Vignettes: Letters from George to Evelyn: from the Private Papers of a World War II Bride

Dec. '42 England

I had seen fire go through the young pines in drought season.  But it
was no more swift than passion's blaze through us.  Our hearts were
rejoined and we were in each other's arms.  We were pitiful in the
bliss and pain of it -- so lavish were our loves so strong our need and
right of each other and so vigorous and sentient our years.

You will remember, won't you?

6 April '44 England

The sun has just come up.  It's a beautiful morning.  The grassy downs
are sparkling like myriads of diamonds.  Sheep are placidly grazing
around my tent, satisfied with the prospect of getting both food and
drink in the same mouthful and displaying their wooly youngsters with
great pride.

From the top of our hill the great sea is as quiet as a lake.  The
anchored hulls of all the cargo ships are quietly swaying to and fro
keeping rhythm with gentle swells that do not end in surf.

This morning my heart goes out to you.

Mar. 18, '45 Germany [Along the Rhine, 6 days before his death;
taken from a letter to Evelyn's mother]

I am still the busiest guy in the seven armies and the days and nights
run together and melt away with alarming speed.  Still, each one that
passes brings closer that time when my purgatory on earth shall be
ended and I can enter into my heaven through the portals of your two
lovely arms.

Mar. 21st, '45 [three days before his death]

...the build up for the big push rapidly being completed.

March 10, '44 in the middle of the Channel for three days

I am the only officer aboard from my outfit--the boys are at a high
pitch and primed for action.  I am not the big chap that you may have
imagined... right now I feel very small and unfit, unequal to the task
that is awaiting for me just beyond the horizon and I am guilty of
hiding a great loneliness and not a little fear behind a demeanor of
official bravado and I confess feeling very smug in your love.
Shouldn't I feel more proud of attaining you that if I were the big,
brave, invincible knight of your dreams?

France July 2nd '44

Downpour of rain -- bombers -- fighters -- mud -- shattered dwellings
-- dead livestock -- uprooted trees -- etc.

France 14 Oct. '44

The order of the day is mud -- mud -- mud -- Thin slippery mud, thick
sticky mud, French mud, German mud -- The rain is continuing unabated
and the channel is pounding at its cliff confines as though it were
possessed of the devil himself.

France Nov. 22 '44

It is still inconceivable to me that you have chosen to share you life
with me...a love which has given me new life, a new goal and a new
approach to heaven.

WESTERN UNION  1945 APR 2 PM 6 24

..TA84

T.WA291 31 GOVT=WASHINGTON DC 2 753P

MRS EVELYN HONTS-

141 VINE ST RENO NEV-

THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR
HUSBAND 1LT HONTS GEORGE W WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN GERMANY 25 MAR 45
CONFIRMING LETTER FOLLOWS=

J A ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

My heart, my mind, my soul is yours --
Love me --
Love me -- I adore you --
Love me, too.
My best to everyone...
Must run now, my sweet --
Gotta run now baby
Love George