We were up at 2:30 and it was raining a little. Went over and got a cup of coffee. Turned in our cots and blankets. Drew our barracks bag and went out to wait for the trucks to come pick us up and take us to the airport. Boy, did it ever pour down rain. I just got soaking wet. Thr trucks came about 4:30 and we loaded on. It rained on us most of the way to the airport. We got to the airport at about 6:30. The air crew helped us put on our MaeWest and parachute harness. The first plane took off at 7 o’clock and as we were in plane 16, we didn’t leave till 7:50 am. We loaded in the plane at 7:30 and taxied out to the runway. We are in a new Fortress of which had only been on about 35 combat missions. We traveled at 6 and 8 thousand feet and it was smooth as could be. We passed over the Rock of Gibralter and also over the beach of Fedela where we landed 34 months ago today. We landed in -Casablanca at 1:30 pm. They took us to our area where we drew our blankets, ate and got a little sleep. We went up to the P.X. in the evening and then to a show. Men are leaving all the time here.
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Well, they still think I should stay in so I missed out on another day.
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We loaded everything up and left about 11 o’clock. It snowed most of the night and is still snowing out now. We are moving up into the mountains and it’s really cold. The snow gets deeper the higher we go. Some of the large trucks couldn’t make it so they had to stop and put their chains on. We got to the new area and everyone had a house but us so we pitched a tent. I was glad we didn’t as we had a New Years party and what a party. Wow. It’s one I won’t forget for a long time.
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We got in our new sleeping bags today so we issued them out. I’ll be darned if we’re not going to move again tomorrow. It sure beats me. We are moving above Colmar and the good old 3rd Division will have the center of the attack again as always. Popped some corn and sat around and talked till bed time.
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We loaded the other truck with mines and then sat around until we moved. We moved just after dinner. It’s in a Bottle factory. Not much of a bivouac. We got us a room in the basement. Fixed us a light, put in a stove and made a pretty nice home.
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The company is wiring in the whole front. They are expecting a large counter attack. All of the troops and service companys are moving back to a new area. We loaded our truck up today and we are to move tomorrow. Played some cards again tonight. I’m on guard tonight.
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Did a little work around the supply this morning. Had to unload the truck as they are going to use it to haul barb-wire. Played some cards, and wrote a few letters.
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Had a couple of the fellows wounded yesterday. Not much doing here. Wrote some letters and listened to the radio.
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Dear Mother & Dad
Merry Christmas Mom & Dad. I was just thinking about home, so I thought I would write a letter. I’ve been a pretty good boy this Christmas. I went three masses yesterday and two today. Not bad, eh?
What was Christmas like it at home? Did you have a nice time? We had a tree. I thought it was going to be a bare tree, but the people in the village started giving us trimmings so by the time we had everything put on the tree it look pretty.
Christmas was just about the same as any other day here. We had a swell dinner though. Turkey with all the trimmings.
Last night one of my boyfriends and I went out scouting & patrolling. We would stop in front of every house that had a light shining from the window and sing Christmas carols. We had to sing in front of a lot of houses before we got into one, ha, ha. We had a nice time though, and they served as hot wine and cookies.
Boy it’s really getting cold here now. It is stopped raining and that’s the main thing. I have a few of your letters here to answer. That dates run from Nov 20, 24, 28 – Dec 2, 5, 7, 9, 15. Did I ever tell you I received the film you sent me. Then I wrote home to have dad write to me & then I get a letter from him. Boy I’ll be glad when I get home so we will all be together again. I have 
mailed a box home & there’s some papers and there that I don’t want anyone to ever look at. So when you take them out of the box put them away someplace where no one can get them till I get home. Now Please for a favor to me, please don’t look at it. I have it wrapped up in the bottom of the box with string around it. Boy was I surprised to hear that John Collins was getting married. He’s really a swell kid though. So they finally got Gus in the army. Well it’s a shame with the two kids and all, but that’s life. Too bad about Ormand, but I had a letter from him & he’s getting along swell now. Well mom about this Rita deal. When I don’t know what to tell you. If I was home maybe I could work it out okea, but I’m afraid I’m losing all interest in Rita. I don’t think she 
would make me a good wife in the first place. She’s a swell girl, but I’m afraid she’s not for me. I don’t think you know much about Pat Smith, and I don’t want you to say anything to any one or even mention her name to anyone, because talked causes a lot of trouble, and anything could happen after I get home. But Pat has been very faithful in writing. She’s a very sensible girl and not spend thrifty like Rita. She wrote me the other day and said she was leaving to cook, and also a few other things that a good wife should know. I’m telling you these things because you are my mother and I wanted you to know how I felt. Before you have told me to forget Rita, and I wouldn’t do it. She has broken my heart too many times. I don’t know what you think of 
this, but I thought I would tell you. Pat’s very sensible about it and does say much about it. She’s like me, we will just have to wait until I get home and see what happens. You always said that I deserve the best. Well she rates pretty high with me at the present time. I hate it more than anything, as Mrs. Fleshner has been so good to me. But I am not daring her, and I’m afraid she has spoiled her daughter. Remember you have told me it’s my life and I must live it. It’s not worth worrying over now though because too many things can happen. Write and tell me what you think, because Mother always knows best. By By two you both, and I love you from the bottom of my heart.
Your Son
“Chick”
Uttech, Brueing, Oliver, Swanson, Wellman, Chick
Not much of a Merry Christmas. Every thing is dead and the company is working. I went to two masses again today and wrote a few letters home. Listened to the radio tonight and played a little cards.
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