June 11, 1944

Pvt. August Haferkamp 36684775
HQ Co., 3rd Bn., 135th Inf.
APO 34 c/o PM. New York, N.Y.

Sunday, June 11, 1944

Italy

Dear Mother:-

I've received a lot of letters from you and others lately but I was in a position where I was just too busy to answer any of them. The last letter you wrote me was on May 31st. I also got 2 letters from Henry with pictures of Freddie. I was glad to get them. If I have time I want to write a few lines to him yet today. It has been over 2 weeks since I've written to anyone. One day I got a bundle with 14 letters. Both of Henry's were in it. I finally got the package that Dora sent me on April l7th. It had a box of cigars, candy, peanuts, and some pictures in it. It's the first time I saw the picture of Dora & I that we had taken when I was home. I also got a Staunton paper which had my picture in it. How come no one ever said anything about it being in there? I wrote to Collie a long time ago before I knew he was hurt but he never did answer my letter.

So Bill was called to Granite City to work. Did he take the job? If he did I hope he likes it. I guess that was Otto Biele of Chesterfield Mo. that you were talking about. I wrote him a letter while I was still in Florida but he never did answer it. He did send me a Xmas card. Dora told me a while back that Melon Head Nesslage was Chief at Atlas now. She didn't say what happened to Riley. I guess most of the fellows that Bill & I worked with down there are gone now.

You talked about Freddie in your letter but you didn't say where he was. Dora said he was in North Africa. Hard telling where they'll send him from there.

Glad you have all the garden in by now. Hope you get a rain now & then to help it along. Things over here look real good. The tomatoes are in bloom. The potatoes are about the size of golf balls. The wheat & oats are ready to cut. I guess the climate is better over here.

I can't tell you as yet where I've been but if you have been reading the papers you should know. Maybe later on I can tell you all about it. I'll have a lot to tell you after I get back home which I hope is soon.

I went to the Church services this morning. They hold them whenever they can. We have a real good Chaplain

We had a little shower during the night and it looks like it may start raining any minute again. Since I've been here in Italy we haven't had so much rain.

Henry said in his letter that Bill has a broken cross member on his car and that he was making his trailer. I guess if he isn't finished he won't have much time anymore if he started working.

Well it seems as thou I'm out of news so I'll have to close and try to write more later. If you don't hear from me for days or weeks don't worry as I just haven't got time to write.

Lots of love. So long.

Gus

Here's a fellows address who Bill & I worked with. He is from Pana, Ill. He in the Marines.

     Pvt. Leland White

     Pet 223 R.D.M.C.B.

     San Diego 41, Calif.

This letter, which Dad wrote on June 11, was postmarked June 16. On the back of the envelope Dad's sister Mamie wrote "Received June 26."

Dad wrote about a man he called Melon Head. Although Dad's handwriting is beautiful and very easy to read, I am not sure if the man's last name is Nesslage or Nisslage. I think it is likely the former, but since he isn't from Staunton, I'm not able to confirm that using the 1940 Staunton City Directory.

June 5, 1944

August Haferkamp, A. Hult (Chicago), 3^rd Bn. 135^th wire jeep