Recap: We first met Lt. Reichard in January, stationed at McClellan Air Base in Sacramento, where he was in charge of a motor pool unit.  Expecting to be sent overseas, their orders were changed and they became restless to see action.  Lt. Reichard’s sweetheart, Ginny, would write frequently, and he would go to dinner and movies with local girls – Dorothy, in Sacramento, and Marie, when the unit moved to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho.  The men have spent their days in lectures, and physical demonstrations to try to keep sharp mentally and physically.    But they are getting increasingly restless.

February 10, 1943 Diary Page

Transcript of diary entry   February 10, 1943

Wednesday, February 10, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

This morning I got up a little earlier and went over to check the supply records before the Colonel got here. Everything looked in order. Well he came and we covered everything from top to bottom. We got in a report that O.C.S. applicants would appear before the board which gets rid of five of our best men if the are sent to school before we leave here. Also three more men were put on limited service. This meant three more replacements. Well we had six men from another outfit who were over in strength, come over and we interviewed them. We picked three men that look pretty good. The Colonel finished up with us about five o ‘clock and we let out a sigh of relief. He’s a swell guy but sure misses nothing. I think we made a pretty good impression but he doesn’t talk much so I found out little of what he thought. I went over to the gym for a short work out then came back to the office and wrote a couple letters. Tonight I saw an Orson Welles picture. He has a way of dramatizing every incident so that it holds you completely. I didn’t say I like his pictures but I always make it a point to see them. Why? Tonight I should try to write some letters. I’m getting so I dislike the job immensely. I used to like to write.

Good Night

The USS Thatcher (DD-514) was commissioned on this day in 1943. The Thatcher would be heavily damaged by Japanese kamikaze aircraft on July 19, 1945, off Okinawa. (U.S. National Archives)

To view previous diary entries, click here.

The Day That Was: February 10, 1943

• USS Thatcher (DD-514), built by the Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, was commissioned. In April and May, Thatcher served as an escort for trans-Atlantic convoys before it was transferred to the Pacific in June where she operated with the fast aircraft carriers during their late-August raid on Marcus Island. She then went to the South Pacific where she participated in the assault on Bougainville at the beginning of November 1943. (http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/514.htm)

• Robert M. Underhill, the secretary of the regents of the University of California, and UC President Robert Gordon Sproul accepted a letter of intent from the Manhattan District of the Corps of Engineers (MED) to operate Project Y—the Los Alamos Laboratory in the development of the atomic bomb. It was similar to another agreement with the university for “certain investigations to be directed by Dr. J. R. Oppenheimer” at a cost of $150,000 covering the period Jan. 1, 1943, to July 31, 1943. (http://www.mphpa.org/classic/HISTORY/H-06c11.htm)

• The German submarine U-519 was sunk by Army aircraft northwest of Spain. (http://www.blountweb.com/blountcountymilitary/wars/ww2/timelines/1943_ww2.htm)

• B-24 Liberator heavy bombers and B-25 Mitchell medium bombers dropped bombs on the enemy camp area at Kiska and on installations at North Head. Seven float-type Zeros were observed on the water, but no attempt to intercept was made. All U. S. planes returned. (http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/comms/1943-02.html)

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Kathleen Long

Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

Video production: Alison Harder

Narration: Mountain VIsta H.S. Theater Department

Jeremy Goldson, Department Chair; Sean McGill – voice of Lt. Reichard

Recap: We first met Lt. Reichard in January, stationed at McClellan Air Base in Sacramento, where he was in charge of a motor pool unit.  Expecting to be sent overseas, their orders were changed and they became restless to see action.  Lt. Reichard’s sweetheart, Ginny, would write frequently, and he would go to dinner and movies with local girls – Dorothy, in Sacramento, and Marie, when the unit moved to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho.  The men have spent their days in lectures, and physical demonstrations to try to keep sharp mentally and physically.    But they are getting increasingly restless.

