Lt. Lawson Reichard’s WWII Diary – May 5, 1943 by Lt.Reichard (05/05/09).
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.
Wednesday, May 5, 1943 Aboard the Train Heading East
May 5, 1943 Diary Page
Just another day on the train. One thing certain; I never want to see another trip on a train for many a month to come. Maybe, when I have spent a few days on the boat I’ll feel a lot different, but right now the mere thought of a train makes me shudder. This morning about four, we left Chicago after shoving around those damn yards for about three hours. It is impossible to tell you how many times we backed up and went ahead. I think it must be close to a couple hundred times. One minute my head hit the front of the bunk and the next I would nearly twist off an ankle. Well that trip through the state of New York was right pretty. The trees are just beginning to come out as it is quite cold up in the northern part of the state. I noticed when we went by Lake Erie that there were still huge chunks of ice covering the surface as far as the eye could see. When we came inland we followed the Erie Canal all the way to Albany and it was a pretty sight. I imagine it was right quaint in the old days to see the mules pulling the barges. Now it’s all diesel motor. The bunks were not made up tonight as we expect to pull into camp about one or two. Most of the boys played poker. We were getting some last minute records straight. We are in pretty good shape.
• British forces broke through the defenses of the 5th Panzerarmee to the south of Tunis. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-the-desert/war-in-the-desert-index-1943.htm)
A Tiger I tank from the 5th Panzerarmee, captured by Allied forces in Tunisia. British forces broke through the defenses of the 5th Panzerarmee to the South of Tunis on this day in 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.
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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