Letters from PFC Ernest Struble during active service with

Company E, 17th Armored Engineer Battalion,

2nd Armored Division

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Introduction

Army Examiner 

The letters were examined by the Army Examiner, that was the platoon commander of Company C, 17th Armored Engineer Battalion: 2nd Lieutenant Edwin E Spears. 

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Letters written adressed to:

The letters start with adressing to “Russie” who is his 6 years older brother Russel, and then “Jack” that comes from Josephine, his Sister-in-Law. The name “Pearl” could be the child of Russel and Josephine. 

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Letters PFC William E Struble from the year 1943

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Letter january 14, 1943

 

 

Enveloppe

Pvt. Wm. E. Struble

13055072

Co. C, 17th Armd. Engr. Bn,

A.P.O. 252, c/o postmaster

New York City, N.Y.

Mr. & Mr.s, Russell C. Struble

Mickleys R.F.D. #1,

Allentown

Penna.,

U.S.A.

Capt. F.J. Bentley

Letter january 14, 1943

Page1: 

Jan. 14, 1943

Somewhere in Africa

Dear Jack, Pearl, & Russie:

Hello There, How are youall?? I
am fine & dandy (as usual). My left
knee bothers me once in a while but
that’s all. That’s what I got for
going skiing when I didn’t know how!

Say , remember those ten Colliers
you send me? There was a ten part
western serial in them. When I got to
the 10th part , I found that the last
4 or 5 pages were missing! I never did
find out how it ended. I haven’t look-

Page 2:

at then since.

You should have heard from
me by this time. If you send your
letters airmail they will reach me
sooner. Please send me some air-
mail stamps & several books of 3 centers.

If you send me the stamps I may be
able to send you some souvenirs. I’ll
ben Russie would like a lion or a elephant!!

I’m sending a picture along. Let me
know if you get it. Please send me
cigarettes & candy. They’re hard to get over
here. They drink a lot of wine over
here. Some of the natives think that drink-
ing water will rust your kindeys!!! It
hasen’t rusted mine yet. Love,
                                                                Ernie     

(Transcribed by Arjen Kok)

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Letter march 21, 1943

 

Enveloppe

Pvt. Wm. E. Struble

13055072

Co. C, 17^th Armd. Engr. Bn,

A.P.O. 252, c/o postmaster

New York City, N.Y.

Mr. & Mr.s, Russell C. Struble

             Mickleys R.F.D. #1,

                      Allentown

                         Penna.,

                          U.S.A.

Edwin E. Spears

   2nd Lt, C.E

 

Letter 

   March 21, 1943

Somewhere in Arica

Dear Jack, Pearl, & Russie:

 Received your letter dated Mar. 2nd. yes-

terday. I am fine & dandy – hope you all

Are the same. Thanks a lot for the

picture of Jack, Russie & the dogs. Say what’s

the matter – can’t they smile a little bit!

Russie, the answer to your questions is

no. No hits, no misses. You can forget

about the pistols. I don’t have any yet hit

I’ll get one. (I hope!)

I’ve seen some dandy curved scimitars. Pearl

you’d go nuts over them. I won’t get any ‘til

after the war tho’. Then I’ll be more certain

of bringing them back!

                                    Love, Ernie

(Transcribed by E. Wijshake)

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Letter march 21, 1943

 

Enveloppe

Pvt. Wm. E. Struble

13055072

Co. C, 17th Armd. Engr. Bn,

A.P.O. 252, c/o postmaster

New York City, N.Y.

Air Mail

Mr. & Mr.s, Russell C. Struble

Mickleys R.F.D. #1,

Allentown

Penna.,

U.S.A.

 

Lt. E E Spears

Letter

Sun. Apr.4, 1943

Somewhere in Africa

Dear Jack, Pearl & Russie:

Hello There! How are you? I am
fine & dandy. I received the pictures
of the family that were taken at home.

I am enclosing a small coin as
a souvenir. It its worth ⅕ of a cent.

Say, you’ve been saying that I look
as though I’m getting fat. Well look
judging from that picture I don’t
think you’re getting any thinner. I can’t
say for sure but I don’t think I weigh as
much as I did when I joined the army.
                                                Love, Bill

(Transcribed by Arjen Kok)

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Letter september 21, 1943

 

Enveloppe

Pvt. Wm. E. Struble

13055072

Co. C, 17th Armd. Engr. Bn,

A.P.O. 252, c/o postmaster

New York City, N.Y.

Air Mail

Mr. & Mr.s, Russell C. Struble

    Cornwells Heights,

  Penna.,

U.S.A.

Lt Spears, CE

Letter

Sept. 21, 1943

Somewhere in N. Africa

Dear Pearl, Jack, & Russie;

I received your birthday
cards & letters on the 17th.
Thanks a lot. I am in
good health – hope youall
are the same.
I am enclosing several
pictures I had taken. Can
you recognize me in them?
It looks like the summer
is over and the rainy
season is about to set in
in earnest.
                                Love,
                                                Ernie

(Transcribed by Arjen Kok)

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Letter november 11, 1943

 

Enveloppe

Pvt. Wm. E. Struble

13055072

Co. C, 17th Armd. Engr. Bn,

A.P.O. 252, c/o postmaster

New York City, N.Y.

Mr. & Mr.s, Russell C. Struble

    Cornwells Heights

  Penna.,

U.S.A.

Lt E E Spears

Letter

Nov. 1 1943
N. Africa

Dear Pearl, Jack & Russie,
Hello There, How are youall?

I’m pretty good.
Do you notice that date ?

I’m wondering if you are
doing any hunting to day. Yester-
day while i was eating breakfast
a French farmer shot a rabbit
in a vineyard not more than
100 yards away.

Last year this time I was
the hunted instead of the hunt-
er! The submarines were
the hunters!! I’m kinda glad
they didn’t  get any game!!!!

Love,

Ernie

(Transcribed by Arjen Kok)

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Research 2020: Martijn Brandjes, Arjen Kok,  Eelco Wijshake. 
Enveloppes, letters and photographs Courtesy: Moos Raaijmakers.