February 8, 1943 Diary Page

Transcript of diary entry   February 8, 1943

Monday, February 8, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

Headquarters called up about eleven o’clock this morning and said an inspector general was on his way to inspect us. Well we made a hurried check over to make sure our records were alright then waited. At four thirty he called and said he had just gotten in so he wouldn’t be over until nine tomorrow. That’s the way it goes and we just grow grey hair. This morning we had lectures and the boys are beginning to do a pretty good job of it now. It took them a little time to get confidence as talking before an audience is something new. This afternoon after the regular lecture we went over to the gym for regular work out and I got it. I’m trying to learn how to box and I sure take a beating. I nearly was lifted off the ground by an uppercup and my jaw is still sore. Tonight I stayed in with the purpose in mind of writing letters but for some reason or other I was too restless. I almost decided to go in town but didn’t. I read until about eleven then finally went to bed but couldn’t sleep. Something sure is wrong because I generally go to sleep as soon as I hit the bed. It was about one o’clock before I dozed off.

Good Night

In Operation Longcloth, 3,000 Chindits (a "long range penetration group"), under British Gen. Orde Wingate, began their march into Burma on this day in 1943. (Public Domain)

To view previous diary entries, click here.

The Day That Was: February 8, 1943

• Operation Longcloth, 3,000 Chindits (a “long range penetration group”) under British Gen. Orde Wingate, began their march into Burma on this day in 1943. The original intent had been to use the Chindits as a part of a larger offensive, but it was cancelled. Wingate persuaded Gen. Archibald Wavell to send the Chindits into Burma in spite of the cancellation of the larger offensive. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_World_War_II_(1943))

• U. S. ground forces on Guadalcanal Island advanced to positions one-half mile west of the Segilau River in the vicinity of Doma Cove. On the northwest coast of the island, U.S. troops advanced to the northeast as far as Visale. No opposition was encountered. A large amount of enemy equipment was captured. (http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/comms/1943-02.html)

• Indian nationalist leaders Subhas Chandra Bose and Abid Hasan left Kiel, Germany, aboard the German submarine U-180. (http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/1943)

Production Credits:

Diary transcription: Kathleen Long

Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

Video production: Alison Harder

Narration: Mountain Vista H.S. Theater Department

Jeremy Goldson, Department Chair; Sean McGill – voice of Lt. Reichard

Recap: We first met Lt. Reichard in January, stationed at McClellan Air Base in Sacramento, where he was in charge of a motor pool unit.  Expecting to be sent overseas, their orders were changed and they became restless to see action.  Lt. Reichard’s sweetheart, Ginny, would write frequently, and he would go to dinner and movies with local girls – Dorothy, in Sacramento, and Marie, when the unit moved to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho.  The men have spent their days in lectures, and physical demonstrations to try to keep sharp mentally and physically.    But they are getting increasingly restless.

February 7, 1943 Diary Page

Transcript of diary entry   February 7, 1943

Sunday, February 7, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

This morning I received a telegram from Sgt. Sanders. “Arrived just in time. Cigars in order. 8 lb 9 oz boy born Friday night. Every thing O.K.” I feel as relieved as if the kid were mine instead of his I’m so proud. This afternoon the music on the radio is beautiful. John Charles Thomas is on now singing all the songs I love. He just finished singing “All the Things you Are.” That song seems like it was written for Ginnie and myself and it it makes me miss her like the very devil. Missing her is something I don’t talk about much any more. It hurts too much and means too much to talk about. Mother thinks I’m forgetting because I don’t write about her any more. Some how I just like to keep it to myself or tell Virginia. This afternoon I stayed in and wrote letters until four thirty when I went in to Marie’s for dinner. As usual we had a delicious meal. We sat around and talked until about eight when we went in town and met Ray & Helen and went to a show. It was a very good show. After the show we went up to the Boise club for a drink and dance. It was getting late so we didn’t have much time. Every thing closes at twelve. Helen remarked that it looked like I was headed for trouble again and I said I had it. She is going to try to tell Marie to lay off the mush. I can see I have to see a lot less of that young lady. Why in the hell do girls get such ideas.

