Henri to Yvette.

650 Gen Tpt Coy
Italy

25 September 1944

Again, it is three weeks since I heard from you, I am calm, or rather I try to be, but my stomach cramps a little because of it. Three weeks is a long time, my God.  I know that something is holding up our letters and I imagine that you also are too often without letters.

The other here receive their mail more or loess regularly. But with me it is quite another thing.  Again, I really don’t know what to think about it. It seems to me that the only remedy is to write very small letters and to keep my reflections and observations for a better time; when it will be possible to bypass the good wartime postal service. And that time is not far off.

So, Yvette my little one. Here there is nothing new. I feel well and I work. I had hoped to be able to see Helene but it was only a beautiful dream. Although the Italian front now is nothing but a “forgotten front” there are big things happening and we continue to charge forward. I believe there’s a good chance of finishing with the Italian campaign this year but I don’t believe that the war will finish this year. At least, that the end of Germany will come.

Last week I was nominated lance corporal!! But I refused. And although the CO tried during our three-hour discussion (very interesting!) to persuade me to accept, I stuck resolutely to my decision. For a pile of reasons. Although I know that it would mean a raise of salary which would help you a lot. I would have been able to send you 30 shillings a month more. But I could not accept. That’s why I ask you to forgive me darling and believe that my reasons for refusing are not egotistical but matters of principle. That’’ all. Three days ago I sent you three pounds. Write to me more often, Yvette. In that way, because of the great number, perhaps one or two letters will slip through,