Tunis, Tunisia, North Africa

Aug. 12, 1943 Diary Page

This morning I took Frazer and went up to Mateur to see what we could do E.B.S. out of. As it turned out we got nothing. Of course that is not unusual as E.B.S. is not supposed to let us have anything. Then again we have been robbing them blind so we just keep on trying. Sometimes we came back with a truck load and sometimes nothing. I nearly forgot that I was on O.D. today and just made it back in time. This is one job I never could appreciate and am thankful it comes up as seldom as it does. The motor pool deadline is really being cut down fast. We had a deadline of 46 _______ when we took over and now it’s down to eight. I still can’t see why that other outfit could not keep it down especially as we were working along with them on their maintenance. I still say we have a good outfit even with the captain. This evening I wrote a long letter to Mother and talked over the G./R. affair. I’m anxious to hear what she says. I enclosed Virginia’s last letter to give her the G. side. Why it is I don’t know, but every time I’m on O.D. there is a serious accident. This time a kid was going like hell on a motor cycle (German) and didn’t have any light on it. The railroad gates in Djedeida were down and they never have lights. 2+2=4 so the kid is dead. Outside of Sgt Witt’s last fall don’t think I have ever seen a blondies beat up piece of flesh. It seems it’s more dangerous behind the lines than up front. They had another dance and braced up at HQ last night.

Good Night

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1943 Diary Recaps

January 1943 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, Ginnie, 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 1943 Recap: The unit continues to be restless as they still haven’t any orders for overseas. The days are kept busy with lectures, physical demonstrations, and frequent hikes in the mountains above Boise. Lt. Reichard receives a promotion to Lieutenant First Class and continues to write to Ginnie back home, though her letters are becoming more infrequent. February 1943 comes to an end with the unit still feeling bored and discouraged.

March 1943 Recap: March brings uncertainties in weather and daily life to Gowen Field. Still no word about overseas orders, the outfit must now share quarters with another unit. There is now time to begin a photo album, collecting pictures from times with the outfit. Letters from Ginnie are becoming more infrequent but there is no shortage of dates with the local girls in Boise. March comes to an end with everyone in the outfit anxiously awaiting word of upcoming furloughs.

April 1943 Recap: Last minute furloughs come through, and Lt. Reichard returns home to Maryland for some time with his family on the farm. He and Ginnie have a chance to talk things over and hopefully save the relationship. Just before leaving Boise, the unit gets orders that a move will come at the end of April. April comes to an end with the men spending a week in Stockton, California getting ready to ship out. But where they are going remains a mystery.

May 1943 Recap: The long journey begins by train as the outfit travels cross country to Camp Shanks, New York, where they will prepare to head overseas. Lt. Reichard now knows the destination: Casablanca, Morocco in North Africa. After ensuring that all the supplies are in order, the outfit boards the “West Point”, the newest in troop carriers and heads to sea. Lt. Reichard spends many peaceful evenings enjoying the time at sea before landing in Morocco. May ends with the outfit setting up camp and adjusting to the customs of Morocco.

Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary Project : On January 1, 2009, WorthPoint began a three year project following the life of a WWII soldier through the daily pages of his diary. To read about the inception of this project, or to add your own comments, click here.

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Shari Seippel Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Tunis, Tunisia, North Africa

Aug. 11, 1943 Diary Page

I wonder if there ever will come a time when I will get used to the darned flies. If for nothing else I will be thankful to get back to the states to get rid of the damned pests. It is impossible to imagine how they stick. Have you ever been half way asleep and had some one run a light straw up and down your face while you batted away at it yet couldn’t wake up enough to see the cause. Every time you swing on it, it ___________ lifted then came back. Well that is the way these flies operate. They pick a favorite spot on you then walk all over it. You bat at him and he mostly just ducks. If you come close enough he may become annoyed and move but he’ll bare his teeth and snarl at you when he has to go that far. Last night we had one of those accidents that seems to be typical of N. Africa. We are beginning to feel there is more of a chance of “coming back” up at the front then behind the lines. Yesterday evening a couple boys were cleaning a “45” up here on the fill and it went off. They got up and looked around and saw no disturbance and there had been no yell so they figured all was well. This morning at roll call there was a sergeant missing so someone went to see if he was over sleeping. He was. In fact he slept so soundly they buried him two hours later. A neat round hole punctuated a puzzled frown on his face. Today as usually on Wednesdays I went over to Jannette’s home and enjoyed another of those evenings. I think I would be lost over here without that family. I got in pretty late.

