Thursday, January 29, 2009 2:19 PM
The officers despise us ...
Letter from a soldier
Monday Nov. 10, 1941
Dear Sweetheart,
I'm glad to know that Karen can be angelic for a few days at a time, and also that Anne has her glasses again. She'll be easier to handle at school now and maybe her work will show still more marked improvement. Next – I can imagine that Karen was quite surprised to find you still with her in the morning but I think that a sleep like that does a lot of good. It tells me one thing though. You're overdoing it a bit, aren't you? Or is it just that you need to tire yourself out so that you will sleep? I shan't scold you as I understand how things are and there is nothing that I want more than to be at home with you again and have you put your head on my shoulder to “unlax” when you're tired.
We arrived here on Sunday afternoon and promptly started cleaning equipment, and we've done little else in our spare time since. All our webbing had to be changed to a green shade of blanco and our boots and bayonet scabbards polished like mirrors. Then our stripes had to come down and we put a white ribbon around our caps and a narrow strip on each shoulder strap. This marks us as Cadets. We have had an interview, individually with the commanding officer, lectures from the Platoon commander, R.S.M. Platoon Sergeant Major and a platoon Sergeant. The R.S.M. impressed on us that we are now neither fish nor fowl and have no status in the army. Men and N.C.O's laugh at us and the officers despise us.
So you see we have been properly put in our place. Still after one full day, to-day, I don't think that I have anything to worry about. Just pay attention and keep out of trouble and everything will be OK. As far as getting into trouble is concerned that's a laugh. I won't have time. And on top of that we have to pay for everything we get now. We are reminded that we're making $4.00 per day. We'll need it!
Still I expect that I can send you a few shekels before Christmas for any little extra shopping you may want to do and also to buy something for the youngsters from me.
You remember who I am of course? Just the person who loves you so much that he is only half living without you. Every day passed brings me one day nearer the time I'll be coming home to you to stay. So now for a while – cheerio. With all my love I am as always
Yours
David K.
P.S. I love you
Monday Nov. 10, 1941
Dear Sweetheart,
I'm glad to know that Karen can be angelic for a few days at a time, and also that Anne has her glasses again. She'll be easier to handle at school now and maybe her work will show still more marked improvement. Next – I can imagine that Karen was quite surprised to find you still with her in the morning but I think that a sleep like that does a lot of good. It tells me one thing though. You're overdoing it a bit, aren't you? Or is it just that you need to tire yourself out so that you will sleep? I shan't scold you as I understand how things are and there is nothing that I want more than to be at home with you again and have you put your head on my shoulder to “unlax” when you're tired.
We arrived here on Sunday afternoon and promptly started cleaning equipment, and we've done little else in our spare time since. All our webbing had to be changed to a green shade of blanco and our boots and bayonet scabbards polished like mirrors. Then our stripes had to come down and we put a white ribbon around our caps and a narrow strip on each shoulder strap. This marks us as Cadets. We have had an interview, individually with the commanding officer, lectures from the Platoon commander, R.S.M. Platoon Sergeant Major and a platoon Sergeant. The R.S.M. impressed on us that we are now neither fish nor fowl and have no status in the army. Men and N.C.O's laugh at us and the officers despise us.
So you see we have been properly put in our place. Still after one full day, to-day, I don't think that I have anything to worry about. Just pay attention and keep out of trouble and everything will be OK. As far as getting into trouble is concerned that's a laugh. I won't have time. And on top of that we have to pay for everything we get now. We are reminded that we're making $4.00 per day. We'll need it!
Still I expect that I can send you a few shekels before Christmas for any little extra shopping you may want to do and also to buy something for the youngsters from me.
You remember who I am of course? Just the person who loves you so much that he is only half living without you. Every day passed brings me one day nearer the time I'll be coming home to you to stay. So now for a while – cheerio. With all my love I am as always
Yours
David K.
P.S. I love you