LETTER #18 - 2 MAR 1944

He seems pretty concerned about his young brother being on "trial"...maybe for school or a job?  Also, his mom seems pretty upset about them treating him too rough in the Army!  But he says the Army lifestyle agrees with him.  And where is that fudge?!!!

Fart Sack = A military slang for a bunk or sleeping bag. 

LOL...Hee heee hee.  haha..... :P  Looking for more military humor?  Check out this link!   Military Humor

LETTER #17 - 11 FEB 1944

My little notes:  Well glad to see he is finally done with basic training and now anxiously awaits his next assignment/training.  The good news he was not grounded as he previously thought and is officially classified as "serial gunner and radio man".  I think that is quite impressive to have a dual role...and "mom" should be proud that he still does not drink or smoke! 

Also, I sure wonder what little "Butch" the puppy looked like?  Surprise they have him in the barracks, but maybe things are a bit more relaxed since they finished basic training. 

Off-duty German soldiers with puppy.

Russian Soldiers napping with a puppy-1945

Sketch of a WWII soldier with dog.

Allies or enemies, dogs always remain "Man's Best Friend"!

LETTER #16 - 2 FEB 1944

Sure hope they took a family picture soon with his camera! 

Apparently there are three levels or grades and he received "Sharpshooter" which is pretty good for basic training.  This is taken from the invaluable book I refer to often, "Finding Your Father's War" by Jonathan Gawne.

Continuation of the article.

LETTER #15 - 30 JAN 1944

What can I add?  You gotta love his little cartoons in the letter!  A very entertaining letter for 12-year-old brother at home to read (my dad)!  My Dad always loved to doodle and was quite the artist.  Guess it ran in the family!

 

 

 

Want to see more WWII Comic Postcards?

2 minute video on more WWII cartoon postcards

LETTER #14 - 6 JAN 1944

OOPS!  This letter is out of order and should be between Letters #7 & #8!  This is a short letter after he had taken his tests and still waiting for the results which we found out in Letter #12 (Jan. 26); but after he received his package from his parents.

He seems pretty frustrated in this letter between his training and his parents' package!  Plus, I am sure he is exhausted and not a lot of free time at the moment.  Seems like those "Army dress shoes" are pretty important to have ASAP!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LETTER #13 - 27 JAN 1944

My little notes:  After his last discouraging letter, it is nice to hear him sound more positive and have more confidence again.  He writes words like "wonderful letter", "beautiful" and "never felt better".    I feel this has a lot to do with the letter he received from his Dad.  He needed that reassurance from his Dad that only a parent can do.  I only wish I could have read that "wonderful letter" or any letters from the family.  However, I am fortunate to have these letters from my Uncle and learn firsthand his experience during training.  Again, I look forward to the next!

Must see videos!  
WWII camouflage techniques training film - cartoon

If you have a little time to spare I recommend watching these entertaining 1944 cartoon camouflage training videos.  There are three parts.  The first and second parts are 9 minutes each and the last part is only 3 minutes.  If anything, at least watch the first one!   They are from the Army Air Forces (recognize the insignia?) and from 1944, so I am thinking there is a pretty good chance my Uncle may have seen these!  They are very basic and probably more of an introduction to camouflage training.  Remember, "Hide the Shadow"!  Enjoy....


WWII camouflage techniques - part 1 (9 minutes)

WWII camouflage techniques - part 2 (9 minutes)

WWII camouflage technique - part 3 (3 minutes)

LETTER #12 - 26 JAN 1944

Further information on: 

BASIC MILITARY TRAINING AND CLASSIFICATION OF PERSONNEL

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/VI/AAF-VI-16.html

Excerpts from the above link:

"In this as in other phases of the training program, the peak load was reached and passed in 1943. Thereafter, some centers were inactivated, and others were moved to posts where technical schools had been located. Four basic training centers survived until 4 September 1945--Buckley Field, Amarillo Army Air Field, Sheppard Field, and Keesler Field, with most of the trainees located at the two latter stations."

"Although higher headquarters had long been aware of the deficiencies in basic training, it was not until June 1943 that Headquarters, AAF undertook to establish minimum requirements for training of personnel before their assignment overseas. Starting in July 1943 an attempt was also made to set up a standardized program for the eight-week basic training program in effect at the BTC's. Emphasis was placed on subjects with a practical application to survival in the combat areas--camouflage, chemical warfare, map reading, marching and bivouac, and marksmanship. A memorandum issued by the AAF Training Command in December 1943 prescribed an eight-week schedule of instruction for regular trainees and a five-week schedule for pre-aviation cadets. Only two revisions of this memorandum had appeared by the end of 1994, although supplementary memoranda on specific subjects in the schedules were issued from time to time."

     I felt so bad for him when I read the first two lines.  His hopes were high he would fly, but at this point he is unsure of his classification, perhaps in combat ground crew or with radio dispatching.  You can feel his frustration and how he feels he let his parents down.  It sounds like he is not alone in the disappointment as other cadets have been grounded.  The good news he only has a few days of Basic Training left.