Good Night

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1943 Diary Recaps

January 1943 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, Ginnie, 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 1943 Recap: The unit continues to be restless as they still haven’t any orders for overseas. The days are kept busy with lectures, physical demonstrations, and frequent hikes in the mountains above Boise. Lt. Reichard receives a promotion to Lieutenant First Class and continues to write to Ginnie back home, though her letters are becoming more infrequent. February 1943 comes to an end with the unit still feeling bored and discouraged.

March 1943 Recap: March brings uncertainties in weather and daily life to Gowen Field. Still no word about overseas orders, the outfit must now share quarters with another unit. There is now time to begin a photo album, collecting pictures from times with the outfit. Letters from Ginnie are becoming more infrequent but there is no shortage of dates with the local girls in Boise. March comes to an end with everyone in the outfit anxiously awaiting word of upcoming furloughs.

April 1943 Recap: Last minute furloughs come through, and Lt. Reichard returns home to Maryland for some time with his family on the farm. He and Ginnie have a chance to talk things over and hopefully save the relationship. Just before leaving Boise, the unit gets orders that a move will come at the end of April. April comes to an end with the men spending a week in Stockton, California getting ready to ship out. But where they are going remains a mystery.

May 1943 Recap: The long journey begins by train as the outfit travels cross country to Camp Shanks, New York, where they will prepare to head overseas. Lt. Reichard now knows the destination: Casablanca, Morocco in North Africa. After ensuring that all the supplies are in order, the outfit boards the “West Point”, the newest in troop carriers and heads to sea. Lt. Reichard spends many peaceful evenings enjoying the time at sea before landing in Morocco. May ends with the outfit setting up camp and adjusting to the customs of Morocco.

Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary Project : On January 1, 2009, WorthPoint began a three year project following the life of a WWII soldier through the daily pages of his diary. To read about the inception of this project, or to add your own comments, click here.

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Shari Seippel Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Tunis, Tunisia, North Africa

Aug. 10, 1943 Diary Page

The wind has been trying to blow us off the map all day. Dust was lying a quarter of an inch deep on my desk and everything else as well. This country is beginning more and more to remind me of the days we spent at Fort Hill and Camp Bradley. Maybe the dust is what brings back to mind those days tonight. It’s funny, but I can picture nearly every day I spent in the army at will. I seem to be able to remember the most trivial incidents as clearly as if they had happened yesterday. I couldn’t begin to start into them here and you’ve probably read about it anyway in previous passages in this diary. I value the friendship I’ve made over the country. I remember one in particular that was made due to an extra dose of energy. I was down in New Orleans and swimming in Lake Pontchartrain. I saw a nice looking motorboat a mile out and I decided to swim out and look her over. I was a little soft so hung onto the anchor chain to rest up before the trip back when so very lovely thing lusciously undressed in a bathing suit leaned over and told me to please go away she didn’t like strangers. I told her to go jump in the lake so she did and we both hung on and talked then I was invited aboard. Her father, mother and several friends were enjoying themselves and I joined. It turned out her father had done some motor boating in the Chesapeake in the same boat. I got to see them quite a bit after that. I’ve had a lot of fun in this army as well as the multitude of headaches. We have the deadline on G.M.C.’s cut down to four trucks now. That is damn good considering that we have had only salvage parts. Tonight is beautiful. The wind feels like it is just off the Chesapeake and the moon surely came from Maryland.

Good Night

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1943 Diary Recaps

January 1943 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, Ginnie, 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 1943 Recap: The unit continues to be restless as they still haven’t any orders for overseas. The days are kept busy with lectures, physical demonstrations, and frequent hikes in the mountains above Boise. Lt. Reichard receives a promotion to Lieutenant First Class and continues to write to Ginnie back home, though her letters are becoming more infrequent. February 1943 comes to an end with the unit still feeling bored and discouraged.