Good Night

A rush was on to buy shoes, as it was announced on this day in 1943 that shoe rationing in the United States would be going into effect in two days. (Esther Bubley, Library of Congress)

To view previous diary entries, click here.

The Day That Was: February 7, 1943

• Across the land bridge to Leningrad, within range of Germany artillery, a Soviet train arrived at a bomb-damaged station in Leningrad. People weakened by hunger and hardship were jubilant over the breakthrough. (http://www.fsmitha.com/time1943.htm)

• In the United States, it was announced that shoe rationing would go into effect in two days. (http://gmu.mossiso.com/689/?p=timeline)

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Kathleen Long

Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

Video production: Alison Harder

Narration: Mountain VIsta H.S. Theater Department

Jeremy Goldson, Department Chair; Sean McGill – voice of Lt. Reichard

Recap: We first met Lt. Reichard in January, stationed at McClellan Air Base in Sacramento, where he was in charge of a motor pool unit.  Expecting to be sent overseas, their orders were changed and they became restless to see action.  Lt. Reichard’s sweetheart, Ginny, would write frequently, and he would go to dinner and movies with local girls – Dorothy, in Sacramento, and Marie, when the unit moved to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho.  The men have spent their days in lectures, and physical demonstrations to try to keep sharp mentally and physically.    But they are getting increasingly restless.

February 6, 1943 Diary Page

Transcript of diary entry   February 6, 1943

Saturday, February 6, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

This is what most people would call a dull day. When you get right down to it most of the days seem pretty dull now. This business of sitting here on this post doing practicaly nothing is enough to get on one’s nerves. I found out that army life during peace time would never suit me. I have to have a goal to aim for. The one now is to get my outfit ready for overseas. It has been ready for nearly two months and Im restless. In peace time what would the aim be. It only takes so long to train an outfit then what can you do? You can be promoted, but that is too much just a matter of course. I have to have something more interesting. Sitting still, looking handsome in a uniform is not my idea of life. This morning we held a clothing inspection and found the men short very little. This is the only way I can be assured we are ready all the time for an immediate call. We could pull out on a twelve hour notice with little trouble. This afternoon I went over to the gym and worked out for nearly two hours. One thing I’m going to do if I ever get home is set up a small gym. This evening I met Marie about nine and we killed time until twelve. It was a dull evening. I’m going to quit seeing her so much. These girls get ideas to fast to suit me.

Good Night

A lobby poster for the RKO Radio Pictures Disney animated feature, “Saludos Amigos,” which was released on this day

To view previous diary entries, click here.

The Day That Was: February 6, 1943

• RKO Radio Pictures released Disney’s animated feature film “Saludos Amigos” to theaters in the U.S. It cost $300,000 to make and included the animated short films, “Lake Titicaca” (with Donald Duck), “Pedro, El Gaucho Goofy” (with Goofy) and “Aquarela do Brasil” (with Donald Duck). It would take in $1.2 million worldwide in gross theater receipts. (http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/disnehis/disn1943.htm)

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Kathleen Long

Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

Video production: Alison Harder

Narration: Mountain VIsta H.S. Theater Department

Jeremy Goldson, Department Chair; Sean McGill – voice of Lt. Reichard

Recap: We first met Lt. Reichard in January, stationed at McClellan Air Base in Sacramento, where he was in charge of a motor pool unit.  Expecting to be sent overseas, their orders were changed and they became restless to see action.  Lt. Reichard’s sweetheart, Ginny, would write frequently, and he would go to dinner and movies with local girls – Dorothy, in Sacramento, and Marie, when the unit moved to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho.  The men have spent their days in lectures, and physical demonstrations to try to keep sharp mentally and physically.    But they are getting increasingly restless.

