to camp till 12:30. The
reason why, was because everybody was coming back on their weekend passes all at the same time. But I didn’t get
any hell as nearly everybody was late. Well honey getting back to you, how are you feeling, and the baby? Write
and tell me who visits you tonight (o.k.). I really didn’t feel like coming back to camp at all anymore.
I hope I don’t get sent too far, as I would like to come home on the weekends to see my three little split-tails.
Who has been coming to see you? It was pretty nice of Herby to give you those gifts, wasn’t it? Did any
of them see our new offspring. What do they think of her? I’m missing you and the babies more and more and
I hope this damn war ends soon. I love you honey and hope to be home tonight, so keep your fingers crossed.
Love and kisses
Dutch
November 8, 1943
Dear Cassie:
Congratulations! So it’s another
girl. I think that’s swell. If it was a boy, it would without a doubt be called after Dutch, and that would
be a sin and a shame to bring a poor innocent baby into the world and give it the name “Carl.” After all,
why make a baby that can’t do anything about it go through life with a name like that. They say, things happens
for the best, and in this case I believe it.
Sunday (yesterday) Dutch stopped in just
before we were going to mass. He asked me to come out and see you. I’ll probably be out either Wed. or Thurs.
evening. I hope I can get in. I met Edith in town Saturday, she was doing some Christmas shopping for her babies.
So you changed your mind about the red coat.
That’s about the most sensible thing you did in a long time. I’ll be seeing you soon, give the baby a kiss
for me.
Love,
Betty
Congratulations Card from Reds and Anna
Tuesday, November 9, 1943 8 p.m.
Dearest Cass,
This afternoon we went and got a shot.
It wasn’t bad, but it hurt for a minute. For the rest of the day, I had to keep the barrack’s clean, so
there isn’t much that we did for the day. What happened in the hospital today? How does our new daughter
look? As yet, I didn’t get any mail, so I can’t answer any of your questions. Did my mother and father
come to see you yet? How is little Cassie coming along?
After I finish this letter, I’m going
to go to the movies again, as that is all we can do down here, unless there is a card game. So be good sweetheart and
get well, as I want to hold you close to me Sunday. I love you honey and miss you terribly every day.
Love and kisses,
Dutch
P.S. I’m saving a great big hug for
you Sunday.
Tuesday, November 9, 1943 12:30 p.m.
Dearest Cass,
Last night it was raining like hell here
and I went up the P.X. and got a haircut and some candy. After that I went to the movies and seen “Lassie Come
Home,” I was a picture about a dog and fairly good. I just got finished writing Rudy a letter and I told
him to drop you a card. How are you coming along? I can hardly wait for next Sunday to come along, as I want to
see you very bad. How is the baby? Did you name it Carol? Did you get any cards or flowers or candy?
I went on sick call this morning as I have been having headaches all week. The doctor didn’t do anything except
give me some pills. I really went so that he would take my blood pressure, but he fooled me. I’ll keep going back
until he does and then I’ll know if I have a chance of getting out of the army (I hope I do) even if he don’t,
they will give me a thorough physical at the next camp (if I ever get shipped out of this one). Well honey, that’s
all I’ll write for now, as I want to save something for tonight letter (o.k.). I love you honey so, get
well quick.
Loving you forever,
Dutch
P.S. Say hello to my baby
for me and give her a big kiss for me and I will repay you when I see you Sunday
Thursday, November 11, 1943 10:00 A.M.
Dearest Cass,
How are you feeling this morning?
I myself ain’t feeling so good, as I won’t be able to bring you home from the hospital Sunday. I hope you
won’t feel too bad about it, but that’s the Army for you. We just got out things checked and I hear that
we will pull out Saturday. I hope you sent me the money, as we might get a pass, and I want to come home and see you
before I leave here. How is our new baby?
Thursday, November 11, 1943 11:00 P.M.