March 1943 Recap: March brings uncertainties in weather and daily life to Gowen Field. Still no word about overseas orders, the outfit must now share quarters with another unit. There is now time to begin a photo album, collecting pictures from times with the outfit. Letters from Ginnie are becoming more infrequent but there is no shortage of dates with the local girls in Boise. March comes to an end with everyone in the outfit anxiously awaiting word of upcoming furloughs.

April 1943 Recap: Last minute furloughs come through, and Lt. Reichard returns home to Maryland for some time with his family on the farm. He and Ginnie have a chance to talk things over and hopefully save the relationship. Just before leaving Boise, the unit gets orders that a move will come at the end of April. April comes to an end with the men spending a week in Stockton, California getting ready to ship out. But where they are going remains a mystery.

May 1943 Recap: The long journey begins by train as the outfit travels cross country to Camp Shanks, New York, where they will prepare to head overseas. Lt. Reichard now knows the destination: Casablanca, Morocco in North Africa. After ensuring that all the supplies are in order, the outfit boards the “West Point”, the newest in troop carriers and heads to sea. Lt. Reichard spends many peaceful evenings enjoying the time at sea before landing in Morocco. May ends with the outfit setting up camp and adjusting to the customs of Morocco.

Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary Project : On January 1, 2009, WorthPoint began a three year project following the life of a WWII soldier through the daily pages of his diary. To read about the inception of this project, or to add your own comments, click here.

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Shari Seippel Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Tunis, Tunisia, North Africa

Aug. 9, 1943 Diary Page

This morning a bulletin on the Sicilian campaign came in and said the German Front has shrunk to 40 miles and was dissolving fast. It also stated that any evidence of evacuations was being watched closely and that it would be practically impossible to evacuate. The enemy positions are being bombed incessantly and it looks like we are pushing ahead for a quick kill. This afternoon another bulletin stated the line had shrunk to 25 miles so it looks like the end is near. Still no signs of evacuation. Any boats flying between the Island and the mainland are being sunk whether a barge or boat regardless of size. For once we seem to be taking full measure of our advantage. I only hope we follow up the Sicilian defeat immediately with an invasion of the continent. Lord knows we are putting enough troops on the island and the harbors of Algiers, Oman and Bizerte (?) are full of ships. We can’t afford to waste much time. The news of the Russian and South Pacific Islands are equally encouraging. If this war would only end. There is so much to do in so little time and it seems a shame to be wasting it this way. I’m getting old fast and have done nothing so far. When men start coming up and asking for transfers then I begin to worry. I’m worrying now. I don’t know how much longer this is going on but I’ll give it another two or three weeks then ask for a transfer if nothing comes up. I can’t take seeing something I put my time and thought building for a time torn down in a few weeks. I went over to the show tonight. It was fair. I hear Bob Hope played at the 319th Airborne about 5 miles from here.

Good Night

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1943 Diary Recaps

January 1943 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, Ginnie, 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 1943 Recap: The unit continues to be restless as they still haven’t any orders for overseas. The days are kept busy with lectures, physical demonstrations, and frequent hikes in the mountains above Boise. Lt. Reichard receives a promotion to Lieutenant First Class and continues to write to Ginnie back home, though her letters are becoming more infrequent. February 1943 comes to an end with the unit still feeling bored and discouraged.

March 1943 Recap: March brings uncertainties in weather and daily life to Gowen Field. Still no word about overseas orders, the outfit must now share quarters with another unit. There is now time to begin a photo album, collecting pictures from times with the outfit. Letters from Ginnie are becoming more infrequent but there is no shortage of dates with the local girls in Boise. March comes to an end with everyone in the outfit anxiously awaiting word of upcoming furloughs.

April 1943 Recap: Last minute furloughs come through, and Lt. Reichard returns home to Maryland for some time with his family on the farm. He and Ginnie have a chance to talk things over and hopefully save the relationship. Just before leaving Boise, the unit gets orders that a move will come at the end of April. April comes to an end with the men spending a week in Stockton, California getting ready to ship out. But where they are going remains a mystery.

