[Continued from previous page] We reached our destination at 1200, and set up our C.P. in a vacant building. The roar of artillery is always with us and it is a pleasant sound to us. The occasional Jerry shell that lands near us, instead of worrying us, serves to remind us of the tremendous damage our own massed artillery is doing to the enemy. I have not formed an opinion of Berbourg as yet but expect to like it as well as any of the other places I have been. Spent the afternoon getting our new quarters in shape. Received two letters today, one of them from my brother Howard (an event worth recording).1Howard Goetz (1907-1977) was one of Goetz’s older brothers. He operated the family tailoring and cleaning shop in Aberdeen, Maryland. Information supplied by Mary Goetz, 23 April 2014. It was two months late but better late than never. I hit the sack at 2000 and was lulled to sleep by the incessant artillery fire. I might have said rocked to sleep, because each blast shakes the whole building.
Friday, 19 Jan. [1945] Berbourg, Luxembourg I awakened at 0630 this morning after a really hectic night. A heavy wind blew up about 0100 and transformed our lonely house into a haunted one. Stairs and doorways were constantly creaking and shutters all over the house were slamming. Artillery was exceptionally heavy last night. Only occasionally did the guns stop firing and then, seemingly to gather strength for a new assault. The Russians have advanced about 75 miles in the last four days. I am glad that they are allies of ours. Rations came in today, candy, cigarettes, etc. I received two pkgs today, both from Mary.2Mary Anna Louch (1917-2021) of Aberdeen, Maryland was Goetz’s fiancée. She married him immediately after his discharge from the Army on December 26, 1945. Supplemented my rations [continued on next page]