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.

Tuesday, March 9, 1943

Gowen Fieid, Boise, Idaho

March 9, 1943 Diary Page

This morning is truely lovely. It’s brisk and clear and the air is fresh from yesterday’s rain. You can tell spring is not too far off as the cold spells don’t last very long any more. Patches of green grass are beginning to show up in sheltered places. That suits me fine because I’d like to be able to take the boys up into the mountains and camp out for a couple days or a week. We were going to try a night or two out here a few miles this week but the rain has made such a mess I think we will wait. This morning we moved. I can’t say that I like the set up but there is nothing we can do about it. We now have our offices as well as [ink blotch] men all on one floor and that really crowds us up some. The men are double decked and there is not nearly enough space to hang their equipment or clothes. I have a much better set up for an office though for which I am thankful. Tonight I went in with some of the boys from my barracks and did some bowling. It is the first time Ive ever bowled so I didn’t do a lot. We played three strings. My scores were 58 – 111 – 116. At least I showed improvement each time.

Good Night

To view previous diary entries, click here.

The Day That Was: March 9, 1943

• On the Eastern Front, Hausser’s SS Panzer Corps attacked Kharkov from the west and north. To the south of the city, the Soviet 25th Guards Division held the town of Taranovka against attacks by the German 48th Panzer Corps. (http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1943/mar1943/f09mar43.htm)

• In Tunisia, Rommel left Africa for the last time. On his way home, he met Mussolini in Rome and Hitler in East Prussia. Neither was persuaded to withdraw the Axis forces from Africa. (http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1943/mar1943/f09mar43.htm)

• In New Guinea, there were heavy Japanese attacks on Wau. (http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1943/mar1943/f09mar43.htm)

• Japanese installations at Munda in the Solomons were bombed by naval aircraft. Bombing of this area became a regular occurrence. (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

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2 Responses to “Lt. Reichard’s WWII Diary – March 9, 1943”

1. Tobey says:

   April 20, 2009 at 5:49 pm

   I am working on my aunt’s letters from Africa and Europe during WWII when she worked for the American Red Cross. I am also searching for other events that were happening at the time of each letter. When Lt. Reichard’s was still in the U.S. my aunt was in Casablanca with the Red Cross. I am hoping to form all of her letters and corresponding events into a book for her neices and nephews.

   Reply
   • Alison Harder says:

     April 20, 2009 at 9:54 pm

     Hi Tobey, That is wonderful that you will work to preserve that part of your family’s history. We really are the last generation to have firsthand accounts to learn from. I hope you continue to follow Lt. Reichard. He does eventually get overseas. It might be fun for you to track them together. Please write back as you get into your aunt’s letters and keep us informed about how your project is going.

     Reply

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