May 1943 Recap: The long journey begins by train as the outfit travels cross country to Camp Shanks, New York, where they will prepare to head overseas. Lt. Reichard now knows the destination: Casablanca, Morocco in North Africa. After ensuring that all the supplies are in order, the outfit boards the “West Point”, the newest in troop carriers and heads to sea. Lt. Reichard spends many peaceful evenings enjoying the time at sea before landing in Morocco. May ends with the outfit setting up camp and adjusting to the customs of Morocco.

Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary Project : On January 1, 2009, WorthPoint began a three year project following the life of a WWII soldier through the daily pages of his diary. To read about the inception of this project, or to add your own comments, click here.

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Shari Seippel Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Tunis, Tunisia, North Africa

Aug. 8, 1943 Diary Page

The captain left around nine o’clock so we had a peaceful day. The boys cleaned up their tools and put their shops in order for the coming week then went their own way. Most of them spent the day in bull sessions, writing letters or wandering around the countryside. Now is when most of our thoughts drift back home. We like to picture what we would do now if we were there instead of 7060 miles away in Nord Afrique. For some reason or other I would like to climb into that sailboat and run out to the bay for some fishing. I’d like to feel the gentle roll of the water as the boat lifted and fell sitting at anchor. I’d like to watch the clouds forming overhead and feel the soft caress of the salty breeze, the strong tug on the line as a hungry trout rises to bait and greedily snaps it down, discovering only too late his error. I’d like to see again a bay schooner running afore the wind with sails bellied out taut and fro churning the water into froth. Well I can dream can’t I? There is quite a strong rumor floating around today to the effect that Sicily has fallen. I doubt it. The last communiqué said the Nazis were defending a 50 mile front and I doubt if they dissolve that easily. The afternoon I received one of these “Straight from the Heart” letters as Virginia calls them. I like them because I then know where I stand for a while. I think she is being honest with me. I hope so. She is pretty mixed up and I think will have to work it out herself. I’ll write a long letter tonight to try & help but it’s her problem. This evening I went to Janette’s and had a lovely evening. They certainly have been swell to me.

Good Night

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1943 Diary Recaps

January 1943 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, Ginnie, 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 1943 Recap: The unit continues to be restless as they still haven’t any orders for overseas. The days are kept busy with lectures, physical demonstrations, and frequent hikes in the mountains above Boise. Lt. Reichard receives a promotion to Lieutenant First Class and continues to write to Ginnie back home, though her letters are becoming more infrequent. February 1943 comes to an end with the unit still feeling bored and discouraged.

March 1943 Recap: March brings uncertainties in weather and daily life to Gowen Field. Still no word about overseas orders, the outfit must now share quarters with another unit. There is now time to begin a photo album, collecting pictures from times with the outfit. Letters from Ginnie are becoming more infrequent but there is no shortage of dates with the local girls in Boise. March comes to an end with everyone in the outfit anxiously awaiting word of upcoming furloughs.

April 1943 Recap: Last minute furloughs come through, and Lt. Reichard returns home to Maryland for some time with his family on the farm. He and Ginnie have a chance to talk things over and hopefully save the relationship. Just before leaving Boise, the unit gets orders that a move will come at the end of April. April comes to an end with the men spending a week in Stockton, California getting ready to ship out. But where they are going remains a mystery.

May 1943 Recap: The long journey begins by train as the outfit travels cross country to Camp Shanks, New York, where they will prepare to head overseas. Lt. Reichard now knows the destination: Casablanca, Morocco in North Africa. After ensuring that all the supplies are in order, the outfit boards the “West Point”, the newest in troop carriers and heads to sea. Lt. Reichard spends many peaceful evenings enjoying the time at sea before landing in Morocco. May ends with the outfit setting up camp and adjusting to the customs of Morocco.

Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary Project : On January 1, 2009, WorthPoint began a three year project following the life of a WWII soldier through the daily pages of his diary. To read about the inception of this project, or to add your own comments, click here.

