Berlin, Germany

Adolph Jerome Bennett stationery — typed

Dear Sweetheart,

Today is the day I start on my journey again.

I shall be at the Wannsee Station at 5 PM and leave on the train "Berliner" to Marburg, where the 3rd Reinforcement Depot is located. Another lap.

Yesterday I went to see Rigoletto at the StaatsOpera. It was rather well done, as a matter of fact the singing was very good, but I thought there was too much overacting by Rigoletto. But On the way down, there was a Russian who squeezed on the train and was right up against me. After the train had started he saw me and said H O W D O Y O U D O? So very very slowly I could have laughed, but he was just trying to be friendly, and so I was too. We carried on a little conversation and I was really releaved when it was necessary for me to change trains. Then when I got to the Opera house it was rather early so I stayed outside and just looked around. Two Russian officers came over to where I was and they had their shoes shined and then they approached me, one on each side of me and asked me if I was going to the Opera? In german naturally. So when I said yes they said come along and I felt as though I were eing escorted. After we got into the lobby they treated me to a beer and then another one, a d I guess that would have kept up, but I saw it was time for the performance and so said good bye to them. When I was seated there was a British RAF commander next to me and he started in a conversation. The upshot of course was that at the intermission we walked about the lobby and he introduced me to another RAF officer who had just been awarded the DSO and to the chief Padre of the RAF who is also one of the 50 to 100 men in the entire British Empire who is an Aid de Camp to King George. Just a few words with each and back to the Opera. Well, we both enjoyed the opera and afterwards he asked me whether I had my car with me. When I said no, he asked whether he could drive me back. That was very friendly and much more convenient so I acceded. It turned out to be a British Utility vehicle X a small truck – with right hand drive, a Cammer. He drove and it was the first time he had driven it. Some fun, on top of that the carX had a tendency to drive sideways. Well, on the way he said, why don't you come and eat at my mess. I thought it would be a good idea, something different and so I said o.k. He told me he has an Air Commodore at his mess(a brigadier general) and one of each rank. Looked like it was going to be interesting. And interesting it was. We had a brandy together and then went into the dining room – it was a private house. They had just started and sure enough the general was there and the full colonel, etc. and they were very friendly. Started the meal with a potatoe pancake and early lettuce. Then a little green cheese from Copenhagen, then potatoe soup and then a slice of meat – might have been veal but looked like a cross between roast beef and veal. Champagne was served thoughout the meal and then we all retired to the living room for coffee and brandy. Meanwhile we all carried on an animated conversation about the war and Russian. Wheil XXXXXXX in the drawing room

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some other officers joined us and it was very enjoyable. There was an old man, relatively, of 65 who had been in the Boer War, knew Churchill there, the 1st World War and this one. He kept reminding me to give his regards to Broadway. Well all in all it was very nice and I enjoyed myself. Then this commander got another vehicle – a British family car – also with a right hand drive, and boy is it funny sitting where our drivers sit and just sit there. A flight officer accompanied us and then when we arrived at XX my billet I asked them whether they would like to come in for a beer, and sure enough that was just what they wanted. Unfortunately there was only 5 bottles of beer in the house and that was that. So about 11:30 they took off and I went to bed.

I got up at 9:30 and ate breakfast and then packed. Came down to the Director's Bldg. and had luch with Paul and a friend of his whom I know and now I am in Paul's office. In another hour I shall take off for my billet and get my luggage and off to the train station.

I am enclosing the program for the Opera.

It shant be too long now honey and then we shall be together for always. There is so much we can do and all of its going to be a lot of XXXX.fun and good luck for that is the way with us. I am so very anxious to get home dear. I can't wait to have you in my arms.

Your devoted husband,

Dolph