Frankfurt, Germany

Adolph Jerome Bennett stationery — typed

Dear Sweetheart,

The end of another busy day, and a rather interesting day at that. Probably one of the most amusing things to happen to me since I have been over occurred today.

I was looking for the office of the Theatre Ordnance Officer and as per directions came to a building which was supposed to be the place. There was a red flag draped on a flagpole outside, but I paid it no mind and went to the door. Couldn't open it, so I went around and finally landed up at the same door and rang the bell there. (The reason I hadn't done it at first was because there was no sign.) Well, a kraut girl came to the door and ushered me into what goes for a foyer here, and immediately I wanted to back out, for I saw I was in the wrong place. Staring me in the face was a big banner welcoming all the allies who had participated with the Soviet Union in defeating the fascist foe Germany. But right then an officer came up to me, clicked his heels and bowed over my hand as we shook, and propelled me into a room. I started to tell him that I was in the wrong place, but he didn't understand English, and summoned another officer and he said Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Well, then in my halting german, and not knowing the word for "wrong" in german I said, "Ich bin nicht in die richt platz." Nicht verstehe he said and with that he called in a german girl. Already I was feeling like a damned fool, but I wanted to be polite. Well I spoke to the girl but she didn't understand me either.

So they called in another girl, and at the same time 3 Soviet enlisted men came in on business (I wasn't their business, never fear) and with the whole crowd around me I again tried to make myself understood, but with no avail. After that fiasco, a paratrooper, U.S. came in with a german man and women, and he asked me if he could help me out. So I explained to him in English my situation and he tried out his german. Thank goodness he did a better job. There were smiles all around and I departed.

Still I felt rather ridiculous, and at the same time amazed. I have met in my stay here in Europe so many different nationalities, but outside of the Soviet aviator I met through my bad german, I have never been able to get myself understood through my bad German; I have never met a German and a friend to meet, and know a fellow from the Soviet able to get to meet, and certainly much of the misunderstanding of our two countries is attributable to the limited number of people of each country who really know each other.

Also today I came across, shall I say a "set" which Hollywood would say, isn't so. About four square blocks in the portion of this city is just about leveled with the rubble piled in mist-like hikes across the way. The girders of some old buildings, single walls stand as you traverse and the shells of the buildings are signs announcing that the former occupants of these former buildings are now located elsewhere. Nobody stops or lingers, for it is something which everybody is well aware of. The commonplace. I was glad when I got back into my jeep and went elsewhere.

And so my day is drawing to a close. In a few minutes I shall go back to the Casino and see Anchors Aweigh.

I hope you received the cable I sent this morning! They said that it would be wirelessed to N.Y. and then sent Air Mail Special Delivery to Atlanta.

I am very proud of you honey, and your staying in for the required 6 months is probably the best thing. I sure hope they come through with the civilianization soon, and I can come back for a leave.

For the anticipation of having you in my arms is so thrilling interwoven with that of Jean D. Bennett in the ETO is inextricably to the conclusion that for him life begins and ends with her. I love you so much dear, and know that when we are together life shall really renew itself to what it was when we were together in the states, and even more so.

Take good care of yourself honey. I love you so very much.

Your devoted husband,
Dolph

P.S. I would appreciate your sending me a small toilet kit. And with it, a new razor, as the one I have is pretty well beat up. I'd like to have the Yardley too.