In Nancy, while waiting for orders to move on to a new locale, time was leisurely with only a skeleton crew on duty to take car of occasionals. Daily rollcall was required. We passed the time by playing cards and cribbage, writing letters (not allowed to write certain info), and dancing in the "Rec" room with champagne for refreshments (too much champagne for some). Some went to Paris as there was a lull in the fighting. At one of our dances, I met a young lieutenant who became a regulate date. Since he was stationed at 3rd Army Headquarters in Nancy, his invitations to Mess were a welcome change from the boredom of the usual fare. He would send his driver to fetch me into dinner. Thanksgiving was an especially enjoyable affair with white table cloths and wine! Third Army Headquarters had setup in Nancy's Stanislaus Square which was very ornate and beautiful. General Patton was there although I didn't meet him personally - I was too shy.

Our hospital had been setup in a former mental hospital the inhabitants of which had been transferred to other places for care. A harmless little old toothless lady befriended the nurses and kept our quarters neat and tidy including our laundry (the picture is a classic)! On December 16th, announcement of the German break-through came and orders were prepared for us to leave at anytime. We had been receiving a few night hits from nearby guns - the 88s - that were secreted in caves in the nearby mountains. They would come out at night to send their calling cards. I had always been afraid when lightning cracked and lit up the sky! One night another hospital near ours was hit resulting in fatal medical casualties including a nurse.

By the way, I have always felt our main entree at dinner time was horse meat as the news had it that our men had confiscated a German food supply and horse meat was strongly suspected. I remember diarrhea made its rounds at that time and the confiscated German food supplies were being blamed.

(posted 22 November 1998)

Note from Marie (May's daughter): Recently I found an Alumni Association for the 104th Evac Hospital so want to share this contact info. You can find it at the Military Network website. (Click the link.)