小库尔特·冯内古特写给父亲的信(1)

Dear people:

I'm told that you were probably never informed that I was anything other than missing in action.

Chances are that you also failed to receive any of the letters I wrote from Germany.

That leaves me a lot of explaining to do -- in precis:

I've been a prisoner of war since December 19th, 1944, when our division was cut to ribbons by Hitler's last desperate thrust through Luxemburg and Belgium.

Seven Fanatical Panzer Divisions hit us and cut us off from the rest of Hodges' First Army.

The other American Divisions on our flanks managed to pull out: We were obliged to stay and fight.

Bayonets aren't much good against tanks: Our ammunition, food and medical supplies gave out and our casualties out-numbered those who could still fight - so we gave up.

The 106th got a Presidential Citation and some British Decoration from Montgomery for it, I'm told, but I'll be damned if it was worth it.

I was one of the few who weren't wounded. For that much thank God.