Dearest Cass,
In my last letter this morning, I told you
that I was going to come home tonight. Well honey the reason why I didn’t is because I had to get a haircut before
I could get a pass, and by the time I got my haircut it was 7:00 o’clock. I didn’t get any mail yesterday
and I was pretty disappointed. What happened to your writing? I’d better get some today or else. If
I could get a pass tonight, I’m coming home to see you for the night so, I hope I do. How is the baby and yourself?
Who does she look like? Well honey, as I don’t have a letter to answer I’m going to sign off. I went to
the movies tonight and there was a stage show and after that a double feature picture. They were pretty good, but not
as good as coming home and seeing you and the babies. I love you honey more than anything in the world so take care
of yourself.
Love and kisses
P.S. I love you.
Friday, November 12, 1942 4:00 p.m.
Dearest Sweetheart:
I still didn’t get any mail from you
and I’m very disappointed. What’s the trouble, are your arms too weak? I’d better get one tonight,
or I’ll really give you a bawling out. How are you feeling and how is our new baby making out? Today we
packed all of our things and I don’t think I’ll get home this week-end. My luck in craps is very bad and
its keeping me pretty broke. But I sure wished I could get rid of that habit of gambling. When I come back into
civilian life, you’ll have to cure me of that habit (ok). Maybe by the time you get this letter I’ll be
in my new camp and I hope it’s not too far away from you as Georgia, don’t you? Where’s that money
you said you were sending me and where’s them daily letters. I thought you would have plenty of time to write
as you do nothing all day. I think we are leaving Saturday so, I guess I won’t get any mail off of you for quite
a while. I love you Cass and really miss you terribly and am looking forward to the day that I will stay home.
Love and kisses,
Dutch
P.S. I love all 3 of you.
Saturday, November 13, 8 P.M.
Dearest Cass,
How do you like the corporal rank in the
return address. I found out I was promoted this afternoon when the officers came in and asked me if I had gotten my
corporal stripes yet. When I told him I didn’t know anything about it yet, he told me to go up to the supply room
and get them, as I was a corporal now.
Are you surprised? I was. Well
honey in 20 minutes, I’ll be on my way to New York and I borrowed this writing paper to tell you the good news.
I got your 5 dollars this afternoon and it sure came in handy as I was broke. I’ll write you later on, as I have
to go now. I love you and miss you terribly. I sent you my A.P.O. and I think we are going on maneuvers.
Love and kisses,
Corp. Dutch
Sunday, 14, 1943, 4:30 p.m.
Dearest Cass:
Today, I should have been at the hospital
to bring you home. I hope that you weren’t too disappointed, when I wrote and told you that I was shipping out
and couldn’t make it. I can’t tell you where I’m at, but don’t worry about me, as I’m
all right. I guess you’ll be glad to get home again, and this time you will be kept quit busy with two babies.
I called up my mother before I left Mead and told her that I was shipping out. She told me that Rudy was trying to get
home next Saturday, as he was leaving soon. I hope he makes it, as he was never home very much. What do you think
of my promotion to corporal? I bet it will burn your mother up, as Jimmy is still a P.F.C. and he was in the Army longer.
It is now 4:30 and I just got finished sewing my stripes on and what a job. As soon as I get a chance, I’m
going to take them to the tailors and have a good job done, as I did not do so good with them. Don’t forget my
new address and write soon, as I’m waiting to hear how the babies are.
Love & kisses,
Dutch
P.S. Take care of yourself and the babies
honey.
Monday, November 15, 1943, 8:00 A.M.
Dearest Cass,
Last night I went to the movies and seen
“A Thousand Cheers.” It’s very good and you ought to see it if it comes around the neighborhood.
Herby, the fellow I told you about isn’t with me anymore, as we were separated in this shipment. How are you feeling
now? Who brought you home from the hospital? Did you bring Kathy home from my mother’s yet? Our mail
is censored here so I can’t tell you much of anything about where I’m at, but everything is alright. I sent
you a letter yesterday, but I got it back as my return address wasn’t addressed right. I thought that before I
mailed it again, that I would write this letter with it. I’ll write you later tonight so take care of yourself
and the babies. I love you and miss you and the babies very much.
Love and kisses,
Dutch
Monday, November 15, 1943 10:30 P.M.
