May 3, 1943

Monday Morning

Dear Mother,


It seems such a short time now till I'll see you that it does not seem worth writing 

except to say

(1) I'll be home early Wednesday morning and the best plan, I think, will be to call you and then take the bus out. If we get the New England States from Springfield it is due in Toledo at 6:22 A.M.

(2) Do not say that you know - or I know - precisely where I am going.

           

Rules and regulations and so on.

It was hard to say good-by to Peep yesterday.

Love,
Caroline

April 30, 2012

Friday Night

Dear Mother,

The news has finally come thru and I hardly know how to feel. Of course I cannot tell you much except that I'll be seeing Auntie Ponce. Won't she be thrilled? Do write her for me as I can't just now.

Here is the best news. I'll be home on Wednesday and have three or four days at home. How I wish it were longer. I hope Grandpa and Uncle Russ will not be too disappointed that I shan't be closer home.

Tomorrow after Captain's inspection I shall catch the train for Boston. I am so glad I can be with Peep again, but I hate to think of saying good-bye on Sunday.

Just think I'll be home on Wednesday.

Love,
Caroline

You had probably better not tell anyone anything except that I'll be home. Do tell Grandpa and Uncle Russ, tho. 

NOTE

Caroline's maternal aunt, Florence Satterlund ("Auntie Ponce"), was living and working in Seattle at the time. Thus, Caroline was able to "secretly" communicate the news about where she was to be stationed.

April 28, 1943

Envelope:
Mid'n C.M. Wenz
USNRMS (WR)
Room 510 - Hotel
Northampton, Mass.
--
[This letter is typed in all caps.]


Wednesday Afternoon

Dear Mother,

This will have to be just a short note as I shall be studying for our last exam tomorrow. After that I shall be able to write some letters to catch up, I hope - that is if there is not too much excitement by that time.


Rumor has it that the first girls from our company have already received their orders for San Diego and more should come thru by the weekend. the whole thing is something of a farce in many ways because the orders for many of us are at the central office now awaiting retyping and distribution. The thing that we are most anxious about is the chance to get home. Just think, perhaps a week from today I'll be at home - nothing had better happen to keep me from coming. But you must not look for a wire since we are forbidden to send out word of where we are going and I think that the telephones are closed to us. I shall let you know what happens in the best and quickest way that I can - you cannot be any more curious about the whole thing than I am.


It is wonderful to think that our last exams will soon be finished/ I felt quite discouraged last Friday after doing poorly on one test, but I think I improved on Tuesday's so perhaps that will help my average. In many ways the courses have been more difficult than I expected. I have seen Miss Bissel briefly a few times and I shall try to see her on Friday or next Monday. It will be interesting to hear her reactions to the first weeks. By now her class is all in uniform, too, and when we graduate they will become the new midshipmen.


I am so eager to get home. Betty wrote a newsy letter and I have just heard from Audrey again. I am afraid that I shall simply burst if I do not get those four days that I am counting on so much. It looks to me that I shall have some talking to do with Allie again. What kind of a lease does he think he wants now? If the time were not so short I should like to see Hanna [the lawyer], too. I had meant to write to him to find exactly what had happened about the trial business, but I put it off and now it does not seem worth the while.

What has happened to Mrs. Black? You seem to have had a pleasant Easter after all, though I wish we could have been there. It did not seem very much like Easter here, tho with the flowers coming out and the trees turning green spring seems at last to be almost here.


If nothing happens I shall spend this weekend in Cambridge. I wish that it were not such a short time.


I'll write the most recent if not the most reliable scuttlebutt as it comes in.


Love,
Caroline
[Below signature, Caroline hand-wrote the following:] Payday today. $40 - making $120 in [?cell?] so far. We will get back pay and uniform money on graduating. Tickets will be furnished if go west of the Mississippi - otherwise we apply for the transportation cost after getting there.

April 25, 1943 (Easter)

Easter Afternoon
Northampton


Dear Mother,


This is a 'closed weekend' for advanced midshipmen so we are supposed to be studying for our finals. we seem to have reached the saturation point., however, and studying seems an impossibility. I have been practicing typing for a while and began on other work but writing letters seems a more useful occupation just now (Looking out of the study windows into the backyard of the hotel - which we call the gravel pit - and where we [?form?] to march to classes. I can see the captain and a group of guests inspecting the old grindstones, carriages, cider press and other relics Mr. Wiggins has collected. They seem to be indulging in the universal past time of picture taking. The captain's wife, incidentally, wore a small hat of [?flowers?] and a large orchid corsage for church this morning. The Captain, in this most benign manner, read the scripture lesson.


