At My New Home - Aug. 8, 1945

Germany
Aug. 8 1945

Dear Mother,

I'm about to get settled into my new home. We moved about two hundred miles south of Ausgurg, Germany. This is a fair size city a few miles northwest of Munich. That two hundred miles makes quite a difference in the weather. It's nice and warm here where as the other place was cold.
We are living in barracks at the edge of town. Just a short walk to town or if walking is too strenuous, there is a trolley that goes up town!
There is a river that runs through town where I intend to spend some time swimming. I went down last night after supper and tried the water out. It felt like liquid ice but if you keep moving you won't freeze to death. After a few minutes of that water it feels doubly good laying on the beach and absorbing sunshine.
I've got a German five mark note I'm putting in this letter. At the present rate of exchange it's worth fifty cents. Here is also a Greek bill. I don't know just what it's worth but it looks good any way.
It seems funny this is the first time in over three years that I haven't had an armoured force patch on my sleeve. Now then I wear the patch of the seventy-first Infantry Division Of course I'm still in the ordinance so the type division doesn't make too much difference. From what they tell us fellows from the sixth our stay with this division is more or less temporary. This division may go to the Pacific and if it does we probably won't go with it. That suits me.

Until next letter - Loads and loads of Love
Kenneth

Happy Birthday Dad - July 4th, 1945

Germany
July 4, 1945

Dear Dad,
Happy Birthday to you Dad and may you have many more of them. Maybe we will be together to celebrate your next one.
This has been a very quiet day over here. No elaborate celebration just a nice quiet holiday.
How did you spend the day?
How are the light bulbs coming along? Selling lots of them I hope.
I've got myself a grand total of sixty-eight points - so you can figure out where I stand in this discharge business. Right now it's a toss up weather I get transferred to an outfit staying in the Army of occupation or hit an outfit going to the Pacific - by way of the States. I'm hoping for the later - but the Army has it's own ideas.
Good-bye and Good-luck till later
Kenneth

Rain, rain, rain, - May 25, 1945

Germany
May 25, 1945

Dear mother,

Rain, rain, rain, that's all it does lately. This weather isn't fit for man or beast. Right now I'm shaking so much from the cold - I don't know if you will be able to read this or not.
The point system seems to be the main topic of discussion through out the E.T.O . I could make a few untimely remarks but it all adds up to the fact that I haven't enough points to do me any good.
After looking into my crystal ball I can see nothing but the Pacific for your world traveling son.
Received some more funnies the other day, and wish to thank you for the same. There was also a small package of soap that arrived about the same time. I can see that someone has been hitting a few hotels in Missouri.
I think I heard that gas rationing changed from four to six gallons per week. Is this so, or just a rumor? It would sure help Dad out if tis true.
How does Linda-Lee like St. Louis? It must be quite a novelty for her in a large town. Maybe she won't want to go back down on the farm now.
Good night for now with gobs of Love
Kenneth