July 1942
July 19
A great deal has taken place since my last entry.
First there were the division maneuvers from July 2 through the 9th. On the first day out, July 3, I experienced what I believed was the most miserable day in my life.
We had entrained from Omagh to Cookstown in the night of July 2 and bivouacked there. The following day we walked approximately 30 miles in a continuous rain. We bivouacked and slept in the rain. Built fires, ate in the rain. I'll always remember July 3 for that.
We returned to Omagh on the 8th, tired, dirty and thankful.
Shortly afterward Sgt. Thompson and Sgt. Thompson were moved to a machine-gun platoon, possibly for failing to produce on the maneuvers. Sgt. Pepper is our new platoon sergeant and although he may not know as much of the mortars as Thompson is a better man.
On the 15th we had our company party in town. What a party!!! The regimental orchestra sounds better than ever. Walters, Solow, Rabbitt, Savarese and I put on a skit, lampooning the officers! Yesterday the battalion went on a problem to test the Home Guard and our men never left the carriers.
Tomorrow the battalion goes away for a week for combat firing and maneuvers! I might say this, while I have it in my mind, that our firing is about 25% of what it should be if this battalion is an example. Perhaps it is my outlook that is wrong but I honestly can't see the 34th being any help at all in this war if the enemy is even half as effective as it is said to be.
July 26
Back from what I thought was maneuvers for the benefit of rifle companies mostly. Mortars were practically forgotten. The battalion's set-up of squad tents was good but that gosh-awful rain ruined everything. Scarcely a meal was eaten in dry weather.
Col. Drake apparently was far from satisfied. Maj. Swenson to Capt. Kanstrup caught hell!
Maj. Swenson, who says we may soon have to open the second front "to get the dog off the Russian's back," uses the most picturesque, foul language I ever heard.
July 29
The company has been shuffled and I move into the 2nd platoon for machine gun work. Lt. Bailey said I would receive good news shortly which may mean a corporal's rating. Received a nice letter from Sgt. Jones of the "Stars and Stripes" re possible connections on the staff but I doubt if our orderly room would ever tell me of it.
I've met a 14 year-old English girl, Gwen Magee, who is a pretty little tyke. She has given me her picture. Has been evacuated from Dover and Wales.
Maj. Swenson up to Regimental Executive Officer!!