Home Front to Battlefront. Frank Lavin
as that sounds—everything is well-controlled—and besides I’m all through with it now. Before I went over these courses I didn’t think I’d like them very well, but it turned out to be a lot of fun. The only trouble was that it was kind of dirty. Every time a charge would go off near you, you’d get covered with mud and water. It was worth it, though, to see the looks on other guys’ faces when that stuff was coming down on them.
Love Carl
. . .
Apr 6 1944
Thursday
Hello, Mom,
Today is a day of grace for us. They worked us all last Sunday, so they gave us today as a substitute. The only trouble is that there’s absolutely nothing to do.
I still don’t have anything new to report on what’s going to happen to me. It seems to be pretty definite that we’ll go out on bivouac on the 17th, though.4 There’s a rumor circulating that those of us here that had basic training in something other than the infantry will be returned to their respective branches. I hope it’s true; I can’t exactly say I like the Tank Destroyers, but I didn’t dislike it as much as the infantry.
However the training here is still almost interesting. Most of the men are old-timers and so our training is advanced and specialized. I now know the proper method of loading and securing equipment on railroad flat-cars, the habits and habitat of the anopheles mosquito (malaria), the German army’s methods of training, how to lay mortar positions, and a few dozen different ways of killing a man. Well, they may come in handy in civilian life. You never can tell what’ll happen.
I still haven’t been outside this camp since I came. And I don’t think I will, either. You have to go clear to New Orleans to get to anything decent, and that takes up half a week-end.
We spent Monday on the rifle range and it was quite enjoyable. Things here aren’t nearly as strict as they were back in Camp Hood, and another guy from Queens and I got together and had a lot of fun. We worked our way into taking charge of part of the ammunition and gave ourselves about twice as much as we were supposed to get. Then we ran it all off in the practice rounds. We used the M-1 rifle, the Garand that you’ve heard about, and it’s a marvelous weapon. Except for the fact that it’s not made of very good steel it’s one of the best rifles ever made. It hasn’t got very much kick to it. In fact it’s possible to fire it by just holding it in the hands from the waist. (I tried it.)
I received the box of fruit candy that you or Sugardale sent me. It wasn’t bad, but don’t you think it’s a little late for Valentines? Anyways the boys and I appreciate it.
Tell Fred to write, willya? And write yourself. Love –Carl
P.S.—Probably get a furlough in about four months. Oh, well.
. . .
Many of the guys on the firing range put wadding in their ears to protect their hearing. Not Carl. He was too proud to do such a thing as stuff his ears. It was a foolish decision he would pay for later. As he reached middle age, he developed hearing loss in his right ear, the ear closest to his weapon.
. . .
Apr 10 1944
Sunday
Dear Mom,
This is an emergency. Send me ten dollars right now, will you please? You see, we get paid the first of every month, but since we left Queens at about that time we didn’t get paid then. They told us we’d get paid the tenth and since the “cost of living” is very low here I figured I could last that long. Since we were getting paid tomorrow I decided to go into town last night and borrowed five to do it. Well, today they told us we wouldn’t get paid until the 20th so that leaves me with ten days to go on a capital of minus four dollars.
It isn’t really a life or death matter, but ten would help out.
I hate to tell you this, but I have once more taken the fatal step; I got a G.I. haircut.
Nice and cool and I don’t have to comb it. But don’t worry, by the time I get a furlough it’ll probably be down to my shoulders.
I got a letter from Fred Friday. He seems to be enjoying things pretty well. He’s probably left for Hawaii by this time.
We’re going to start getting a five weeks basic course starting Monday. The “we” referring to the ASTs. The only thing I haven’t had is bayonet drill out of all the things they’re going to teach us. Oh well, there’re worse ways of spending five weeks. Thanx. Love –Carl
. . .
After being commissioned as an ensign, Fred was sent to Hawaii and was waiting for a ship assignment when he was given his first job: He had to act as a sort of a foil for the shore patrol. His job was to walk down the street with the shore patrol discretely following. They would then pick up any sailor who failed to salute. As this included “old salts” as well as men returning directly from combat, it left Fred feeling distinctly uncomfortable.
. . .
Apr 11 1944
Monday
Dear Mom,
I received the wallet you sent me today. Thanks very much. It is really “just what I need” as you noticed when I was home. A nice one, too. But more than the wallet even, I think I’ll appreciate the pictures you said you were sending. Have you sent them yet?
I got another package today. For some reason or other the Jewish War Veterans of Canton decided to send me a package of pin-up girls. Very sweet of them. But they’re behind times. The magazines say that the army doesn’t like pin-ups any more.
Did I tell you in the letter I wrote yesterday that I tried to go to New Orleans last week-end? Anyways I did. Try, that is—I didn’t succeed. Travel conditions are worse here than in any camp I’ve been in. I’ll make one more attempt in a few weeks; give’em one more chance. If I do get there I’ll try to look up what’s-their-names.5 Nothing new going on here. So—goodbye.
Love, Carl
. . .
Apr 13 1944
Wednesday
Dear Mother,
Your timing was perfect. I received both your letter and the package on my birthday. Thanks very much. I appreciate it.
Yes, I heard from New Orleans. I got a letter yesterday from Mrs. Marcus [Leo’s cousin]6 which was very nice. She has a daughter of 18. Invited me to stay any week-end at her house. Of course, now my only problem is how to get there. I think I told you of my attempt to get to New Orleans last week-end didn’t I?
Lights out now—so goodbye, Love Carl
. . .
Apr 16 1944
Sunday
Dear Mom,
Received your ten and on behalf of the boys in the hutment may I express my thanks?7 Also received the letter the Old Man wrote me. It arrived at the right psychological moment. I was going to write and thank the [cousins] Marcus’ and the Panglin’s (they both asked me to stay with them) but I was going to put it off for a few days. So with your prompting, Pop, I wrote them both last night. Told them I couldn’t accept since I’d never know in advance when I’d be able to make it. (the odds are about four to one against my getting out of here and making it there on any given week-end) but I’d look them up to see them when I do get to New Orleans.
I think I told you they’re giving us basic all over again (short course) didn’t I? Well, we’re starting to take those damned long hikes all over again, which is the part of the army I hate most. (For someone who doesn’t like to go on marches, I haven’t got myself a very good position, have I?) Almost a tenth of the guys fell out of the one we had yesterday—pretty fast cadence. I was pretty surprised, and pleased, to learn that there aren’t very many guys that can take it as well as I can. I’ll be damned if I know