31 Oct October 31, 1944

letter
from: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
France
October 31, 1944
Tues. 11 A.M.

Dear Alice and Ronnie,

Still where we first landed three days ago, within a couple hours walking
distance of the beach.  Don’t think I’ll ever get used to this kind of life,
but after a time one acclimates oneself to his hardships and surroundings and
gets along.  Just to give you an example in a small way of what this is like, I
will venture to tell you that today, since landing, the army has fed me six
spam and hardtack sandwiches, one cup of cocoa, one cup of coffee, and about
one cup of fruit juices altogether.  And we’ve had to go out and

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swipe most of those rations, or we wouldn’t have had that.  Roger and I spent
most of last evening and an hour or two this morning cooking up some old apples
we found and making some apple sauce.  We had a chocolate bar so we made some
hot chocolate.  Along with our spam sandwich we have just finished eating the
best breakfast we have had for a week.  Of course there has been the usual
amount of mud <?througher> [thrown] in for dessert but one doesn’t count that
anymore just takes it for granted.  It has rained every day so far.  Rain in
these damn European countries seems to come as second nature.  Have managed to
stay warm at nite but after lying on the ground for 12 to 14 hrs at

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a stretch the ground gets plenty hard - certainly not like that nice bed you
are sleeping in.  We crawl in at dark and get up after daylight and then we are
in here - such as now - any time during the day it rains.  One learns to love
these damn pup tents.  With all your baggage, gun and equipment crowded in
along with two men, it allows just enough room to lie down.  At that, from what
I hear, I <? elfar> rather stay here for the duration than move up to where
those other boys are pounding away at the Jerry’s.

Haven’t heard a bit of news, seen a newspaper or anything.  As far as I know
the war is over.  Guess it isn’t though because we certainly would have heard
if that had happened.  Surprisingly enough the fellows spirits including

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my own are still very high[.]  And last night I had a very pleasant dream all
about me coming home and finding you and Ronnie both in excellent health and
giving me a very warm welcome.  May that dream come true soon.

Well my dears, my feet are getting so cold I am going to have to get up and go
seek a fire to warm up a bit.  So far we’ve only been allowed to write one
letter a day so if any of the people back there I owe letters to get impatient
tell them to hold on I’ll catch up someday.  In the meantime keep them coming
this way.  I’m not getting them but someday they’ll catch up and then I’ll
really have a field day.

Take good care of our little Ronnie and also yourself and just be sure that you
carry ouit and be ready to fulfill your part of my dreams.

Love Daddy