17 Aug August 17, 1945

V-MAIL
from: PFC George Shonkwiler
to: Mrs Alice Shonkwiler
Marseille, France
17 July 1945 [17 August 1945] 9:30 PM

Hello again,
[The first 3 lines are effectively unintelligible, but I’ll make a guess]

  And located in a barren waste surrounded by low mountains.  A hell of
a place to bring troops who <? were> [?] [?] as <? Pacifics>.  They all seem
pretty well pleased with their good fortune now however.

Marseille was pretty well shot up in spots.  Nothing to compare with some
places I have seen though.  Got a glimpse of the Mediterranean this morning.
It was all that has ever been said about it.  So far the trip has been of
very little interest.  The only things we’ve seen is scenery and after all
the scenery I have seen in the last year it really takes something glorious
to hold my interest.

See by today’s paper that the Navy is really giving their boys a break.
Looks like Forest will be months ahead of me.  My usual luck.

I’m very tired now so think I’ll retired. I wish you both were with me
now. Then this vacation would be far more enjoyable.

Love, Daddy