Lt. Lawson Reichard’s WWII Diary – May 7, 1943 by Lt.Reichard (05/07/09).
Friday, May 7, 1943 Camp Shanks, Orangeburg, New York
May 7, 1943 Diary Page
Today like all the rest probably will be as long as we are here, has been a mad house. Getting clearances means more work than I’ve seen in the past two years plus the fact we have to attend so damn many lectures it leaves little time for anything else. This morning I got up at 6:45 and ate breakfast with Ray. I sure hope our outfits stay together when we get on the other side. We have palled around together for the last ten months. I would give a lot to get him back in the outfit again because this new shavetail I have doesn’t know a damn thing and constantly gets in trouble. It’s a relief to have him at Staten Island instead of underfoot. This afternoon I took in a lecture on “security” and had a very interesting talk with the Intelligence Officer. I found out some things about this Diary. I can keep nearly anything in it but must keep it on my person or in my baggage. When I go in an action area such as the front then it will be wrapped and sent in to the Base Censor. Also I can take my camera and films. It’s a good deal. I must start packing pretty soon as I don’t think we will be here more than a few days. I’ll try to call mother and Virginia Sunday some time.
Good Night
(editor’s note: Camp Shanks was one of three staging areas “to ensure each soldier and WAC left the U.S. fully equipped before crossing the Atlantic. The final field inspection at Camp Shanks identified any problems, made any necessary repairs, and replaced anything which could not be repaired.” Read more about the history of Camp Shanks at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Shanks)
• In a speech to Nazi Party Reichsleiters and Gauleiters in Berlin, Hitler said that U-boat warfare would be stepped up as the surest way to “cut the arteries of the enemy.” Even as the Fuhrer spoke, however, the calamity of “Black May” for the U-boat force was unfolding in the Atlantic. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-europe/western-europe/western-europe-index-1943.htm)
• The U.S. Senate adopted Senate Resolutions 101 and 111 authorizing the Committee on Military Affairs, or any subcommittee thereof, to visit Japanese relocation centers in the United States. (http://www.sfmuseum.net/war/43.html)
• Tunis fell to the British 1st Army. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-the-desert/war-in-the-desert-index-1943.htm)
• Minelayers set down a minefield across Blackett Strait in the Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands. The Allies captured Tunisia. (http://www.blountweb.com/blountcountymilitary/wars/ww2/timelines/1943_ww2.htm)
View from the U-boat bridge on the rear deck and the “winter garden.” In a speech to Nazi Party Reichsleiters and Gauleiters in Berlin on this day in 1943, Hitler says that U-boat warfare will be stepped up as the surest way to “cut the arteries of the enemy.” In reality, dozens of U-boats will be sunk during “Black May” in the Atlantic.
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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