Our food situation around here has deteriorated until it is appalling. All the officer's iceboxes are full of meat and liquor and they are using two of our three iceboxes besides. We can open one of them - I mean watch them open them - and see the meat hanging inside and we can't get fresh meat. We haven't had fresh meat since the first few days that we came up to this place and the officers have it everyday. This morning we had blowed eggs and bread and coffee and I don't like coffee and can't stand blowed eggs. It is hard to see such class distinction shown between men when all are supposed to be fighting for the same thing and the same country. I always figured that was meant pretty much tough going, especially for anybody unfortunate enough to be sent overseas, but 95% of the officers in this headquarters never could possibly live this good in civilian life.
The war situation has improved a lot since October 14th. We invaded as planned October 21st on Leyte Island. Everything has gone according to plan and now we have practically all of Sumar Island. Our movement date has been moved up 30 days (the last rumor has it) and we may be told to start packing within a few weeks or so because they are anxious to get into the Philippines I think and leave this jungle behind if possible. The invasion played MacArthur up a lot with "I have returned" propaganda for the people somewhere. Anyway, we are expecting to have Manila by Christmas right now but we can't be sure until we do take it. The Germans are holding pretty well around the Rhine River but from the news coverage we get of the war over there isn't very clear. The Russians have broken through into East Prussia and are fighting for Konigsburg.
June's picture arrived along with a package of life savers, vitamin pills, and film. I was very happy to get it and it is beautiful. I think of her so much and wonder if we will ever be lucky enough to get married. When I think of the year behind me and the one or two more ahead it seems to me that something will happen to spoil things but I don't know what. If she waits for me I think I shall never be able to pay her back because it will prove to me what she is made of. I keep my fingers crossed constantly and watch developments. June is now going to school and working at the Ogden Arsenal on weekends.
It is raining outside. I have to get soaked again I guess. So long. Jiggs.
Showing posts with label Grandma June. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grandma June. Show all posts
Thursday, August 3, 1944
It is a beautiful sunshiny day here in Brisbane and Dizard and I have the afternoon off to play tennis. Things in the office are caught up and there is nothing to do. We have had rumors flying around the past two days and the latest rumor is that we have dropped the P from FEAF. Of course everybody is sweating it because that will mean a new T/O and ratings. The word is that a radio from Washington came through yesterday, giving us the official Okeh and now we are waiting for a special order and a general order to come out making it really official. I'm supposed to be in for two stripes but that is as yet problematical. It is going to be interesting to see what is really done now after all the snow jobs we have been getting.
June is working for the life insurance company (several of them at once I think) and appears to like the work quite well. I fall more in love with her everyday it seems. I didn't think it would be possible to be so sure about a person and not be near her but I'm sure I have found the real thing in her.
The Wacs moved us out of Archerfield and I moved into the Old Mess Hall Barracks in the Valley. It is must more convenient than riding back and forth so darn far.
The war fronts are as follows. The Normandy battle is down to Vire and a little past Caen and expanding very slowly. The Italian campaign has slowed up. They have half of Pisa and are fighting in the outskirts of Florence. In Russia the Reds have taken part of Warsaw and in the past few weeks have taken Lwow, Brest-Livotack, Kaunas, Drinsk, Narva, Vilna, and are driving toward the East Prussian border. The Germans recently had another purge - claiming an attempt on Hitler's life. We landed at Sansapor on the N.G. mainland without opposition. Slightly over 600 to the Phillipines. The Japs trapped at Wewak have been trying to break out of the trap without success. The Navy Dept announced that fighting on the Tinian in the Marianas ended yesterday. The battle for Guam is still raging. Gen. Stilwell made four stars today. Japan sacked Tojo and his staff about ten days ago. It shows weakness internally in Germany and Japan to have all this trouble. The greatest thing of the past summer has been the remarkable Russian offensive - called the greatest offensive in the history of warfare.
June is working for the life insurance company (several of them at once I think) and appears to like the work quite well. I fall more in love with her everyday it seems. I didn't think it would be possible to be so sure about a person and not be near her but I'm sure I have found the real thing in her.
The Wacs moved us out of Archerfield and I moved into the Old Mess Hall Barracks in the Valley. It is must more convenient than riding back and forth so darn far.
