Lt. Lawson Reichard’s WWII Diary – June 4, 1943 by Lt.Reichard (06/04/09).
Friday, June 4, 1943 Casablanca, North Africa
June 4, 1943 Diary Page
This morning I took eight men and drove down town to see what had happened. I saw Lt. Shaffer and he said we had to go up to the Shell Building to see a certain Col. about getting those trailers with air brakes. We went up there and in a few minutes had them turned over to us. I went back and picked up the boys then went out to Fedala to get the tractors. We unhooked them from those electric jobs and came in to pick up the good ones. It was noon so we went out to camp to eat first. The rest of the outfit had spent the morning moving over to Cazes airport which is about ten miles on the other side of town. Well we ate then took off for the dump where we were to pick up the trailers. It puzzles me as to what we will do with all these huge trailers that have been shipped over here. There must be at least three hundred on this one lot alone. I sure would like to pick up one outfit like this when the war is over. We drove on out to Fedala again where we backed up to the loaded trailers and proceeded to transfer loads. I had given Enright specific orders to send the rest of the men over as soon as he finished moving but they didn’t get here. We went back to camp at six, ate supper than the whole outfit went out to finish the job of loading. We finished up about ten so tomorrow all we have to do is finish one trailer in town tomorrow. We have hot showers over here in the new camp so they sure felt good tonight
• A military coup led by Gen. Arturo Rawson and Col. Juan Peron to overthrow Ramon S. Castillo took place in Argentina with the army occupying Buenos Aires. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/the-americas/the-americas-index-1943.htm)
• The British House of Commons rejected any lifting of the economic blockade against occupied Europe. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-europe/war-in-britain/war-in-britain-index-1943.htm)
• Luftwaffe bombers attacked the massive Russian tank factory at Gorki. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-europe/eastern-europe/eastern-europe-index-1943.htm)
• Gen. Henri Giraud became commander of the Free French forces in North Africa. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_World_War_II_(1943))
The submarine, USS Silversides (SS-236), laid mines in Steffan Strait between New Hanover and New Ireland. The submarine chaser, PC-496, was sunk by a mine. (http://www.blountweb.com/blountcountymilitary/wars/ww2/timelines/1943_ww2.htm)
Henri Giraud
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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