Easter morning started bright and sunny, but it is overcast again. It is just as well that Dorothy, Jean and I went riding yesterday afternoon. We borrowed bikes from some of the Smith students thru a WAVE loan program. After exploring about Paradise pond near the athletic field where we drill, and watching the canoers we set out for the edge of town. Since we could not get ice cream cones we compromised on cakes and doughnuts which we ate by the roadside. It felt so good to be outdoors bareheaded and without gloves - I wore my plaid skirt and Dorothy borrowed my shirt and shorts so we made a gay group.


On Saturday morning we had another batallion [sic] review. It was sunny and warm so we did not need our coats. White tops, white gloves moving in unison made an impressive picture - I wish you could have been there. It was a great improvement over a week ago.


Now that the end is hardly more than a week off all sorts of rumors fly wildly. For example, someone last night said many of us would be sent to open a new school in Idaho - sent directly by troop train with no time at home. We were most unhappy. Our present training is no guarantee that we will enter this field. Other scuttlebutt puts most of us in Washington - sometimes it varies to Seattle, and so it goes. But if we don't get home we certainly will be a disappointed group. Some of the girls who did well in their courses may teach here - I am not among those priviledged [sic] few.


I have found our courses quite difficult - there are so many minute details that I always omit. Another month's study, despite our being tired of books and tests, would make me at least feel more confident on graduation day. I suppose, however, that our training will begin once we start work - our courses cannot be sufficiently complete in every phase of the work.


It certainly does look as if you had written a lot for the last week's Journal 0 altho I have not read it all yet. How much soldier news!


You speak of not being able to afford a [?cut?] of the Williams boy - If you remain short for yourself, draw from my account. Soon now I should be able to send something home. So far I have managed quite well - we have received $80 and Peep got $20 of that - some of which went toward expenses when I visited the apartment. Don't worry about the Filene bill - we receive part of our uniform money [?on?] leafing and the rest later so that should be that. Summer uniforms are coming in - all white for dress and navy cotton gabardine for work. I think I'll need three of the dark blue, but perhaps one white will do - depending upon where I am located.


(I suppose I ought to study now, but I don't want to.)


Peep sent an Easter box and Margarite - our little room mate - she is 4'8" tall had had a waiver to enlist - was well supplied with everything from eggs to nuts and cake by her family.


You might be interested in our Easter dinner menu: fruit cup, tomatoe [sic] and lettuce salad, rolls or hot cross buns, fresh peas, French-fried potatoes, fried chicken, and ice cream in a meringue next with strawberry sauce, milk or coffee.


Love,
Caroline

April 21, 1943

Wednesday afternoon
April 21

Dear Mother,

I am sorry that you have been so neglected - things seem to be happening so quickly now that the end is coming nearer. Think - in just two weeks I may be home. But we mustn't count on it too much, for the unexpected is the expected where the Navy is concerned.

Just now, all I can think of are the nice letters I have had this week. First there was a long letter from Sieglinde - in something like four months there should be a new baby at their house. She says she is being very careful, and I do hope all goes well now. She seems to be enjoying country social life - church and the grange. I wish I could see her. 

Marian [Roose] sent a newsy letter about her garden plans and having you for dinner and all. After the package was sent I found some hand painted wooden [birds? bowls?]. I may bring one home since I did want one nice thing in the package.

Today I came back from shopping after classes to find fat envelopes from the youngsters at school and a nice letter from Mrs. Schneider, too. If I get home I certainly want to see them. If you should call her for school news tell her how much I appreciated them. I know how much work for her it must have been.

This next weekend is closed. That is we must stay to study for our exams. We are tired of working and we shall be glad when tests are finally over.

The weather has been just as bad as Ohio - dark, rainy and cold for the past week. We are all so tired of winter and heavy coats and rubbers. It could be so beautiful if only a few fine days would come along.

Last Saturday morning we had a battallion [?] (I can't spell anything now) review in the rain. We marched and marched about the field without ever managing the proper degree of precision. As a result, I missed the early train for Boston and did not get out to the apartment [sister Peep's apartment in Cambridge] till a little after five. As usual we shopped a little in the evening and then Peep worked while I made a pretense at practicing typing and studying.

On Sunday morning the blue bike came out of the basement and Peep rented another - so we went riding down along the Charles. It certainly is a domesticated little river. We had barely time to dress for church a few minutes late again. We went to King's Chapel where we enjoyed the service so much before. 