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Shari Seippel Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Tunis, Tunisia, North Africa

Aug. 7, 1943 Diary Page

Today marks the end of the fourth week of the invasion. My original guess of six weeks may still be good because opposition now is pretty terrible. They have the Nazi forces pinned up in the north east corner and all hell is letting loose. The Nazis don’t give up so easily. There are several wild rumors that Sicily fell last night but no verification. It would suit me fine. We are all wondering still just what Italy will finally decide to do. One thing seems certain and that is if she does capitulate we won’t get her navy as the Nazis would never let a plum like that drop into our laps. It will in all probability be scuttled.
Well the Captain is really getting this outfit on the rocks. The boys are all complaining and petty differences that have always been left alone prior to this are becoming headaches. Little jealousies are getting in the way of the work and he doesn’t see a thing wrong. Each man is getting so he is afraid he may have to do more than another and a continuous bitching campaign is now in progress. It’s got me worried sick, because I can’t do a damn thing about it. I’ve found out the boys are doing a little undermining up at headquarters and its beginning to show results. I think the Captain is beginning to reside in the chamber of disfavor and is completely unaware of it. It may not do any good, but I’m not one for interfering with others’ business. I went over to Janette’s tonight and had dinner. They certainly have been swell to me.

Good Night

To view previous diary entries, click here. Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

1943 Diary Recaps

January 1943 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, Ginnie, 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 1943 Recap: The unit continues to be restless as they still haven’t any orders for overseas. The days are kept busy with lectures, physical demonstrations, and frequent hikes in the mountains above Boise. Lt. Reichard receives a promotion to Lieutenant First Class and continues to write to Ginnie back home, though her letters are becoming more infrequent. February 1943 comes to an end with the unit still feeling bored and discouraged.

March 1943 Recap: March brings uncertainties in weather and daily life to Gowen Field. Still no word about overseas orders, the outfit must now share quarters with another unit. There is now time to begin a photo album, collecting pictures from times with the outfit. Letters from Ginnie are becoming more infrequent but there is no shortage of dates with the local girls in Boise. March comes to an end with everyone in the outfit anxiously awaiting word of upcoming furloughs.

April 1943 Recap: Last minute furloughs come through, and Lt. Reichard returns home to Maryland for some time with his family on the farm. He and Ginnie have a chance to talk things over and hopefully save the relationship. Just before leaving Boise, the unit gets orders that a move will come at the end of April. April comes to an end with the men spending a week in Stockton, California getting ready to ship out. But where they are going remains a mystery.

May 1943 Recap: The long journey begins by train as the outfit travels cross country to Camp Shanks, New York, where they will prepare to head overseas. Lt. Reichard now knows the destination: Casablanca, Morocco in North Africa. After ensuring that all the supplies are in order, the outfit boards the “West Point”, the newest in troop carriers and heads to sea. Lt. Reichard spends many peaceful evenings enjoying the time at sea before landing in Morocco. May ends with the outfit setting up camp and adjusting to the customs of Morocco.

Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary Project : On January 1, 2009, WorthPoint began a three year project following the life of a WWII soldier through the daily pages of his diary. To read about the inception of this project, or to add your own comments, click here.

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Shari Seippel Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Tunis, Tunisia, North Africa

Aug. 6, 1943 Diary Page

Well last night while I was sleeping there was quite a bit of excitement around here. An officer and a negro enlisted man were shot to death. Here is the story as I got it. Two brand new shavetails* had charge of a ____ of Arabs. A couple negros in a truck got a little reckless and hit one (Arab) severely injuring him. The officer stopped the colored boys and were going to put them under arrest so they jumped back in their truck and took off. The officer got a Jeep and went after them so the negros picked up their guns so were armed when caught. The officers argued for a while then went back gets their own guns and started hunting again. The chances are they were a little drunk or they would have just turned the colored boys in. Well they ran into each other later in the evening and stopped. The officers ordered the negros out of the truck at the point of a gun so the driver took hold of his gun and started to climb out. The officers probably thinking the colored boy intended to shoot let go with his 45. He was a poor shot and killed the assistant driver. A colored boy starting in the back of the truck let the officer have it so that brought the count to 2. They were both buried four hours later. I don’t know what the outcome of the affair will be. I intend on sitting in on that trial. Tonight we took a gang out and shot up a full case of carbine ammunition. This is by far the sweetest gun the army has and I’ve fired all individual combat weapons. I fired 15 shots in a 2 ft. circle in 5 seconds. I think that would make a Nazi jump a little.

