WWI letters & post cards

[TreasureHunter]

I have a stack of WWI letters and post cards from Camp Mills to crossing the Atlantic to "somewhere in France, came with a uniform I purchased, not sure if the two go together or not. Was wondering if anyone would be interested in reading them if I transcribe them to here? One letter talks about an escort ship firing on a sub, another talks about Christmas in the woods and the meal that, very legible and easy to read. Another telling his brother to get a lawyer and delay his enlistment! Just curious if anyone would like to read them, I can type them on here in comments. Thanks

[littlebuddy]

Fire away !!! i love that sort of stuff !!!

 

LB

[world war I nerd]

I agree. I have read hundreds of Doughboy letters. They can range from incredibly boring to absolutely fascinating. Regardless of whether they are boring or brilliant, I have learned more about their daily life, Doughboy slang and a great deal about what they thought of, and how they actually used (or misused) the equipment with which they were issued.

 

I know it's a lot of work transcribing letters, but I for one would appreciate it.

[TreasureHunter]

Well if I am going to do this then I'm going to do it all, starts with this soldier going to basic training......

 

Main Characters are Jake D. Aronson, Leon Aronson (brother), Harry (brother), The Folks, Father & Bro......seems he is writing to The Folks & his father as separate people, maybe folks is step father and mother. Here is letter #1

 

May 30th 1918,

 

Dear Folks, Just after dinner and and writing you to let you know that im alright and feeling fine. Getting plenty of exercise, have a good appetite and getting plenty to eat. Get up at 6am. Begin taking exercise and learn. 10 o clock rest 30 min. Drill until 1130, eat dinner at 1. Got partially examined yesterday think we will get more examined this evening. Havent been to vaccination yet. But think we will get those vaccinations this evening. We were handed some cards to fill out what we did, what we made. Where we were born. Where we live. What branch of service we prefer and all. I told him I was in business for myselfin Bermond Texas. Worked 2 clerks. Made $50 per weel in my business. Applied for the quartermaster corps. Had to tell how many years I went to school, 10 yrs. How many years experience in the general merchandise business 5 years. Talk to uncle max and aunt beckie every evening over the phone. Heard that maxie came back yesterday. Just dropped him a card. Hyman Fink is here next to my company and we stay together everything. Write me all the new and send me Rose Bud News. Now papa & mama don't worry over me as iam going to get along alright and after 2 weeks I wll get to go to town. Then I will be just like at home. We have already been measured up for clothes. Saw Captain Parks here yesterday. Talked to him about an hour. Now write and tell me all.

With love to all

Jake Arsonson

 

#2

June 10th, Camp Travis Texas

Dear folks, I received you all's letter this am and was sure glad to hear from you all. Aunt beckie, uncle max and the children and Mollie and her sister were out here Sunday and stayed until 830 pm. Maxie came out here also. I showed ant beckie those Kodak pictures and so Mollie taken the one of me by the fence. Now you can have about a 1/2 dozen of those made as Aunt Beckie wants one of them. Well it is certainly hot down here. It has been trying to rain but it seems as it cannot come. Tomorrow is Tuesday and I think I may get a pass to worn and they are going to raise the quarantine. It is 2 weeks to day since we are in the Army. The camps are nearly all empty now as they have sent the boys to France. They send the off with double header engines pulling them. There were 2 corporals taken from our company. They were told they had to go about 11 o clock Sunday morning and they packed their barracks bags and left our company and then our Lieutenant went there and brought them back. And he sent 2 men that were her just 3 weeks, drafted 3 weeks ago and already gone to France. Tomorrow is inspection and we are going to have a Major from Washington to do the inspection. Everyone is showing up and shining up as they have to be neat and it will be the most rigid inspection that we are going to have. No news here the same thing. Plenty of drilling and a 2 mile hike every other day. With love to all Jake Aronson

 

#3 June 12 San Antonio Texas

Dear brother Leon, I received your most welcome letter this evening and was indeed glad to hear from you. I just got a pass and now I am here at Aunt Beckies house. Have spent 15 days already in camp and today is the first pass I got. From now on I think I will get a pass to town anytime now. Sorry to hear that the white dog died. But we should worry. I think Rosa Becker wants to come to San Antonio and I got a letter from her the other day. So I wrote her she could come here with you all. I wrote her that you all would meet her in Cameran and that she could along with you all. Also received a letter from Sarah Mrs Rossenwasser. Write me when you all are comeing for sure. Maxie has just came in. He is here in the house. Aunt Beckie & children & uncle Max send their regards. Hyman Fink came to town with me also. Your Brother, Jake Aronson Pvt Co 56-14th BN 165 DB Camp Travis Texas

 

Next

[TreasureHunter]