It was sunny when we came out and so we strolled across the commons because it was too fine a morning to duck down into the subway right away. The bells were ringing and we stopped to admire all of the flowers in the florists' windows. The streets were full of people carrying palms.

What do you think of Peep's returning after June for the next term? If she had a chance to get a full time position somewhere I do not know whether she should consider it or not. She and Ellen and Billy are so well settled it seems a temptation to continue on.

I still feel very shocked by Junior Williams' death. It seems as if so many tragic things have happened since I left home and it has not been so long either.

Last week's Journal looked prosperous. I am curious to see the books, tho - are you getting something out o fit and how much? How about Smith and Allie? Is there any job printing? We went to a printshop here to get the required calling cards - the ink smell made me homesick.

I have meant to write to Grandpa again, but I may not do it. How are he and Uncle Russ getting along? How many lambs by now?

Love,
Caroline

Did you know Audrey's mother has been quite sick again?
--
NOTE
Of course, a war was going on; on that same Palm Sunday, "the Palm Sunday Massacre" took place over Tunisia.  "The 57th [Fighter Group] downed at least 74 Axis planes (while losing not more than 6) and causing an estimated equal number to crash land to avoid being shot down..... The German army surrendered Tunisia less than 30 days later." Read about it here.

April 12, 1943

[A letter typed in all caps, probably because the typewriter had no lower case letters.]

Monday Evening

April 12

Dear Mother, 

I imagine that you are feeling neglected, since Peep and I did not get the letters we had meant to write together written. It always seems as if the time on Sunday afternoon goes so quickly as train time approaches.

There is not much excitement to write about. Since the last class graduated we are now the advanced midshipmen and we are beginning to count the days until May 4 in anticipation of the day when we finally learn what will become of us. Some of the girls with whom we started received their comissions [sic] on Tuesday - about 150 were sent to Radcliffe - in which case they go as ensigns for a three month training period which we hear is very difficult. The captain spoke at the ceremony very cleverly - an imitation of orders being given to a group of ships being sent out. He is a large man, retired from the regular navy. When we all rise when he comes on the platform he says "Carry on" and gives us a fatherly smile.

Dorothy and I did go to a USO show which came last week, since we did not have quite so much to prepare for our exams as usual. It was mostly vaudeville - harmonica players, dancers, and slapstick comedians. I think we would have liked a little more variety but I suppose that that type of show is more successful on the camp circuit.

On Friday I was a mate on the second deck - and I thought that I would have an opportunity to write letters to everyone that had been neglected. I wrote exactly one letter - to Betty - and then found myself so busy that I gave up the idea of writing any more. The new midshipmen had been moved in on that floor and they had many questions to ask, and several lists of information to be made out. I was glad when the day was over, but thankful that I had escaped a test and the possibility of being on duty on Saturday so that I could not get away for the weekend.

I think, too, that I forgot to tell you that Jean and I had our rooms changed again to make room for the incoming midshipmen. We are now on the fifth floor in a very small room which we share with the smallest girl in the platoon. We were not too sorry to move, however, since we we had grown rather tired of one of our roomates [sic] who had become rather demanding. We think we can stand our small room, which does have very pretty flowered wallpaper, until May. Dorothy is not far off and drops in for cheese and crackers, so we do not feel isolated from our old friends.

Photos from Caroline's WAVES album show Peep with her heart-shaped hat and new "playshoes" with rope soles.

Peep met me at the station on Saturday and I hardly knew her. Billy had cut her hair and it is quite short. As soon as she manages it a little better it promises to be very becoming. We poked about Boston for a time, going to the small museum of modern art on Beacon Street. We could not resist going into a Schwarz toy shop and saw the ideal present for Sammy - a small Indian tomahawk. We also saw a WAVE doll, complete with the stripes for a lieutenant (J.G.) competing with a WAAC officer.

We hurried about the apartment after we got back since we were all late getting there and Billy was having some friends in later. After the dishes were done Peep, Ellen, and I toured the square in a shopping expedition. It is queer to shop at night for the stores are dark from the outside and only a small sign saying "Open" shows that you can enter.

Peep bought a pair of inexpensive unrationed playshoes, green with rope soles. They match the heartshaped hat she made for herself and look very nice with my beige dress. We found a surprised looking little glass rabbit for Mary Cranker's birthday, and a bag of queer looking "pebble" candy for Dorothy as a gentle hint that she should get out of Northampton some weekend. I tried to persuade her to come to Cambridge with me as I would like to have her meet Peep and see the apartment, but she thought that she was catching a cold and stayed behind.

