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In 1943 I was drafted into World War 11 right out of Madison High School, Rochester, NY. This is my story as told in the letters I wrote home. They’re all here, all 192 of them. Spend some time with me as I describe my experiences in basic training and then off to war. They were written in an attempt to help me feel close to my family and to let them know what was going on in my life. It’s the first time I was away from home and I have to confess that I was homesick. My folks were Esther and Jacob Kaplow. We were four children in this order: Arnette, Ruth, Bob, and myself.

Latrine Rumors

It’s not unusual for soldiers to hear “Latrine Rumors.”   Yankee Division got their news through the “latrine grapevine,” and not surprisingly, the 26th Infantry Division, 104 Infantry's weekly newspaper in Europe was called “Grapevine.”
August 9, 1943
Camp Croft, South Carolina
Postcard  Sunday

Dear Folks,
I’m taking it easy this weekend, resting up for the coming week. By now, Mom & Dad must be gone.  Hope it’s not too busy in the store, for your sake.

I’m not sure, but I believe that our course is going to be lengthened to 17 weeks.  It may be just a “latrine rumor” for our Battalion, but I know that one Battalion has had its cycle lengthened.  In case I might forget, send a box of Brillo soap pads in next box.

Love, 
Ben
Posted by Pfc Benjamin Kaplow at 10:41 PM
Labels:Letters

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