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 27, 1943 Diary Page (click to enlarge)

Transcript of diary entry   January 27, 1943

Wednesday,  January 27, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

This morning was spent getting ready for this afternoon. We must have worked out a little too long on those dives yesterday because we were all pretty sore. We tried a new system today. Instead of diving over sticks we dove over men. You can judge where to take off much better that way. In the morning practice we were diving well over eight feet using five men on their backs and knees as hurdles. We worked out our schedule then took off for the rest of the morning. We went in town about three. We went on at three forty five and I gave an introductory speech trying to put across the importance of physical training then we went into our diving act. They have a swell gym with plenty of room. This diving act went over with a bang. We finally cleared ten feet. The ten foot try mostly stumped me. I got off on the wrong foot and didn’t realize it until I was ready to take off. I went all over the place taking the men I was to go over with me. The next time I made it. Then we had a interesting match between ________ and myself. We made it look rough. After that came the “free for all.” It was a pretty good show and made the papers. This evening I met our four new men at the station. I sent them out to camp then met Marie. We picked up Ray & Helen and saw a show then stopped into the Boise Club for a while. We left early. It was raining most of the evening.

Good Night

To view previous diary entries, click here.

The Day That Was: January 27, 1943

• For the first time, the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) staged a heavy bomber attack on Germany. Fifty Boeing B17 Flying Fortresses of the 1st Bombardment Wing, 8th USAAF, attacked Emden and the large naval base at Wilhelmhaven, causing extensive damage. (http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/aviation%20timeline/1943.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