The war fronts are as follows. The Normandy battle is down to Vire and a little past Caen and expanding very slowly. The Italian campaign has slowed up. They have half of Pisa and are fighting in the outskirts of Florence. In Russia the Reds have taken part of Warsaw and in the past few weeks have taken Lwow, Brest-Livotack, Kaunas, Drinsk, Narva, Vilna, and are driving toward the East Prussian border. The Germans recently had another purge - claiming an attempt on Hitler's life. We landed at Sansapor on the N.G. mainland without opposition. Slightly over 600 to the Phillipines. The Japs trapped at Wewak have been trying to break out of the trap without success. The Navy Dept announced that fighting on the Tinian in the Marianas ended yesterday. The battle for Guam is still raging. Gen. Stilwell made four stars today. Japan sacked Tojo and his staff about ten days ago. It shows weakness internally in Germany and Japan to have all this trouble. The greatest thing of the past summer has been the remarkable Russian offensive - called the greatest offensive in the history of warfare.
Monday, February 7, 1944
Things happen slow but the time goes fast. Haven't seen Weldy yet but he and Jimmy Moulton are meeting me tomorrow at the Red Cross on Adelaide Street. Jimmy called me tonite and made the arrangements as he is a permanent porty mon at the O.C.S. that Weldy is attending. Weldy is in for a tough time. He takes a physical beating all day - and has classes at night so he is really earning what he will get. They start the O.C.S. with 12 or 1300 men and graduate 600 so that they guys will give it all they've got to get there.
Two letters from June today and one from Leo Barlow so I feel pretty good. The work in the Surgeon's Offices is coming along nicely. We are doing an awful lot of work. The 5th Air Force is really expanding and fast. A new group arrives nearly every month. The Marines and Navy and 7th army division hit the marshals and we now control most of them during the week.
The big push on Europe is still ahead. The Russians reached Narva and the 5th Army isn't in Cassino yet. Red Cross party last Thursday nite.
I spend some darn lonesome times as I sit and look at June's picture. She is such a wonderful person that I can't say enough about her. Some nights I almost feel that I can't take it any longer but I get up in the morning feeling better and plug through another day. Some days I feel good - some bad. Some times I'm very lonesome but I generally come out of it. I sent my "svenska flicka" a charm bracelet to wear on her lovely wrist last Thursday - hope she likes it.
Two letters from June today and one from Leo Barlow so I feel pretty good. The work in the Surgeon's Offices is coming along nicely. We are doing an awful lot of work. The 5th Air Force is really expanding and fast. A new group arrives nearly every month. The Marines and Navy and 7th army division hit the marshals and we now control most of them during the week.
The big push on Europe is still ahead. The Russians reached Narva and the 5th Army isn't in Cassino yet. Red Cross party last Thursday nite.
I spend some darn lonesome times as I sit and look at June's picture. She is such a wonderful person that I can't say enough about her. Some nights I almost feel that I can't take it any longer but I get up in the morning feeling better and plug through another day. Some days I feel good - some bad. Some times I'm very lonesome but I generally come out of it. I sent my "svenska flicka" a charm bracelet to wear on her lovely wrist last Thursday - hope she likes it.
January 15, 1944
The last few days have been very eventful in the way of news from home. June sent some wonderful letters that made me feel swell. She is the one thing I want in the world I am sure of it now. Beesley sent a card and a couple of letters and they didn't mean anything. If I can arrange it I am going to give June a diamond for her birthday and I hope she wants one. It is tough expecting a girl to live on hopes and dreams and then have nothing to offer her after you do marry her. That is what I think about but I have confidence and patience. I received my Christmas presents from June - a lot of candy which is appreciated a lot over here and Richard L. Evans "That's the Hills." Also a very nice set of poker chips and cards to match. The Book of Mormon that Grandma sent arrived today. Also the folks present "I Dare You" by William Danforth. I have already finished "I Dare You" and it had a peculiar effect. I am going to keep it and read it from time to time. I am going to try and work everyday to better my mind and personality and character - I have got to keep up with June if she is going to the university and getting brilliant. She made 2.4 this quarter at the "U" which is very good. These hot summer days in Brisbane are rather tough - I closed the office tonite for Miles - he had a dinner date at Meister's Place.
Some of the boys are going home after having completed two years over here. They all feel much better now that there is a plan of some kind and so do I. At least it won't be much more than two years at the longest.
