Rodney Renfrew
O-544380
Rodney Alexander Renfrew was a farm boy from Ohio. He was born on September 20, 1922, at Walnut Hills Farm in Coshocton, Ohio. He died just 23 years later, on February 10, 1945.
Young Rodney Renfrew
Background:
Renfrew was the oldest son of the fourth generation to live on the family homestead in Coshocton, Ohio. He graduated from Keene High School in 1940 and attended Ohio State University. He was a member of the Canal Lewisville Methodist Church and the Future Farmers of America where he received the highest recognition for his outstanding achievements.
During his senior year at Ohio State’s College of Agriculture, on April 26, 1943, young Rodney enlisted in the U.S. Army. Renfrew’s basic training was at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He also had four months of ASTP training in basic engineering at Ohio State University. (ASTP was a military training program instituted by the U.S. Army during World War II to meet wartime demands both for junior officers and soldiers with special technical skills.)
Rodney entered OCS (Officer’s Candidate School) on December 13, 1943 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in April of 1944.
2nd LT Rodney Renfrew
In late September 1944, Lieutenant Renfrew shipped out to the European Theater of Operations and was assigned to the 319th Glider Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division. The rear echelon of the 319th was stationed at Papillon Hall located in Market Harborough, Lubenham, England. At the time the 319th’s forward combat echelon was fighting near Nijmegen, Holland.
Renfrew trained and conditioned at Papillon Hall then officially joined the forward combat echelon 2 miles north of Nijmegen on October 27, 1944. (see photos below taken 1944, courtesy of Rose and Mark Utley)
“Company Morning Reports” were produced every morning by the individual Army units to record personnel matters. The following events (see below) were reported for Lieutenant Renfrew:
October 16, 1944, 2nd LT Rodney Renfrew, assigned and joined the HQ Battery, 319th Glider FA Battalion from the 12th replacement depot.
November 16, 1944, 2nd LT Rodney Renfrew, assigned and joined A-Battery, 319th Glider FA Battalion, duty Forward Observer. (1189)
February 11, 1945, 2nd LT Rodney Renfrew, from duty to Killed in Action (Germany), on February 10, 1945.
This is his story
On February 10, 1945, 2nd Lieutenant Renfrew was attached to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry, serving as a forward observer, directing artillery fire during a nighttime raid on German forces near the banks of the Roer River, Hurtgen, Germany. Their mission was take and hold Hill 400.
Captain Sartain of A-Battery recalled, “When the attack started at 0200 hours, Company “C” was in the lead, with Lieutenant Renfrew in tow. It advanced through belts of mines of every description: shoe mines, box mines, S mines, booby traps, and Bouncing Betties, a variety which were spring loaded so as to jump a few feet in the air before it detonated. At the base of Hill 400 the men were met by the combined fire of no less than six German machine guns. Lieutenant Renfrew called in fire missions but it was no use. In the darkness it was impossible to adjust the concentrations accurately and “C” Company could go no further. While these men laid down as much covering fire as they could muster, companies “A” and ”B” made a flanking attack on the hill. Maneuvering to a new observation point Renfrew was killed by a land mine. The 508th took Hill 400 sometime around dawn.”
PFC Carl J. Salminen recalled the evening of February 10, 1945: “I took this young lieutenant (Renfrew) from the signal team up front. Observation officer, a 2nd Lieutenant. Real nice guy, real young guy. I would say twenty or twenty one years old. I took him up front. All I had to do was drop him off, I don’t know what the town was, somewhere near Saint Vith. When I got back to the battalion they said, what did you do with that Lieutenant? What are you talking about, I took him out where I was told to take him, the radio operator and the telephone operator. He said, well, he’s dead. Go on, I said, you guys gotta be kidding me! He said, no, he is dead. He stepped on a box mine. Like a cigar box.”
2nd Lieutenant Renfrew was buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Liège, Belgium. (see inset) He was awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries and the Army’s Silver Star for his gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. For his service he was also awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with three bronze campaign stars, Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation, Military Order of William and the Belgian Fourragere.
Silver Star - Official General Order
Renfrew Rodney A., 1st Lt.: SSM, PH, GO 129, 1945.
o-544380. 2nd Lt. 319th GFAB. For gallantry in action against the enemy near (censored) Germany, on 10 February 1945, 2nd Lt. Renfrew was acting as an artillery observer with the assault elements of an infantry battalion in a bitter phase of battle on the banks of the Roer River. Advancing down a steep slope in complete darkness, the attacking forces stumbled into a heavily mined area. And 2nd Lt. Renfrew was mortally wounded. Although paralyzed, he refused to allow his men to stop to treat him. He gave them full instructions and urged them on into the attack. 2nd Lt. Renfrew lost his life in this action. But with the spirit he instilled in his men and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the airborne forces. Entered military service from Coshocton, Ohio.
The Renfrew family received letters (see below courtesy of Rose and Mark Utley) from General James Gavin and fellow officer George Cole, offering condolences, regards and information about Rodney’s decorations.
Letters to home -courtesy of Rose and Mark Utley
The following series of abridged letters were sent by 2nd Lieutenant Renfrew to various family members over the course of his service during World War II.
The letters are dated from January 21, 1944, through February 7, 1945, were written during his training in the U.S. and after he shipped off to England in late September of 1944 to begin his European combat service.
[Years later, these letters were saved by a farm hand who worked on the Renfrew’s Walnut Hills Farm in Ohio.]
Author’s Notation: Rodney Renfrew was a bright, young, educated, enthusiastic, interesting and “interested” man. His letters jump from subject to subject...from war and weapons to farming and animal husbandry...from family affairs to global affairs. Each subject seems to “leap” into the next, in rapid-fire bursts of questions, statements, observations, requests and entreaties. Sometimes, without any particular sequence or order. Whatever seems to pop into young Lieutenant Renfrew’s mind as he’s writing. But taken as a whole, Rodney Renfrew’s letters tell the story of a pretty normal midwestern American boy who is uprooted from his life as a student to do his patriotic duty as a soldier.
Young Lieutenant Renfrew is a reflection of so many other GI’s who left their job, their trade, their farm, their college, or their career to serve their country in World War II. God bless him. God bless them all. Rodney Renfrew’s last letter was February 7, 1945. Sadly, three days later he was killed in action.
Letter #1
(Letterhead: U.S. Army, Camp Maxey, Texas)
July 21, 1944
Dear Mom & Dad,
Arrived back to camp safely after a pretty rugged trip. My new duties have changed me from A Battery to A Battery of the 924th as motor officer and assistant executive. I had 5 hours of classes today, 4 this morning on .50 caliber machine guns and one this afternoon on field fortifications.
Tell (brother) John congratulations on his 14th birthday and he better grow up and drop me a line once in a while.
Harry Truman, Democratic nominee for Vice President.
(And this...)
They’ve been really suffering here for two weeks with a 105-degree heatwave, and no let-up until yesterday when it rained during the afternoon. Today is just dry and hot again.
My old alarm clock is still ticking with quite a few men depending on it for tomorrow morning as we go out for service practice as 5:15am.
Be sure and get that film I sent developed pronto.
I have a carton of Luckies for you, Dad. Probably mail on Saturday.
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #2
(Letterhead: U.S. Army, Camp Maxey, Texas)
July 23, 1944
I have additional insurance now. Took out a $5,000 policy. It pays $2,500 for death in combat or $5,000 if in the States. Every officer in Battalion took out either $5,000 or $10,000. The insurance allotment of $11.65 per month is deducted from my pay. Mother will get a receipt as beneficiary.
Farmers and Traders (Insurance Company) dropped their double-indemnity coverage since death in combat is not considered accidental. So they only pay off $1,000.
The 370 Field Artillery Battalion of our division artillery, the guys I met at Fort Sill, are back here at Camp Maxey after being in school up there. Two boys from Class 102 are with them:
Charles Whitehead from Falmouth, Kentucky, and Bert Willison from Oklahoma.
Did John celebrate his birthday?
Rodney
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Letter #3
(Letterhead: U.S. Army, Camp Maxey, Texas)
July 23, 1944 – 10pm
Dear Dad,
I’m sitting here in my room, but it’s too hot to sleep. Temp is hovering at 100-degrees Fahrenheit. No doubt threshing is completed.
I left my wristwatch at Hay’s (jewelers) while I was home and he told me six weeks. I have inquired about repair work here and can get it within a week as there are 3 repair men in this local (Texas) shop.
I mailed you a carton of Luckies as there were no Camels here either at the Post Exchange, which we get for 12 cents a pack. Camels should be here later next week though.
We were in the field on Saturday dealing with various problems and service practices. I was safety officer in the morning and executive officer in the afternoon.
I volunteered to go to Survey School, which allowed me to go on leave before school even started. Now all these schools are cancelled. I have a final physical on Monday and three teeth to be filled.
Our training last week was swimming instruction, protection against sea animals, getting off the boat, dealing with a life raft.
My roommate’s wife lost her three-month old baby (embryo) and nearly died herself of internal hemorrhaging.
I had 4 hours of instruction on the .50 caliber machine gun on Friday and an hour of field fortifications. It gets cool about 3 a.m. around here. Must look over tomorrow’s schedule and retire for the night.
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #4
(Letterhead: US Army, Camp Maxey, just north of Paris, Texas)
July 30, 1944
Dear Mother and Dad, John, and Jr (Tracy Jr.),
I’m taking a few minutes out from this 24-hour-a-day/seven-day week to drop you a few lines.
It’s now 5:30pm on Sunday and I just returned from Paris, Texas. Been on courtesy (security) patrol since 11am and won’t finish until 11pm tonight.
We ate a big watermelon in the middle of the afternoon, and it was ice cold. A small town near here is the center-of-the-world for good melons.
I had cantaloupe for breakfast.
The weather has been terrible. Many men have passed out recently from the heat. This past week the temperatures were 110, 111, 112, 115, 100. We were training out in the field Friday night and had several electrical storms and cloudbursts. We got soaked. The chiggers are eating our legs. I used Sulphur and skat for mosquitoes.
Our time is being spent with final inspections of every necessary piece of soldier clothing and equipment.
Well, the army finally caught up with me. In my overseas physical, the battalion surgeon, Major Adams, said I was unqualified due to a small hernia underneath my old appendicitis scar. Doctor Adams said it’s been there since the appendectomy surgery and would probably never cause any trouble. But he doesn’t want anyone to ever come back at him if the hernia should result in any trouble during combat. So, by the time you receive this letter, I will have that all fixed up and well on the road to recovery.
