Letter re: soldier life
- Title
- Letter re: soldier life
- Creator
- Bateman, Bob
- Institution
- TCU
- Link
- https://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/38543
- Description
- Somewhere in North Africa Dec 30/42 Dear Mr Carter: - Received a letter from my wife today that a Mr Amon Carter from Fort Worth, Texas had called giving her glad tidings. She didn't say exactly when the call had come but her letter was dated Dec 11 - as I recall you left us Dec 9 - the only way I can figure that one out is that you must have your private wire from London - anyway I for one certainly appreciate all the trouble and expense you went to in order that our folks at home might have such 'cheery hello' - it was really nice. That of course is only additional appreciation of your many kindnesses while we were together in England and Ireland - Guess Amon has written you all the news from here - We have been surprised in many ways recently - My geography teacher told me all about the great desert in N. Africa - only she had never been here either for we haven't seen any sand yet - as fas as we are concerned Africa is a large continent covered with mud - (illegible) under mud, as you will recall I'm sure, was never anything like this - With exception of two days I believe it has rained continuously ever since we've been here - so with living in pup tents, wading in mud practically up to our knees you can imagine what a sorry looking site we make - in spite of this moral is very high - strict blackout regluations so believe it or not I'm writing this in a pup tent - with it pouring rain - by candlelight - This I hope explains the handwriting - Amon is in the best of health as most of the other men & officers - seems like living out of doors, no matter how bad the weather, gives rise to few (illegible) & little sickness. Of course we have our usual few as would be expected with this number of men - We have visited (illegible), as we are allowed to say by the censor; and it certainly is a remarkable filthy beyond description - mixtures of all the latrines - food not to be had - wine flowing freely & very cheap tho the price increased many times since the arrival of American (illegible) government (I suppose French) controlled (illegible) houses - I am told of course - at 35ยข a throw - line forms on the right - the town is off limits to most all military personnel. Arabs seem to spring up like mushrooms all over the country side about our boys selling (illegible) 2 & 3 francs - tangarines at 1 franc eggs at 3, 4, & 5 whatever they can get, usually 5 sometimes more - & wine at 3 - 400 franc which sells in towns at 20 - Guess that's the story - interesting rumors are beginning to start however - Thanks again & the best in the New Year for you & yours Bob Bateman
- Date
- 1942-12-30
- Decade
- 1940s
- Subjects
- Carter, Amon G., Jr.
- Prisoners of war
- World War II
- Source
- Box 141, POW - B Miscellaneous 1942-1943 folder, Item 008
- Type
- Document
- Formats
- 5x8 paper
- Rights
- Prior written permission from TCU Special Collections required to use any document or photograph