Telegram - Nov 24, 1945

WESTERN UNION
TELEGRAM
1945 NOV 24 PM 12 12

FROM: A.L Q 230 8 TOUR=CAMP MILES STANDISH MASS 24 1059A
TO: MRS E L REGISTER=


ARRIVED SAFELY BE HOME IN TEN DAYS LOVE=
KENNY.

I'm In France - Oct 26, 1945

France
Oct 26, 1945

Dear Mother,

I’m back in France once more. For a much shorter stay this time I hope.
I’m in the One Ninety Third field artillery battalion being processed at Camp Baltimore. The camp is about thirty miles from Reims.
We are living in tents and just about freezing every night. One thing we are thankful for is the fairly dry weather we have been having here. - So far -
We hope to move out of here next week for Marseilles. We will be there about two weeks and then a boat ride once more. From that port it takes a little longer crossing, so if nothing happens we should sight land about the first week in December.
I am having all mail sent home so it won’t do much good for anyone to write. All mail gets stopped at the A.P.O. and sent back.
You hold the home fort down and keep your fingers crossed - if nothing happens I’ll be home for Christmas.
Till then I’ll send my Love
Kenneth

Brrrr - Sept 30, 1945

Germany
Sept 30, 1945

Dear Mother,

Brrrr, I think it's going to snow. It's been raining now for over a week. This morning it stopped raining and turned cold, and we're just close enough to the Alps for it to start snowing about this time of year.
I received the pictures of your camping trip to the place. They are very good. Maybe I can help take the next ones - yes.

Oct 1945

That was very rude of them. Taking me away from my letter writing just to pull guard duty for a few hours.
Did I tell you about my present home? We are living in houses that were originally divided into four apartments. Each apartment having four rooms and a bath. Three of us live in this room where I sleep. We have some prisoners who clean up our room every morning, wash and iron our clothes, and if it's cold they build us a fire. If it wasn't for guard duty this would be pretty nice around here.
I'll have to say good-bye now and pleasant dreams to you. Here's an extra large bundle of Love for all of you
Kenneth

Guard Duty at Dachau - Sept 23, 1945

Germany
Sept. 23, 1945

Dear Mother & Dad,

It's been a few days sense my last letter, so now I'll tell you the whole sad story. Ten days ago I was transferred out of the Seventy-first Division. Supposedly to go home, but someone sent us to the wrong outfit. We got into an outfit peddling prison guards at the Dachau concentration camp. Instead of being on our way home we sit here and watch these SS troops. The officers claim we will be relieved just as soon as another outfit can be found to take our place. As yet none are available.
I expect to leave Dachau between the first and the fifteenth of next month. After that I'll be jumping around from place to place. So I'm going to ask you to stop writing until you hear from me again. Maybe by then I'll have some definite news.
I figure I've got good reason for being mad about this mix up on going home. Every day I talk to men going through here on their way home. They have sixty and seventy points. Here I sit pulling guard everyday. Of course I only have eighty-five points as of V-J days - so maybe I'm being unreasonable.
I guess that's enough crying for now -
Here's loads of Love
Kenneth

Went to a Show - Sept 11, 1945

Germany
Sept 11, 1945

Dear Mother,

Just a short note to assure you that I am still thinking of you and home.
By the by; how is everyone on this crisp September morn? I hope everyone feels as good as I do today.
How are Dad's salesmen progressing? Has he found a one for Peoria yet? Two more questions and you will think this is a quiz program.
I went to a show sponsored by the Red Cross the other night. It was put on by a group of DP's from the Baltic states. They sang some of their native songs also a few American songs they have learnt lately. They danced a couple of their dances. They were so much like our square dances that I had the urge to get out there with them. All together it made a nice little show, and was enjoyed by everyone.
Well you are probably busy today so send some more of this love I am saving up - and don't forget - if you can't be good be careful.
Kenneth

