In April, there was a new responsibility added to
John Edward's work schedule.
John Edward's work schedule.
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| John Edward letter home, April 18, 1942, family scan |
A Motor Vehicle School
had been established,
and he was
now teaching.
had been established,
and he was
now teaching.
 |
| Convoy of various vehicles in North Africa, 1942-1943 Army photo |
The curriculum most likely included 2 1/2 ton trucks and jeeps.
These vehicles, along with the amphibious DUKW landing craft
(still in the final stages of research and testing) and the C-47
transport plane, helped lead the Allies to victory
General Dwight D. Eisenhower often said after the war.
 |
| Chevrolet Maintenance Manual, Wikimedia photo |
in production, and more than half a million were built for
the Army by the end of the war.
Versatile and reliable, they transported supplies, troops,
and equipment through all sorts of weather and
off-road conditions from deserts in North Africa
to tropical conditions in the South Pacific.
These trucks had enhanced traction, improved stability,
increased load capacity, and the ability to navigate
challenging terrains. Their size, however, rendered them
less able to maneuver tight spaces.
and equipment through all sorts of weather and
off-road conditions from deserts in North Africa
to tropical conditions in the South Pacific.
These trucks had enhanced traction, improved stability,
increased load capacity, and the ability to navigate
challenging terrains. Their size, however, rendered them
less able to maneuver tight spaces.
Jeeps were another vehicle that proved invaluable on all fronts. They were a
new vehicle, developed in a government-held competition described in this podcast.
Highly maneuverable, rugged, and reliable, they were easily modified to haul artillery, supply-trailers,
or even small aircraft. And they were light enough to be carried by gliders and dropped by parachute.
Highly maneuverable, rugged, and reliable, they were easily modified to haul artillery, supply-trailers,
or even small aircraft. And they were light enough to be carried by gliders and dropped by parachute.
 |
| Jeep field-ambulance, 1942-1943, USMC photo |
Pulitzer
Prize-winning WWII war correspondent Ernie Pyle said the jeep
was
“a divine instrument of military locomotion. It does everything. It
goes
everywhere. It’s as faithful as a dog, strong as a mule and as
agile as a goat.
It
constantly carries twice what it was designed for, and keeps on going.”
 |
| WWII News Correspondent Ernie Pyle (seated on jeep), 1945, Navy photo |
John Edward also wrote home about a frustrating dispute regarding
Officer Candidate School.
Officer Candidate School.
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| Letter home, April 18, 1942, family scan |
Which left him all the more determined to proceed on his own:
"Erstwhile will get there without their help. He is mad now.
And determined."
"Erstwhile will get there without their help. He is mad now.
And determined."
However, the accumulation of ordeals, "stuttering, politics, milk bottles,"
left him dejected. Three days later he wrote:
left him dejected. Three days later he wrote:
"Erstwhile needs to be sent to an Officer Candidate School.
He thinks -- he's prejudiced though -- that he is being kicked around."
He thinks -- he's prejudiced though -- that he is being kicked around."
He concluded:
"It seems as if I am in a place where I will be stagnant
for the duration of the war.
And I don't like it."
"It seems as if I am in a place where I will be stagnant
for the duration of the war.
And I don't like it."
 |
| Letter home, April 21, 1942, family scan |
His next letter responded to a list of questions from his family,
including one "about being a Sergeant."
including one "about being a Sergeant."
 |
| Letter home, April 23, 1942, family scan |
"Six months ago, I would have been immensely proud.
"Not now.
"Naturally, I am glad to get any promotion, but when they
promote me just to keep it from smelling so bad because they
passed me up for something else ---- well, it ain't a good feeling.
promote me just to keep it from smelling so bad because they
passed me up for something else ---- well, it ain't a good feeling.
 | ||
| Letter home, April 23, 1942, family scan |
The next week John Edward wrote: "Dad, I got your letter today
and was tickled pink. You know, you write so seldom -- the last
letter I got from you was when I was staying in Sweetwater the summer of 1940.
Almost two years ago" (29 April).
and was tickled pink. You know, you write so seldom -- the last
letter I got from you was when I was staying in Sweetwater the summer of 1940.
Almost two years ago" (29 April).
He added: "Congratulations on the new job ... I hear
airplane factories pay pretty well -- especially if you are on an
hourly wage."
Concern for his parents was ever on his mind, and he was
well aware of the continued challenges of the Depression.
airplane factories pay pretty well -- especially if you are on an
hourly wage."
Concern for his parents was ever on his mind, and he was
well aware of the continued challenges of the Depression.
And so he also wrote that he might soon be eligible for
a family allowance that would be of help to them.
a family allowance that would be of help to them.
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| Letter home, April 29, 1942, family scan |
In early May there was another review of Camp Blanding.
