tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92136894248941609362024-03-05T08:09:00.970-08:00This Business of Fighting: A Human Face on World War II Arnie Pritchard http://www.blogger.com/profile/04441719200853183962noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213689424894160936.post-7797555137904566232020-08-17T05:44:00.002-07:002020-08-17T05:46:52.446-07:00Getting to know some of the locals in England <i>My father's battalion arrived in England around March 1, 1944, and remained there until July 18, when they crossed over to France to join in the Normandy campaign. In some ways his letters from that period are my favorite segment - reflecting his curiosity, his enthusiasm for seeing new things, and his thoughtful preparation for what he knew was coming. Today I am posting his account to his parents of his time in the village of Kinlet, in Shropshire. He does not name the village, but there are clues which in the age of Google made it very easy to identify. I have since had the pleasure of visiting Kinlet twice; in 2014 I met Charles Smith, whom he mentions, and his wife Vera. This was largely due to Francis Engleheart, local historian among other accomplishments, who guided me and who saw to the publication of the letter in the Kinlet newsletter. </i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>This is a long letter, but wonderful</i>, </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="">Hardly had we
returned from our whirling tour when we left our home station to do a little
job some 80 miles from here. At its
inception I had my doubts about whether this jaunt would prove of much interest,
- but time proved my fears to be very foolish, - we had a lovely ten days which
almost amounted to a vacation. Work from
eight till five (not too wearing either) then off for the evening, - <u>with
transportation</u>. As Petrillo<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
would say, - but good!!! The men will be
talking about it for the next ten years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> We
were in a quiet corner of Shropshire, on the estate of an Englishman, who
leased the estate to the Army, - the manor is being used for a blind school. And I became acquainted with the Squire by a
really whacky set of circumstances, the only one of the bunch who did!!! Again, - most interesting.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> Without
going into complete details: We have the problem of garbage (swill, over here)
disposal no matter where we find ourselves planted. It was during the course of my manouverings (<i>sic</i>) to get rid of the stuff that I met
Hubert Smith, the Squire’s bailiff (a pretty important guy in his own right, I
find). Well, the problem became pretty
involved; someone else had made some sort of arrangement without my knowledge,
- so I had to go back to Hubert, like an ass, and tell him that he couldn’t
have the swill. “Oh, I can’t, can’t I, -
well, Tony, my boy, we’ll see about that”.
And so I met the Squire.<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span></span></a> Here am I, in my funny way, trying to palm
this stuff off on someone, and, to my surprise, I find that I’m handling quite
a little pearl. (There are some four or five hundred hogs<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span></span></a>
on the estate, - get the picture? With
grain as hard to get as it is, - what a dope I can be!!) How I wish that I had the time and patience
and skill, to tell of K------- H------<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span></span></a>
Hubert told me some of the history of the place and the family that has lived
there thru centuries. His story was only
a wee part and yet it would take me a day or two for me to attempt a retelling:
ghosts, great ladies and gentlemen, the family silver, the family tree, how the
present Squire acquired the estate (quite a tale in itself, complete with
second cousin Edmund getting himself killed in the World War<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span></span></a> etc.) and so on and on. I’ve been to the manor and tho’ considerably
mutilated by its present occupants, it takes very little imagination to picture
it in its heyday. As an example: there’s
a staircase, the widest I’ve seen outside of a public building, which is made
from solid oak cut on the estate (the whole place, the wooden part, that is, is
constructed from wood cut on the grounds) and every riser of the staircase is
inlaid with the coat of arms of the Childe family, - and the walls of the stair
well are papered with stuff made of satin and velour!!! And you ought to see the Big Room, I don’t
know whether they call it that or not; corresponds with our living room in
function, I imagine. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> The
church on the grounds, a lovely little place, tells much of the family history,
simply by containing their tombs, - members of Parliament, the High Court of
Chancery, and God knows what all rest in the place. I remarked to Rodney<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> that to write the family history of Roland
Childe Esq. and do it completely, one would probably have to write the history
of all England, - and I don’t feel that my remark was very far from the truth.</span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> Roland
is a character undescribable to an American, and I’m not versatile enough to
chance it to English born. Physically,
he’s about my height, 42,<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
quite stocky, and has a manner which at first meeting I thought I’d never be
able to bear, - married, for the second time, to a most charming English woman
(Rod and I took to her immediately, - she speaks with very little accent, and
certainly knows how to be the complete hostess). He’s come down considerably in the world
since the war (tho’ the income of the estate runs to some 20,000 pounds, he’s
taxed 100% on everything over about 1500, - unbelievable, isn’t it?<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> There’s a lot of other stuff connected with
his finances which Hubert told me in confidence, - and I couldn’t remember half
of it if I tried. Roland had a bunch of
ancestors who would make pikers out of some of our so-called gamblers, it
seems, and they left the guy with a couple of debts here and there.) But in manner he’s changed but little, I
think, - and he manages to retain a sort of half-bitter, half cynical,
half Oh what the hell do I care sense of
humour about it all, - it’s the damndest thing, really!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> I
hope this isn’t getting too bewildering for you to cope with, - it is for me …
I’ve had the God Damndest Three Weeks that I’ve ever had in all my life and
it’s most difficult to make a sensible letter out of it. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> The
Squire invited Rod and myself to dinner one evening and we enjoyed ourselves
very thoroughly. On first meeting, as I
have said, I thought I’d have a lot of difficulty getting on with him, but as
the Scotch began to flow and we talked the usual getting-more-acquainted-talk I
suddenly discovered that what I presumed to be an overbearing, pompous English
Squire could be, and was, a pretty human guy.
After four or five cocktails, we retired to the dining room for as
delicious a dinner as I’ve had in ages; green peas (fresh) duck, which I was given
the honor of carving and those tiny potatoes that I’ve heard you speak of so
often (roasted, like you do it, Mom. Oh,
my but they were good!!!) Beer and
Scotch were on the table during the meal and then a decanter of Port (Roland
pooh-pooed our exclamations on its quality, - but I still think I have a bit of
a tongue for wine, - and it was good.) which had to be passed counterclockwise
around the table till it was consumed.
Mrs. Childe retired to the living room about this time, - and it’s a
good thing that she did. I’ve discovered
something about the English male: swearing among them is more or less
restricted to the upper and lower class (and farmers), the middle bracket seems
to leave it more or less alone. Well, we
wandered from story telling (not clean) to a general discussion of politics:
here believe me I received a considerable shock, for the man was no ultra
conservative as I expected. He’s pretty
mixed up in a lot of his views (who the Hell isn’t???) but there’s a
thoughtful, quite openminded vein running thru all his views (even as regards
Russia). About England and America, he
stated that he thought that some sort of policing arrangement ought to be
agreed on, but that the two countries “shouldn’t go to bed together”, - a
sentiment that we agree on completely.
(There’s a bit of going to bed with the Russians going on here now, and,
as in the States, most of it is pure bull.
Mr. Average Joe is pretty sincere I believe, but that’s as far as it
goes. And that’s a Helluva long way from
being far enough for anything concrete to come of it. </span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="">Before I’ve
finished with the dinner may I say that it was perfectly served by a couple of
Hungarian maids and the setting was just about perfect. The dining room is small and intimate,
candlelight was used (properly, however, - you could see your food) and some of
the family silver was trotted out. Later
in the evening, Roland showed us some more of this, - most of it made years and
years ago, and, believe me, its beauty is a tribute to the man who spent
hundreds of patient hours making it. Such
craftsmanship is a thing of the past, - what there is of this sort of art in
the States probably came from over here.
Thousands of pounds worth of it have been sold from Roland’s estate in
fact, and the purchasers were American for the most part. (Hubert told me one evening that a <u>three
day</u> auction was held at the estate some years ago, - three days, - and that
one of the items sold was a complete silver breakfast set, - plates, cups,
saucers, everything solid silver. My
back!)<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> We joined Mrs. Childe in the other room to
finish the decanter of Scotch, (two evenings we spent at that house, and both
times we had to finish the decanter before he’d allow us to leave. A great hardship I can assure you!!!) then Roland
and I had a hilarious omelette making session in the kitchen, - at which time
he told me that I must call him Roland (you can touch me if you want to!!!) and
another barrier dropped to the floor. So
home to my little bed sack.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang=""> </span> In
case you are harbouring any ideas about my trotting out my best behavior for
the occasion, or acting in any other way except normal thru the night, let me
assure you that I almost proceeded in the opposite course. I arrived at his home fully prepared not to
like the man, and spend a most boring evening putting up with him. Perhaps it was his ability to act the perfect
host effortlessly that made the evening so pleasant, - I don’t know, but it was
pleasant.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> So
much for Roland Childe. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> Now
for a page or so about the Smiths. This
is more difficult, because we became quite good friends, strolled down to the
house whenever we felt so inclined, and consequently there aren’t the clear-cut
recollections that go with meeting Roland.
Before proceeding, tho’, I can say that I’ve never met finer people; we,
Rod and I, were free to act as tho’ the place, Norton’s End Farm,<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
were our home; little kings we were with nothing too good for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> The
family is Hubert, the Squire’s bailiff, Mrs. Smith, Charlie, a handsome
strapping boy of 23 who runs one of the farms on the estate, and Betty, a 14
year old gal who is just beginning to sprout wings (and will she be something
when they’re sprouted!!!). Rod and I
spent six or eight evenings down at the farm; we did nothing particularly exciting
on these occasions, just sat around drinking Bass, chewing the rag, playing
darts, and quietly enjoying ourselves.
Some of my countrymen would have thought the time wasted I know, - but …
Hubert is a natural story teller (he likes to talk incidentally, - a
commendable trait I find, - you get to know such people much quicker). One of the facts that contributed to our
welcome was that they live a comparatively uneventful life, especially since
the war has progressed, we were the first Yanks that they had become acquainted
with, and since we went half way to meet them, Norton’s End was our
kingdom. Another contributing factor was
that Mrs. Smith worked in St. Helen’s<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn11" name="_ftnref11" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[11]</span></span></span></a>
(at Pilkington’s<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn12" name="_ftnref12" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[12]</span></span></span></a>)
years ago (I believe she lived in Preston (?)) and when I announced that my
Mother was born in St. Helen’s, she was so pleased about it that she didn’t
stop talking of the wonder of it for days!!!