On Sunday morning, I put on my Sabbath finery which now means rayon stockings, a white blouse and scarf, and we set out for church. (Ellen got up early and made muffins so we enjoyed a liesurely [sic] breakfast before leaving.) We went to Christ Church in Cambridge, seeing many men in uniform and some WAVES on our way. Christ Church is a gray wooden building with square pews, plain windows, and the wooden pillars and panelling painted gray and white. To our dismay, we were ushered to the front pew beneath the pulpit - which had a little plaque reading "General and Mrs. Washington are said to have sat in this pew when they attended church at Christ Church." Since the service was Episcopalian we felt even more conspicuous. We did enjoy seeing the choir boys come in in their stiff colors and white robes - there were two little Negro boys, too. 

It is almost seven-thirty now and that means that I must stop typing and start to study. I am afraid that I was lazy last week and I shall have to make up for it this week.

The package for Marian was just for a spring surprise, and I hope that she enjoyed it. The flower print came from the antique shop here in the hotel and is a reproduction of an old one. The other things were the product of a Saturday night's shopping tour of Northampton 0 very much like Bowling Green [Ohio] since there are no large stores. 

[Here Caroline continues in pencil. There is a sketch of a hand with a pointing finger and the words:] Mind you don't get too tired these spring days.

Love,
Caroline

On rereading this I see I have said everything backwards with many repetitions.

--

Note:

In 1943, the word "Negro" was considered a respectful way to refer to African-American people; there was little racial integration at that time, so Caroline found it noteworthy that there were African-American children in a predominantly European-American congregation.

Found via Google images

1934 photo 

Photo by Daderot 2007

April 7, 1943 - US Service Mailing Card (FREE)

C.M. Wenz
USNRMS (WR)
Hotel 510, Northampton, Mass

Wednesday

The usual middle-of-the-week rush is on - this time a little more hectic than usual since Jean and I have had to move to a new room. 510. Graduation exercises were held on Tuesday and now our class has been here longest. It is an odd feeling. If nothing turns up, I plan to spend this weekend with Peep.

C.M.W.

April 4, 1943

Sunday Afternoon

Dear Mother,

Dorothy and I went down with good intentions to type letters after church this morning - only to be caught by our typing teacher who proceeded to make us practice till dinner. Therefore the illegible writing.

Since we had two exams this week it seemed as if we spent every spare moment studying. While I did not make the highest marks by any means I feel as if I did relatively well, so perhaps it was worth the effort. This coming week promises to be less hectic and so we are really enjoying this weekend.

Peep seemed to be too busy still this weekend to bother with visitors, so I decided that it wasn't worth going to Boston after all. Instead after Captain's inspection (incidentally by women officers - highest a full lieutenant) Dorothy and I meandered about the village in search of odds and ends.

The Smith [College] pool is open to WAVES on Saturday afternoons and so about three we trailed our way over. The pool is white tile and the sun sparkling on the clear water and bright suits of the swimmers made a colorful picture. A record player supplied Strauss waltzes so that we could swim rhythmically. We swam for about an hour, getting tired but enjoying ourselves anyway. 

To complete a perfectly wasteful day we decided to go to see Casablanca at the local theater across the way. It was a double feature bill but the one picture was good so it was all right. Ingrid Bergman, a Swedish actress, was a beautiful heroine. After the show we had sandwiches before coming back to the hotel and looked in on the U.S.O. dance at the Y. For once there seemed to be enough men - but almost all no older than 19.

On Saturday we do not have lights out till twelve so it is really a break in our routine.

Yennie [?], our Minnesota roommate met a second lieutenant, a flyer, from Minneapolis, so that was a coincidence anyway.

The advanced midshipmen are graduating this Tuesday and excitement prevails as they get their orders. Many are going to Norfolk and Miami, and these are scattered all over. Soon we will find ourselves the advanced midshipmen - and in a month it will be our class leaving. Most of the girls have four days time before reporting. We are hoping that our class will, too. Do not plan too much on it, but perhaps the end of the first week in May I may get home. How good that would seem.

Mrs. Roose wrote a very nice letter - almost as good as a visit at home. I shall write as soon as I can. The thought of the sweet violets in bloom makes me positively homesick.

