Jacqueline, Thank you so much for including Gary. I know many of our folks remember both his parents. Gary

Bing always guards his mother from worry in his many letters: Dated March 23, 1944

 

Dear Mother,

 

This marks a little more than two months on the Anzio beach-head for us and we’re beginning to feel almost at home here. Jerry, in his crude manner, still continues discouraging any such ideas but to no avail. This was their favorite bathing beach, guess that’s why they were so riled up when we barged in. Well, if they want to bathe, there’s a river running through Berlin. That’s where they belong anyway. One of these days maybe they’ll wise up.

 

In many respects we’re living quigte comfortably in spite of Hitler’s hench-men and their threats. We’re eating pretty good NOW. Our regular ration is supplemented with bread and fresh meat. And once we even had “sure enough” cow butter which was a real treat. Of course we get butter in our regular rations which good too. And I almost forgot the doughnuts, we’ve had ’em a couple of times. We have facilities for taking hot baths and the civilians do our laundry, so you see we’re living alright. A “rest camp” has been established and those who are fortunate enough to go there can see movies and they have other forms of entertainment, but the rest is the best thing away from the worries and danger of the front lines.

 

Dary Ryan is here on the beach-head although I haven’t seen him yet, but I hope to soon.

 

I got some home town news papers from some of my Rolette friends in one of the other Batteries so I’ve been reading up on the latest developments back home. It appears they’re having some difficulty meeting their “Bond” quotas and I can’t blame them. Their quotas are altogether too much for rural communities.

 

I hear the girls may come home this spring and I suppose you’re looking forward eagerly for that, after being so much alone this winter.

 

Best regards to all! Bing