She asked me to ask you if you remembered a pork butcher name of Whittle
(I believe that was the name, - tho’ what the Hell difference it makes whether
you remember this guy Whittle is beyond me.)
She was so pleased about this coincidence, that made (<i>sic</i>) me feel sorry that I’d not paid
closer attention to you when you talked of the places that you remembered in
your birthplace.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> We
have a standing invitation to come to Norton’s End if we ever get enough leave
to make this possible… the invitation, to Betty and Charlie and Mrs. Smith, is
practically equivalent to our getting there.
“When Tony and Rod get their leave we’ll do such and such” They
say. Hubert, fortunately, takes a more
realistic view of the business. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> Now
I’ve got to say something about a Saturday that we spent on the estate that is
really a memorable occassion (<i>sic</i>). (Ain’t you just a little bored by this about
now!!!!???? My exclamation and ravings
are beginning to pall aren’t they?
Forgive me, ----this is all so new to me, ---and I had such a <u>good</u>
time that I’m enjoying<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn13" name="_ftnref13" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
it all over again just in the telling.
My only regret about any of this is that all of you can’t be with me as
I go high-tailing around England with an insatiable interest in learning
something about the country. </span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> The
evening that we had dinner at Roland’s (a Thursday) he asked us if we would
like to take part in a deer drive that was to come about the following
Saturday.<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn14" name="_ftnref14" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Would we??? Oh my lord love a duck!!! Would the Old Man<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn15" name="_ftnref15" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[15]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
let us have the time off was my first thought, ___so to spike that worry I
asked Roland, whether, if worst came to worst, I might ask 44<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn16" name="_ftnref16" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[16]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
so that we could go. I knew the old
devil would leap at the chance, and he couldn’t very well go and not
(illegible)<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn17" name="_ftnref17" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[17]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
us to, (<i>sic</i>) ---- and further it’s
thing’s (<i>sic</i>) like this which put him
ever so slightly in my debt, not a bad way to have things, I might add. I hope that doesn’t sound like
“operating” because there’s to (<i>sic</i>) much of that stuff going on now
without my sticking my finger into it.
But a little now and then doesn’t make me feel too guilty, -- it’s done
in the best of Army circles.) Saturday
arrived and as luck would have it we were all busy with things that couldn’t
wait, -- but we finally decided “to hell with it” at noon, called Hubert and
arranged to meet him at the local pub, and took off armed with our carbines and
a few rounds of ammunition that Rod had managed to finagle.</span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> Ten
or twelve farmers participated and the afternoon was a huge success. We got seven deer, one of which I shot (the
only one bagged with a carbine, --- managed to ride the Colonel a little on
this!!) in a really hilarious afternoon.
It’s been a long while since I’ve seen anything as funny as those crazy
farmers arguing about who shot each deer, and then, like grand strategists
debating about how the next drive would proceed. They talk pretty broadly (and cuss the same
way) and half the time neither Rod nor the Colonel could understand what in
blazes they were talking about.
(Strangely enough I fare a little better than most, -- due, no doubt, to
hearing you use some of the same expressions as they use, like “mither” and
“cheeky beggar!) Odd fact: they say “I
be” for “I am” and “I Bain’t” (<i>sic</i> on capital) for “I’m not going
to”. But it sure was fun, -- then weary
from the running about, we carried our prizes back to Norton’s End, where
Hubert (the Squire wasn’t present, -- some Home Guard Business) strictly
according to feudal tradition divided the days kill. You don’t get what you shoot, because <u>all</u>
the deer belong to the Squire, so it’s his privelege (<i>sic</i>) to decide how much you’re gonna get. Hubert gave us a leg and a loin (More than
our share, as three of the deer were set aside for consumption at a Harvest
Supper<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn18" name="_ftnref18" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[18]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
for all hands a week or so after we left) and foe (<i>sic</i>, obviously a typo for “for”) Sundays dinner we had a huge
platter of the most delicious steaks you can imagine. Rodney, the animal, ate four, --- good sized
ones too, and then could eat no supper. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> The
evening that we left was a large one.
The squire came over to see me in the afternoon, telling me that we had
to come into town for a drink at least. Then Hubert followed, with an
invitation from Charlie and Vera (his wife) and all the while I didn’t know if
we could get out for the evening. (The
O.M. was in an uproar about something ---- even thought of asking him along
again so we could go!!!) But it wasn’t necessary: after chow we took off for
Hubert’s place, stayed there till ten (Roland called up twice to ask where the
Hell we were) then over to Charlie’s. At
both places a quart of pre-war stuff was dragged out. At eleven thirty we headed for Roland’s,
where the usual decanter had to be consumed, and back to Charlie’s at one
thirty (they insisted that we come back, regardless of what the hour). Finally at 3:45 we bid a sorrowful goodnight
and back to camp for a couple of hours of sleep before returning here. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> I
write the above paragraph with a definite purpose in mind. Believe me, I’m not crowing about how much
people love us, or about my whisky consuming ability. Rather I want to make you
understand how far out of their way several very good people went to make us
welcome. With Scotch at 3 pounds per
quart, on the unrationed market, people don’t just trot out a bottle every
other night of the week, --- it ain’t done, ‘cause in many cases when that’s
gone there ain’t no more, especially 40 year old stuff like Charlie had. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> Rod
and I went into Birmingham one evening, the only evening that we were away from
here that stands out as a poor evening.
I don’t like what I’ve seen of Birmingham, --- so much for that. (God, I’m coming up in the world, aren’t
I? The second largest city in England and
I dismiss it with two lines. Helluva
nerve.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> That
brings us about up to date. I’ve not
told you ‘arf, of course, but it’ll have to do for the present.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> You
know, --- I can’t find those notes that I referred to at the beginning of this
longest of letters. Damn. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span>Just General Stuff:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span><span lang=""> While
in London I cashed a check for $50.00 at <a>the Cahse Nat’l of N.Y.; </a></span><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span lang="" style="font-size: 8pt;"><a class="msocomanchor" href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_msocom_1" id="_anchor_1" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_1">[a1]</a> </span></span><span lang="">added to my present debt that makes a total of $179.94 that I owed
you. Notice I say owed. Because a couple of days ago I sent you
$100.00, leaving a balance of $79.94 by a simple subtraction. Check? I think that this can be cleared up next
pay-day. Let me know when you get the
“C” will (illegible)<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn19" name="_ftnref19" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[19]</span></span></span></a>
some sort of arrangement will have to be worked out on this money proposition
because I can’t cash checks under normal circumstances and I don’t like
carrying my entire pay around with me.
What I shall probably do is allot some part of it to you to do with as
you see fit, ---bonds or whatever else you deem sensible. Or would you rather I increase the bond
allotment and take care of it that way?
I don’t want to cause you a lot of trouble, and yet if a few dollars a
month can be useful to you I don’t want it steered into the Treasury vaults. Tell me about this.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> Was
humming “Has anyone here seen Kelly” <a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn20" name="_ftnref20" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[20]</span></span></span></a>
the other night, and, much surprised, my ATS<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn21" name="_ftnref21" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[21]</span></span></span></a>
acquaintance asked me where I’d ever heard that. This was followed by a lengthy discourse
about Vesta Tilly<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn22" name="_ftnref22" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[22]</span></span></span></a>
and her contemporaries. Got to wondering
after a while where the Hell I was, in England or at 36 Wellesley Ave.!!!! Have I told you the story of the Colonel’s
gal Hilda, -- and this ATS couple that Rod and I drop in on now and then? Most Amusing Tale (<i>sic</i>). Tell me if I’ve told
you-all about it, and I haven’t,<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn23" name="_ftnref23" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[23]</span></span></span></a>
I’ll attend to it in a future letter (if I can remember the details that
long). There’s another story, not a damn
bit amusing however, that will wait till after the war for telling, -- about
some pilfered doughnuts --- but I’m way too disgusted to go into it now.<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn24" name="_ftnref24" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[24]</span></span></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> Charlie
Parry<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn25" name="_ftnref25" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[25]</span></span></span></a>
is a must on my list. The only way that
I can get time to see him however, is by taking a couple of days leave (<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn26" name="_ftnref26" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[26]</span></span></span></a>as
usual officers do not get passes, --- the men do, -- but not our little
group. As soon as thing (<i>sic</i>) calm down here a little, I’ll put
the bite on Ruff and see what happens. I
suppose I should write to him shouldn’t I?
Come to think of it, there’s a lot of people that I should write to!!! My main trouble during the past few weeks has
been that the Army interferes too much with my getting about. Bad situation. Generally, if it’s been a choice between the
Army and something else, the Army has wound up the loser. Also bad
situation. See if we can’t remedy that
shortly, Pritchard, ---or modify the attitude at least.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> Right
here and now I want to declare myself about my life over here. I feel a statement coming on.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> Statement: Tho’ I wear a ribbon for being in an active
theatre of operations, my attitude about this phrase is the same as it’s always
been, --- almost. I’m having as good a time
as I’ve ever had in my life, and I would refuse to put a price on the
experiences that I’ve been priveleged (<i>sic</i>)
to enjoy. There are those who are very
unhappy over here, --- foolishly so, I believe.
