Tuesday August 1, 1944
Hello Folks,
We have been half way promised a hike tonight so I’ll at least start this during my noon hour. And even now my time is very limited because I’ve got to fall out at 12:30 for some more radio school.
We went to radio school yesterday morning and then spent about an hour yesterday afternoon taking a test. Then I spent the rest of the afternoon working in the supply room.
This morning we were supposed to take another radio test but we spent most of the morning waiting for our turn to take it. The reason why we had to wait was because it was it was a test in the use of equipment rather than a written test. Only a few could use the equipment at a time so we had to wait our turn.
I think there is some sort of a test coming up this afternoon but I don’t know much about it yet.
The shipping list or POR list as it is called (Port of Replacement) came up yesterday and my name wasn’t on it. About 2 out of 3 of those qualified took their physicals yesterday afternoon and I can’t quite understand how I missed it. It might have been chosen by lot for all I know. But I still could go in case someone doesn’t pass the examination or if they need more men but I doubt if I will this time. Now that they’ve started taking men I may go any time. So much for that.
Evening
I got in just a little early this afternoon so I’ll try to get a little more of this written before retreat. I took another test that took about an hour in all this afternoon but it took about all afternoon waiting for it. These radio tests are a whole lot alike every time they give them but here’s why we get them so often: One time the regimental staff gives a test, then the division tests us, then the Corps officers, then a staff from the Second Army headquarters test us and then it is about time to start over again.
It’s been raining a good bit here for a couple of days and we have had several showers today. Yesterday evening we were having a Regimental parade and it began to rain. It looked as if the bottom dropped from something and it wasn’t a half minute till we were soaked clear through. Of course, we were in khakis and we were drowned rats when we got to the barracks.
Well I’ve got to start cleaning my rifle so if nothing else important happens I’ll seal this up and send it. Likely there won’t be any time to write anyway even if I did have something to say – so good luck.
Love, Donald