Good Night

*Slang for a second lieutenant, esp. one recently appointed- usually disparaging

YourDictionary.com
Merriam Webster

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1943 Diary Recaps

January 1943 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, Ginnie, 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 1943 Recap: The unit continues to be restless as they still haven’t any orders for overseas. The days are kept busy with lectures, physical demonstrations, and frequent hikes in the mountains above Boise. Lt. Reichard receives a promotion to Lieutenant First Class and continues to write to Ginnie back home, though her letters are becoming more infrequent. February 1943 comes to an end with the unit still feeling bored and discouraged.

March 1943 Recap: March brings uncertainties in weather and daily life to Gowen Field. Still no word about overseas orders, the outfit must now share quarters with another unit. There is now time to begin a photo album, collecting pictures from times with the outfit. Letters from Ginnie are becoming more infrequent but there is no shortage of dates with the local girls in Boise. March comes to an end with everyone in the outfit anxiously awaiting word of upcoming furloughs.

April 1943 Recap: Last minute furloughs come through, and Lt. Reichard returns home to Maryland for some time with his family on the farm. He and Ginnie have a chance to talk things over and hopefully save the relationship. Just before leaving Boise, the unit gets orders that a move will come at the end of April. April comes to an end with the men spending a week in Stockton, California getting ready to ship out. But where they are going remains a mystery.

May 1943 Recap: The long journey begins by train as the outfit travels cross country to Camp Shanks, New York, where they will prepare to head overseas. Lt. Reichard now knows the destination: Casablanca, Morocco in North Africa. After ensuring that all the supplies are in order, the outfit boards the “West Point”, the newest in troop carriers and heads to sea. Lt. Reichard spends many peaceful evenings enjoying the time at sea before landing in Morocco. May ends with the outfit setting up camp and adjusting to the customs of Morocco.

Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary Project : On January 1, 2009, WorthPoint began a three year project following the life of a WWII soldier through the daily pages of his diary. To read about the inception of this project, or to add your own comments, click here.

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Shari Seippel Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Tunis, Tunisia, North Africa

Aug. 5, 1943 Diary Page

Today was another one of those scorchers. The only relief we had from it was the ice cream we had for dinner. We send in the ingredients to a place here in Tunis and they make it up for .30 a quart. That’s a pretty good profit, but then we can’t be too choosy over here. This afternoon we put a 350 gallon water tank on a Jeep frame supported by four legs made of angle iron and made a pretty nice shower out of it. That means, now we don’t have to run a hose out to H.Q. to take a shower. We have a force pump that we fill the tank with so it’s a hell of a nice set up. About 5:30 a Lt. in the signal corp. came over and ask(ed) me to take a wrecked signal truck up to Mateur. As I felt like making a trip I said O.K. It seems the truck had had an argument with a train. It was obvious who won. When we hooked up and started away the darn thing trailed two feet to the right. That meant we had to ride the center of the highway the whole trip. You could see the other drivers cussing us as we came on. We got back about eight so I lay down and wrote about five letters. This letter writing business is really getting to be a problem. There is so little to say now. I’m having a hell of a time filling in this diary. Some of you people who think it’s a cinch, just try writing 250 words about each day’s happenings. Just do it a month and see how it actually turns out. While you are trying I’m going to sleep.

Good Night

To view previous diary entries, click here. Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

1943 Diary Recaps

January 1943 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, Ginnie, 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 1943 Recap: The unit continues to be restless as they still haven’t any orders for overseas. The days are kept busy with lectures, physical demonstrations, and frequent hikes in the mountains above Boise. Lt. Reichard receives a promotion to Lieutenant First Class and continues to write to Ginnie back home, though her letters are becoming more infrequent. February 1943 comes to an end with the unit still feeling bored and discouraged.