My operation takes place Monday PM or Tuesday morning, August 1 (1944).
As it stands now, I’ll stay in hospital about 8 days and then 21 days of convalescence until strength returns to the abdominal wall. My old appendicitis scar will be gone entirely, replaced by this new scar. The cause for this problem was that the docs failed to sew up the muscle in my stomach properly after the drain tube was removed at the completion of my original appendectomy. They are going to use a local (anesthetic) or freeze the part to be operated on.
Received your letter of July 26 and no doubt you have plenty of blackberries canned.
Our rooms are scorching hot and don’t cool off until about 3am, so some mornings I feel more tired than when I went to bed.
If there are any changes (in size) to the birthday present I sent, which will arrive in the next 14 days, please return for correct size.
We’re censoring our own mail now and the enlisted men are having their mail censored by an officer from each battery.
Have you had any rain lately to finishing plowing on the hill?
Pay day is tomorrow. $196.50, then pay mess bill, club dues, fee for battalion party at the club Thursday night.
John (younger brother) had a pretty fair birthday by the sound of things. Tell Jr. (younger brother Tracy Jr.) to drop me a line, or is he at that cottage in Lake Park?
Your son and brother,
Rodney
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Letter #5
(Letterhead: US Army, Camp Maxey, just north of Paris, Texas)
August 4, 1944
Dear Folks,
The hospital service is fine, the weather hot, the food good, but my stomach is slightly sore. I’m writing you this letter as I lay here in the general’s room. It is a large, double room, with two windows facing west. Cool in the morning but now it’s rather warm. I have a 15” electric fan which helps.
I’m doing fine after the surgery, got my appetite back somewhat, mostly liquids. The operation was a snap, but that gas was making my intestines do summersaults. Someone comes in to talk with me every 15-20 minutes so it’s never lonesome, and the Red Cross brings books.
General Frederick Black, our CO of Division Artillery was the first to visit me yesterday. Then today Lieutenant Jack Varner came in and brought a pint of ice cream.
People are suffering terrible from the heat down here and everything is dried up. An army nurse who had an appendectomy is in the room next to me. She comes over and helps me, combs my hair.
A woman died this morning in the ward from injuries caused by an auto accident yesterday. She had a collapsed lung.
The doctors who operated were Major Granoff and Captain Connelly, the two top surgeons on the post. I must stay here in the hospital 21 days, although I’ll be out of bed in 8 to 10.
Have very good care, so don’t worry about me a bit. Must finished a book, “Never Whistle In A Dressing Room.”
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #6
(Letterhead: US Army, Camp Maxey, just north of Paris, Texas)
August 8, 1944 - 8:30pm - Station Hospital
Dear Mother and Dad, Jr and John,
Just had my evening alcohol refreshment bath (alcohol rub) by “ward boy.” Now we get our evening grapefruit juice, tomato juice or peach cocktail.
My stitches came out today in fine shape. I noticed the incision is directly over the old appendix scar. A very neat job. Lieutenant Collins (81 mm mortar victim) tells me he owes his right arm to Major Granoff, who fixed it up while others were advising amputation.
Two more officers came in from my battalion 924 for hemorrhoids and one captain has arthritis in his ankles.
Time out for toasted egg sandwich and grapefruit juice. The nurses are gone so we’re raiding the kitchen.
A quiet breeze is now going through our porch and is quite a relief.
General Lear, AGF Commanding General (head of Army ground forces) is here today and will speak to every officer in the 99th division in the field house at 8pm tonight. The entire division paraded for him. Am I glad I’m in bed. You remember him as “Go-Ho” Lear since he made an infantry company march 25 miles for whistling at girls on a golf course on which he was playing in civilian clothes. He’s rough. He took McNair’s place after his (Gen. McNair’s) death in France.
(General Lesley J. McNair was referred to by General George C. Marshall as “the brains of the army.” He was killed during the Normandy Invasion in July 1944.)
I feel great but must stay in bed for another week.
Hope everyone is okay. Our chaplain is keeping me on the right track, as ever. Ha, ha.
Your son Rodney
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Letter #7
(99th Division Artillery Letterhead)
August 15, 1944 - Station Hospital
Dear Mother and Dad,
Am sitting on a chair writing on my bed. I am progressing as expected. I walk to the mess hall and even make my own bed. And I got under a good shower.
Today my application for the routine 21-day “convalescent leave” went in. It will be very interesting to find out the results. All officers of the 99th must be on post as of September 1, and yet my transfer has not come through. So it’s quite a toss-up as to what I’ll be doing in the next few weeks.
If I don’t get my leave, I must still stay in the hospital for three additional weeks, as my original surgeon said the convalescent time after a hernia is six weeks. I hope to give you more definitive information in the next week.
Everything is burnt out in Texas. Corn and cotton fields are cut 50%n in many sections. Two of our battery commanders from the 924th are here in the hospital with respiratory disease and hemorrhoids.
Tomorrow is inspection. Up early, brush teeth, stand at foot of bed at attention. Am reading “The Flying Tigers” of Burma. Jr. should read it.
Your son,
Rodney
Note: Dad - send Stetson back for correct size to store whose address is on the box.
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Letter #8
(99th Division Artillery Letterhead)
August 15, 1944 - Station Hospital
(2nd letter of the day)
Dear Mother and Dad,
Tomorrow is “D” Day for my getting up and out of here, so I’m looking forward to it. Missed sending letters the last two days as I was catching up on my reading.
Read some interesting books, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, and Strange Fruit and Born In Battle. I’m devouring anything I can get my hands on.
Have been playing pinochle with two Red Cross ladies, Major Ronne’s wife, our battalion executive, and a Mrs. Little, wife of our division artillery liaison pilot. Everyday sees new patients arrive at the hospital. Hernia seems to be “catching” lately, as well as “jeepitis.” That’s inflammation of the tailbone from riding in a jeep all day.
Here are all the different arms of service represented in this ward: engineers, artillery, infantry, adjutant general, general’s aide, and medics.
Temperature keeps about 100 with no let up. I listened to Roosevelt’s speech last Saturday night as well as the Hit Parade. This has been a long two weeks, but quite restful. Considerable excitement around old Camp Maxey lately. I’ll bet (kid brother) John isn’t thinking of high school yet.
As ever your son,
Rodney
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Letter #9
(Letter written on stationery from the Hotel Washington, Pennsylvania Avenue at 15th Street, Washington, D.C.)
September 17, 1944 - Sunday
Dear Mother and Dad,
Have been in D.C. this weekend, must be back in camp by 11pm tonight. We’re shipping out Monday to a staging area, which may be New York or Boston. We may be there a few days, but no correspondence is allowed from the staging area. Have nearly all new equipment.
Sent footlocker full of unnecessary equipment and clothing home. You can saw the lock off and look over the clothes.
Have had a wonderful time in D.C. Saw Louise Wright on Thursday night. Ran into Charles Guthrie, son of the shoe repairman. He’s a first class pharmacist. And had dinner at Lieutenant Richard Warner’s father and mother’s home in Hyattsville, Maryland.
My baggage arrived safely, but any fellow whose baggage did not arrive, didn’t get on the shipping list.
Had my hernia checked and it is A-1 and a good, strong healing job. It is classified as a “minor operation,” and therefore does not come under the Army regulations that say a surgery patient cannot leave the country for three months.
Doris Endsley and Marg Felton have been here this weekend. We took a tour of the capital. Too many people going up in the Washington Monument.
We’ve had rain all week and caught part of a storm.
Last night, we went to the Shoreham Hotel for dancing. Cousin Rosie’s son suggested this and I’m sure the girls enjoyed it.
Yesterday I shipped my bedroll and one duffel bag, my Valpak and musette bag...four pieces only.
I supposed Jr. (kid brother Tracy Jr.) is whacking off corn and ready to sow wheat. Doris can tell Tracy any particulars. I don’t think that camera (I’m waiting for) will ever catch up with me.
Am fine and will give you address at earliest moment. Until then, mail goes to Fort Meade.
Take it easy. Am curious and looking forward to point of arrival. They said we’d earn that overseas pay in two weeks (forget Christmas package).
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #10
(Washington, D.C.)
September 18, 1944
Dear Dad,
My stay in the USA is coming to a close. Have had an enjoyable week here in D.C. and covered it pretty thoroughly.
Saw Jacob and Rosie last weekend and they drove me around the city. Ran into several folks from home: Charles Guthrie and Bob VanNiel, a member of OCS#102. (Officer Candidates’ School).
Am sending watch and pen in the morning mail. Someone should wear the watch. It needs cleaning. My locker should arrive railway express COD in a week or so.
I wonder where I’ll be on my birthday, September 20th. (Two days after the date on this letter.)
Forget about Christmas package until I send any definite address. If you ever get a chance to send anything, send razor blades and a camera if possible. I have plenty of 35mm film.
Hope you got the car fixed okay. I suppose corn is ripening and will all soon be cut, and wheat sown.
Well, take it easy this winter and if ever any emergency, use Red Cross chapter facilities for the best communication. Tell Tracy (Jr.) to drop me a line occasionally. Mail thru Meade until I get an overseas address.
We’re about 90 miles from the coast. Wind really wrecked things around here. Longhand letters with air mail stamps arrive overseas as soon as V-Mail does. Had dinner at Dick Warner’s in Hyattsville with his parents and Dick Weigel and his girl. Warner and Weigel are still at Fort Brag.
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #11
September 23, 1944
Hello John, (Kid brother)
The fair will soon be here and is that calf ready and polished to parade? No doubt you’ll live there (at the fair) at night. I don’t believe I’ll be in the U.S. for this year’s Coshocton County Fair.
How is school these days? I supposed high school is different from the 8th grade. Tell Jr. (brother Tracy Jr.) to pack that camera carefully and according to overseas package specifications, and mail immediately. We can get all the film we want, and they encourage picture taking. I should receive it when I get there because it may fly faster than me.
7:30pm - SATURDAY EVENING - September 23, 1944
Just took a shower and got all cleaned up here.
Well, Jr., you take care of lonely girls and drop me a line at your leisure and give anyone who wants it my address. Wrote several letters this PM. You know, keeping the women posted!