Dear Brother Harry, I see where they are going to draft from 18 to 45 and that younger ones to fo the first and those over 32 will get to stay if they have positions to justify them to stay. Now Harry you can be exempted and put in another class besides a class 1. Claim exemption as you are one of the supporters of the family. And I will tell you how you get it. You get a lawyer to fill out the questionnaire for you. And get J D. Rea to help you also he has a great deal of influence with the local board and claim exemption on the grounds that you are one of the supporters of the family also that papa could not operate the business without you. AS you are the main head knocker. Now try and get into another class. And if you do not report it all over the world. Just keep it to yourself and tell no body. For there is always some one trying to attend to some one elses business. Now Harry if you do not get put in a different classification and you see that you will be in a class one. You go ahead and enlist in the quartermaster. For the others is hell. There you get associate with people that have sense. Not old country yaps. Now act on the above advice. Your bother Jake

 

Aug 2nd, Camp Merritt, Hoboken NJ

Dear Folks, Arrived at Camp Merritt Hoboken NJ this morning at 9am. We certainly had a fine trip. We were on the road 5 nites & 4 days. We were treated royal every where by the Red Cross. Since writing my last letter yesterday I was in New York State. We went thru to Pennsylvania State. And there is more mountains there. There in Penn. mountains there are the largest coal mines I think there is in the United States. These mountains here in PA are more fertile then those thru OKLA and Ark. They farm on the sides of these mountains. And especially in the valley. Theyraise as fine crops as I saw any where. We went thru a mining town in the mountains and I bet was 4 miles long. Just houses on each side of the railroad the railroad runs thru the Lehigh Valley that the name of the railroad also. For about 200 miles along side of the river. Then this morning we woke up in the state of NJ. We went thru a tunnel and went to some town I don't know the name. And on the other side of the bridge was that town in NJ. Then were back thru the tunnel and we came to Hoboken NJ. to this camp we were put in barracks. Then we taken a bath, and now I am thru. So I am writing you all this letter. We will get to stay here 3 days. Today Sat & Sunday and then we sail for somewhere in France. About getting passes that is all bull. There isn't a troop that stays longer then 3 to 5 days for along the barracks there is wrote on the walls when they arrived and when they left. I saw where the 55 Inf left that Carl was with it stayed here 3 days and just left yesterday. We were 3 days behind them. We do not take any thing along only what we can put in our pack that we carry on our back. That's the orders now, we will be issued wrapped leggings and those wool caps. Just like those Canadian flyers wore at Ft Worth. We turn in the rest of our stuff with our barracks bags. And we will get our stuff issued to us over sea. Now write me a long letter and tell me if your received all the mail I sent you all. I also mailed a Canadian penny in one letter. Write me if you received it. My address is Co G 64 Inf A.E.F. 7th Div just abbreviate American Expeditionary Forces

[TreasureHunter]

#6 Aug 3, 1918 Camp Merritt, Hoboken NJ

Dear Folks, I received your letter and was indeed glad to receive it. I went over yesterday to see if I could find Fink & Levine. Well all I found was where they were at. But they wasn't there. I met Dean Willliams. I am going back this evening to see if I can find them. I called up Broadway Central Hotel last night and called for papa. But he wasn't there. When I called for Mr Aronson the clerk knew at once who I wanted. I guess papa must have had lots of calls for him. Well there were lots of boys got 24 hour passes this evening. I will get one tomorrow evening for 24 yrs and I will go to New York and I will look Mr Garber up, If he has a phone. I will call him from the Y.M.C.A tonight. As no more news. Will close with love to all, Your son & bro

 

#7 117 Alma St, St Thomas Ont. Aug 6th, 1918 (from Gertie to Harry)

Dear Friend, Received you letter ok and was surprised yet delighted to hear from you so soon but will try my best to answer it. I am very glad you hear that you have reached you destination as im sure you must have been tired travelling so much. We are having very warm weather and yesterday I an my girl friends were in the bathing and I had some snap shots taken in our bathing suits. I took them up to develop today and the man said that they will be done the end of the week so ill send you one of them, but at present sending you the snap I promised to send you. It was taken in the park a few weeks ago. Its not a very good one but all I have at present, but I'll have some good one taken after a while. So I'll send you one. Will that do? Now keep your promise an send me picture of yourself. Well I must close for this time hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your friend Gertie Gerenraich PS just received the post card you wrote me Gertie

(different hand writing) Harry have you heard from her. She looks better then Goldie Levineson. But she is made just like her and the same complexsion only about 4 yrs younger. Pvt Jake Aronson

 