Ordinary people would misunderstand such a declaration: fortunately for
myself you are not ordinary people. I miss you all very much, --- once upon a
time I missed you all the time. That is not so now. When I do have my spells of homesickness,
they are more intense than they were, and I am no person to live with for a few
days. (Rod generally has to bear the
brunt of such attacks). But I’ve learned
the formula for snapping out of these moods and am better for it. And this I feel most sincerely: When this God
Damn foolishness is over I shall come back home a much wiser person than I
left, and God knows I can ask no more.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> Enough
of that.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> I’ve
enclosed a request for a few items that I’d appreciate your sending. If they give you any trouble at the P.O., tell
them that there’s a second Joe<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn27" name="_ftnref27" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[27]</span></span></span></a>
in Europe that says to go jump in the Woonasquatucket.<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn28" name="_ftnref28" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[28]</span></span></span></a> I can manage without the things, -- just a
matter of a little treat that I’d like you to ship. These people have gotten along for five years
on a Helluva lot less than I’m getting, and if they can do it so can I. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span> I’m
way behind on my correspondence (always am) so if you don’t hear from me for a
while don’t worry.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> Cheerio<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftn29" name="_ftnref29" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[29]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> Anton<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> I’ll
go over your letters and answer any specific questions in my next – if I can
remember. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang=""> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Tony Petrillo, a
friend of Anton’s from Providence. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Roland Lacon Childe
(1898-1944). Died December 28, 1944;
according to current residents of Kinlet of a sudden heart attack. The plaque in his memory in Kinlet Church
reads in part, “From his tenants, employees, and many friends as a token of
gratitude and respect for his 21 years service as a benefactor to the parish of
Kinlet”.. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>This seems to be an
underestimate; according to Charles and Vera Smith (see later in the letter)
the farm at Norton’s End had three pig houses each one holding 500 pigs. See Charles and Vera Smith, “Farming at the
time of World War II: a valuable part of Kinlet’s contribution to the war
effort, 1939-1944” (sic), in The Kinlet History Group, <u>Kinlet: The Life and
Times of a Shropshire Village </u>(Kinlet Hall, Bewdley 2007) pp. 154-155. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Kinlet Hall, In Kinlet
Parish, Shropshire. Presumably not spelled out for censorship reasons. Constructed or rebuilt in 1729 for William Lacon
Childe. For views and information,
see <span lang=""><a href="http://www.discovershropshire.org.uk/html/search/verb/GetRecord/theme:20070117084941"><span lang="">http://www.discovershropshire.org.uk/html/search/verb/GetRecord/theme:20070117084941</span></a></span> and <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span lang=""><a href="http://www.ukuva.co.uk/hall.htm"><span lang="">http://www.ukuva.co.uk/hall.htm</span></a></span>,, accessed September 10, 2014. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Edmund
Childe-Pemberton, killed at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in Flanders, April 13,
1917. Kinlet History Group, op.cit., pp.
132-33. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Rodney Mortensen,
another lieutenant in the 212<sup>th</sup> Armored Field Artillery. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Actually 45<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn8">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>I don’t know at this
point whether this could have been correct. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn9">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>The Kinlet Estate held
a very large auction of land in 1919, and an auction of items from Kinlet Hall
in 1922. The silver breakfast set was
most likely part of the 1922 auction.
Kinlet History Group, op.cit., pp. 142-148. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn10">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Norton’s End Farm is
still listed as a working farm by the website of the Kinlet Parish Plan
Steering Committee, <span lang=""><a href="http://www.ukuva.co.uk/kinletpp.htm"><span lang="">http://www.ukuva.co.uk/kinletpp.htm</span></a></span>. , accessed March 25, 2014. Googling Norton’s End Farm was the first
step in identifying Kinlet as the location of the events described in this
letter. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn11">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref11" name="_ftn11" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Anton Pritchard’s
parents, Arnold Pritchard Sr. and Fanny Hart Pritchard, came to the United States
from St. Helen’s, in Lancashire (now Merseyside), in 1911. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn12">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref12" name="_ftn12" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>A large glass
manufacturer, based in St. Helen’s. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn13">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref13" name="_ftn13" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>The word “enjoying”
was omitted from the typescript and is hand-written in the margin.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn14">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref14" name="_ftn14" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>For the origins of
these annual hunts see Charles Smith, “Shooting on the Kinlet Estate”, in
Kinlet History Group, op. cit., p. 151.
The hunts originated in the 1920’s; the goal was to keep the herd to a
viable size and protect crops. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn15">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref15" name="_ftn15" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[15]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>As the later part of
the letter makes clear, this and the reference to “44” is Lieutenant Colonel
Phillip H. Pope, Battalion Commander of the 212<sup>th</sup> Armored Field
Artillery. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn16">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref16" name="_ftn16" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[16]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Another term for
Colonel Pope. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn17">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref17" name="_ftn17" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[17]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>There is an ink blot
in this part of the letter which covers this word. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn18">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref18" name="_ftn18" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[18]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="">Charles Smith describes setting aside some of the venison from the
1940 hunt for a supper for the estate workers (about forty people) Kinlet
History Group, op cit., p. 151. </span>It seems unlikely that “Harvest Supper” is the
right term for an event held in April. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn19">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref19" name="_ftn19" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[19]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>This is also affected
by the ink blot mentioned above, which soaked through to the back side of the
paper. Several other words are affected but enough is visible to make it clear
in context what is intended. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn20">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref20" name="_ftn20" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[20]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Popular British music
hall song by C. W. Murphy and Will Letters (1908), originally titled “Kelly
from the Isle of Man”. The original and
some modified versions, appears in a number of films and TV shows both before
and after the war. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn21">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref21" name="_ftn21" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[21]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Most likely the
Auxiliary Territorial Service, the Women’s branch of the British Army during
WWII. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn22">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref22" name="_ftn22" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[22]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Stage name of Matilda
Alice Powles (1864-1952) very well-known English male impersonator and popular
music hall performer.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn23">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref23" name="_ftn23" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[23]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Word “if” apparently
omitted <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn24">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref24" name="_ftn24" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[24]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>I learned something
about this from former Colonel Benjamin Schleider, who in April 1944 was a
lieutenant in the 212<sup>th</sup> AFA.
He and Anton Pritchard were out on a night exercise with a small group
of troops, and got back to base in the wee hours of the morning. Being cold and hungry, they broke into a
dining hall and had a” doughnut feast”. They
were bawled out by both Colonel Pope and by the Head of Division Artillery, but
nothing was put in the official record.
The incident does not seem to have harmed Lieutenant Schleider’s
standing in the Division, as he was soon after selected to become an aide to
General Grow, the Division commander. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn25">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref25" name="_ftn25" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[25]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>A chemist (pharmacist)
in Colwyn Bay, Wales. A friend of Anton
Pritchard’s parents, from before their emigration from England to the United
States. See his letters of January 29,
1940, and November 27, 1944. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn26">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref26" name="_ftn26" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[26]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>This parenthesis is
never closed. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn27">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref27" name="_ftn27" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[27]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>A second lieutenant<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn28">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref28" name="_ftn28" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[28]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>A river in Rhode
Island. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn29">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_ftnref29" name="_ftn29" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[29]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang=""> </span>Everything from this
point on is handwritten. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
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</div><div><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span lang="" style="font-size: 8pt;"> <a class="msocomoff" href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Boppa's%20Papers%20(Updated),%20from%20MLP.doc#_msoanchor_1">[a1]</a></span></span><span lang="">So what is this?</span>. </div><div>. </div>Arnie Pritchard http://www.blogger.com/profile/04441719200853183962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213689424894160936.post-26486011142747038062020-06-28T19:19:00.000-07:002020-06-28T19:19:52.240-07:00<br />
<br />
I have gotten away from posting excerpts from my father's WWII letters. I will post another in a few days, but this time I decided to do a WWII story that has nothing directly to do with my father, but reflects some current concerns. <br />
<br />
A few years ago, at the Northeast storytelling conference, I met a woman named Ann. She told a story about her grandfather which stuck with me. I realized that were strong parallels between her grandfather's experience and that of my wife Gretchen's grandfather - but the experience diverged at one key point.<br />
<br />
Both grandfathers immigrated to the United States as young men in the early twentieth century, with little besides the cloths on their backs, their native abilities, and a willingness to work hard. Both settled in west coast cities, Gretchen's grandfather in San Francisco, Ann's in Seattle. Both worked hard, and over several decades achieved a share of the American dream - both owned small grocery stores, and had achieved some prosperity and respect in their adopted country. And in December of 1941, both of their native countries went to war with the United States.<br />
<br />
No one bothered Gretchen's grandfather - his business continued to prosper, and he was able to pass some wealth on to his descendants. Ann's grandfather was sent to an internment camp, and he was forced to hastily sell his business for a small fraction of its value. He never fully recovered. As you have likely guessed, Ann's grandfather came to the United States from Japan. Gretchen's grandfather came from Italy.<br />
<br />
Yes, this happened almost eighty years ago. But it affected the opportunities available to the families involved for decades. It has somewhat affected me. It is one small example of why we White people should be careful to deny the relevance of racist events which happened what seems like a long time ago. Arnie Pritchard http://www.blogger.com/profile/04441719200853183962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213689424894160936.post-90020838741267919232020-05-27T06:18:00.000-07:002020-05-27T06:18:03.729-07:00<br />
<br />
<i>During WWII the officer corps of the U.S. Army expanded from about 16,000 on duty regulars to over 700,000. A few of the new officers came from the National Guard and ROTC, but the vasts majority were like my father, Anton Pritchard. They were plucked out of civilian life and given some intense but rudimentary training; in Anton's case the artillery officer training course which took nine months in peacetime was compressed to thirteen weeks. They were then thrown into new situations to do the best they could. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The following letter (slightly abridged) was written about three months after Anton had completed officer candidate school and joined the 212th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, part of the Sixth Armored Division, in the Mojave Desert of California. It describes the stresses he felt during the period of intense training which the division was going through. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>An artillery battalion at this point included just over 700 soldiers. It was made up of three firing batteries, plus a service battery and a headquarters battery. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">From 2<sup>nd</sup>
Lieutenant Anton Pritchard, in the Mojave Desert, California, to his parents, Arnold
and Fanny Pritchard, in North Providence, Rhode Island,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>January 16, 1943<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Mom and Pop: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where I
am right now as far as letters are concerned, I confess I know not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I’ve said to who, or when it was said,
beats me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tho’ I’m sure of this, --- you
haven’t heard too much from me, -- explainable, during the last three weeks or