So long,
Your brother Rodney
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Letter #12
(Somewhere in the New York Area)
Dear Mother and Dad,
Well, the weather feels like long drawers these days. (Long underwear). And probably won’t be too bad on the way across (the Atlantic).
Have sent several items, hope you receive them. They include a footlocker coming express, my watch and pen, and personal 201 file, which must be put away for safekeeping. (A 201 is the army’s military personnel file.) In it is an exact duplicate of all my orders and changes of station since entering the Army.
I’m sending a receipt of bonds and insurance which you should also keep filed away.
Hope you are all well. Don’t let that knee keep you down this winter.
Am anxious to get underway, as it will give me considerable time to think. I really feel fine and believe the hernia operation done me good and I am good. Am getting more sleep since we left Fort Meade. Ha!
Had a fine time on my pass. The city (Fort Meade is located in between Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD) is quite different and the officer with me was amazed at the traffic and tall buildings. 15 people are killed daily in traffic accidents.
Well, it’s about “that time” for wheat sowing. Have you had any frost? Is the corn all cut?
Our barracks faces west and no sun this morning. Quite cool.
Last night we saw a wonderful movie, “Since You Went Away.” But I do not advise you seeing it as it’s a little on the rough side for parents or girlfriends at this stage of the game.
Have written Marcia (kid sister) twice. Hope I get mail this afternoon. Our trip (across the Atlantic) should be very enjoyable and will give you details in a month or so.
Have considerable reading material together to read when I’m not seasick. My roommate has been across twice and says you’re bound to regurgitate. Ha!
P.S. Tell John and Jr. (kid brother Tracy Jr.) I’ll welcome any cards or letters.
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #13
(Somewhere in England)
October 6, 1944 (Thursday morning)
Hello Dad,
Have been traveling again, all expenses paid and seeing more of the English countryside. Looks like (I’ve) Been fortunate in having daytime travel. Some of the sights are priceless.
Each place we are billeted gets a little closer and has rougher accommodations, so I guess they’re breaking us in (to wartime life) gradually. No fires or hot water is permitted until October 15 due to wartime fuel restrictions and rationing of Coke (fuel).
We have been acting as Censoring Officers and Class A agents who pay enlisted men on payday. We had a hot meal last night which was really good. Plenty to eat, but don’t ever be seen throwing anything away, even a small piece of bread.
The sight of formations of airplanes is something I shall never forget, and the view from my room is like something I’ve seen on a movie screen. I have an “invasion map” and have finally oriented myself and found the English town.
You’re just 6 hours behind me so at the hour of 11am here, you’re probably getting out of bed. We get news from home next day and “Stars & Stripes” Armed Forces newspaper. No doubt the fair is open.
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #14
October 11, 1944
Southern England, Wednesday Evening
2:00pm - (Started Letter)
Dear Mother and Dad, Jr, John,
Have just returned from the big, blitzed city of London. Lieutenant William Sanders and I had a 24-hour pass, and we took off. The destruction is indescribable. You have to see it yourself. Many beautiful sites have been left partially untouched. We visited Westminster Abby, the houses of parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park, the Thames River, and The Guild. None of these have been left untouched.
We stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Ruggins, 52 Princes Avenue, London, who are relatives of Lieutenant Sanders. I’ve never had a more enjoyable evening. They have toured the world and their home is a collection of rugs and chinaware from every continent.
All we have to do to get a hotel room in any large city in the U.S., Australia, China, India or Italy is mention Mr. Ruggins’ name, and we’ll have accommodations. He is the manager of an international machinery company, one of whose plants is located in Springfield, Illinois. All their food was rationed, but they kept feeding us.Their homes was blitzed three times so far.
Last night was the first night since June 13 when doodle-bug (doodle-bug is a reference to German V2 Rockets) stated that there wasn’t any alert, so Hitler didn’t disturb our sleep. We had a shelter to go to just in case.
A one thousand-pound bomb completely leveled a block and shattered windows for about a mile. The people clean up the debris, then go cheerfully about their business. They never worry about the bombs. Very few falling out. There were three (bombs dropped) the night before last, but none were in London. We also visited the Bank of England, the subways, which are way ahead of New York City. Very clean and modern. In one central part of London, there are seven subways one on top of another. And one is 180-feet below ground.
Yesterday, I censored (the enlisted men’s) mail until noon before leaving on a pass. Heard the Cards won the World Series.
No doubt you’ve had a frost and some corn is being husked. It really feels like autumn over here. The trees are beautiful as they are turning. We found several “Buckeye” trees while out walking last Sunday.
This friend of mine, Lieutenant Bill Sanders, is a graduate of OCS Class 115. He was at Camp Howze, Gainesville, Texas, with the 103rd Division where Roger Lawrence was after Roger completed military school. Sanders had been in his third year at Yale. His dad is a professor of accounting at Harvard. His dad was born and schooled in England, so Sanders has relatives all over England and Wales.
A few of the towns I visited thus far are London, Woodford, Hereford, Wales (home of original Hereford cattle), Carlisle, Birmingham, Glasgow, Renfrew, and Renfrewshire Estate. Can you conclude where our ancestors may have come from? Maybe you could enlighten me on a little family history, since we have some time in England, I think I’ll see some of the sights. You’re never more than 100 miles from the sea anywhere in England.
Tonight the FA Boys (field artillery) are having a party and the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women’s branch of the British army), WRENS (women enlisted in the Royal Naval Service), WAF (women in the US Air Force) girls are invited. I think it should prove interesting.
It has been suggested that persons writing us through winter months use V-Mail.* This mail goes by air rather than by boat, so the average time for V-mail letters getting here is 6-10 days, not 2-3 weeks, once I get settled and get a stable APO# (army post office box number).
*V-Mail or Victory Mail was started in 1942 and was used until April 1, 1945. A V-Mail letter would be written on ordinary stationary, then photographed and transferred onto a roll of microfilm. Upon reaching its destination, the letter would be blown up and printed. Rather than standard mail delivery, which was transported across the Ocean on ships, V-Mail was transported in much less time on airplanes.
5PM
Have more I wanted to write, so will go to evening meal, then finish writing later. When you’re eating breakfast in the morning, think of us and these unintelligible dried or powdered eggs, with no taste, no nothing. Otherwise, meals are fairly good. They give a good quantity of food, but the preparation is lacking. Anybody could cook the way they do here.
5:35pm
Back again. Left London at noon today as the sun was shining. But now there’s a sleeting rainstorm. We usually just have a mist or light shower, but this is our first hard rain. Yesterday our bedrolls and duffle bags arrived, and that raised morale because some boys thought they would never see the bottles they rolled up in their bedrolls again.
As you can see, we censor our own (mail) except for the Base Censor who may spot check. 7 packs of cigarettes, 4 bars of candy, 1 pack of chewing gum, 1 tube of toothpaste, 1 box of matches, 2 packs of razor blades, and loose tobacco are all rationed and can only be secured with a ration card or chit. (chit is a reference to a promise of being paid back with money or gifts)
At the Ruggins’ home in London, we had a guest room which was very elaborate, but had no heat since fuel (coke) was rationed. To our surprise, we jumped in bed with a hot thermos bottle made of stone. That was really a treat. Mr. and Mrs. Ruggins slept downstairs in their living room, under a steel girder, a so-called shelter that would not let the house collapse on them in case of a bombing.
Mr. Ruggins was bombed out of his sixth floor office building and fell head-first down to the second floor and was trapped there by rubble for nearly an hour. He spent 12 months in a plaster of paris cast, and another 8 months more in the hospital. He lost his entire office staff in the blitz that occurred in the autumn of 1940.
Must save something for another day. This fire is great and makes me sleepy.
Will I be glad to see some mail!
As ever your son,
Rodney
Part III
I’m glad I sent mine from Fort Meade. I shall not forget my 12-hour pass into New York City on my birthday. We visited Radio City Music Hall, the Empire State Building and Penn (Railroad) Station, what an enormous place. Broadway was all lit up with big stage shows and movies. It had changed considerably since ‘41 and ’42 when we attended the World’s Fair.
Unless we’re assigned to censor duty, each officer has a platoon for training and a road march from 3-5pm each day. I certainly need to get back in shape. I’ve been breaking in the paratrooper boots I purchased at the Washington, DC Quartermaster Depot. All officers wear boots of some type.
Please excuse my writing as my knee is my desk and we have not made a midnight reconnaissance for a table yet.
I guess I’ll have to drop Aunt Gilda a line. I’ve probably written 60 to 70 letters since I arrived here. Censoring of mail is secretive. But it proves interesting and is a pretty liable job after you sign your name on the envelope.
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #15
October 15, 1944
Southern England (Market Harborough)
Dear Mother and Dad,
Just returned from a piano recital at the Red Cross. Received five letters on Saturday morning. From Doris Ensley, from Dan Given and two from a gal in Texas. That really lifts my morale 100%. The letters were dated September 25 and October 2, so it took 11 days.
Saturday night saw the show “Assignment and Brittany,” and then came home at 8:30pm to listen to the Ohio State-Wisconsin football game. That brought back memories. State won 20-7. One of the boys has a wireless radio. We get all the American radio programs re-broadcast without commercials.
Doris Given sent candy for my birthday. I guess it’s still in route.
My former outfit is here. There are eight of us still together here, but tomorrow six of us leave for an unknown destination, probably across the (English) Channel. I bought some more winter clothes and underwear.
How does this ink show up on V-Mail?* Maybe I should use black ink. Hope Jr. (kid brother Tracy Jr.) receives Yank and Stars & Stripes. We get some editions of Time and Newsweek about one week late.
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #16
October 16, 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Please address me as shown below until I advise otherwise. 2nd Lt. Rodney A. Renfrew ASN 0-544380, 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion APO 469, New York, NY.
(The Midlands of England)
Surprised! I was. Four of us are still together from Camp Maxey. Lieutenants McGrady, Cole and one other. We’ve really been seeing England. Was in London today for three hours en route here. Have seen some pretty exciting incidents lately. Will be training for some time. I’m fine and the food is superb.
Take our first flight tomorrow in a glider. Exciting! I didn’t volunteer.
Well,
Your son Rodney
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Letter #17
October 17, 1944
Tracy Renfrew, Jr.,
Arrived in my new station and like it fine.The morale of the boys here is 100% better than in the replacement depot. We were issued new brown leather jackets, 2 pairs of paratrooper boots (even though we don’t jump), combat sweater and fatigue uniform.
