06 Aug August 6, 1945

Letter
from: PFC George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Compiegne, France
6 Aug. 1945, Mon 6 P.M.
Noteworthy: Hiroshima bomb day. Dad expresses frustration, "... I will be
home to play with you some of these days maybe."

My dear Alice and Ronnie,

Received quite a bit of mail tonite but only one little v-mail from you written
July 28th.  The others were from Al Evers, Edith and Joan Hayes, and one each
from Dad and Norma.  Nothing special in any of them.  Of course it’s always
nice receiving mail and learning how the other half are living so I enjoyed
receiving them.

Well exactly one year ago this afternoon about 4 P.M. I disembarked from the
U.S.S Brooks and anchored in Gloria Harbor, Scotland and some three hours
later boarded a funny little English train for my past year’s experiences.
That’s one hell of a long time to be away from home, the USA, and other things
that I much prefer to than this existence here in Europe.  I’d certainly hate
to think I have to spend another year away.  Right now there is very little to
indicate otherwise but really don’t believe it will be quite that bad as we are
moving a lot of troops daily and there must eventually be an end.

page 2
My friend Peter - you remember the doctor’s son, was here.  I hadn’t seen him
since before going to the hospital.  He wants me to come over tomorrow evening.
But a USO show, "Arsenic and Old Lace," is here tomorrow and I think I will go
see that instead.  We have also had some French soldiers in here since starting
this letter and it is now 9 P.M., three hours later.  These French soldiers are
great bargainers, but they also like our cigarettes and soap.  $1.30 for Cig.
and $1.00 for one bar of Life Buoy soap.  $1.50 for one bar of Ivory soap.  Not
too bad, is it?  The big trouble of course is that our supply is very limited.
It’s a great life though.  Bickering with them is the only means I have of
sorta keeping in shape for my selling days to come should I ever get to be a
civilian again.  I now have one hundred dollars plus two more bottles of good
perfume, my camera and another pistol - just in case the one I sent home doesn’t
get there.  If my furlough doesn’t come through will send another money order.
Otherwise, will take it with me.  Don’t really know how much is required, but I
know I won’t spend more than that.  I am enclosing Al Evers’ letter.

page 3
You see they did him about as much good in the hospital as they did me.  I take
it he is not sure yet but suspects they are going direct to So. Pacific.  The
fact that his mail is censored makes it pretty certain, I think.  We still have
daily rumors about our status too, but as yet I haven’t heard anything that
would indicate anything different.  Anything can still happen.  One thing I
know[,] we will have to postpone again the celebration of our anniversary.  It
should be a good one when we do get a chance.  That’s for sure.

Have you heard anything from Gladys about Dick?  Where he is and what does he
think will happen to him?  It’s very probable that he doesn’t know anymore
about what he’s going to do than I do.  The army is good at keeping you in the
dark about such things.  How did Bobby get?  And has Elinor asked you up yet?
Maybe she figures she shouldn’t.  Did your brother and family ever come in?

page 4
I can’t for the life of me remember whether I ever wrote them and thanked them
for the package or not.  I remember it came about the time I went to the
hospital and everything was turned around at that time for a while.  I hate to
write them twice for the same thing.  On the other hand [I] hate to not write
them at all.  Maybe they told you.  Did they?

It turned a little colder today and tonight it’s quite chilly.  I’m sitting in
front of our window again but I’m fully clothed this time and don’t feel a bit
warm.  My skin is some better although still plenty of trouble.  However, [I]
think I’ll escape having to go back to the hospital as my own first aid seems
to be keeping it under control.  I have difficulty sitting down but I’m even
getting used to that.

Ronnie, how is everything with you these days and how are you and all the
little boys and girls getting along with your new gym set?  Can you swing in
the swing yet by yourself?  I have a good time and be a good boy and Daddy will
be home to play with you some of these days maybe.

All my love to you both,
Daddy