August 15, 1944

France

August 15, 1944

Dear Mother Dad & Girls,

            I just started to write to you when two ladies and two small girls brought me four eggs, a ripe pear, and a bottle of good cider. They said it was time for the French news so I turned on the radio and got their news for them. There were three Frenchmen from the towns counsel (I guess) heard the news and took down notes so they could hold a meeting in the town hall and tell all the people. The people have sure been treating us good. We have had all the fresh eggs we could eat the last week. I have had figs, tomatoes, and plums. They offer us butter and milk too. We are in something like a big park with a big castle in it that they say belonged to a prince of Greece. There is a big river close by too. I went in swimming yesterday and twice today. What time we are having – just like a vacation were on. I’ll be damned if I can get used to these people to save my life. We can be swimming in just our shorts and naked and I’ll be damned if the whole village won’t come down there to look on, part of them swim with us. They don’t seem to pay any more attention to us without clothes on or when we have them on. These people don’t know the meaning of pride. It may seem hard to believe but it’s true. There is a little girl about 14 or 15 herding a bunch of milk cows here in a field. She has a dog that does just what she says.

            That’s a good knife you gave me Dad. I’ll have to try out that fishing outfit one of these days. I’ve got to write to Rosalie before it gets dark.

            Oh yes, an old lady that spoke English gave me a little keep sake metal. She was very nice. She told us some interesting stories about the Germans and we enjoyed her visit.

Love to all
Your son,
Max.