Hectic Week end - Sept 9, 1945

Germany
Sept. 9, 1945

Dear Mother,

This has been a hectic week end. I don't know if it's possible or not but I'll try to make my hand and eyes track together long enough to beat out this letter.
Friday night the company had a small party - with cognac, rum, wine, and beer. It shouldn't have been bad but they didn't have enough of any one to last out the night. So during the course of events a little of each was consumed. Boy oh boy! What that does to your head the next morning.
I received your letter of the third this morning. From the sounds of things the advertising business should be good for a while next year. It would be nice if Dad gets some good salesmen trained so he can help us get started producing again.
Things have been happening around Springfield, haven't they? It seems funny Junior with a baby. I wonder which one it will look like.
Too bad about Clifford, but maybe he will think twice before hoping trucks in the near future.
You know it's hard to think of Millie and Roy out of the restaurant business. I wonder will they stay out or is it just wishful thinking. I wish them a lot of luck and hope they can stay out longer than they did before.
Darn but time flies - sometimes. At any rate the rattle of mess kits says it's chow time. We have ice cream and cake today so I can't afford to be late.
So I'll say Good-bye with loads of Love.
Kenneth

Points, age and discharges - Sept 4, 1945

Germany
Sept 4, 1945

Dear Mother,

You should hear everyone talking about points, age and discharges in general. - Don't tell anyone but I think, now mind you just think and hope that I will be in the States by Christmas.
Don't go making any rash plans but it doesn't hurt to hope does it?
I thought I would have a nice quiet morning here to write this letter, but someone else thinks differently. They just brought in twenty pair of binoculars to be repaired. That's the way it goes - for a week we sit around and loaf and then bingo! they drop everything in our laps at once.
What is Dad doing - Taking charge of a group of men covering a large section? It sounds like they are pleased with his work in that case - Good for him and lots of luck.
Well I've got to dive into that work or I might lose my job (oh yeah)
So here is a river of Love flowing your way.
Kenneth

Here are some pictures we took in our walks by the river in Augsburg.

Went To USO Show - Aug 30, 1945

Germany
Aug. 30, 1945

Dear Mother,

Well blow me down! Here it is another sunny day. It looked for a while like rain was on the menu permanent like, but for two days now we have had wonderful fall weather.
Some one must have given mail service a blood transfusion. I have received letters from you and Vanita in six days. Now if they just speed letters going the other way up a little - why who could ask for more.
We had a couple USO shows playing here at Augsburg this week, and I went to both of them. One was the Broadway hit play "Blithe Spirit" - It was a very good play about a mans first wife who came back as a spirit. No one but the man could see or hear her. So you can see the hot water he got into with his second wife.
The other was "Flying High". It was just a vaudeville and about like average. Gals, Gags, and songs.
I received your birthday card and here is a word of thanks to all. I just wish I was in a position to thank you personally.
Those old St. Louis Red birds are sure burning up the diamond on that home stretch. Here's luck to them I hope they win again this year.
You probably have lots of work to do this morning - so I'll say Bye-now - and leave you toil in peace with all my Love to help you out
Kenneth

I Hate This Point System - Aug 24, 1945

Aug. 24, 1945

Hello Mom,

Boy oh boy! it rains more here than any one place I know of. I don't think there has been a day this month when I have written a letter that it hasn't rained. Of course it could be that I chose rainy days to write. After all the sun shine's so seldom that it must be taken advantage of at every opportunity.
I received the pictures of the "Sky Ranch". It looks like you must have been all over to get those views. If the lake fills all that valley it's going to be a nice swim across. I hope Dad got that big order he was trying for. That would be a nice feather in his cap, besides supplying a tidy sum of money for the home team.
That's a dirty trick, sending Milton back into training. I don't know who thought up that point system. I haven't seen very many fellows that think it's fair. Some like it, especially those with kids, but they don't think it's fair. Oh well maybe we will all get out now.
I have to run into town today and pick up my laundry. There is a German woman in town that washes and irons my clothes each week. When I pick up my laundry I give her some oranges for her kids and some smokes for her and her old man. She does a pretty good job and saves me from getting dishpan hands.
I've just about got room left to include a small portion of the Love I'd like to send
Kenneth

I'll Keep My Fingers Crossed - Aug. 19, 1945

Germany
Aug. 19, 1945

Dear Mother,

I hardly know what to write. I keep feeling like there is a joker in this surrender business some place. So until the Japs have been disarmed and Japan occupied, I shall continue to keep my fingers crossed.
I'm saving up all my celebrating until I get home and then - look out. As far as I'm concerned the real V-day will be when i set foot on American soil again.
Are Vanita and Al coming down for Vanita's birthday? Even though I'm not there in body I'll be there in spirit wishing you all a happy time.
Well it's raining again today so I guess I can't go swimming. Every day the sun shines and I can get off, down for the old swimming I head. I don't like swimming that well, it's just something to break the monotony.
How is Dad doing with his light bulbs? Salesmen will have to be careful now or people will mob them trying to buy things. A salesman's paradise.
Someone yelled that there is hot water, so I had better get moving before it's all gone. -
Bye - now, Love from me to all of you.
Kenneth

