Lt. Lawson Reichard’s WWII Diary – April 25, 1943 by Lt.Reichard (04/25/09).
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.
Sunday, April 25, 1943
April 25, 1943 Diary Page
Stockton, California
Easter? Well that is a matter of opinion. It was a lovely day and warm so that all the elaborate costumes the women spend their “Time & Overtime” on could be worn and I imagine it was worn although I didn’t see any of it. I was working from eight o’clock this morning until five this afternoon. Easter seems to be a fateful time where I’m concerned. Last Easter I spent in New York City sweating out my last day in this country. Monday we were to have gotten on the boat. I spent most of the day walking around “Times Square.” I remember calling Ginnie. She was way out on Long Island visiting some friends as she hadn’t expected me to come up. Neither had I. The next day I was sent to Officer’s School instead. I can’t make up my mind whether I was fortunate or not. When this war is over I’ll know.
This evening I took off and went to town. I was looking for fun and ended up seeing a show. I saw Walt Disney’s “Dumbo.” It was really a cute picture. The drawing of those pictures always fascinates me. I got in about midnight. Time is getting short.
• On his last patrol aboard U-404, Kapitänleutnant Otto von Bülow fired two FAT and two G7e torpedoes at British aircraft carrier HMS Biter. All detonated prematurely, and the Biter escaped without damage. Von Bülow was later decorated by Hitler with oak leaves to his Knights Cross for his Atlantic successes. German newspapers reported the recent sinking of the American carrier, USS Ranger. Later, USS Ranger Cmdr. Gordon Rowe was photographed aboard his carrier smiling at a photograph of von Bülow and the German report of his vessel’s demise. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-at-sea/atlantic/battle-of-the-atlantic-index-1943.htm)
Kapitänleutnant Otto von Bülow, commander of the U-404, was credited with sinking the aircraft carrier, HMS Biter, but all of his torpedoes detonated prematurely. Von Bülow was later decorated by Hitler with oak leaves to his Knights Cross for his Atlantic successes.
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.
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; Bryan Smith – voice of Lt. Reichard
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