Letters From War Wednesday: World War II – Charles Ley.

This edition of Letters From War Wednesday features a note home, dated August 1944, from Staff Sergeant Charles Ley, stationed in Northern Europe.

“So far I can’t say very much for France. I don’t think I would like any country where we have to do a job like we are doing here. Most of the French people treat us Yanks the best they know how. About the best they can give us or have to give is cider and cognac. And maybe you think they don’t go for it in a big way. Don’t be surprised after this is over and the soldiers get home if you hear someone walk up to the bar and say, ‘Give me a shot of cider!’ After you have been here a while you soon know that an American can adjust himself to almost anything.

“I have had a lot of experiences in the last couple of months. Some good and some I guess you would say not so good. Right now I wouldn’t take a million for the experiences I have had, but would give a million to be back home right now–if I have the million, of course. Ha!

“We have had some nice summer days, but they are few and far between. Most of the time it is pretty cloudy and damp. That’s the kind of weather I never did like, even when sleeping in a nice comfortable bed. Maybe I’m just too hard to please. I don’t know.”