so, by the fact that we have spent very little time here at the base camp.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-------------------------</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> You will understand, I know, that
it is quite impossible to do any writing in the field.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">In this the men are a little more fortunate
than I, since once in a rare while they can sit down and dash off a line or two
perched on a half-track hood.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The
privilege is more or less denied me, because part of my job is to see to it
that they </span><u style="text-indent: 0.5in;">don’t </u><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">sit on half-track hoods and write letters.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“Improvement of your gun position is never
completed” say the manuals.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">So, I flit
through the (</span><u style="text-indent: 0.5in;">llegible) </u><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">bushes “gettin these guys on the ball!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The
last manouver, (<i>sic) </i>Monday thru yesterday, beat the blazes out of me – boy, -- <u>this</u>
is a rugged life. If we weren’t given
the two and three day semi-rest periods back here at base camp – we’d<u> </u>all
be corpses ere long. I am getting much
more used to it, of course, than I was, but I still must learn a pile about
personal expedients, let alone the multitudinous details connected with
operation of the battery before I can sit back and relax a bit. It is a tremendous job, this, --- by far the biggest I have ever tackled,
-- if it is done thoroughly and conscientiously, that is. Perhaps I am being too conscientious, don’t
know how to relax and take things in my stride, am too thin-skinned about
certain matters. Others don’t take their
jobs so seriously, goldbrick flagrantly and worry or bother little.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most bothersome part of this life is the
unsettled, unsystematized disorder of it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Leon<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/excerpt%20from%20California%20January%2016%201943.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
will verify this, -- don’t misunderstand, - a very large percentage of it is
completely incapable of being any other but the way it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, I have had three battalion
commanders since joining this outfit, each with his own pet set of formulas for
running the show (the last, who took over last Monday, has had us standing on
our ears since he grasped the reins – personally, as a man I dislike him, --
but am reserving<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>judgment on his
capabilities).<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/excerpt%20from%20California%20January%2016%201943.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get any idea of what I’m trying to get
at?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Organization</u> is the
word!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There ain’t but little of it, --
one day you’re authorized 4 decontaminating sprays, the next you only can have
3, first you drive “peeps” with the top up, then they order you to drive with
the tops down, -- a bunch of shoes come<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>in,
no one knows why or where they came from or who asked for ‘em, then an
inspector comes around and asks why the Hell you’ve got so many shoes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I never saw such a place for mysterious
appearances and disappearances of all manner of goods and gadgets). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A million men have got to be instructed in a
million things and – Oh blazes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So on ad
infinitum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is about the eighteenth
time that I’ve tried to explain, to a small degree, what a vast, complex,
intricate affair an army is – I’ll probably never stop trying and probably
never quite succeed in explaining the complexities of the Army.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A week
ago I was made battery executive, which as I told you is the next job to the
B.C.<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/excerpt%20from%20California%20January%2016%201943.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the field, I am in command of the firing
battery at the battery position; and in camp, it is my responsibility that they
are trained as a firing battery, i.e. as cannoneers<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(in other words anything that has to do with
the guns and their serving is my job).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The manuals say (again) “The production of an efficient firing battery
is the executive’s primary job” (unquote).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With this go two (there are more than two – but the rest only take about
8 hours a day to keep abreast of, so I won’t mention them) other jobs, very
detailed, irritating jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One “Supply”
(Oh what a headache is there, my countrymen!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and the other Supervision of the Battery Office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are dandies believe me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Yesterday was the first time that I’ve had
any time to indulge in any of the Supervision of the Battery Office business
and many were the unpleasant surprises that greeted my unpracticed
investigating eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take the filing
system – I don’t claim to be an expert on the subject – but I saw enough of
that file to realize that it is of no earthly use to any one in its present
messed-up condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many have been the
days since I saw anything so completely buggered as that is – not an iota of
sense or reason could I discover in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What does it mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It means that
I have to set up a filing system and then teach someone how to run it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God knows, not me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Have I
been going on – Lord!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>……………………………………………………………………<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To my
little sleeping bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gotta get up at
two to check the guard – damn it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Love to
all, -- <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>Anton
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/excerpt%20from%20California%20January%2016%201943.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Anton’s younger brother, serving in the Army Signal Corps. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/excerpt%20from%20California%20January%2016%201943.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Lieutenant Colonel Phillip H. Pope, who commanded the 212<sup>th</sup> Armored
Field Artillery Battalion for the rest of the war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anton’s opinion of Colonel Pope rose
considerably over time, especially after serving under him in combat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/excerpt%20from%20California%20January%2016%201943.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Battery Commander. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<br />Arnie Pritchard http://www.blogger.com/profile/04441719200853183962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213689424894160936.post-82799804616466475232020-05-18T08:37:00.001-07:002020-05-18T08:37:13.474-07:00Letters Home from Officer Candidate School <br />
<br />
<i>Anton Pritchard went through artillery officer candidate school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, from July to September 1942. The following letters give an idea of the tension and pressure of that experience, but also at the satisfaction of some parts of it. Some the pressure came from the fact that the course for training an artillery officer, which in peacetime took nine months, as shortened to thirteen weeks during WWII. </i><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Envelope postmarked Fort Sill, Oklahoma, August<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1942, exact date illegible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> From comparison with other letters, probably near the beginning of the month. </span></i></b></div>
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Dear Ma + Pa ---<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ve
been planning all week on writing a very long, lazy letter today, -- but Tony
Lutrario<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Bop,%20Fort%20Sill,%20for%20blog.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> came
over and suggested we go to town for dinner: and here we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many things that I ought to be
doing, but I’ve accepted a week-end off policy whenever it is at all
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, I think, is more
beneficial than poring over books, maps and charts all week-end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I have said, there are many things that I
could (or should) be doing, but for three week-ends I’ve simply cleared out and
the Hell with it, I’ve said. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tomorrow
morning we go out for our first “service practice” during which I will be
called upon to fire that first problem that I’ve spoken about (I may be missed
tomorrow, as they will only be able to get thru about half the class --- but I
hope I’m not – if I’m going to flub it, if I’m going to mess it up, I want to
do tomorrow ---- but somehow I don’t think I shall).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the prayers that I’ve requested in the
past you might add one asking God to please not let Tony “jump his bracket”
tomorrow?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
have mentioned Leon’s trouble with sleep in a letter past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This difficulty is almost the greatest that
one has to overcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, you work
about 15 hours a day, - you have to eat, wash once in a while, etc., which
leaves a maximum of about 7 hours out of the 24 for sleeping, - and in 7 hours
one simply can’t recover from the 15 working hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so chronic that we have a standing rule
(which every new instructor will tell you about) that you may stand up and walk
about a class-room whenever you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many times I have seen 8 or 10 men walking quietly along the sides or
back of a room while a lecturer is talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For myself, I have arrived at the point where I can sleep at any time, -
just after breakfast, before lunch, during lunch, after lunch, in the middle of
the afternoon, -- sitting up, standing, lying on board seats – anyway,
anywhere!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And believe me, I am not
exaggerating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weekends should be the
time when one makes up for this, but what do you do? ----- the desire to get
away from the infernal pounding grind is greater than the desire for sleep so
we come into town and walk and walk (generally round and round the same block –
the <u>only </u>block) in a semi-conscious, stupid condition. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
heat does not help --- such burning, breathing heat I’ve never experienced
---<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the only thing that saves one from
crisping immediately is the wind (a crazy, weird wind that doesn’t come from
anywhere, --- it just blows!) and right now even the wind is becoming hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t get enough liquid into you, - we
drink ‘till ready to burst, and still the thirst continues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me tell you --- when salt crystalizes behind
your ears, --- and under your hat brim and on the outside of your fatigue
jacket, -- you’ve <u>really </u>been sweating!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When I
get home, I shall tell you complete details of the marvel of this school –
There is nothing to touch it anywhere in the country--- if the same system were
applied to a school of academics, it would be unapproachable – a sort of super
Sorbonne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything is completely and
carefully planned down to a split second, every little detail is planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even to instructors – we have two Gunnery
unit instructors, that I call “slow man” and “fast man”, --- and these men are
carefully selected just for the psychology of <u>change </u>of<u> pace</u>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must have experimented with this and
found that they could get more across by changing pace in lecturing --- so we
have the fast man for 1 hour and 50 minutes, and then the slow man a couple of
hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole thing is the most
remarkably systematized set-up imaginable, -- somewhere there is a bunch of
quiet genius (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sic</i>) running the place.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
last few letters have been great – keep it up?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>Anton<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hit the
first Gunnery unit for about 85-90 ---- and am pretty sure I “max-ed” the
second – this <u>can’t</u> continue!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fighting
to retain my sanity, <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>T.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Envelope postmarked
Lawton, Oklahoma, August 9, 1942.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Return
address “Corp. A.A. Pritchard/Officers Candidate School Class #32/Fort Sill,
Oklahoma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dated<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sunday Morn”,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>presumably August 9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Dear Ma+Pa – <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunday
again , -- and I’m in my usual lackadaisical, sloppy, not-enough sleep mode. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oddly
enough, I’m full of things to tell, and yet lack the ambition to marshall events
into a logical sequence and put them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I’ve said, there is so very much to tell, and I fear that if I don’t
put most of it on paper, it shall be forgotten, -- Yet when I contemplate the
near past reflectively, there are things that I know I shall never forget. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For
now, I shall satisfy myself by straightening you out on a couple of points<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>---<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
owe letters to Elmer, Tony, Shack and God knows who else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
advise me not to take this business too seriously, -- not to worry about it, --
and Leon adds his bit in the same vein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If my letters have given you the impression that I’m concerning myself
unnecessarily about school here, then it amounts simply to a lack of ability to
express my thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember this – for
the moment this is my whole life, -- the schedule is so arranged that it cannot
be otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can I tell you of in
my letters?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only of the double-timing at
intersections, the sun sapping the vitality out of one, the continual drive,
drive, -- because these are the things that impress me the most ---- There are
still the wonderfully humorous little gems that save it all from becoming
unbearable ---- like Pratt telling about urinating in another fellow’s bottle
(at the induction station) because the the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(sic</i>)
poor devil had been to the latrine just previous and simply couldn’t “give” (my
stomach was sore from laughter the night that we were all lying quietly in bed
