05 Sep September 5, 1945

letter
from: PFC George W. Shonkwiler
to: Mrs. Alice Shonkwiler
Compiegne, France
5 Sept. 45
Wednesday 2:30 P.M.
Noteworthy: Dad calculates when he will be discharged from the Army.

Dearest Alice and Ronnie,

Two letters today.  Both mailed, Aug. 30th.  One from you and one from Murray.
Can’t get over Murray writing so much lately and such long letters.  I’m really
glad to hear from him but I am wondering just what’s behind it if anything.  Said
he was back at Smith’s and John Mendenhall had my old job.  So guess if I had any
visions of going back there they are off.  Which I didn’t have.  Sterling either
for that matter.  Marge even wrote me a page or two.  Said her perfume was very
nice.

Well something happened late yesterday afternoon that really had us all buzzing.
Two special orders came out about 4 p.m.  Dividing all G.F.R.C. men by points
into categories.  All points 44 and under to go to Germany, 44 to 59 inclusive to
go to the 19th Depot at Estampe (I was there when I was with Sweeney) for
reassignment, where to no one knows, 60 points to 74 inclusive to be assigned
with the Depot.  Which probably would mean return to the States in November
according to the latest dope.  That was all fine yesterday because under the new
point system I have 60 points.  Today, however, there has been <? demialp> rumors
and just about everything.  The biggest fly in the ointment

page 2
being that this order was dated Sept 2 and since the new points from VE Day were
not announced until Sept. 3rd <? lithal> by it would mean that the categories
would be determined as of the points computed up to VE Day.  And that’s not as
good for me since I would have only 52 and would have to go back to the 19th for
reassignment.  So now you see we are right back where we started almost.  About
the only thing I am reasonably sure of is that it won’t be army of occupation in
Germany.  However, what the new reassignment from the 19th Depot would mean is
something else.  Now you have the latest dope.  Today no one gives a damn about
anything.  Regardless of points from VE Day or VJ Day the biggest percentage of
HQ’s men are definitely on the way out so they suddenly said, "to hell with it
all" and that seems to be the prevailing attitude.  Personally if they compute
the points from VJ Day and give us all eight points, as they say, believe I will
be getting my first real break in the army.  As then I really believe, I will be
back around Thanksgiving.  Not for discharge right away but certainly by the
first of the year.  Which wouldn’t be too bad.  You can guess how I’m pulling.
Even though I know I have absolutely nothing in the say of

page 3
what is going to happen.

Today now a couple of boys got a hold of some song <? flutes>, over at the
service club.  They started playing them at the office.  It soon caught on and
now we all have one.  You can imagine what it’s been like around here.  I’ll send
mine home so Ronnie can show you.  Well it’s one way to pass the afternoon under
the present tension.

Murray also said Ray <? Hauss> had rented offices downtown and was going into
some kind of supply business.  I wonder what that is.  Looks like the boys are
making the most of trying to get a job before all the returning soldiers get back.
Guess you can’t blame them, but it’s a little rough on us.  That’s all I can say.
Oh well, that just means I’ll have to work a little harder when I do get back
that’s all.

I’m going to Paris tomorrow for two days.  Maybe that I won’t get to go there

many more times.  Not that it makes much difference.  But might as well go while
I can.  They at least have good beds there.  And this straw mattress and wooden
slats we sleep on do get pretty monotonous.  Besides I’m still trying to find
some little thing to send the rest of the family

page 4
and it’s really getting to be quite a job.  I just about have Norma’s package
ready.  The first, you see I have a long way to go before I get around to them
all, if ever.  It’s easy to buy perfume for all the women if I have the money.
But the real trouble comes when I try to get something for the male members of
the family.  I hate to think about even starting on Forest’s family.

I think I will close now and probably add a little later in the evening.  Maybe
some later dope will come out.  Bye now.
Wes.

11 P.M.
Hello again.

Just back from seeing a very good GI show.  In fact it was the show I came here
to be in way back last April.  Only very few of the original bunch are left but I
will have to say they do have a good show now.  I saw them while in the hospital
you will remember and there certainly is a world of difference in them now.  They
have an excellent 14 piece band, some good specialty acts and a couple excellent
vocalists.

Well there is still no definite news on what is going to happen about the points.
Some say they count them[,] some say no.  Maybe the next letter I will be able to
tell you.

All my love to you both,
Daddy