Got A hair Cut - Aug. 11, 1945

Germany
Aug 11, 1945

Dear Mother,

I just received your letter telling how hot the weather was in St. Louis. I looked outside here and seen the wind blowing a near hurricane and the rain coming down. Darned if I didn't get almost homesick for a sight of God's country again.
I went uptown the other day and visited a German barber shop. They had one barber that couldn't have been over seventeen years old. He must have started the trade when he was only knee high. I watched him for a while and he did darn good job. One of the older men cut my hair - it was alright except for the dry shave on the neck. The thing that surprised me was the price of one mark for the hair cut!
Oh me! we have to attend a lecture of some kind - so I'll send all my Love
Kenneth

Got my Transffer Papers - Aug. 2, 1945

Germany
Aug. 2, 1945

Dear Mother,

Summer's just about over - it seems more like it should be just starting. The weather here leaves no doubt in the mind on that score. Cold winds and rain describes the weather we are having - and us living in tents on an open field.
The end of this tent sleeping is in sight now. I got my walking papers from the Sixth today. I bid goodbye to this outfit Saturday afternoon. I'm not sure of my destination but I think it's the Seventy - First Infantry Division. That's just guess work for now. I'll let you know for sure next week.
You must have a nice store of fruits and vegetables put up by now. Every once in a while you write that you have beets to pickle or strawberries (yum yum) to can. Or do you eat them up as fast as you can?
I'll have to close now and get ready to move. I'll let you know where I am as soon as possible
Love
Kenneth

We Had a Sport Carnival - July 28, 1945

Germany
July 28, 1945

Dear Mother,

They have the darndest weather over here. One day it's so hot you can't stand it and the next it's so cold that you shiver with a jacket on. Even when it's hot the nights are so damp that clothes feel clammy in the morning. It might be good for crops, but I don't feel like a crop.
We had a division sport carnival Thursday and Friday. There was track events, baseball games, boxing, horseshoe pitching, and volleyball. Besides there was the usual midway with games of skill and chance, a few beer tents and of course sandwich counters.
I ran in the two hundred meter race and the eight hundred meter race and the eight hundred meter relay. Couldn't get past the simi-finals in the race but we took fourth place in the relay. I thought that was pretty good considering the poor condition we were in.
I also picked up a nice case of sunburn while running around out there in trunks. Maybe it will turn into a nice coat of tan someway or other.
Next week-end the division is going to hold a water carnival. I'd like to enter but I'm afraid I can't swim anyways near that good.
Well I've got a little guard duty to pull tonight. So I'll say Goodnight for now
Lumps and Lumps of Love
Kenneth

Got Back From Three Day Pass - July 23, 1945

Germany
July 23, 1945

Dear Mother,

I just got back from a three day pass at Metz. In a couple more days I'll be rested up enough to try for another pass. - I hope.
There isn't much to do there - but it's a place to go and get away from the company for a few days.
The Army has taken over a swimming pool where a guy can spend a nice afternoon. And the sixth has a dance every night which isn't too crowded because nobody else but Sixth boys are admitted.
Your card of July sixth came today. Thanks a lot for your picture climbing that cliff at the "Sky Ranch."
I have never been able to contact Dave. In all my jumping from Army to Army I haven't seen a truck from his outfit.
I'm glad to hear Milton got back alright. He should just about be eligible for a discharge by now. I hope he gets one after all he went through.
It's kind of nice to able to say we OWN a small place on a lake in the Ozarks. It's a nice feeling even if there isn't any home - yet.
Here's a little bit of Love I'm sending your way
Bye-now
Kenneth