#8 New York City Aug 6, 1918

Dear Folks, As you see I am now back in NYC again. Well this time I have saw a little more if then I did the first time. Went to look Geo. Garber up again and found his place of business. He runs a small second hand furniture store in the basement. Tried to call him over the phone but could not get him. I think I will get up early in the morning and call him up again and try to get to see him. I went up Broadway Street and was expecting to see something I never saw before. But I believe Main Street Dallas is a better street and again and a go at the best looking street then Broadway of New York. I went into a café where you put your money in a slot, turn the knob and out comes what you want. Something wonderful. It is equipped like this. There is a glass wall and it has separate partition for each thing and there is a small sign tells what each one is and how much to put in. And turn the knob and the door opens and you take it out and sat down at the teable and eay. Now that saves waiters, saves collecting and also saves waste of food/ It is certainly a wonderful thing. Everybody waits on there self. Well as it is nearly one o clock I had better go to bed. With love to all, Your son and bro, Co g 64th Inf 7th Div

[world war I nerd]

Hi Treasure Hunter,

 

Thanks for taking the time to type up the letters for us. There were a couple of interesting details, such as how some recruits/draftees into the Army found themselves overseas with as little as 3 weeks of training.

 

Also the length of time spent at Camp Merritt (3 days), the large staging camp near the port of Hoboken where the Doughboys were thoroughly inspected and in many cases issued what was called "the full equipment for overseas" which was generally comprised of overseas caps, woolen puttees, gasmasks, hobnailed field shoes, a shaving kit, foot powder, an extra blanket and socks, before shipping out to France.

 

For anyone out there who wants to know what it was like to be in the Army during WW I, if you read enough soldiers letters, over time, like a polaroid photograph, a pretty clear picture will develop of every detail of their life from draft to discharge.

 

Thanks again for posting your letters.

 

Brian

[TreasureHunter]

Lots more to come tomorrow. This soldier wrote home almost everyday, post card above is marked 1919 so that's returning home card that I posted by accident. Stay tuned.

[TreasureHunter]

#9 Camp Merritt Aug 10, 1918

Dear Folks, as Hyman is over here to see me at the barracks am writing to you so he can mail the letter for me as we are confined to our company street. We taken a hike today for 45 minutes full pack and it sure was hot. When we got back I got the letter what Lena wrote and I sure was glad to receive it as it is the 3nd letter from home. I also got a letter from Geo Garber also at the same time and a letter and picture from jiddishil girl from Canada. So you see I got 3 letters in one day. I was in New York twice but I don't think I will get to go more. Also got Floras address as Hyman got it from Mary Fink. she also stays in Brooklyn where papas cousins live. Hyman told me that he thought that they were going to leave tomorrow on Sunday and I guess we will also leave some time next week. As we are fully equipped now. The weather changes here every day one day is hot as hell and the other day pretty cool. I believe I will try and call Geo Garber up and talk to him. He wrote he would come out and see me if I would answer him. At 9 o clock in the morning we will take another one of them hikes. As no more news. Will close with love to all. Hyman sends his regards. You son & bro

 

#10 Camp Merritt Aug 10, 1918

My dearest folks, In my last letter I wrote you all that we are going to take a hike at 9am Sunday. Well since writing that letter I think that hike is going to end my stay in Camp Merritt. So the next time you hear from me again will be that postal card that I arrived safely. I am going to write it now and mail it on the boat as nothing else to write only write me some of those address of folks in England. And mail it to me at the same address and it will follow me up. I wrote Warrack a letter, Did he publish it or not. Write me. Tell all my friends fare well for me at home and that I will see them again after the war is over. Your son and bro Pvt Jake Aronson

 

#11 Camp Merritt Aug 11 1918

Dear Folks, Lena I received yours and papas letter and sure was glad to hear from you all. Sorry I cannot get to see Jacob Hyman at Brooklyn for I received their address to late as we are confined to camp. We have I mean the 7th Division has been inspected and passed over seas and we will be gone Tuesday night. I did not leave as I thought we would on going on that hike as I wrote you all last nite. Harry Jacobs is not up here as I cannot hear of them coming up here. About those pictures I haven't any one especially to send any too. You can send them to who you want to. If those Kodak pictures are good that Mrs Kessenbaum take you can send me about a few of them as you an send them in a letter. What is the matter with Harry he doesn't write. Now send me some address of the folks in England and it will follow me up. With love to all You son and bro Jake D Aronson

 

#12 Camp Merritt Sunday Aug 11 1918

Dear Father, I received your & Leons letter this morning and was sure glad to hear from you all. I am sorry I cannot get to see Jacob Hyman at Brooklyn for I got his address to late. Now we are confined to Camp and cannot leave. We have already been inspected and passed and I think by Tuesday nite we will no more be in this Camp. We will be on our way across the ocean. We went out on a 45 minute hike today with full pack and it sure was hot. It rained here last nite and also showered here today. Now this will be the last letter you will receive form me on this side of the ocean. Leon how are you getting along, I am fine and will have a trip a long trip about Tuesday. You are staying with papa. Now help him all you can and do not bum around. As no more new will close with love to all. You son & bro Pvt Jake Aronson Co G 64 Inf 7th Div A.E.F. Hoboken NJ Now write to this address and it will follow me up.