I liked your Around the Village mention of the families with sons in the service. It must have taken you considerable time to get all of the details together. From the school news I gather that our population seems to be dwindling, with so many youngsters moving out. Perhaps now that Senior play is over Lib may be a little more mindful of her friends.

Love,
Caroline

If you think of it sometime, please make a package of my plaid skirt - the pleated one, and my green sweater. I can get a white blouse back from Peep.

March 31, 1943 - US Service Mailing Card (FREE)

From:
Midn. C.M. Wenz
USNRMS (WR)
Northampton, Mass - Hotel 408

Wednesday Morning

This has all the earmarks of a week with no time for anything but study. It seems as if we have one exam right after another.

Plans for the weekend are still indefinite. I would like to go to Cambridge but Peep may be too busy.

It is raining this morning - after about ten days of fine weather.

C.M.W.

March 22, 1943 - From Northampton

Monday Evening

March 22

Dear Mother,

I have just come up from an extra hour of typing practice. It is certainly hard for me to learn to control my fingers. We are working for speed and it makes us fidgety.

Weekends certainly seem to go quickly when you would like to stretch them out longer and longer. Virginia met me at the station. She looks well and has evidently been having a wonderful time in New York. She is enthusiastic about her work and I think that I shall enjoy it too. She will be working on three day watches now - eight hours a day, and off the fourth. Their present schedule has been six days on and four off.

We did not do much but sit about eating and talking. Ellen had a bad cold and Peep was tired so it suited all of us best to be domestic. Ellen was fortunately much better on Sunday and Peep was tucked in bed early Saturday. So we all felt more ambitious.

After seeing Virginia off on the ten o'clock train Peep and I went to King's Chapel for church. The chapel was founded in 1686 and the present building dates from the early 1700's. We enjoyed the service and heard a really good sermon. Two elderly ladies spoke to us and both had gone to Smith in their younger days.

Train time came too soon on Sunday - it was hard to say good-by again for I plan to stay here for the next several weeks.

The current excitement when we got back was hair inspection in the evening. Mine passed inspection all right, although Yennie, our Minnesota roommate did cut a little to be on the safe side. There was much moaning and groaning as scissors snipped last night. Poor Jean - she is sure she can never do any thing with her hair now.

Luckily our platoon does not have to drill, do gym exercises or show off in any way for Mrs. Roosevelt on Wednesday. It is certainly a good thing that she does not have to see me exercising gracefully.

I am waiting for news about the suit. I do hope that you are not worrying about the thing too much. It does sound as if you are managing pretty well. I wish you could manage to get the Record work systematized in some way to save yourself some work.

What are you doing for excitement? I do hope that you are not too much alone.

I'll try to write to Grandpa as soon as I can. I have just been too busy to write to anyone but you these last two weeks.

I hope you can read this - I can't write any thing well tonight.

Love,
Caroline

NOTE:

Interesting that Caroline seems rather blase about the impending visit from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt!

Eleanor Roosevelt at Pearl Harbor, 1943;

Perhaps she dressed like this when she visited the WAVES in Northampton as well.

March 14, 1943 (mailed March 15) - From Northampton

Sunday Evening [March 14]

Dear Mother,

I found your letter about the suit when I got back to the hotel. I had hoped that all that business would not come up.

Of course I think that we can trust Hanna's judgment. If he thinks we should pay or he can get a compromise of any sort I think I have enough money in my account to cover it. Use that money and do not touch your own. I should not need anything since our expenses are small.

What did Uncle Russ and Grandpa say? And Allie?

It would certainly please me to hear that I couldn't be sued because I was in service. Hana [sic] could make an eloquent plea.

Now - let Hana [sic] do the worrying. There is enough to pay him and the charges, too and if we meet that will be the end of it. We knew we ran the risk when we bought the paper [Perrysburg Journal].

I must get ready for lights out - I wish I knew for sure everything was all right at home and what you did today while Peep and I had fun.

Love,
Caroline

NOTES:

1. Caroline and her mother owned, wrote for, and published the Perrysburg Journal. It appears that the Journal was being sued by someone - perhaps for libel? - and they hired Hanna, a lawyer, to represent them. Today (2012) there is a law firm in nearby Bowling Green, Ohio, Hanna and Hanna.

2. After her father, Edward's, death in 1935, Caroline felt responsible for both her mother and her younger sister Peep's well-being.

3. The return address is smeared as if drops of liquid had fallen onto it.

March 14, 1943 - Joint letter from Peep & Caroline

Peep (Hilda Wenz) and Caroline sat down together to write to their mother, Hilda S. Wenz, while Caroline visited Peep in Cambridge/Boston, Massachusetts. Peep was a graduate student at Radcliffe.