Dearest Cass,
Tonight I didn’t do much of anything,
except get a bottle of beer and then go to the movies. The picture was, “The Son of Dracula,” and it was
pretty fair. There isn’t anything new, but I keep wondering where I’ll go next. But I guess I’ll
have to wait till I get there. How are you feeling by now? I wished that I would get some mail off of you, so
that I would know what’s going on at home. Are you writing every day, since you came out of the hospital?
Do you remember the pictures I had down Camp Wheeler? Well as you know, I left them at home the last time I was there,
and I wished you would send me an enlargement of yourself and the baby, as soon as possible, as I don’t have any here.
Well honey, I’d better get to bed now as I have to get up early. Don’t forget and send the picture.
I love you and miss you terribly.
Love and kisses,
Dutch
Tuesday, November 16, 1943 7:00 P.M.
Dearest Cass,
Well today is another day, and one day closer
to the end of the war. How is everything at home. I expect to get some mail off of you tomorrow, as it’s
been a long time since I heard from you. Did you get any of my letters yet? Are you wondering where I’m
at? I can tell you one thing, and that is that I ain’t in New York, but somewhere along the eastern coast.
I’ll be glad when we leave here and that won’t be long. How are the babies?
I bet you have your hands full now, with
two of them. I only wished that I were home to help you take care of them, but I guess that won’t be possible
until we finish our job over there and I hope that it won’t take much longer. Don’t forget and send them
pictures, as I’m looking forward to them very much. Don’t worry about me honey, as I’m in swell shape
and everything is all right. After I finish this letter I’m going to go to the movies again, as that is all there
is to do after I finish this letter, I’m going to take a shower as I need one pretty bad. I’ll have to cut
this letter short, as I’m pretty busy getting my things straightened out. Tell the fellows to write so that I
know what’s going on around home. I’m mailing a letter that I wrote on the boat with this one, so I guess
as soon as their censored, they will be sent out. Take care of yourself and the babies as I love you very much.
Love and kisses,
Dutch
Note from THE LONE WOLF : Dutch had
leave and went to the hospital to see his new born [not yet named] the weekend of November 6, 1943. He shipped
out to North Africa at the end of November, was dispatched to Naples, was declared missing in action in the Battle of
Cassino crossing of the Rapido River, and was taken prisoner of war on January 21, 1944. He next heard from Cass
in April 1944. The next 3 chapters -- Chapters 9, 10 & 11 -- containing letters written by Cass and one
from Rudy to Dutch were returned to sender marked "Missing in Action." Cass learned that Dutch was taken prisoner of
war when she received a postcard from him postmarked February 10, 1944 from Stalag XIV [Prison camp] two weeks before
the war department notified the Family that he had been taken prisoner.
Wednesday, November 17, 1943 6:15 P.M.
Dearest Cass,
Today I had to get to the dentist and have
a root taken out and on top of that, I had to get two small fillings put in. But that takes care of my teeth for quite
a while anyway. The 5 dollars that you sent me came in pretty handy, as I ran it up to 30 dollars in a card game. I
was going to go to the movies again tonight, as a pretty good picture was playing, but I was put in charge of quarters so
here I am for the night.
I still didn’t get any mail off of
you, so I’m still waiting for news from home. Everything is alright here, except that I’m always worrying
about you and the babies. How is everyone? Goodnight honey, and God bless you and the babies, as I love you very
much and miss you terribly.
Your Loving Husband,
Dutch
Dearest Cass,
I don’t know when this letter will
reach you, but I hope it’s soon, as I know that you are worrying about me, since you haven’t been receiving any
mail. I can’t tell you much of anything, except that I’m in a boat going somewhere. I haven’t
got a letter off you at the hospital, so I expect a big batch when I hit my new station. I sent my clothes and things
out to my mother’s so that you wouldn’t know that I was going overseas till you were better. How are the
babies and who brought you home from the hospital? Kathies birthday will be soon, and by the time she gets my gift it
will be near Christmas, so I’m going to try and send some money to you and then you can buy the babies their Christmas
gifts for me, ok. You can also get that coat I said I’m going to buy for you. That’s all I can think
of at the present, so take care of yourself and the babies till I come back home again. Please don’t worry about
me, as everything is alright.
