Calling Russell

Elsie is seated front row, center. Russ has his arm around her.

"Paris
Monday
June 25 1945


Dear Family -


Just finished calling Russell. Spoke to him - he sounded real good. I'm sorry he and I are so far away from each other, as it will be some time before I get to see him.


I am hoping to spend my weeks' vacation (I have 2 weeks vacation due me) one week I hope to spend soon on the Riviera, and if I do I will be able to see Russ then. He's near there.


I don't know how I will feel after I get set up at the Hospital and get back to work - but right now I have a feeling I don't want to stay in France. Now the war is over here, I want to go to the Pacific, 'cause if I can't be close to the war I would rather be at home.


We now find that we are to be located near Rheims (not Nancy). The hospital unit has been there for almost a week now so we are leaving today to catch up with them."

FOR FURTHER READING

Arc de Triomphe including historical pics.

Took train for Paris 9:30am

"Paris
Tuesday
June 18, 1945


Dear Folks -

Arrived yesterday June 17th in Parish. We rode (15 Red Cross workers) on a truck from Mesnieres-en-Bray to Ruoen for 11 1/2 hours. Took train there for Paris at 9:30am. Should have reached there at 11:30 but it took until 3:00pm. Train service is terribly slow.


Yesterday was a holiday here and buildings were covered with flags. Five years since Gen. Charles DeGaulle rallied Free French. Parts of the city were lit up by floodlight but we missed seeing it.


At present we are quartered at the Patio Club (for WACS and Red Cross). We near jumped out of our skins when we first say it, cause each of us have a private room consisting of a bed, wardrobe and sink. There are three rooms plus a bathroom and sitting room. This is our own little apartment! After living in one room with 90 people this is a bit of heaven, I assure you.


We eat at the Red Cross mess. A lovely restaurant taken over by the Red Cross and we have army rations, which all fixed up is real good. Here we have table service, etc. and our old "mess gear and food lines" seem like a nightmare. The best part is just going in, sitting down and eating and then leaving with no bother of paying any bills.

Paris - Hotel de France et Choisuel
239-241 Rue Saint-Honore

Last night a group of us went to see as much as Paris as possible. The streets around the Opera House were lined with people. The sultan of Morocco was here to confer with Gen. Charles DeGaulle. The Moroccan soldiers looked so odd in their full pants, bloused coats and turbans.


Our greatest delight was seeing the famous Parisian hats. They are something - piled high with anything and everything atop. Prices of same are terrific! ($35.00 $75.00 etc). We all want to bring one home but prices prevent that!


Also, it is a sight to see the hair-do of the French women. They wear their hair piled very high. Short skirts, right dresses, etc. Oh, la, la their bicycle outfits of billowing skirts is something I must try when I get home.


It is very hot here now - English weather is so very different. There is so much rain there and here it hasn't rained since we arrived.


Saw Notre Dame, Palais De Justice, Palais du Louvre last night. Palais du Louvre - old palace of French kings was a sight to behold. It is gigantic! Now hold museum and government offices. Paris is clean and Paris is gay, Paris is everything anyone says about it. I think I will enjoy my stay in Paris.


We are here to have orientation classes and to receive money for our hospital set-up, instructions, etc. Have no idea how long for but hoping we will get time in between classes to sightsee.


Must now go to meeting with Claire regarding our Revolving Fund. I do my bookkepping in francs! Hope it isn't as confusing as pence, shillings and pounds (in England). Will write again tonight.


Bon soir,
Love,
Elsie"

The gorgeous poppy fields

"June 16, 1945

Saturday
Mesnieres-en- Bray


Dear Folks,
Greetings from France! Landed here on Wednesday nite, June 13th. Crossing the English Channel was excellent. Lovely warm weather.

(c) 13 June 1945 Elsie (Barks) Naylor. Arrival in France. Elsie is standing on the right with other Red Cross girls.

Had chance to see Southampton once more before I left England. As you know this was where Uncle Herbert lived.


I was ever so sorry I didn't get up to see Aunt Eliza and family before leaving. Called cousin Ivy and spoke to Elsie, however.


Haven't seen too much of France as yet. Rode from port to present "residence" in open trucks and my only impression of the countryside thus far was the gorgeous poppy fields. Such loved red patches of fields! They say Normandy is supposed to be so beautiful - I am anxious to see it for so far there is no comparison to England.


Passed thru LeHavre. Perhaps you have read of the terrific damage done there. Everything is flattened to the ground. Saw a number of German pill boxes [1].

The feeling of the French toward us in this port is not good. We have been told that the French have not forgiven the Air Forces for the deaths and damage caused by their bombings. We sensed this feeling the first day here. However, I am not one to blame them too much, for I feel there are those who know no better., and their lives under German rule were no different that life under ours. Some Americans feel bitter about this - I find, however, I have no respect for them but yet I can understand.


Children amuse us - little boys in dresses and pinafores [2] and in wooden-soled shoes! We are now quartered in the grounds of a once lovely chateau [3] (nurses & Red Cross girls only). It at one time was the summer residence for the French kings. Later was made into a monastery. 

Chow line at the chateau.

We are in one huge building which has about 90 sleeping cots in it, and thus we live. Its a "GI" life. We almost died when first we hunted and found the latrine! Just old-fashioned community seating. However, as with everything else one soon gets used to it. Chow is served in the chateau and we start lining up 1/2 hour before time (we are still using our mess gear). At times, the food makes us squirm and after washing our gear we find ourselves in the sand pile trying to get the "grease" off the plates, etc. but we still survive. We eat in a small room - long wooden benches and tables - crucifix on the wall in front.

Walked around the grounds yesterday. Visited chapel in the chateau. Stained glass windows smashed. Canadians took this place last October. Chateau had been Nazi headquarters. Stumbled upon ten Nazi graves in the orchard. Wooden crosses with names - rather young men. Also saw wire stockade Germans held Americans in. As I passed by I remarked about a bottle on the ground only to find it was a dud mortar shell! Walked by rail tracks and saw huge unexploded bomb.


Yesterday went on a conducted tour to see V-bomb[4] sites. Long rail lines lead to the site. Direct bomb hits had smashed along the line and huge craters were all about the adjoining. Tracks were twisted and lay all along the line. Lovely poppies and daisies were growing among the ruins. One building was completely demolished but others were intact inside although camouflaged roofs had been blasted off. The walls were 2 ft. thick only direct hits could damage the inside. 

The Nazis were thorough!!! Can't roam about in France - mines and booby traps still being found. However, I don't' believe I want to stay in France. My eyes are on the CBI (China-Burma-India). Please be patient it you don't hear from me from time to time as I may not have chance to write. I will try to send you my new APO as soon as I know it, as your letters will now go to England to be forwarded and I don't expect to hear from you for quite a while yet. Keep writing tho -


Keep Happy
Love
Elsie


PS This place is not permanent. I will be going further into France."



FOR FURTHER READING

[1] To learn more about German "Pill boxes" during WWII, see Bunkersite.com. Click France, and roll your mouse over the locations on the right side to see pop-up pics of German pill boxes.

[2] A pinafore is a utilitarian type of apron worn on top of a dress to keep it clean. The pinafore could be changed out with a clean one without having to fully change clothing on a young child.(WikiPedia includes several pics).

[3] Although the Chateau-de-Mesnieres-en-Bray suffered a devestating fire in 2004, the tourism board for the region has a picture of the chateau as it looks now.

[4] Learn more about the flying bombs known as V-Bombs at WikiPedia.