 

#13 Camp Mills Long Island NY Sunday Aug 18th 1918

My dearest Father & Bro, You all no doubt will be surprised in receiving this letter from me in the good old USA. Well we boarded a ship last Tuesday and there I mailed you my last letter on board the ship. Well we started sailing from Hoboken NJ on Wednesday Aug 14 at 1130 before dinner and we sailed that day and Friday all day and at about 12 o clock Friday night I felt the ship quiver and so I got up and made it for the deck. And when I got to the top a sailor told me that it wasn't anything serious only that an anchor fell. So I went to sleep again. And when I woke up the next morning on Saturday we were turned back sailing for New York. So they had a propeller broke and they could not make it across with one propeller on account of the rough waters we would had to get in. We arrive back here today on port Sunday Aug 18 about noon. And we got off the ship on to a ferry and we rode the ferry until we came to Long Island City NY. There we boarded a train and roede it for about 20 miles and got off here at Camp Mills about 330 pm this evening on Sunday. The Camp here I equipped the same as Camp Mcarthur. I don't know how long we will get to stay here but I don't think it will be long. Just until we can get another ship to take us across. It sure was a nice short trip. I did not get sea sick at all. But we had never got into rough water. Will write you again tomorrow. With Love to you all Your son & Bro Jake Aronson Pvt Co G 64 Inf A.E.F. PS: Tell Louise hello

 

Letter #14 is identical to letter above but to Dearest Folks

[TreasureHunter]

#15 Camp Mills Long Island NY Monday Aug 19, 1918

Hello Papa & Leon, Well this is my second day back in the good old USA from my trip on the ocean. I washed all my clothes to day and took a general clean up. AS they sure was dirty as on the ship you keep your clothes on all the time you have to sleep in them too. And no conveniences at all. Only they feed you good and the best of every thing papa I think we will get to stay here a week or longer. They issued passed to day and I am going to try and get one tomorrow and go over to Brooklyn and see you folks as it isn't only about 3 miles from here. I wrote you all a letter last nite. I just finished writing one home. How is business in the new store. Hope good. Guess it is still dry at home. Up in this country every thing is green the same as s? and corn here is just silk and tossell. I guess the reason is account it is colder here than at home. The nites are sure cold up here. Last nite I had one blanket to cover up with and about 3 in the morning I had to roll up in it. As nothing more to write. With love to you all Your son and bro Pvt Jake Aronson Co g 63 Inf A.E.F. Did you receive the letter I mailed you from the ship I wrote it on the ship and mailed it there. Tell Louise hello Also Mrs Nachman

 

Aug 9th letter that was in envelope dated 23 Aug

Dear Folks, Did not write to you yesterday on account of we had to stay in our company street as they finished issueing our clothes. I now have those leggings. Hob nail shoes and one of those little caps and I turned in our other stuff. They did first issued me 4 shoes for the same foot. Then me an another boy traded and made a pair for each one as he had for the same foot. And then we went from one company to the other trying to exchange clothes and I never laughed as much before as the fun I had with those 2 shoes for the same foot. I traded them off about 1/2 a dozen times. And every time they would come a running hunting me up after they went and tried them on and found out what they got. So this morning we turned them into the supply and I will get another apir as we have to have 2 pair as we have to have to pr of those hob nails. The other evening I was writing you all under some trees at the YMCA and I saw a boy sitting there to him self looking lonesome and I thought he was a Jewish so I went up to him and talked to him. And he told me he was a Jew. and that he lived in New York. And that he put in for a pass to go home and that he was going to get it the next day and he also told me he did not get any pay yet and he didn't have any money. And he wanted to talk home. So I gave him one dollar bill and told him to go inside the YMCA and call up his folks. And he did and he brought me back the change, so I told him to keep it and he could go home tomorrow and if I ever say him again and if he had the money he could pay me and I never saw a boy any more gladder then he was. and he then began to tell me all his experiences. And he sure did seem to appreciate me giving him that one buck. I received my pay yesterday $52.00. Well this evening I have to report to Headquarters and be orderly for 24 hours from 6pm this day to 6pm tomorrow. As no more new will close with love to all Your son & bro. Pvt Jake Aronson Co G 64 Inf 7th Div. Camp Merritt Hoboken NJ

[littlebuddy]

Fantastic reading , many many thanks for sharing these with us !!

