Letter from Ed Colburn, World War II, shared by Susan Ulbrich, Buffalo Grove

Susan Ulbrich of Buffalo Grove shared a letter written in Rennes, France, by her father, Ed Colburn, to his mother in Chicago. After Rennes was liberated in 1944 the 755th Railway Shop Battalion (Colburn was a 1st sergeant) followed 10 days later to repair the locomotives, railway tracks, bridges and railway cars so the Allies could move troops, equipment and supplies.

Susan writes: This letter describes the ... Battalion's relationship with the children of Rennes. These children had spent most of their lives under occupation, experienced horrific bombing, poor food supplies and many lost their homes. These small acts of kindness and teasing brought joy ... I can just picture the smiles and hear the laughter. I also imagine how these bright moments helped alleviate the homesickness felt by the GIs who were far from home - subjected to the destruction and tragedy of war.

Saturday evening

2 September 1944

Dear Mums:

14 years ago today I started working at 208 S. LaSalle St. - how time flies. 9 months ago today I got my last look at the Statue of Liberty. It sure will be a grand sight when I see it again.

I meant to write you last night, but our French neighbors came over to put on some entertainment for us and we all turned out for it - I'm glad I did - it was both lengthy and good. They had ballet dancers, acrobats, magicians, impersonators, adagio dancers, an orchestra, weight-lifter, boxers, clowns, comedians. They really put out for us. We were supposed to have had a USO show tonight but it was cancelled.

The weather has been cold and nasty the last few days - the wind is terrific - the girls riding by on their bicycles are having all kinds of trouble with their skirts. You should hear the G.I. wolves howl as they go by.

I have another family now. Lots of kids gather at our mess hall waiting for leftovers. We don't have many tables inside to sit at so I usually sit on a rock outside. About a dozen hungry French kids gather around me and sit there watching me eat. When I finish I go up for seconds and take it back and feed them by the forkful. I hold the fork and you should see how much their mouths resemble a bunch of young robins waiting for the mother bird to drop worms to them - they are boys and girls and range all the way from 14 to 6 - the youngest being that cute one I told you about.

Tonight when I went to eat they were all gathered in a corner and yelled for me to come and sit there. The boys all kid me about them but they feed them too. They are much more polite than the English - "any gum, chum?" Kids.

Here is a 1 franc piece made by the Nazis … on one side it says state France - on the other, work, family and country. Real French coins are always identified by "Liberty, Fraternity and Equality."

Well, so long for now - I hope you are all well. I'll write again soon.

All my love,

Ed