March 25, 1945, Southern France

Tom struggles with a violent wind and rain storm. He and Andy go to the movies and drink whiskey. Tom has been writing his letters by candle light in his tent and accidentally dripped some candlewax onto the first page.
Sun. night.
25 March 45.
“S. France.”

March 25, 1945, Southern France, Page 1
March 25, 1945, Southern France, Page 1

Dearest Zoe –

You certainly did make a cheerful day out of a gloomy one. I woke up about 4:00 A.M. this morning with something slapping me in the face and the wind just about to blow the tent away. My flying jacket that was hanging by the cot was flapping in the wind and hitting me. The wind was hitting about 50 M.P.H. Was suppose to have been on my way somewhere at 9:00 so got up anyway and tried to make things alittle more stable. The weather got worse all morning, didn’t do what had been planned. It started raining about noon and has been raining harder and harder ever since. They showed a move in one of the large tents this afternoon, “Keys to the Kingdom” and the ten and screen just about blew away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwkHF2nQOEM&ab_channel=TaylorDriscoll

March 25, 1945, Southern France, Page 2
March 25, 1945, Southern France, Page 2

Anyway, after supper I was still feeling pretty low and just to have something to do decided to check the mail; not knowing that someone had brought in the mail around 5:00 PM. No kidding honey even though it was raining to beat hell, as soon as I saw your letter I was a new person. Thanks alot.

You wrote the letter on Mar. 10th and it certainly does seem like ages since we have been together. Darling, you certainly made it sound wonderful, working out in the yard on a nice warm spring day. Had I been there I think I would have even helped you scrub the porch, that is if you wouldn’t be too particular. Hon, the exercise is OK but don’t work too hard. Just think four months and they can call me “Papa.”

I imagine by this time Ruthie is in Phoenix – let me know what you hear from her. I am sure the Perks would be glad to do anything for her that they could. Guess you feel sort of lonely around there now, but Hon when you get feeling that way just sit down and write your husband a letter. It might not help you any but I know it will make him feel a hell of alot better.

March 25, 1945, Southern France, Page 3
March 25, 1945, Southern France, Page 3

Oh yes! my dear little wife. I guess you will have to admit that your old man has a pretty good business head. After getting that $85.89 for traveling and also the allotment straightened up in such fine style. I was alittle surprised at such prompt service but I imagine they were afraid I’d through my rank at them. I really can’t think of any other reason. The only trouble is is that we have things straightened out so well for our wives that here we haven’t been paid since Jan. However, don’t let that worry you as alittle goes along way over here and we will be getting all of our back pay soon. Hon, when I get all my back flying pay, either this month or the end of next I’ll probably send some home as I still have all my travelers checks and there isn’t any sense in carrying several thousand francs around. I’ll let you know when I send it so you can let me know if you receive it OK.

Tonight was the first night that it has rained so Andy and I uncorked our fifth of Schenley’s, still have a fifth of Seagrams 7. Believe me it really tasted good, after all this cognac any kind of American stuff would taste good. We now have a rule that every rainy night we will investigate our private stock.

Andy explained to me what a M. slip was like. The way he described it it is just about the same as a M. dress, however, he has sort of a warped imagination so I drew my own conclusions. The trouble is , is that you need me there to help you out of your slip I’d really be more than delighted even so much as to un-hook other things and such.

5 Franc note which Tom mailed with this letter March 25, 1945. Zoe saved it in a scrapbook.
5 Franc note which Tom mailed with this letter March 25, 1945. Zoe saved it in a scrapbook.

Tell Dad and Mother hello and also to take good care of you. – I love you honey and I am enclosing 5 francs just to show you I do – In fact I’ll always love you –

Tom

March 25, 1945, Southern France
March 25, 1945, Southern France

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