 

LB

[TreasureHunter]

#17 Camp Mills Long Island NJ Monday Aug 19, 1918

My Dearest Folks, Am writing you today as I wrote you all last nite. Today I washed all my clothes as they were awful dirty from that trip on the ocean. As we do not have any conveniences on the ship at all. As there was only 4200 men on the one we were on. Before the war they used it for a feighter nd live stock transport, Now they use it to carry troops across and they put them in there the same as sardines are packed in a can. When you get your eats on the ship you have to go on deck and eat it on the floor. so you an imagine how crowded it gets up there. I was in luck with my eats as our company fed all on board. They had me help cutting bread and I could eat when I wanted as much as I wanted and anything I wanted. They sure feed good on the ship. Butter at every meal, fruit in the morning and every thing that is the best too. Now Harry would advise you, you cannot enlist in the Quartermaster Corp. You go ahead and enlist in the Navy. It is a great life you can go dressed neater in the Navy. Get the best eats. And you can see the world. And it is a cinch you will come back all together or not at all. Now I will tell you about how the troops travel. When troops leave port to sail across. There are always 3 ships leave together. there also leaves 2 war ships and two sub chasers with them for protection. So you see the troopships are well protected. Now I will write you of a little experience we had with a sub on our way back. We came back by our self. Our own ship. About 2pm the first evening they cited a submarine about a mile off. So they opened fire on her and fired 7 shots at her and 5 shots out of 7 hit her and tore her to pieces. They give you a life saver which you must keep on at all times. They also assign you to a raft in case the ship goes under. You get hold on this raft. 16 men to a raft so they can pick you up after and all be together. You do not take your clothes off at all. You sleep in them everything on. And every morning before day break and every evening before dark. They call everyone out on deck and make them stay near their raft, For the submarine does her work when the day breaks and about time the sun goes down and dark. So you see they are on to all the sub tricks. As that includes about all the trip with yesterdays letter. I think we will get to stay here a week any how. They issued passes today. I am going to try to get one tomorrow and then I am going over to Brooklyn NY and see Papa's folke, also will try to get to see Floa Susnitsky., she lived there also. I am going to write papa a letter also but not to large, you save this letter and read it to him when he comes home. Tell Mr & Mrs Barty, MR & Mrs Currand, Harry L. and the rest of my friends hello and tell them I did not quite get across my first trip. But had to come back. As nothing more to write, With love to all From your son & bro Pvt Jake Aronson Co G 64th Inf A.E.F.

 

#18 Camp Mills, Aug 20, 1918 Dearest Folks, I received all the mail here today that you all wrote me. I only got 9 letters. And I sure was glad to receive them. I did not receive that Rose Bud News. I ought to have got it withthese letters but I guess it must have got lost. Sure would be like to get one of them. Harry that was a good circular you wrote up for that new store. Harry in regard to that draft. If you are not put in any other class but one. Be sure you enlist in the Quartermaster. I know you can enlist. If you cannot in the QM enlist in the Navy But try to get in the Quartermaster at San Antonio, and do not wait to be drafter in to the Army for they will put you in the infantry or some other branch of the like and it is hell. Be sure and try try hard to enlist in the Q.M.C. You have to do more with people of sense not with a bunch of bone heads. Yes Hyman F sailed the same day I did on another ship and I guess by the time you receive this letter he will be in France. We are going to a picnic tomorrow at some beach. given to us by some society to the whole regiment. Got a letter from Flora S. at Brooklyn also one from Geo Garber. I ought to have got 15 days earlier at Camp Merritt. We were taken out and drilled this morning for a couple of hours. Then we were taken out for a hike before noon around about 3 miles and this sure is some fine country. Harry I am enclosing you those pictures and the last letter I got from the girl at St Thomas Ont. I am going to write her one more letter then I think I will drop our corresponding. You can write to her if you want to. Things here the grass is as green as spring and corn is just now silk and tosell on this island. The reason for that it is colder here than home. Mamma if it is to much trouble for you to fool with those cows sell one of them. I know how it is there, dry and no water. Sell old Mulky if you can for she is as much as 2 ordinary cows. Got a letter from aunt Beckie also in the those 9. I just finished an answer to her letter. So write me every day. Also got a letter from Russell Charles. When I get time I am going to answer all. With love to all Pvt Jake Aronson Co G 64 Inf A.E.F. Camp Mills NJ

[TreasureHunter]

