V-MAIL
Mrs. Philip R. Cohen

Feb. 2, 1944
Dear Mom,

Just a few lines to let you know that I arrived safely in England and am getting ready to see some of the country.

The trip over was completed without any trouble and it was quite an interesting experience to be on the water so long a time. If any one questions the size of the Atlantic don’t be afraid to get up and argue the question with them. It is one big bunch of water.

Of this country, so far of what I have seen is very beautiful. It is very clean and orderly and I can see that the English habit of being spic and span is carried out throu out the countryside.

I will write a regular letter tomorrow so keep track of the time difference between this one and the regular one.

Until then, my best regards to Ellie, Millie, Sam and the rest of them. Love Louie

P.S. Write often and send the Chronicle letters. Louie

United States Army
Mrs. Philip R. Cohen

Feb. 6, 1944
My Dear Mom,

After having been in England about a week, I am able to write a bit more than I did in my last letter.

The first impressions are lasting ones as the more I see of this land the better I like it. Scenery and landscape are beautiful and become more so as the weather gets nicer. Homes are quaint and picturesque and the more one travels the more one sees of these old but beautiful houses and estates. I wish that one day we could be able to see more of this land.

The people I have met so far are very fine and all seem happy to have us here. Of course the young people aren’t here but this is made up by the friendliness of the older folks. They aren’t to well to do but under the circumstances it is easy to see that they are doing a very big job.

Last night I went to a little village near which we are stationed and spent a nice quiet evening. There are no movies except on Sunday and in the evening everything is blacked out or closed up. The inns are just as you picture an old English inn would be and it is interesting to see the types of people that come into them.

If I have any luck I might in the near future get away for a day or two and if so I will do a little traveling.

Enough of that, How are you feeling? I hope and want you to take good care of yourself as when I get home we will do a little stepping out of our own and I want you to really enjoy it.

How are the stores doing? Have Ellie write me how C+R did for “43”. I don’t want him to feel that I want a bank statement but he probably won’t feel that way anyhow.

Not much else to write now. I’ll write again in a few days. Regards to Millie, Sam and of course Ellie Love Louie

V-MAIL
Mrs. Philip R. Cohen
Feb 7, 1944(?)

Dear Mom,

Just a few lines to let you know that I am well and that everything is going along as well as can be expected.

Have finally started to get mail from home and am very happy to learn that and the rest of the family are well.

Not much news as I am [obscured] the same old job [obscured] busy one night now.

That is all for now I’ll write again as soon as able. Regards to all the gang. Take care of yourself Love Louie

United States Army
Mrs. Philip R. Cohen

Feb. 8, 1944
Dear Mom,

I have just received your letter of Jan 18th and am happy to learn you enjoyed yourself in N.Y.

We have become settled to a great degree and are now starting our regular routine of work. We have been taking some hikes and because of the new surroundings they haven’t been to tough to take.

This week-end I spent around this section and saw some place that had been bombed. It was hit very hard and it makes one feel sick to see the damage done and then start to think of the lives lost when this damage was done.

I meant to say in my last letter that no packages could be mailed to me unless I requested some things and then only up to a weight of 5 pounds. Right now there isn’t a thing that I need but rest assured that I shall certainly call on you if I find that I need something that I cannot get here.

We have been put on a fair ration of cigarettes, candy , gum and other things. It seems odd that one in the army should have to have that happen to him but in seeing what the civilians are living on here, we are very fortunate.

Not much else to write you now so my best regards to everyone and to you take care of yourself. Love Louie

P.S. There has been a small change in my address so use the address as it is on the envelope. Louie

United States Army
Mrs. Philip R. Cohen

Feb. 15, 1944
Dear Mom,

I hope this letter finds you and the folks at home in good health. As for myself, I am feeling fine. I am getting enough sleep and plenty to eat. That is while I stay in camp. As soon as you leave camp for a few hours and then try to get food, you have a job on your hands. The people here have just enough for themselves and what is able to be bought is just the plainest of food.

I visited Plymouth yesterday that city was blitzed for five nights in a row in 1942 and has suffered occasional bombings since then. The city is really a mess as the Huns got all the churches and other buildings which had nothing to do with this war effort.

If there can be any humour in a catastrophy such as the blitz the closest to it is the fact that 90 pubs or beer taverns were hit and that to the average Englishman is a terrific loss as they do love their beer.

While in Plymouth I walked along the Hae or harbor and came to the place from which the Pilgrims set sail. It in itself was interesting enough but right next to it was a plaque commemorating the completion of the first Trans-Atlantic flight by the U.S. Navy plane N. C.4

The Hae itself is a beauty as they have turned it off and it has a park, bathing beach and beautiful walk.

It was a nice change to see after seeing the damaged parts of the city.

Now I haven’t had any letters from you since one dated Jan. 18th but I have had some from the girls dated as late as Feb. 2nd I hope you understand that your letters are the ones I want most to read so please keep writing as often as you find time. I don’t know why I wrote the last sentence for it was in bad taste however I know you will excuse me as it all is due to being a little bit homesick which I guess is just a passing mood.

