April 30, 1946

 Dear Readers,

 In my last post, I shared a letter from Norma Condit from February 1946, now I sit at my desk transcribing this letter from April 30, 1946. At present, I do not know where he wrote this letter from, but if that changes, I will update this post.

In this letter Halsey Condit writes of his discontentment about Army life, giving an example of having P.Ws shovel coal, and a flippant remark he makes about the authorities that could have him receive a court-martial. It just doesn't seem like a letter to write to your father, however it is interesting to point out that he doesn't write to his mother and father, but to just his father. 

An example of how thin the paper was

April 30, 1946

Dear Papa:

Let me tell you a little just this army works. I'm not working in this supply room anymore, but the Battery Commander* told me to clean out a 2 room in basement. He said he didn't care how I did it, but he wanted it done. So I had to spend half a day getting 6 P.W.s^ to help me then I had to beg another half day for a truck, and by the time I got a truck, it was time I got a truck it was time for the PWs to go back to camp. The next day I got two P.Ws early in the morning also a private who was to be P.W. guard after so much begging I got a truck with a driver

{2}

 then I the P.W.s to work shoveling the coal out of the basement room up on ground then into truck. I got one load hauled by the end of the second day. Now, there was approximately 8 men which stood around 8 hours to get one load of coal hauled. Now I hope you can understand but that one example of manpower shortage or over power of men but this thing is no good. 

I almost blew my top the other day to the coloner [Colonel] + told him that the only reason that these big officers were in the army was they couldn't make a living in civilian life. Guess I got him told off. 

{3}

I might have been court-martialed for making such a statement, but I don't like to be anyone elses fool. I happen to know a fellow who made a similar statement and got his stripes taken away from him which knocked $20 a month off his pay.

Today was payday I drew another 500 marks* these marks sure seem funny but after 6 months seems quite custom to spend them.

Well, folks the eighth of next month Germany fell^, and that was the day I left Norma at Cortey to go to the army. These were the days I'll long remember. Just one year in the army. 

Will write more later

Halsey C 

German POWs (Independent)

  *- Battery Commander- has varied in history but is usually a Lieutenant, Captian, or Major. (Artillery Battery- Wikipedia)

^-  P.Ws is the same as POWs - I can find information of Germans being held in POW camps during the war in the United States, and lots of information about US soldiers being held in POW camps, I, however, cannot find information about German PWs after WWII held in Germany. One article I did find talked about how in Germany Allied Prisoners were released right after the war; however, it was not the same for Germans being held in England:

"Resentment and distrust between the Germans and their captors spilled over into the post-war period, especially when Britain ruled out any immediate prospect of the prisoners being repatriated. While the Allies blamed all Germans for starting the war and for the horrors of the concentration camps, individual German servicemen resented being made scapegoats for atrocities which, in the main, had been ordered and carried out by others. In May 1945 reconciliation seemed an exceedingly remote prospect." -  "The day that Deutschland died: Retracing the fate of captured Axis soldiers at the end of WW2" Independent (April 30, 2015)

*- I talked about marks in my "Letter no.1" post

^- At 10:00 on 8 May, the Channel Islanders were informed by the German authorities that the war was over. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill made a radio broadcast at 15:00 during which he announced: "Hostilities will end officially at one minute after midnight tonight, but in the interests of saving lives the 'Ceasefire' began yesterday to be sounded all along the front, and our dear Channel Islands are also to be freed today."
News of the imminent surrender broke in the West on 8 May, and celebrations erupted throughout Europe and parts of the British Empire. In the US, Americans awoke to the news and declared 8 May V-E Day. As the Soviet Union was to the east of Germany, it was 9 May Moscow Time when the German military surrender became effective, which is why Russia and many other European countries east of Germany commemorate Victory Day on 9 May. (End of World War II in Europe- Wikipedia)

Axis-held territory at the end of WWII shown in Blue (Wikipedia)

Munich, Feb 22 1945

Picture of Letter - Middle is to show how thin this paper is (practically see-through)

Munich Feb 22, 1945

Halsey Condit

Dear Folks, 

Mail has been coming through OK. Just seen (soon) that I can get the spirit of unity now. 

I am going on a  furlough tomorrow to Switzerland + Italy tomorrow so will try to write more later.

I received a letter from papa today. But of course just like he said I finally made it out. 

I received a letter from Wanie also today. 

I hate to hear about Mildred + Bob living like that but maybe it's OK. If they live like Norma + I theyed (they) have something. 

(Page missing)

to bitch about and I mean bitch.

There isn't anything that makes me feel so good as to hear of some like Price Daniels* or most anyone buys hogs and have them die. This army makes one feel like Nero playing while Rome burns.

You mentioned could Americans do something about these divorce cases like the Jew lady where the husband had to leave. But I don't think the Americans need to help these people in any way.

You asked me to send a request I don't know what to request I don't have any cataloges or anything to suggest to me anything

Over

So please suggest to me what you want to send.

{Munich June 19,1945 source}

{source}

*- Price Daniel- Marion Price Daniel Sr. (Oct 10, 1910- Aug 25, 1988), was a Democratic U.S. Senator and the 38th Governor of the state of Texas... When the legislature adjourned in  May 1943, Daniel waived his draft exemption and enlist in the United States Army, serving in the Security Intelligence Corps. In this capacity, he saw service in Amarillo, Texas, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and Baton Rouge, Lousiana... The army shared Daniel with the United States Marine Corps in 1945, the latter sending him to Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan to set up a Marine Personnel School. He received "outstanding authority" citations from both branches of service and was discharged in May 1946. (Wikipedia)

For more information:

• "Daniel, Marion Price"  Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 

•  "Marion Price Daniel, Sr. (1910-1988)" Justices of Texas 1836-1986

•  "Texas Governor Price Daniel" Texas Archival Resources Online    

~~~

Dear Readers,

For the most part, this letter is straightforward to read though there was one part that was so faded because the pages were bent that I did have a hard time making it out. I transcribed the line below as "divorce case."

Sorry this quality is not very good - still learning

         --Added line on the computer did not mark up letter

As I dig more and more into these letters, I get disappointed when I see that pages are missing, hope that one day I will find the missing pages and I will update this blog post. I want to understand Halsey's writing style and maybe understand if this line: "There isn't anything that makes me feel so good as to hear of some like Price Daniels or most anyone buys hogs and have them die" was sarcastic or not. I haven't yet gotten a feel for his voice. I have yet to find a connection between Price Daniel and hogs, but as the letter is not really about him, I might just have to let that go. If you know of Price Daniel Sr. please let me know. 

Thanks,

Blaire 

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.