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Monday, June 7, 1943
Meknes, Morocco, North Africa
 June 7, 1943 Diary Page
This is what most people would call a screwed up day in every sense of the word. I woke up at six and ate breakfast so I could be ready to head for town alright (sic) to make all final arrangements and clearances. This turned out to be a hell of a bigger job than I had bargained for and the job wasn’t finalized until around three. We were scheduled to leave at two so that was a fine start. We picked up ten bomb service trucks and trailers at Fedala to take with us which helped out the loading space considerably plus the fact that it gave the men something to do besides sit. This made us a convoy of 17 trucks and like numbers of trailers. We started out at six thirty and headed for Meknes for our first stop. It was a lovely drive, the majority of it in the dusk of early evening and we watched the sun set over the Atlantic. Several of the boys remarked about the fact that it looked like it was night over New York and we all wished we were back there. However this was too lovely a drive to be spoiled by reminiscing so we just took it in. The farther north and west we got the richer the country. Rich orchards and vineyards covered the landscape in neat rows cleanly cultivated. I liked it. We finally pulled in our camp after getting lost in Meknes for an hour. Of course there were plenty of directions to be had but who can understand french (sic). We got in at 1:30 and went to sleep
Good night.
To view previous diary entries, click here.
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The Day That Was: June 7, 1943
| • The worst of the “Zoot Suit” rioting violence in Los Angeles occurred as soldiers, sailors and marines from as far away as San Diego traveled to Los Angeles to join in the fighting. Taxi drivers offered free rides to servicemen and civilians to the riot areas. Approximately 5,000 civilians and military men gathered downtown. Five thousand people filled the downtown area near Main Street. Large numbers of civilian were also among the rioters. Some were there simply for the excitement, others to aid in the hunt for and beating of zoot-suiters. Those were dressed in these suits were stripped, and their cloths were destroyed, often by fire. Streetcars were halted and searched for zoot-suiters. But they were no longer the only targets of the sailors and civilians. The riot spread into the predominantly African-American section of Watts, and Filipinos were also attacked. One black man, a defense worker in his work clothes, was severely beaten. Another black man lost an eye when 75 servicemen attacked him. Servicemen searching for zoot-suiters invaded the Meralta Theater on First and St. Louis. Again, police did little to stop the servicemen, although thousands of reserve officers had been called on duty. At midnight, the military authorities declared the downtown area of Los Angeles “out of bounds” for military personnel. Arrival of the Military Police and Shore Patrol ended the riots. (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/zoot/eng_timeline/timeline2.html) (http://members.tripod.com/~noemigarcia/lapaint/zootline.htm)
• A Dr. Clauberg reported that 1,000 women a day were being sterilized at Auschwitz. (http://www.neveragain.org/1943A.htm)
• Approximately 40 or 50 Japanese Zeros and torpedo bombers were attacked by U.S. fighter planes in the vicinity of the Russell Islands. Nineteen Zeros were shot down and six damaged. U.S. losses were seven planes, but three of the pilots were saved. (http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/comms/1943-06.html)
• Eight Japanese were killed on Attu Island. Eleven more of the enemy killed themselves with grenades after being sur¬rounded by U.S. Army troops in Chichagof Valley. (http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/comms/1943-06.html) |
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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: 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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