April 29, 1943
Thurs eve. 9:08
Hi Tootsie Wuggles;
I've been neglecting you so far this week not because I wanted to but because I've been so damn busy. I didn't have time to write and I will probably have to finish this one in the latrine or out under the firelight. Tues. night we had our regular bowl formation and didn't get back until nearly 10:30 so I went to bed because i drew K.P. again for Wed. and had to roll out at 4 A.M. I guess they thought I had been too lucky on this K.P. business so they gave it to me twice very close together. I didn't get through with that until 9:15 so I went to bed again without writing to my honey.
Today we were out on the driving range so we rolled out early again, 4:30 and got back at 5:30 and then I had a short detail loading machine gun shell belts. Got through about 8:00 and had me a good old shower to wash off the sweat & Louisiana dust. If I hadn't, I think you could even have smelled me on this letter I felt that sticky anyhow. Bet you would have kicked me out of bed if I had crawled in with you that way. It was hotter than hell and dust was ankle deep. You can imagine how it would be with several hundred vehicles tearing around over the country all day when the ground is powder dry, as it happens to be here at present time.
I was taking pre-driving instructions on the tanks today. They sure are some piece of machinery. Look awkward as hell but when they have a good driver in charge they sure can get around. They will travel up to 60 miles per hour on the level and can go over a standing tree 8" to 10" thick and never even hesitate. Very interesting machinery. The boys that have driven them say they drive easier than a truck, hard to believe but nevertheless true.
Wednesday we had regular classes until 1:30 and then we went on a hike with full field equipment, about 40 lbs in all on our backs. It was about 8 miles cross country and hot as hell. The sun just seems to be a weight pressing down on your back. Several of the boys had to be picked up by jeeps and a couple more folded up after we got back, but the old man stayed with it and wasn't even too tired after I had finished K.P. at a little past 9. Pretty hard to kill even if I am a little old for this sort of stuff. The only thing that stops me is these long runs at double time they have been giving us this week. I don't get tired but my wind gives out and makes it hard to keep going towards the end.
I hurt my knee on the obstacle course the other day but it didn't get sore or hurt it just feels a little loose at times like it could bend both ways. Don't worry about it, it won't be at all serious and even if it does get bad I'll just get a rest in the hospital. Guess I shouldn't have told you this, but don't worry about it for a minute. If the damn thing is going to go bad, I want it too while I am here and can get it fixed up for nothing and not even loose any pay while it is being done. One real good point to the army. You can believe me it isn't bothering or hurting at all. I mean it.
They have stepped up the physical program this week in an effort to weed out all those that can't take it and will continue to step it up each week for two or three weeks more and then I guess it will let up for a little while, because we will have our initial basic training over and will begin to work into the jobs we are best suited to do and then we will get special training on whatever that job may be. You see, by that time they will have a fair idea of what our abilites may be.
I got a letter from Tony and will enclose it with this one. You mentioned an idea that might be starting to take shape in your pretty head, that much as I hate to do it, I'm going to have to spike before it becomes too much of an idea. That was about May going to see Tony. You couldn't come down here because there is no place for you to stay that would be close enough for me to see you anyhow.
Lake Charles, you can find it on the map I sent you,is the only place fit for a good woman to stay at and that is around 70 miles away. Our weekend passes which we are eligible for this week are only for 24 hours and bus communications are terrible here so I probably would have a hard time to get there even on weekends and certainly not at night. So that's the story.
Leesville and other small towns close to camp are so full of prostitutes and veneral disease, I am even afraid to go near the place and certainly wouldn't want you there.
I sure as hell would like to have you here but that's impossible damn it!
Glad to hear your Dad is getting his car back nearly intact, almost unbelievable isn't it.
Don't get the idea that the pictures didn't look as good as I said. They do and probably better, because I can't say just what I want to on paper for some reason, but I'll keep on trying and maybe you can get the idea.
When you are away from the only thing, you, that ever meant much to you and don't even have any contact with the things you have both known and done together, a picture, or a letter mean a lot more than I ever imagined. Kind of make a tie between us that I can see and look at whenever I want to, which is often. I get a lift and a nice warm feeling every time I look at the pictures, and I think you are more beautiful and desireable all the time. By the time I get home you better be plenty tough or I will probably break a few ribs on the first squeeze. It sure will feel good to me.
Just to show you how much I love you, here is what I did tonight. Bob Hope was here with a free entertainment and I didn't go just so I could write you a letter. I'm sweet too. I really didn't care to much to see him anyhow and I do like to write to you as often as I can. Wish it was every day. well I will have to quit now. I'm writing sitting on the crapper and am not very comfortable, beside it is past 10 and bedtime for an old man. I sure as hell don't feel like one as I think you can believe. I love you a hell of a lot and more. I agree we must be just about right. I never believed anyone could mean so much to me you old devil.
I am O.K. and feeling fine. Glad to hear you are too. Keep it up soldier and someday your soldier will be home again, probably a better husband than before. I love you for life I'm certain of that now.
Your loving soldier
Norm
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Letter # 16 - April 26, 1943
Monday Eve.
April 26, 1943
Dear Babe,
Got two letters from my sweet wife today, written on the 22, & 23, also got one from Hazel and ma. I seem to get better service on letters coming to camp than the ones I send from here. I don't know why unless they don't pick up the mail regular here at camp, but guess you will get them sometime.
I can't believe it but I have no extra duties tonight so I will start to write this letter even if I don't finish it. Haven't got much to say so I may have to make it purely a love letter.
Sorry to hear about your Dad's car, probably all they wanted was the tires. By the time you get this it will probably be too late and I imagine you would do it anyhow, if you can work it he is welcome to use ours as far as I am concerned. Anything like that is entirely up to you. I know you will do the proper thing because you are so sweet.
I am going to ask another favor of you, just as though you didn't already have enough to do. It is impossible to buy shoe polish down here and I have used one box and started on the second already so I guess I will have to ask you to try and find me a couple more boxes. Will you? I know you will because from your letters I would almost think you loved me and missed me a little. I was half afraid you wouldn't, just talking, I knew you would, you darling. I feel very good to know you miss me as much as much as I miss you and you surely must if you are getting those moments as you say you are. We sure will be set for another honeymoon when we get together again. I think better than the first and I believe I will appreciate you more than I did then, and that was plenty even if I didn't tell you so.
Hazel writes that you are doing swell and have lost 10 pounds, so I guess i will have to believe it. I bet you look like the gorgeous thing I married again. Even I have become streamlined again, no belly at all but I don't think I have lost much weight. The exercise and marching have just pulled up the flabby spots.
Everybody says you are being a very good little soldier and I'm proud as hell of you. The boys all like your picture a lot or at least say they do. If it look as good to them as it does to me they couldn't help but like it. It looks beautiful to me and I nearly always look at it a couple times a day. Now do you believe I love you. You'll have to because I don't know how to say it any better, but I could show you I think.
We had a tough day today. They are starting to bear down on the physical training program. They think we have toughened up enough to take it now I guess. We had an hour of calisthenics and then with no rest went on a mile cross country run. I was plenty winded and soaking wet. It's hot as hell again but otherwise I came out O.K. Nearly half the boys had to drop out of line but I was too stubborn to do it. It is surprising how those exercises and marching put a fellow in shape. A month ago that would have nearly killed me and now I don't even have a sore muscle, pretty good for an old man I would say.
After that we had gas mask drill and then went in the gas chamber to see for ourselves how they worked. the chamber was filled with tear gas, not dangerous but will make you cry like a baby. After we were in the chamber for 10 or 15 minutes and had felt no effects of gas they had us take our masks off just to show us they were doing some good, so we will have confidence in them, and made us stand in there for a minute or so. The mask was O.K. alright because I sure was crying when I came out. I haven't shed so many tears in 29 years I bet. It has no other effect on the body so don't be concerned. It was funny to see all those soldiers crying like kids. The rest of the day was taken up with gun instruction.
I broke my glasses last Friday and didn't have an opportunity to get them mailed until tonight. The medics couldn't fix that kind here so I thought best to send them home as I explained in the letter I sent with them. there shouldn't be any charge, I broke them cleaning them the same as they have broken every time, but if there is a charge pay it and it will be just one more thing I owe you. Don't be concerned about them, I have been 4 days without them and hardly miss them at all.
You mentioned busy letter writers. If I could find a real good redhead that would work for nothing I think I would employ her as a secretary. Last Sunday I wrote 12 letters and that long one to you and still have several to write to be caught up. I've used 3 boxes of stationery already. It isn't nearly as much fun to write the others as it is yours so I will spend all the time I can possibly squeeze out on yours. It's just like a long distance chat with you and even a chance to chat with you that way is a very desirable pleasure to me. You sure as hell got under my skin a lot farther than I ever thought possible, you old devil, but I love it, not even one little regret. You would sure have a hell of a time getting rid of me now. I didn't realize you had become so much a part of me until I came to the army. I would be like a lost man without you "Tootsie", so for heavens sake don't stop loving me now.
There goes the bugle for lights out so I will have to quit pronto. I love you an awful lot and I think if possible more each day. As you have probably gathered I am very well and getting along O.K. The parts of this are nearly like a love letter.
I love you
Norm
April 26, 1943
Dear Babe,
Got two letters from my sweet wife today, written on the 22, & 23, also got one from Hazel and ma. I seem to get better service on letters coming to camp than the ones I send from here. I don't know why unless they don't pick up the mail regular here at camp, but guess you will get them sometime.
I can't believe it but I have no extra duties tonight so I will start to write this letter even if I don't finish it. Haven't got much to say so I may have to make it purely a love letter.
Sorry to hear about your Dad's car, probably all they wanted was the tires. By the time you get this it will probably be too late and I imagine you would do it anyhow, if you can work it he is welcome to use ours as far as I am concerned. Anything like that is entirely up to you. I know you will do the proper thing because you are so sweet.
I am going to ask another favor of you, just as though you didn't already have enough to do. It is impossible to buy shoe polish down here and I have used one box and started on the second already so I guess I will have to ask you to try and find me a couple more boxes. Will you? I know you will because from your letters I would almost think you loved me and missed me a little. I was half afraid you wouldn't, just talking, I knew you would, you darling. I feel very good to know you miss me as much as much as I miss you and you surely must if you are getting those moments as you say you are. We sure will be set for another honeymoon when we get together again. I think better than the first and I believe I will appreciate you more than I did then, and that was plenty even if I didn't tell you so.
Hazel writes that you are doing swell and have lost 10 pounds, so I guess i will have to believe it. I bet you look like the gorgeous thing I married again. Even I have become streamlined again, no belly at all but I don't think I have lost much weight. The exercise and marching have just pulled up the flabby spots.
Everybody says you are being a very good little soldier and I'm proud as hell of you. The boys all like your picture a lot or at least say they do. If it look as good to them as it does to me they couldn't help but like it. It looks beautiful to me and I nearly always look at it a couple times a day. Now do you believe I love you. You'll have to because I don't know how to say it any better, but I could show you I think.
We had a tough day today. They are starting to bear down on the physical training program. They think we have toughened up enough to take it now I guess. We had an hour of calisthenics and then with no rest went on a mile cross country run. I was plenty winded and soaking wet. It's hot as hell again but otherwise I came out O.K. Nearly half the boys had to drop out of line but I was too stubborn to do it. It is surprising how those exercises and marching put a fellow in shape. A month ago that would have nearly killed me and now I don't even have a sore muscle, pretty good for an old man I would say.
After that we had gas mask drill and then went in the gas chamber to see for ourselves how they worked. the chamber was filled with tear gas, not dangerous but will make you cry like a baby. After we were in the chamber for 10 or 15 minutes and had felt no effects of gas they had us take our masks off just to show us they were doing some good, so we will have confidence in them, and made us stand in there for a minute or so. The mask was O.K. alright because I sure was crying when I came out. I haven't shed so many tears in 29 years I bet. It has no other effect on the body so don't be concerned. It was funny to see all those soldiers crying like kids. The rest of the day was taken up with gun instruction.
I broke my glasses last Friday and didn't have an opportunity to get them mailed until tonight. The medics couldn't fix that kind here so I thought best to send them home as I explained in the letter I sent with them. there shouldn't be any charge, I broke them cleaning them the same as they have broken every time, but if there is a charge pay it and it will be just one more thing I owe you. Don't be concerned about them, I have been 4 days without them and hardly miss them at all.
You mentioned busy letter writers. If I could find a real good redhead that would work for nothing I think I would employ her as a secretary. Last Sunday I wrote 12 letters and that long one to you and still have several to write to be caught up. I've used 3 boxes of stationery already. It isn't nearly as much fun to write the others as it is yours so I will spend all the time I can possibly squeeze out on yours. It's just like a long distance chat with you and even a chance to chat with you that way is a very desirable pleasure to me. You sure as hell got under my skin a lot farther than I ever thought possible, you old devil, but I love it, not even one little regret. You would sure have a hell of a time getting rid of me now. I didn't realize you had become so much a part of me until I came to the army. I would be like a lost man without you "Tootsie", so for heavens sake don't stop loving me now.
There goes the bugle for lights out so I will have to quit pronto. I love you an awful lot and I think if possible more each day. As you have probably gathered I am very well and getting along O.K. The parts of this are nearly like a love letter.
I love you
Norm
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Letter #15- April 25, 1943
Apr 25, 1943
Sunday morn
8:00
Dearest Tootsie Wuggles,
They tell me this is Easter Sunday, so I will wish you a happy Easter even though the words reach you several days late. The days go so fast I can't keep track of them and had no idea it was Easter until they announced the Easter services last evening. About 1/2 of the boys are going but I would sooner stay in and write to my darling wife and some others. I received a letter from Steve, Garnet,Mick & Louise, Ed & Betty, Gus & Vi, and several from my darling wife this past week so I have several to write today in return.
Steve didn't have much to say except to hand me a few verbal flowers and to say he was expecting to be shipped at any time. He a
has never mentioned doing anything for me since the one letter he wrote shortly after he was home last winter but I am well satisfied here, the only thing I was hoping was maybe he would get me out of this hot climate for the summer, but I really don't care much. If the other thousands of men here can stand it I surely can, and I know I will like the work as well as any he could get me, beside I am not more in debt to him. Old independent me talking again. the only place i have lost my Independence is where you are concerned. Darn you and yet I like it and wouldn't change for the world, so there too.
According to all the rest of the kids they miss me a little too, probably a little bunk but very nice to hear. It's nice to know you are important to others.
The Easter parade is just going by headed by a swell military band and the good old colors of U.S.A. I watched them go by and almost wished I was marching with them just to march with the band. A good military band still affects me as much and I believe more than ever. Most of the time we do our marching without band and no matter how tired I am when we are led by a band I can just step out and strut. I don't know why but it just does something to me, always has. They have several very good bands in the division and I sure like to hear them.