The equipment is the best. We use folding stock carbine .30 caliber. We have to make four training flights per year to draw our base pay of $150, plus one-half base pay for flight and overseas pay. My pay now should be $247.50. I’ll probably be sending home some old issue equipment, which I can’t keep lugging around.
Last night a bomber crashed about 300 yards from our hut and plowed a burrow for about 1,000 yards. We were the first ones there. Everyone was dead and the plane exploded three times since it had a bomb load onboard. Nothing like a little excitement.
We had a two-hour road march this morning. The country here is very interesting.
Your brother,
Rodney
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Letter #18
Midlands of England
October 19, 1944
Dear Mother and Dad,
Am spending a quiet evening at my Nissen hut (barracks) tonight preparing some notes for tomorrow’s training schedule. I have given classes on aircraft identification and map reading.
Our primary weapon is a 75mm Howitzer, which is a very simple weapon and can be broken down into 7 pieces for carrying.
I’m located in the heart of a farming belt. See several Farmall and AC and Gordson tractors. Everyone is plowing around here, leaving it sit over the winter for spring sowing. There are large herds of short hair and Hereford cattle here, although their horns are long, and they are a much more rugged breed than I’m used to.
We have a Delco battery light system similar to our old system. Lights come on at 6:30pm, while it is still dark. My roommates are Lieutenant George Cole and Lieutenant McGrady, both from my old outfit. I finally got Cole’s shortwave set going but the electric current fluctuates, and the volume is somewhat erratic. At present, Deanna Durbin is singing “Ave Maria.” All the other stations are Axis or German propaganda.
This area where I am stationed was a great English hunting area (horses and dogs) before the war. All the pastures have been plowed up for cultivated crops.
The first night stationed here, we helped extract four crew members from an English Wellington bomber, which had crashed, and its bombs had exploded. It clipped the top of a tree about 300 yards past our hut.
Have visited Leicester, Coventry and Rugby in the past few days. Leicester is the silver center of England, and a very beautiful city. While I never gave any thought to volunteering for airborne artillery, but since I was drafted for it, I’ll do my best. The following is our insignia.
Lieutenant Renfrew then drew the 82nd Airborne patch. See below.
If you’ve been following the newspapers, you’ve heard about the 82nd Airborne Division, of which my field artillery battalion is part.
I had some photos taken and will send when I get them developed. In this outfit, everything is issued to an officer, including a leather flight jacket and 2 pairs of paratrooper boots. It boasts about being the best dressed outfit in the Army, and I believe them.
The morale of these boys here is very high. Casualties seldom occur. Maybe a glider lands on top of a tree. I have seen a very interesting album of pictures of glider operations. This outfit (the 319th) started in Casablanca way back when.
I’ve enjoyed some interesting evenings in English homes for a bit of tea! You can’t refuse them, or they feel insulted. Tracy Jr. would really enjoy this place with its air traffic. I was teaching aircraft identification, so we just sat in an orchard and looked up.
I’ll be able to sleep in another night or so. I’ve gotten so much sleep lately that I have to stay up until about midnight in order to sleep soundly.
Do you know the boat we came over on? It’s a military secret. Have forgotten about mail, so am still feeding on 5 letters I received last Saturday at our previous station.
Have you followed me through England? I’ve seen more of it and Scotland than most Englishmen. The English are great people. Very clean. And they are in good spirits, considering what they’ve been through.
We’ve been having some real March weather here, very changeable, with nearly continuous rain. I wear a set of OD’s plus long drawers, plus a combat sweater, plus a leather jacket. We have combat suits that fit like coveralls and go over any heavy clothing.
Our glider ride was cancelled due to inclement weather, but maybe we’ll get up soon. The gliders are tugged by C-47 transport planes. J.R. knows what they look like.
Have had a very pleasant evening listening to the BBC re-broadcasting America’s better radio programs without any advertising or station identification.
Did Jr. receive the copies of Yank or Stars & Stripes that I sent? There is no doubt they’re expecting a slow-down in mail due to Christmas packages, as 17,000,000 have passed through the New York City post office.
The food couldn’t be better. I weigh 175 pounds at present and am doing a little more than censoring mail.
Since August of 1944, war bonds were cancelled on officers’ pay vouchers, so don’t expect bonds for September or October. You must buy them for cash.
The following should give you some idea of an Airborne Second Lieutenant’s pay as of November 1944.
Base pay - $150
Subsistence - $21 (which we never see)
Overseas pay - $15 (10% of base pay)
Flight pay - $82.50 (For one training flight every three months)
I have $100 allocated directly to my Coshocton National Bank savings account. Plus (I) pay $11.65 per month for new insurance and $6.50 for regular Army insurance, which is deducted.
The Officer of the Day (the O.D.) Lieutenant Engel from Wisconsin, and I just drank a can of orange juice. We’re the only ones home tonight. We have plenty of juices, but milk is an oddity. They boil milk over here. As you never find ice all their soft drinks are warm.
We were all hoping things would clear up by December, but it looks doubtful. Things bogged down at Aachen. (Germany)
Did you send my camera? I can procure sufficient 35mm film. When you send air mail letters, you might include some Tribune clippings. Doris Gwen’s box of candy hasn’t arrived yet either.
Am really a fire expert, as we have no central heating at any camp so far. Brother, those cement floors are cold at 0600 hours.
By the time I receive an answer to this letter, or sufficient time elapses, I won’t receive it in England. I’ll probably have my Christmas on the European continent.
A little more about the agricultural situation. All the wheat is neatly stacked this fall awaiting threshing next spring and summer. I have seen very little corn. Everyone is digging potatoes. Italian POWs are picking these potatoes.
I received my weekly rations today: 2 bars of candy, 1 chewing gum, and 1 carton of cigarettes, which I sold for 2 and 6, or 2 shillings and six pence, or 50 cents.
I have an 8-foot piece of nylon tow rope here in my room. I guess it would make 20 pairs of nylon hose. Am getting some of first dry cleaning and laundry done since leaving Maxey (Camp Maxey training center in Texas).
Am including some French invasion money issued to U.S. troops before entering France. This is worth $1.40.
Hoping you are all A-1. Anxious to hear, as have had nothing (no mail) since Fort Meade, September 18, 1944.
Well, be certain you vote for the better man!
Is Marcia home for semester vacation?
Hello, John, how’s basketball team progressing? Those 7 blankets are calling me (to bed).
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #19
Midlands of England
An American Airfield
October 25, 1944
Dear Folks,
Have been doing a little flying in a C-47 transport plane in which we expect to cross the English Channel. The weather is a limiting factor because I should be looking Jerry (slang for the German enemy) in the face tonight.
The Air Corps boys treat us great, and every medal, plus the flight pay they receive is highly deserved. You have been reading about big air raids in the paper and can’t imagine the sights I see as they fly over England.
I wrote a letter this morning in haste. I don’t have ink with me now, so when my Parker (pen) runs dry, I use a pencil.
I just finished chow with the three officers with me: Lieutenant Marion McGrady, Lieutenant Chatman, and Lieutenant Kondratick. Lieutenant McGrady is from the 99th and we’re still together. I saw the old outfit boys at the officers’ club in London last weekend.
I shall never forget this visit. We billeted at the American Red Cross (Princess Garden Officer’s Club). London is still very active, but they’re catching on to charging exorbitant prices. For instance, one pound of grapes costs 22 shillings and 6 pence, which equals $4.50 in U.S. money.
Have read those five letters I received over and over. I know now I won’t see any more mail for perhaps three weeks.
We had about ten minutes of sunshine today. But English countryside is really beautiful. All the trees turning red, brown, and orange, and every field is laid out by hedge rows.
I suppose Marcia (kid sister) has had her semester vacation. Did she join a sorority? Heard news at 1pm today and the Philippines’ news sounds good.
I received three “excellent” ratings from officers in my old outfit and that really helps. Battlefield promotions are fast also, but who wants a promotion? You originally volunteered for the outfit, but not lately. They need replacements.
Had our pictures taken in full combat regalia just prior to leaving our first airport. Where will I be on Christmas Day? In Europe. No doubt very close to the German border.
Best wishes to all,
Rodney
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Letter #20
October 27, 1944
(Holland, outside of Brussels)
Dear Mother and Dad, John and Jr.,
Well this is it. It only took 49 days since leaving home to get to the front lines. Am sleeping three feet under thick 8-inch railroad ties, plus two feet of dirt on top of my bunk. Spent last night in Brussels. A most beautiful city. It’s just like America. With American vehicles driven by natural gas and charcoal. Was just thinking of modes of travel since leaving home.
We even have a radio hook up with telephones, so we can get BBC programs in our fox holes. The boys are eating English “limey” rations. They will soon get cigarettes and candy because I helped move and load these items. Am sitting on a stool in my tent under an electric light with the radio less than two feet from me.
I have seen the whole picture from Brussels on and it isn’t newsreel yet! Sergeant Ben Stinson is in this outfit. His family live next door to Burt Muskmen in Sunbury, Ohio.
Never felt better.
Your son and brother,
Rodney
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Letter #21
October 28, 1944
(In Holland)
Hello Tracy! (Kid brother)
How’s jokes? Are you working hard? Is the corn all in? Going to Halloween parties?
Have lost track of time but guess this is Saturday evening. My telephone is connected to our captured German radio. So when they’re no (war) business, we listen to the BBC.
I’ll tell you, brother, it isn’t quiet here, but it doesn’t interrupt my sleeping. Half this outfit is made up of Ohio boys.
I really respect this German artillery and wish I was about 2’ 5” tall instead of 6’ 1” tall. So I have to keep my head low. Holland is very beautiful, but there’s some devastation at present.
Am drinking pure Holstein milk and don’t ask me how I procured it. Ha! Am eating pears and apples also. Lieutenant McGrady and I brought a duffel bag full of candy and American cigarettes plus Bn (battalion) mail from home, and I’ve never seen a happier group of fellows. No mail for me yet! I’m fine.
Rodney
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Letter #22
November 5, 1944
(In Holland)
Hello Dad!
How are things going for beginning winter in Coshocton? Feels like snow soon here. I just came back from forward observation post so have first breathing spell to write letters. Am sitting in S-2 (Intelligence) tent with electric lights overhead generated by some old Delco system. Anything we could get our hands on. We have regular underground foxholes and offices, so to speak.
Am eating plenty of pears and apples, and we’re on British food rations which don’t equal U.S. rations. Hope you receive the division newspaper I sent. This outfit is pretty widely known. As you will read.
