[Continued from previous page] any other day here but when we were in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg, there was usually a church somewhere in the vicinity. We would attend, taking with us all the accoutrements of war but somehow they didn’t seem out of place. Perhaps because even the churches showed the scars of battle. I am not too religious, as far as going to church is concerned but when I hear the familiar sound of Church Bells, I always feel much better. Lots of artillery with us now. I hit the sack at 2100.
Monday, 26 February [1945] Auw, Germany
The 87th jumped off at 2200 last night. It is good to be on the move again. Up at 0630 this morning. Lots of air activity and plenty artillery fire. The weather is warm but rainy. Mud is everywhere. I ran out of cigars about 3 days ago. No mail again today. Hit the sack 2200.
Tuesday, 27 February [1945] Auw, Germany
Up at 0600. Still cloudy and raining. Martin left for the States this morning. Hope that he has a good time. One of C.Btrys trucks ran into a burst of 88 shells today. The driver’s leg was hurt (shrapnel) and the artillery mechanic was hit in the stomach. The truck was a complete wreck. The B.C., Lt. Lavin and the Jeep Driver were right behind the truck when it was hit.1 Second Lieutenant Richard B. Lavin. They had to dismount and hit the ground several times before they could reach the truck. Jerry must have observed fire in that area. [Continued on next page]
