Eisenhower

1942 · 101344 — 1942. ALL WOMEN . . . IN THIS REGION . . . WANT . . . TO GET CLOSE TO THE FRONT" A charming letter at a vital time in Eisenhower's career: in the midst of planning the attack that would lead to the defeat of Germany here refered to casually as getting "absorbed in work." We're also let in on another side of Eisenhower's responsibilities: entertaining the entertainers. He bears this somewhat wearily but nonetheless we're left with a valuable record of the spirit and dedication of not just the entertainers but all women working on or near the front line. "Last eve was an event in our house. There are several movie stars here entertaining the soldiers and officers . . . . Last eve the troupe gave a performance for the officers of AFHQ but I would not go. Afterwards I sent them an invitation . . . to come up for an after performance supper. They did. There were: Kay Francis Martha Ray Carole Landis and Mitzi Mayfair. I was a bit fearful of how movie people would act & what they'd expect--but it all went off perfectly naturally & no embarrassment. . . . They work hard giving from 2 to 3 shows per day 6 days per week. Moreover they reflect an attitude that seems to be characteristic of all women British & American in this region. They want to get close to the front. The women seem to be more casual with respect to danger than do sic the men. These particular ones want to get up as close as possible to do their stuff--as do the Red Cross the WAACs the ATS etc etc. I suppose there are 50-75 American women in this city & every one tells me that their constant cry is 'Let me get up where there is action.' Many of my officers are quite willing to take cushy jobs far from the sound of bombs & bullets. . . . "No woman can . . . take your place. Don't worry about me . . . . I'm in love with you & with no one else." This last tempted fate written just months before Eisenhower met his long-term mistress Kay Summersby. "Last eve was an event in our house. There are several movie stars here entertaining the soldiers and officers . . . . Last eve the troupe gave a performance for the officers of AFHQ but I would not go. Afterwards I sent them an invitation . . . to come up for an after performance supper. They did. There were: Kay Francis Martha Ray Carole Landis and Mitzi Mayfair. I was a bit fearful of how movie people would act & what they'd expect--but it all went off perfectly naturally & no embarrassment. . . . They work hard giving from 2 to 3 shows per day 6 days per week. Moreover they reflect an attitude that seems to be characteristic of all women British & American in this region. They want to get close to the front. The women seem to be more casual with respect to danger than do sic the men. These particular ones want to get up as close as possible to do their stuff--as do the Red Cross the WAACs the ATS etc etc. I suppose there are 50-75 American women in this city & every one tells me that their constant cry is 'Let me get up where there is action.' Many of my officers are quite willing to take cushy jobs far from the sound of bombs & bullets. . . . "No woman can . . . take your place. Don't worry about me . . . . I'm in love with you & with no one else." This last tempted fate written just months before Eisenhower met his long-term mistress Kay Summersby. unknown books