300, Vmails Soldier Letters Pvt Robert Beck PA GI 1943 - 1945 CA Training & ETO
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:50012989 | Modified Item: No |
| Original/Reproduction: Original | Featured Refinements: V-Mail |
| Conflict: WW II (1939-45) | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
Outstanding collection of over 300 pieces ofcorrespondence, mostly from Private RobertJ. Beck to his mother, Ethel (Emery) Beck, andhis sister, Dorothy Beck, both living in Ryde, Wayne Township, Mifflin County, PA, from 1943when he went into the Army, until very early1945, after VE Day.There are over 100 of the photostatted V-mailpieces from a variety of APOs, beginning frombefore D-Day, when Bob's unit was in South Wales, and covering through the end of the war. About fiveor so ...were written in the 2 weeks before D-Day, but not sent by the Army Postal Service until afterJune 6, 1944.Bob was in an "ordnance evacuation" unit, whichprimarily meant he was near but not in combat, since their job was to remove broken-down tanks andother vehicles from combat, and deliver new tanksand vehicles to the front lines.
Many of the letters cover mundane topics, but severalmention day-to-day difficult life just behind the frontlines beginning shortly after the invasion of Europe, andstretching until (and after) the surrender by the GermanArmy in early May, 1945. Bob mentions in one letter howgood a hot shower felt after weeks without one, and howhe tore his uniform pockets, and thence lost his pocketknifeand nail clippers.The letters from Camp Santa Anita in California mentionhis trips in to see sights in Pasadena and Hollywood, andinclude a postcard of a scene at the Hollywood Canteen, a soldier's relief facility started by Hollywood film stars toentertain troops en route to the Pacific theater, as well astroops training in California.Included are patriotic covers, mostly of the GI traininglife "sad sack" outlook on Army life.Also included are about 20 letters from his mother, sister andextended family to Bob, which were returned to the sendersbecause Bob's unit was on its way back to the States. Theseprovide a great insight into the worries and cares of thosefolks waiting at home for their relatives to return from the war.There's also a good bit of local gossip included!
Many of the letters cover mundane topics, but severalmention day-to-day difficult life just behind the frontlines beginning shortly after the invasion of Europe, andstretching until (and after) the surrender by the GermanArmy in early May, 1945. Bob mentions in one letter howgood a hot shower felt after weeks without one, and howhe tore his uniform pockets, and thence lost his pocketknifeand nail clippers.The letters from Camp Santa Anita in California mentionhis trips in to see sights in Pasadena and Hollywood, andinclude a postcard of a scene at the Hollywood Canteen, a soldier's relief facility started by Hollywood film stars toentertain troops en route to the Pacific theater, as well astroops training in California.Included are patriotic covers, mostly of the GI traininglife "sad sack" outlook on Army life.Also included are about 20 letters from his mother, sister andextended family to Bob, which were returned to the sendersbecause Bob's unit was on its way back to the States. Theseprovide a great insight into the worries and cares of thosefolks waiting at home for their relatives to return from the war.There's also a good bit of local gossip included!
