Dear Auntie, June 24, 1944 France
I understand that you have been worried about me these past months, and I apologize for not writing earlier. But as Uncle always said, "Duty Calls". I arrived at the Naval Docks just fine, and they let us get some shut-eye before the long day that followed. Just like we were told, I was assigned with the 29th Infantry Division. I made a few pals here and there, one bieng a medic we call "Pepp". That kids got a heart of gold Auntie, and a great sense of humour too. When we get back from the war, it'd be nice if you could meet him. Maybe you could make him those lovely pancakes of yours, I'm sure he would love 'em. The war itself has really been starting to take it's toll on us. It seems that whoever goes in, comes out changed, or doesn't come out at all. Our supply of food is fine. As little as it may seem, we dont tend to have plentiful appetites these days, so it works. You are going to explode when I tell you how many days I've gone now without a proper bath. I'm sure the first thing YOU would do if you were a general would be to implant tubs in our tanks and boats. Wouldn't that be a sight! Our Commanders are tough...and demanding, but in the end, they really end up bieng that ones that decide our fate. Our Company for the Omaha Landings a couple of weeks ago was lead by Captain Richard Price, and I wouldn't ask for anyone else. That man is truly one of the best out there at what he does. Sometimes I doubt the fact that im still alive of bieng "lucky". That man really knew what he was doing, and thats how we were one of the first to complete our Company given objectives that day. Auntie...I cannot even begin to describe Omaha Beach to you. Just the boatride there was a whole nother battle in itself. I remember when the driver would yell out, "30 Seconds 'till the gate opens!" and as soon he yelled it, Pepp went over and threw up on my boots. I can't blame the kid really. This was his first actual "battle", rather then a small skirmish, and the waves were getting pretty big near shore. He is still young, and has much to learn, but my does that kid have guts. As soon as the boat stopped, we all stood in silence, guns at the ready, when all of a sudden the gate to hell opens. All four men infront of us instantly collapsed. One man behind us got pegged in the shoulder, but we dove foreward off the boat and into the water below. Me and Pepp managed to stay submerged for almost the whole way to shore, until we had to get up and start moving. We got quite far until a close shot almost hit Pepp in the left foot. From shock we hid behind one of the big metal boat-barriers scattered across the beach. We seemed to have sat there for hours, yet it was only probably two or three minutes. We saw Captain Price a few meters away, and he was screaming his lungs out for our company to start charging for the safe dunes up ahead. He said "it was the right time". Well, we ran. And ran and ran. And we made it. Insane, or not insane, Captian Price is a smart man. Auntie we took care of those germies real good. By the end of the day we had the shores and the bluffs to ourselves, and then the tanks finally arrived. Thats when the tide really started to turn in our favour. Now, we are much deeper into France, and things are doing better for us. I'm still alive, and your still alive, and thats the most important thing. Father would be proud of me, if only he were here. I'll hoping to see you by the end of next month, after such a long time. I won't be able to write another message, so for now Auntie; So long, Goodbye.
Yours,
Peter Stillwater Jr.
"Pete"
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