I got the ink and underwear and handkerchiefs yesterday, just in time to save me a laundry job today. As it is, all I have to wash is my work clothes. I only have one set of them yet and they sure need it by Sunday. I can't wash them during the week, because nothing will dry down here at night, too damp.
good old Mummy always comes through, you're sweet.
You say you are not sure what I am in so I will attempt to tell you. The official name is 8th Armored Division of the 3rd Army of the U.S.A. It is just about what you said in one of your letters, the motorized branch of the land forces. I compare with the branch of the German Army called panzer of which I know you have heard. It will be our job in combat to break through and open the way for the infantry foot soldiers. Nearly all of our fighting will be done from our machines, although if our machines are put out of action we will fight on foot the same as the infantry. The only difference between the infantry and the armored force is that we are mounted in vehicles, tanks, half tracks, jeeps, peeps, and etc. instead of being on foot with rifles we have machine guns and light cannon mounted on our vehicles. We will also have rifles but won't use them unless we have to leave our machines for some reason or other. We not only have to learn and take the same training as the infantry but also have to learn to handle and maintain all the motorized equipment. That is the reason we have so many classes and will be in training so much longer than the other branches of the service. The insignia that
I sent you, is the symbol of the division and has a meaning. The 8 is for 8th division. The lightening is symbolic of fast striking power, the gun for light artillery, the caterpillar tracks for tanks. I hope that explains it a little better.
I sure am glad to hear you are getting along so well. It relieves me a lot although I would still like better than anything in the world to be there to take care of you and have you take care of me but as you say it can't be, so don't bellyache. The only time I feel like bellyaching is on Sunday when we aren't busy and I get to thinking of home and writing letters to my friends.
Don't ever worry about me forgetting you, you devil, most of the time I am not busy I spend thinking of you and loving you by remote control. As I said before in quoting the old saying, about absence making the heart grow fonder, it sure has in my case and I thought I loved you all I could before, but I sure was wrong. If it is any comfort to you to know you are the first and only person I have ever really missed when I was away from home. I sure as hell do miss you. I guess I am learning to write love letters and like you it is my first experience and rather fun. You don't know how much it means to me to read that you love me. It makes me feel like floating as you say, all day and even creeps in between the words of a lecture on some gun or other every once and a while. So if I don't learn all I should I will blame it on you, but don't stop, I love it and will manage to learn a little more than the average anyhow.
Most of these boys are kids and don't take it as a serious job and a lot of them have very little ability so I shouldn't find it hard to keep up even if you do get mixed up in my thoughts when I am doing something else. Physically I am handicapped by these young bucks but never fear I am holding my own and feeling very fit and happy. No sore muscles or anything anymore and I can keep up with all but a few of them in anything.
Only 10 more weeks of basic training left. The weeks sure do fly. Just think 4 weeks since I have seen my beloved wife. In lots of ways it hardly seems that long but in respect to you it seems a hell of a lot longer.
The other day when I wrote I mentioned going on the range to actually fire the revolver. Well we did and although I didn't do anything spectacular I don't think I did so badly either. I made a score of 209 out of a possible score of 270 and the highest score made was 230. It was better than I expected. I only missed by one point qualifying for sharpshooter. If I can keep that up a do a little better in the next tries, I will be well pleased. That score doesn't mean that many shots. We only fired 40 shots apiece and the score is figured from the value of each shot on the target. I only got 3 bulls eyes but most of my shots were within a couple of inches and would sure have gotten any Jap that I was shooting at. I was rather surprised at how little those 45's kick, about the same as if you would shoot your 410 with one hand.
Friday I got my first taste of K.P. They were taking each man alphabetically when they don't have enough on punishment detail, and my turn came up. I have done worse jobs but boy did I wash dishes until I was blue in the face. At breakfast and dinner I washed every dish from the tables for about 250 men, more dishes than I ever saw. I'll be able to get a job as dish washer at the diner when I come home. It was a hot day and I sure did sweat standing over that dish washing sink. It's about the size of two bathtubs set end to end. I think I sweat enough to fill them once at least.
At night my carpenter classification came in handy. I had just started to wash dishes and the mess Sargent came in and asked me what the hell I was doing washing dishes when I hadn't finished his bread box yet so he got a man to relieve me and I went to work on that, not bad luck. It was quite a long day though from 4 A.M. to 9P.M. Good thing I was used to long days.
Saturday was just a regular day except for inspection in the afternoon. After inspection they got a crazy idea and moved a lot of us from one barracks to another so we would be all together from our respective platoons, so I had to move in with a bunch of other fellows. Leo Marks, he is back from the hospital, is still with me and of course I knew most of the others from working with them so it isn't much of a change.
After that was over I got a slight advancement. The platoon Sarge made me squad leader and I am responsible for about 14 men. See that they do as they are supposed to and if not report to him. I don't know if I like it or not but I'm it so that is that.
no duties at all today. Got up at 7:00 A.M. had breakfast, a whole grapefruit and boy are they good, lots better than most of them we get at home, they are raised just over in Texas, sausage, scrambled eggs, toast and jam, cornflakes and coffee, not bad I say, and I forgot, a nice big apple. After breakfast I sat down to write this letter to you and will answer a few of the others also.
They haven't yet let us change to summer uniforms, but I don't wear my woolen socks or underwear anymore. I think we will change any day now. It sure is warm enough to, again, I bet it was 95 yesterday. It cools off at night so it is chilly and towards morning I have to use my second blanket so it is nice sleeping. If it is that way all summer it won't be bad but if it stays hot at night I won't like it.
There are more men of my age in this barracks and I think it will be O.K. after we get well acquainted. My next bed fellow, next cot to mine, is a man about 28 with a wife and year old baby. He is from Philadelphia and was a crockery salesman until drafted, so he knows hardware a little from his customers. His name is Carol Moore. Big fellow, still weighs about 220 and is a couple of inches shorter than I. Seems like a very nice fellow. We exchanged pictures and etc. and are getting along fine.
Well I guess as much as I like to write to you, because it is rather a poor imitation of being with you, I will have to quit or I won't fulfill my obligation to answer these other letters. It is already 10:30 and I have had a couple of hours with you and I enjoy every minute of them so I hate to quit but other things need doing. I will write again as soon as I can.
I saw a bunch of W.A.C.S. in camp here last night, there is a camp of them at South Camp Polk but don't worry or get jealous because even though they were the first women I had seen in several weeks I wouldn't trade the lot for one look at you. They sure don't look good to me. Seem to be mostly the tough kind and then the uniforms and weather beaten faces don't help them any. A lot of the boys that have been here long enough to leave camp are taking them out and according to them getting all they want, and I don't doubt it from the looks of most of the girls. Even if I am a little ornery they sure don't affect me. I would probably be scared if one even looked at me. I would have to be damned hard up to even think of taking one out if I was single, and now, knowing you are waiting for me and are so darn nice I couldn't even think of it. I'll be pure and nearly virgin again when I come back to you.
That picture postcard I sent was just an indication of desire to like you like I used to and not a comparison. As far as you are concerned maybe that is why these girls are not attractive to me. I really mean all this. It's not just a bunch of B.S. and I will make you believe it when I see you again. Wish it was now. I do love you an awful lot and you better believe it to. So long Tootsie Wuggles I'll be seeing you sometime and am looking forward to the day.
Your loving husband,
Norm
P.S. The underwear fit swell so I can't be loosing too much but the belly is definitely gone, straight as an arrow. the handkerchiefs will be sufficient and thanks a lot for the candy & peanuts. Very thoughtful of you.
You're Sweet!
Sunday morn
8:00
Dearest Tootsie Wuggles,
They tell me this is Easter Sunday, so I will wish you a happy Easter even though the words reach you several days late. The days go so fast I can't keep track of them and had no idea it was Easter until they announced the Easter services last evening. About 1/2 of the boys are going but I would sooner stay in and write to my darling wife and some others. I received a letter from Steve, Garnet,Mick & Louise, Ed & Betty, Gus & Vi, and several from my darling wife this past week so I have several to write today in return.
Steve didn't have much to say except to hand me a few verbal flowers and to say he was expecting to be shipped at any time. He a
has never mentioned doing anything for me since the one letter he wrote shortly after he was home last winter but I am well satisfied here, the only thing I was hoping was maybe he would get me out of this hot climate for the summer, but I really don't care much. If the other thousands of men here can stand it I surely can, and I know I will like the work as well as any he could get me, beside I am not more in debt to him. Old independent me talking again. the only place i have lost my Independence is where you are concerned. Darn you and yet I like it and wouldn't change for the world, so there too.
According to all the rest of the kids they miss me a little too, probably a little bunk but very nice to hear. It's nice to know you are important to others.
The Easter parade is just going by headed by a swell military band and the good old colors of U.S.A. I watched them go by and almost wished I was marching with them just to march with the band. A good military band still affects me as much and I believe more than ever. Most of the time we do our marching without band and no matter how tired I am when we are led by a band I can just step out and strut. I don't know why but it just does something to me, always has. They have several very good bands in the division and I sure like to hear them.
I got the ink and underwear and handkerchiefs yesterday, just in time to save me a laundry job today. As it is, all I have to wash is my work clothes. I only have one set of them yet and they sure need it by Sunday. I can't wash them during the week, because nothing will dry down here at night, too damp.
good old Mummy always comes through, you're sweet.
You say you are not sure what I am in so I will attempt to tell you. The official name is 8th Armored Division of the 3rd Army of the U.S.A. It is just about what you said in one of your letters, the motorized branch of the land forces. I compare with the branch of the German Army called panzer of which I know you have heard. It will be our job in combat to break through and open the way for the infantry foot soldiers. Nearly all of our fighting will be done from our machines, although if our machines are put out of action we will fight on foot the same as the infantry. The only difference between the infantry and the armored force is that we are mounted in vehicles, tanks, half tracks, jeeps, peeps, and etc. instead of being on foot with rifles we have machine guns and light cannon mounted on our vehicles. We will also have rifles but won't use them unless we have to leave our machines for some reason or other. We not only have to learn and take the same training as the infantry but also have to learn to handle and maintain all the motorized equipment. That is the reason we have so many classes and will be in training so much longer than the other branches of the service. The insignia that
I sent you, is the symbol of the division and has a meaning. The 8 is for 8th division. The lightening is symbolic of fast striking power, the gun for light artillery, the caterpillar tracks for tanks. I hope that explains it a little better.
I sure am glad to hear you are getting along so well. It relieves me a lot although I would still like better than anything in the world to be there to take care of you and have you take care of me but as you say it can't be, so don't bellyache. The only time I feel like bellyaching is on Sunday when we aren't busy and I get to thinking of home and writing letters to my friends.
Don't ever worry about me forgetting you, you devil, most of the time I am not busy I spend thinking of you and loving you by remote control. As I said before in quoting the old saying, about absence making the heart grow fonder, it sure has in my case and I thought I loved you all I could before, but I sure was wrong. If it is any comfort to you to know you are the first and only person I have ever really missed when I was away from home. I sure as hell do miss you. I guess I am learning to write love letters and like you it is my first experience and rather fun. You don't know how much it means to me to read that you love me. It makes me feel like floating as you say, all day and even creeps in between the words of a lecture on some gun or other every once and a while. So if I don't learn all I should I will blame it on you, but don't stop, I love it and will manage to learn a little more than the average anyhow.
Most of these boys are kids and don't take it as a serious job and a lot of them have very little ability so I shouldn't find it hard to keep up even if you do get mixed up in my thoughts when I am doing something else. Physically I am handicapped by these young bucks but never fear I am holding my own and feeling very fit and happy. No sore muscles or anything anymore and I can keep up with all but a few of them in anything.
Only 10 more weeks of basic training left. The weeks sure do fly. Just think 4 weeks since I have seen my beloved wife. In lots of ways it hardly seems that long but in respect to you it seems a hell of a lot longer.
The other day when I wrote I mentioned going on the range to actually fire the revolver. Well we did and although I didn't do anything spectacular I don't think I did so badly either. I made a score of 209 out of a possible score of 270 and the highest score made was 230. It was better than I expected. I only missed by one point qualifying for sharpshooter. If I can keep that up a do a little better in the next tries, I will be well pleased. That score doesn't mean that many shots. We only fired 40 shots apiece and the score is figured from the value of each shot on the target. I only got 3 bulls eyes but most of my shots were within a couple of inches and would sure have gotten any Jap that I was shooting at. I was rather surprised at how little those 45's kick, about the same as if you would shoot your 410 with one hand.
Friday I got my first taste of K.P. They were taking each man alphabetically when they don't have enough on punishment detail, and my turn came up. I have done worse jobs but boy did I wash dishes until I was blue in the face. At breakfast and dinner I washed every dish from the tables for about 250 men, more dishes than I ever saw. I'll be able to get a job as dish washer at the diner when I come home. It was a hot day and I sure did sweat standing over that dish washing sink. It's about the size of two bathtubs set end to end. I think I sweat enough to fill them once at least.
At night my carpenter classification came in handy. I had just started to wash dishes and the mess Sargent came in and asked me what the hell I was doing washing dishes when I hadn't finished his bread box yet so he got a man to relieve me and I went to work on that, not bad luck. It was quite a long day though from 4 A.M. to 9P.M. Good thing I was used to long days.
Saturday was just a regular day except for inspection in the afternoon. After inspection they got a crazy idea and moved a lot of us from one barracks to another so we would be all together from our respective platoons, so I had to move in with a bunch of other fellows. Leo Marks, he is back from the hospital, is still with me and of course I knew most of the others from working with them so it isn't much of a change.
After that was over I got a slight advancement. The platoon Sarge made me squad leader and I am responsible for about 14 men. See that they do as they are supposed to and if not report to him. I don't know if I like it or not but I'm it so that is that.
no duties at all today. Got up at 7:00 A.M. had breakfast, a whole grapefruit and boy are they good, lots better than most of them we get at home, they are raised just over in Texas, sausage, scrambled eggs, toast and jam, cornflakes and coffee, not bad I say, and I forgot, a nice big apple. After breakfast I sat down to write this letter to you and will answer a few of the others also.
They haven't yet let us change to summer uniforms, but I don't wear my woolen socks or underwear anymore. I think we will change any day now. It sure is warm enough to, again, I bet it was 95 yesterday. It cools off at night so it is chilly and towards morning I have to use my second blanket so it is nice sleeping. If it is that way all summer it won't be bad but if it stays hot at night I won't like it.
There are more men of my age in this barracks and I think it will be O.K. after we get well acquainted. My next bed fellow, next cot to mine, is a man about 28 with a wife and year old baby. He is from Philadelphia and was a crockery salesman until drafted, so he knows hardware a little from his customers. His name is Carol Moore. Big fellow, still weighs about 220 and is a couple of inches shorter than I. Seems like a very nice fellow. We exchanged pictures and etc. and are getting along fine.