March 1943 Recap: March brings uncertainties in weather and daily life to Gowen Field. Still no word about overseas orders, the outfit must now share quarters with another unit. There is now time to begin a photo album, collecting pictures from times with the outfit. Letters from Ginnie are becoming more infrequent but there is no shortage of dates with the local girls in Boise. March comes to an end with everyone in the outfit anxiously awaiting word of upcoming furloughs.

April 1943 Recap: Last minute furloughs come through, and Lt. Reichard returns home to Maryland for some time with his family on the farm. He and Ginnie have a chance to talk things over and hopefully save the relationship. Just before leaving Boise, the unit gets orders that a move will come at the end of April. April comes to an end with the men spending a week in Stockton, California getting ready to ship out. But where they are going remains a mystery.

May 1943 Recap: The long journey begins by train as the outfit travels cross country to Camp Shanks, New York, where they will prepare to head overseas. Lt. Reichard now knows the destination: Casablanca, Morocco in North Africa. After ensuring that all the supplies are in order, the outfit boards the “West Point”, the newest in troop carriers and heads to sea. Lt. Reichard spends many peaceful evenings enjoying the time at sea before landing in Morocco. May ends with the outfit setting up camp and adjusting to the customs of Morocco.

Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary Project : On January 1, 2009, WorthPoint began a three year project following the life of a WWII soldier through the daily pages of his diary. To read about the inception of this project, or to add your own comments, click here.

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Shari Seippel Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Tunis, Tunisia, North Africa

Aug. 4, 1943 Diary Page

This evening I received a letter from the Rotary Club back home. It seems they set aside an evening every now and then to write to the boys in the service. It’s a good idea. My “Marylander and Herald” are now coming in pretty regular and they sure look good. Clarance wanted to know why I’ve neglected the “Home & Abroad” column which consists of letters from the boys all over the globe. It’s a very interesting column giving quite a side light to the soldiers’ new paint on this war. My Readers Digest also put in its appearance so I’m happy. I think I’m more slap-happy than happy in the general sense of the word. This evening I went in Tunis to see Sgt. D. and take him his mail. We talked a while then I took off for Radez (Rades?) Janette was not at the beach but Suzanne and John were. John is her little boy. He is cute & redheaded and about 14 or 15 months old. Suzanne’s husband has been called back to active duty and is now somewhere near Oran so Suzanne and John are left with her parents. We talked, there on the beach for about an hour. She is trying to get me a brass plaque something on the order of a fruit disk. It is inlaid with silver and copper and is really gorgeous. They have several in the family and paid around 1000 fr. for them each. Well Suzanne was pricing some for me and now they are over 2000 fr. 700 (too) much so I guess its no go. We went to her home then after a short visit I came back.

Good Night

To view previous diary entries, click here. Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

1943 Diary Recaps

January 1943 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, Ginnie, 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 1943 Recap: The unit continues to be restless as they still haven’t any orders for overseas. The days are kept busy with lectures, physical demonstrations, and frequent hikes in the mountains above Boise. Lt. Reichard receives a promotion to Lieutenant First Class and continues to write to Ginnie back home, though her letters are becoming more infrequent. February 1943 comes to an end with the unit still feeling bored and discouraged.

March 1943 Recap: March brings uncertainties in weather and daily life to Gowen Field. Still no word about overseas orders, the outfit must now share quarters with another unit. There is now time to begin a photo album, collecting pictures from times with the outfit. Letters from Ginnie are becoming more infrequent but there is no shortage of dates with the local girls in Boise. March comes to an end with everyone in the outfit anxiously awaiting word of upcoming furloughs.

April 1943 Recap: Last minute furloughs come through, and Lt. Reichard returns home to Maryland for some time with his family on the farm. He and Ginnie have a chance to talk things over and hopefully save the relationship. Just before leaving Boise, the unit gets orders that a move will come at the end of April. April comes to an end with the men spending a week in Stockton, California getting ready to ship out. But where they are going remains a mystery.

