Large World War II Archive

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

Comprehensive archive of approximately one thousand items, mostly correspondence, ca. 1941-1946, pertaining to the World War II service of Sergeant Fred R. Haefner, Co. F, 41st Armored Infantry Regiment of the Second Armored "Hell on Wheels" Division. Thanks to this rich legacy, the war's impact on one enlisted man and his family is thoroughly revealed in their own words. Nominally, here is the story of Kimmswick, Missouri's Fred Haefner and his fiance, Arline Buerhting. Given its sheer scope, however, the archive quickly transcends its individual subjects to become a lasting tribute to all ordinary Americans who achieved the extraordinary during the Second World War. Joining the Army shortly before Pearl Harbor, Heafner embarked on a military odyssey that was to last some five years. His initial training at Forts Knox and Benning was followed by maneuvers at Fort Bragg. The skills acquired at these American installations were further sharpened in England in final preparation for combat on the European continent. The Second Armored Division landed in France on June 9, 1944 (D-Day +3) and spent the next several months fighting overland across Europe to finally slice through the Seigfried Line and smash into Hitler's Germany. Seriously wounded just before war's end, Haefner was shipped home to Arline and spent his first year as a married man recuperating in military hospitals. Fortunately, both newlyweds had saved their war letters and made a cohesive unit of the two archives. Nearly 3,200 written pages are folded within hundreds of stamped covers to and from Haefner. Writers other than the predominant couple include a broad spectrum of Haefner's family members and friends. Arranged chronologically, it becomes apparent that this correspondence was never idle for long and that consecutive days often saw someone pen in hand. Haefner's return addresses always include his rank and indicate steady promotions. He had made corporal by July, 1943 and was a sergeant by February, 1944. Among the envelopes are also a number of "V-letters", a clever innovation that hastened delivery and conserved valuable overseas shipping space. Written on pre-printed forms and photographed, the V-letter was airmailed as film and developed upon arrival at its destination. The popularity of conventional letters, though, proved enduring for they outnumber the V-letters ten to one. Additionally, colorful postcards and greeting cards make up perhaps 5% of the total collection. These items often display excellent "period" graphics and cartoon spoofs of Army life. The true and lasting importance of this archive is found, of course, in the letters' content. Space constraints allow only the following small sampling of Fred Haefner's words to Arline: "(Ft. Benning, GA, June 12, 1942)...Gee I sure am glad to hear from you...I think you a swell girl I mean it...(Ft. Benning, GA, July 6, 1942)...We're leaving here tomorrow morn. In a way I'm glad we're leaving for I don't like it here anyway...Half the fellows are drunk today. I'm telling you it's awful the way they drink. One thing they never passed out like you. Ha. Ha. I just have to laugh every time I think about you...(Fort Bragg, North Carolina, November 14, 1942...Say honey what do you think of our American forces over in Africa. They sure put it over on them, didn't they. I sure hope they keep up the good work...(North Africa, January 14, 1943...The original people of this country are very dirty. In fact their filthy. Some of them live in little straw huts, in the country especially. Why I think our little pup tents are a hundred percent better than any of their huts are. It seems they wear the raggedest clothes they have...The French are very nice people and seem to be very clean. They treat us pretty good so far so there isn't much I can say about them...I'm doing alright so far doing an awfully lot of walking lately. We're getting plenty to eat. We even get a certain amount of cigarettes, candy , matches & soap or whatever we need for shaving and such...What do you do now since the gas ration went into effect?...('Somewhere in England', December 23, 1943)...Are you having any trouble buying Christmas presents this year? I bet things are high priced this year...They are talking about giving us furlough over here. I don't know if I even will take one. A fellow needs to be a millionaire to go anywhere in this country...It sure would be good to see someone from home again and I don't mean maybe...(England, June 5, 1944)...Everything is still the same over here in England. We were having some very warm weather lately. I'm still ok but not having much fun anymore. I haven't went anywhere for over a month. Boy what a life. Most exciting don't you think...But I'll make up for it some day I hope. Gee I wish something exciting would happen once. I think I should fall over if there was....Darling I do hope this will be over soon and we can be together once again...('Somewhere in France', June 14, 1944)...Well honey if you were wondering why I haven't been writing this ought to explain everything...Got into a bit of different country now again. Don't know if I should like it or not...Miss you more than anything...don't count on me writing to often...('Somewhere in France', July 16, 1944...I'm still alright darling so don't worry. I'll come through alright...did you have a good time the fourth. We really had a bang of it. In fact it never stops banging. If everything keeps going the way it has been this should almost be over by Christmas...I can't say to much right now...I only wish I could write more & more often, but sure impossible to do so at times. You'll understand when I tell you all about (it) after this is over...". So many letters will exhibit a wide range of conditions, especially among the covers which were opened with varying degrees of precision. Overall the letters, all with folds, average Fine condition with the covers grading somewhat less in VG...Plus; Partially printed certificate, THE AMERICAN LEGION SILVER STAR CITATION, 9" x 12", September 14, 1944, Missouri. An attractive foil stamped and embossed award "...for devoted service to Our Country which resulted in a wound or disablement in line of duty while a member of the armed forces of the United States...".VF...Plus; Miscellaneous lot of printed and manuscript ephemera, including a bank book, pocket bible, receipts and tickets. Approximately fifty pieces. Overall Fine condition...Plus; Framed portrait, 4" x 5 1/4", ca. 1944. An excellent image of a smiling Sergeant Haefner at the height of his Army career. The Second Armored Division patch on his left shoulder is quite clear as are three battle stars on his ribbons. VF...Plus; Twelve snapshots of Haefner's folks back in Missouri, ca. 1943. Unfortunately, the subjects are not named. One curious image shows an attractive young lady in a field holding a large snake upside down by its tail! Fine condition.

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