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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ★ c h a p t e r e l e v e n ★ ........................................................... a brief respite — france Anticipating that an airborne operation, most significantly a drop on Berlin, might have to be mounted, the Division was pulled off the line in Germany and returned to its camps in France. Gavin would be able to re-equip and refit the Division after the losses sustained, as well as continue the training that had been interrupted in December. ★ ★ ★ February 24, 1945 Dear Babe, It has been some time since I wrote you last. We have been on the move and now are at the moment under a bit better circumstances since I last wrote. I had a bath the other day and it was wonderful. I heard some music over a radio and it too was wonderful. I am very pleased to hear the fine reports on your report card. That is really fine work. I’ll send you, or have sent to you, the miniature medals as soon as I can get them. Next week I am going to look into the kilts. I’ll probably run over to where they are being made, I have some other business over there anyway. I have a couple of grand pilots and a good ship. A C-47. Tried a jump out of it just before the Ardennes affair. My Chief of Staff [Colonel Robert Wienecke] brought in a clipping from the New York Times this afternoon, that picture taken in the snow in Belgium. I remember the occasion very well. The picture is fine except the caption. It said that I was talking to the troops. A fine thing, all that I had to do to talk to the troops was say, ‘‘Hey, Joe.’’ They were all around. That is why I had the rifle, I was among them at the front. The phone was being used to talk to the Command Post which was some distance back. To be accused of using a telephone to talk to the troops is embarrassing. The Ardennes was some place to spend the winter, wow. Sure glad to be out of there. I never knew that man could adapt himself so well to unbelievable discomforts, especially cold. After awhile it just didn’t seem to make much difference. I always worried about the wounded more than anything else. The cold was bad for them, their survival rate was not too high. But the boys did wonderfully, from the siroccos of Africa to the winter storms of the Ardennes is a big span. Thank you for the phone numbers. Some time ago one of my higher commanders suggested that I make a quick trip back to Washington for a couple of weeks. I must have looked tired. It was in the midst of the Bulge business. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Since then however my work has increased so and my command has reached a size that I had better stick close by to it, for a while anyway. Besides, I would sure hate to miss any of this and especially have any shooting start with me away. The boys wouldn’t like it. How about some candy or nuts if they are available and not rationed? Congratulations again on the fine report card. Thanks for the Valentine. Aunt Lil asked about her Xmas package. I’m sure I asked you to thank her for me, or did I? I intended to. Love to everyone, Pappy ★ ★ ★ February 28, 1945 Dear Barbara, Dr. Waring came in last night. He had dinner with me and stayed overnight . Thank you for the candy and cute Valentine. It was very nice to get. I also received Rosie’s package with the ties which were most welcome. About the picture in the New York Times and no gloves, I had gloves which I had in my pocket, just put them there so that I could use the telephone more easily. We are doing nicely now, getting fat and catching up with a few things. We have lots of work ahead of us, really the days are just simply not long enough. It seems to be getting warmer. It can hardly be soon enough to suit us. After last winter I don’t think we will ever be warm again. I was especially well pleased to hear of your good work in school. I am sorry that you expected me to get a trip back...

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