February 4, 1943 Diary Page

Transcript of diary entry   February 4, 1943

Thursday,  February 4, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

This morning I woke up at seven and went to breakfast. We were to go on the range today but it was snowing like the devil. I called Ray and he said we might as well go out there so if it did clear by daylight we be there to take advantage of it. We got dressed and went out. It started to rain so after hanging around a while we decided to leave. First of all though I wanted to take the jeep up some of the hills so Ray, 2 sgts, and myself took off. It was a lot of fun and we pulled some rare stunts. After we nearly took a nose dive off a near cliff we decided to quit. There was no sense in coming back to camp so we decided to ___________ a convoy up into the mountains. We took Route 21 up the canyon for thirty miles and saw some gorgeous country. As soon as we got out of the valley and into the hills it was a lot colder and the higher we went the deeper was the snow. It was about two foot on the level where we turned around. I never in my life saw so many deer. They were everywhere. The canyon is formed by a river so they probably came down to it when it was a little warmer. I did not have my camera but think we will go up again Friday or Saturday and I’ll be sure to have it. We got back about two and had a couple lectures then called it quits for the day. I sent M/Sgt. Sanders to Sacremento where his wife is to have a baby. She is about five days overdue so hes worried. He left this morning on the bus.

On this day, American P-40s, like these three, strafed Japanese installations on the island of Kiska. (U.S. National Archives)

Good Night

To view previous diary entries, click here.

The Day That Was: February 4, 1943

• American P-40s strafed Japanese installations on the island of Kiska. Five enemy bombers attacked American positions on Amchitka. (http://www.sfmuseum.org/war/43.html)

• Harry James’ version of “I Had the Craziest Dream” reached No. 1 on the pop charts.

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Kathleen Long

Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

Video production: Alison Harder

Narration: Mountain VIsta H.S. Theater Department

Jeremy Goldson, Department Chair; Sean McGill – voice of Lt. Reichard

Recap: We first met Lt. Reichard in January, stationed at McClellan Air Base in Sacramento, where he was in charge of a motor pool unit.  Expecting to be sent overseas, their orders were changed and they became restless to see action.  Lt. Reichard’s sweetheart, Ginny, would write frequently, and he would go to dinner and movies with local girls – Dorothy, in Sacramento, and Marie, when the unit moved to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho.  The men have spent their days in lectures, and physical demonstrations to try to keep sharp mentally and physically.    But they are getting increasingly restless.

February 3, 1943 Diary Page (click to enlarge)

Transcript of diary entry   February 3, 1943

Wednesday,  February 3, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

This morning there was a letter from the War Department addressed to 1st Lt. Raymond P. Seitz. I gave it to one of the men and we set a watch out for Ray. This watch let us know when he came in so as he walked up the stairs we all sang “Happy First to you.” Then a short presentation speech and handed him his commission. Of course we made him give us a speech. He was more excited then when he got his wife. This really came in fast as his recommendation went in three weeks after mine and papers came back ten days after mine. Then he went up to the P.X. and bought a box of cigars.
This afternoon we went over to the gym and practiced Jiu-Jitsu for a couple hours. We don’t have much to work on except what that Sergeant showed us and what we can pick up from a book but we can work on these. After that we had our free for all and really got a workout. F____________ got hit in the head and was sent to the hospital. I was relieved to hear that it was from an old injury he had not told us about and not because we were too rough. He has had this trouble before but never said anything. He may be just on limited service. This evening I went to a show on the Post. It was good. “The Immortal Sergeant.” After the show I went in town to the Boise club. I met a mining engineer who could tell some interesting stories. His mine is in the northern part of the state and its beautiful country.

Good Night

To view previous diary entries, click here.