[In Peep's writing:]

March 14, 1943

Dear Mother -

We're sitting on a bench in the South Station waiting room with twenty-five minutes to train time. When one is in the Navy it seems that one does not risk not making connections - at least Caroline is a changed woman on that score.

It seems but a few hours ago that I dashed down here to meet the train - I guessed on the right one - Caroline didn't expect me and so was surprised - Jean Wentworth one [of] her roommates came along.

South Station in April 2012 - photo by Betsy

 [In Caroline's writing:]

This has certainly been a wonderful weekend for Jean and me - next to getting home. We even saluted people politely (at least part of the time). WAVES are not quite as common a sight as I had hoped so that people do stare at our queer costumes.

I wish that you could see the apartment - it looks just as if they had been well settled for years. We could not get over exclaiming about all the comfortable touches - a fire in the fireplace, music from Billie's record player and late in the evening all lying about talking.

Durgin Park, 4/5/2012 - Betsy (Caroline's daughter) and Alice (Peep's daughter) ate here together!

Peep thought Ellen might want to study, so after a flying visit to Fogg we came back to the apartment, met Billie, dressed and then went to Durgin Park's in the market district for supper. It was a different kind of place - old and definitely chipped china and red tablecloths. Billie revelled in a huge slice of roast beef while Jean & I had fish. 

Caroline's and Peep's daughters dine at Durgin Park nearly 70 years later

After dinner we poked about a bit in Boston's dimout which is not as black as I had expected. 

Perhaps Caroline & Peep poked about these buildings near Durgin Park.
Betsy and Alice poked about here in April 2012.

Safely back at the apartment we talked until it began to grow late. I had the luxury of having Peep wash my hair.

On Sunday morning Ellen, Billie and Peep dressed Jean and me in a wierd [sic] collection of clothes and we went bicycling. It was a beautiful sunny morning - the sun was warm, although the wind was still cool. We rode into Boston - not as daring as it sounds with traffic so much less. Coming back we had a fine view of the Harvard buildings- they are certainly satisfying to see.

Peep outdid herself for dinner - fruit salad, macaroni with cheese sauce, broccoli, celery and so on, and a graham cracker roll with marshmallows, dates and [figs? fudge?]. We were so carried away by all the pleasures of home that we almost forgot we had to race back to Northampton. But I know I'll be coming back every weekend I can.

It is time to go now. I'll write more later.

Look after yourself.

Love,
Caroline

I enjoyed "Around the Village" this week. [Likely a column her mother sent from the Perrysburg Journal]

[In an insert folded inside the letter, Peep continues:]

This is sort of a jumbled letter - but I shall take over again momentarily - I'm sure you will be glad to know that Caroline looks quite hail [sic] & hearty - the Navy doesn't seem to have suppressed most of her Wenz spirit.

She is still wearing her enlisted seaman's hat - and gripes about the length of her rain/overcoat - but the suit itself I think is quite becoming. We took two pictures which I hope will work, so you may get a picture soon.


Love,
Peep

From Caroline's WAVES album

March 11, 1943 from Northampton

NOTE: Caroline's sister Peep (the younger Hilda Wenz) was a student at Radcliffe and living at 20 Prescott St. in Cambridge, Massachusetts - just a few hours by train from Northampton/South Hadley area.

Thursday Afternoon

March 11.

Dear Mother,

Now from my window I can look across at the Northampton YMCA - rather a change from the few house and hills in Hadley. We are supposedly unpacked and by now with only our beds to be made. Four of us share a medium sized hotel room - Jean Wentworth, who was in the same room at Holyoke, Dorothy Yennis [?] of Minnesota, also from Holyoke and Margaret Clark, a SPAR who hails from Chicago and took her first training at Smith.

The hotel is quite interesting - rooms papered in colonial designs, draperies and curtains at the windows, rugs on the floors. The lobby has many old prints of the Jenny Lind period. We will have to walk farther to classes but at least there is an elevator to help us out. Food here is supposed to be superior to that at Holyoke - judging by one meal you can't tell yet.

We have just come back from getting our books - slogging along thru the mud and water. Our new books look most impressive and promise work to come. Of course you cannot expect any details from now on.

So - you are staying alone. I wish you weren't, particularly after that sick spell. I am glad you're not spending Sunday alone, but I think an empty house is bad to come home to every night. I wish you didn't have to do it. Do find someone congenial as soon as you can. And do let me know how the Journal is going - facts and figures. I want to know.