Well I guess as much as I like to write to you, because it is rather a poor imitation of being with you, I will have to quit or I won't fulfill my obligation to answer these other letters. It is already 10:30 and I have had a couple of hours with you and I enjoy every minute of them so I hate to quit but other things need doing. I will write again as soon as I can.
I saw a bunch of W.A.C.S. in camp here last night, there is a camp of them at South Camp Polk but don't worry or get jealous because even though they were the first women I had seen in several weeks I wouldn't trade the lot for one look at you. They sure don't look good to me. Seem to be mostly the tough kind and then the uniforms and weather beaten faces don't help them any. A lot of the boys that have been here long enough to leave camp are taking them out and according to them getting all they want, and I don't doubt it from the looks of most of the girls. Even if I am a little ornery they sure don't affect me. I would probably be scared if one even looked at me. I would have to be damned hard up to even think of taking one out if I was single, and now, knowing you are waiting for me and are so darn nice I couldn't even think of it. I'll be pure and nearly virgin again when I come back to you.
That picture postcard I sent was just an indication of desire to like you like I used to and not a comparison. As far as you are concerned maybe that is why these girls are not attractive to me. I really mean all this. It's not just a bunch of B.S. and I will make you believe it when I see you again. Wish it was now. I do love you an awful lot and you better believe it to. So long Tootsie Wuggles I'll be seeing you sometime and am looking forward to the day.
Your loving husband,
Norm
P.S. The underwear fit swell so I can't be loosing too much but the belly is definitely gone, straight as an arrow. the handkerchiefs will be sufficient and thanks a lot for the candy & peanuts. Very thoughtful of you.
You're Sweet!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Letter #14 April 24, 1943
Sat. eve.
April 24
Hi Babe
Just got your letter with the three cents due written on it, haven't read it yet because I want to be at the post Office before they close. I broke my glasses and can't get these kind fixed here very well so am sending them home for you to get fixed. They shouldn't cost anything because they were guaranteed and I broke them cleaning them. Here I am leaning on you again but you're sweet. I'll write more later.
Your husband
Norm
Hi Tootsie;
I didn't make the post office in time to get the glasses sent off so I'll have to wait until I get another chance to get to the post office. Don't know when that will be. The damn thing closes at 6 P.M. and we are seldom through long enough before to get there by 6. You see it is nearly a mile away from home. I will quit on this letter and send it with the package and write another to send with regular mail. We have a box here at the barracks to drop letters in.
April 24
Hi Babe
Just got your letter with the three cents due written on it, haven't read it yet because I want to be at the post Office before they close. I broke my glasses and can't get these kind fixed here very well so am sending them home for you to get fixed. They shouldn't cost anything because they were guaranteed and I broke them cleaning them. Here I am leaning on you again but you're sweet. I'll write more later.
Your husband
Norm
Hi Tootsie;
I didn't make the post office in time to get the glasses sent off so I'll have to wait until I get another chance to get to the post office. Don't know when that will be. The damn thing closes at 6 P.M. and we are seldom through long enough before to get there by 6. You see it is nearly a mile away from home. I will quit on this letter and send it with the package and write another to send with regular mail. We have a box here at the barracks to drop letters in.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Letter # 13 April 21, 1943
Apr 21, 1943
Weds. eve.
8 P.M.
Hi tootsie.
Well we had a swell day on the driving range and just got back, hot , tired and dirty, but I just had a shower and shave and feel swell. That is one thing we have is good showers with plenty of hot water and a place to use my electric razor.
I drove a 2 1/2 ton army truck for quite a while and did O.K. I had said that I had never driven a truck and after I had gone around the course once the Sargent instructor thought I was fibbing to him. The only thing different than a pleasure car is that there are three gear shifts and they have to be double clutched so I knew all that and it was very elementary. After i had finished they wanted me to be instructor for a while and I did take three. They all said they knew how to drive but I sure doubt it and I was glad when the regular Sargent came back and took over. I was responsible while instructing and when that is the case I want the wheel. it is a tough place to drive, over ditches, creeks, hills, around stumps and over logs and etc. That took until nearly noon so we had chow. They bring it right out to us in big thermos containers and it was just like being on a big picnic.
All afternoon while the rest of the men got in their driving, we the ones that had driven, had classes on flag and hand signals and some field problems to solve such as pulling out a stuck peep or truck when no power was available. I am beginning to think somewhat like Steve on some of these things. These boys don't know all they should about some of these simple mechanical problems. I corrected the lieutenant in charge several times on the use of tools and block and tackle and what surprised me he even admitted he was wrong. They know what they have been taught and they try to pass it on, but most of them never had any experience in those lines until they entered the army so they still have a lot to learn. One even tried to show me how to use an axe, imagine that. We had a lot of good instruction though and learned a lot.
Tomorrow I am supposed to go on the rifle range to fire the revolver. I don't know how that will work, I never could hit anything with one of those things but we will see. That is supposed to be my second weapon. We will be out all day on the range and will have regular lessons when we are not firing.
I got a letter from Ed & Betty and will answer it as soon as I have time.
You asked about my nose. It hasn't bothered at all and I have only used drops three or four times. It never did bother me much in warm weather.
I don't know when I will write again, probably not till Sat or Sun, because tomorrow night I have some carpenter work to do and Friday night we always have to get ready for inspection on Sat. They have found out that I am a carpenter and now whenever they have some carpenter work to do they ask me to do it. Three nights this week and that is almost too much, guess I'll have to lay down on the job or they will have me working every night. I wouldn't mind if I didn't have so many things to do for myself every night, polish shoes, clean up, wash a few clothes, or sew on a button or so. When lights are out at 9:30 it doesn't give me too much time and then I can't write to you, so blame the army for the lack of letters.
I love you and think of you a lot even if I don't write and can't express my feelings very well when I do. I am much better at showing than telling as you probably know. I even pick up your picture and look at it nearly every night before I go to bed, imagine that, and wish I could be physically with you instead of just mentally. I do love you a lot and will even admit that you are sweet or even more than that but I don't know the word to use. I'll have to get ready for bed so night Mummy, I love you lots.
Your loving private,
Norm
Weds. eve.
8 P.M.
Hi tootsie.
Well we had a swell day on the driving range and just got back, hot , tired and dirty, but I just had a shower and shave and feel swell. That is one thing we have is good showers with plenty of hot water and a place to use my electric razor.
I drove a 2 1/2 ton army truck for quite a while and did O.K. I had said that I had never driven a truck and after I had gone around the course once the Sargent instructor thought I was fibbing to him. The only thing different than a pleasure car is that there are three gear shifts and they have to be double clutched so I knew all that and it was very elementary. After i had finished they wanted me to be instructor for a while and I did take three. They all said they knew how to drive but I sure doubt it and I was glad when the regular Sargent came back and took over. I was responsible while instructing and when that is the case I want the wheel. it is a tough place to drive, over ditches, creeks, hills, around stumps and over logs and etc. That took until nearly noon so we had chow. They bring it right out to us in big thermos containers and it was just like being on a big picnic.
All afternoon while the rest of the men got in their driving, we the ones that had driven, had classes on flag and hand signals and some field problems to solve such as pulling out a stuck peep or truck when no power was available. I am beginning to think somewhat like Steve on some of these things. These boys don't know all they should about some of these simple mechanical problems. I corrected the lieutenant in charge several times on the use of tools and block and tackle and what surprised me he even admitted he was wrong. They know what they have been taught and they try to pass it on, but most of them never had any experience in those lines until they entered the army so they still have a lot to learn. One even tried to show me how to use an axe, imagine that. We had a lot of good instruction though and learned a lot.
Tomorrow I am supposed to go on the rifle range to fire the revolver. I don't know how that will work, I never could hit anything with one of those things but we will see. That is supposed to be my second weapon. We will be out all day on the range and will have regular lessons when we are not firing.
I got a letter from Ed & Betty and will answer it as soon as I have time.
You asked about my nose. It hasn't bothered at all and I have only used drops three or four times. It never did bother me much in warm weather.
I don't know when I will write again, probably not till Sat or Sun, because tomorrow night I have some carpenter work to do and Friday night we always have to get ready for inspection on Sat. They have found out that I am a carpenter and now whenever they have some carpenter work to do they ask me to do it. Three nights this week and that is almost too much, guess I'll have to lay down on the job or they will have me working every night. I wouldn't mind if I didn't have so many things to do for myself every night, polish shoes, clean up, wash a few clothes, or sew on a button or so. When lights are out at 9:30 it doesn't give me too much time and then I can't write to you, so blame the army for the lack of letters.
I love you and think of you a lot even if I don't write and can't express my feelings very well when I do. I am much better at showing than telling as you probably know. I even pick up your picture and look at it nearly every night before I go to bed, imagine that, and wish I could be physically with you instead of just mentally. I do love you a lot and will even admit that you are sweet or even more than that but I don't know the word to use. I'll have to get ready for bed so night Mummy, I love you lots.
Your loving private,
Norm
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Letter # 12 April 20, 1943
Apr. 20, 1943
Tues. Evening. 7:30
Hi Mummy dear;
I got two letters from you Mon. and the one with the pictures. The old place and the old woman sure look good to me, better than I ever thought they could. This army life sure makes a man appreciate wife & home and that is no shit. I am keeping several of the pictures and will send the rest back with this letter. The boys all said they would go over the hill if they had a wife and home like that to go to, but I guess that is all the more reason for me to stay and do what I can and beside that I rather like the army and would like it even more if it didn't take me away from you. We will have that second honeymoon someday. Oh boy! I can hardly wait, you're sweet.
You asked about the picture at the top. That is the guard post at the entrance to the camp and you have to have the proper credentials to either get in or out. There are guards there 24 hours a day. That tank in the center is the insignia of the 8th division of which I am a part. You see there are several regiments in a division. I am in the 80th. That doesn't mean there are 80 regiments in a division but is just a number. Then there are several battalions in a regiment and several companies in a battalion and several platoons in a company. I don't know if that is a very good word picture of the make up of a division or not but maybe you can get it. You see it has to be divided into groups to make it possible to handle it. No man could handle the no. of men in a division or regiment or even battalion so it is all broken into companies and each company is commanded by either a captain or a first Lt. In my case, a first Lt. and then each of the four platoons in our company are commanded by a second Lt. and a non com Sargent and each commander has to take his orders from the next higher rank all the way up the line.
You wondered why I couldn't find the other boys very often. This camp is so damn big I haven't seen but a small part of it yet. That unless you know exactly where to look it would be sheer luck to find that one man in 15 or 20 thousand when they are scattered over such a large area. It is about 3 miles from where I am to where K.Kirk is and in the little time we have it is almost impossible to get together.
You mentioned Kenny said they weren't being fed very well. I think that is because he is a little particular and probably being a meat cutter he always had the best and only what he wanted. The army on this side is rationed about the same as civilians I understand. The meals don't taste as good as you put out but it is good wholesome grub and well planned for vitamins and such. We have pie and cake 3 or 4 times a week. I think it is O.K. We also have a lot of fruit, apples, grapefruit, and oranges so I think I am eating very well. Had ice cream Sunday. It sure tasted good. It seems to be scarce down here.
The sore muscles are all gone for the time and I am feeling swell. We had our first go at the obstacle course today and that is going to be plenty tough when we get to running it against time. You have seen pictures of them in the papers. Over a series of jumps and under logs raised a foot or so off the ground, over board fences 8' high and higher ones 12' to 14' with the aid of ropes and jump off the far side and every kind of obstacle you can think of. The part we were over today is about 1/2 mile long and we are supposed to cover it at as fast a run as we can. I made it O.K. but was nearly winded. I guess it will be lengthened when we get so we can take this one. I don't feel any sore spots tonight so I guess I did O.K. It's fun.
This afternoon we went for a 6 mile road march with full field pack and that was duck soup for me. Didn't hardly even sweat. The old man is getting to be a tough baby so watch out when I come home. The belly is all gone but I don't know how much weight if any. There isn't a scale on the place that I have found.
You must be getting back your girlish figure with the loss of 9 pounds. I'll think I have a new wife. Rather relieved and glad to hear you are making out so well and that everyone is looking after you now that I can't. I' almost jealous but glad too. Keep it up baby you're doing fine.
The classes are still going on, every few days a new one. I have been studying the 30 cal. machine gun, and can take one all apart in 30 seconds. Third fastest in the bunch. We are also having classes in first aid, map and compass reading, and instruction on how to take care of ourselves in gas warfare. It sure looks like they weren't going to forget anything we should know. It is nearly like going to school again. Most of it is very interesting but they give it to us so fast it is rather hard to digest and remember it all. I'm doing as good as any though.
Tomorrow we are going to the driving range again. I hope it is better weather than last Friday and it looks like it would be, the rain stopped last night and it was clear and warmer today. It has been rather cool for nearly a week now. I even had my wool underwear on a couple of days. It gave me a pleasant rest from the heat we had the first couple of weeks.
Well I guess I better quit and get ready for bed. We will have to roll out at 4;30 and get ready for the driving range.
Thanks for packing the box with the funny papers and Parade. I enjoyed them a lot and so did most of the boys. It was very thoughtful and sweet of you. You are a peach and I love you lots and lots and more than that.
Your loving soldier,
Norm.
Tues. Evening. 7:30
Hi Mummy dear;
I got two letters from you Mon. and the one with the pictures. The old place and the old woman sure look good to me, better than I ever thought they could. This army life sure makes a man appreciate wife & home and that is no shit. I am keeping several of the pictures and will send the rest back with this letter. The boys all said they would go over the hill if they had a wife and home like that to go to, but I guess that is all the more reason for me to stay and do what I can and beside that I rather like the army and would like it even more if it didn't take me away from you. We will have that second honeymoon someday. Oh boy! I can hardly wait, you're sweet.
You asked about the picture at the top. That is the guard post at the entrance to the camp and you have to have the proper credentials to either get in or out. There are guards there 24 hours a day. That tank in the center is the insignia of the 8th division of which I am a part. You see there are several regiments in a division. I am in the 80th. That doesn't mean there are 80 regiments in a division but is just a number. Then there are several battalions in a regiment and several companies in a battalion and several platoons in a company. I don't know if that is a very good word picture of the make up of a division or not but maybe you can get it. You see it has to be divided into groups to make it possible to handle it. No man could handle the no. of men in a division or regiment or even battalion so it is all broken into companies and each company is commanded by either a captain or a first Lt. In my case, a first Lt. and then each of the four platoons in our company are commanded by a second Lt. and a non com Sargent and each commander has to take his orders from the next higher rank all the way up the line.
You wondered why I couldn't find the other boys very often. This camp is so damn big I haven't seen but a small part of it yet. That unless you know exactly where to look it would be sheer luck to find that one man in 15 or 20 thousand when they are scattered over such a large area. It is about 3 miles from where I am to where K.Kirk is and in the little time we have it is almost impossible to get together.