and he calmly related all the details of this)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>----- and Tony Lutrario insisting that the barbers in the PX do not
really <u>cut</u> your hair, they simply turn on that clipper to fool you into
thinking they do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He won’t be shaken
from his conviction that it’s done with that cloth that they use – like a
magician on the stage makes things disappear by waving a cloth in front of them
(I got a haircut last Friday night in exactly two minutes and 35 seconds).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But many of these things are forgotten when I
write to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week, for instance,
was a tough week ---- two service practices (I fired both times) and five exams
made up a small part of the program, and when you sit for four hours in the
broiling sun, expecting at any moment to be called on to fire a problem, some
of this is bound to crop up in a letter written a couple of hours later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By “some of This” I mean some of the tension
and nerve-strain that out of necessity goes with exams and firing (Firing
especially --- “a field artilleryman is no good if he can’t shoot” they
say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can mess up on your exams a
bit, not be too good in the class room, --- but if you can’t shoot, -- well
that’s too bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t make errors
out there, either, -- because if you do, you’re in a lovely tangle immediately
– and it’s all got to be done at a tremendous pace (Problems are rated 1/3 on
speed alone).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is terrific good
sense of course, -- when the yellow brethren come tearing over a hill is no
time to indulge in a lot of guess work, but a bit of a strain out on South
Arbuckle range nevertheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So ----
to come to the point of these meanderings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I worry very little (don’t have time) and what I do is not
destructive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be glad to get out of
here, - mainly to get relief from the grind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I don’t regret my choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
if I don’t know a Helluva lot about Field Artillery, it won’t be the fault of
Fort Sill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tony
Lutrario and I saw “Mrs. Miniver”<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Bop,%20Fort%20Sill,%20for%20blog.doc#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> last
night and I was very greatly impressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The minister’s speech at the end was pretty lousy --- “They were killed
because they were killed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>--- or rather,
they died because they were killed” (very original) but outside of that a dandy
job --- see it if you haven’t! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And someday both of you should take a look at
the West!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sill is located just at the
beginning of a small range of mountains that runs down into Texas, “The
Wichitas”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching the morning shadows
change color and chase across Mt. Scott delights me each morning as we march to
chow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>Cannoneers,
Post!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Anton<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Bop,%20Fort%20Sill,%20for%20blog.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
A friend from Rhode Island who was going through OCS at Fort Sill in a class
just ahead of Anton’s. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/Bop,%20Fort%20Sill,%20for%20blog.doc#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Winner of Six Oscars for 1942, including Best Picture, Best Director (William
Wyler), and Best Actress (Greer Garson).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An American film, but portrays an upper-class British family in the
early years of WWII. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anton appears to
have forgotten his father’s mention of the film in his letter of July 18. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Arnie Pritchard http://www.blogger.com/profile/04441719200853183962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213689424894160936.post-71529765508456831912020-05-10T19:23:00.000-07:002020-05-10T19:23:28.265-07:00<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i>Another letter from my father to his parents - He has been in basic training at this point for about three weeks, and is beginning to reflect on the physical, mental, and psychological demands of his situation. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"K.P." is "Kitchen Police" - i.e., assignment to help a cook. Usually rotated, unless it was used as punishment for minor infractions. Widely despised. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Next week I plan to skip ahead to a different, more advanced kind of training which he began after as few months in the Army.. Enjoy this one and stay tuned for the next! </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Postmark February 12,
1942, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usual
return address.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dated “Sunday Afternoon
(Without K.P.!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Presumably February 8. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Folks: -- <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yesterday
I received a letter from Elsa<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> that got
me a little irritated with you both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Statement) She said that you had been worried about my condition and what
not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Now Look</u>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’m sick, or in trouble, or in need of
anything, or whatever other worry-inducing circumstances might arise, ---- I’ll
let you know, and very shortly, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
don’t bother about me please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m in
good health, as good spirits as time will allow, and finding that I’m fairly
well able to take care of myself (to this point, at least). I’m genuinely sorry
if I’ve caused you anxiety because of my failure to write, -- and I shall
attempt to repair the damage. I have had time to write, very little, - very,
very little, -- but two matters have interfered. One is this matter of
polishing and cleaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a
certain fixed percentage of a soldier’s time, a minimum that you can’t get
under, that has to be spent polishing and cleaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could tell you what you have to polish and
what you have to clean, but to you it would just be a list, and consequently
uninteresting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There <u>are</u> guys who
spend all their waking hours (off-duty) with Blitz Cloth, or Brillo, or Bon
Ami, or G.I. soap and a brush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
do all I should, but I am trying to keep an eye constantly on that
minimum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bit of brass on a tent pole
that doesn’t glisten can find you on K.P. faster than you can say Fort
Bragg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I’m willing to take K.P. when
I get it because of my position on a list – that is a matter of uncontrollable
circumstance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to get it because of a
spot of cosmoline behind my rear rifle sight?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be avoided where
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sedulously avoided, as the
Ph.D.’s would say!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
other has to do with a mental condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It takes a certain amount of effort to concentrate sufficiently to write
anything intelligent, - right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
sometimes the effort is too great -- during this toughening up period, at
least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a case in point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last
night we went on an overnight hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like
in the Boy Scouts, you know (only different!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, you start out with a slight matter of about 65 pounds strapped to
various parts of your anatomy (like carrying yourself and about half another
guy) (a military rifle (not a .22)(a couple of blankets, overcoat, raincoat,
half a tent, gas mask etc. make up this mess that is slung on you).<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you have a brief, carefree jaunt of
about 6 miles over sand roads in those nice, light, comfortable G.I.
shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Camp is pitched, mess served then
some singing (good!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and so to bed (for
bed read an in vain 8 hour struggle to get a little sleep in sweaty clothes
with a raincoat between you and the cold, cold ground (not Massa<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> –
me!.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up at six, rarin to go, <u>of
course</u>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to go through the same
procedure in reverse (i.e. direction).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As soon as you get back to camp (it rained, or poured, rather – to frame
the picture) you get your third typhoid shot (the heaviest).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The above saga might appropriately be titled
“Lo, the poor infantryman!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost
forgot a little detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That pack has a
habit of working on your abdominal muscles (besides chaffing chest, armpits and
shoulders). It produces a soreness over your whole stomach and lower rib
structure, so that when you cough which the boys do to such an extent that we
sound like a ward of consumptives (the dust, my dears, the god-damn dust).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gives with an effect like somebody jumping
feet first into your belly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Perhaps my
picture is a little lurid, -- I doubt it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For the uninitiated it’s a wee bit, - shall we say, trying?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, to get to the point of all this, -- that
effort necessary to concentrate (see about page 2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>--- it’s tough to summon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get the picture.<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not all blackness, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I’ve told you, I have no doubts but that
as time goes on and I become more familiar with the ropes, it will straighten
itself out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You understand, I know. It’s
like a new job, -- the other fellow is just coasting along in a seemingly
leisurely fashion while you’re working like blazes trying to get your day’s
work done. There is the point of the training period being cut from 13 to 8
weeks to be considered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Army won’t
shorten the amount of work, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What was done in 13 weeks will now be done in 8, that’s all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about it a minute and you’ll realize
that we have a tremendous cut there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Golly, it surprises me when I think that I’ll be here only 6 weeks more
(provided I don’t get some kind of a post here, - or (faint hope) get a crack
at officers training school).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This,
roughly, is what I’m being trained to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our main job, the artilleryman’s job, is that of supporting the
infantry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, we go into the field to
conduct a rough survey of the territory (with transit etc.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reconnaissance officer (R.O.) has the
battery (3 or 4 guns) set up in what is considered a suitable place camouflaged
and made semi-permanent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An observation
post is chosen, generally on a hill commanding a complete view of the target
territory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this can’t be done, some
poor second looey (a dime a dozen) is sent out 8 or 10 miles<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> ahead
with the infantry, to radio <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="mso-comment-date: 20170207T0838; mso-comment-reference: a_1;">with a walky-talky corrective data after a check shot has been
fired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where things proceed in the n</a>ormal
course (i.e. a hill that can command the target area is available) the
observation post (O.P.) is set up and we begin work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s throw a diagram in here, it may
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><!--[if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin;mso-field-lock:yes'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>SHAPE<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
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<v:imagedata croptop="-65520f" cropbottom="65520f"/>
</v:shape><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>O.P.
(observation post)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<v:oval id="_x0000_s1038" style="height: 16.5pt; margin-left: 45.55pt; margin-top: 6.95pt; position: absolute; width: 29.7pt; z-index: 251656192;">Target<!--[if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin;mso-field-lock:yes'></span> SHAPE<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>\* MERGEFORMAT <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]--><v:group coordorigin="2530,8773" coordsize="752,437" editas="canvas" id="_x0000_s1033" style="height: 28.4pt; mso-position-horizontal-relative: char; mso-position-vertical-relative: line; width: 48.9pt;">
<o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit">
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<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t">
<v:path o:connecttype="none" o:extrusionok="t">
<o:lock text="t" v:ext="edit">
</o:lock></v:path></v:fill></v:shape><w:wrap type="none">
<w:anchorlock>
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</v:shape><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><o:p></o:p></v:oval></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span><!--[if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin;mso-field-lock:yes'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>SHAPE<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
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<o:lock text="t" v:ext="edit">
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<v:path arrowok="t" fillok="f" o:connecttype="none">
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<w:wrap type="none">
<w:anchorlock>
</w:anchorlock></w:wrap></v:shape></v:shape></v:shape></v:shape></v:shape></o:lock></v:group><!--[if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1027"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:56.8pt;height:53.45pt'>
<v:imagedata croptop="-65520f" cropbottom="65520f"/>
</v:shape><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 9;"> </span>(battery)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three main things have to be found. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><u>direction</u>
-<u> </u>the direction of the target from the O.P. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><u>elevation
</u>– how high the gun must be pointed to get the shell to the target. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><u>difference
in elevation </u>– difference<u> </u>in elevation from sea level between the
gun and target that is. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gun might be
in a valley and the target a hill, and this difference would have to be
corrected for; added to the height that you have to raise your gun to for the
shell to reach the target if the gun and target were both on the same level.