Some of the boys are going home after having completed two years over here. They all feel much better now that there is a plan of some kind and so do I. At least it won't be much more than two years at the longest.
December 15, 1943
Got 20 letters today and felt very happy. Whether it is a flame or the real McCoy I don't know, but I sure do love June a lot. More everyday I think. I will wait a little while longer though. It is raining pitchforks. I built a bonfire in the day room to finish writing letters because the storm put the lights out. Am writing this by the light of my trusty candle. I have still got to shower and brush my teeth. Had half a day off today. Weather is hot and sticky. Better hit the sack, so goodnite.
September 24, 1943
Some time has passed since my last entry in this book. July 20th I got my furlough. Bruce and Heller and I went to Bear Lake and Brighton and Dad went with us on a fishing trip to Deer Creek. We all had a wonderful time. While at Brighton I met a very wonderful girl - June Lundgren. My furlough ended August 1st and Heller left for San Luis, Opispo, California on August 2 with Sanford Hugg and Bill Cannon. Barlow immediately got a 15 day leave and we started again going out every night only this time it was June Lundgren.
Out here at camp I got a temporary Special Duty job at classification doing filing and pulling shipping orders in the Form 20 Room. On August 16 I applied for OCS in the Field Artillery. Went before the board one week later and two days later I was notified that I had been accepted and recommended for Officers School. I then took the OCS physical and passed it fine. However, the chances look rather dull at present because of a lack of quotas to the school. I was put on a rush order and went to town and told everyone goodbye and then was scratched the day before it left. We are waiting for shipment out of Kearns to a P.O.E. My mind is unsettled. I am in good health but getting nervous. I find it hard to sit down very long. Between thinking about Barbara and June I am slowly going crazy. Heller loaned me $25.00 Sunday to keep me on my feet for a while. The Yanks and St. Louis are going to tangle in the Series in a couple of weeks. I just wrote Doc Cannon betting him a few bucks on the outcome. He is a St. Louis fan and I a Yankee. Morale here is very low because of the way we are wasting time. I have been in the Army nearly six months and haven't been assigned. I go to town every night on a fake pass and buy gas from a few black market friends. Infantile Paralysis has closed all of the schools. I lost my job at classification and am waiting to go on helping the optician at the hospital
I am getting along much better in this man's army since I know the ropes a little better. The Yanks are closing in on Hitler and everyone is praying for him to crack so we can go to work on Tojo in earnest. We are all sick of war until we can hardly stand to live. My lucky stroke was to be close to home because everyone else hates Kearns, Utah like no other placed on earth. "No liquor, no nothing" they say. Got a letter from Barlow and he is pretty pissed off. Things are the same everywhere I guess.
Out here at camp I got a temporary Special Duty job at classification doing filing and pulling shipping orders in the Form 20 Room. On August 16 I applied for OCS in the Field Artillery. Went before the board one week later and two days later I was notified that I had been accepted and recommended for Officers School. I then took the OCS physical and passed it fine. However, the chances look rather dull at present because of a lack of quotas to the school. I was put on a rush order and went to town and told everyone goodbye and then was scratched the day before it left. We are waiting for shipment out of Kearns to a P.O.E. My mind is unsettled. I am in good health but getting nervous. I find it hard to sit down very long. Between thinking about Barbara and June I am slowly going crazy. Heller loaned me $25.00 Sunday to keep me on my feet for a while. The Yanks and St. Louis are going to tangle in the Series in a couple of weeks. I just wrote Doc Cannon betting him a few bucks on the outcome. He is a St. Louis fan and I a Yankee. Morale here is very low because of the way we are wasting time. I have been in the Army nearly six months and haven't been assigned. I go to town every night on a fake pass and buy gas from a few black market friends. Infantile Paralysis has closed all of the schools. I lost my job at classification and am waiting to go on helping the optician at the hospital
I am getting along much better in this man's army since I know the ropes a little better. The Yanks are closing in on Hitler and everyone is praying for him to crack so we can go to work on Tojo in earnest. We are all sick of war until we can hardly stand to live. My lucky stroke was to be close to home because everyone else hates Kearns, Utah like no other placed on earth. "No liquor, no nothing" they say. Got a letter from Barlow and he is pretty pissed off. Things are the same everywhere I guess.
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