Letter No. 34.

Dear Heinz

On two following days we received your letters of December 13th and 16th the latter worth remarking written on the first day of the nazis' offensive. The more remarkable, as its contents do not make any reference to the attack, about the strength of which you seem to have been kept in the dark as well in spite of the proximity of the war theatre. Those 12 days have been exciting, considering the scarcity of the communiques one had to be prepared for the worst The German army coming in reach of channel ports. To judge from letters we have received from England lately London has suffered not to be compared with what we experienced during the 4 years' air-raids till last April when we left. Happily, to-day we received the news from broadcasting and papers that the offensive has come to a standstill and there is much discussing who is made to be held responsible for the setback. Some say it is the intelligence service the movements of the German troops having escaped their notice, but to my incompetent idea it could have been avoided by following general Foch's example, contingencies reserve at his disposal at state of alarm to be set in in cases if the worst comes to the worst, not to be compelled to divert troops from any part of the front which may face as well an attack of surprise. These days, newspapers were comparing the nazis' offensive with Ludendorff's at the end of the last war, but no mention has been made of the way it was turned into a defeat sealing the fate of the German army. When approaching and menacing Amiens fresh divisions of Foch's reserve army could be opposed within hours to fill up any gap before allowed to be enlarged. That was achieved by Foch's providence not relying on tired soldiers pulled out of may be weakened front besides taking too much time. The most important thing is the danger is over by whatever means. British army may have been of any support to gather from the communique.

We were glad to see from your letter the third parcel has been delivered to you and the salami has been in an eatable condition. Cigarettes have been sent to you, as you have asked for some, but today I went to Macy's to get tobacco. Mixture was not any more to be had, so I have sent you Saybrook and for trial and change Colonel Adams. Please let me know, if you like it, next Monday I shall let follow 2 Saybrook packages I got already for you. I forgot to buy filters but I added to the today's parcel 5 singles I still had in store here.[1] Hoping you will not have put to some inconveniences by the last events I remain in love your

[Signed] father

[Handwritten} Dear Heinz! In one of your last letters you announced to have ordered a Christmas parcel to be sent to us. Shouldn't have been the case., let us know the firm to claim it. All the best, I hope you are well. Lots of love your mother. Best (?) wishes for the New Year

Notes:

1. There are lots of articles about smoking and sending smokes to soldiers during World War II. Colonel Adams seems to be pipe tobacco, so not sure if Dad was already smoking pipes then, since Grandfather also alludes to filters, so maybe rolling cigarettes? I can find nothing about Saybrook tobacco! [In letter of November 27, he also talked about trying to get the Macy mixture. The Edgeworth tobacco mentioned in that letter was apparently known for being supplied to U.S. Army]