Complex, ain’t it?<u><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
All right, let’s presume you have
these three figures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve only got a
start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because all three figures were obtained from
work at the O.P. presuming that the gun was in that position (at the O.P., I
mean).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, the guns ain’t at the O.P!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes they are a Helluva long way from
the O.P.. So all this data must be corrected for the difference in position of
the gun and the O.P. (This is where it gets tough).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now you’re ready to fire a “check shot”
(after you’ve telephoned your data to the gun).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The battery fires and you hope your work has been done well -- if it
hasn’t there’s always the possibility of dropping a little T.N.T. into your own
infantry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the “check-shot” you run
through the whole business correcting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
If you can make any sense out of
it, - that is the story. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
This little game has its
interesting angles too, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part
of a battery’s job is silencing enemy batteries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, I’m told, though it sounds a little
rough and unsportsmanlike to me, the enemy <u>will</u> try to silence your
guns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not by calling you up and asking
you to stop, (or wig-wagging you) but giving like for like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not a nice way to play, I don’t
think, but that the way it done (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sic</i>).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I’ve probably confused you enough,
so -------<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
From the dust bowl (#2) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>Anton<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
A very fine violinist is giving a
concert here at the Service Club ---- this is the damndest Army!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Guess what I found in
Fayetteville?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A U.S.O. that has a
complete darkroom that I can use completely free of charge (enlarger too).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only cost is paper and that is sold at
wholesale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe me when I tell you
that there are some in this country genuinely interested in lightening the
soldiers lot and I (and I think I’m part of a good sized group) for one will be
forever heartily grateful to these people, whoever they may be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is quite an experience to walk into
something like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It immediately
becomes personal, why I don’t know, and you say to yourself – “Boy all this for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>--- I can use it all – for nothin’ –
Boy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice people!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If whoever is behind it were to realize how
the soldier feels, he would be amply repaid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gave me a new insight into the pleasure of giving. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 7;"> </span>A<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
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<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Not found. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
The parentheses are as shown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The work
rendered “mess” might be “mass”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
A Reference to Stephen Foster’s 1852<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>minstrel song, “Massa’s in De Cold Cold Ground”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
No question mark. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
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<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Based on later descriptions from Europe I think this must be an exaggeration. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> <!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><a class="msocomoff" href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_msoanchor_1">[a1]</a></span></span></span></div>
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Arnie Pritchard http://www.blogger.com/profile/04441719200853183962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213689424894160936.post-36266595058267964482020-05-04T09:32:00.000-07:002020-05-04T09:32:49.107-07:00<br />
<br />
<i>My father was inducted into the Army at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, on January 15, 1942, a little more than a month after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was sent by train to the artillery training center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; where he arrived some time before January 20 - the date of his first letter home from Fort Bragg. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The letter below is his first substantive discussion of life as a new recruit. I am interested in any comments. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I hope you find this interesting! </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Postmark January 30,
1942, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Return
Address Pvt. A.A. Pritchard, A-12-4 F.A.R.T.C., Fort Bragg, North
Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dated “Thursday Evening”,
presumably January 29 . <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Folks:-- <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First,
I want to thank you for writing so promptly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the first day that mail arrived here, I got <u>three </u>letters,<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> more
than anyone in the barracks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I haven’t
fared so well since—but that is probably due to my neglect in writing) and
believe me, it was good to hear from you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Second
– the candy arrived today – and that was very welcome, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since getting into this Army I’ve developed
quite a sweet tooth; to the point where I have at least two bars a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This will probably get a little too
expensive after a while).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shack<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> has
probably relayed my tale of woe about K.P.<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> to you,
so I won’t dwell on that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I meant to
write to you over the week-end but that beating that I took (in the mess-hall)
discouraged that – rawther!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elsa’s<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> letter –
telling me that you were worried lest I were sick etc. – made me feel guilty on
this score; but I’m a little afraid that circumstances balled me up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Something
interesting is happening in the matter of our mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve watched it very carefully, (it’s been so
good) and peculiar to tell; very slowly (and deliberately, I think) it is
beginning to take a turn towards the poor!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To check on myself, I’ve asked old hands from other outfits about this,
and I’m told that this is a regular procedure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For the first couple of weeks the food is good, then it begins to go
down-hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then just before the training
period is over (and the selectee has completed his training period, - <u>and </u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is about to be shipped somewhere) the food
suddenly becomes very good again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
my idea about the reasoning behind all this, but it is too devious to go into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interesting (and somewhat tantalizing) to
think about, though, don’t you agree?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To give
you a rough insight into “My Day” (apologies to Eleanor)<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up at 6:00 A.M.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you rush like Hell into fatigues (with
leggings and overcoat) with no time to wash, shave, or perform any toilet; and
line up for reveille (in the dark).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
“2<sup>nd</sup> platoon all present and accounted for” we tear back into
barracks to make up bunks, sweep up the floor, clean up the latrine, and the
innumerable details connected with policing up a barracks – hoping to pass a
little water over your face before ”Chow” is called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following chow, back to the barracks to
discard fatigue jackets and then to the parade field for calisthenics (good –
but strenuous at first).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back into
fatigues (with rifle belt and rifle) for about an hour of drill and manual of
arms (the other morning we drilled in raincoats, in the pouring rain; walking
for a solid hour!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remainder of the
day is taken up by an assortment of things – gas mask drills, general
instruction in cannon firing, classes in military courtesy, first aid,
organization of the army, duties of a guard, driving military vehicles (I have
an army permit, incidentally – in fact, I spent all day hanging ‘round acting
as the B.C.’s ( “Battery commander’s”) chauffeur – just took on (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sic</i>) a brief<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>trip to the finance office in a jeep – a
different guy gets to do the job each day).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then we have that little ceremony which I am beginning to detest quite
completely – retreat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among the
delightful details of this performance is one known as inspection; during which
you swelter in an overcoat, holding your rifle across your body with the bolt
drawn, looking (or staring) directly ahead, while an officer (generally a jerk
2<sup>nd</sup> looey<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>) looks
you over minutely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he decides to take
a look at your rifle he simply snatches it out of your hands. And when his
inspection is completed, he simply slings it back to you --- the dear God above
is the only one who can come to your assistance if you miss that rifle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are, of course, any number of little
items that he can find to tell you about – you say nothing in return (except to
a direct question) – a little K.P. might be in order if the offense is great
enough. Something like a mess-kit that isn’t scrupulously polished will bring
this to your door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Very</u>
entertaining!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
couple of things more, then to what is now home – my bunk!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(in my next letter I shall <u>attempt</u> to
tell you just what the job of an I&S (instrument + survey) man is --- if I
can remember!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
climate – at night – is the damndest thing I’ve ever run into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You go to bed at nine with two blankets and
swelter till about 1:00 A.M., then the bottom seems to drop out of the
thermometer and you barely manage to keep warm till morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The days are lovely, though, very like our
late spring or early summer (the native says this is an unusually fine
winter).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing mars the beauty of a
day here – the <u>dust</u>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In building
the center, they uprooted all the brush, leaving a dry, semi-sandy, semi-fine
clay top soil exposed – The result that a little wind produces can easily be
imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, it gets to the point
where you live in a perpetual cloud of dust – March or April, it starts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Something
surprising to me, - astounding, in fact, and then to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We were
taken on a general tour of the center last week; mainly to see the different
types of guns and have their use and operation sketchily explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember this – this is an <u>artillery</u>
training center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I only saw one (1)
gun that might be classed as modern!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t misunderstand – there are a goodly number of guns here -- but a
bigger collection of prehistoric antiques couldn’t be found anywhere other than
in a French junk shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now perhaps this
is my lack of knowledge of artillery (that lack definitely exists) but it
seemed so apparent to even my semi-laymen’s eyes, that I don’t think I’m
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Horse-drawn 155 m.m. howitzers
that take 3 hours to set up are <u>not</u> modern weapons to my way of
thinking, -- and French 75’s (the place crawls with them) – well, that ain’t
exactly a brand new gun neither.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good
gun, yes --- but not compared with some that are available to be used against
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the trainee cannoneers don’t
even use live shells! (They did before Dec.7)<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because they aren’t available –
they’re being used in active combat, I presume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And this in a country with the reputation for productive genius that we
enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simmered down what do we
get?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A soldier who, incidentally, not
might, but <u>is</u> being shipped to a combat zone (The 1st<sup> </sup>Division
is in Ireland<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
our lieutenant told us last week – “hold onto your hats boys!” he said) who has
trained on an <u>obsolete</u> gun, -- with dummy ammunition!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good, no?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We could talk endlessly about blame placing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- but that doesn’t put a modern piece of
machinery under the gunner’s command, nor a live shell in the barrel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m not
being cheerful, I know, but reportorial rather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Things are probably better than I’ve been forced to believe, but until I
see an improvement, my opinion will not change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To me, if my observations are correct, and this situation is general, it
is a crying, God-damned shame, --- and there ought to be a little judgment
arranged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or try a little philosophy (If
you can find solace in philosophy while looking at the wooden-wagon wheeled
cart that a 75 m.m. rests on) – the fault, dear Brutus etc.<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn9;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 7;"> </span>Good
night, dears, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 9;"> </span>Tony<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
None of these letters have been found. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Harold Shackleton, a friend from North Providence. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
“Kitchen Police” or “Kitchen Patrol” – widely disliked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Elsa Pritchard MacCardell, Anton’s older sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living in Providence, married to Dr. Frank
MacCardell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
“My Day” was the title of a syndicated newspaper column written by Eleanor
