March 28, 1944
Dear Family,
Well this certainly has been some day. We were going to have a big inspection today so we spent all last night till about 11:00 getting ready. Then we got up at 4:30 this morning and had breakfast at about 5:00.
At about 6:00 we started out to the airfield (which was to be used as a parade ground) with our full field packs. We were going to set up our tents and then display our equipment in front of them such as you sometimes see in pictures.
As soon as we got our tents up it began to rain so we rolled our packs again and headed back. After we got back (about 9:00) we laid out our full field equipment on our beds for an inspection in the barracks. Of course, we had to get everything in the barracks straightened up because if they once come in they will look at everything. Since we were inspected inside it was a good thing we had scrubbed the floor last night.
The inspection started a little before noon and lasted till afternoon was almost over. There was just one group of officers after another coming through. We were inspected by 2 Lt. Colonels, 4 or 5 Captains and lots of Lieutenants. Everyone was as tired from the strain as we would have been from working.
Then a parade was scheduled for about 5:30. But about an hour before time it began to rain. We didn’t suppose that it would be held in the rain but since no orders came down from headquarters, we had to dress up and fall out in the rain. Then of course as soon as we had stood out there long enough to get really soaked the order came down that the parade was called off.
I finished up today by doing a washing after super. I washed my shelter bags, my pack, gas mask carrier, a pair of fatigues (pants & shirt) and a heavy towel. If we don’t get to send laundry tomorrow I’ll have to start in on the socks, underwear, handkerchiefs, etc.
I got the letter that Dady wrote last night.
Well it’s about 9:00 and 4:30 was a long while ago.
So Goodnight,
Donald