Two captains on the Bn (battalion) staff are vocational ed teachers and graduates of Purdue University. So I finally found someone who is a city playboy!
Lieutenant Colonel Todd is commanding officer of this Bn. He plays the game pretty square.
Don’t understand the mail situation. Today I received letters from Bill McConnell in New Caledonia dated October 11 and one from Doris Ensley dated October 12. I wrote Bill while at Fort Meade and received it by APO 15507 the same as I wrote you folks at the time.
Suppose the cattle will be brought in soon and winter chores will expand.
This land of dykes, canals, flowers, and wooden shoes would undoubtedly be interesting in peacetime, but this avenue we’re following looks devastated at present. Can’t possibly foresee our 1944 victory prediction due to supply line issues.
I’m sure glad I have a pair of arctics (cold weather waterproof boots) because there’s mud up to the knees everywhere. I have my boots all rubbed with saddle soap and waterproofing, so have never suffered wet or cold feet.
Didn’t realize until a little while ago that today is Sunday. Been up forward three days. Never a dull moment. They had us “zeroed in” with mortar, machine guns and Howitzers, but we just sweated it out. We were relatively safe though. You learn fast here and some training from the states proves very satisfactory. They don’t tell the boys to dig or keep on steel helmets. You can’t imagine underground homes that have developed here, complete with lights and stone.
It's about 3 AM back home. No doubt you are getting some sleep.
The sergeant major just dropped in and reimbursed travel for our outfit going back to April 15, 1943. The sergeant major was formerly a lawyer who had written up the contract for REA in the Tennessee Valley.
Combat for artillerymen is very different than I had supposed. You’re not on the front lines, but you can be shelled if your position is picked up. But they don’t know exactly where you are, so they’re shooting blind. I fired about ten PROBLEMS on the enemy and its devastating time fire bursting at tree height.
I had wished this November 11 might bring an armistice, as in 1918, but they aren’t giving in.
Am anxious to hear if everything is okay as have had nothing from home since Fort Meade, September 18.
Don’t worry. I keep my head down and am a fellow who respects their artillery. Am in best of health and learning every day. Say hello to mother, Jr and John.
Your son,
ETO Rodney
(ETO = European Theater of Operations)
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Letter #23
November 15, 1944
Camp Suippes, France
Dear Brothers,
Tonight at mess, I sat across from four American Red Cross girls and did those girls look good. First since New York City. I have a French book which I’m working on. It isn’t too hard to learn a new vocabulary.
Today I received the box of fudge that Doris Given sent on August 30 for my birthday. Every bite of it was good and my roomies really liked it. I hope that camera comes soon so I’ll have it on my leave to Paris.
How’s everyone around Coshocton lately. Why don’t you drop (me) a line. I’ve received at least 20 letters from Ensley (Endsley) alone as well as four or five others.
Write your letters V-mail this winter due to weather for flying. Took my second shower since October 25 today. Weather is about 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
Your combat kid,
Rodney
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Letter #24
November 15, 1944
(In Suippes, France)
Dear Mother and Dad,
I’m relaxing tonight after a hot shower, nice French food with service to match.
Am sitting at my own desk smoking a fifteen cent cigar. I took my shoes off last night to sleep, for a change. As you can surmise, we have been traveling again but have set up camp permanently. Expect to have an enjoyable Thanksgiving and Christmas. Maybe go on leave to gay Paris! This is the country for Champagne as you’ve probably heard.
You’re under quite a strain while up front, and it takes a while to...just relax. I’m hoping my telephone operator will get a bronze star besides the purple heart for scratches he received while repairing my only line of communication. I had put in his recommendation.
Received 20 letters lately and mother’s letter of October 27. Safe and sound for a few more months.
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #25
November 19, 1944
(In France)
Hello Tracy!
Am sitting in my dayroom catching up on letters. I’ve had some experiences and travel since October 24 when I landed in Brussels. I visited Brussels and Reims, France recently so get out your geography book. I have collected a few souvenirs. We will get a leave in December, and I’ll probably visit Paris or Brussels.
I am undoubtedly the last officer in our Bn out of our strategic section. I returned there with three GMC trucks and picked up the last 28 men and their equipment.
Be sure to read Paraglide Newspaper thoroughly and take a good look at the picture on the front page. I’ll never forget it. I have visited the main battlefield of WW1 and the rows and rows of gravestones are a sad sight. All the trucks, etc., are still intact.
Four of us live together in one room. Lieutenant McGrady, Lieutenant Walter Kernan (Convoy, Ohio), Sergeant George Cole and me. We have our room fixed up best as we can. 150 mm German shell cases as lamp bases. We each have a desk and closet, with a wooden stand in the corner. Cole, McGrady and I were all in the same outfit that started out in London.
I tell you, brother, don’t get into this army to take free trips.
Why not drop me a line?
Au revoir,
Rodney
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Letter #26
November 19, 1944
Hello (Brother) John,
Well, how’s the untested freshman? No doubt you have BB team organized. Right now we’re trying to find a court for our Battery team to play basketball.
Today, I wish I had French in high school. It certainly would have helped in conversations, but I’m learning the essentials. I’ve traveled through and visited Brussels, Belgium and Reims, France recently. C-47 transport planes are going over our heads continuously. They are really doing some great work.
What I’d really like right now is some new sausage. Have you butchered yet?
The temp here is about 40-45 degrees. I just now sent my laundry out with three little French boys and two bars of soap. It is the first laundry since Holland. Holland and Belgium are miraculously clean compared to France.
Say, how’d you come out at the fair? Mother never said in her V-mail letter of October 26 – which I received on November 5 in Holland, along with twenty other letters.
There are twenty plane loads of mailing coming over from our former division post office in England. Have been getting all my battery men their Christmas boxes.
Rodney
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Letter #27
November 19, 1944
(In France)
Dear Mother,
Long time I no write. Just a little inconvenient at times, so I saved this letter for today.
Am pretty well set up again and have some really cozy quarters. Our colonel said no officers should have spare time to polish boots and make beds, so we have an excellent orderly who does that.
We have two stoves, so there’s a lot of wood cutting. We have to dream up our own entertainment and recreation because no nearby cities of importance worth getting a pass to visit.
Say, did you study French in high school or college? I should have, but my Latin helps somewhat. We have French waitresses in our officers’ mess hall.
Christmas packages are delaying mail, but those boys are the happiest fellows you ever saw receiving those presents.
How has your health been this winter? Are your bones still going strong?
At present, I’m the Battery’s motor officer and Bn trial judge advocate, so I’m going to learn some lawyers’ court procedures.
Bonjour, mademoiselle!
Rodney
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Letter #28
November 19, 1944
(In France)
Hello Dad!
Well, it’s the first Sunday in about a month that I can sit back and really know it’s a Sunday. It doesn’t take long to get in and out of hot spots, but I’ve done it. Incidentally, my Battery commander has been recommended for the silver star, and I recommended my telephone operator for the bronze star and purple heart, which he is receiving for non-serious injuries.
I guess I never stood in the right place because I missed all the shelling. But my poor tent shelter was riddled like a sieve.
Up in Holland the farmers were harvesting fields of sugar beets and turnips. We lived in a pear and apple orchard with all we could eat, plus a quarter of milk per day, which I got from a nearby farmhouse.
They had large Holstein herds. They never saw a 4-wheeled wagon, just high 2-wheelers pulled by rugged old Belgian horses. Some farmers used oxen instead of the horses.
Incidentally, our position there was flooded a few days ago by Germans blowing up dikes, so we heard. This is a good camp.
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #29
Sunday, November 26, 1944
(In France)
Dear Mother and Dad, Jr., and John,
This is a bright, sunshiny Sabbath afternoon and my morale is up 300%. At 10am this morning when I arose, we saw ten C-47 transport planes flying right over our camp. So we said, “here comes the first mail and packages in a week.” Sure enough, I received ten letters (I’m swamped, I’ll never catch up) and the mail orderly just threw nine more on my desk. Three from Marcia (kid sister), 5 from Paris, Texas, 6 from D.J. and one receipt from Coshocton National Bank on my $100 allotment, which goes to my savings account.
I hope that camera is on its way because I have film and can sure use it. I received two letters from Mr. Camel in Paris, Texas saying he had sent the repaired camera back to you.
From your letters, you folks think I’m still in England. While it seems like a year since we’ve been in Holland and Belgium, it’ really only been three weeks. We are well set up in France now, but still restricted to camp.
Our 48-hour passes to the capitol, Paris, start soon. But I’ve seen a bit of France already.
We were really dressed up last night with our overseas ETO (European Theater of Operations) ribbon glider wings and Presidential citation on our blouses. Whenever I sit in on a court martial trial, I have to wear my class “A” uniform blouse with pinks. (Army dress trousers, which had a pinkish hue to them)
It will be interesting to read your letters coming in the future to see what you think of my being in combat. But you don’t have a thing to worry about now. I’m keeping busy. Be sure to look closely at the picture on the front of Paraglide Newspaper I sent. I could write a book on the story behind that photo.
It has rained nearly every day, but I know enough to ask for food and a place to sleep, so why no more?
Is (kid brother) John’s basketball team in full swing? I hope Ohio State beat Michigan yesterday, so they would be the Big 10 champions.
The ground has frozen only one day since we’ve been here.
Laundry and dry cleaning facilities just aren’t to be had, only our own initiative. It cost me 147 francs, or $2.94, to get a big barracks bag full of dirty laundry washed and folded.
Our battalion officer had a party last night. There were American nurses from a nearby hospital. We used a German radio captured from a train in Holland for some music we could dance to.
The following men are my battery officers: Battery Commander Captain Charles Sartain (Louisiana), Executive First Lieutenant Marvin Ragland (Iowa), Battery R.O. First Sergeant Irving Gelb, First Lieutenant Marvin Fellman, Second Lieutenant Joseph Mullen (Indiana) and Second Lieutenant Rodney Renfrew. These are probably the best group of officers I’ve ever worked with.
Captain Sartain was a lawyer before going into the army. If anything ever necessitates, write to Captain Sartain for details.
I’ve been trying to get out my Christmas cards and they’re just what we make them.
This afternoon we chopped up two boxes worth of wood for our two stoves, as our orderly had the day off. I’m satisfied that this is the best outfit in the U.S. Army.
