Spitball Army

[V-mail addressed to Ralph N., Richmond, California.  Return addressed to E.R.G., C.M. 3/C, 55th Battalion, Company D, Platoon 4, c/o FPO San Francisco, California. Envelope postmarked 17 April 1943 at 9:30 p.m.]

April 6 – ‘43

Dear Ralph –

Got the card today that you wrote on Feb. 12th.  Sorry I gave you the wrong address.  It was right for about one day, so that’s why it took so long to reach me.  Then too my being way down here “somewhere in Australia” doesn’t exactly speed things up.  Had a nice trip over, left on Mar. 5th and got here Mar. 25th.  No trouble enroute and no seasickness for me.  Just an old tar, huh?  The blue Pacific is really big and beautiful too.  This country down here is very nice, wouldn’t mind living here.  The climate now is very much like Calif. in the summertime but of course our winter is starting now so the days are getting shorter.  What a change we are experiencing, learning the English way and customs, spending English money and trying to understand their language.  What a time, but we’re learning fast.  I’ve been to town three times so far and have had a swell time.  These Aussie girls are plenty okay and there are lots around.  The bananas and pineapples are really a treat.  More truth than poetry.  I might catch up with [Teason] soon.  I always did like to travel.  Well Ralph, I hope this finds you both feeling fine as I do.  I’ll look for your book.

So-long
Bud.