Lt. Lawson Reichard’s WWII Diary – May 17, 1943 by Lt.Reichard (05/17/09).
Monday, May 17, 1943 At sea – headed for Casablanca, Morocco
May 17, 1943 Diary Page
A lovlier (sic) voyage could not have been bought in peace time than we have enjoyed so far as the efforts of mother nature are concerned. The sea has had its surface disturbed only enough to break its monotony and the sky has been a lovely mixture of cumulus and cimbus (sic: nimbus) clouds surrounded by a blue almost as deep as the sea. Last night was particilary (sic) gorgeous and I stayed on deck as late as possible. A beautiful full moon cast its translucent glow over the entire ocean giving the appearance of a sea of liquid silver. It is strange how such breathless beauty can be the bedfellow of such patent danger, yet this only seems to make it that much more enhancing. Any minute that peaceful surface could be broken by the seeking eyes of a periscope and death could paint its ugly picture across the sky in an explosion of blood and shrieking steel, yet it is so peaceful and lovely right now. Today, the meeting of C.O.’s informed us that we should land Thursday morning at eight o’clock. We will probably pull in late Wednesday night. I wonder just what is in store for us. We pick up our “C” rations tomorrow. I can’t see where in the hell we are going to put the stuff. We also had a ship drill and the men were pretty slow. This indifference may cost them their lives sometime. We aren’t playing anymore.
• The Germans launched a fifth offensive to destroy Tito’s partisans in Yugoslavia. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-europe/southern-europe/southern-europe-index-1943.htm)
• The German submarine U-128 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-74) and the destroyers USS Moffett (DD-362) and USS Jouett (DD-396) off of Brazil. (http://www.blountweb.com/blountcountymilitary/wars/ww2/timelines/1943_ww2.htm)
• The Luftwaffe carries out a night raid (89 aircraft) against Cardiff in Wales. (http://www.feldgrau.com/may.html)
Female Ćetniks fighters with their male leader. On this day in 1843, the Germans launch a fifth offensive to destroy Tito’s partisans in Yugoslavia.
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.
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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