Still Waiting - July 9, 1945

Germany
July 9, 1945

Dear Mother,

Well I'm still here with the sixth. A sweating it out you might say. Every day I look at the bulletin board with apprehension, expecting to see my name on a transfer list. Going to some outfit to replace a high point man. I'm not letting it worry me too much right now.
About half of the Instrument section has been transferred to the Third Armored. Of the six of us remaining four have enough points to get home. that leaves two of us still waiting and hoping.
The boys who transferred took the radio with them. They had the majority staying in the army, so it was only fitting. There are enough other radios around the company for us to get the news and good programs, if we care to.
Darned ants. The soil here is sandy and every time I put down my bed roll it is a battle to see if the ants or myself will occupy it. I just sprinkled gasoline around so I think I'm safe for a while now.
What's new way back yonder now days? I hope you had a nice warm fourth of July week for celebrating Dad's birthday.
I'm going to sign off now. So lots of good wishes and a barrel of Love to all,
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

Moved Again - July 2, 1945

Germany
July 2, 1945

Dear Mother,

How is every little thing at home? I'm getting along fine, all things considered.
Right now I'm sweating out a transfer to some other outfit. I'll get transferred sooner or later, but the big question is will it be an outfit Pacific bound or one slated for occupation.
About half of the gang has been transferred already. The rest of us are just waiting.
Well I'm sleeping in my little pup tent again. We moved out of the Russian zone at midnight June 30th. We are in a field a few miles from Frankfurt on the Main. Two days ago this was an open field now it is a tent city of twelve thousand soldiers. Anything can happen now. So I'm just holding my breath awaiting, and hoping for the best.
I'll say goodnight now and send my Love to keep you company.
Kenneth

We Went To The Firing Range - June 27, 1945

Germany
June 27, 1945

Dear Mother,
You are probably wondering what has happened to my writing arm. Nothing special, just the Army and their ideas.
We went out on the firing range last week. Supposedly we were to stay there two days then come back to camp. Due to bad weather and poor management on the range we didn't get back to camp until last night.
I managed to get a sunburned nose - bad weather or not. That's what comes of living indoors. A few hours out in the sun, and bingo! a cute little red snozola. It looks hic! like I might, hic! be a hic! booze hound, hic!
So Dad got caught in the floods. It's a good thing he didn't get stranded someplace. Maybe you can both get down to the place later this summer.
My bowling isn't too hot. Sometimes I do pretty good and then other times those d--n pins just wont fall down. The worst trouble is the size of the balls. The first two or three games are alright, but after that my hand starts getting sore from being wrapped around the ball. After my hand gets sore it's time to quit. About that time my control over the ball goes bye-bye and the score hits rock bottom.
I'll say goodnight for now and send my Love to keep you company.
Kenneth

Thanks For The Package - June 15, 1956

Germany
June 15, 1945

Dear Mother,

I'll bet the heat is really bearing down on St. Louis about this time of month. Over here she's a sometimes good and a sometimes bad. The past week we have been dodging rain showers. (darn but I'm having trouble with my spelling)
I received that package today, with the pencils in it. I don't know who to thank for the candy and everything else. So I'll send thanks to You, Puggie, Dad, and Stubby. That should cover the guilty party or parties. My sweet tooth also sends thanks.
The funny papers are coming through pretty regularly. After they make the rounds of the fellows in the room here - down the hall they go until practically every man in the Company has seen them.
I'm sticking in a few pictures we took last winter. Notations on the back will give you some idea when and where they were taken.
I'll close now so I'll have room for the pictures.
Oceans of Love
Kenneth

Here I Sit - June 10, 1945

Germany
June 10, 1945

Dear mother,

I intended to go out on the hill this afternoon and write this letter sitting in the sun. A little shower came up and so here I sit in my room inside.
The pictures you took of the family in the park got here. They were very nice. I liked that one of Dad cleaning the car. It's too bad about Stubby. I hope the shots do him good.
$36.45, That sounds really good. Are you going to take care of all of it this month? It really rates a celebration. You celebrate over there and I'll celebrate here. Then when we get together - wow ---.
I've been reviewing my case and checking my chances of coming home. The way things stand now it looks like it will be at least another year. That sounds bad but until Japan falls there is no chance of getting out. So under the circumstances it's better over here than down in the South Pacific.
Did Dad finally get off to his long anticipated trip? I hope he finds business good when he does go. And I sure wish I was going with him.
I'd better close when I start getting thoughts like that.
Love from me to You
Kenneth