Lt. Lawson Reichard’s WWII Diary – June 9, 1943 by Lt.Reichard (06/09/09).
Wednesday, June 9, 1943 Oran, Morocco, North Africa
June 9, 1943 Diary Page
We pulled out of Guercif at eight this morning and set a pretty rugged pace until we got into the mountains. We crossed about thirty more miles of desert before we started the climb but from then on the country began to look more livable every mile. After crossing the first range we ran across some of the loveliest valleys I’ve yet seen. The ground here is far richer than even that around Fez (sic) [Fes] and is beautifully cultivated. I marveled at the straightness of the rows and cleanliness of the field when you see the equipment they use. We went by huge fields of ripe wheat being cut for thrashing and all the work was done by hand with a small cresent (sic) scicle (sic). Some of the fields must have been over a hundred acres and only once in a great while was a combine seen. The thrashing was even done by beating sticks. How they accomplish the job is more than I can see. There is a tremendous improvement in the people of this section. They are much cleaner and far more whites are in evidence. The mountains we went over were pretty rugged and reminded me a great deal of Idaho. It was really a lovely trip and well worth taking. We pulled into a village outside of Oran and had to wait for an M.P. escort to take us to the depot so we filled our canteens with wine. Of course it took about four hours to find the depot then had to go out in the country 12 miles afterwards to dinner. It is a beautiful night and cool. We should sleep well.
• Sporadic confrontations continued between servicemen and minorities in Los Angeles, but not at nearly the same intensity. For all intents and purposes, the Zoot Suit Riots were over. (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/zoot/eng_timeline/timeline2.html)
• California Gov. Earl Warren signed prohibition of commercial fishing licenses from being given to alien Japanese. (http://www.snowfallingoncedars.com/timeline_1943.html)
• ”Pay-as-you-go” (withholding) U.S income tax deductions were authorized. (http://timelines.ws/20thcent/1943.HTML)
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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