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 20 January 1944 at 12:30 a.m.]

Jan. 13 – 44.

Dear Ralph –

Got your V-mail today and as usual it was very nice hearing from you.  So you got the picture O.K. huh?  I mailed about 15 of them to the States before Xmas and you are the first one I’ve heard from that received them.  I’ve forgotten now whether I wore whites or blues for your picture.  Anyhow, we do our own laundering and it usually turns out much better than any Australian laundry service would, if one was available.  Although it’s a lot of work, it pays dividends with nice clean clothes.  Sorry about the “Gold Braid” my friend.  Guess I don’t know the right people.  Best I can do is the pigeon on a roost.  We wear our white most of the time now, due to the weather, and believe me, it keeps us busy washing.  Say, I’d like to hear more about the big slash in help where you work.  What caused it, too much loafing?  Naturally we were glad to hear about it (you know how the service men feel about conditions back there).  Give me more details in your next letter, huh?  So long for now Ralph.  Glad you liked the picture.

Write soon.
Bud.