August 21, 1944 – D-Day +6 in southern France
August 21, 2024August 23, 1944 – Chasing the retreating German Army up the Rhone Valley with the help of the French Resistance
August 23, 2024August 22, 1944 – Phil’s first letter home from southern France and instructions for V-MAIL
On D-Day +7, one week after the D-Day landing in southern France, Dad finally had time to write home.
22 Aug 44 [1,2]
Lt. P. B. Larimore
Hq Co 3rd BN. 30th Inf A.P.O. #3
c/o P.M. NY NY.
Southern France
Dearest Mom.
Just a short note to let you know I arrived in France in good condition. “Having a fine time, wish you were here.” But as you can see by the newspapers we are doing quite well.
We caught them when they wern’t(sic) expecting us, and have kept them on the run. As long as we keep pressing them they don’t have time to dig in, and we can make a good show.
This, compared to Anzio, is the way to fight a war.
The country of France is a beautiful country and the people are wonderful to us. But I can’t see all the starvation that people say there was. Of course the(y) don’t have to(sic) much.
The women still have lipstick, and nice clothes, and plenty of wine. So all and all it’s not so bad.
No mater how late we come through a town moving up, all the people get up and cheer us. When the rest of my baggage come in I will write you a long letter.
Love Phil
~~~~~
[1] Handwritten V-Mail – Original Copy. Not Post marked.
[2] From the cover of the V-Mail: V-Mail service provides the most expeditious dispatch and reduces the weight of mail to and from personnel of our Armed Forces outside the continental United States. When addressed to points where micro-film equipment is operated, a miniature photographic negative of the message will be made and sent by the most expeditious transportation available for reproduction and delivery. The original message will be destroyed after the reproduction has been delivered. Messages addressed to or from points where micro-film equipment is not operated will be transmitted in their original form by the most expeditious means available.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Write the entire message plainly on the other side within marginal lines.
- PRINT the name and address in the two panels provided. Addresses to members of the Armed Forces should include rank or rating of the addressee, unit to which attached, and APO or Naval address.
- Fold, seal, and deposit in any post-office letter drop or street letter box.
- Enclosures must not be placed in this envelope and a separate V-Mail letter must be sent if you desire to write more than one sheet.
- V-Mail letters may be sent free of postage by members of the Armed Forces. When sent by others, postage must be prepaid at domestic rates (3¢ ordinary mail, 6¢ if air mail desired).
In case you haven’t read or listened to Dad’s book, you can learn more or order it here.
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