28 Jul July 28, 1945

letter
from: PFC George W Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Compiegne France
28 July 1945

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

Things are a little slow at present so will take a little time off to bring you
up to date with things.  And that doesn’t take much bringing as there really
is very little going so no news or anything.  We have about two hours a day
work in the office.  The rest of the time we just put in time.

We received a letter today from the fellow who used to work here.  The one who
got transferred to the States due to his mother being seriously ill.  He went
home on a Liberty ship (12 days) and is now enjoying a 30-day furlough.  Then
he will be assigned to some camp 30 miles from home.  Not bad is it?

I’d say the boy really is getting a break myself.  Guess he thinks so too.
Also received one letter from you written July 19th after you had had the Pages
and Holmes for dinner.

I had my records brought up to date this afternoon.  I now have a total of 52
points,  two battle stars, purple heart and the rest for service overseas and
in the States.  I had only been credited with one battle star.

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Don’t know how much good the extra five points will ever do me as I’m still
so far away from the required amount that it isn’t even funny.  Oh well, one
can never tell.

Didn’t write last night for two reasons.  I got a chance for a ride out to Dan
Sweeney’s camp, so took it.  Was out there for a couple hours.  It’s about
twenty miles from here.  He looked good and says he’s been getting along fine.
He was very disappointing to know that they are going direct to the Pacific.
They had heard it before.  But I had made some inquiries here and verified it.
I guess that was the last straw.  It really is pretty tough as they have been
in the ETO for about two years.  Did get some indication what might happen to
me though.  They took all physical class D men out of their outfit and sent
them to depots.  That looks like a sure sign that I will not go to So. Pacific
anyhow.  Of course anything can still happen in the Army.  So I’m not counting
too much on anything.  I see what is happening to too many other boys who
thought they would at least go through the states.  There is nothing new about
the 16th Depot that I have heard.

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The other reason for not writing was that I actually started a letter just
before returning as per my usual custom but along about that time the lights
went out for good.  That didn’t leave much choice but to retire for the evening.
Of course I could have started a little earlier but I had been involved in a
poker game during those hours.  Very profitable pass time [pastime] too.
There were a couple of boys in our room that thought they could take me.  I’m
afraid I only took one evening to convinced them otherwise.  I’ll probably be
on the defensive from now on.  Right now I am some thirty dollars  richer.
And if that keeps up, you might still be receiving some more money this
summer.

I hate to tell you what’s going on here in the office at the present time -
in fact, it seems to be a continuous battle about every two seconds.  I have to
dodge paper balls that are flying all over.  We have a half dozen or so young
men in here that haven’t grown up yet.  And lack of nothing to do tends to make
them <lend?> their efforts to kids games of throwing paper balls at each other.
So far I haven’t participated but may have to soon in self

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defense.  I might as well, I guess.  I get hit anyway.  I guess Americans will
be Americans wherever they are.  Or boys will be boys.  Anyhow, there is never
a dull moment here.  If it isn’t work, which it usually isn’t, it’s talk about
the war, women, going home, and on and on.  We do get some pretty good laughs
out of some of us.  And some pretty hot arguments over which outfit or branch
of the service did more to win the war.  Naturally the infantry is in the
majority and always wins.  But I think we do anyhow as it’s been pretty well
proven by this time, that it is the doughboys who finally get the decision when
it comes to actually making the enemy give up.  And I’m very much afraid,
regardless of current peace rumors, that an actual invasion of Japan and
Manchuria will be necessary before we will be over that hurdle.  However, this
time I hope the Air Force can do it alone.  And quick.  Guess we will all know
soon.

Just now heard that I’m going to be off the next two days and can get a pass to
Paris.  So looks like I’m Paris bound again.  The pass situation has changed
considerably here now and I’m lucky to be getting a pass so soon.

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We are only allowed to go to Paris three days a week now and pass that around
the whole depot means passes don’t come as often as they used to.  It seems
they are closing up a lot of the hotels in Paris or giving them back to the
French so they don’t have the facilities there that they used to have.  Guess
I’d better close now and get back on the job[,]  at least appear like it.  So
far I have never received any of those clothes you were going to send me.
What happened?  May add a little later in the evening.  Until then, bye now.
Wes.

10:45 PM Sat.
The day is over and I’ve done very little since 4 PM.  In fact nothing at all
of importance.  I had already seen the show downtown so pressed my clothes a
little and readied myself a little in other respects for my trip to Paris in
the morning.  Did sale [sell] my camera tonight for fourty five dollars.  Made
five dollars on it.  Sold it because it took very poor pictures and now with
the money will try to get a better one.  If I can’t find one, I have the money
which I suppose you can always

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use.  If you can’t I can.  I have a little over one hundred dollars again,
which means if I can’t find another camera, you may be getting some more money.
I wonder if I shouldn’t stay in the Army.  Don’t think I could do so well
financially as a civilian.

Time to go to bed now so good night and all my love to you both.  Has Ronnie’s
swing set come yet?  I can’t understand the people next door.  They really
must be a couple of psychos in advanced stage.

Daddy