Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary – March 26, 1943 by Lt.Reichard (03/26/09).
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.
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.
Friday, March 26, 1943
Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho
I checked on furlough rates this morning. Coach round trip amounts to $64.00. Tourist with berth round trip amounts to $164.00 and first class or pullman is $197.50. It looks like I go coach. I dread that trip but it may be the last time I ever see home and also may straighten Ginnie and myself out. It would be worth it if the latter was accomplished. I’m going to try to get a flight back if I can. That would be alright. The letter of request went in this evening and I’m trying to get twenty day but that is almost out of the question. Fifteen days will pass but anything less than that just wouldn’t be practical. I’m going to keep my fingers crossed. I’m giving ten men furloughs starting Monday. All living east of the Miss. River will get 15 days. This side get 7 days and travel time. If we are let alone for a while I might be able to get all the men through. Of course what probably will happen is I’ll be called back as soon as I get home. That would be just my luck. Today was normal. It rained a little and was warm. The afternoon was taken up with physical training. This evening the Officers Club gave a stag party with boxing exhibition and a talk on Judo fighting. Judo sounds so dirty that no one takes it serious enough. It sounds fantastic almost. I’ve been practicing for quite a while and found it real enough. I got to bed about eleven.
• The Battle of the Komandorski Islands was won. A task force of two cruisers and four destroyers under Rear Adm. Charles Horatio McMorris engaged a Japanese force of four cruisers and four destroyers escorting reinforcements to Attu in the Aleutians. One Japanese cruiser was damaged. Japanese reinforcements failed to reach Attu. (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; Bryan Smith – voice of Lt. Reichard
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