Description

Letter from Gunner H. Henry Kassman to Viviane Maisel (fiancée), from within a file of his correspondence between 1941-1943 compiled by his daughter in 2010. File’s contents are primarily typed letters and other correspondence, occasionally reproduced (often in addition to the typed version), and also include photographs, diary entries from Kenneth Rankin’s book Top-Hats in Tobruk, some other written materials, and some explanatory material. For further information, please see the folder summary. For all posts about this collection, please click on the “H. Henry Kassman” tag in this post.

Pages 6-7: Letter to Viviane [Maisel, Kassman’s fiancée]. Discussion of mail received and sent between them. Mention of Air Mail post card rates.

Alec (his brother) had a “very mild attack of dysentery” and went back to “the Big City.” It wasn’t too bad. Last time Kassman saw him, he was wearing a ticket like those of the child evacuees, sporting a three-inch beard, and looking very happy. He has now been discharged for some leave. Kassman requests Viviane not spread the news, as he doesn’t want his mother to know.

They have been in the desert for “well over” six months, and are no longer enamored with it. Some joking about the desert and its (lack of) charms.

More discussion of the desert, specifically burying garbage and having it uncovered by sandstorms in the night. Still swimming almost every day and eating many grapes. Mention of having seen an advertisement by a Maisel in Palestine; inquiring if Viviane has any relatives there (her surname is Maisel).

Censor HE Collins.

1 page, typed (spread across two pages). Dated July 16, 1941.

2.-Gunner-HH-Kassman-6-8.1941-51.pdf