1 a.m. start out on 175 mile run (convoy). Leg Horn [Livorno] to 0427. Get back at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 28, 1944
Another ammo run to 0430, 18 hours.
Wednesday, November 29, 1944
On pass, visit 52nd Q Battalion. Draw sleeping bags.
Monday, December 4, 1944
Raymond is on 5 day rest. Visits me.
Tuesday, December 5, 1944
I get trip to Leg Horn to 0427, a 175 mile trip. Doing this type of hauling most of the time.
An ancient fort in modern-day Livorno (Leg Horn), Italy. [public domain]
Wednesday, December 6, 1944
Raymond is over again.
Thursday, December 7, 1944
I have 4 tires to change after Schuster run. In afternoon go over to 3638 Q.M. to get practice driving semi-trailer jobs.
Tuesday, December 12, 1944
Company dance downtown Florence. Good time. Weather very bad.
Beautiful Florence, Italy, as it appears today. [photo by Olga Shelego]
Wednesday, December 13, 1944
Futa Pass is closed to all unnecessary traffic on account of snow. One way traffic through the pass.
Futa Pass (above) as it appeared during World War Two. It was of strategic importance, connecting Florence to Bologna. It also demarcated the Gothic Line, the last major line of defense for retreating German forces in Italy. [courtesy: www.mtmestas.com]
I am in the II Corps (circled in red). This map outlines our advance from June - December 1944. The cities of Florence and Leg Horn are underlined in red. This is our main area of operation right now. The current position of the II Corps is indicated by the red "X". [public domain]
Futa Pass today. [photo by Stenebaum]
WAR UPDATE: December 16, 1944. Germans attack through Ardennes -- Battle of the Bulge begins.
BACK IN THE WORLD: December 17, 1944. The Green Bay Packers defeat the New York Giants 14-7 to win the NFL Championship.
Monday, December 18, 1944
Germans counter-attack on 1st Army front. I'm on pass, visit 52nd Q.M., see Raymond.
Tuesday, December 19, 1944
We are having break, not much work for past days. Bad weather.
Sunday, December 24, 1944
Get back from 21 hour trip to Leg Horn to 0430. Back at 12 p.m. Company moves to new area in Florence [Firenze] near marshalling yards. Today I get 5 packages from ma, Rene, Edna and Herald, Dolores, and Lois. Have previously got packages from Rene, Jean, Lois, Doris S. and Bernice.
Two more packages from Sarah and Myrtle K. A cold, uncomfortable Christmas.
Saturday, December 30, 1944
Not very busy just now. I have pretty bad cold for the last few days. Only 10 minute walk from here to Raymond's company.
Another neighbor wounded overseas, from the Fergus Falls Daily Journal.
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