#19 Camp Mills Aug 21, 1918

Dearest Father and bro Leon, Yesterday I wrote you about that I was going out on a picnic today. And the Captain told us that is was about 30 miles and if we would donate 50 cent we could go to it and ride on the train only that we would have to hike about 5 miles after we arrived and 5 miles hike back to the train. So I gave him 50 cents. And 7 oclock we left camp and hiked until 11 oclock. Thenwe came where we taken the train where we rode to Long Beach is the name of the place. We rode 3 miles on the train and got off as we were already there. We marched up to the beach and got bathing suits and taken a swim in the Atlantic Ocean. After ward we were marched up to the Red Cross and the Red Cross ladies served us with sandwiches and coffee and ice cream. And at 4 oclock we started back to Camp and again the Red Cross ladies gave us candy. then we went back to our cars and rode those 2 hours. 7 miles coming back and 13 miles going, The reason we hiked 13 miles this morning to get where we could ride was because the leader got off on the wrong road and taken us out 6 miles out of the way. We went thru 6 little towns going and more coming back. Here in this country they have those black acadamised roads and they are smooth and so it was good hiking. When I was home I never would have thought of giving 50 cents and walking 20 miles to a picnic. But it is different when you are in the Army. Papa I mailed you under a separate cover a little box of cigarettes that was gave to me at Long Beach. You will get them the same time you get this letter. As this is all about my picnic, As no more news. With love to you all Pvt Jake Arsonson Co G 64th Inf A.E.F. Camp Mills, NJ

 

#20 Camp Mills Aug 22, 1918

Dear Father and Brother, Will write you all one more letter at Camp Mills as we are going to leave camp tomorrow nite that is Friday nite. Guess we may start sailing either Saturday or Sunday. They some times sail a day or two after we are on the ship. I did not get to go to Brooklyn as they quit issueing passesand now we are leaving. We are about 8 jewish bots in our company and we are going to try to get a pass for Roshashona & Yom Kipper when we get over there. As nothing more to write With love to you all Pvt Jake Aronson Co G 64Inf A.E.F. That is my full address now, that is all is neccassary.

 

#21 Camp Mills Aug 23, 1918

Dear Folks, Am wirting you all one more letter here at Camp Mills. Today is Friday and Sat. morning we hike away from this Camp at 4am. Harry I mailed you by parcel post that new Gillette Safety Razor. You will receive it with letter. It will come in handy for you when you get in service. I have another one is the reason I mailed you this one. And I had no use for two. Lena enclosed you will find an Infantry service pin for you. I got a letter from Leon & papa from Bremond and also on from Aunt Beckie. I am now preparing those safe arrival cards that I will mail on the ship. As no more news with love to all Your son and bro Pvt Jake D. Aronson Co G 64th Inf A.E.F. PS Lena those rings that hold the guns on the pin are not very good so you will have to look out and not loose it off. have them tightened.

[world war I nerd]

Treasure Hunter, thanks for all the typing.

 

I really enjoy reading these old Doughboy letters.

 

A while back, while reading a similar batch of letters another Doughboy referred to the life jacket each man was issued as a "drownin' jacket.

 

During the journey, the men onboard were under orders to sleep with their uniforms and shoes on. This was done so that they could get to a life boat or raft as quickly as possible if the ship was torpedoed. They also had to report at the life raft with a pistol or cartridge belt and a full canteen of water. During the drills, if they showed up with a half-full canteen they'd find themselves on KP duty or shoveling coal down in the engine room.

[TreasureHunter]

#22 Somewhere on the Atlantic, Sunday Sept. 1, 1918

Dearest Folks, A, writing you this letter some where on the Atlantic Ocean. We certainly are having a fine trip. When you receive this letter you will know that I arrived safely some where in (word cut from the letter, censoring) This is a great deal cleaner ship than the last one we started on the first time. I got sea sick the first 2 days I was on the ship. On account the water was awfully rough. Now I feel as good as I ever did. and sure have some appitite. We are in smooth water now. Am mailing you one of the Daily newspapers printing on board the ship. When we land we get a weeks rest and to clean up and then we get 10 days furlough so we will go any where we want to. Will try to get to go to the synagogue for the holidays. As nothing else to write Will close with love to all. Pvt. Jake Aronson Co. G 64th Inf A.E.F.