May 1943 Recap: The long journey begins by train as the outfit travels cross country to Camp Shanks, New York, where they will prepare to head overseas. Lt. Reichard now knows the destination: Casablanca, Morocco in North Africa. After ensuring that all the supplies are in order, the outfit boards the “West Point”, the newest in troop carriers and heads to sea. Lt. Reichard spends many peaceful evenings enjoying the time at sea before landing in Morocco. May ends with the outfit setting up camp and adjusting to the customs of Morocco.

Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary Project : On January 1, 2009, WorthPoint began a three year project following the life of a WWII soldier through the daily pages of his diary. To read about the inception of this project, or to add your own comments, click here.

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Shari Seippel Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Tunis, Tunisia, North Africa

Aug. 3, 1943 Diary Page

Ambition must be catching up with me. I wrote fine letters tonight. Of course that is the advantage of “V-Mail.” There is only so much room to fill out yet it counts as a letter and gets an answer. Did I say ambition was invading my shores. There is a little stronger murmur about this drilling and the Captain’s physicology of discipline. I’m still watching. He could be right, but I wonder. This afternoon I took an adjustable spotlight off a wrecked Auto-car tractor and put it on my Jeep. The “Ginny G” sure is getting decked out. German helmet, blast horns and now a spot. Of course she is souped up in addition. A captain turned a m —— Jeep in today to exchange for a good one then sat around talking for a while. He built quite a few of Lacy Meyers’ champion racing motors, so that led from one thing to another and we had quite a nice talk. He built a few jobs for boats. He did one Ford V-P so that it would turn up 7000 RPMs with no load. Mister that is RPMs in any man’s language. I would like to get into that game after the war. The more I run across these fellows the more it fascinates me. The battle of Sicily still progresses although for the moment slowed down by the increasing resistance of uniformed Nazi troops. The people of Sicily seem very friendly towards our troops. In one _____ one of our men ran across his grandfather. An example of what a melting pot the U.S. really is. We still don’t just know how Italy is going to turn. We can hope.

Good Night

To view previous diary entries, click here. Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

1943 Diary Recaps

January 1943 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, Ginnie, 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 1943 Recap: The unit continues to be restless as they still haven’t any orders for overseas. The days are kept busy with lectures, physical demonstrations, and frequent hikes in the mountains above Boise. Lt. Reichard receives a promotion to Lieutenant First Class and continues to write to Ginnie back home, though her letters are becoming more infrequent. February 1943 comes to an end with the unit still feeling bored and discouraged.

March 1943 Recap: March brings uncertainties in weather and daily life to Gowen Field. Still no word about overseas orders, the outfit must now share quarters with another unit. There is now time to begin a photo album, collecting pictures from times with the outfit. Letters from Ginnie are becoming more infrequent but there is no shortage of dates with the local girls in Boise. March comes to an end with everyone in the outfit anxiously awaiting word of upcoming furloughs.

April 1943 Recap: Last minute furloughs come through, and Lt. Reichard returns home to Maryland for some time with his family on the farm. He and Ginnie have a chance to talk things over and hopefully save the relationship. Just before leaving Boise, the unit gets orders that a move will come at the end of April. April comes to an end with the men spending a week in Stockton, California getting ready to ship out. But where they are going remains a mystery.

May 1943 Recap: The long journey begins by train as the outfit travels cross country to Camp Shanks, New York, where they will prepare to head overseas. Lt. Reichard now knows the destination: Casablanca, Morocco in North Africa. After ensuring that all the supplies are in order, the outfit boards the “West Point”, the newest in troop carriers and heads to sea. Lt. Reichard spends many peaceful evenings enjoying the time at sea before landing in Morocco. May ends with the outfit setting up camp and adjusting to the customs of Morocco.

Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary Project : On January 1, 2009, WorthPoint began a three year project following the life of a WWII soldier through the daily pages of his diary. To read about the inception of this project, or to add your own comments, click here.

Production Credits:
Diary transcription: Shari Seippel Diary photos: Claudia Forbes

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth