6.7.45 – Cutting grass with bayonets

Thursday, June 7, 1945

Dear Folks,

More soldiering today, but right now I’m in the Guard House – I’m on guard, remember – for the rest of the nite.  I’m extremely lucky in being a supernumary (and extra – just in case) for the first relief, so most probably I won’t go on and can sleep all nite (in the guard house, tho).

This morning we rigged and finally made our full field packs, just for demonstration purposes, altho we went on for drill with light packs. Our packs are of an entirely new design and wear well.  In the afternoon, the sgt. made a mistake by asking for all men who can’t hike and drill to fall out.  Out of about 120 men, 80 some fell out – the sgt almost fell over.  Most of us just wanted a light duty slip, so while others went to sick-call we got light duty – picking up stones on the field and cutting grass with bayonets.  We gold-bricked almost the whole time, but I’d much rather do the regular stuff than this so-called light duty, especially when the regular duties aren’t that strenuous and the light duty won’t keep me from going over seas anyway.  I’ll see more about it tomorrow.

No mail yet, altho I didn’t expect it anyway.  Hope I can get a pass tomorrow.

That’s all, Love, Bru

6.6.45 – Gas Training

Weds. June 6, 1945

Dear Folks,

Today we really soldiered. In the morning we were issued rifles and with gas masks went out for gas training. First we were showed how to put the mask on and adjust it, etc.  Then we went in the chamber which at first was filled with tear gas.  Wot-dya-know!  The mask works! But, the second time we went into the chamber, THEN put our masks on inside and dam quick, too.  The third time in the chamber was for chlorine gas.  Now convinced that our masks worked, we put them away.

The next thing were field demonstrations of different gases.  Dilute forms were set off in the field so we could get a whif and walk away.  Finally they showed us white phosphorous grenades and different color smoke bombs.  They were really beautiful.

This afternoon we went out for drill (just a little) with rifles and then had the obstacle course.  I WALKED around it avoiding anything in the line of a jump etc, so it wasn’t bad.  Nobody said anything, so I’ll do it that way if we get it again.

As usual, we got screwed up on passes tonite because we have to hear the Articles of War.  Then tomorrow I’m on Guard Duty, so I’m hoping to get out by Fri. and see what Marysville looks like.

I guess that’s all,

Love,

Bru

6.5.45 – Funniest movie ever

Tuesday, June 5, 1945

Dear Folks,

This morning we were issued all our field equipment and combat boots which everybody is wearing.  They are the “sharp” affairs, consisting of regular GI shoes with about a 5″ flap on top.  We also have packs, canteen, etc. and even a shelter half (?) among our load.  A talk or movie for this afternoon was called off, so we have bunk fatigue – Thus this letter.

Last nite, we saw “Wonder Man” and I doubt if I laughed so hard or so much at one film before.  The fellow weren’t laughing but howling and screaming.  At one time I had to take off my glasses because they were getting fogged from tears.  That guy is terrific, truly a wonder man.

Tonite, there is some sort of combination movie, talk, and magician show put on by a bible society.  If we get off early enough, and don’t get passes (which I doubt), we’ll probably go.

Later…. as I said we didn’t go.  The orientation talk originally scheduled for this afternoon was given tonite.

We’re allowed 7 lbs of personal stuff, so I guess I’ll have to start sending some things home.  I guess that’s all.  Love, Bru

Nobody knows how long we’ll stay here

Mon. June 4, 1945

Dear Folks,

I’m in the army again! – and how! This place is the most G.I of all camps I’ve ever been in (and also where the rest of the bunch has ever been.)  We arrived late last night and after drawing beds, etc. and equipment,  finally went to bed at about 1:30 am.  Naturally, we were up at 6 to stand reveille at 6:30.  We wear fatigues, leggins (?), and steel helmets always!  It’s just like a combination of reception center and basic training except lousier.

We had a medical exam this morning and I complained of my injury.  The doctor looked at it, asked me my job, and said “Well, you’ll be able to do that kind of work without physical inconvenience”  I started to say, “Well, I..” and he tore up my slip of paper and said, “Next!”  So, I can’t win.

Then in quick succession, I got three shots in the same place in my left arm and a blood type.  My arm is so sore, I can just about move it.  This afternoon we have our classification interviews (I think).

Nobody knows how long we’ll stay here.  A week to 2 months maybe.  Maybe, since we had our clothing checked, I’ll start to send some stuff home.

The trip out wasn’t so bad.  I had a pullman upper all the way and was with 2 new friends.   Both college boys (one graduated).  New Mexico was very pretty with rough cliffs or mesas jutting up all around in the prairies.  Eastern Arizona’s very boring, very flat but the western part up in the mountains is nice.  We passed the Sierra Nevada range and could see snow on some peaks.  That continued into S. Cal and then the terrain leveled off and we were in a valley all the way up.  In the mountains the tracks go in circles and thru tunnels and almost on the edge of cliffs to get thru – oh yea, we passed over “Canyon Diablo” in Arizona (a big hole in the ground) which I believe is one of the “foot-holes” of the Grand Canyon, which was to the north.

It’s now evening and I feel refreshed after my first shower since Fri.  We had our classification interviews which weren’t much, in fact all they did was read our records to us.  I am rated as an educational record.  Man, but if I go overseas, somehow or other I’m going as a “basic” in any branch (in the service forces – non-combat).  I hope I can get out of medics.  There is a possibility that I’ll do the same type of work.

Another rumor – we won’t be here more than a week.  They fly thick and fast.

I’m going to see Danny Kaye’s Wonder-Man tonite.

That’s all,

love,

Bru

6.2.45 – Quick stopover in New Mexico

Sat. (June 2, 1945)

Dear Folks,

We have a stopover at Belen, New Mexico where a few Indian women are selling trinkets and souveniers.  Boy, this is really the wide open spaces – nothing but nothin!

That’s all, Love, Bru

Sheppard Field or California?

Thurs. May 31, 1945

Dear Folks,

Nothing important happened today, except maybe that I got paid.  Other than that, I took it easy, saw movies, listened to a record or two, helped carry the movie equipment to a ward, and returned the film – free truck ride.  Tonite, I saw Fred Mac Murray, in a funny but could be much funnier, Fantasy, “Where Do We Go From Here.”

Boy am I burned up.  Got a letter from my old McCloskey friend Charlie Waters who says that both he and Carl Rousseau (who’s leg was broken like mine) are in the AIR CORPS at Sheppard Field, Texas.

He doesn’t know how he got in, but here am I going to California!

That’s all, I have a lot to do,

Love, Bru

Back in Temple, TX

Weds, May 30, 1945

Dear Folks,

Arrived ON TIME in Temple (3 cheers for the Katy!) and caught (is there an “h” in that word?) a bus to camp just in time for dinner. There on the bulletin board was the ship list and the statement to be ready for leaving Fri. morning, June 1.  Naturally my name was on it, so I’ll start my trip to sunny California a day sooner than I thought.  What happens after that is anybody’s guess.

Everything else seems about the same.  I came to town tonite to get a haircut.

That’s all, Love, Bru

Bruce meets a war hero

Tue. May 29, 1945

Dear Folks,

As usual, the Jeff was a little over 2 hours late but still giving us 2 hours before train time. I came in with an air corps sergeant who flew 46 missions, was shot down over Ploesti, and spent 6 months as a prisoner until he was liberated.  He also is credited with 2 German planes.  Very soft-spoken, quiet guy, too!

Just shaved and will probably take a walk to town.  That’s all, Love, Bru

Heading home on furlough!

Weds, May 16, 1945

I have to do something between trains and I don’t want to go walking in the rain….so!  The Katy was almost on time and I hope I can say the same for the Jeff.  Wow, that was pretty hectic about 1.5 hours ago. The Katy came in about 8:45 and a fellow said that Pennsy train that leaves at 9:12 has some reclining chairs (?).  So,  I dashed off the Texas Special, down the ramp, around the gate, down the ramp and up the steps into the “American” but, no super-chairs.  It was getting close to the train time all the time (naturally).  I grabbed a seat, told the fellow I was with to save it for me, if I come back by train time, and if I don’t, well – not save it.  Down the steps, up the ramp, thru the gate to the Passenger agent’s offices.   I found out that the Pennsy agent was at gate 18 (where I came from).  Back again to gate 18, where I asked him if I could get a reservation on the Jeff and he says “Yes – at the ticket offices.”  In a khaki streak I was at the ticket office where I found many lines.  Aha!  A short one (only 3 people) and I zoomed in there (note – 5 min. for “American” train time if I can’t get reservation).  Finally, it’s my turn and I GOT THE RESERVATION – WHEW!!  If I didn’t I believe I could have got back to my seat on the American by the skin of my chinny-chin-chin.

So, hence the hours to kill until 12:40 (time – 10:40).  O wot lousy weather! (??)

That’s all, Love, Bru

I just signed my furlough

Monday, May 14, 1945

Dear Folks,

Everything happens to me – at once, too!  A furlough a month and a half ahead of time, 2 weeks unwashed laundry, not enough money, then a whole package of food that has to be eaten in one day (which it can’t, so I’ll leave it here for the fellows.  I’m bringing home, what I think, I hadn’t opened it, is a jar of something.) Whew!

Yesterday I went flying again.  This time we went on a 3 hr. cross country navigational hop.  It was swell, I even had the earphones on and worked my radio.  There was an extra map so I figured out our course and time of arrival. I wasn’t too far off, only a few minutes.  Pretty good for no instruments.  I, of course, was sitting up front and talked with the pilot all about different instruments and controls.  My friend was enjoying himself at first, so I left him writing a letter in back of the navigator’s table.  Some time later after slightly bumpy flying (which I liked very much) I turned around and there he was, sitting on the floor, his head in his hands and his face dripping with perspiration – airsick.  He even threw up in a bucket seat (very convenient) He then sprawled out on the floor and went to sleep.  It never affects me that way.  Why, while I was I even ate a bag of peanuts and an orange.

I just signed my furlough and found out I get it a day earlier than I expected.  I get 10 days plus 5 traveling.  I’m leaving tomorrow morning.  I hope the money arrives.  Please tell Betty, no never mind, well maybe her letter might be delayed, so tell her.

That’s all.  Love, Bru