August 3, 1944

France

August 3, 1944

Dear Mother, Dad, & Girls,

            It is nearly too late to write tonight it is nearly dark – I may finish the letter later tonight while I’m on duty by flashlight.

            Yesterday evening a couple of boys and I went walking and ended up at a large French house - I have a picture of the house. We went looking for fresh eggs mainly. The family invited us all in and to eat supper with them – they were eating at the time. There were eleven or twelve in the family. They say it is an insult to them if you don’t take what they offer you so we all decided to eat with them. What a hell of a time we had making each other understand. I ate my first artichokes up there they were good – something like squash. They also had bread, butter, and cider, cream to eat on the artichokes. They all frank cider, even to the littlest tot. These people don’t drink water I don’t think. We had a good visit and one of the little girls played the piano for us. It was fun. We got a dozen eggs for about a dollar and came back to camp and cooked them for ourselves. Those and a couple of other times are the only fresh eggs we have had since we left the states. We have lots of eggs but they are all powdered. The old French man had a lot of that strong cognac and the boys all got some to take with them. It cost like the devil $6 a quart. All the fellows or most of them are either drunk or have some nice hangovers today. No Mama (I know just what you’re thinking ha) I didn’t drink any – I can’t do it. What dupes me is the public open air toilets that the French use. Right on the main street in the middle of town open to all and visible to all women and men alike. These people are as bad as those in India where Norman was.

            Well everything is normal and going well here with me and I more than ever wish I could speak French ha. The wish of all G.I’s. Well it is so dark that I’ll have to quit. Guess I’ll have to write me Rosalie later tonight. Hope you are all well.

Love to all,
Your son,
Max
P.S. – don’t forget to send me some Air Mail stamps or Air Mail envelopes.