Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary – April 1, 1943 by Lt.Reichard (03/31/09).
Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary Project and Recap: 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.
Thursday, April 1, 1943
April 1, 1943 Diary Page
Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho
Appropriate with the date came a phone call from Ogden stating that they were very sorry but no “leave” would be forthcoming until certain information could be had. That would take no less than fifteen days yet which just about cancels all my chances for a leave the duration. And I was almost packed. It seems that those orders canceling our movement had not as yet been authoritized through all military channels and until then I was stuck. I really should not have allowed all those men to go but to hell with it. Some of them have been away as long as I have. I went in town this afternoon and deposited my check. Those checks don’t come often or fast enough to suit me. I was $30.00 over my budget this month so instead of getting better I only got worse. I think I should have been born a millionaire instead of a poor Lieutenant. This evening Mary Ellen and I went roller skating. Whew! I wasn’t made for that and Mary Ellen wasn’t much better that I was so we had a “falling” good time. Maybe I should have bruises tomorrow. We went back and looked over all my crazy pictures at her apartment, among other things. She had been asking me to bring that album in for quite a while. It was interesting. (I mean the album)
A Seep Stretcher Ambulance in Tunisia 1943. The Allies continued to push the German in Tunisia on this day in 1943.
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.
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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