What did soldiers from world war 2 write in their letters home?

Answer 1

Soldiers in the first world war were not allowed to write about certain things like their position, the conditions, suspected enemy movements or plans for attacks. All the letters sent home would be proof-read by officers (sometimes by invalids in the infirmary) and censored to prevent anything uncouth or confidential being sent home to families.

This was because the Officers didn't want to worry the people at home. If the truth about some of the horrific conditions were found out, families would campaign to stop the war. This could lead to riots and all sorts of unwanted problems. It could also reduce the number of men that signed up for the army. At the time, the image of the army was of well-fed happy men doing their bit for queen and country and the officers did not want to pop this 'happy bubble' that was virtually all lies.

It was also because if the letters were intercepted an contained information on the position or plans of soldiers (on wither side) the consequences could be disastrous.

So soldiers had to be careful about what they wrote in their letters because, if they wrote about the bad things their families would receive a very censored letter and that would probably worry them more than being told the truth about the conditions.

In order to 'play it safe', as it were, most soldiers wrote about the weather and used a kind of code so as not to worry their families. For example:

A soldier could write: We had a quiet day today

when actually they had been gassed but survived

or he could write: It's been a bit lively here

that actually means: we've been bombed to pieces.

They also might say [name] bought it, to mean that [name] died.

radically edited by CalenLoke

apologies for poor spelling.

Answer 2

They would express their feelings, how muched they missed home and so on. Some may tell them how bad the conditions actually were and others covered up the truth and told them it was fine and all 'tickety-boo' to stop people at home from worry. A good answer from Smush TheLedgendOfS!

Answer 3

My Dearest Mary,

We are in the Army now. I am sitting inside our little old tent listening to the gentle patter of the raindrops on the canvas. It began raining here this morning and it is still at it. No drill today, so I will have time to write a letter or two. We got into the city all O.K., marched up to the armory and had dinner. They have mess in the armory. We have to march back and forth to eat. Eats are pretty good so far as they have some women helping with the cooking.

Set up camp in the afternoon. Shoemaker has been Acting Corporal in our squad. We got the tent up all right under the direction of one of the old heads who has seen service on the border. Some equipment was issued in the afternoon. As my name is down well in the list, I have not received anything yet in my own name.

Corporal Hilton is staying in town so he let me have his stuff. Got pack, gun, poncho, and numerous other things I don't know what are used for. Slept on the ground last night in a tent with just an even dozen in it. Some of the fellows are staying in town at hotels, rooming houses, and private houses. Taken altogether, things are in rather poor shape as yet, but I suppose it takes a little time to get around. A few of the bunch act like a bunch of bums instead of soldiers, but they will get that taken out of them when they get to a real camp.

They got Parker Melliush for kitchen duty the first thing. Walter Anthony was stuck for guard duty last night. It must be fine walking up and down in front of a row of tents watching the other fellows sleep. One thing they did do, everybody had to quiet down at ten-thirty last night. We had a good entertainment before lights out. (We had a light, too, as some of the bunch got hold of a lantern.) A fellow in our squad by the name of Donald gets off some pretty good comedy -- original stuff, too. He is a rather rough nut, but not as bad as some of this crowd.

There was some crowd at the station yesterday, wasn't there? I think I shook hands with everybody in town three or four times. Not a very pleasant task under the circumstances, either. Well, I got so much company in here that I can't think straight. This is rather a poor excuse of a letter, but I will write again soon.

With best of love to my own little girl,

Lloyd S.

Answer 4

They wrote various things, but they had to be careful on what they said. I read my dad's letters and he talked about girls, his buddies, the weather, where they might go and how the food was.

Answer 5

peanuts