Did I tell you we got paid $40 yesterday - the day we got shots and orders to come here. When we will get paid again is a question, however.

Another piece of good news has come - almost too good to put faith in. It looks as if we shall have shore leave this weekend and so I'll be hurrying for 20 Prescott Street. It just seems too good to be true. A group of us will go by train together but I plan to spend all my time with Peep, for it won't be any too much in any case.

I am finishing this after dinner - a very good dinner* too. We will have a meeting shortly and then study hour. Our new schedule will call for more classes and less study time.

Audrey sent a good letter and I must answer her and write to Virginia , too.

Love,
Caroline

* Cherry pie - ham with raisin sauce -

March 10, 1943

[Postcard from:]

C.M. Wenz A.S. V-9

USNRMS (WR)

South Hadley, Mass

[To:]

Mrs. Edward L. Wenz

Perrysburg, Ohio

Wednesday Morning

March 10, 1943

Excitement riegns [sp] - news has just filtered thru that all of us from our room - and almost all of our platoon are moving to the hotel in Northampton. That probably means Communications. We also got paid, had typhoid shots and returned books this morning.

We still have classes today - packing and a million & one things.

C.M.W.

March 4, 1943 - South Hadley - Letter to Grandpa

Caroline wrote this letter to her paternal grandfather, Ferdinand Wenz, who had outlived both his wife (Caroline's grandmother) and his elder son (Caroline's father, Edward). She mailed this letter to Grandpa to her mother, presumably for her to share with him. The handwriting is much clearer and neater than her letters to her mother.

March 4, 1943

South Hadley

Dear Grandpa,

Now that our first examinations are over there is a little more time for writing letters. We have been expected to learn so much material, most of it entirely new, that studying and classes have been our main occupations. We are very closely supervised with almost no free time. All of our instructors have gone to great lengths to impress us with doing exactly what we are told. Rank counts for everything in the Navy, and you may be sure that no member of the Women's Reserve will forget her place.

Perhaps our two most interesting courses are naval history and ships and aircraft. Learning history with the emphasis on the naval rather than the land battles is a new experience. In ships and aircraft we learn -or try to learn - the chief characteristics of the ships and planes of the navy. Don't ask what good it will do us for we are not told that.

Luckily for me we do not spend too much time marching and drilling. We rather like it because it means being out in the open and most of our day is spent inside. We are wearing our uniforms for the first time Saturday - we may look better then.

There is nothing definite about the kind of work we will do. Many will be trained as teachers for other WAVE schools, and part of the class will do specialized work. Another group will be taught communications - coding and decoding. Since my experience has been with the younger children I may go into communications.

Mother writes that you have been having more cold weather again. I hope that you have been able to get outdoors despite the weather.

Has mother been getting Time [magazine] to you? We hear very little news here.

Caroline

March 3, 1943 - South Hadley, Mass

Wednesday afternoon

March 3.

Dear Mother,

I hope that you have not been looking too anxiously for a letter - this is the first chance I have had since the weekend. The Navy certainly does things back side to - our finals came on Tuesday and Wednesday before our courses were completed. We have taken notes as fast and furiously for every one of our classes and spent all of our time - what there is of it - cramming furiously for all sorts of minute details. We discovered from experience that the instructors seem to delight in choosing small points for quizzes. I think I managed to pass all of the tests but I know I should have done better so that I feel unsatisfied with the whole thing.

Now before I forget - will you please call Mrs. Swengel [?] for me and tell her that Peter's tale about being punished must have been a day dream. Peter was not perfect but he certainly never did anything of that sort. Peter wrote a nice letter when he was sick and I shall try to answer soon. (There - I was afraid I would forget to straighten that out.)

Since we have done nothing but studying and trying to study there is not much to write about. The weather has been quite springlike until today when we awoke to a snowstorm. It has been snowing most of the day, so I expect we shall be wearing our overshoes for some time again. You may be sure that the Navy looks after us - we get our eight hours sleep, plus, and so far we have escaped only two days without boots or rubbers.

This last week has certainly been a picture-taking week - identification pictures in borrowed uniforms, posture pictures for gym, and formal pictures in hat and white blouse for some sort of a year book. We are not in uniform yet - but probably by the weekend. My two suits and coat are back from fitting and I have all of the blouses I think I'll need for some time.