 

#23

 

 

 

[TreasureHunter]

#24

Nov 28, 1918, Some Where in France

My Very Dearest Folks, as today is Thanksgiving , am writing you all to let you know I am well and hope to hear the same from you all. Received Harry & Lena's letters. Yes Harry you are very good predictor. The war is over and has been for 15 days to the time the war ended. When I received your letter, You must have received a wireless telling you that those Germans would give up. Yes would certainly like to have been with you at the cotton palace not for the amusements nor to see the battles on the western front for I have been. Only to have been in company with those young ladies as that is about all the entertainment that we miss here for I haven't saw one good looking girl since I have been over here. It has turned off warm and it is still raining. It is dark here now at 430pm. So dark you cannot see your hand before you. This stationary I am now using was donated to me by the K of C as you will see with 3 packages of chewing gum, candy and cigarettes and si don't use cigarettes myself I gave them to another soldier. By the time you all receive this letter there will be lots of our troops landing home. But I don't think we will be sailing for quite a while yet. But I do hope it will be real soon myself. As nothing more to write, With love to all your son and bro Pvt Jake Arsonson ( signed OK w. 1st Lieunt. & name)

 

#25 Dec 4, 2928 Somewhere in France

My Very Dearest Folks, Received Leon & Lena's letter of 9th of Nov and was indeed glad to hear from them. Now they wrote an answer to the letter I wrote on Oct 15. Now I wrote several letters before that on that I received an answer too, or did you all not receive them? Also received a letter from Aunt Beckie but I cannot write her. For here in these woods I cannot get any extra stationary. I just bummed this. So I could write home. Glad to know that there was such good rains at home. Here we have plenty of rain. Here it doesn't rain those hair gulley washing just slow and steady. Went out Sunday and taken a stroll out across the front lines where the Germans held. It was the old Hindenburg line and believe me it was some line too. The part I went over was open country and all you could see was barb wire entanglements and there was dug out made of reinforced concrete deep in the ground one every 30 yards. Large enough for one squad of men to stay in. There they cooked washed their clothes and had large looking glasses and some very fine furniture they taken from the French people. I guess they must have had their wifes staying in their with them for I saw ladies shoes staying in some of those dugouts and what more if you were looking across the country you could never detect that there was anything there but pretty country.

 

#26 Dec, 26, 1918 Some Where in France

My Dearest Folks, its now nearly 2weeks since I have receive my last letters from home. And haven't received any since. Are you all to busy to write or what is wrong. Am anxious to hear from home. Is is any thin that is wrong I want you to write me all. I am well and hope to hear the same from you all. Am still here in the woods and spent a rather enjoyable Christmas for the place we are located. For the first thing we had all we could eat. This is what we had for our Christmas dinner. Hamburger meat, well seasoned, mash potatoes. gravy, macaroni and coffee. Then we went to the mess hall and there on the tables was one piece of chocolate and one cigar for each soldier, then there was cake, nuts & fruit also cigarettes that you could help yourself to after you were thru eating and going on out we were given stationary and more cigarettes. Forgot to mention we also had to our dinner cooked apples, jam and bread. You may wonder what I meant by a mess hall and tables. Now will tell you about our mess hall. When we moved in here, our mess hall was an old barn for horses. When Germany use it and it had been thru the world war as it showed it, as it was all shell torn. So we taken and tore the stalls out, layed down floor, patched up the sides, braced the roof up to keep it from falling down. Walked about 4 miles to get tarpaper for the roof. Fixed the roof up. Put in 3 stoves. Made tabled from boards and seats fastened to the tables.. Then got ever greens from the pine trees and decorated the mess hall with an it was a nice place after we fixed it up. After we had dinner we marched up the YMCA shack, there were 3 ladies that entertained us by singing. After the entertainment we were given Christmas boxes from the YMCA which had printed on them Merry Christmas from the folks at home. Through the YMCA and this is what the box contained, 2 pieces of chocolate, 2 packs of cigarettes and one cigar. Am enclosing your one of the packages of cigarettes as it will go in the letter conveniently. The day was rather cool, snow flakes falling but here in the valley it would melt as fast as it fell. Today I taken a bath, washed my clothes and made a general clean up. As nothing more to write, am anxiously awaiting a letter from home. Oh yes Harry the letter I wrote you dated DEc 15, hold that one in reserve of recopy it on the typewriter. With love to you all, Your son and bro Pvt Jake Aronson Co G 64th Inf A.E.F. (OK & signed by a 2nd Lt 65th Inf)

[TreasureHunter]