You mentioned Kenny said they weren't being fed very well. I think that is because he is a little particular and probably being a meat cutter he always had the best and only what he wanted. The army on this side is rationed about the same as civilians I understand. The meals don't taste as good as you put out but it is good wholesome grub and well planned for vitamins and such. We have pie and cake 3 or 4 times a week. I think it is O.K. We also have a lot of fruit, apples, grapefruit, and oranges so I think I am eating very well. Had ice cream Sunday. It sure tasted good. It seems to be scarce down here.
The sore muscles are all gone for the time and I am feeling swell. We had our first go at the obstacle course today and that is going to be plenty tough when we get to running it against time. You have seen pictures of them in the papers. Over a series of jumps and under logs raised a foot or so off the ground, over board fences 8' high and higher ones 12' to 14' with the aid of ropes and jump off the far side and every kind of obstacle you can think of. The part we were over today is about 1/2 mile long and we are supposed to cover it at as fast a run as we can. I made it O.K. but was nearly winded. I guess it will be lengthened when we get so we can take this one. I don't feel any sore spots tonight so I guess I did O.K. It's fun.
This afternoon we went for a 6 mile road march with full field pack and that was duck soup for me. Didn't hardly even sweat. The old man is getting to be a tough baby so watch out when I come home. The belly is all gone but I don't know how much weight if any. There isn't a scale on the place that I have found.
You must be getting back your girlish figure with the loss of 9 pounds. I'll think I have a new wife. Rather relieved and glad to hear you are making out so well and that everyone is looking after you now that I can't. I' almost jealous but glad too. Keep it up baby you're doing fine.
The classes are still going on, every few days a new one. I have been studying the 30 cal. machine gun, and can take one all apart in 30 seconds. Third fastest in the bunch. We are also having classes in first aid, map and compass reading, and instruction on how to take care of ourselves in gas warfare. It sure looks like they weren't going to forget anything we should know. It is nearly like going to school again. Most of it is very interesting but they give it to us so fast it is rather hard to digest and remember it all. I'm doing as good as any though.
Tomorrow we are going to the driving range again. I hope it is better weather than last Friday and it looks like it would be, the rain stopped last night and it was clear and warmer today. It has been rather cool for nearly a week now. I even had my wool underwear on a couple of days. It gave me a pleasant rest from the heat we had the first couple of weeks.
Well I guess I better quit and get ready for bed. We will have to roll out at 4;30 and get ready for the driving range.
Thanks for packing the box with the funny papers and Parade. I enjoyed them a lot and so did most of the boys. It was very thoughtful and sweet of you. You are a peach and I love you lots and lots and more than that.
Your loving soldier,
Norm.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Letter #11 April 18, 1943
April 18, 1943
Sun. Aft.
Dear wife;
rather soon to be writing again but I just got the package and your letter in the noon mail. Thanks a lot, you are a very dutiful and satisfactory wife to say nothing of being sweet also. Everything is swell, the polish, the kit, the wax, thread and all. Tell your Mother the candy was the best ever ans sure was appreciated. I have enough thread now, Hazel sent 4 spools and some candy and some cookies also. The socks were swell and the short ones are O.K. You see we wear leggings all the time on work duty so the socks don't matter much as long as they are the proper color and they were. I find that I can use some more clothes hangers if you can find any. 3 or 4 more will do the trick in good shape. Thanks a lot for all the trouble I am causing you, but I have no way of getting anything of the sort unless they have it at the P.X. which they don't down here. Shoe polishing equipment and clothes hangers are not to be had here. Don't forget to thank Mom for the candy for me, it sure does taste good. It is the first candy I have had since I have been here. They have it at the P.X. but I don't think it worth while to stand in line for an hour to get a candy bar.
Youasked about the money situation, it is O.K. I don't have an opportunity to spend much, in fact I have only spent $8.00 in the whole 3 weeks and a lot of it was on things I needed and didn't have, like those insignia patches. They give us 3 and we need about 12 and they cast $.20 apiece, so you see my money will hold out O.K. Payday isn't so far off anymore either.
I am glad to hear your money situation seems to be turning out O.K. and that you seem to be doing so well at the diner. Good for you, keep it up, I'll be back some day and let you have a rest again.
Thanks a lot, I love you and you are sweet.
Your loving husband.
Norm
Sun. Aft.
Dear wife;
rather soon to be writing again but I just got the package and your letter in the noon mail. Thanks a lot, you are a very dutiful and satisfactory wife to say nothing of being sweet also. Everything is swell, the polish, the kit, the wax, thread and all. Tell your Mother the candy was the best ever ans sure was appreciated. I have enough thread now, Hazel sent 4 spools and some candy and some cookies also. The socks were swell and the short ones are O.K. You see we wear leggings all the time on work duty so the socks don't matter much as long as they are the proper color and they were. I find that I can use some more clothes hangers if you can find any. 3 or 4 more will do the trick in good shape. Thanks a lot for all the trouble I am causing you, but I have no way of getting anything of the sort unless they have it at the P.X. which they don't down here. Shoe polishing equipment and clothes hangers are not to be had here. Don't forget to thank Mom for the candy for me, it sure does taste good. It is the first candy I have had since I have been here. They have it at the P.X. but I don't think it worth while to stand in line for an hour to get a candy bar.
Youasked about the money situation, it is O.K. I don't have an opportunity to spend much, in fact I have only spent $8.00 in the whole 3 weeks and a lot of it was on things I needed and didn't have, like those insignia patches. They give us 3 and we need about 12 and they cast $.20 apiece, so you see my money will hold out O.K. Payday isn't so far off anymore either.
I am glad to hear your money situation seems to be turning out O.K. and that you seem to be doing so well at the diner. Good for you, keep it up, I'll be back some day and let you have a rest again.
Thanks a lot, I love you and you are sweet.
Your loving husband.
Norm
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Letter #10 April 17, 1943
Sat.eve.
April 17, 1943
Dearest Tootsie Wuggles;
I'll bet you thought I'd forgotten that name. All I needed was separation, you know what they say "absence makes the heart grow fonder". I don't know if that is happening or not but I miss you love you very much. This army business would be swell if they would do like the English do with the African natives, let them take their wives along. As that isn't possible I will just have to love you mentally until I see you again.
My day on the driving range didn't turn out so well. We got up at 4:30 and got a good early start for the range. It is about 5 or 6 miles from barracks. We all loaded in trucks and were driven out and got there just after daylight. Cold and stormy looking. They broke us up in about 10 small groups and gave each group a number, mine was #6. There were peeps, trucks, and tanks to drive so my turn would come after two groups had driven the peeps. Peeps first, trucks second, tanks third. The groups that weren't driving were taking instruction in flag and hand signals.
We no more than got started and it began to rain and I mean rain without stop. We stuck it out until noon and my group was next to drive when they decided to call it off.
The driving range is out in the woods and is up and down hill, through creeks, swampy places, over logs, around stumps, and trees and in general, country you would swear you couldn't drive over but they do. One tank even got stuck and had to be pulled out by another.
Some of these boys have never driven an automobile or anything before and I sure saw some good driving, but nothing was wrecked, I don't know why but it wasn't.
After we got back we had to wash the mud and crap from all the vehicles and from ourselves. So all I got out of it was a wet ass and a hungry gut. It was a taste of real army life to stay out there in the rain and keep working, different and kinda fun at that. I will get my chance later.
It has been very cool down here the past three days. It felt kinda good to me until it started to rain and then we had a mess. The army doesn't furnish or allow any rubbers and you can imagine what shoes like after walking around in the mud and water all day. Then comes the cleaning and polishing shoes, they have to be clean for the next day even if the first step you take is into a mud puddle. That was why I wanted the wax. The mud will wash off and still leave a fair polish after the shoes have been waxed.
Hazel sent me a box of cookies and candy and four spools of thread. Guess I can sew now. The biggest sewing job is putting all the insignia patches on my clothes. One on each shirt and coat, and that means about 10. That is quite a job for my poor sewing ability but I only have 3 or 4 more to put on and I will get them tonight or tomorrow if they don't decide to put me to work at something.
Leo Marks, that I wrote you about, was sent to the hospital last night with a high fever. T don't know wether the shots, we got two this week, or the exposure out on the driving range got him. Nearly 50% of the boys in this barracks either have been or are in the hospital since we have been here, So I guess there must be some life in the old man yet. I'll show you someday.
Today during military drill the Co. Commander called me out of ranks to act as drill sargeant for a while. I got along fairly well but I need plenty of practice. I got off some of my orders on the wrong foot and of course that screws up the works. All the movements are executed on different counts according to wether they are to the left or to the right and there is either one or two counts between the preperatory command and the command to execute and that was where I made a few mistakes. But not so bad, at least I didn't get told off. As our training in military drill progresses we will all be given our chances to drill the platoon. It sure is a good way to learn it and it sure keeps you thinking to keep your platoon from running into one of the other platoons that are drilling on the same area.
There are about 40 men to a platoon and we drill in 3 files, that makes it about 13 men long and one to act as sarg. The regular sargents and lieutenants stand by and watch and give us hell if we make too bad a mistake. It's fun though.
We have a little funny looking regular drill lieutenant, Lt. Rael, who doesn't know much more about it than we do. He gives us his orders on the wrong foot and is always mixing up his left and right movements. Says right when he means left and etc. Then he catches hell and then he passes it on to us. The old army game of pass the buck you know. He is the only one of the lieutenants the boys don't like, the rest are nice guys and if it wasn't for army regulations would be like any one of us.
Lt Rael is one of the 90 day men, that has never had any real army experience until now and being a little fellow, he is about John Dulaney for size, and is just as cocky or worse. He'll learn. The rest of the lieutenants and most of the sargents have had 2-3 yrs experience and know what they are doing.
Onr of the Lieutenants, Lt. Claymore was a sargent at Pearl harbor when the war started. He then went to O.C.S. and is now teaching us.
I just went over to the P.X. and stood around for a while on the chance I might see some of the hometown boys. Elder finally put in an apperance and we had quite a talk comparing notes on training and experiences. He is in the medics corps but is getting about the same training i am. He doesn't seem very homesick anymore. He has gotten some letters from home this week and that made him feel much better. mail call here at the post is the most popular formation of the day. The boys would miss chow rather than mailcall if they had to miss one or the other. If one of them doesn't get a letter for several days he begins to get blue. I guess when the army says mail is important to moral they know what they are talking about. Even I don't miss a mailcall and it does feel good to hear your name called. If one of the boys gets 5 or 6 letter one call you would think they had gotten a $50.00 bill.
Don't think I am asking for more letters because I didn't mean it that way. 2 or 3 a week will keep me in very good spirits and I know you are as busy as I, and don'y have the time to write so don't make it a chore.
Sunday morning.
Here it is Sunday again and still raining. It sure does rain when it gets started down here. They say it usually rains for a week every time it gets started.
We are off for the day I guess. Got up at 7 A.M. Imagine me with 9 hrs. sleep. Had a very good breakfast at about 7:30. Pancakes & syrup, ham and coffee. Not bad huh? I got a letter form Garnet last evening.
Well I guess that is all I have to say this time. Remember I love you a lot.
Your loving husband
Norm
P.S. Sometime when you have a chance you might send me that box of saddle soap. It is in the box by the furnace.
I love you.
Norm
April 17, 1943
Dearest Tootsie Wuggles;
I'll bet you thought I'd forgotten that name. All I needed was separation, you know what they say "absence makes the heart grow fonder". I don't know if that is happening or not but I miss you love you very much. This army business would be swell if they would do like the English do with the African natives, let them take their wives along. As that isn't possible I will just have to love you mentally until I see you again.
My day on the driving range didn't turn out so well. We got up at 4:30 and got a good early start for the range. It is about 5 or 6 miles from barracks. We all loaded in trucks and were driven out and got there just after daylight. Cold and stormy looking. They broke us up in about 10 small groups and gave each group a number, mine was #6. There were peeps, trucks, and tanks to drive so my turn would come after two groups had driven the peeps. Peeps first, trucks second, tanks third. The groups that weren't driving were taking instruction in flag and hand signals.
We no more than got started and it began to rain and I mean rain without stop. We stuck it out until noon and my group was next to drive when they decided to call it off.
The driving range is out in the woods and is up and down hill, through creeks, swampy places, over logs, around stumps, and trees and in general, country you would swear you couldn't drive over but they do. One tank even got stuck and had to be pulled out by another.
Some of these boys have never driven an automobile or anything before and I sure saw some good driving, but nothing was wrecked, I don't know why but it wasn't.
After we got back we had to wash the mud and crap from all the vehicles and from ourselves. So all I got out of it was a wet ass and a hungry gut. It was a taste of real army life to stay out there in the rain and keep working, different and kinda fun at that. I will get my chance later.
It has been very cool down here the past three days. It felt kinda good to me until it started to rain and then we had a mess. The army doesn't furnish or allow any rubbers and you can imagine what shoes like after walking around in the mud and water all day. Then comes the cleaning and polishing shoes, they have to be clean for the next day even if the first step you take is into a mud puddle. That was why I wanted the wax. The mud will wash off and still leave a fair polish after the shoes have been waxed.
Hazel sent me a box of cookies and candy and four spools of thread. Guess I can sew now. The biggest sewing job is putting all the insignia patches on my clothes. One on each shirt and coat, and that means about 10. That is quite a job for my poor sewing ability but I only have 3 or 4 more to put on and I will get them tonight or tomorrow if they don't decide to put me to work at something.
Leo Marks, that I wrote you about, was sent to the hospital last night with a high fever. T don't know wether the shots, we got two this week, or the exposure out on the driving range got him. Nearly 50% of the boys in this barracks either have been or are in the hospital since we have been here, So I guess there must be some life in the old man yet. I'll show you someday.
Today during military drill the Co. Commander called me out of ranks to act as drill sargeant for a while. I got along fairly well but I need plenty of practice. I got off some of my orders on the wrong foot and of course that screws up the works. All the movements are executed on different counts according to wether they are to the left or to the right and there is either one or two counts between the preperatory command and the command to execute and that was where I made a few mistakes. But not so bad, at least I didn't get told off. As our training in military drill progresses we will all be given our chances to drill the platoon. It sure is a good way to learn it and it sure keeps you thinking to keep your platoon from running into one of the other platoons that are drilling on the same area.
There are about 40 men to a platoon and we drill in 3 files, that makes it about 13 men long and one to act as sarg. The regular sargents and lieutenants stand by and watch and give us hell if we make too bad a mistake. It's fun though.
We have a little funny looking regular drill lieutenant, Lt. Rael, who doesn't know much more about it than we do. He gives us his orders on the wrong foot and is always mixing up his left and right movements. Says right when he means left and etc. Then he catches hell and then he passes it on to us. The old army game of pass the buck you know. He is the only one of the lieutenants the boys don't like, the rest are nice guys and if it wasn't for army regulations would be like any one of us.
