At Home in a Dugout
March 30, 1918
Dear Father and Mother:
Just received two letters from you today, one written January 7 and the other January 26. The one you wrote February 12 I received two weeks ago, so you see the mail service is a little irregular.
We are now in service at the front. And at present I can hear several big French guns hammering away at the “Boche” across the lines. It is raining today. In clear weather we can see air battles everyday.
The Boche greeted us with a few big shells which landed near our dugout a few nights ago. A dugout is a fine place to live in, as there is about 10 feet of rock and sand bags on top which makes it safe from shell fire.
Joe and I are still together and both are well. Tell all hello for me.
Answer soon, from your Son,
Private, Robert E. Schalles
Amb Co. No. 1
A.E.F
via New York
N.Y.