U.S. Attorney General Francis Biddle (left) established prohibited zones forbidden to enemy aliens. German, Italian and Japanese aliens were ordered to leave waterfront areas across the U.S. Eastern seaboard and the West Coast. (U.S. National Archives)

The Day That Was: February 3, 1943

• U.S. Attorney General Francis Biddle established prohibited zones forbidden to enemy aliens. German, Italian and Japanese aliens were ordered to leave waterfront areas across the Eastern seaboard and the West Coast. (http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/1943)

• Hitler’s government could not hide its defeat at Stalingrad. German radio announced three days of mourning for the German troops who died there. A government directive ordered journalists to put a special spin on the loss. Rather than the result of Hitler’s mistakes, the defeat at Stalingrad was to be described “as an example of the highest heroism and complete willingness to sacrifice for the victory of the German people.” (http://www.fsmitha.com/time1943.htm)

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Kathleen Long

Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

Video production: Alison Harder

Narration: Mountain VIsta H.S. Theater Department

Jeremy Goldson, Department Chair; Sean McGill – voice of Lt. Reichard

Recap: We first met Lt. Reichard in January, stationed at McClellan Air Base in Sacramento, where he was in charge of a motor pool unit.  Expecting to be sent overseas, their orders were changed and they became restless to see action.  Lt. Reichard’s sweetheart, Ginny, would write frequently, and he would go to dinner and movies with local girls – Dorothy, in Sacramento, and Marie, when the unit moved to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho.  The men have spent their days in lectures, and physical demonstrations to try to keep sharp mentally and physically.    But they are getting increasingly restless.

February 1, 1943 Diary Page (click to enlarge)

Transcript of diary entry   February 1, 1943

Monday,  February 1, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

We are getting more & more fed up each day with this business of sitting around. The men as well as Ray and myself are getting restless. I wish we would either go now or stay here and set up a shop. We will get stale sitting around like this. This morning five of the men took our trucks up to the shop and worked them over good. These trucks certainly did needed it. The rest of the men had lectures and drill for the morning. They are losing all enthusiasm for this work and I don’t like it. Its all I can do to keep their interest up. This afternoon we went over to the Gym as usual and played basket ball then did some wrestling. They don’t even do that like they used to. The way things go on this field you no more than make friends before you lose them. A month is the longest they stay at this school. Bob Blake the boy I flew with this past week is leaving tomorrow for his 2nd plane training. I wrote three type written pages home to Chick. I hope I didn’t do too much preaching but he needs some any way. I wrote he could put a year in the army then go back to the farm. It would do him good. Im staying in tonight to write some and get in a little reading.

Good Night

To view previous diary entries, click here.

The Day That Was: February 1, 1943

• The 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed of Americans of Japanese ancestry, was activated by President Roosevelt, who declared that “Americanism is not and never was, a matter of race and ancestry.” (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Jun/17/ln/ln01a.html)

• The U.S. Army’s Signal Intelligence Service, a forerunner of the National Security Agency, began a small, very secret program, later code-named VENONA. The original object of the VENONA program was to examine, and possibly exploit, encrypted Soviet diplomatic communications. These messages had been accumulated by the Signal Intelligence Service (later renamed the U.S. Army Signal Security Agency and commonly called “Arlington Hall” after the Virginia location of its headquarters) since 1939, but had not been studied previously. American analysts discovered that these Soviet communications dealt with not only diplomatic subjects but also espionage matters. (http://timeline.demesnes.net/1943/02/)

• A Japanese force of 20 destroyers, en route to evacuate 13,000 troops from Guadalcanal, was attacked by motor torpedo boats and aircraft from Henderson Field. (http://www.blountweb.com/blountcountymilitary/wars/ww2/timelines/1943_ww2.htm)

• The destroyer USS De Haven (DD-469) was sunk by dive bombers in the Solomons. The Japanese destroyer Makigumo was sunk by a mine off Doma Reef, also in the Solomons. (http://www.blountweb.com/blountcountymilitary/wars/ww2/timelines/1943_ww2.htm)

• Three hundred soldiers appeared in Irving Berlin’s “This Is the Army” at the San Francisco Opera House with Berlin making a personal appearance. Proceeds went to the Army’s Relief Fund. The show was made into a motion picture starring Ronald Reagan and George Murphy. (http://www.sfmuseum.net/war/43.html) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036430/fullcredits#cast)