Lt Rael is one of the 90 day men, that has never had any real army experience until now and being a little fellow, he is about John Dulaney for size, and is just as cocky or worse. He'll learn. The rest of the lieutenants and most of the sargents have had 2-3 yrs experience and know what they are doing.
Onr of the Lieutenants, Lt. Claymore was a sargent at Pearl harbor when the war started. He then went to O.C.S. and is now teaching us.
I just went over to the P.X. and stood around for a while on the chance I might see some of the hometown boys. Elder finally put in an apperance and we had quite a talk comparing notes on training and experiences. He is in the medics corps but is getting about the same training i am. He doesn't seem very homesick anymore. He has gotten some letters from home this week and that made him feel much better. mail call here at the post is the most popular formation of the day. The boys would miss chow rather than mailcall if they had to miss one or the other. If one of them doesn't get a letter for several days he begins to get blue. I guess when the army says mail is important to moral they know what they are talking about. Even I don't miss a mailcall and it does feel good to hear your name called. If one of the boys gets 5 or 6 letter one call you would think they had gotten a $50.00 bill.
Don't think I am asking for more letters because I didn't mean it that way. 2 or 3 a week will keep me in very good spirits and I know you are as busy as I, and don'y have the time to write so don't make it a chore.
Sunday morning.
Here it is Sunday again and still raining. It sure does rain when it gets started down here. They say it usually rains for a week every time it gets started.
We are off for the day I guess. Got up at 7 A.M. Imagine me with 9 hrs. sleep. Had a very good breakfast at about 7:30. Pancakes & syrup, ham and coffee. Not bad huh? I got a letter form Garnet last evening.
Well I guess that is all I have to say this time. Remember I love you a lot.
Your loving husband
Norm
P.S. Sometime when you have a chance you might send me that box of saddle soap. It is in the box by the furnace.
I love you.
Norm
Friday, April 16, 2010
Letter #9 April 15, 1943
April 15, 1943
Thursday eve.
Tootsie Wuggles;
You certainly are a bust little letter writer, one every day since they started. I like to hear from you but don't make it a burden. I have a little time tonight and will at least start this letter. It kind of sounds like I may have to work Sunday and if so I probably won't have time to write.
We didn't go to the rifle range today and I was rather disappointed. There is an outfit here that has received shipping orders and have never learned to fire the carbine, it is a new weapon just come to the army , so they wanted the range to give those boys a little training on it before they are shipped.
We continued with our study and dry run practice with the revolver. Dry run practice is aiming and firing without any shells. That is the army way of teaching us to handle guns. We first learn to disassemble and reassemble the gun we are studying and then taught to hold and sight them correctly and then the proper way of squeezing the trigger instead of just pulling it. It gets rather tedious but I believe it does a lot of good at that.
For a couple of hours today we practiced advancing and falling behind stones, trees or otherr shelter as though we were under enemy fire. You know what I mean I guess, you have seen pictures of it in the movies. You ought to have seen me running a few steps and falling, getting up and running and falling with a rifle in my hands. I skinned my knees a little but otherwise came out O.K. It was fun believe it or not. We even look the part of combat soldiers, you see they require us to wear helmets all the time on duty in this division. I have a white mark on both sides of my face where the chin strap keeps me from tanning. It forms a very patriotic V on my face. They also allow no uniform caps like you wanted me to get, no belts over the coat and don't want you to have any civilian shoes, but some of the boys wear civilian shoes off duty and nothing is said but none of the others either on or off the post.
If they don't change the schedule on us I will maybe get a chance to do some driving tomorrow, probably a heavy truck and I guess next week I will receive machine gun instruction. I can hardly wait to get on the range with one of those babys. Things are begining to get interesting and I imagine it will be more and more so as we advance in our training. The days really go fast we are so busy and most of it is interesting to me.
During a break this afternoon I was watching a few of the boys pulling stumps out of the parade ground with a tank, medium size, boy are they powerful. They hook on to a stump 2 feet in diameter and just tear them out of the ground without any apparent effort. I could sure plow the garden in no time with that baby but I am afraid I might do more damage than good. They weigh about 40 tons and cut tracks in hard ground. They sure are some buggy.
There is an airfield at South Camp Polk and we see quite a few combat planes of the new type fly over, and some of them just miss the trees so we get a good look at them. Yhey go so damn fast they are nearly out of sight by the time you hear them and that is no shit.
A young fellow, Harold Marshall from Pennsylvania, and an older fellow, Leo Marks and I have become cronies by mutual consent. Marshall is 18 years old and just from military school. Marks is 30 years old and was a school teacher, not married but wanting to be as soon as this army business is over. You see I can't even get away from school teachers in the army.
We just got a call to go to quartermaster and be issued field equipment so I will have to finish this some other time.
Well that didn't take so long, They issued us gas masks and haversacks, looks like something like an overnight hike or something in the offing.
You mentioned something about some pictures of the house, Whenever you have a good one or so I would like to have one, no hurry. You say you are sweet and I am begining to believe you are.
I had a very nice dream about you last night but it wasn't nearly as satisfactory as being with you would have been. They must keep us pretty well salted because I haven't had any trouble about getting excited at all and you know that would be very unusual for me. Getting nearly three weeks since I saw you. I love you. This is as near to a love letter as I have ever written. I will have to copy a few paragraphs from from some of the letters the boys show me, but I guess it wouldn't sound much like me. Just let it go that I love you as much if not more than ever.
Your loving husband,
Norm
Thursday eve.
Tootsie Wuggles;
You certainly are a bust little letter writer, one every day since they started. I like to hear from you but don't make it a burden. I have a little time tonight and will at least start this letter. It kind of sounds like I may have to work Sunday and if so I probably won't have time to write.
We didn't go to the rifle range today and I was rather disappointed. There is an outfit here that has received shipping orders and have never learned to fire the carbine, it is a new weapon just come to the army , so they wanted the range to give those boys a little training on it before they are shipped.
We continued with our study and dry run practice with the revolver. Dry run practice is aiming and firing without any shells. That is the army way of teaching us to handle guns. We first learn to disassemble and reassemble the gun we are studying and then taught to hold and sight them correctly and then the proper way of squeezing the trigger instead of just pulling it. It gets rather tedious but I believe it does a lot of good at that.
For a couple of hours today we practiced advancing and falling behind stones, trees or otherr shelter as though we were under enemy fire. You know what I mean I guess, you have seen pictures of it in the movies. You ought to have seen me running a few steps and falling, getting up and running and falling with a rifle in my hands. I skinned my knees a little but otherwise came out O.K. It was fun believe it or not. We even look the part of combat soldiers, you see they require us to wear helmets all the time on duty in this division. I have a white mark on both sides of my face where the chin strap keeps me from tanning. It forms a very patriotic V on my face. They also allow no uniform caps like you wanted me to get, no belts over the coat and don't want you to have any civilian shoes, but some of the boys wear civilian shoes off duty and nothing is said but none of the others either on or off the post.
If they don't change the schedule on us I will maybe get a chance to do some driving tomorrow, probably a heavy truck and I guess next week I will receive machine gun instruction. I can hardly wait to get on the range with one of those babys. Things are begining to get interesting and I imagine it will be more and more so as we advance in our training. The days really go fast we are so busy and most of it is interesting to me.
During a break this afternoon I was watching a few of the boys pulling stumps out of the parade ground with a tank, medium size, boy are they powerful. They hook on to a stump 2 feet in diameter and just tear them out of the ground without any apparent effort. I could sure plow the garden in no time with that baby but I am afraid I might do more damage than good. They weigh about 40 tons and cut tracks in hard ground. They sure are some buggy.
There is an airfield at South Camp Polk and we see quite a few combat planes of the new type fly over, and some of them just miss the trees so we get a good look at them. Yhey go so damn fast they are nearly out of sight by the time you hear them and that is no shit.
A young fellow, Harold Marshall from Pennsylvania, and an older fellow, Leo Marks and I have become cronies by mutual consent. Marshall is 18 years old and just from military school. Marks is 30 years old and was a school teacher, not married but wanting to be as soon as this army business is over. You see I can't even get away from school teachers in the army.
We just got a call to go to quartermaster and be issued field equipment so I will have to finish this some other time.
Well that didn't take so long, They issued us gas masks and haversacks, looks like something like an overnight hike or something in the offing.
You mentioned something about some pictures of the house, Whenever you have a good one or so I would like to have one, no hurry. You say you are sweet and I am begining to believe you are.
I had a very nice dream about you last night but it wasn't nearly as satisfactory as being with you would have been. They must keep us pretty well salted because I haven't had any trouble about getting excited at all and you know that would be very unusual for me. Getting nearly three weeks since I saw you. I love you. This is as near to a love letter as I have ever written. I will have to copy a few paragraphs from from some of the letters the boys show me, but I guess it wouldn't sound much like me. Just let it go that I love you as much if not more than ever.
Your loving husband,
Norm
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Letter # 8 April 13, 1943
Apr. 13, 1943
6:00 P.M.
Darling Wife;
I received your first letter on 6 o'clock mail call Monday eve and it sure was good to hear from you and know that everything is going O.K. with you. As for what Hazel said of you, here it is verbatim. "Velma is doing fine in the Diner & she seems to like it very well." That seems like a very good recommendation to me. I was glad to get Tom's address, I had already written to May for it and also to K. Kirk's wife but I have since found Kenny. I saw him for a few minutes Sunday night but we have so little time that we don't get a chance to more than say Hello. I guess I wrote in the previous letter that I have seen Elder, Cole, Lance, Good, and Wacker. The only one I have not seen is Henry Bernhardt. If you happen to hear his address let me know. Kenny is in the 49th armored infantry and is way to hell and gone on the other side of camp.
You might send the Gazette on to me if you want. In regard to Reader's Digest, I don't think it would be very practical because I would have no time to read it anyhow. So far I have had to scratch like hell to even get any letters written, so don't expect more than 2 or three a week, however, I will do the best I can. Also as well as I like to hear from you don't write so much. It will be work. just when you have time. You are sweet.
As for the circulator on the furnace don't worry about it. The reason it was running was because the temperature upstairs was below 50 degrees. That little wheel on the top of the thermostat, that thing above the radio upstairs, should be set to the lowest temperature mark on it and then it will not run until the temperature in the room drops below that point, however, if it gives you trouble go down in the basement and take out the fuse. I think it is the middle one in the right row in the right hand fuse box. as per drawing.
A drawing of the basement fuse board follows. This passage made me laugh out loud as I copied it. My Dad built our house just 2 years before he was drafted. He knew every square inch of it. He even dug and poured the foundation himself. Mother was not very good with mechanical things to the point of turning up her nose in fear and horror at having to fix or adjust or repair anything. Now, she finds herself living in a house by herself that she must maintain for the man she loves!
I think the indicated one is it. You can test it by moving the thermostat upstairs that I mentioned before, to a higher degree until you hear the pump circulator start. Leave it run and go down and unscrew the fuse, if it stops leave the fuse out. If it doesn't put it back in and unscrew another until it stops and leave that one out, put all other back in.
Well it happened again, I thought I was going to get this letter off on Tuesday night but we were called out at 6:30 for military formation at the bowl and a little entertainment there afterward. Scat Powell, maybe you have heard of him, he is a famous scat singer, has been sent to our regiment and he sang several songs and then led the bowl in a few songs. You should almost have heard him way up there. There were two full regiments of soldiers singing at once and even the moon shook.
I am writing this during noon hour Wed. I was just out for mail call and got you. You know you look pretty darn good to me, almost gorgeous, maybe I appreciate you more. I'll show you sometime when I see you again.
We have been continuing our studies and drilling. We are getting so we look something like those pictures of army parades you see. I'll be a full fledged drill master when I get out of the army. You should see us at retreat. Two full regiments participate in retreat and due to the lack of regular parade grounds we assemble on the road about 12 men wide and stretch as far as you can see in either direction.
The last day or so I have been receiving instructions on the Colt 45 Cal. revolver. You know the kind the cowboys used to use. Tomorrow I am supposed to go to the rifle range and really shoot the carbine for score and Friday I am supposed to have my first crack at army truck driving. It looks like some of the drudgery is over and we will begin to do some of the actual stuff which will be a lot more interesting.
Monday evening I had a crack at digging fox holes and boy is this La. clay sticky. It cuts easy enough with a shovel but then try to get it off. See where my time for writing on Monday and Tuesday went. This business of lights out at 9:30 kind of cramps my style. I am not used to going to bed at that hour but I haven't had any trouble sleeping until 5:30.The old man is taking it very well, in fact better than a lot of the young ones. but I'm usually tired enough to sleep when the time comes. The soreness is most all gone and the old stomach has straightened up quite a bit. I don't know if I am loosing any weight or not. There isn't a scale anywhere around that I know of.
7:30 wed. evening
I guess maybe I will now have time to finish this letter. I was just over to the Dispensary for another shot. That is four since I have been in the army. Then I had to go to headquarters and sign the payroll, more government red tape, and then I got a haircut and after I finish this letter I have a little sewing to do.
Today was the first cool day since I have been here and it was cool. I had a coat on all day and even then when we were sitting around on the ground in classes I was uncomfortably cool. It must have snowed some place north and the wind was from there.
I have been very lucky on the K.P. detail and haven't had a crack at it yet. They have been giving enough extra K.P. to fellows they have caught doing something wrong or not doing it at all that they haven't had to pull a regular detail. As long as I can keep ahead of the Lieutenants maybe I will miss that chore for a while. But, as I said before don't get excited if I miss writing some of the time. [You are nice]
I got two more letters from you on this evenings mail call that you had written Sat & Sunday or rather one from you and a combination from you and the gang.
I am glad to hear that you are having a good time along with all the work and are apparently getting along so well at the Diner and at home. Keep it up old girl and I will think, if you keep on loosing weight, that I have a brand new wife when I come home again, but I think I will love you in most any condition you will be in. I kind of miss you, you devil.
You spoke about your letters not being interesting. Don't you believe it. They are to me. I like to know how things are at our home.
I wrote cards to some of the gang and will write them letters as I get a chance. In the meantime say hello to them for me. Keep on having all the good time you can and don't get too damn good with that bow and arrow or I will have to work too hard to catch up with you.
Here is a shoulder patch insignia for our division. You can wear it if you wish. It is worn on the left sleeve about 1" down from the shoulder seam.
We now have a new batch of cooks so we are eating from dishes again and we also have a baker and he turns out some very good cake and pie so the food is getting better yet. Tonight while eating I looked at the window screen and there was the biggest spider I ever saw looking me in the eye. We finished eating and went out and killed him. It was a trantula, I guess that is the way to spell it, He was nearly half the size of the palm of my hand, some critter.
Well I guess I will have to stop and do my work. Will write as soon as I can again. I love you lots honey and wish I could be with you.
Love
Norm
P.S. Here is a rough map of the location
Love
I cannot have a camera and there is no place on the post to have one taken and as we cannot leave camp for a least 6 weeks I guess you will just have to wait to see how I look in uniform. I sure am getting suntanned and I think I look very good.
