Evening star., 1942-09-27
Food, Money and an Accent
More Trouble Than Enemy
Alexandria Youth, Now in EneIond,
Tells How Soldiers Prize Letters

nature on the envelope. Our own
headquarters stamps them A letter
now means more to the fellows than
else, and any you can write
will sure be appreciated. It's just
about the only thing to look forward
to. We have had no passes for more
than a couple OF hours so far, which
means haven't had time to see any
thing. After Monday we will be eli-
gible to receive "a hours OF but to
find transportation to get to London
or bust.
"The Red Cross has been making
arrangements for the men to spend
some time with private families
upon invitation. but they have TO
carry their own food right with
them,
I'VE don't have any shower ia
cilities here, so the major made ar
rangements with an FAF squadron
nearby for the same. They take
over some ones house for their Of
flcers' quarters. and believe me, these
particular officers have . mansion.
They have been very friendly with
us and have done us lot Of favors.
There is one chap in their unit from
Connecticut and he has acted as
sort of liaison officer. He organ
lied a softball game between the
officers and we furnished the equip
ment and played a game Saturday
afternoon. It was the funniest
thing you ever saw, none Of them
having more than a faint idea of
how to play. They stopped the
game right in the middle TO have
tea" and it was an enjoyable novel;
ty, particularly because they had
cookies and small cakes. They have
quite a few quaint customs. among
which is insisting that you have .
drink on them. Regardless Of
whether you drink or not. you must
take it or offend them. They have
beer which I can describe most
nearly as sour coca-cola. They do
not mix in any way with their en-
listed men, not that we do much
either, but with them 1t Is q case
of class distinction.
English Planes in Air.
Being camouf1age of{icer for our
battalion. got them to take some
pictures and take me up for an OBJ
servation flight over our area. It's
not so much Of a thrill any more,
and no one seems to worry about
German planes. English planes are
always in the air and must have the
"Jerries,' as the English call them,
runt out. OF course, you read In the
papers Of a German bombing once
in while and, though have heard
the explosions in the distance oeca-
sionally. none have so far come any
where near us. We're not worrying,
though, of course, we take pfecau-
tions. I've seen ruins where bombs
have been dropped, but apparently
this part Of England hasn't suf.
fered as heavily as others.
Had mass Sunday here In one Of
our mess tents and 1t was exactly
similar TO ours. The priest was 4
civilian-we have no chaplain-and
doesn't wear the Roman collar like
in the U. S.
I'm also investigating ofl1cer for
the battalion and that means extra
work. Any time some one is charged
for breaking military law, I have to
look into the circumstances and de-
termine whether the charge placed
against him is correct and make .
recommendation as to the action for
further proceedings"
Breakfast-U. S. Style.
"I'm just as we'll and healthy as
can be, and am not worried par.
ticularly about anything. American
rations came yesterday and had
just about the best breakfast ever
this morning-fried eggs, American
coffee, all-bran with fresh milk, and
figs Generally, we are eating much
better now than before, but still
don't have the quantities Of food
we had back in the States. I miss
sweets like pie, cake, cookies and
fresh fruit very much, but when
notice the things the British have
done without because of the war I
feel sort of guilty. Yes, you can send
cookies and things OF that nature,
providing they are well packaged,
but as to the size and weight limit
can't say because I don't know.
I don't have time for reading mate
rial and only about time for one
letter night.
THE weather I can mention only
in general, but it is considerably
colder here than in Washington, but
I'm well prepared for 1t. Getting
up in the morning is like taking
one of those baths at grandfather's,
when your teeth won't stop chatter.
ing.
Jerry paid us a nearby visit the
other night. He dropped some flares,
no bombs, and must have been 4
random shot. Saw a Spitdre chas-
ing one about a week ago, but they
were so high I could see nothing
except the white streak behind the
planes, which is caused by the con-
densation of atmosphere at very
high attitudes. These 'Jerries' have
too much respect for the English
boys nowadays.
Il know they realize we're here for
job and we're going to get 1t done.
and we don't waste any time for
relaxation"