Letters from Albert to Agnes, 1944

Containers:

18.0031 - Box 1, Folder 006

Scope and content:

This folder contains letters written by Albert Garretson to his wife while in London. He assures her that he is writing frequently and blames any gaps in communication on delivery issues. He is moved to a new flat. He shares news on the effort by Herbert Pell to have the State Department investigate German atrocities against Jews and consider them "war crimes". Initially he believes it will "come to nothing". His department is repeatedly visited by the economist Winfield Riefler. By late March, his work is increasingly focusing on post-war issues, and he expects to return to Washington D.C. to be briefed for a new position as a divisional representative for a new committee. He describes the atmosphere in London as "discouraged" due to the continuation of the war and mentions that "everyone is attacking or defending the policy in Greece and Italy and Belgium". After D-Day, he begins working in the economic section of G-2 for SHAEF, under Eisenhower. He bemoans Roosevelt's replacement of Henry Wallace with Harry Truman as Vice President. He is offered a position with the Foreign Service after the war but is hesitant and does not know whether to be "amused, flattered, or annoyed." He spends time in Versailles in October and meets Marlene Dietrich after a V.S.O. show. He is made a colonel for "billeting purposes" during the trip. Once back in London, he is being considered for the control commission for Germany after the war, but he is reluctant. As the year closes, he is increasingly frustrated by the "politics and pettiness" of his job. He is promoted in December to the position of Intelligence Analyst.

Language:

English

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