Roosevelt from 1935 to 1962.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/myday/">http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/myday/</a>,
accessed February 7, 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Second lieutenant, the most junior officer rank.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
The date of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, marking the U.S. entry into the war. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn8" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
The 34<sup>th</sup> infantry Division was sent to Northern Ireland in January
1942.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 1<sup>st</sup> Infantry
Division did not leave the United States until August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn9" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/Bop%20Project/basic%20transcripts/bop%20early%201942,%20earlier%20version%20of%20Word.doc#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn9;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
A Reference to a speech by Cassius in Shakespeare’s <u>Julius Caesar</u>, act
1, scene II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Arnie Pritchard http://www.blogger.com/profile/04441719200853183962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213689424894160936.post-74514046917695793272020-04-27T12:03:00.000-07:002020-04-27T12:03:16.632-07:00<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">My
father’s parents emigrated from England to Rhode Island in 1911.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On September 11, 1939, my grandfather, Arnold
Pritchard Sr.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wrote to his old friend
Charles Parry, in Colwyn Bay, Wales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nazi Germany had invaded Poland on September 1; in response Britain and
France declared war on Germany on September 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The United States remained neutral until the attack on Pearl Harbor in
December 1941.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Charles
Parry was a chemist – what in the U.S. would be called a pharmacist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arnold Pritchard Sr. had worked as a clerk in
England, and in the U.S. wound up running his own very small dry goods
business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Below
is my grandfather’s letter, and Charles Parry’s reply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find these interesting for a bunch of
reasons – the attitudes toward world politics, the cultural literacy of people
of working class origins, the personal reflections , and the somber way in which both writers look at the past and the future. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I hope
you find these interesting as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
me know if you have any comments. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">North
Providence, Rhode Island <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sept
11 1939<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">My Dear
Charles/ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Once
again a few words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So the
powers that be have decreed another bloody war, which is another way of saying
that those that govern have again shown their inability to wisely govern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 1914 war was a war to end wars, this is a
war for democracy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time the boys
are out to smash hitlerism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other
words they are out to make their own bastard of Versailles<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> behave himself or else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">No decent
or even respectable people could ever tolerate gangsters of the Hitler type;
but if society makes its own little criminals, and we have abundant testimony
that it does, then by the same reasoning it makes the larger ones also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">All that
Hitler has done is to follow the instructions of Shylock too well. Quote <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The villainy you teach me I will execute<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And it shall go hard but I better the
instructions.<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">To me it
seems fair to assume that had the masters of Europe shown more common honesty,
real leadership and vision in handling the problems of the post war period, we
would not now have had imposed upon us the brigandry and utter stupidity of the
Hit’s and Musso’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And now
sons of fathers are marching again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And for
what!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time alone will tell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The book
you sent “In search of England” <a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> is excellent. Like oasis in
a desert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We here
are all holding our own fairly well except Mrs. P who unfortunately is having
her annual dose of hay fever which as you are undoubtedly aware is a hell of a
proposition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">By the
way Charles have they developed any remedy for this affliction in England? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We are
all hoping very sincerely that that this inhuman struggle will deal with you
and yours as kindly as earthly powers can contrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime if we can help in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>any way “Ask and it shall be given unto you”.<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot be with you in the flesh, but we
are in spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And
please let us have a few words from you at the earliest possible moment we are
all anxious to know how you are getting along. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>Yours
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span>AP
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> -------------</o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-GB">Colwyn Bay, North Wales<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Jan 29<sup>th</sup> 1940<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">My dear Arnold,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I have a very valid excuse for not writing
a letter but none for not sending you a card at Christmas except I ordered to
be sent to you a M/C Guardian<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
Calendar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were out of stock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope to send you the Book of excerpts from
the press.published by the New Statesman<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
“Called This England with cartoons by David Lowe<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
rather amusing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All these publications
have to be sent from the office of the publisher, on a/c of Censorship (I
believe). We have been exceptionally busy this Christmas due to various causes.
+ my chief assistant has been away ill so that is my real excuse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Well Arnold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was more than glad to have your letter +
card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I note the date of the letter
Sept. 11<sup>th</sup>, it was good that we know we have good friends in U.S.A
who care for us personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are deep
in it and no one knows to what end. + where.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I feel in the “larger outlook” all these uprisings are just episodes in
the gigantic changes that are taking place in the whole world today in the long
view I have great hopes, but do not hope to see much even of the real
beginnings in my life time which as you must know has entered on the last
decade of the Biblical Formula<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know what my outlook is + I am pretty <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">sure</span> of yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Personally</u>, the war has not made a
great difference to us as yet, but of course it has disorganized a lot of
peoples lives + one feels in the third state again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Last June we went to <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">stay</span> with my daughter Joan. at
Haverfordwest in Pembroke, South Wales<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We enjoyed it thoroughly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
husband is a district agent for the Royal. Insurance Co. + we got about a
bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went down by Car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had just bought a new<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="mso-comment-date: 20120818T2151; mso-comment-reference: a_1;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">indecipherable</i>
</a></span><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><a class="msocomanchor" href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_msocom_1" id="_anchor_1" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_1">[a1]</a><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">(Hillman) ten horse. quite a nice car <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">runs well</span> + quite big enough for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to quite a lot of Interesting places,
Tenby, St Davids, Milford Avon, Fishguard, Swansea Aberystwith,
Carmarthen,.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">a night</span> off to see farmers + horse
dealers re Insurance quite interesting: Joan’s “John” is two years old and
quite an interesting little fellow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pembroke is a lovely County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pembroke itself was quite interesting with its Castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The farmers seemed prosperous but the
industrial part not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I expect by now it
will be better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">In October we went to stay with Freda at
Shrewsbury – Mr. Bevan (Cliff) is travelling about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to put “Esse” cookers right when wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a scientific Cooker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When once the fire is lit (anthracite) it
keeps all the ovens + hot plates hot: the same principle as a vacuum flask but
packed with asbestos wool to conserve the heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I went with him to Newport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
suburbs of that place where the first Chartist riot<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn9;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
took place a hundred years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Newport
was very busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thence to the Cotswold
country we stayed one night in a Cotswold village very charming + untouched by
the industrial changes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Fredas “Rodger” is 3 ¼ years + quite a
lad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has a little girl too 9 months
Valerie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so we are not likely to be
lonely in our old age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The wife” + I
are very comfy in a flat,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all
electric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a dandy help + plod
along I am here each day by 9.30 + leave at 6.30 to 7 o’c.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Half day Wed. + Sunday duty 1 in 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The business keeps us in a remarkable way +
is very interesting on the whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
gets fed up sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish every one
could have as a good a time as we have in a quiet way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think they could with a bit of clear
thinking + less greed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Re the “hayfever” I don’t know of anything
new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New things come up but are soon
found to be more or less toothless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
suggest, Sniffing, ½ teaspoonful of Borax, ½ teaspoon of Com<i>(indecipherable)</i>
Salt in a pint of warm water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sniff as
much as poss up each nostril.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another
is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">(<i>deleted some more comments on hay fever
treatment)</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Mrs. Pritchard may find the foregoing
useful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also there are Adrenaline
preparations these should be used with great care –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">“Now. Arnold I think it was 1911 when we
had that farewell visit to the Gaiety Repertory Theatre, Miss Horniman’s<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn10;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
venture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The play was G.B.S <a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftn11" name="_ftnref11" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn11;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>“Widowers’
Houses.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much water has flowed under
the Bridges since then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shall we see
each other in the flesh again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How I
would like to see you all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>+ how remote
it seems now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">“I should be glad to know what business
“A.P. + Sons” are engaged in now. + how are you all faring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again thanks for your kind words and also the
thought for us in this wicked world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Mrs. Parry joins me in love + best wishes
to you all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">CP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> An expression of the common view that the rise of Hitler was due to
the harsh terms imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles at the end of
the First World War.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A slightly altered
quote from Shakespeare’s <u>The Merchant of Venice</u>, Act III, Scene 1 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1927 Book by the
journalist and travel writer Henry V. Morton (1892-1979). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A quote from Mathew
7:7 or Luke 11:9. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Presumably the
Manchester <u>Guardian</u>, well known newspaper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Left of Center weekly
magazine, founded in 1913 by the Fabian Socialists Sidney and Beatrice Webb.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">David Low (no “e” at
the end) (1891-1963), very well-known political cartoonist, a ferocious critic
of Hitler and other dictators, inventor of “Colonel Blimp”,. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn8" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">i.e., Charles Parry
was past sixty years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “Biblical
Formula” is based on Psalm 90:10, “</span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-GB">The
days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength
they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is
soon cut off, and we fly away”. (King James Version). </span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn9" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn9;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Chartists were a
major reform movement in Britain in the 1830’s and 1840’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1839 Newport was the scene of a pitched
battle between a Chartist crowd and British troops, in which about 22 members