This was for top leadership of both the American and the British Armies:
American Chief of Staff, General Marshall with Chief of Land Forces, Lt. Gen. McNair,
and the British Army Field Marshall, Sir John Dill. The British presence and the
large number of Generals at Camp Blanding raised eyebrows.
This was for top leadership of both the American and the British Armies:
American Chief of Staff, General Marshall with Chief of Land Forces, Lt. Gen. McNair,
and the British Army Field Marshall, Sir John Dill. The British presence and the
large number of Generals at Camp Blanding raised eyebrows.
 |
| John Edward letter, May 4, 1942, family scan |
The American and British armies worked closely together.
Part of the Allied coalition along with Russia and China, the Allies
fought against the Axis Powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan.
American forces were now in the South Pacific battling Japan under Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
Meanwhile, the war in Europe raged on as Germany, with Italy's support,
continued to invade other countries and expand its territory.
Part of the Allied coalition along with Russia and China, the Allies
fought against the Axis Powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan.
American forces were now in the South Pacific battling Japan under Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
Meanwhile, the war in Europe raged on as Germany, with Italy's support,
continued to invade other countries and expand its territory.
Shortly after the December attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt
and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had convened the 'Arcadia Conference.'
Military leaders from both countries met in Washington D.C. and spent
several weeks discussing and debating joint military strategies.
Gen. Marshall, Lt. Gen. McNair, and British Field Marshall Dill -- all of whom
were at the Camp Blanding review -- took part in the conference.
and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had convened the 'Arcadia Conference.'
Military leaders from both countries met in Washington D.C. and spent
several weeks discussing and debating joint military strategies.
Gen. Marshall, Lt. Gen. McNair, and British Field Marshall Dill -- all of whom
were at the Camp Blanding review -- took part in the conference.
It was ultimately decided that
the primary objective of the Allies must be
the defeat of Germany. A top-secret British-American invasion of North Africa,
code-named Operation Torch, was planned:
From North Africa the Allies would gain control of the
Mediterranean Sea, invade Italy, and enter Europe from the south.
the defeat of Germany. A top-secret British-American invasion of North Africa,
code-named Operation Torch, was planned:
From North Africa the Allies would gain control of the
Mediterranean Sea, invade Italy, and enter Europe from the south.
 |
| Operation Torch, North Africa British-American Landings Planning Map, 1941, US Army |
These plans were well underway by the 1st of May, when General Marshall
arrived at Camp Blanding with the wide array of leadership from both
the American and British armies. They were visiting training camps
around the country to review troops and determine which Divisions would
be sent to North Africa. The 36th would be amongst the first to ship out.
arrived at Camp Blanding with the wide array of leadership from both
the American and British armies. They were visiting training camps
around the country to review troops and determine which Divisions would
be sent to North Africa. The 36th would be amongst the first to ship out.
The new Motor School that John Edward wrote about at Camp Blanding,
as well as the increase in marches to further develop physical and
mental stamina, were all part of this preparation for Operation Torch.
as well as the increase in marches to further develop physical and
mental stamina, were all part of this preparation for Operation Torch.
And in the civilian world, manufacture and refashion of airplanes, ships, and vehicles,
as well as ammunition, equipment, food packaged in rations, and military clothing
were now underway. New factories were being built and new jobs
were available in towns and cities across the country.
as well as ammunition, equipment, food packaged in rations, and military clothing
were now underway. New factories were being built and new jobs
were available in towns and cities across the country.
 |
| John Edward letter, May 4, 1942, family scan |
Competition to create the best airplanes and vehicles was also well underway.
In this letter, John Edward rooted for the company his father worked for.
In this letter, John Edward rooted for the company his father worked for.
.png) |
| John Edward letter, May 4, 1942, family scan |
He also asked his mother, both with strong words and
with practical suggestions, to purchase the glasses she needed.
As soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Orders dated May 2nd, two days before this letter,
show that John Edward had once again been promoted.
To Staff Sergeant, S/Sgt.
Even though he had begun the last letter:
"there is not a heck of a lot to report."
show that John Edward had once again been promoted.
To Staff Sergeant, S/Sgt.
Even though he had begun the last letter:
"there is not a heck of a lot to report."
 |
| John Edward Promotion to Staff Sergeant, May 2, 1942, family scan |
He never did write home about this promotion to Staff Sergeant.
It followed just a few weeks after promotion to Sergeant.
It followed just a few weeks after promotion to Sergeant.
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| John Edward, Staff Sergeant, May 2, 1942, family scan |
For Staff Sergeant, epaulets on shirt sleeves have a 'rocker' beneath three chevrons.
From enlistment as Private, John Edward has risen through the ranks.
He is now a senior ranking NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer).
He is now a senior ranking NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer).
But his eyes remained on Officer Candidate School
and an Officer Commission to 2nd Lieutenant.
and an Officer Commission to 2nd Lieutenant.
Thanks for reading.
Join us here
for the next post.
Join us here
for the next post.
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