-
6:00 P.M.
Darling Wife;
I received your first letter on 6 o'clock mail call Monday eve and it sure was good to hear from you and know that everything is going O.K. with you. As for what Hazel said of you, here it is verbatim. "Velma is doing fine in the Diner & she seems to like it very well." That seems like a very good recommendation to me. I was glad to get Tom's address, I had already written to May for it and also to K. Kirk's wife but I have since found Kenny. I saw him for a few minutes Sunday night but we have so little time that we don't get a chance to more than say Hello. I guess I wrote in the previous letter that I have seen Elder, Cole, Lance, Good, and Wacker. The only one I have not seen is Henry Bernhardt. If you happen to hear his address let me know. Kenny is in the 49th armored infantry and is way to hell and gone on the other side of camp.
You might send the Gazette on to me if you want. In regard to Reader's Digest, I don't think it would be very practical because I would have no time to read it anyhow. So far I have had to scratch like hell to even get any letters written, so don't expect more than 2 or three a week, however, I will do the best I can. Also as well as I like to hear from you don't write so much. It will be work. just when you have time. You are sweet.
As for the circulator on the furnace don't worry about it. The reason it was running was because the temperature upstairs was below 50 degrees. That little wheel on the top of the thermostat, that thing above the radio upstairs, should be set to the lowest temperature mark on it and then it will not run until the temperature in the room drops below that point, however, if it gives you trouble go down in the basement and take out the fuse. I think it is the middle one in the right row in the right hand fuse box. as per drawing.
A drawing of the basement fuse board follows. This passage made me laugh out loud as I copied it. My Dad built our house just 2 years before he was drafted. He knew every square inch of it. He even dug and poured the foundation himself. Mother was not very good with mechanical things to the point of turning up her nose in fear and horror at having to fix or adjust or repair anything. Now, she finds herself living in a house by herself that she must maintain for the man she loves!
I think the indicated one is it. You can test it by moving the thermostat upstairs that I mentioned before, to a higher degree until you hear the pump circulator start. Leave it run and go down and unscrew the fuse, if it stops leave the fuse out. If it doesn't put it back in and unscrew another until it stops and leave that one out, put all other back in.
Well it happened again, I thought I was going to get this letter off on Tuesday night but we were called out at 6:30 for military formation at the bowl and a little entertainment there afterward. Scat Powell, maybe you have heard of him, he is a famous scat singer, has been sent to our regiment and he sang several songs and then led the bowl in a few songs. You should almost have heard him way up there. There were two full regiments of soldiers singing at once and even the moon shook.
I am writing this during noon hour Wed. I was just out for mail call and got you. You know you look pretty darn good to me, almost gorgeous, maybe I appreciate you more. I'll show you sometime when I see you again.
We have been continuing our studies and drilling. We are getting so we look something like those pictures of army parades you see. I'll be a full fledged drill master when I get out of the army. You should see us at retreat. Two full regiments participate in retreat and due to the lack of regular parade grounds we assemble on the road about 12 men wide and stretch as far as you can see in either direction.
The last day or so I have been receiving instructions on the Colt 45 Cal. revolver. You know the kind the cowboys used to use. Tomorrow I am supposed to go to the rifle range and really shoot the carbine for score and Friday I am supposed to have my first crack at army truck driving. It looks like some of the drudgery is over and we will begin to do some of the actual stuff which will be a lot more interesting.
Monday evening I had a crack at digging fox holes and boy is this La. clay sticky. It cuts easy enough with a shovel but then try to get it off. See where my time for writing on Monday and Tuesday went. This business of lights out at 9:30 kind of cramps my style. I am not used to going to bed at that hour but I haven't had any trouble sleeping until 5:30.The old man is taking it very well, in fact better than a lot of the young ones. but I'm usually tired enough to sleep when the time comes. The soreness is most all gone and the old stomach has straightened up quite a bit. I don't know if I am loosing any weight or not. There isn't a scale anywhere around that I know of.
7:30 wed. evening
I guess maybe I will now have time to finish this letter. I was just over to the Dispensary for another shot. That is four since I have been in the army. Then I had to go to headquarters and sign the payroll, more government red tape, and then I got a haircut and after I finish this letter I have a little sewing to do.
Today was the first cool day since I have been here and it was cool. I had a coat on all day and even then when we were sitting around on the ground in classes I was uncomfortably cool. It must have snowed some place north and the wind was from there.
I have been very lucky on the K.P. detail and haven't had a crack at it yet. They have been giving enough extra K.P. to fellows they have caught doing something wrong or not doing it at all that they haven't had to pull a regular detail. As long as I can keep ahead of the Lieutenants maybe I will miss that chore for a while. But, as I said before don't get excited if I miss writing some of the time. [You are nice]
I got two more letters from you on this evenings mail call that you had written Sat & Sunday or rather one from you and a combination from you and the gang.
I am glad to hear that you are having a good time along with all the work and are apparently getting along so well at the Diner and at home. Keep it up old girl and I will think, if you keep on loosing weight, that I have a brand new wife when I come home again, but I think I will love you in most any condition you will be in. I kind of miss you, you devil.
You spoke about your letters not being interesting. Don't you believe it. They are to me. I like to know how things are at our home.
I wrote cards to some of the gang and will write them letters as I get a chance. In the meantime say hello to them for me. Keep on having all the good time you can and don't get too damn good with that bow and arrow or I will have to work too hard to catch up with you.
Here is a shoulder patch insignia for our division. You can wear it if you wish. It is worn on the left sleeve about 1" down from the shoulder seam.
We now have a new batch of cooks so we are eating from dishes again and we also have a baker and he turns out some very good cake and pie so the food is getting better yet. Tonight while eating I looked at the window screen and there was the biggest spider I ever saw looking me in the eye. We finished eating and went out and killed him. It was a trantula, I guess that is the way to spell it, He was nearly half the size of the palm of my hand, some critter.
Well I guess I will have to stop and do my work. Will write as soon as I can again. I love you lots honey and wish I could be with you.
Love
Norm
P.S. Here is a rough map of the location
Love
I cannot have a camera and there is no place on the post to have one taken and as we cannot leave camp for a least 6 weeks I guess you will just have to wait to see how I look in uniform. I sure am getting suntanned and I think I look very good.
-
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Letter # 7 April 11, 1943
April 11, 1943
Hi Mom Dear;
Here it is Sunday again, almost 2 weeks in the Army, and it looks like I will have most of the day to myself. I could have stayed in bed as long as I liked to this morning but I turned in at 9:30 last night and was ready to get up when the bugle blew for breakfast at 7:30. If we don't get up then we just miss breakfast as most of the boys are doing this morning. A big part of them were out till midnight fooling around. I was out a little while but didn't find anything interesting to do so I came back in and went to bed. While I was out I looked around for the boys I came down with and found some of them. Ceylon Lance, Cole, I don't know his first name, Carl Wacker, Elder, I don't know his first name either. He is the mailman's son, Good from Wadsworth and a couple of other men from the Medina board that I didn't know before. I haven't been able to locate Henry Bernhardt or K. Kris and haven't the least idea where they are. This is such a big camp it is like looking for a needle in a haystack or worse. They have theatres and other recreational halls where they had some form of entertainment but the shows were all rather poor looking and the girl shows at the Rec. Hall looked like sideshow stuff so I didn't go to any of them but sat and talked with the other Medina boys for a while and fought my way into the P.X. for a bottle of CocaCola and I mean fought. That damn place is so crowed it's almost impossible to get waited on and then they don't have anything you want. We are so far out in the sticks I guess it's pretty hard for them to get supplies in the quantity necessary.
I never saw so many bottles of soft drinks and beer consumed in one place in my life. The amount of supplies of all kinds it takes in a camp like this is beyond comprehension.
The whistle just sounded and we had to fall out. It was partial payday. I don't understand how it works yet but I got an even $5.00. The boys say it is just a partial pay to carry us until regular pay the end of the month. I don't know if you will receive any or not. I don't think so until regular pay but let me know as soon as you receive a check. There is not much opportunity to spend much money around here so I guess I will be alright.
I have spent an even $5.00 since I left home and I have had several necessary things to buy so with the 5 bucks I just received I am even again.
Our laundry will cost us $1.80 per mo. regardless of how much or how little we send. Send it out on Saturday and get it back on Friday. The army takes care of sheets and pillowcases.
While I am thinking of it you might as well send me the rest of my good underwear and handkerchiefs, also send an indelible pencil or some indelible ink and a plain pen. We have to have one or the other to mark our clothes and laundry so we can tell them apart. We can't buy anything like that around here so I have had to send my laundry without it and take a chance on getting my own back.
The climate is terrible here, hotter than hell already over 90 degrees in the daytime and maybe 60 degrees at night but it is damper than hell and I do sweat and drink water by the gallon. The food is good and have plenty of it. I don't know if I am taking off any weight but if the work doesn't the heat ought to so I expect I am. I have a few sore muscles but not too bad yet.
The exercise schedule is getting tougher everyday and they have already weeded out a few that were physically unfit and gave them limited service or in a couple of extremely bad cases, sent them home. When they give them limited service they don't have to take any more basic training but are given an office job or a specialized job of some sort.
It has only rained once and that was enough. This being a new camp the only walks are a few board walks between a few principle buildings and the rest is La. mud, the stickiest damn stuff I ever saw. After a day of that it is wash and polish shoes, leggings, scrub the barracks floor spotless and etc. Sounds like fun doesn't it. My bunk is by the door where everybody walks past it and the clay gets an inch deep. I ought to have a scoop shovel but the army says scrub it up so scrub it up I do.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning were a continuation of the first of the week, classes on the carbine and motor equipment. Friday night I drew extra work, not as punishment but just extra work, and we went to the motor pool and cleaned machine guns until 9:00 P.M.
Saturday noon I was assigned to another detail to go back to motor pool for inspection by the brass hats. We had a couple of hours work cleaning trucks, peeps, and tanks, getting all the equipment laid out in proper order and then standing by our assigned vehicle while the big shots came along. We were finished about 4:00 and that was all for the day.
I have been very lucky so far. I have had no K.P. or any of the rest of the dirty details but I expect my time is coming.
Lt Shackelford, that is company commander, says that when we finish our training we will be able to jog for 5 miles without rest. Sounds to me like a hell of a ways.
They also say we will be very lucky if we see home again until after the war. This is strictly a combat unit and as soon as we finish our training 9 mo-1 year we will be shipped, but of course that is just talk so don't take it seriously. Anything can happen in the Army. They are giving us an accelerated course and cramming it down us as fast as possible.
The barracks sounds like a gambling hall again, the boys all just got paid and the poker games are flourishing. They don't play for pennies either. I don't see how they can do it, works like hell for a month for a few dollars and then loose it in a short time playing cards. No one here will play cards without money so I don't play cards.
The Army has athletic equipment, balls, gloves, footballs, and etc we can get and use anytime we have a chance. There is usually a ball game or so to get in on Sunday if you wish. I haven't yet had time but will afterbit.
Being one of the oldest in the barracks several of the young Romeos' are bringing their love letters to me to read and tell me their troubles. A good education if the time for that kind of education wasn't past. Don't worry. I don't regret it a bit. I would hate to have the love troubles these boys have piled on top of Army troubles. Can't you just see me in the roll of confidant to a barracks of young fellows. Funny huh? I think so yet I get a kick out of it.
Just had chow, meat loaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, sliced tomato. celery, buns, chocolate milk and ice cream. We even had fruit pie yesterday.
Sat hello to everyone for me.
Your devoted husband
Norm
P.S. By the way, here is the extra garage key.
Hi Mom Dear;
Here it is Sunday again, almost 2 weeks in the Army, and it looks like I will have most of the day to myself. I could have stayed in bed as long as I liked to this morning but I turned in at 9:30 last night and was ready to get up when the bugle blew for breakfast at 7:30. If we don't get up then we just miss breakfast as most of the boys are doing this morning. A big part of them were out till midnight fooling around. I was out a little while but didn't find anything interesting to do so I came back in and went to bed. While I was out I looked around for the boys I came down with and found some of them. Ceylon Lance, Cole, I don't know his first name, Carl Wacker, Elder, I don't know his first name either. He is the mailman's son, Good from Wadsworth and a couple of other men from the Medina board that I didn't know before. I haven't been able to locate Henry Bernhardt or K. Kris and haven't the least idea where they are. This is such a big camp it is like looking for a needle in a haystack or worse. They have theatres and other recreational halls where they had some form of entertainment but the shows were all rather poor looking and the girl shows at the Rec. Hall looked like sideshow stuff so I didn't go to any of them but sat and talked with the other Medina boys for a while and fought my way into the P.X. for a bottle of CocaCola and I mean fought. That damn place is so crowed it's almost impossible to get waited on and then they don't have anything you want. We are so far out in the sticks I guess it's pretty hard for them to get supplies in the quantity necessary.
I never saw so many bottles of soft drinks and beer consumed in one place in my life. The amount of supplies of all kinds it takes in a camp like this is beyond comprehension.
The whistle just sounded and we had to fall out. It was partial payday. I don't understand how it works yet but I got an even $5.00. The boys say it is just a partial pay to carry us until regular pay the end of the month. I don't know if you will receive any or not. I don't think so until regular pay but let me know as soon as you receive a check. There is not much opportunity to spend much money around here so I guess I will be alright.
I have spent an even $5.00 since I left home and I have had several necessary things to buy so with the 5 bucks I just received I am even again.
Our laundry will cost us $1.80 per mo. regardless of how much or how little we send. Send it out on Saturday and get it back on Friday. The army takes care of sheets and pillowcases.
While I am thinking of it you might as well send me the rest of my good underwear and handkerchiefs, also send an indelible pencil or some indelible ink and a plain pen. We have to have one or the other to mark our clothes and laundry so we can tell them apart. We can't buy anything like that around here so I have had to send my laundry without it and take a chance on getting my own back.
The climate is terrible here, hotter than hell already over 90 degrees in the daytime and maybe 60 degrees at night but it is damper than hell and I do sweat and drink water by the gallon. The food is good and have plenty of it. I don't know if I am taking off any weight but if the work doesn't the heat ought to so I expect I am. I have a few sore muscles but not too bad yet.
The exercise schedule is getting tougher everyday and they have already weeded out a few that were physically unfit and gave them limited service or in a couple of extremely bad cases, sent them home. When they give them limited service they don't have to take any more basic training but are given an office job or a specialized job of some sort.
It has only rained once and that was enough. This being a new camp the only walks are a few board walks between a few principle buildings and the rest is La. mud, the stickiest damn stuff I ever saw. After a day of that it is wash and polish shoes, leggings, scrub the barracks floor spotless and etc. Sounds like fun doesn't it. My bunk is by the door where everybody walks past it and the clay gets an inch deep. I ought to have a scoop shovel but the army says scrub it up so scrub it up I do.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning were a continuation of the first of the week, classes on the carbine and motor equipment. Friday night I drew extra work, not as punishment but just extra work, and we went to the motor pool and cleaned machine guns until 9:00 P.M.
