July 27, 1944

(Letter from Vic in Bougainville to brother Rudy and wife Ann in Passaic New Jersey. The envelope has two stamps from separate Army censors. The photo shows Vic outside bamboo tent bunkhouse with fellow soldier Pete Anderson.)

Thursday evening,

Dear Ann and Rudy,

Thanks for your two letters containing the clippings which arrived Tuesday. Have little to mention at this time so don't think I'll make this very lengthy. Having remained here for so many months I've practically exhausted any information from these parts.

A change of scenery is desired by most of us and we'll be getting it, but when so we won't be indulging in recreational activities. Far from that. Understand our next campaign'll be our biggest and toughest. Don't know whether it'll be the type encountered by the Marine at Tarawa and Saipan or what. Anyhow, it's supposed to embody some new tactics that we can't mention. Nor can our combat training, and our manuevering be described so please don't ask what we're doing and where we expect to go cause I'd have to ignore your enquiries.

Today we were sold a case of beer per man which bring our rations to two cases in about two wks. time. All the troops here get the same amount thru their respective canteens or PXs. Food rations have improved tremendously compared to what they were several months ago. However, they're still nothing like those luxuries considered everyday chow by GIs back in the States.

From our island gardens we've had a total of about three ears of sweet corn apiece, sliced cucumbers and a small portion of tomatoes. The cultivated areas (cleared of jungle growth & hand planted) don't yield enough produce for larger quantities to all the personnel stationed here. However, you'd be surprised at the garden acreage.

My own garden didn't produce so well. Only reaped some parsley and a few sweet peppers and some small tomatoes. It's been cleared away now under our area clean-up program. We've cut away practically everything of late.

Perhaps I won't be able to write you and Rose and Ed as often as I'd like in the future so would you mind passing my letters to them so they might read what I have to mention from these waters? It's just possible that things turn out so that we'll have ample time to write home regularly but I wouldn't count on it.

Thought perhaps the Allies forces in Normandy would be further advanced than their present positions indicate at this date after the good showing they made in establishing their initial beach-head. However the Russians are doing exceptionally well in their drive to crush the Nazis.

The amphibious forces over in this zone are doing very well too. What're your views on the war operations and general conditions back home?

Will you please send a small tubular shaped sewing kit with some rust-proof needles? Write soon!

Best regards,
Vic