Military training Archives - Page 2 of 2

20 December 1941

Dear folks:

Another letter to you while I’m sitting in the service club with nothing particular to do. This town is really swell and the people have taken us in with open arms. Yesterday after duty, while I was strolling down main street, a lady stopped us and told us about the big Christmas dinner they are having, turkey and everything. The whole town is behind it and also they are rounding up gifts for each of us. Later we went in for a beer and we had four without paying anything. All on the house. Shows are half price and tonite was given a free malt in a drug store. When you go in stores many little items are given free. Also the ladies secured a washing machine for us to do our laundry and two irons to press them. Last nite we had a big free dance at the high school and all the girls in town were there. The announcer was a big fellow like Jon Lenz. Everyone had a swell time. We take showers at the high school too. But some things aren’t so good, for instance we have only hot water by heating it on a hot plate and the building is cold at night and we sleep rite on the floor. You see this is field conditions as in wartime. We are pretty lucky though. One battery has their tents pitched on the football field and have to straddle over a ditch to use the latrine. Another quarters themselves in the buildings around the swimming pool. Guess I’ve told you how pretty the town is. Our big guns are lined up around the city park, everything ready to go, if the case need be. This morning was taken up by inspections and the kids stood around as our officer inspected us.

There is one big item I do need badly and will have to have soon and that is a sleeping bag. It is almost impossible to get along without one and the floor is too hard to get any sleep. As they cost around eight or nine dollars I’ll have to ask you for a little money or you can order it thru Monkey Ward or some place and have it sent direct. I hate to ask for it around Christmas and all but I’m afraid I wouldn’t have any hips in a few weeks.

I read in the paper tonite that telephone calls were not permitted now, that is long distance. Hope that is wrong. I feel kind of cheap not buying any gifts at all but I won’t get paid until the fifteenth of January and I’d be mighty near broke.

This is enough for now but hope you all have a good time Christmas Day and wish I could be with you.

All my love,

10 December 1941

Dear Folks:

Just got your letter today and before I leave for classes perhaps I can get it answered. Well the camp has more or less realized the situation and taken measures in case the need be. From now on classes at nite are compulsory so that we can finish up in a hurry. It is rumored here we will probably be thru by Christmas or the first. From then-well we’ll both guess. Tonite was real blackout instruction and how to conduct ourselves in case of an attack. You can fill in the details. Several of our command cars have been sent to, I heard, the Phillipines and at nite trucks are moved to the shelter of trees in the valley. This morning at four had an air raid drill-get up fast, jump in overcoats to get out. Also we wear tin hats everywhere and the room orderly’s now carry pistols. Tonite are having a full field inspection preparatory to an overnite hike tomorrow.

To get away from this war fervor, I just completed reading “For Whom the Bells Toll” and now reading “As the Earth Turns”. I have “Green Light” reserved and have read the “Citadel”. Don’t know what will be done about Christmas leaves. I believe, though, that we will get a couple of days so that I can see Gram. I see Berg quite often and I believe perhaps he will go soon. Eighty three from the 54^th were shipped out yesterday. I’ll write a good letter later because got to go now. I think about you always and hope you will not be too worried. I am in no immediate danger. My money holds out fine. Till the next letter.

All my love,

My money holds out fine.

5 December 1941

Dear Folks:

Another brief letter before lights to go out. All day have been firing on the range and after hiking back, had to work on barracks for two hours. I took some pictures last Sunday and I’m sending one of each to recall in your times my tour of the Army perhaps. In firing today made one of the best scores in the battery with a one-eighty out of a possible two hundred.

Everything is going fine. Of course I’m still taking trigonometry every week and learning a little about the stuff. Will write later.

Love,

14 November 1941

Dear Folks:

I have only a little while in which to compose a letter and so many new things have taken place that don’t know whether I can get it all in properly.

Probably the first thing was our Armistice Day affair. On the program was a sham battle and firings of guns and many other things. There were thousands of visitors and I believe many of them were really thrilled to see the sham battle including airplanes, machine guns, smoke screens and all the rest. Also people were driven around in our little jeep, moms riding over bumps holding on to their bonnets and dads grinning big as pie. Thousands of ‘civies’ and soldiers were jammed into the bowl to see and hear the commander and chaplain deliver an address.

Today was “gassed”. Not literally but given enough of a demonstration to impress upon us the need of speed and the efficiency of our gas masks. We were taken into a gas chamber twice in which there was a heavy concentration of tear gas. The first time we entered had on our mask but the next time ran in without the masks, then hurriedly and perhaps frantically, put them on. Most of us were crying and felt hot irritations similar to the feeling of soap in one’s eyes. Of course the effect wore off immediately. Also were later given smells by means of bombs, of chlorine, Luvs cite, Adams cite, and phosgene. Very interesting. Also walked into a very heavy smokescreen so thick in fact we practically had to hold hands to keep together.

