Somewhere near Doullens, 9/15/1918

Somewhere in France

Sept. 15^th, 1918

Dear sister Madaline:

Today being sunday and nothing to do but sit around and enjoy the good weather today. It seems unusual to have good weather as for the past month it has done nothing but rain almost continuously day and night. I received mail again today from both you and Anna and I surely do feel fine to receive mail especially when I’m so far away from you all. Our Yanky boys are doing wonders at their sector and believe me Sis I figure if we have a late winter this war is going to finish and the Allied Troops on top. The reason I would like to see the winter come in late is to allow the allied army to continue their pushing and not allow Jerry to rest for the more we push the weaker Jerry’s army gets. In my time over here I have seen many German prisoners and if I couldn’t lick at least five why I think I’m a weakling. I’ve seen prisoners from 17 to 65 years old and a worse lot of men could not be seen in the world. A german soldier’s uniform varies in color but not in quality their torn and patched and always dirted. The average german soldier very seldom shaves and from their appearance I judge they spend many weeks in the line while the Allied troops very seldom spend more than eight days in the line.

Well dear sister I’m going to let you in on a secret if you promise not tell a single one well I’ve grown a mustache and its great. Its one of these short Charlie Chaplins and honestly it looks neat. It makes me look so much older but why worry.

Guess I will close now and tell pa that my moral is best ever.

I am

Your Brother

Joe

Corporal J. Maus

105 Inf Co A. U.S.A.

American E.F

A.P.O. 748