Monday, June 14, 1943
Algiers, North Africa

June 14, 1943 Diary Page

We are definately (sic) under British control. Every control point has, what they call their “pointers” who check your convoy and direct you further on your way. They are all very polite chaps and go out of their way to help you along. The more I see of the British the more I like them. I’ve talked with a lot of our officers who work with them and they say the same thing. It’s a cinch they are efficient devils and everything goes according to plan. There were a thousand and one convoys on the highway today and that is no exageration (sic). Most of them I saw going back were British. I imagine they were going for a rest and Lord knows they deserve it. Our “First Division” has been back in Algiers and Oran for a couple weeks. General Eisenhower is picking his task force crew so things should begin to pop, but soon. We pulled into Depot #4 about eleven this morning and I found about half the outfits there on the alert. That seems strange in N. Africa. By the way I met two more of my O.C.S. school mates there. They have been over since Nov. I’m sure glad that I’m just coming over. I’ll probably be here long enough as it is without adding any time to it. We got the Jeep worked over the best we could. We need two wheels and one hub as well as a windshield but those are items not to be had. We did fix up the steering column so that it steers pretty good. We left Depot 4 about 4 this afternoon as we wanted to get away from that hot hole. That place would bake anything. We pulled into camp about eight and it’s a nice place. Well so far three of the Islands off Tunisia have been taken. It won’t be long now.

Good night.

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The Day That Was: June 14, 1943

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

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