Sun, Jan 5, 1918 Some Where in France

My Dearest Folks, Received you alls letter of Dec 3rd and was indeed glad to received. I am well and in best of health and hope this letter reached you all the same. For the last month is has continually rained and the creeks are all out of the banks. There is a small creek here in the valley and its getting so it is trying to come to the top of the hill all out of the banks. Was glad to know that you read all the letters I wrote home up to Nov 6. The letter I wrote on Oct 27 was the first Sunday we had left the front lines and were to get a two weeks rest. But on Monday we were again hiked to front lines as support and stayed in the woods until Sat Nov 2 and this time we hiked against Gezan Court and were again to get a two weeks rest for sure this time. So I wrote home on Sunday Nov 3 and on Mon. Nov 4. We were hiked to Domere En Haye to French barracks in woods in rear of lines for our two weeks rest and to drill on the night of Nov 6, here I wrote a letter to Lena, and the next day we went into the town of Domere En Haye to billette for the rest of our two weeks rest. Then on Sat Nov 9 we were issued 2 days emergency rations and 220 rounds of ammunition and we were hiked to mountains. to dug outs in the valley. Here we had show and on Sun Nov 10 we were ordered to make lite packs take ammunition, rifles bayonets and ammunition. This was at 2am and 3am we hiked away from the valley until 11am and we arrived here below Thian Court in this valley at 2pm. We had chow and at 245pm we were ordered over the top. And over the top we went. We gained territory and we stayed up all night with out sleep also next nite with out sleep. Only the last nite it rained and we got a little wet. And the next day we were relieved off of the front and we came here in the valley and the Captain had our blankets brought to us and we went in the German Barracks and here was my first night to get any sleep for 3 whole nite. I did not get as much as one wink of sleep. So then after the firing ceased we got some rest. Then salvaging now we are getting that 6 months training that we were to get over here as that is what we thought we would get when we left the states. But if firing didn't ceased we may never lived to get that 6 months training. You wanted to know when I thought I would be coming home. But I think we will not leave France until we get what was promise to us and that is 6 months training. Have already put in two months of that time in already and may be after the next 4months we may start our way back home. The letter Lena wrote me from Bremond dated Dec 8, I received it a week sooner than the one you wrote me on Dec 3. Leon yes I certainly miss those Gebens and genzen Schimalty. For all we get to eat is beans, Slum and spuds. And a many a time I think of when I will again get to put my feet under mammas table and eat a real meal.

 

No date, page 3,

and some of those dugouts were certainly shelled as our artillery tried to dig them out of the ground the way it looked. We certainly have some very accurate shooters with our artillery. For in one place the Germans had a railroad running up to where they were building a dugout and I guess one of our fliers must have spied them building same and then they never had a chance to finish it. For all account it was tore up and one direct hit in the middle of it, tore it up all along their rail roads was torn up by our artillery. We got to hot for them and so they had to give up. I can now tell you where are at. If you have a map of France look up Toul then look up the Throeau Court. We are just about 3 kilometers east of Thoreau Court and there is where we went over the top. And the way it looks we won us a home here. For we are certain by staying here longer then we have ever stayed in one place in France. We must be15 miles south of Metz and those concrete dugouts are all the way from here to Metz only close together I have been told. I think it will be quite a while before we get to go back across. So in your next letter put in some extra stationary it will come in handy. Love to you all Pvt Jake Aronson

 

No date,

7 days in the Alps. Farewell all drills and maneuvers for seven days And all Army bugle calls. I don't want to even hear you. I want to go to Chamonix and travel among the pines where the snow is lying two feet deep and the slieghing it is fine. I want to go to Mer de Glace and see the ice and snow. Climb to the end of the winding trail and look on the village below. I want to go to Georgia de la Gisas and walk out on the bridge to view the wonderous scenery from its depths to the top of the ridge. I want to see the glaceiers de bossons go thru the tunnel of ice. Visit the hut of lonely man and question such a life. But I am almost 30 now and have never taken a wife. Who knows but what in 20 yrs ill be living a lonesome life. I want to visit the "Y". Both wet & dry. Talk to the beautiful American gils that work in that wonderful "Y". In fact ill take in all the sites and go to all the shows. And if anything else is going on will you kindly let me know. For when this trip is over my pleasure in France is done. I will have to go back to the 64th to eat corn & slum. I am not condeming, the 64th is as good as any of the rest and speaking of good soldiers, I claim she was the best. But there are no good men in France. They are better off then we are. They have crossed the river Jordan and we didn't go half that far. We only reached the Lonceine.... when Wilhelm threw up the sponge up. He heard the 7th Division was on the line. And he knew they would shoot his hand up. Now since the war is ended know Pershing meant it when he said Hell, Heaven or Hoboken by Christmas. As the way the message read. Cheer up boys we are going home to the land of Place & Plenty and I trust to god we will be there by the year of 1920.

[TreasureHunter]

Post cards....

 

 

 

 

[TreasureHunter]

Permission to go to Passover & post card from Detroit going to visit Canada

 

[TreasureHunter]

Pay record and 1919 insurance document, and that's a wrap on letters and items from Pvt Jake D Aronson Co G 64th Inf

[dan]

Thank you for sharing what you have. I commend you for your efforts to transcribe all this information.

 

Dan

[TreasureHunter]

Was my pleasure, I enjoyed walking thru the experiences of this soldier. Also included but not shown is a map of France folded up in a sleeve, appears to be civilian, maybe a bicycle map and a book of post cards from Paris that were hand numbered by Jake.