Thursday, June 10, 1943
Oran, Morocco, North Africa

June 10, 1943 Diary Page

This morning we took our time getting ready as we were going to stay in Oran for the day. It is a town of about 50,000 and reminds me a lot of New Orleans in some sections. The streets are narrow and winding, being very easy to get lost. So far there seem to be no signs of war here. I understand that this town has been bombed several times but it was concentrated on the docks. The town is almost untouched. We came on back to the depot as we were to pick up 10 more trailers. As it is we picked up 12 and they are loaded with machine guns. We also got our machine guns mounted in the cab as well as a general check up of all the trucks and changes of oil. Everything needed tightening so all and all it was a good days work. Another good feature was that the Capt. in charge has arranged for us to eat two meals today and breakfast tomorrow at their mess hall. Dinner today brought forth steaks so you can imagine how they were received after 3 days on “C” rations. This afternoon we saw our first german (sic) prisoners. They were in some of our 6 x 6′s while the generals were towed behind in a 1 ton trailer. They didn’t look very fierce right then. Sgt. Enright and I went in town this afternoon and made arrangements for some P.X. supplies and got them. That’s a rare treat and will come in handy on this trip. They say we have at least 5+ maybe 8 days ahead ____________. Tunis is still taking a beating so maybe we will see some action. We took showers this evening which sure felt good.

Good night.

To view previous diary entries, click here.

Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

The Day That Was: June 10, 1943

• The SS Esso Gettysburg, one of the first T-2 tankers, was ninety miles off the Georgia coast and bound for Philadelphia with crude oil. Just before 2 PM, the German U-66, sailing at periscope depth, fired two torpedoes, seconds apart. The first shattered two cargo tanks and the whole ship burst into flames. The second hit the engine room and left the Gettysburg dead in the water, down by the stern, and sinking rapidly. All the lifeboats were engulfed by fire. No one saw the sub before the two torpedoes, four seconds apart, set her afire and sank her. Flames prevented launching any boats those who survived jumped overboard, several without time to don life preservers.(http://www.navylog.org) •    A coordinated “around the clock” air offensive against Germany began, with the U.S. 8th Air Force flying precision-bombing missions by day and RAF Bomber Command flying area-saturation missions by night against major German cities. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-europe/european-air-war/european-air-war-index-1943.htm) •    The Japanese submarine, I-9, was sunk by the submarine chaser, PC-487, in the Aleutians.  (http://www.blountweb.com/blountcountymilitary/wars/ww2/timelines/1943_ww2.htm) •    FDR signed a withholding-tax bill into law. (http://timelines.ws/20thcent/1943.HTML)		On Thursday afternoon, June 10, 1943 the SS Esso Gettysburg was ninety miles off the Georgia coast and bound for Philadelphia with crude oil.

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: 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

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 1:00 am and is filed under WWII Diary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

View all articles by Lt.Reichard.

Want a picture icon with your comment? Sign up with Gravatar to get one, or connect with your Facebook or Twitter account.