Smyrna times., 1945-05-10

to him. In fact 1 did not know
that ne had returned overseas to
duty until your letter arrived an
nouneing the meeting. So you see
George, even when one is right
close by, you do not always con-
meet. The same might also be
true in your search for Jimmy
Truax. but here's hoping that this
will be the exception which proves
the rule to be true.
Yes, my friend, the passing of
president Roosevelt was not only a
loss to the Nation, but to the
world as well. 1t was very inter-
esting to note how the news of his
death reacted upon you Boys at
the fighting fronts. AS your for
mer COMMUNICATIVE Chief, it was
quite fitting that you should feel
his loss keenly. Back here in the
States, to a large extent, party
politics were forgotten, and the
Nation as a whole mourned the
passing of great man, our Presi-
dent. Untimely as was the death
of President Roosevelt, most Amer
leans now feel that his plans and
policies will be continued by our
present Government. One thing
quite sure, there will be no let up
in stepping up the tempo of the
war in the Pacific against the Jap
Already the Boys are
moving right along in pressing the
Japs out of the occupied territory
they over-ran during the opening
stages of the war. The Burma
campaign about concluded by Brit
lsh Empire troops,it looks like they
will move right along into Thai
land and French Indo China. A
look at the map would make it
seem logical that this drive would
continue right on into China prop
er. If, at the close of the Europ-
can war, Russia decides to direct
ner efforts against Japan, as many
1f us believe she will do, she can
send into action over two million
troops. These, along
With about five hundred thousand
Chinese in the Chinese Communist
Army, and the present forces as
represented in the Army of the
Chinese Republic, would be in a
position to make things mighty
uncomfortable for the japanese
Who now operate on the main
and of China. In addition to this
would be our own forces, the air
and that of the combined |
laval strength of the world. I'm
lot saying that the end of the
Japanese war is in sight, but one
,annot help but think how differ
INT it will be when we are engaged |
n a single front war. All our ef-
forts, and those of our allies, can
be directed against an enemy in
such manner that they will not
be able to hold out very long.
we will see what we will
see. The war is certainly not over
until all of Germany and Japan
1as surrendered Internationally.
George, it's mighty nice hearing
about your softball activities, and
he fact that your Battalion team
S on top, makes it so much the
better. Here's hoping that you
Boys win the championship. Let
is hear about this, Sergeant. Well
De mighty interested to learn how
,hings turned out. It's certainly
nice to know, that in spite of all
hat has confronted you Boys, that
you can still take time out to fol-
ow your sports while overseas.
Now that things have moved to
4 close for the active fighting
front over in Italy, we think it
would be nice George, if you could
write us another letter giving
such news about the happenings
there as censor will allow. I would
think that the big problem now
would be to find. some adequate
means of taking care of all the
prisoners who have surrendered
during the past week. If these
men could be employed to clear
away some of the obstruction war
brings to country, it would GER
tainly help a lot.
The very best of luck to you,
George. We hope that you will
soon have a chance to return to
the States o n furlough. And
don't forget that letter we've sug-
gested.