Letter no. 1 - Munich

The top of the box

Dear Readers, 

Halsey C. 1915-1948

I typed up my "Welcome" post a couple of months ago with big ideas of how I wanted this blog to be, then I got swept up in life (getting my drivers license and looking for a new job). So I feel I am just returning to the letters project. I originally wanted to start with the oldest letters from the 1890s, but I honestly found the writing and context hard to understand, so I got disappointed in this project even before it truly began. I still want to go back and transcribe those letters, but I think I need to give my eyes and brain time to re-learn cursive. Then a couple of weeks I re-opened the boxes and found this little yellow box, with the words "Halsey's letters." Halsey was my Grandma's brother born in 1915 (7 years before my Grandma) and passed away in 1948. I looked at these letters, and 2 things struck me 1) they were pretty easy to read and 2) he was writing from Germany and Switzerland right around of the end of WWII, so both these made for interesting starting points. I also figure working my way through this little box will give me a good goal to conquer.

The box on my desk

 
As I have been going through these letters, I have noticed pages are missing so I will indicate that in my writing. There are also typos that I have decided to keep for the sake of the authenticness of the letter. If there are any terms, people or various historical notes I will sight them at the bottom of the page, and any thoughts I had while transcribing this letter. I will also include any pictures I can find or think will be helpful/interesting to the context of the message (if they are not mine the source link will be in the caption of the picture). I am still new to the blogging world so stick with me. 

 THE CONDIT FAMILY: 

(L-R: Wannie, Troy, Juanita, Parda, Halsey, Winnie, and Vena (my grandma) in front) 

(Top L-R: Halsey, Winnie, Wannie, Troy Bottom L-R: Vena, Parda, Juanita, and Herman)

While I was digging through the box I found this letter from December 23rd, titled "Letter No. 1" and I thought this would be a nice place to start my blog. Here I go, I hope you enjoy. 
-Blaire  

P.s- The numbers above the paragraphs were his writing of page numbers on the top of the sheet. Thus far I have only seen this letter pertain this but I know my grandma did this when she sent me letters, so maybe it was a family trait. 

Letter No.1 

Munich G

December 23rd

read Jan 7

 Dear Mama + Papa, 

I just receive my first letter from you sure was glad to get it it was dated Dec. 10 and postmarked Dec. 11 it was no 17, so from the way u explain it, I will have 16 others held up somewhere that I have not received. I expect that they were addressed with a different A.P.D. No. I think it was 21373. 

Yes mom I'm sure glad to get your letters. 

2

I spent a very nice day on my birthday don't remember just what I did but went to church at the chapel then in the afternoon took and in the afternoon took a big nap. Of course I think every day of each and every one of you. Today I sent to cablegram to you. It didn't cost very much.

You might find out what it costs to send a message to me by wire. I received a wire from Norma* this week which was first word I got from states. 

Written on the side: Letter No. 17 was greeting card with best wishes for New Year printed Mr. + Mrs. PM Condit. 

3

I'm in hopes the this will be the start of my letters. But of course lets be patient and hope for the best. I haven't been numbering my letter to you, will start with this one as No.1 I am going to keep track of all your letters and let you know which ones I don't get. 

You mentioned sending me some airmail stamps please don't send me anything that way like money, I suppose it will be very hard for you to understand but I'm going to attempt to explain to you why.

4

My money is not worth anything to me here. The Idea is that I am going to try to manage to get as much of it back to states as possible. I can buy all the stamps I want here. 

 In order that you understand when I got to Germany I had about $3 on me. It was exchanged for German Marks* (1 mark=10¢). So my $3 go me 30 marks. I had a box full of candy bars. I sold 4 candy bars to

5

a German man who was working on the rail for 50¢ a piece on $2.00 for four. Now of course I can't tell you the exact figures, but this is just how it is here. I don't know what the penality is for black marketing but its just this way. A soldier can go to the PX and by his weekly rations which consist of about 10 candy bars, 3 or 4 bars of soap, chewing gum and a carton of cigaretts.* (There are some things which cannot be said in a letter.)

6

This soldier can go out and this carton of cigarets which he pays 50¢ or 5 marks for 200 marks of $20. He can sell his candy bars for 50¢ a piece or 5 marks so you see in a few weeks if he doesn't smoke or eat candy he can have a lot of money. But in spite of this large black marketing factor which is going on between all the soldiers and civilians a soldier cannot get back to the states with more money than his payroll.

7

If in the next year a soldier is paid $1000 all he can exchange is at the money exchange when he goes back to the states is $1000 for American money. So please don't send me air mail stamps. I thank you, but it also does not help me a bit. 

I sure hate to hear about the Kings luck with Gene's wife. Gene always seemed to be such a sincere sort of a fellow but I know what she looks like and I know just what this army can do to a fellow. I'm in it I've seen a lot of things in the 

8

past 30 days here in Europe if I was to tell you all in a letter you wonder, but I'll tell you all it when I return to the U.S.A. 

I am a Corporal now I got my new rating week I'm quite proud of it. In fact it added $16 a month more to my pay and being I'm overseas I'll get 20 0/0 more so you see with overseas pay and the extra 16 will be somewhere about 30 more dollars each month. 

I pay for my laundry with a package of cigarets. 

9

and a candy bar each week. I can get a shave and a hair cut for 4 cigaretts. Occasionally one can trade Cigaretts for a diamond ring or watch.

Its really on the strangest experiences I ever got into. 

I'm gradually collecting souvenirs and good for nothing articles some day I'm going to get a box and mail it all back to the states. 

Will close with this write more later.

With love,

Cpl. Halsey Condit

{Source - circle around Munich drawn by me}

1*- Norma- His wife, Norma Juanita Holmes Condit Dahlsten, (1919-2011) 

2*- German Marks- During the first two years of occupation the occupying powers of France, United Kingdom, United States, and the Soviet Union were not able to successfully negotiate a possible currency reform in Germany. Due to the strains between the Allies, each zone was governed independently as regards monetary matters. The US occupation policy was governed by the directive JCS 1067 (in effect until July 1947), which forbade the US military governor "to take any steps to strengthen German financial structure." As a consequence, a separate monetary reform in the U.S. zone was not possible. Each of the Allies printed its own occupation currency. (Wikipedia). 

Reichsmark {source}

3*- I know cigarets is spelled wrong, but from what I could tell he never spelled it correctly so I am going to leave it incorrect.

I have looked through other letters, and while he talks about numbering other letters, I have not found any with a number on them. If you are interested in occupied Germany after WWII, I do suggest you look beyond Wikipedia, but I was just looking for basic information.