WW II Letters To My Mother: February 18, 1945

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WW2 1945 libertion ZUTPHEN part2

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The big push was on by this time to get to Berlin.  The world could now see the end to the Axis  power.  The map of Europe was being redrawn.The end of WW II was in sight.

February 18, 1945                           Canadian Army Overseas, Somewhere in Germany

My Darling Jean and Diana,

Hello my Honeys, how are you today?  I'm quite well Darling and feeling not bad under the circumstances. 

As you will notice, I'm in 17 Pln. now and have been for just about three days.  I don't know if I'll be going back to 16 or not.  I suppose you have heard over the news about the First Canadian Army push?  Well! keep your fingers crossed my Darling, though I have been quite lucky so far.  I only hope it keeps up. 

We moved into this place yesterday.  It's farm buildings and the civies have moved out.  I got some eggs last night and we milked a cow this morning.  There's a good basement here where we have the platoon most of the time, excepting a few guards.  There are a few pairs of tame rabbits here too so I fed them some turnips and oatmeal.

I had a parcel all ready to send you a few days ago but I don't know for sure if it has gone out or not.  I believe I told you in the last letter what I was sending.  I've been trying to get a Jerry camera and pistol but haven't got one yet.  We are supposed to turn in any pistols that we get.  I'm carrying one now but it's not my own.

I've just heard that I will be staying with this Pln. so you can address my letter to 17 now.

next day Well another day is nearly over and we are still intact and at present are under little better circumstances that we were.  How is everything going at home and how is our little Darling?  I hope she is keeping well, also you Sweetheart. 

Have you been out to see any shows lately?  How are your music lessons coming along Honey?  I suppose they are getting a little more difficult now are they?

We found about half a dozen jars of home made jam here, also some fruit.  There isn't very much danger of things being poisoned in these places but everything that looks suspicious we don't touch.

I had 3 eggs last night for supper and 2 today for dinner.

Sometimes we find civies in the houses but most of them have evacuated and took with them just a few of their personal belongings.  Cattle and horses are often left tied up in the barns but we usually turn them out because it may be a long time before the civies get back to look after them.

Well my Darlings, there isn't very much more to write about just now so I'll say bye bye for now and God bless you both.  Keep happy my Angel and don't forget I love you always.  Millions of kisses, Johnnie