of the crowd were killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn10" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn10;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> The Gaiety Theatre in Manchester, owned and managed by Annie
Horniman from 1908 to 1917, was a major force in the development of regional
theatre in England, with a major emphasis on reaching the working class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2008/10/22/221008_annie_horniman_feature.shtml">http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2008/10/22/221008_annie_horniman_feature.shtml</a>,
accessed April 27, 2020. .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn11" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_ftnref11" name="_ftn11" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn11;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">George Bernard Shaw,
(1856-1950) very well known dramatist and writer. “Widowers Houses” premiered
in 1892. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="mso-element: comment-list;">
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<!--[endif]-->
<div style="mso-element: comment;">
<!--[if !supportAnnotations]-->
<div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_1" language="JavaScript">
<!--[endif]--><span style="mso-comment-author: apritchard01;"><!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_msocom_1"></a><!--[endif]--></span>
<div class="MsoCommentText">
<span class="MsoCommentReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> <!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><a class="msocomoff" href="file:///C:/Daddy/Daddy/bop%20project%20temporary/Arnold%20Pritchard%20Sr.%20exchange%20with%20Charles%20Parry.docx#_msoanchor_1">[a1]</a><!--[endif]--></span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Might be “Mini”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Arnie Pritchard http://www.blogger.com/profile/04441719200853183962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213689424894160936.post-81174996481802214252019-12-10T18:48:00.000-08:002019-12-10T18:48:05.674-08:00Here I go again, resolving to do better about posting with some frequency.<br />
<br />
About a month ago I told the story based on my father's WWII letters at the Senior Center in East Windsor, Connecticut. There were only about a dozen people in the audience, but they were very engaged and we had a good discussion afterwards. <br />
<br />
One of the audience members was a lady who said she was ninety-four years old. She began reminiscing about the day Pearl Harbor was bombed, when she would have been sixteen. She spoke about what a shock it was, mentioned specific things, then said "And all the girls who had boyfriends ran off to be with them". <br />
<br />
Pearl Harbor was bombed on a Sunday. Far fewer workplaces would have been open than would be today, and schools would have been closed. I had never thought of this, but what could be more natural than for a young woman's first thought to be "Oh my God they are going to grab my boyfriend for the armed forces and send him God knows where and God knows what will happen to him." Just the kind of unexpected human touch you get when you start hearing about big historical events from ordinary people who lived through them - whether you hear by talking to them or by reading what they wrote.Arnie Pritchard http://www.blogger.com/profile/04441719200853183962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213689424894160936.post-18893372049765254842019-01-30T07:18:00.001-08:002019-01-30T07:18:07.366-08:00<br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">On March 30 I will be
offering a workshop at Sharing the Fire, the annual New England Storytelling
Conference, which is one of the great events of the storytelling year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The workshop will cover the use of historical
primary sources in storytelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below
is a somewhat expanded version of a blurb which I wrote for the conference
outreach efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For full information
about Sharing the Fire see </b><a href="https://www.nestorytelling.org/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">https://www.nestorytelling.org/</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This year it will be held in Plymouth, Massachusetts. </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Last Veterans’ day our church’s congregation
was invited to bring in mementos of our own or family members ‘military
service, to display during coffee hour. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I brought in several items, including the
telegram which my father’s parents received when he was wounded in 1944. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I was chatting with a fellow parishioner when our friend
Helen approached, looking distressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Helen is kind, caring, a wonderful mother to two young daughters, and a quiet
part of the salt of the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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“Is that really how your grandparents found out?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I allowed that it was. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">awful! </i>Helen
exclaimed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“”Seriously wounded!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t say what happened!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I knew what she meant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The telegram, in its entirety reads as follows: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
REGRET TO INFORM YOU YOUR SON WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED IN
ACTION 22 AUGUST IN FRANCE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>UNTIL NEW
ADDRESS IS RECEIVED ADDRESS MAIL FOR HIM QUOTE: FIRST LT. ANTON A. PRITCHARD
S.N.<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"> </span>(HOSPITALIZED) CENTRAL POSTAL
DIRECTORY A.P.O. 640 C/O POSTMASTER, NEW YORK, NEW YORK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>UNQUOTE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>YOU WILL BE ADVISED AS REPORTS OF CONDITION ARE RECEIVED.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>J.A.
ULIO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>ADJUTANT
GENERAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(“S.N.” means serial number, “A.P.O. means Army Post Office.
)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The telegram is laconic, almost totally devoid of feeling,
and leaves out what the recipient would most want to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet in its clumsy way it opens up a window
into a very human reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Helen and I
talked about it a bit – imagining the confusion of parents receiving such a
message, and noting the problems of large organizations producing masses of
standardized documents which cannot take much account of the feelings of those who
receive them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Helen is not a history buff, but this telegram grabbed
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A close look at a tiny incident in
one of history’s enormous disasters enabled her to imagine what it must have
been like – and it became a human story rather than a textbook abstraction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is what primary sources do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
help us reconstruct what it might be like to be someone else, in different
circumstances and with different perspectives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Reading a textbook is like flying over a landscape at thirty thousand
feet – you can see a lot of things, but none very closely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A primary source can bring you into the
streets, the homes, the woods, and the people who inhabit them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And once you get to know those people a bit,
you may begin to see what’s so interesting in the landscape around them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will explore this at Sharing the Fire 2019,
in a workshop entitled “Can these Bones Live?: Creating Stories from History’s
Primary Sources”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope to see some of
you there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Arnie Pritchard http://www.blogger.com/profile/04441719200853183962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213689424894160936.post-84871125543157390422018-03-20T08:35:00.003-07:002018-03-20T08:35:46.614-07:00<br />
I have been off this blog practically forever, which is not good. I am trying to turn over a new leaf here!<br />
<br />
I will be offering a workshop next month at the Connecticut Storytelling Festival on the use of primary sources to craft historical stories. I think I will begin by asking people to compare four accounts that I have of the incident in which my father was wounded on August 22, 1944 (ironically, 47 years to the day before he died) and discuss how to craft a story from them. After the Festival I will post about how it went. For now, I will post the first account, the telegram which his parents got from the Army<br />
<br />
Here is the text of the Telegram:; yes, it is all capital letters. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">RECEIVED AT GILSON’S CENTERDALE PHARMACY –
AGENTS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">AKA134<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>CHECK
56<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">GOVERNMENT WASHINGTON D.C.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SEPTEMBER 8 3:38 P.M.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">ARNOLD A. PRITCHARD<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">36 WELLESLEY AVENUE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">REGRET TO INFORM YOU YOUR SON WAS SERIOUSLY
WOUNDED IN ACTION 22 AUGUST IN FRANCE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>UNTIL NEW ADDRESS IS RECEIVED ADDRESS MAIL FOR HIM QUOTE: FIRST LT.
ANTON A. PRITCHARD S.N.<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"> <a href="file:///C:/daddy/CSC/Festival%20PR%20and%20Planning/2018%20Workshop/The%20Wounding%20of%20Lieutenant%20Pritchard.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(HOSPITALIZED) CENTRAL POSTAL DIRECTORY A.P.O.<a href="file:///C:/daddy/CSC/Festival%20PR%20and%20Planning/2018%20Workshop/The%20Wounding%20of%20Lieutenant%20Pritchard.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.
640 C/O POSTMASTER, NEW YORK, NEW YORK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>UNQUOTE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YOU WILL BE ADVISED AS
REPORTS OF CONDITION ARE RECEIVED.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>J.A.
ULIO<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>ADJUTANT
GENERAL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/daddy/CSC/Festival%20PR%20and%20Planning/2018%20Workshop/The%20Wounding%20of%20Lieutenant%20Pritchard.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Serial number<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/daddy/CSC/Festival%20PR%20and%20Planning/2018%20Workshop/The%20Wounding%20of%20Lieutenant%20Pritchard.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Army Post Office<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
And here are some questions: </div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
What facts do you learn from the telegram? What dictates the selection of facts?<br />
What does the Telegram leave out that would be vital to any story?<br />
What do you learn that is not explicitly stated in the Telegram - not just about simple facts, but about the world of 1944?<br />
Do you imagine yourself in anyone's place as you read the telegram?<br />
Does this remarkably dry and factual document produce any emotions/feelings in you? Why?<br />
<br />
Incidentally, to learn about the CT Storytelling Festival, see<br />
<br />
http://www.connstorycenter.org/festival.htm<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<div style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Thanks for your attention!</span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Arnie Pritchard http://www.blogger.com/profile/04441719200853183962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213689424894160936.post-90025384576126223072013-07-10T09:24:00.000-07:002013-07-18T12:11:52.706-07:00First Post on "This Business of FIghting" <br />
Hello Dear Reader. If this is your first time on this blog, welcome! I suggest you start out at the "First Timers Start Here" page, then explore this and any other pages that take your fancy.<br />
<br />
I expect much of what I post here will be excerpts from my father's letters. I'll start with one he wrote to his parents from England on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He hasn't been in any combat yet but he is clearly thinking about the issues. <br />
<br />
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<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> <i>England</i><br />
<i> June 6, 1944</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Dear Mom and Pop: -</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">I’m pretty God-damn fed-up, - and kinda
tired too, so I’m just going to say “hello”, - and good night.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">That’s a pretty auspicious date, - that one
up in the right hand corner, - “D-day”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were out on an RSOP<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9213689424894160936#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
(in the field) this morning when an old duffer walked thru the field we were
occupying to tell us that the invasion had begun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Excitement ran high for a little while, but
it’s beginning to taper off a little now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The British seem to be taking it well in their stride, and to all
outward appearance the day might be a normal week-day, - uneventful and just
chilly enough for comment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The usually
great air activity has increased, of course, and for hours at a time the sky
will be filled with the drone of planes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I got up for reveille this morning to the full-throated roar of the 4
motored jobs going out with their load, and a guard passed the comment that
they’d been roaring over since three in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a great day, - but oddly quite
unexciting to me, - I’m afraid I can’t get too happy about it all.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">I can’t discuss our part in the thing, of
course, - when I anticipate it might be, that is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I can say that I’m quite undisturbed
about it, - and as yet have only one death to die, - even if it comes to that!
(I’m not being grim, - just want to try to acquaint you with my feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a Helluva lot of sense in beating round
the bush is there?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we get into it, I
shall undoubtedly be scared half to death for a while, but I’m quite confident
of an ability to overcome that!</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">So, trust me, have some faith in me, don’t
worry unnecessarily, (you’ll do some of that I know, regardless of my pleadings
to the contrary) and lay in a Helluva big supply of rye!</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">G’night,</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Anton</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">I’ll try to write a decent letter this
weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspect that mail is being or
has been, delayed somewhat, so have patience?</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">A.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">The only package I’ve received to date is
the one with the two boxes of chocolates in it.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Can you start another on the way, - candy,
gum, Lifesavers etc. etc.?</span></i></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9213689424894160936#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Reconnaissance,
Selection, and Occupation of Position”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The term appears to still be in use in today’s military; see http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/accp/ad0717/index.html</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Arnie Pritchard http://www.blogger.com/profile/04441719200853183962noreply@blogger.com2