Paul writes to his sister that he has seen their friend Bernie Abraham and everyone at the front is doing well. Paul describes his last night in Paris and being moved by the beauty of the exposition, the lights, and the Seine.
Paul has finally received mail from his family and it has given him the mental push he need to go on. He discusses Art Wilt, a fallen comrade, and hopes Art's mother will take solace in the fact that her son died for a better world. Paul...
Letter is addressed "Salud folks." He recounts the story of Harry Malofsky being wounded at Jarama and continuing to fight for another 24 hours. Paul says that the experience has made Harry more mature. Mentions that some friends from home are...
Paul writes that he has just had "personal regards" from George Watt, courtesy of "the gang." He discusses his training and how he is ready for the front. Paul is sending a batch of Socorro Rojo Internacional books home to his family and he...
Paul tells Mim that she is right in guessing that he has finally found work that he enjoys. He describes the internal struggle that has raged all through college, his being torn between two jobs. Paul is glad that he has the opportunity to prove...
Paul tells his family how happy receiving mail makes him. He says that the men who receive newspapers or magazines are very popular on mail day, but not as popular as those who receive candy or cigarettes. Paul describes an impromptu barbecue and...
Paul writes about the disunity of the fascists, which is partly due to the propaganda being spread by Republican forces. He says that fighting amongst the fascists has been seen by some of the brigaders. Paul is glad that the brigaders are now...
Paul delivers the news of Harry Malofsky's death. He writes about Harry's work ethic, as well as the songs he wrote that will be heard throughout the world as the sound of the International Brigade. There is a censor mark over the details of...
Paul writes from aboard the "Lancastria" ocean liner. He describes his table's server, an Englishman with a thick cockney accent. Paul finds it hard to concentrate on his world politics books with so many young people on the ship. He plans to...
Paul writes a quick note to say that he will be in Oostende, Belgium, the next day. He writes that even on the immense ocean, he felt very compressed, especially without a newspaper.
Paul is now in Paris after sailing across the English Channel into Oostend, Belgium. He writes this note on stationary from the Hotel Montana (still in existence). He describes the beautiful town of Oostend and plans to visit the Parisian...
Travel; Orange trees; Orange orchards; Military life;
Paul has arrived in Spain and it reminds him of New York State, but there is an abundance of orange trees. Since he has just arrived he is not sure which branch of the International Brigade he will be in, but he is sure he will fit in. Paul...
Paul writes that he has been placed in the signal corps because of his background in engineering. He is glad that he is useful and gives him the morale boost he was looking for. His battalion has just been named: the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion,...
Military life; Military maneuvers; Military occupations; Military training; Signals & signaling; Telephones; Children's parties; Cigarettes;
Paul describes the International Brigade's offensive maneuvers to force the fascists out of Madrid. Paul discusses some of the men he has met while in Spain. He is busy doing telephone work with the signal corps, as well as continuing his military...
Communists; Fascists; Jewish-Arab relations; Political purges;
Paul writes that it has been one year since the fascists invaded Spain. He also mentions that some brigaders have just come from Palestine, expelled because they were communists. They say that Palestine is in the worst economic crisis of its...
Paul discusses the beautiful Spanish nights, which make up for the scorching hot days. He hopes Mus will write to him, as Paul has not received a letter in the five weeks he has been in Spain.
Rain; Radio broadcasting; Signals & signaling; Baseball; Music;
Paul describes the torrential rain but is glad that his unit is in a house, very dry and comfortable. He explains his work in the signal corps to Mus, describing the telephone work and communications he is responsible for. Paul says he and the...
Political participation; Correspondence; Activists;
Paul writes that the Spanish have joined the Americans and his Spanish language skills are improving. He is impressed that the youth have already started building "new Spain." Paul encloses (not included) pins that he picked up at a store in the...
Correspondence; Political organizations; Political parties; Coffeehouses; Military life;
Paul thanks Mus for her long letter and is sorry to have missed Mother Bloom's birthday. Mother Bloom was a popular communist figure in the 1930's. Paul asks Mus to keep sending magazines (with chewing gum and show laces tucked in). He mentions...