Now comes the big event and accounting for the hurriedness of this letter. I’m leaving for San Diego tonight and will arrive there Saturday at ten, so will have quite a visit with Gram. By the time you get this I will be back in camp. You don’t think I’ve gained (weight). Well I weighed 127 ¼ at Cheyenne and now am over 140, quite a good gain.

Proud to see Dan in the football picture. Our Thanksgiving is next Thursday the 20^th. About the package, I’ve told you most what I want already but can always use sundry toilet articles such as only Moms can think of. I feel I’ve slighted you in this letter but I’ll write after I get back from San Diego.

All my love,

9 November 1941

Dear Folks:

Just returned from church services so have some time before dinner to write to you. The service was a general one and open to all denominations. Haven’t found out anything about Episcopal services. The chapel is quite built with simplicity but dignity, and cost the government twenty five thousand. Overhead in the back is a balcony and a Hammond electric organ that costs plenty. Also the regiment has an orchestra that is really good. The church was well filled and there were a few visitors and fellows with their girlfriends.

Last Friday took quite a little trip and saw a little more of California. A convoy of thirty trucks went to Taft, in the oil fields, to get cargoes of black top used to surface our drill area. As the place is one hundred two miles from here rode most of the time. But got to see some of the big oil fields, and get a glimpse of something outside an army post. The longer I’m here in camp around so many fellows the more it seems that everything and everyone is military. It just seems there isn’t enough people to make up a civilian population.

Yesterday went thru the long nervous ordeal of inspection. About eight officers came thru and all of us acted like we had pokers up our backs and rocks in our mouths. An officer asked a fellow if he shaved the nite before and the poor private answered ‘no’, and the officer retorted ‘no what’, and the private said ‘no blades’. The officer was demanding a ‘sir’ and not this unexpected reply. Our platoon didn’t get first but our battery kept the sign.

Last nite and afternoon did nothing in particular, mostly reading. However did locate Berg after quite a search. He is in the other end of the camp in the infantry. He is coming over this afternoon for a visit.

Wish it was possible for you to be here next Tuesday Armistice Day. Visitors will be given a big show and will eat with us in the mess halls. Also our big coliseum is being dedicated and the field artillery gunners are going to fire the 75’s.

Next week will have all day Saturday off so hope I can hitchhike to San Diego to see Grandma. Couldn’t make it this week. Train service, because of the hills is terribly slow. It takes nine hours to Los Angeles only 200 miles from here. Want to see the Golden Gate in San Francisco sometime before I leave too.

After my radio training, I will be assigned to a tactical combat unit which will be my permanent post. You see, here all of us are trained to set up radio equipment and do not act as a fighter but upon our transfer will become part of a unit that operates exactly as it will in wartime. Boy it does seem like we are getting closer to it all the time. The officers and candre continually impress on us the means of protection to ourselves in case we go into the field. Radiomen operate sometimes near and sometimes far from the front. Some of the last batch of trainees were sent to Alaska. We just as well forget all about that though if we can.

Last week got another shot in the arm (tetanus) and those kids really hit a guy. It lasted only a couple of hours though. By the way when I was waiting for the shot I weighed myself and weighed one hundred forty. I had on my pants and shoes but even at that, I’m doing pretty good—and I’m really getting a tan too. The days are very warm but as soon as the sun goes down it cools off quickly. Last Friday going to the oil fields it was very hot and had my shirt off most of the time. It is hard to imagine that it is almost the middle of November. The grass around our orderly room to mess hall is getting very green and pretty. Also we are setting out small trees and shrubs.

Haven’t heard from Kate for some time and I’m sure it is she that owes the letter. Suppose she will write soon.

I’m thinking or trying to think what to tell you to put in the box and will write you about it. I know one thing right now and that is cookies and homemade candy.

Well better quit now but hope all of you are getting on okay.

All my love,

3 November 1941

Dear Folks:

I have a little time before chow and I want to answer your letter immediately so perhaps I can get it done now. Hope I answer all your questions too. I told you in my letter of yesterday that I got the shirts and the money so that will ease you on that point. About how I feel, I feel fine and lively but am always tired and ready to sleep solidly when nine o’clock comes around. Drilling and doing fatigue work is tiring but works up a good appetite and keeps you fit. The altitude seems no different than back in Minatare, to me at least. As to my weight I am 137 now. Quite a little gain since I left. About our camp broadcast, if they are received well enough they may become permanent so I can’t tell you when the next one will be. It is over NBC at 9:15 our time and broadcast over coast stations. You would probably have to get Los Angeles KSI. Tryouts are being held tonite at the bowl for the next one.

No Mom I don’t sleep in tents but in a 2 story barrack building housing sixty-three men. A very good description is given in an issue of Life of some time ago but I’ll describe it. The latrine, showers and non-com quarters are in one end and the rest is devoted to us, each sleeps in an individual bunk, or cot along each side of the building with the center aisle open. Our heads (of beds) are alternated. At the bottom of our bunk is a foot closet, a square box with two shelves in which we keep our stationery, toilet articles, clean laundry and other items. Each item has a specific place and it must be there.