I wish that you could see us this on this Wednesday afternoon. We are relaxing after exams - Wednesday and Saturday schedules are broken up with more free time. Mimi is curled up in bed with a "Good Housekeeping" trying to forget things military, Jean is typing a letter sitting on her top bunk, Dorothy and Norma are sewing name tags in new blouses, and I shall soon join them. We have firmly resolved on no studying for some time - at least till study hours tonight.

Did I tell you that we have a very "atmospheric" tea shop here in Hadley? On Saturday afternoon three of us went in and poked about at the books and then had tea from a pewter pot - orange toast, date bars and cinammon (sp.) toast. Some of the Holyoke students were there, too, and we enjoyed watching them. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we went back on Sunday to vary the monotony of eating from trays.

I won't have a chance to see Peep this weekend but I hope to soon. It is disgusting to be so close and not able to go - I suppose another chance will not come for two weeks.

I was glad to get your letter today - I began to be afraid that you were sick. Do tell me if you are - I shall worry less if I know for sure. And are you staying alone? I don't think Patsy is enough - I'm glad your friends are remembering you and I hope it isn't too lonely for you. It would be so nice if South Hadley and Perrysburg were just down the road from each other - but there just isn't time here to fuss about it. I am glad the taxes are paid - do you think you can remember that you pay no income tax because you made less than $500 last year?

If Lib [Elizabeth Munger] has been neglectful, George [Munger, Lib's brother and Caroline's sometime boyfriend] has made it up by sending letters and a box of chocolates which we have enjoyed. I have also had letters from Audrey & a clever card from Edith Pope.

Love,
Caroline

I'll send a copy of Wave paper in a separate envelope.

I have taken out service insurance with Peep as the beneficiary for $7000 - premiums are now 69c [cents] per thousand per month.

Friday, February 26, 1943 - South Hadley, Mass

USNRMS = US Naval Reserve ?Midshipman?

WR = Women's Reserve

[Return address reads:]

C. M. Wenz A.S. V-9

USNRMS (WR)

South Hadley, Mass

Friday

February 26

Dear Mother,

You haven't had a letter sooner because too much has been happening this week. (We have come in from drill and my hands are so stiff I cannot write any better.)

We are really being rushed through - our finals are on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. We have just finished tests in all of our classes yesterday and today. Since we must be in bed at ten and so much time each day must go into room cleaning that we have to make the most of what study time we have. Our classes are not too difficult but I certainly feel disgusted with myself for foolish mistakes in the tests.

On Wednesday we had our first shots - one tetanus and one smallpox. It was not so bad after all, tho the smallpox itches like fury now. So far as I know no one was particularly affected beyond complaining about stiff arms. Typhoid shots come next week. I think only two women from our platoon have been sent home because of physical reasons -both serious, I guess.

We were interviewed this week by a personnel officer and I suppose by this time next week we will know whether we go into communications or stay here for advanced indoctrination which will mean teaching later. The personnel officer I met was from Ohio and happened to know Miss Stacey - wasn't that odd? They had [?personnel? ?-----ed? illegible] in Ohio State together. I have no notion of what I'll be doing so we'll have to wait to see.

You asked whether or not I liked it here. We are really so busy that it is hard to find time to like or dislike anything. Some of the girls object more to the regimentation but for the most part I have not minded that too much. I cannot say I am wildly enthusiastic, nor would I encourage Peep to join - yet. But it has never been my nature to be wildly enthusiastic and so you need not jump to the conclusion that I am unhappy. Everything is so new that it is hard to make any judgment. I am enjoying the girls here - it is too bad we shall be separated so soon. The added dignity of being a midshipman next week certainly pleases us, tho.

Tomorrow is captain's inspection - and the captain is really coming. He inspects everything, including the baths, kitchens and stairways so the maids have be scouring for dear life. Woe be unto any of us unlucky seamen who make a misstep tomorrow.

We are all staying this weekend even tho we could have shore leave. Finals spoil any prospects to do much but walk out in the country.

Who is staying with you now? Your description of Larry's [?] visit was amusing. I shall try to create a better impression when I get home.

Will you please tell Grandpa and Uncle Russ that I am thinking of them? Tell Uncle Russ that I am not too accomplished at drill.

Thank you for the ration book - I have permission thru the school to get shoes March 6.

Do excuse the writing.

Love,
Caroline

Letters today from - of all people - Edith Pope [?], George, you and Virginia S. who saw a real British admiral.

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NOTE

Caroline once told me that during captain's inspection, he opened a dresser drawer and seemed puzzled by the Kotex sanitary napkins in some of them.