Good Chaps.

As the letters continue it becomes clear that Solly really grows to admire and like the British.  Early on he talks about some of the odd quirks and attitudes of the English but as time goes by he starts to talk about them with great respect.  They are brave, forthright, determined and, in particular, Solly is tremendously appreciative of their hospitality.  Notice how he begins to pepper his letters with British slang and phrases and much later in the letters, when Solly starts to think about going home, he also talks about returning to England.

Because many servicemen had never been abroad before, and because England was a prominent ally and landing zone for G.I.’s, the War Department issued a specific pamphlet called Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain. The pamphlet was designed to familiarize servicemen with life in Britain-the history, culture, even the slang. The pamphlet also encouraged the men to get along with the British to help defeat Hitler. It is filled with great advice like “Don’t be a show off,” “NEVER criticize the King or Queen,” and “The British don’t know how to make a good cup of coffee. You don’t know how to make a good cup of tea. It’s an even swap.” The pamphlet concludes by telling the servicemen that while in Great Britain, their slogan should be “It is always impolite to criticize your hosts; it is militarily stupid to criticize your allies.”

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