Yes, I’ve had enough math for trig, all I had in high school was plenty. Had my first lesson last Thursday.

I’d like to describe my activities today to give you some idea of what I do. Got up at 5:30 and fell out at 6:00 for reveille then went to chow. Back from chow and there swept and scrubbed (every morning). After this drilled for about an hour then went to radio room to hear lecture on the classification and identification of warfare gases. Then a gas mask drill and how we are to protect ourselves. At noon had chow then back to mail call and a half hour to read the mail and relax a little. We then fall out for drill for 2 hours then took an examination for an army driver’s license. Then back to barracks for lecture on how to speak to the battery commander. We were then dismissed and here I am. Retreat is in a half hour. I feel a little tired but after a shower will feel good again. So is this day. Next Monday we will get our technical radio training. Our “lore” said probably none of us would ever go to war without an officer’s rating (non-com).

I’ll keep thinking and tell you what to put in the box. I always wish you could be near and visit on Sundays. Say hello to the whole family.

Love,

2 November 1941

Dear Folks:

I just got off duty a few minutes ago so I’ll have time to write you a good long letter. Today is Sunday again and a very dull one it seems but I guess most of them are. Today I was table waiter in the mess hall so work during the eating hours. I would get it on Sunday. Have been here two weeks so had a pass last night. My buddy and I went to Paso Robles about 15 miles from here. It all turned out very badly. I was looking for some entertainment but there wasn’t a thing, not even a dance. Every store and building was crammed to overflowing with soldiers and the only thing to do was go to the show or roller-skate. And everything seems priced very high. Hamburgers 15 cents, show 35 cents, and roller-skating 40 cents. Two fellows with us bought a couple sandwiches for 52 cents. With so much business it seems things would be cheaper. Anyway we roller-skated until 10 o’clock then came back to the camp. Perhaps if I can get into Los Angeles or San Francisco things will be different. Have written several letters to Grandma and hope to get down if I can get three days off. Round trip is only eight, eighty-five but I would have so little time with a day and a half that it would be hardly worth the time. They want me to come down badly.

My actual radio training hasn’t started yet but will soon. First we must get the basic fundamentals of marching and firing. Two days ago last week were spent on our very latest and modern rifle range. We fired our rifles from a distance of two and three hundred yards. About 100 men can fire at one time. Two way telephone connections are set up from the firing line to the fellows in the pits that run the targets. I pulled targets one day—that is, was in a deep concrete trench and raised and lowered the targets and flashed back the score by means of flags and dices. Boy those bullets whistle overhead; also some bullets hit the dirt in front of the pit and spray dirt all over. In my firing I made ninety-nine out of a possible one fifty. Hope to do better next time.

Last week also had our periodic physical exam for lice, etc. It’s what the boys call a ‘short arm’ inspection. It was very funny. We all lined up with just our overcoats and shoes on, and with a cold wind blowing we shivered plenty. Some fellows lined up, then bent over, and pulled their coats up over their buttocks and had their picture taken.

My buddy and I have decided to try for officer’s training school, after our first six months are up. I think we have a good chance to make it.

So Bill Emick’s home? I just got a letter from him about a week and a half ago telling me of his roommate and the course he was taking. I’m very surprised. He did say though he was flat broke and couldn’t see how he was going to get there. I didn’t think he would ever come back to Minatare. And Wilma with another baby; another surprise. She must like ‘em. How is Duane getting along and what about the marriage scandal?

I have all the mail you sent. I got the shirt and the package and the two dollars. All very much appreciated and thanks so much. Mail call is the most important time of the day, and everybody jumps when the sergeant yells.

The fellow next to me is a very funny and fastidious fellow and about once a week thinks he must have an enema. You’d die if you knew his nickname.

Don’t know anything about Berg or the other fellows. Saw long lines of infantry marching back from a long hike and watched for him but didn’t see anything. Boy those guys in the infantry take a beating. They also have bayonet practice and of course they don’t hit the dummy squarely. A long pole swings around and smacks them. Also saw them throwing hand grenades and practically flattening out on the ground.

No my laundry is not $1.50 a week, but a buck fifty a month. There is no limit on the amount we can send. By the way if you want you can send my slippers and couple pair of shorts and skirts. I like plenty for Friday inspections. I will just about have everything then. We will be issued another suit; a field jacket and two more pairs of shoes so will always have clean clothing. Last week got up at four thirty to go to the rifle range but effective yesterday we operate on a winter schedule with reveille at six and retreat at four thirty in the afternoon. To sleep until six seems like a Sunday morning.

Last Tuesday nite went to a show ‘Camel Caravan’ sponsored by Camel cigarettes and saw some darned good entertainment. My buddy got in without tickets on the pretext of using the library. Guess tonight I’ll go to the show (14 cents).

I guess this is everything that’s been happening to me. Did you get the camp paper I sent? Should get a letter from Kate tomorrow. My buddy and I are going to buy a cheap camera to take some pictures so I’ll be sending some. I will get paid the tenth so will send you some money.

Write soon.

Love,