A program from Irving Berlin's "This is the Army," which played at the San Francisco Opera House on this day in 1943. The show included a cast of more than 300 active-duty soldiers and sailors and a personal appearance by Berlin himself, singing “How I Hate to Get Up.” (Quakertown Heirlooms, http://www.goantiques.com/detail,irving-berlins-army,1342662.html)

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Kathleen Long

Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

Video production: Alison Harder

Narration: Mountain VIsta H.S. Theater Department

Jeremy Goldson, Department Chair; Sean McGill – voice of Lt. Reichard

January 31, 1943 Diary Page (click to enlarge)

Transcript of diary entry   January 31, 1943

Sunday,  January 31, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

This morning I had the clock set for eight so I got up. I got over to the office about nine and made arrangements to pay the men off. We had to pay six of them on vouchers so I took them up to the Finance office and cleared that up the same time I picked up the payroll. We came on back to the office and I paid them off. Fifteen minutes later a craps game was going on in one end of the barracks and a blackjack in another. Before night one of the boys had cleaned up nearly $100.00 and that aint hay brother. I can’t see how those men can sit down and lose most of a months pay and than do the same thing next month. Maybe I’m not built right.

About three thirty I had Pvt. Dailey run me in to Marie’s house. Ray and Helen were there as we had all been invited to dinner. They had a fire going so we all sat around the fireplace and talked. Also went outside and took some pictures. We had dinner about six and it was delicious. We had a thick cut steak medium rare plus hot rolls. For dessert we had hot cinnamon rolls. Boy were they good. We sat around the fireplace after dinner until ten thirty talking then Marie ran us down town. I took a bus out to camp and turned in early.

Good Night

To view previous diary entries, click here.

The Day That Was: January 31, 1943
• To Adolf Hitler’s disgust, German Field Marshall Paulus and 15 other generals, trapped in Stalingrad, surrendered the southern group of his army. Two days later, General Schreck surrendered the northern group. The VI Army was no more. (http://www.holocaustresearchproject.org/nazioccupation/opbarb.html)

• Vichy France created the Milice (Militia) under the command of Joseph Darnand, an extreme right-wing World War I veteran, to combat the Resistance. The Milice effectively became an arm of the German occupation forces and reached a strength of more than 20,000 by mid-1944. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-europe/western-europe/western-europe-index-1943.htm)

• Finnish leadership was sure that Germany would lose the war and started to think how to make peace with Allies. (http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/mirror/sa-int/hist.html)

• The 8th Army took Zuara, near the Tunisian frontier. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-the-desert/war-in-the-desert-index-1943.htm)

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Kathleen Long

Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

Video production: Alison Harder

Narration: Mountain VIsta H.S. Theater Department

Jeremy Goldson, Department Chair; Sean McGill – voice of Lt. Reichard

January 29, 1943 Diary Page (click to enlarge)

Transcript of diary entry   January 29, 1943

Friday,  January 29, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

This morning I felt pretty good and a good breakfast set me fine. I had a job to do today I didn’t relish but could see no honest way out of. That is busting a man. Sgt. B________ nearly cost me $200.00 by his carelessness and laziness in his duties as supply sgt. last summer and early this fall. I sent him away to school early in Nov. and put a rookie with a lot of nerve in his place and we finally got the books in order and equipment up to date. It took plenty of work and a lot of broken army regulations but it was done even to the satisfaction of the Post Inspector. Well he came back from school last night and today we sent in a recommendation for his bust. I called him into the office and told him the set up and all details. He had no defense and agreed he had it coming. I’m glad that is over with. I don’t know if that will set him on his feet or not but I hope so because he could be a damn useful man if he got over the careless and lazy streak.

It has tried to snow all day and finally succeeded tonight. I like the feel of this weather. Today we did very little outside of the usual lectures and gym work. Monday I have a Jiu-Jitsu expert lined up to give the men instruction. It is something that will never hurt them to know. A lieutenant came over from headquarters today to check our equipment. I don’t get the point but I guess he knows what he’s doing. I’m going to send out a tracer on that shortage list if I don’t hear from it soon.

