Lt. Lawson Reichard’s WWII Diary – May 9, 1943 by Lt.Reichard (05/09/09).
Sunday, May 9, 1943 Camp Shanks, Orangeburg, New York
May 9, 1943 Diary Page
This morning I slept until eight thirty. I had quite a bit of washing to get out so got to work on that and I hate that job. It sure didn’t do my hands any good but there was no way out of it. I took a shower and dressed then with Ray went down to headquarters for a conference. The first thing that was said was “Gentlemen, as of this minute your outfits are on the alert and you will act accordingly,” so the rest of this day has been a hell hole. We were told our boat and instructions on where we were to land etc. We came back and woke the boys up and gave them the news. They are restricted as of then. All barracks bags (“B” bags) must be ready for loading tomorrow night so that means tonight or tomorrow we spend on the rifle range. We have not fired that Carbine yet so I’m looking forward to it. How we are going to get all this done is more than I can see. This evening I did my packing and it took three solid hours but I have it all done now thank the Lord. I also wrote Ginnie and Mother a long letter so it is their last for a long time. I wish I knew where we are going. I sent home my footlocker this afternoon. Man! as far as I’m concerned I would like to leave tomorrow.
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)
• The unconditional surrender of all Axis troops in Tunisia took place at 11 a.m. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-the-desert/war-in-the-desert-index-1943.htm)
The unconditional surrender of all axis troops in Tunisia takes at 11a.m. 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.
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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