I have been writing the whole gang and thus expect mail often. Please write me what day I will have Yahrzeit for I haven’t a calendar and I don’t want to miss if I can help it.

Not much else to write at present. I’ll drop you a few lines later in the week. Regards to all Love Louie

V-MAIL
Mrs. Philip R. Cohen
2/17/44

Dear Mom

I am well and hope this letter finds you and the rest at home the same.

Our mail is finally getting caught up to us and so today I received quite a little mail from the whole family. It was certainly nice to get as it made for a pleasant half hour. I hope that you weren’t hurt by my last letter in which I complained about not getting any mail from you. If so I am very sorry and promise not to let it happen again.

I expect very soon to hear from you that you know I am in England and thus put an end to some of your worries. Don’t forget that I have been so far truthful and will not hold anything back that you should know so don’t have any bad moments about me.

Haven’t heard from Henry Rothblat or Chick Chasen yet. I hope tho, to soon learn their whereabouts.

Not much else to say. My best regards to everyone at home upstairs + down As ever Love Louie

United States Army
Mrs. Philip R. Cohen

Feb. 21, 1944
Mar 3, 1944 (stamped)
Dear Mom,

I expect and hope that this letter reaches you and finds you in good health. I myself am well and doing whatever is asked of me as well as I can. In other words, regular routine work, keeping busy all the time.

This past week end I went to a town and what do you think I did? I went to the races. It was dog racing but I spent a very nice afternoon and to make it better I made a few dollars and so that capped off the day.

We get cigarettes, candies and other articles on a weekly ration basis and so one day a week I have been helping out making up three rations and I get a little kick out of it. It’s almost the same as being in business. The only difference is that it isn’t my own but anyway it’s the closest I can come to doing what I like best.

As I wrote in my last V. letter I didn’t expect any mail for a little while so that’s the situation now. It means a bunch one day and then a week or so with nothing. Therefore I expect in a day or two to be getting a lot of letters.

As you wrote of some of the men still being drafted it seems as if the Army will never get large enough. It’s too bad that families have to be broken up but nothing can be done about it as a plan has been set and must be kept to.

I dropped Aunt Annie a line and asked her for Mitch’s address. I also told her to keep an eye on you. Of course you know how I meant it. A little shmeer (?) won’t hurt anyone will it?

You might send me a jar of Noxema and also put in a few other toilet articles. Such as two tubes of Ipana (?) and a couple bars of Palmolive soap. Also send me a couple pairs of my knitted shorts. There is a load of them in my dresser. All of the above to weigh no more than five pounds. That’s all the mooching for one time.

Not much else to say at this time, give all the gang at home my very best regards and again take good care of yourself and I will write again soon. Love Louie

V-MAIL
Mrs. Philip R. Cohen
2/23/44 Mar 13, 1944 (stamped)

Dear Mom

Received your last V mail letter today and am happy to learn that all of you at home are as well as I am here.

I send belated greetings to all who had anniversaries this month. I hope that for the next one I will be at home and be able to personally take care of that pleasant job.

I have heard from Henry Rothblat and he is well. I hope to be able to see him soon if I can.

That idea of yours for the Bar Mitzvah gifts for the boys is perfect. My money couldn’t be used any better than that way.

In my last letter I asked for four things try to enclose a couple pair of heavy wool sox size 11. All wool preferred.

Not much else to say now. Am going to a movie tonight. The first since I left the states and I expect to enjoy them. Don’t forget to send me the Yahrzeit date. Regards to all Love Louie

V-MAIL
Mrs. Philip R. Cohen
2/25/44

Dear Mom

Just a few words to let you know that I am well and hope that you and Ellie are the same.

Have heard that you know I am in England and so feel a lot better as it takes considerable worry off of your mind.

Haven’t much new to tell you as now being here is just like being in any camp in the U.S.A. except I can’t call you up on Sundays. That, of course, is being taken care of by my writing more often.

I have just written everyone and so that keeps me caught up with all of them.

Not much else for me to write you now so until my next letter Take good care of yourself. Regards to all Love Louie

P.S. How are you doing at MAH JONG I bet you win all the time Louie

V-MAIL
Mrs. Philip R. Cohen
2/29/44
Saturday
Dear Mom,

I have been busy so that is why I didn’t write sooner than this. I am well and hope that you all at home are the same.

As yet I haven’t been able to contact Humpy because of the fact that no passes have been given us as yet. In a couple of weeks or so I might be able to get a pass and then I will try to get to see him.

I have been getting the Chronicle clipping and it helps to keep me up to date with the happenings at home. The way we are bombing the Nazis it looks as if we can figure on getting home so much sooner. Let’s hope so anyway.

I haven’t as yet received Ellie’s letter with the information about the store but it probably is due to a mail delay. I am anxious to get it.

Well I have covered everything, and so, take care of yourself Mom and give my regards to all. As ever yours Love Louie

P.S. How is the stoker working? I hope it is O.K.