Good Night

To view previous diary entries, click here.

The Day That Was: January 29, 1943

• Dr. Ernst Kaltenbrunner took the post in Adolf Hitler’s inner circle vacated by the assassinated Reinhard Heydrich. Kaltenbrunner would oversee the death camps, Einsatzgruppen, SS and Gestapo. (http://history.howstuffworks.com/world-war-ii/russian-army-repels-hitlers-forces14.htm)

• The Nazis ordered all Gypsies arrested and sent to extermination camps. (http://team8-3.pbwiki.com/1943-timeline)

• In the Battle of Rennell Island, a cruiser and destroyer task force under Rear Adm. Robert Giffen, covering the movement of troop transports to Guadalcanal, was bombed by Japanese aircraft near Rennell Island. (http://www.blountweb.com/blountcountymilitary/wars/ww2/timelines/1943_ww2.htm)

• Advance units of the 8th Army crossed the Tunisian frontier from Libya. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-the-desert/war-in-the-desert-index-1943.htm)

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Kathleen Long

Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

Video production: Alison Harder

Narration: Mountain VIsta H.S. Theater Department

Jeremy Goldson, Department Chair; Sean McGill – voice of Lt. Reichard

January 28, 1943 Diary Page (click to enlarge)

Transcript of diary entry   January 28, 1943

Thursday,  January 28, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

Today I won’t forget for a while. I went up in a “B17″ a Flying Fortress as it is commonly called and got sick as a dog. It’s the first time I’ve ever been air sick and I hope the last. I don’t think I have ever been sicker in my life. We took off about one on a bombing mission up on the plateau to the east of camp. There is a railroad track up there and a water tower surrounded by a few houses. This we used as our objective. We went up and down that track about three or four hundred feet up for three solid hours traveling about 250 MPh. I was alright for the first hour and a half. In fact I was enjoying myself thoroughly looking the plane over from one end to the other. Then I got the brilliant idea of going up in the top gunner turret. There I played around for about half an hour training the guns on every thing in sight. It was a hell of a lot of fun and I wasn’t thinking about what the training manual said up there might be doing to my stomach until it was too late. I made a bee line for the rear mens and just made it. I was a sick individual for the next hour. The combination of low flying and the turret is probably what did it. The next time I go up I will make sure it’s a high flying mission. This evening you can bet I stayed home and nursed a sick stomach. I did manage to write some letters. I feel much better now and I did put some supper down.

Good Night

To view previous diary entries, click here.

The Day That Was: January 28, 1943

• The War Relocation Authority (WRA) began processing loyalty questionnaires. U.S. Army officially activated the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed of the 100th Battalion from Hawaii and Japanese-American volunteers from the mainland internment camps. Nearly 10,000 Hawaiian Nisei (second generation Japanese-Americans) volunteered for military service, but only 1,100 of the mainland prisoners volunteered.

• Nine Norwegian commandos successfully climbed down the steep gorge on one side of the German “heavy water” plant at Telemark and worked their way up a 500-foot, almost sheer rock face to reach the plant on the other side of the gorge. Undetected, they gained entrance and successfully set and detonated their explosives, ruining the plant. All the commandos escaped safely without taking or inflicting any casualties. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-europe/scandinavia/scandinavia-index-1943.htm)

• A new conscription law in Germany was enacted. Men between 16 and 35 and women between 17 and 45 were open to mobilization. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_World_War_II_(1943))

• Japan’s Prime Minister Tojo told parliament of his government’s intention to recognize the independence of Burma and the Philippines and to aid India in its liberation from British rule. (http://www.fsmitha.com/time1943.htm)

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Kathleen Long

Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

Video production: Alison Harder

Narration: Mountain VIsta H.S. Theater Department

Jeremy Goldson, Department Chair; Sean McGill – voice of Lt. Reichard