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.

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, Ginny, 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.

Transcript of Diary Entry   February 14, 1943

Sunday, February 14, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

This morning I was awakened by Col. D_______ at eight-thirty. He told me the Colonel and two Captains from the I G’s office in Washington D.C. were here and waiting in my office. You can bet I did a quick job of dressing and got over there in record time. They did a fast job of inspecting us but didn’t miss a detail. The one captain was a maintenance man and he talked to the men individually asking what each man’s job was and how it was performed. It was lucky I called a meeting yesterday to make sure each man knew. The other captain checked clothing while the Colonel looked over the administrative end. It was rough but little was found wrong. They finished up around ten thirty and went over to the [ink blotch]. I hope this is the last inspection. I’m beginning to expect we won’t be here long. This afternoon I read and wrote letters until two then went in and saw a show that was no good. After that I met B________ and he had a couple girls so we went up to the Boise Club for the evening and danced. I’m getting bored with this town and am ready to move on again.
I wonder if Virginia got my roses on time. I wish I could have taken them to her. Lord, but I miss that girl. And I was the guy who would never fall in love.

Good Night

To view previous diary entries, click here.

The Day That Was: February 14, 1943

• Royal Air Force Dakotas of the No. 31 Squadron and Hudsons of No. 194 Squadron began air supply missions to Chindit forces working behind enemy lines in Burma. Chindits were small pockets of highly trained British troops, usually with local guides, who operated behind enemy lines, cutting enemy lines of communication. The name was taken from that of a mythical Burmese God. (http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/rafhistorytimeline1943.cfm)

• The Battle of Kasserine Pass between the U.S. 1st Armored Division and German Panzers in North Africa began. The German 5. Panzerarmee (Gen. Hans-Jurgen von Arnim) forced the retreat of the inexperienced U.S. 2nd Corps (Gen. Lloyd Fredendall). (http://www.wwiiguns.com/world_warii_1943/world_warii_1943.html)

U.S. soldiers on the march during the Battle of Kasserine Pass. (Public Domain)

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; Sean McGill – voice of Lt. Reichard