Introduction by Will Seippel, CEO – WorthPoint.com Lt. Reichard began writing a diary on January 1, 1943. In February, he bought a camera and began taking some photos. For the next three years, he wrote almost every day. When I started reading his diary, I thought it should be shared and that perhaps WorthPoint’s community of collectors, people like me who are intrigued by the past, might find the diary as fascinating as I did. (To read Will Seippel’s entire introduction, click here)

January 19, 1943 Diary Page

Transcript of diary entry   January 19, 1943

Tuesday, January 19, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

On Tuesdays we all have to wear gas masks on the field and there is an alarm at some unexpected time so we put them on for a half hour or so until the all clear sign comes. It’s pretty much a farce but probably a good thing. Today was pretty dull. We got off some reports and some miscellaneous items in the way of correspondence. I called the men together and we had a long talk about getting ready both mentally as well as physically for overseas. Some of them are taking it too lightly and are trying to gold brick. They are taking this training with a grain of salt. I don’t see any sense in restricting or punishing a man for that. If he can’t realize the necessity for being prepared then I have to show him. If I can’t show him then its my fault not his. I have a knack for telling stories that put them across effectively so I think I can instill in their minds the seriousness of this affair. The men had a good work out at the gym that afternoon and I went over for an hour to punch the bag. I’ll have to lay off boxing for a while I guess. This evening I stayed in and wrote some letters and read a little.

Today was cloudy and it looks like we won’t see the sun for a while again. I was hoping Sunday and Monday was the break in the cloudy weather. No such luck. It’s much warmer today although still four below freezing.

“Good Night”

To view previous diary entries, click here.

The Day That Was: January 19, 1943

• The Russians claimed further victories during a 75-mile advance toward Kharkov on the Voronezh front with the Russians claiming 52,000 Axis prisoners on this front alone. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-europe/eastern-europe/eastern-europe-index-1943.htm)

• The British 8th Army captured Homs and Tarhuna near Tripoli. (http://www.worldwar-2.net/timelines/war-in-the-desert/war-in-the-desert-index-1943.htm)

• Romania’s foreign minister, Mihai Antonrscu, asked Mussolini to start negotiations with the Allies. (http://www.fsmitha.com/time1943.htm)

• Russian Gen. Georgy Zhukov was promoted to marshal as the Stalingrad struggle ground to a close. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_World_War_II_(1943))

• Japanese forces landed at Wewak, New Guinea. (http://www.blountweb.com/blountcountymilitary/wars/ww2/timelines/1943_ww2.htm)

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