I love and miss you and the babies very
much.
Love and kisses,
Dutch
P.S. Write soon and give your father and
mother my regards.
Note from WOLF: On November 17, 1943 Eric O
Hildenbrand was killed on transport ship U.S.S. McKean [see Eric's Room]. Eric was not reported missing until
action Dec.8, 1943.
Note from Godfather:
FROM WORLD WAR TWO EXPERIENCES OF JAMES TOLBY ANDERSON
"Upon arrival to Newport News, I was in awe of the ocean because
that was the first time I had seen it. I boarded the transportation ship, which was the USS Anderson, on Thanksgiving Day
of 1943. I found some joy in the name of the ship that I boarded to ride over the sea and into the heart of the battle.
That first day on the ship, we all had turkey
dinner but most of the men were a little sea sick so the hallways were filled with puke, but I wasn’t sea sick, I could
eat anytime at any place. I would have been sick if I had known then the German U-Boats that lurked the Atlantic Ocean like
killer sharks! The USS Anderson traversed the ocean like traveling the winding roads back home to nullify the U-Boat.
Eight days later, either on December the 4th
or 5th, the ship landed in Casablanca, North Africa. Here we were put into tent cities and stayed for two weeks.
Next we were put into train’s box cars, ten soldiers per car and rode several days to Oran, North Africa on the Mediterranean
Sea where we spent Christmas. Here, we were trained for a few days then left on a British boat to a port near Naples, Italy,
where we arrived around the first of January, 1944.
In Naples, we were put in another tent city for
the entire month which was not the most pleasant place to stay but was ten times better than where my next destination took
me. On the first day of February, we traveled on another ship over night to Anzio, Italy where the reality of war finally
set in. As soon as we got off the ship, there on the beach head, we were in combat and could hear the awful sound of war.
A railroad gun was shelling us. I guess those first few minutes in combat are to say the least life changing, a lot of us
just stood there in terror. I remember plainly a British Officer screaming at us, “What’s the matter with you
blokes, do you wanna live always?” as he grabbed me and we jumped in a basement for cover."
wolf's link Experience of another soldier -- James Tolby Anderson -- that was on transport ship to North Africa the week after
Dutch.
Sunday, November 28, 1943 9:45 A.M.
Dearest Cass,
I arrived safely and am now somewhere in
N. Africa. I hope that you and the babies are well, as I worry about you and the babies very much. There isn’t
much that I can tell you, except that I’d much rather be back home. On the way over here, pretty nearly everybody
got seasick and were they glad when we hit land again. Are you still going out my mothers’ house every weekend?
Did Rudy get home?
Page 2 missing
here. I only hope that I get a letter
off of you tomorrow so that I know what’s going on at home. Well goodnight sweetheart and God bless you and the
babies, as I love you very much. Give my regards to all.
Your Loving Husband,
Dutch
P.S. How is Carol coming along?
Tuesday, November 30, 1943
Dearest Cass,
I’m sorry that I couldn’t write
you yesterday, but I was on guard duty for 24 hours. There really isn’t much to write about, except everything
is swell and I’m in the best of health. I’m going to send a cablegram to you and my mother if I can, so
that ought to reach you before any of my letters. I won’t get any letters from you for quite a while, so when
I do there ought to be a big batch of them.
I really miss the letters very much and
will be very much relieved when I hear from you. I’m trying to send some money home to you for Christmas, so that
you can buy that coat I promised you and also something for the babies. I really miss you terribly and hope to get back
to the good old U.S. soil, as I don’t care for this foreign soil very much. I never appreciated home as I do now
and when I get back home, I’m staying for good. How are the babies and yourself coming along? Did you send
the pictures like I asked you to? I hope so, as I’m looking forward to getting them. That’s all I
can think of to write about, so until tomorrow I’ll sign off.
Your Loving Husband,
Dutch
P.S. Take care of yourself as I love
you very much.
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