Saturday noon I was assigned to another detail to go back to motor pool for inspection by the brass hats. We had a couple of hours work cleaning trucks, peeps, and tanks, getting all the equipment laid out in proper order and then standing by our assigned vehicle while the big shots came along. We were finished about 4:00 and that was all for the day.
I have been very lucky so far. I have had no K.P. or any of the rest of the dirty details but I expect my time is coming.
Lt Shackelford, that is company commander, says that when we finish our training we will be able to jog for 5 miles without rest. Sounds to me like a hell of a ways.
They also say we will be very lucky if we see home again until after the war. This is strictly a combat unit and as soon as we finish our training 9 mo-1 year we will be shipped, but of course that is just talk so don't take it seriously. Anything can happen in the Army. They are giving us an accelerated course and cramming it down us as fast as possible.
The barracks sounds like a gambling hall again, the boys all just got paid and the poker games are flourishing. They don't play for pennies either. I don't see how they can do it, works like hell for a month for a few dollars and then loose it in a short time playing cards. No one here will play cards without money so I don't play cards.
The Army has athletic equipment, balls, gloves, footballs, and etc we can get and use anytime we have a chance. There is usually a ball game or so to get in on Sunday if you wish. I haven't yet had time but will afterbit.
Being one of the oldest in the barracks several of the young Romeos' are bringing their love letters to me to read and tell me their troubles. A good education if the time for that kind of education wasn't past. Don't worry. I don't regret it a bit. I would hate to have the love troubles these boys have piled on top of Army troubles. Can't you just see me in the roll of confidant to a barracks of young fellows. Funny huh? I think so yet I get a kick out of it.
Just had chow, meat loaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, sliced tomato. celery, buns, chocolate milk and ice cream. We even had fruit pie yesterday.
Sat hello to everyone for me.
Your devoted husband
Norm
P.S. By the way, here is the extra garage key.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Background for The letter box
My name is Jane Elizabeth Effinger-Corbus. I am the daughter of Norman W. Effinger and Velma Margaret "Babe" Kelser-Effinger-McFadden. I am the sister of Sue Ellen Effinger-Kali. Our family home was located on Route 162 in Medina County, Ohio.
Our parents bequeathed us much: Intelligence, relative good health, gentle dispositions, positive outlooks: the important stuff and very little in the way of material goods. There is a small material legacy left us by my Father however. it takes the form of letters. During the War Years 1943-1946 while my Father was in the Army, he and my Mother exchanged, almost daily, over 1000 letters. Part of my Mother's legacy to us is that she saved Dad's letters while hers were lost in the rugged conditions of war.
My sister and I knew of the letters of course. We heard war stories and grew up with foreign coins, Dad's dress hat and other bits of Army clothing, lots of photos, and Philippine souvenirs as playthings. I still use his army duffel for camping gear. But to my memory we never saw the letters. Mother kept them to herself.
Sometime around 1994 when my Mother was approaching 80, and dad had been gone for over 30 years, she informed my sister and I that she was recording the letters for us on cassette tape and we would each be given copies. When finished she had created 32 cassettes in her own voice reading Dad's war letters, editing where she saw fit. I asked her not to destroy the letters which, I think was her intention , and she asked me not to read them until after she was gone.
As Mother prepared to re-read and record the letters, she removed them from their envelopes, flattened them in all their various shapes and sizes and types of paper and stationery, and stacked them, in order by date, in a cardboard liquor box. The envelopes were thrown away. And that is how they came to me after her death in 2005.
I shuffled the box around for a while among my other saved papers and memorabilia. But what to do with all those letters?? My sister and I spoke of them occasionally. We live an impossible distance apart, she in Hawaii and Me in Medina, so our communication is mostly via e-mail. We now both knew from listening to our Mother's recordings, that the letters were more than just personal history. They were interesting and engaging and surprisingly my Father had been a very good writer.
I think my sister moved on an idea first. She began talking of writing a novel based on the letters. She teaches writing to seniors at Wiamea High School in Kauai and has been taking writing courses as part of her continuing education. During one of those courses she recently began writing a few chapters. What she has written is good and begins to fill in the big blank of Mother's responses to all those letters.
About the time my sister was following her muse, I decided the least I could do was organize the pile in the box. I knew the National Archives accepts all World War II related papers for study. Then I visualized the liquor box stored in an endless basement file in Washington DC, dank and musty. My Father's legacy deserves better.
Over the course of several months and with help I managed to insert all the pages in sheet protectors and file them in order in binders. I now have sixteen 3 ring binders, the first letter dated march 31, 1943, the last, December 10. 1945. In addition, I have since found small batches of letters to other people: Dad's in-laws, and his own Mother and sister. Along with a wealth of unidentified photos, a few greeting cards, some drawings, discharge papers and other official Army papers I have a real World War II love story to share.
That is what I hope to do: share it on-line, one letter per day, beginning March 31, 2010, on the same day the first letter was written 57 years ago.
Our parents bequeathed us much: Intelligence, relative good health, gentle dispositions, positive outlooks: the important stuff and very little in the way of material goods. There is a small material legacy left us by my Father however. it takes the form of letters. During the War Years 1943-1946 while my Father was in the Army, he and my Mother exchanged, almost daily, over 1000 letters. Part of my Mother's legacy to us is that she saved Dad's letters while hers were lost in the rugged conditions of war.
My sister and I knew of the letters of course. We heard war stories and grew up with foreign coins, Dad's dress hat and other bits of Army clothing, lots of photos, and Philippine souvenirs as playthings. I still use his army duffel for camping gear. But to my memory we never saw the letters. Mother kept them to herself.
Sometime around 1994 when my Mother was approaching 80, and dad had been gone for over 30 years, she informed my sister and I that she was recording the letters for us on cassette tape and we would each be given copies. When finished she had created 32 cassettes in her own voice reading Dad's war letters, editing where she saw fit. I asked her not to destroy the letters which, I think was her intention , and she asked me not to read them until after she was gone.
As Mother prepared to re-read and record the letters, she removed them from their envelopes, flattened them in all their various shapes and sizes and types of paper and stationery, and stacked them, in order by date, in a cardboard liquor box. The envelopes were thrown away. And that is how they came to me after her death in 2005.
I shuffled the box around for a while among my other saved papers and memorabilia. But what to do with all those letters?? My sister and I spoke of them occasionally. We live an impossible distance apart, she in Hawaii and Me in Medina, so our communication is mostly via e-mail. We now both knew from listening to our Mother's recordings, that the letters were more than just personal history. They were interesting and engaging and surprisingly my Father had been a very good writer.
I think my sister moved on an idea first. She began talking of writing a novel based on the letters. She teaches writing to seniors at Wiamea High School in Kauai and has been taking writing courses as part of her continuing education. During one of those courses she recently began writing a few chapters. What she has written is good and begins to fill in the big blank of Mother's responses to all those letters.
About the time my sister was following her muse, I decided the least I could do was organize the pile in the box. I knew the National Archives accepts all World War II related papers for study. Then I visualized the liquor box stored in an endless basement file in Washington DC, dank and musty. My Father's legacy deserves better.
Over the course of several months and with help I managed to insert all the pages in sheet protectors and file them in order in binders. I now have sixteen 3 ring binders, the first letter dated march 31, 1943, the last, December 10. 1945. In addition, I have since found small batches of letters to other people: Dad's in-laws, and his own Mother and sister. Along with a wealth of unidentified photos, a few greeting cards, some drawings, discharge papers and other official Army papers I have a real World War II love story to share.
That is what I hope to do: share it on-line, one letter per day, beginning March 31, 2010, on the same day the first letter was written 57 years ago.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Letter #6 April 7, 1943
Wed. Eve.
April 7, 1943
Hi Mom Dear;
I haven't had a chance to write since Sunday but it looks like I would have a little time this evening. First I am going to ask for some things I need. Get them if you can and send as quick as you can. 6 cheap wire clothes hangers, shoe shine kit with plenty of light brown polish, send an extra box or so. A small box of solid wax. There may be enough in one of those Simonize cans out in the garage, the wax I used on the car. If not, any solid wax will do. See that there is a good brush, small one and a cloth to polish with. An extra spool of thread as near the two samples in the envelope as possible. See if you can find 4 or 5 pair of light tan socks size 11. Just do the best you can on these items and send as soon as possible. This place is so far out in the sticks we can't get those items very easy and besides we are still quarantined and can't even leave the barracks after work hours. We have managed to get someone to go and get us some real necessary items but we have no chance to get a coke or a beer or anything else like that.
There is a small town about 10 or 15 miles away but we will not be allowed to leave camp for at least a month, that is just a general rule.
They started us off Monday morning on our basic training and it is not at all like I expected. It is not very tough physically on me although some of the boys are pretty sore and stiff from marching.
They roll us out at 5:30 and we have an hour to dress, make our beds, sweep and mop around our bunks and have breakfast. First thing after breakfast police the grounds, that is pick up all matches, paper, and etc thrown on the ground. That takes about 15 minutes. Then we get in ranks and have 30 minutes drill and 30 minutes exercises. Then we fall into ranks and march to several different classes, very similar to college, except we sit on ground part of the time in the sun and is it hot, The classes are all lectures and demonstrations by the Second lieutenants.
So far I have studied the sub machine gun, the N.S. Army Carbine 30 cal M1, the Jeep and the 2 1/2ton 6 wheel drive army transport truck. There are also lectures on military courtesy and dress. They have assigned me to the 30 cal. and 50 cal. machine gun as my principle weapons and the 45 cal. pistol as secondary and I expect that I will soon start training on them.
You can see that it isn't so tough physically from that, although the bed always feels good at night.
The afternoon is the same type of classes up to 4:30 and and then fall out and then change from fatigue or work clothes to O.D. uniform and stand retreat [ lowering of the flag ] until 5:15 and then chow. We are now eating from our mess kits to save the kitchen boys the work of washing all the dishes, we have to wash our own mess kits. You see since training the men drawn for K.P. duty are only on two or three hours so they don't miss too much training and that would overwork the regular kitchen force. Sometimes after supper we have a couple hours work or as was the case last night, go to get another shot or march way down to the bowl to see a training film or something. The bowl is similar to a football stadium only very crude and is about 2 miles from here. Taken all in all we probably march about 10 miles a day.
One of these days soon I guess we will take a road hike and that will probably be 20-30 miles. I bet the dogs will bark that night and there will also be plenty of bitching.
Personally I don't mind army life so much. If we had just a little more free time it wouldn't be much worse than any job away from home.
They keep you so worried that you are going to do something wrong that it is much harder than it should be.
I imagine that ease up after i become a little better informed on what they want, if they even know, which I sometimes doubt.
I am feeling swell, healthy, sleeping well and missing you quite a little. So I guess I must be normal again. Say hello to everyone for me.
I love you mummy and believe it or not I think of you quite a little. keep things going and tell me how you are making out.
Your loving husband
Norm
April 7, 1943
Hi Mom Dear;
I haven't had a chance to write since Sunday but it looks like I would have a little time this evening. First I am going to ask for some things I need. Get them if you can and send as quick as you can. 6 cheap wire clothes hangers, shoe shine kit with plenty of light brown polish, send an extra box or so. A small box of solid wax. There may be enough in one of those Simonize cans out in the garage, the wax I used on the car. If not, any solid wax will do. See that there is a good brush, small one and a cloth to polish with. An extra spool of thread as near the two samples in the envelope as possible. See if you can find 4 or 5 pair of light tan socks size 11. Just do the best you can on these items and send as soon as possible. This place is so far out in the sticks we can't get those items very easy and besides we are still quarantined and can't even leave the barracks after work hours. We have managed to get someone to go and get us some real necessary items but we have no chance to get a coke or a beer or anything else like that.
There is a small town about 10 or 15 miles away but we will not be allowed to leave camp for at least a month, that is just a general rule.
They started us off Monday morning on our basic training and it is not at all like I expected. It is not very tough physically on me although some of the boys are pretty sore and stiff from marching.
They roll us out at 5:30 and we have an hour to dress, make our beds, sweep and mop around our bunks and have breakfast. First thing after breakfast police the grounds, that is pick up all matches, paper, and etc thrown on the ground. That takes about 15 minutes. Then we get in ranks and have 30 minutes drill and 30 minutes exercises. Then we fall into ranks and march to several different classes, very similar to college, except we sit on ground part of the time in the sun and is it hot, The classes are all lectures and demonstrations by the Second lieutenants.
So far I have studied the sub machine gun, the N.S. Army Carbine 30 cal M1, the Jeep and the 2 1/2ton 6 wheel drive army transport truck. There are also lectures on military courtesy and dress. They have assigned me to the 30 cal. and 50 cal. machine gun as my principle weapons and the 45 cal. pistol as secondary and I expect that I will soon start training on them.
You can see that it isn't so tough physically from that, although the bed always feels good at night.
The afternoon is the same type of classes up to 4:30 and and then fall out and then change from fatigue or work clothes to O.D. uniform and stand retreat [ lowering of the flag ] until 5:15 and then chow. We are now eating from our mess kits to save the kitchen boys the work of washing all the dishes, we have to wash our own mess kits. You see since training the men drawn for K.P. duty are only on two or three hours so they don't miss too much training and that would overwork the regular kitchen force. Sometimes after supper we have a couple hours work or as was the case last night, go to get another shot or march way down to the bowl to see a training film or something. The bowl is similar to a football stadium only very crude and is about 2 miles from here. Taken all in all we probably march about 10 miles a day.
One of these days soon I guess we will take a road hike and that will probably be 20-30 miles. I bet the dogs will bark that night and there will also be plenty of bitching.
Personally I don't mind army life so much. If we had just a little more free time it wouldn't be much worse than any job away from home.
They keep you so worried that you are going to do something wrong that it is much harder than it should be.
I imagine that ease up after i become a little better informed on what they want, if they even know, which I sometimes doubt.
I am feeling swell, healthy, sleeping well and missing you quite a little. So I guess I must be normal again. Say hello to everyone for me.
I love you mummy and believe it or not I think of you quite a little. keep things going and tell me how you are making out.
Your loving husband
Norm
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Letter # 5- April 3, 1943
4/3/43
Dear Wife;
Here is my address for the next 3 months or so.
Pvt. Norman W. Effinger #35607651
Headquarters Co. 80th A.R.
A.P.O. #258
North Camp Polk, La.
U.S.Army
Some address huh.
When I realized we were going to some camp in Louisiana I didn't like it so well but it has proved very much of a pleasant experience.
The camp is a fairly large one, about 15,000 men, and is almost new.
It is located on the only really high spot of ground I have seen in the state. It is about 30 miles from the Texas line and the nearest city or town bigger than Poe is 125 miles.
