DIY History | Transcribe | World War II Diaries and Letters | David R. Elder correspondence, June-July 1944

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David R. Elder correspondence, June-July 1944

1944-06-10 Page 1

Saturday Nite 21:30  Dear Dave; They say that this is a [illegible] war so I was wondering tonight why I have to march so damn much.  They also say the Hac's and Haves will win this war so I am wondering why we are fighting for.  If there was thing in civilian life I [illegible] to do was walk and then I cud up in the infantry.  I was fortunate enough to land in the Clerk school but don't think it is not tough.  We have 6 weeks of tough basic.  Th is 8 weeks of basic all wraped up in six weeks.  If one lives 6 weeks he is in damn good shape.  I have 2 weeks finished and still going but I wouldn't say that I was in the best of shape.  Twp sore arms from shots and blisters on my poor feet.  We have one of the MI Rifles to baby and keep clean.We go on the range in our forth week.  Finished gas and chemical warfare acid burned.  Grenade this week.  Take up the bayonet next week.  Didn't think I could move as fast as I did when they put me in a fass filled [illegible] and said get your weapon rookie.  Made it with no ill effect.  Have been spending considerable time on map reading and this incoming they started in and in [illegible] from a certain pouch and told us to follow 161 degrees compass reading and come out on the right stake.  In a mile and half we missed by 40 feet.  In this carry they have one hell of a hill called Drag Ass Hill and is it well [illegible]  All of our [illegible] are routed to come up this.  We made 5 miles the other night in 1:30 minute.  Dont mind the 5 mile walks anymore but I am wondering about the 25 mile jaunts.

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Saturday Nite 21:30 Dear Dave; They say that this is a [illegible] war so I was wondering tonight why I have to march so damn much. They also say the Hac's and Haves will win this war so I am wondering why we are fighting for. If there was thing in civilian life I [illegible] to do was walk and then I cud up in the infantry. I was fortunate enough to land in the Clerk school but don't think it is not tough. We have 6 weeks of tough basic. Th is 8 weeks of basic all wraped up in six weeks. If one lives 6 weeks he is in damn good shape. I have 2 weeks finished and still going but I wouldn't say that I was in the best of shape. Twp sore arms from shots and blisters on my poor feet. We have one of the MI Rifles to baby and keep clean.We go on the range in our forth week. Finished gas and chemical warfare acid burned. Grenade this week. Take up the bayonet next week. Didn't think I could move as fast as I did when they put me in a fass filled [illegible] and said get your weapon rookie. Made it with no ill effect. Have been spending considerable time on map reading and this incoming they started in and in [illegible] from a certain pouch and told us to follow 161 degrees compass reading and come out on the right stake. In a mile and half we missed by 40 feet. In this carry they have one hell of a hill called Drag Ass Hill and is it well [illegible] All of our [illegible] are routed to come up this. We made 5 miles the other night in 1:30 minute. Dont mind the 5 mile walks anymore but I am wondering about the 25 mile jaunts.