CONQUER

Rusia 8 January 1943, XXI

Dearest memmbers of my Fammily

I write this letter to let you know I am well and hoping you are the same the epifany was not bad here I can tell you that here for cold they say olodna (… three words censored) the pakkage didnt arrive but dont worry for christmas the government gave us some pasta in hot water and an old Rusian lady made cakes for us lucky civilians here its so cold it splits your toenails and all these nights laying barbwire and digging for the gun we live underground like rats and eat lice Dear Parents keep your morale up were going to win I enclose money-order for three hundred and twenty lire dear Mother and Wife dont believe the bad news its all the defeattists (… five words censored) Ill be home soon the importunt thing is your haelth here Im learning some Rusian words like for potato they say kartoshy dear Mother I cant wait to come home and kiss you all this is all I think about day and night theres never any letters dear Parents let me know if the last money order came now Ive got to run and theres no more space all my love your Son and Husband

Giovannino