That is Shreveport, La. so I guess we won't spend much money here.
They tell me the camp covers about 100,000 acres part forested and part open for armored movements. It gets rather hot in the daytime already but cools off to rather chilly at night.
What we saw of the state of La. is mostly low and pine forest covered, rather pretty.
We arrived here at Camp Polk about midnight on Friday the 2nd. They had a military band at the station to welcome us and loaded us in trucks and drove about 10 miles to camp.
They gave us time to take a shower which we needed badly after that 36 hour train ride. I still don't know why they routed us like they did. It seems like the long way around. I guess it is about 500 miles from home.
After showers they served us a midnight lunch and then to bed at 2:30.
Sat. morning we were up at 6:00, breakfast at seven and then classification interviews till noon. They said they couldn't promise anything but that I had a very good chance of going to Officer Candidate School if I wanted. I said O.K. and also signed for special automotive mechanical school. It all depends upon how we come out in our 13 weeks basic training if we get those assignments or not.
We then were all split up in groups according to our classifications and sent to our company commanders for another interview and instructions. Lt J.R. Shackelford is our company Commander and he seems like a very nice fellow. He asked a lot of questions and told me a little of what to expect. He says the first 13 weeks will be nothing but basic training in earnest and that will start Monday morning. It will be all hard work and no play, some here at the post and some out on long several day hikes through the woods and swamps. Some will be digging ditches and trenches, kitchen police, latrine police, and also a try at the obstacle course. He says it is one of the toughest basic training courses he has seen and that it will be especially hard on me because of my age, there is only one fellow older, 32 and the rest are mostly 18-20. He says those young fellows are going to be hard to up with, but if I do my best I will make out alright because only those that were physically fit are in this outfit.
After basic training we will learn to drive every type of motorized equipment in the Army, land forces tanks, trucks, halftracks, Jeeps, peeps, and etc, and learn to shoot two types of rifles, service revolver, machine gun 30 & 50 caliber and 37 mill cannon. So if I live through these first 13 weeks it kind of looks like fun.
Lt Shackelford says it will take at least 9 months to train us and maybe more if we get any special training. Unless we do get some special training we will stay at this camp until our training is finished.
We were off most Saturday afternoon and all evening but it was my luck to be put in quarantined barracks so we couldn't even go to the post Ex. or anywhere and I guess that will be for a week or two yet. The Sargent will go out and get us cigarettes and drinks once a day so it isn't so bad. I will get a good nights sleep anyhow.
Sunday morning. We didn't roll out until 7:30 and had breakfast at once, fried bread and syrup, ham. and oatmeal, coffee. Each place we go seems to feed us better. So far here it has been as good as I ever had anywhere. My cold is O.K. this morning and if we have most of the day to rest I will be in shape for Monday, come what may.
I don't know what the schedule will be but we may be away at any time for several days so don't worry if you don't hear from me regularly. In the Army you do as you are told and if you have time left you can do as you wish so long as you don't do anything they don't approve.
We have some general orders to learn and other things to memorize but not much. I guess I better write a couple of other letters so be good.
Love,
Norm
Dear Wife;
Here is my address for the next 3 months or so.
Pvt. Norman W. Effinger #35607651
Headquarters Co. 80th A.R.
A.P.O. #258
North Camp Polk, La.
U.S.Army
Some address huh.
When I realized we were going to some camp in Louisiana I didn't like it so well but it has proved very much of a pleasant experience.
The camp is a fairly large one, about 15,000 men, and is almost new.
It is located on the only really high spot of ground I have seen in the state. It is about 30 miles from the Texas line and the nearest city or town bigger than Poe is 125 miles.
That is Shreveport, La. so I guess we won't spend much money here.
They tell me the camp covers about 100,000 acres part forested and part open for armored movements. It gets rather hot in the daytime already but cools off to rather chilly at night.
What we saw of the state of La. is mostly low and pine forest covered, rather pretty.
We arrived here at Camp Polk about midnight on Friday the 2nd. They had a military band at the station to welcome us and loaded us in trucks and drove about 10 miles to camp.
They gave us time to take a shower which we needed badly after that 36 hour train ride. I still don't know why they routed us like they did. It seems like the long way around. I guess it is about 500 miles from home.
After showers they served us a midnight lunch and then to bed at 2:30.
Sat. morning we were up at 6:00, breakfast at seven and then classification interviews till noon. They said they couldn't promise anything but that I had a very good chance of going to Officer Candidate School if I wanted. I said O.K. and also signed for special automotive mechanical school. It all depends upon how we come out in our 13 weeks basic training if we get those assignments or not.
We then were all split up in groups according to our classifications and sent to our company commanders for another interview and instructions. Lt J.R. Shackelford is our company Commander and he seems like a very nice fellow. He asked a lot of questions and told me a little of what to expect. He says the first 13 weeks will be nothing but basic training in earnest and that will start Monday morning. It will be all hard work and no play, some here at the post and some out on long several day hikes through the woods and swamps. Some will be digging ditches and trenches, kitchen police, latrine police, and also a try at the obstacle course. He says it is one of the toughest basic training courses he has seen and that it will be especially hard on me because of my age, there is only one fellow older, 32 and the rest are mostly 18-20. He says those young fellows are going to be hard to up with, but if I do my best I will make out alright because only those that were physically fit are in this outfit.
After basic training we will learn to drive every type of motorized equipment in the Army, land forces tanks, trucks, halftracks, Jeeps, peeps, and etc, and learn to shoot two types of rifles, service revolver, machine gun 30 & 50 caliber and 37 mill cannon. So if I live through these first 13 weeks it kind of looks like fun.
Lt Shackelford says it will take at least 9 months to train us and maybe more if we get any special training. Unless we do get some special training we will stay at this camp until our training is finished.
We were off most Saturday afternoon and all evening but it was my luck to be put in quarantined barracks so we couldn't even go to the post Ex. or anywhere and I guess that will be for a week or two yet. The Sargent will go out and get us cigarettes and drinks once a day so it isn't so bad. I will get a good nights sleep anyhow.
Sunday morning. We didn't roll out until 7:30 and had breakfast at once, fried bread and syrup, ham. and oatmeal, coffee. Each place we go seems to feed us better. So far here it has been as good as I ever had anywhere. My cold is O.K. this morning and if we have most of the day to rest I will be in shape for Monday, come what may.
I don't know what the schedule will be but we may be away at any time for several days so don't worry if you don't hear from me regularly. In the Army you do as you are told and if you have time left you can do as you wish so long as you don't do anything they don't approve.
We have some general orders to learn and other things to memorize but not much. I guess I better write a couple of other letters so be good.
Love,
Norm
Friday, April 2, 2010
Letter # 4
Apr 2, 1943
5 P.M.
Honey Chile;
Just leaving Shreveport La. We picked up several more cars of soldiers here so now we have quite a train. I guess from the looks of things we will be in either Texas or Louisiana and it is plenty hot right now so I don't like to think of next June & July. I changed my mind about mailing the letter because were getting close to camp. We pulled in after midnight at Camp Polk, Louisiana. We won't know our definite camp address yet for a few days so don't write till I send it. My cold is worse again this morning and may have to go to hospital yet. That seems to be about the first place rookies go. More later.
Your loving husband.
Norm
5 P.M.
Honey Chile;
Just leaving Shreveport La. We picked up several more cars of soldiers here so now we have quite a train. I guess from the looks of things we will be in either Texas or Louisiana and it is plenty hot right now so I don't like to think of next June & July. I changed my mind about mailing the letter because were getting close to camp. We pulled in after midnight at Camp Polk, Louisiana. We won't know our definite camp address yet for a few days so don't write till I send it. My cold is worse again this morning and may have to go to hospital yet. That seems to be about the first place rookies go. More later.
Your loving husband.
Norm
Thursday, April 1, 2010
April Fool's Day letter continued
Spring is well advanced down here. The leaves are just coming out, fruit trees are in blossom and the grass is growing nicely. If we keep going this way it looks like I would see some hot weather very soon. Damn it.
What we have seen of Arkansas is not very inviting. We evidently went through the hills at night and this part is very level, not much of it farmed, very few houses and a lot of scrub trees. I guess the land is very poor.
Boy am I glad I don't live in Arkansas and I sure hope this train doesn't stop here with us. The land is so flat there apparently isn't any drainage and there is water standing everywhere in the woods. It reminds me of pictures of Florida Everglades. It sure does look mean. The rivers from the Colorado mountains come down through here and flood.
1P.M. and still in Arkansas. We have been sidetracked too often. Boy I have seen more trains and railroad equipment than I ever thought existed.
I am going to have to revise my opinion of some parts of the states. In some areas the farming land looks good and they raise cotton and rice and in other sections there are some beautiful stands of pine. [you are going to have to excuse the pencil. My pen is dry and so is the one I borrowed and no ink on the train.] The population seems to be mostly negro, at least all the working men are. They live in little old shacks you wonder why they stand.
The more I see of it the more I think this soldier life won't be so bad. I got my first taste of the thrill they have always said a soldier gets. Somehow all the people along the way seem to know a troop train is coming and are all standing outside smiling and waving. The Negros drop their tools to wave and the negro kids crowd the tracks as close as they dare and put all they got in a big black and white grin and a hearty wave.
It kind of gets you and makes you proud to be in uniform. Of course it is nice to get a big smile from a young and pretty white girl too. Don't think we don't get quite a few too.
Most of the boys are taking it OK. but there are two in our car that are so homesick they are really miserable.
We are getting better food on the train than we did at the fort and they don't leave anything out, vegetables, greens and everything.
Some of the boys say the salt peter is even there but I don't know.
Sure is a beautiful day to travel. Must be at least 85 or 90 out, clear and bright. It is quite an adventure.
I will put this in an envelope and if I get a chance to have someone along the tracks mail it I will. I will send another as soon as we arrive.
Lots of Love.
Norm
What we have seen of Arkansas is not very inviting. We evidently went through the hills at night and this part is very level, not much of it farmed, very few houses and a lot of scrub trees. I guess the land is very poor.
Boy am I glad I don't live in Arkansas and I sure hope this train doesn't stop here with us. The land is so flat there apparently isn't any drainage and there is water standing everywhere in the woods. It reminds me of pictures of Florida Everglades. It sure does look mean. The rivers from the Colorado mountains come down through here and flood.
1P.M. and still in Arkansas. We have been sidetracked too often. Boy I have seen more trains and railroad equipment than I ever thought existed.
I am going to have to revise my opinion of some parts of the states. In some areas the farming land looks good and they raise cotton and rice and in other sections there are some beautiful stands of pine. [you are going to have to excuse the pencil. My pen is dry and so is the one I borrowed and no ink on the train.] The population seems to be mostly negro, at least all the working men are. They live in little old shacks you wonder why they stand.
The more I see of it the more I think this soldier life won't be so bad. I got my first taste of the thrill they have always said a soldier gets. Somehow all the people along the way seem to know a troop train is coming and are all standing outside smiling and waving. The Negros drop their tools to wave and the negro kids crowd the tracks as close as they dare and put all they got in a big black and white grin and a hearty wave.
It kind of gets you and makes you proud to be in uniform. Of course it is nice to get a big smile from a young and pretty white girl too. Don't think we don't get quite a few too.
Most of the boys are taking it OK. but there are two in our car that are so homesick they are really miserable.
We are getting better food on the train than we did at the fort and they don't leave anything out, vegetables, greens and everything.
Some of the boys say the salt peter is even there but I don't know.
Sure is a beautiful day to travel. Must be at least 85 or 90 out, clear and bright. It is quite an adventure.
I will put this in an envelope and if I get a chance to have someone along the tracks mail it I will. I will send another as soon as we arrive.
Lots of Love.
Norm
April Fool's Day Letter
Apr. 1, 1943
Dear Babe;
As I write these letters I will try to take up where I left off with the last and if you will keep them it will serve as a diary. We are not allowed to keep one with us but we can send them home. I am writing this on the train so excuse the jerks. Wed afternoon after our shots we had an hour or so to rest and went out and drilled all afternoon till 5 oclock...chow, then back to barracks for shipping call. Some of the boys had been at fort Hayes as long as 2 weeks and one I know of had been there for 28 days. He sure was sick of the place. I guess I was lucky to be shipped so soon. All the boys say that the reception center is the worst part of the army. If that is so it won't be so bad. Tony and Fred Hazen did not get called but most of the rest from Medina did. They were feeling pretty bad about it.
We all agreed to send our addresses to the other fellows wife and have them forward them so we can keep in touch. I was so dam tired from all we had been through, the shots, the cold and all the marching with very little sleep. You can imagine what a barracks with about 600 beds, all full, would be like. It never quiets down until at least 12 midnight and they began to call for those on K.P. and special detail at 3:00 and it was hard to sleep after that. I went to bed at 9:00 and was so sleepy the noise did not disturb me much but we were called out at 3:00 A.M> to get ready to go. I left much better than last night although a long ways from top shape yet.
We had all answered roll call and assigned to shipping groups by breakfast time, about 300 of us.
after breakfast another short arm inspection and a few more sent for treatment and then at liesure until 10:30 A.M. when I called you. From 10:30 until 1:00P.M. was one of those periods I don't like. On duty with nothing to do but wait in one spot until they get ready to do something. At 1:00 we got on the train and started rolling. They say we are in for a long ride but that is all they say.
It's now 2:20 and we are in Xenia so it looks like we are going southwest although I am not so sure of the location of Xenia.
I have been separated from all the boys I know and we are not allowed to leave our car. The car is a daycoach pullman, no berths so will have to sleep sitting up. I guess I will take a nap now.
Through Dayton, Richmond, Ind. The officers are dropping hints about a 300 mile trip but I don't take it very seriously yet.
The farmers out here are all sowing oats and the tree buds are well advanced.
The U.S.O. meets the train every so far and gives and gives out magazines and books which I imagine will be very welcome in a day or so. Indianapolis at chow time 5:00. West and ever westward to Terra Heute.
We have a special kitchen car in the train and they pick some fellows for K.P. on it each meal. We all have to keep it clean around our own chair.
We are not at all crowded, theere being only 40 in our car so we can stretch out fairly comfortable. There are several poker and blackjack games going on so I am passing my time reading, writing, and sleeping.
Tell Mick and Louise that their donation of aspirin has come in very handy. First Kenny and Tony used them at Fort Hayes and bought me some more and now I have used them.
8P.M. Sopringfield, Ill and still going west. 10P.M. Just arrived at St Louis and are being switched to another track so it will probably be a puzzle where we are until morning.
7:30 Friday morning and we have just had breakfast. We were very puzzled as to where we were until just now we pulled into Johannesburgh, Arkansas and are heading southwest. It has been rather interesting to not know where you are going although we would like to know. From hints the officers drop we are to be on the train all day at least.
We all slept fairly well and I am in much better shape than I was. The officers look worse than the boys.
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