Since I’ve been the convoy officer for enlisted men going on leave to neighboring towns and cities, I’ve been working 18-20 hours a day. You can’t imagine my responsibilities. I oversee an entire division of artillery and twenty trucks. I’m certain I’ll never have trouble reading road signs when I return to the States. I had one of my jeeps stolen lately, so will be investigating that.
I had a fine Thanksgiving Day turkey dinner with champagne as our before-dinner drink. Now have American G.I. cooks instead of French because they (the French cooks) were not satisfactory.
I expect to spend my four days in Paris between December 1 and 25. I heard John Anderson and also Kenny Jay got married!
My Christmas shopping has been nil except for some Christmas cards.
I hope everyone in the family is feeling fine and going strong. I think Jr. and John (brothers) could drop me a line. Marcia (sister) has written me about six letters.
Today, my little French buddy arrived with my laundry.
Included please find two postcards. One from Belgium and one from a gal I spent my 22nd birthday with at the Copacabana Club in New York City.
We have movies at the USO camp shows, helping make life more enjoyable for a group of enlisted men who deserve all the entertainment they could ever bring. This part of France reminds me of the country just out of Columbus, Ohio, towards Newark (Ohio). It’s set up like the Great Plains.
Dad – how is the livestock doing this winter? It certainly is colder in Ohio this time of year than it is here. Had a pretty good report on the Fair from your letter of October 9. V-mails (handwritten letters sent on microfilm) have been arriving, quickly, in 11-12 days. Received three V-mails today dated November 7 and 8.
Mail censorship tomorrow will be enormous since the men write ten letters home for every one they receive.
Well, folks, I’ll drop a line to you individually later on. I think of several things during the day I want to write about, but I forget about them until the evening.
Best regards to all. Hope you are all well.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Your son and brother,
Rodney
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Letter #30
November 26, 1944
(In France)
To: Mr. Steward D. Shooker
Coshocton National Bank
Coshocton, Ohio
Dear Mr. Shooker,
Received your letter of October 30 and find everything is straightened out. The Class “A” allotment should be coming normally now every month.
I’ve been in Holland, Belgium and now France in the past month. Am having some priceless experiences and also the monetary exchange in all these countries is very interesting. While in certain foreign countries, we’re paid in the currency of that country.
We’re hoping that General “Ike” has the situation in hand by February, as planned.
Sincerely yours,
Lieutenant Rodney A. Renfrew
P.S. Please send receipt to my father.
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Letter #31
December 5, 1944
(In France)
Dear Dad,
Received your V-mail of November 15 on November 28.
For December, the weather is moderate but the rain is continuous and the mud is above shoe tops, so my pair of galoshes is priceless.
Have been reading a considerable amount of mail lately. Have had four USO shows including big name American baseball players, Mel Ott, Dutch Leonard, Frankie Frisch, and Bucky Walters.
Suppose cattle are in the barn now and feeding begins. Is Jr. getting a job in Coshocton? I hear George Barrable died.
This is level country with considerable farming land. Sugar beets are being dug now and the winter wheat is up about three inches.
Must wait our turn on passes to Paris. Reports say it is a very interesting city. After taking convoys of eight to sixteen trucks filled with enlisted men on day passes to these cities, there are several towns in France that I probably know better than Coshocton, Ohio.
For me, war isn’t over yet in this theater. What is Warner doing after the election? Hope you are well this winter and will send some division cards later. Some C-47 transports flew in today. Maybe more Christmas packages. Am enjoying myself and doing well.
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #32
December 5, 1944
(In France)
Hello Tracy! (Kid brother)
Have just prepared my laundry for tomorrow so will drop you a line at this time, my first spare moment in two weeks. I finish convoy duty on Saturday. Found my lost jeep last Friday, minus a few parts, so my morale lifted. But last night I wrecked the jeep I was riding in. I was the first wreck I have ever been in. No one injured, just a wrecked jeep. We smacked into the rear of a French ox cart with a bull and a calf in it.
This past weekend, I was camp O.D. (Officer of the Day).
I know a French girl who is majoring in English in college over here, so we can converse freely.
I received a cookie box from Doris Endsley and my camera, in A-1 condition, from mother. Have been receiving letters from your mother, Aunt Bernice, and Gayle.
I’m listening to Ike on AFN (American Forces radio Network). I’m about one and a half hours from Lester Endsley.
Get our first pay overseas on December 10. Received V-mail from our sister Marcia today.
As ever,
Rodney
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Letter #33
December 7, 1944
(In France)
Dear Mother,
Remember three years ago today? We’re still at it. Today was payday, letter day and package day. We received our monthly pay for October. Mine was $227.50 minus a $100 allotment to the bank, and $18.15 for insurance. So I had $109.35 left, or 5,443 French francs.
The Senate is investigating the French-U.S. currency changeover. For every ten dollars we spend, we lose seven. It’s French inflation. So our division is having a big bond drive to get money out of France and back to the USA.
Received eight very old letters and Hal’s wonderful Christmas package! Incidentally, V-mail is only going via airplanes now, so that’s why I write so sparingly.
Votre fils, (“Your son” in French)
Rodney
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Letter #34
December 7, 1944
(In France)
To: Mr. Tracy Renfrew, Route 3, Coshocton, Ohio
From: Lt. Rodney A. Renfrew, APO 469
Hello Brother,
Surprised! Have received your two exceptionally good letters, so I’m surprised. I received eight letters today, all dated before October 15 and with old addresses. So my latest addressed letter that you sent on November 14 got here before letters dated October 3. You figure it out, brother. We can’t.
Have been signing more papers to get my jeep fixed. First, an accident report form (8736). Then, must sign a claims report (8A-735) and injury report (form Q-26A). No one was injured, only a tongue broken out of an old ox cart. But the poor jeep! It’s the first wreck I was ever in officially.
Are you working in Cosh (hometown of Coshocton, Ohio)? I received dad’s letter of October 22 today, while a week ago I received a V-mail from dad dated October 14.
Doris Given sent a letter that I received today also. Have been inspections right and left. The boys look pretty sharp with all their insignias and medals of this “action” outfit.
Brother, I could go for a banana split or a chocolate malted tonight.
Your brother,
Rodney
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Letter #35
December 8, 1944
(In France)
Dear Dad,
I have a few hours off this afternoon, so I have time to concentrate on letter writing. Over the last few days, mail up to November 21 has been delivered by plane, so I had nearly 20 letters to read.
Every Saturday morning is our “spit and polish” inspection of the enlisted men’s personal equipment, all of which is laid out on their beds. With over 144 men in the battery, they write quite a few letters daily. And that in itself is another big job (censoring letters) which is very important in this theater of action and takes considerable time.
Your letters of October 1 through 15 just arrived a week ago, but mail from October 15 through November 15 came before that, so you figure it out. I’m stumped.
I received one of the most practical packages from Aunt Gerta and the girls. It had soap, knit socks for wearing at night, a photo album, two Reader’s Digests, two Tribunes (newspaper) with Bob Sharple’s picture, a miniature deck of cards, a box of taffy candy and a jigsaw puzzle box with 12 different games in it.
I sent a box home yesterday with a big league baseball signed by Dutch Leonard, Mel Ott and two other baseball stars who were here last week on a USO tour.
I received the camera in A-1 condition and have taken a few pictures. We have an enlisted man in our battalion who develops pictures.
Save one of those Paraglide newspapers for my future reference.
We’re having a gigantic bond drive in our division to get money out of France before Christmas, and also due to French inflation. Enclosed is a circular about it. I spent my last cent for everything above necessity because for every $10.00 we spend, we lose $7.00!
The U.S. Senate should be investigating this. There’s also been a cigarette shortage for the past month. Somebody along the line is black-marketing cigarettes, and they lose some at the docks where the ships are unloaded.
The sun was out for a couple of minutes a little while ago, for the first time in a week. But I see it’s sprinkling out. Mud is 8-inches deep in front of my quarters. Our quarters are very similar to large chicken houses, with six subdivisions for rooms, with a sink and wood stove in each room.
We have dozens of small Christmas tree size pine trees in the backyard, so will fix one up for the holidays in our dayroom.
Four of us – Second Lieutenant Walter Kernen (Cincinnati), Second Lieutenant George Cole (Los Angeles), Lieutenant Marion McGrady (Dallas) and myself have two 12-foot square rooms. So we put two double-deck beds in one room, and fixed up the other room as the dayroom, with a desk and closet for each of us. The officer who stands reveille at 6:15am gets up at 5:45am and builds a fire.
I met General “Ike” out in a convoy a while back. My jeep hit an ox cart last Saturday, which didn’t hurt very much. There was some damage to the ox cart, but the left side of the jeep was in pretty bad shape.
Neither my driver nor any of the passengers were hurt. This Frenchman was taking a bull and veal calf to the slaughterhouse. Both animals were down under the cart, and I thought we’d broken their legs, but we pulled them out and they were okay. There’s not much farming in the immediate vicinity, as no farmer dares plow up fields for fear of hitting “duds” (unexploded ordinance) from World War I.
Must get a card or letter off to the Carnahans tonight.
Maybe you’re foddering cattle. Is Charles up nearly every day this winter? No doubt junior has a job in Coshocton by now. Had a letter from Marcia at her new address at Purdue University, so I guess she’s all situated for another semester.
My pen has been acting up, so I flushed it out. Incidentally, should you wish to get a limited amount of G-2 news on my activities as of late, phone or write Sergeant Harold Jinders, 2125 Glenbury Road, Lakewood, Ohio a few days before or after Christmas.
The only thing hurting over here is some grade A milk. We have none, except for cream. Had some fresh milk in Holland, but some other boys beat me to the nearest farmhouse here in France, so no milk here yet.
We’re watching the war situation very closely and hope it ends sooner than anticipated, but it’s doubtful.
All V-mail letters reach me 10-15 days sooner than longhand airmail. The quickest V-mail was nine days. Mother wrote me on November 19 and so did Aunt Bernice on November 18. I received them on November 28.
Tell John that’s a real American League baseball that I sent. You and junior can flip a coin over the cigarette case. Tell mother that the perfume and handkerchief came from the same place as the cigarette case. Wooden shoes and scarf were from Holland.
I’m getting plenty of exercise, eating regular, get 7-8 hours sleep, so can’t kick much.
You should be hearing about this airlift soon, as information was supposed to have been revealed to the U.S. press.
