Frankfurt, Germany

Adolph Jerome Bennett stationery — typed

Dear Sweetheart,

Why I haven't written anyone since our anniversary you already will know when you get my phone call Tues. the 9th. Enough of that, I surely hope you really understand.

At last some mail has come through.

I have your true copies of your discharge and shall take care of getting the subsistence allowance.

Your having been ill I don't like. Naturally I am very glad its over, but you just shouldn't get sick Jeandear. I love you to much.

I shall keep on the lookout for your presents dear. Incidentally my painting went out the 4th. I got the man who made the frame to fix up another case for it. You see I had decided that I must get the painting home and since it was too large to go through the mail, and I couldn't make arrangements to have it sent by American Express in XXXXX Paris I decided to have the frame broken so that a separate package could be made of the painting and of the frame and then I could be sure that it would go. Well when I told the frame maker he was very much hurt. Don't blame him in the least as I didn't feel right about doing that myself. So when he got the case which I had made for it, he said it was too large and it could be made smaller without breaking up the frame and maybe then it could go. So he gave me the measurements of what it would eventually be and I went to the post office and saw the lieutenant there and asked him. Thank goodness he was interested in having his painting done and since the package would be 18 inches too large rather than 37 inches too large as it originally was, he said o.k. Then when I brought it in to him he said that he would be afraid to insure it as it really looked even larger than what it really was and being over sized he couldn't insure it. He said he would get in a lot of trouble if he did, but he assured me it would arrive safely and couldn't get lost. It should arrive the beginning of May, so you will be on the lookout for it, wont you honey?

As regards the wallet you sent me, I am positive I wrote and thanked you dear, but as for the other box from Rich's I didn't receive it.

I am glad you liked the ice show. I have never seen an ice show so that will be something else we shall have to do together when we are in N.Y.

I am happy everyone has been so swell to you Jeandear and that they remembered our anniversary. I haven't received one gift, but I received a card from Mother Munty and Chas the 25th of XXXXX March, and a card from Grandma and Ralph this week as well as one from Arthur, Sylvia and Orrin. Those XXX plus your letter and enclosed post card are all that I have from the family, and as you now know from my conversation which we shall have Tues. I have been deeply hurt.

At this stage of the game I can't say you definitely will get a job over here. The first thing, since that dammed job offer hasn't come through yet, expecting any day, I have to find out if I can get home first. My boss is really not a nice fellow. I get along with him all right, but leave him strictly

[Page 2]

alone as much as possible. He does his job - very inefficiently - and I do mine, but I leave him do his job, for I shant do it for him as much as he would like to push it on me. I have been very nice to him but he is not a "fine" fellow as others I know and there is a good possibility that he will go home before becoming a civilian and thus I wont be able to. Nothing definite but that is the way it seems, even though there is no reason on his part to go home. But we shant cross any bridges till we come to them. If I can come home why maybe you can make application before I come back, if I don't come home first, why I rather think I would want you to first come over on the wife quota and we be together for some time before you try for a job.

The contract I shall sign shall be for a year. The gov't. wont pay for your expenses coming over if you come as a wife. I shall try to have you come over in June XX. The fur coat I shall find out about. They would like wives to bring over all household goods, but I don't think it is necessary. The Army will send you a list of the things you should bring over, so you can be guided by that. The billets are furnished as I understand, but shall find out more. Regular shopping center is being constructed where we can buy all we need over here. There is no cigarette shortage, but its all rationed. It has just been raised to 12 packs a week. Application for coming over here has to be made at least two months in advance. So there will be plenty of time to XX work out all these problems as to what to bring etc.

I received a letter from my Aunt Clara and one from my Aunt Tess. Tess in particular is quite put out because she says you haven't written her though she has you. Will you please write both of them dear. They are my Dad's sisters and have always been as lovely to me as they know how, even though they don't know how very well, as I see it. Among other things tell them how much you would like to come out and see them with me.

You mention XXX you have 1200 in bonds, does that include the bonds I have been purchasing? If not, how much does it add up to? And 1,061 in our savings account isn't much is it dear? Personally I think you know a heck of a sight more about money and such things dear SXXX but all I can say about putting some more into Victory Bonds is that I think we should have cash that is readily available, but bonds can be converted without any trouble, can't they? Whatever you say Jean dear is the thing we shall do. I don't think it was nice at all of your sisters to wear out your clothes, inconsiderate, and more acutely so in the face of the shortages and current prices. You should outfit yourself smartly dear. I always want your clothes to adequately complement your loveliness.

Last night I went out with an American Capt. I know, and two British Captains. We had several drinks together and then landed up in their billet where I stayed with them, talking and drinking, till 4 in the morning. The very first time I have been up past 12 since coming to Frankfurt. The two British fellows are going to the War Crimes Court in Nurenburg to testify. They parachuted into France in 40 or 41 and were captured. Once of the concentration camps they were in was Dachau. As a matter of fact one of these fellows had a chat with Eisenhower and Ike said his story was one of the most amazing stories of the war. Look for their testimony – Capt. Brian Stonehouse and Capt. Robert Shephard. Had a very enjoyable evening with them.

Last Sunday I went to a farewell party for Gen. Adcock at the Victory Guest House – the place where the VIPs (very important people) stay when they come over here. Mrs. Roosevelt and congressmen and such stay there. It was very beautiful and charming. Quite a hollywood setting.

[Page 3]

I hope you are feeling all right Jeandear. I love you so very much, and I hope you understand how I felt these past two weeks and not feel badly about me for that's the way I am. So very few people in this whole world are close to me and when they neglect me or hurt me intentionally or unintentionally I feel it. Keep on writing honey, your letters are priceless to me.

Your devoted husband, on & off our cloud,

Dolph