Sincerely, Joel C. Swisher

Dear Folks,

We left Bar-Sur-Aube on Dec 3O and arrived here on the evening of the 2nd. Came by way of Tours, Le Mans, Rennes, and St. Breur. Traveled in American box cars, 40 men to a car. We had plenty of straw in the bottom of them and it was the most comfortable way I ever traveled since I have been in France. Furthermore it was not cold.

This is quite a town about 75,000 population and seems more prosperous looking than when we came thru here 14 months ago. We being the first American convoy to land in this port.

This is quite a large camp, about 120,000 I believe. It is near a group of stone barracks that were built by Napoleon. We are about 3 miles from the town. There is a lot of construction work to be done here yet but I do not know if we will be kept here till it is finished or not. There is a saying here that this camp was started by Napoleon and is only half done. Judging from that you can form an idea of when we may be starting home.

Sunday I took a walk into town. Walked around the old walls that were built by the Romans. Also went thru the navy yard. Saw an American ship in dry-dock. Was on some French submarines.

There are some German submarines there that were brought in since the Armistice. Was on one but could not go thru it. The smaller ones in addition to their torpedo tubes have two three inch guns, one in front and one behind the conning tower. A large one, the U139 had two six inch guns. They are well built boats.

Hope you are both well and that I will see you soon.

With Love,
Joel

J .C.Swisher
CoB 25 Eng.