Sure wish we had a bushel of apples to nibble on in our room. We ate a whole orchard clean of pears and apples when we were in Holland. We have movies and USO shows and Paris entertainers nightly, so we are not hurting. Hope all are well and enjoy the holiday season. It will be whatever we make it here, but these boys can be pretty original.
Bonne Chance et Bonsoir, (“Good Luck” and “Good Evening” in French)
Rodney
P.S. We have all been issued French language books, so it won’t take too long to learn the essential vocabulary.
P.P.S. I think of many things to write during days off work, but there are still many things you can’t say due to censorship.
P.P.P.S. Each French franc is worth .02009 American cents.
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Letter #36
Friday, December 21, 1944
(Belgium – “The Bulge”)
Dear Mother and Dad,
Received mother’s V-mail of December 1 and another from Uncle Dick, plus one from Doris. My first Christmas card in Europe, from that gal in London.
Woke up this morning with about one-inch of wet snow on the ground. It’s really damp, but I manage to keep warm. No doubt you’re reading about the seriousness of the situation over here.
I believe we’ll have a white Christmas, but not like back home. Had pancakes and bacon for breakfast this morning. Really tasted good. Yesterday was the shortest day of the year, with only about 10 hours of daylight.
Will write in a few days with news from the “front.” Hope you hear from Sergeant Jinders before or after Christmas. This will be the first time in my life that I’ll be doing what I’ll be doing on Christmas day!
Best wishes to all, and happy new year.
Your son,
Rodney
P.S. Have not received Christmas packages, but that can wait.
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Letter #37
December 29, 1944
(Somewhere in Belgium)
Dear Mother and Dad, John and Jr.,
Well, what do you think? A fine way to spend the holiday season! I’m fine! Had turkey, which I fried myself with three other boys on December 26. Got a package from (sister) Marcia but the handwriting was mother’s. Also received a comb, cards, peanuts, candy, gum, cookies, crackers and cheese, which were really great under the circumstances.
As you read, the war will not be over for quite a few days.
Those assorted nuts and candy were fine in sealed cans. That’s the way to send things. Had letters from Lester Endsley, Doris Endsley, and Mary Walters yesterday.
How are all of you? Hope you are well. There is plenty of snow here and it’s slightly below freezing, but I keep warm and wash once in a while.
Don’t worry about (my) irregular letter writing, as I don’t have the convenience at all times. I’ll never forget this Christmas. Hope next year is more typical. I actually did not realize it was Christmas day until the day after.
“Something” keeps looking after me because I haven’t been sick and am eating every chance I get. Things and conditions could be a lot worse, and the mail keeps coming in, so we just hope for the best. If you ever send any more packages, send some canned coffee or cocoa. I’m getting some fresh milk in a while.
Say, John, how’s that B.D. team this winter? Is Jr. working in town? Did Marcia get home for Christmas as anticipated?
Keep well and let me heart from all. Did you receive bonds? And package?
Your son and brother,
Rodney
(This letter was received at the Coshocton, Ohio Post Office on January 18, 1945.)
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Letter #38
December 31, 1944
8pm New Year’s Eve
(Somewhere in Belgium)
Dear Dad,
Well, it’s New Year’s Eve and surely nothing to celebrate. We’re in very picturesque country with snow-covered mountains above the timberline. The red glow in the sky and echo of guns firing makes you know you’re near the front.
I’m up front three days and back three days. I’m living with a Belgian family and get fresh milk every night and morning. Their barn and cowshed are attached, right beside the house, so we help with the milking. We have about three inches of snow and it’s now below freezing.
How are the cattle doing this winter? Heard there’s plenty of snow and freezing weather in the Midwest. I’d sure rather be foddering cattle than what I’ve been doing lately.
You made those new year’s resolutions yet? While, maybe I’ll write more regularly in 1945.
Best of luck.
Your son,
Rodney
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Letter #39
December 31, 1944
8pm New Year’s Eve
(Somewhere in Belgium)
To: Mr. Tracy I. Renfrew, Route 3, Coshocton, Ohio
Hello, brother!
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. Oh! I’m a sad sack on New Year’s Eve without a thing to celebrate with except firing some artillery, which we are going to do at midnight. Jerry (the Germans) sure spoiled our rest over the holiday season.
Hope you had a good time at Christmas. Well, Tracy, you’ve seen it in the movies, but I’ve seen it on the ground, right in front of my eyes. Dog-fights, air armadas, you could never describe it.
You read about 6,000 to 7,000 Allied airplanes over Germany. Well I saw them, and I also saw ack-ack (German artillery fire) shoot some down.
Well, what have you been doing? For gosh sakes, write and drop me a package of peanuts, airmail letters, Kraft cheese, or anything edible which you can seal.
Well, it looks like I’ll live out 1944, and here’s to ’45!
(I’m swigging whole Holstein milk.) Ha!
Your brother,
Rodney
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Letter #40
January 4, 1945
(Somewhere in Belgium)
Dear Mother and Dad, Junior, and John,
Well, here I lie in a bed near the front writing a letter and not knowing what tomorrow may bring but hope for the best. Had been eating steak and pork for the last two days so am not losing weight. We have about 4 to 5 inches of snow and I have been seen more beautiful scenery.
No doubt you have been reading about the activities of this great Division and also our Sister Airborne Division. Mail and packages are keeping up the boys’ morale very much.
I have three boys with me in my forward observer team. I’ve now seen, or been through, what I formerly read about or saw in the movies.
The weather is a prime factor. I’m fine. Eating good. Having dry feet. And three day bird. We’re regular North Woods, mom.
Hoping the family is A-1 and may the best come soon in 1945.
Your son and brother,
Rodney
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Letter #41
To: Mr. A. Tracy Renfrew, Route 3, Coshocton, Ohio
From: 2nd Lieutenant Rodney A. Renfrew A319th, FABN (Field Artillery Battalion), APO469
January 13, 1945
(Somewhere in Belgium)
Dear Dad,
It will soon be mid-January and we’re still at it. I received mother’s V-mail of December 26 and you’re not the only ones having snow.
I’m doing fine, with a little rough going in spots. The way we work is 3 days up front artillery observing with the infantry, and 3 days back. So far, I’ve participated in attack and counter-attack.
Sounds as though John is enjoying his first year in high school.
These Belgian farmers were hard hit as Jerry (the Germans) took all their sugar and some livestock to feed their men. So the Belgians can’t do enough for us. Whenever I have an observation post near a farmhouse, we get milk and food there too.
If there’s a time when any trouble should arise and you write someone in my battery, it’s Captain Charles L. Sartain. He is my Battery Commander.
I’m taking it easy now, but tomorrow is another day.
How’s feeding going this winter?
Your son,
Rodney
PS: Tell Jr (younger brother Tracy Jr) to drop me a line.
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Letter #42
January 17, 1945
(Somewhere in Belgium)
Dear Aunt Rose,
Am resting for a few moments, so am catching up on very much overdue correspondence. Pardon the small dehydrated, as well call it, V-mail. But V-mail travels fastest during holiday season. Have been traveling and moving about so much that family correspondence has been limited.
Aunt Rose, I hope you have been faring well this winter. I hear of low temperatures and heavy snowfall in the Midwest.
At present, I am in the midst of some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. We are located in the mountains of Belgium, with about two feet of snow covering pines trees and roads. This is beautiful resort territory, but we’re not here for pleasure.
Undoubtedly you have read of the gallant stand of the 82 Airborne Division and the 101st Division. Since before Christmas, we have not had much time off and have seen some rough encounters.
My duties are to act as forward observer for my artillery battalion and infantry. I have seen the “big picture” and it’s not a pleasant one at all times. My division is undoubtedly the best clothed and best equipped of all U.S. Divisions. Our missions are mainly surprise and defense, but we’ve proved effective in offensive actions as well.
Am sending a few clippings from our Stars & Stripes newspaper. But the situation has improved immensely since the newspaper was published. Mother wrote saying that all are well, and everyone enjoyed a quiet Christmas holiday.
At present, I’m sitting before a log fire in a cozy little hunting lodge with a kerosene lamp for light.
Aunt Rose, this is certainly a great experience and I’ve seen priceless sights since entering the European theater of operations. Thus far, I’ve visited Glasgow, Scotland and London, England, plus various points of interest. I flew from England to Brussels, Belgium, which is a second “Gay Paris” and very modern. Then Nijmegen, Holland and then Reims, France. I visited the historical Reims Cathedral and just stared at it in awe.
Today my battery saw its first movie in a month and a half. The movie was “Rhapsody in Blue,” the life of George Gershwin. It is a wonderful movie and certainly helps the men’s morale. Our mail and Christmas packages are still coming through in good order, although a bit slowed down over the Christmas holiday season.
Well, Aunt Rose, these krauts are not whipped, and they are great strategists. We cannot underestimate their strength and resources. The German “buzz bombs” can be seen nightly traveling towards England, and you have probably read of the devastation they cause.
The Belgian people are grand to us and only wish they could do even more. It’s terrible the devastation that has been visited on these Belgian towns, homes, and farms. The peoples’ homes are miraculously clean, even with their stables adjoining their living rooms.
I usually get a quart of milk a day from this family. The lady washed my twelve pairs of socks and even darned them.
Well, Aunt Rose, the Democrats have it again. Just hope they don’t delay the end of the war.
Best wishes for happiness and health and victory in ’45!
Affectionately,
Your grandnephew Rodney
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Letter #43
January 20, 1945 – Saturday Evening
(Still in Belgium)
Dear Dad and Mother,
Just finished (playing) some cards but feel more like writing letters. Today was blizzardy, turning to part rain and part sleet. I have been traveling over the tops of these Belgian ridges lately, and maybe the North Pole is colder. Our open jeeps do not offer much protection so I know what your open cars of the 1920’s must have been like.
Today we had to reopen our roads as 4-foot high snow drifts shut them down. You’ve probably read that this situation was no snap! One of the officers in the battery left today with a pass for Paris. A few passes are being issued and some men are rotating back to the States. Incidentally, did you ever hear from Sergeant Jinders of Lakewood, Ohio?
Have had nice warm quarters lately, but that can’t last. Saw the movie “Rhapsody in Blue” a couple of nights ago, and also have clean clothes on after my first shower since before Christmas.
You should see the haircut an amateur Belgian coiffure gave me! My health is too good lately. Mail censorship is a big job lately. Am thinking of you.
Your son,
Rodney,
P.S. No more V-mail necessary.
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Letter #44
January 26, 1945
(Somewhere in Belgium)
Dear Mother and Dad, Jr., and Johnny,
Ask me about seeing buzz bombs someday.
[Handwritten vertically above the salutation]
Dear Mother and Dad, Jr., and Johnny,
My morale is up 200% tonight. Just received two letters, one from Bob Beset in Iceland, the other from Ginny Clark, as well as a package of mixed nuts, a rum fruitcake, and fudge from Doris Endsley.
My loyal fellow officers disposed of the goodies in quick order. We’ve been eating fruitcake and nuts and candy since January with all the boxes that have been coming in. There are seven officers in good old “Able” (A) battery, and we share everything that comes in. Incidentally, the officers come from Minnesota, Kansas, Baton Route, Louisiana, Brooklyn, Tennessee and Elkhart, Indiana, not forgetting Ohio.
The southern boys are naturally freezing to death in this below zero weather. Tonight there’s a very large ring around the moon, so maybe there’s a blizzard coming up. Time out – for an evening snack of fried pigeon, ersatz (fake) coffee, cognac, and Doris Endsley’s fruitcake.
Yesterday I received a large box from Doris Given and I unwrapped and unwrapped until I finally found a large cake of wonderful smelling bath soap. I had written Doris complaining of not having scrubbed dirt off my body in about a month. But the joke is on Doris, because just yesterday I took a wonderful fifteen minute mineral bath in a spacious hotel near here.
Incidentally, have you received two $250 bonds I purchased in our division bond drive in December? I had our personnel officer send home another $100 class “E” allotment for January.
I have not spent one penny and still have November-December-January pay coming. My $100 per month is automatically taken out by finance in the States.
Keep up with news about the 82nd Airborne Division, and send me clippings from the home front which might be of interest. I have quite a lot of admiration for this outfit, and especially the dough boys I work with. They can’t be beat!
Am feeling fine these days and resting comfortably, but you’ll notice I didn’t write since last Sunday. Our motto is “In again out again.”
Robert Best’s letter from Iceland was very interesting. Am reading “Time for Decision” by Summer Wells and “Valley of Decision” by Marcia Davenport.
Well, the Russians are really making progress on the eastern front, and more power to them. We still have the Siegfried Line to hit, so there’ll be some pretty rough going in the next couple of months, it seems to me. Can’t say when I’ll have these writing facilities again, but I hope soon. It’s plenty cold in a foxhole at night when you’re not moving around. But if my section has to stay up all night, we have two rows of six-inch logs and two feet of dirt, which adds up to a morale and safety factor. I have a complete snow-white uniform and hood, which fits in perfectly with this environment, so I don’t feel conspicuous watching krauts pull away.
Am anxious to hear if you heard from Sergeant Jinders of Lakewood, Ohio and also did you receive the two bonds. Things which are scarce over here are air mail envelopes with 6 cent stamps and scarves. The last letter I received was mother’s V-mail of December 28.
Haven’t heard how the Herefords are doing this winter. But know the barn is probably crowded, but there’s plenty of feed on hand. Saw market reports a few days ago in Stars & Stripes. Everyday there are snow drifts shutting down the roads, and we push two or three jeeps one behind another to clear a path.
The farmers are all dairy farmers in this section, but never leave their house-barns during snowed-in months. The barn is attached to the house, and they churn their own butter and bake their own bread and make their own liquor from wheat and sugar.
God’s richest blessings on all of you. I am thinking of you and will try to keep out of trouble during the next month or so.
As ever, your son and brother,
Rodney
(Back of handwritten letter)
Say, John, I appreciate your last letter which accompanied dad’s letter. Why not write to me about some close basketball game and about your high school activities? Did you receive my package with various items, especially an autographed baseball?
Send clippings from the Tribune you might think to be of interest.
Happy birthday, Ma! Did you say you were 35 or 36 years young?
Guess Uncle Stew and Aunt Gilda will be grandpa and grandma soon!
Say hello to the Halls. Will try to get a line off to them soon.
PS: Money has no value these days. Only warm clothes, boots, gloves, and more clothes.
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Letter #45
Friday Evening, February 2, 1945
(In Germany)
(Rodney’s last letter, from January 26, said he was in Belgium, so in the last week he has gone from the Belgian border into Germany)
Dear Folks,
Have relaxed for a few moments to think of the more pleasant aspects of life, but an occasional noise (bombs, artillery) tries to disturb me.
Have been rather busy since last letters. Trying to keep warm. Marching through four feet of snow, dodging enemy shell fire, and getting my share of souvenirs. These American soldiers are the greatest souvenir hunters and looters on earth. If I’m only five minutes behind a front line infantry platoon, they all already have plucked prize watches and cameras from the jerry (German) prisoners.
These infantry boys get so cold that their feet swell, and they can’t get their boots on, so they march in socks to the nearest village so they can have a warm place to stay.
Please note enclosed clippings about my old outfit. They suffered in a jerry (German) counter-attack. I’m glad I’m with the 82nd!
Spent the last three days in the artillery field day. I’ve fired on that line (Siegfried) you read about in history books. The company commander and I were observing the target area and all of a sudden, hundreds of “dragon teeth” loom up. Quite a bit of excitement!
The weather is terrible, with blizzards and snow 4-feet deep and dark, bleak, rainy nights. These front-line doughboys (popular nickname for U.S. soldiers during World War I) can never receive enough praise. But I’m satisfied that I saved their positions with several hundred rounds of artillery fire. And those jerries (Germans) just can’t get away fast enough.
I saw the battalion exec from my former outfit leading a 155mm (Howitzer/Artillery) outfit.
Well, I certainly feel dirty tonight. Need a shave, head washed, clean clothes. I wear two pairs of wool socks on my feet, plus a pair of ski socks, then I stuff hay inside my boots for better insulation and circulation.
So far, I have a beautiful camera, a German 38-caliber revolver and other miscellaneous items in my collection.
Well, how are things progressing at home? I haven’t heard from you for two weeks, and the last V-mail was December 28. Tonight, for our evening meal, we had French fried potatoes with corned beef, hot coffee, raspberry jam, and crackers, most of it from this farmer’s cellar.
The situation here is looking fairly good, but it seems jerry will fight to the last. The Russians are 45 miles from Berlin, and that is jerry’s (Germany’s) main defensive line.
I have to check in on my radio or telephone every half hour, so pardon for now.......
(Letter continues)
Last February I was sweating out the non-tactical op’s (operations) on the mountainous plateaus of Fort Sill (Army basic training center in Oklahoma). Now our training is really being put to practice.
Must finish reading Liege edition of Stars & Stripes (the U.S. Army newspaper) dated yesterday and get started on U.S. news. Those pictures from home really are good and I’ve stowed them away in my billfold. Old Jigs looks like he’s still protecting mother in that photo. Am writing by candlelight, which is best in our blacked out OP ( observation post). We have plenty of captured jerry (German) blankets to keep us warm at night, and we each stand guard for two hours at a time. We have a regular arsenal around here just in case.
All I need is a few letters these days. Then, when I get back to our battery’s position, I eat, eat, eat, and sleep.
Let me hear the latest news from around home, recent marriages, births, etcetera. And if the farm is still paying off.
Get on the ball, Jr. and John, and let me hear the latest.
Best wishes to the family and hope all are A-1. My health is A-1, only the middle toe of my left foot got nipped.
Your son in ETO, (European Theater of Operations)
Rodney
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Letter #46
February 7, 1945
(Somewhere in Belgium, again)
Dear Mother,
As you may recall, you are a year younger today, so I’ll attempt to dedicate a few lines to you and the family. Today the snow is nearly gone. It is raining steadily; streams are overflowing, and the mud is six-inches deep. The roads are all one-way affairs.
A few days ago, I had the opportunity to visit with some of the officers from my old outfit (battalion) back in the States. It was not very pleasant to hear of their troubles. I thank my lucky stars I had the hernia operation that delayed my orders to report for duty overseas.
The territory around here did not look so bad with fifteen inches of snow on the ground. But now it is devoid of every inch of snow and the ravages of war and the bodies of those who perished - that were covered by snow - are now visible.
Got myself cleaned up today, washed my hair, and feel a mite cleaner even without clean clothes. To give you an idea of how I keep warm, I’ll give you a synopsis of my garments. I naturally wear long johns, two sweatshirts, three pairs of socks under felt boots (I obtained these boots recently from the infantry. They have a half-inch felt sole, to be changed daily, which keeps our feet warm), a pair of olive drab pants and shirt, combat pants, a jacket on top, plus a heavy sweater.
Very seldom do I wear an overcoat as I move around so much, but usually a raincoat or breaker. On my head I have part of an olive drab blanket cut up as a bonnet, plus a wool knit cap, then my dear old steel helmet, which I’ve had blown off my head six times here in Holland since October 24.
On my hands I have a pair of wool gloves plus canvas gloves with long cuffs. Every pocket is usually stuffed with D-Rations, cigarette lighter, can opener, matches, a pocket notebook, six pairs of extra socks, six to eight handkerchiefs, pen and pencils, overlay paper, maps, toothpaste and brush – always, four or five recent letters, a comb and pack of chewing gum.
Many a day I’ve gotten by on two D-Ration bars plus a pack of chewing gum, as no time to stop and eat. Well, enough of that.
I hear jerry planes overhead and it’s a pitch black night. We have all the windows of this house well blacked out. My morale is very good. In the last four days, I’ve received approximately fifty letters and Christmas cards. So, you see, I have considerable writing to do. I have received all the V-mails written from January 1 through 15 by Tracy, Jr., dad, and you.
I have written to Marcia (kid sister) at her new address, and I have Doris Given’s new address. Today received our weekly ration of five bars of Hershey candy, two packs of Juicy Fruit Gum, plus eight packs of Chesterfield cigarettes and some shaving lotion, soap, and matches.
Tell dad he can start on air mail letters instead of V-mails. I know there isn’t much room and they’re pretty “dehydrated” as we call it.
Tell Tracy I received his very good letters and to keep them coming, and also to watch out for those five girls.
Glad you received the one and a half dozen only a little late, through the courtesy of Sergeant Harold Jinders, our old supply Sergeant from “A” Battery in the 319th Field Artillery Battalion.
Who is Ellen’s boyfriend? Well, a few more (letters) to write. Am fine. Will write more later. There’s still plenty to do over here in the next few weeks.
Affectionately your son,
Rodney