Based on the letters of Earl Philip Reinhalter (1922-1953). Edited by his son, Earl Philip Reinhalter (1950-).


<- PREVIOUS LETTER December 6, 1942 (letter)
Lockbourne Army Air Base, Columbus, Ohio
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Hello Ma:
      Well, it's Sunday, December 6, the snow has stopped and the sun is now shining brightly at the Lockbourne Army Air Base. I have been in the Army just about one month now and I as yet have no desire to return to civilian life. I am certainly having a swell time. In the past 22 days, I have gone out every night except two. Yesterday, Saturday, I left the camp at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon and didn't get back until 20 minutes of three this Sunday morning. I had a good time going to the movies, eating dinner in Columbus, roller skating, and then drinking a couple of beers later before coming back.

      I weigh 135 pounds now. I only weighed 124 when I enlisted.

      Last Sunday (Nov. 29), I went to the movies in the afternoon and skating at night. Tuesday, I went to an oper[ett]a called the Desert Song. It was free to service men. It began at 8:15 P.M. and we had to leave at 11:15 P.M. in order to make the last bus back to Lockbourne. What we saw of it was pretty good. I went skating again both Wednesday and Thursday nights. I washed dirty clothes Friday night.

      I received Kitty's letter - thanks. And I also received your telegram and two letters, Ma. A letter from me was already on the way when I received the telegram. A couple of other boys here from Martin's read the Martin Mercury [a newspaper published by his former civilian employer Glenn L. Martin Company - Ed.]. I haven't had chance yet to read the Reader's Digest which Phus sent me. Tell her thanks. Fred Roussey sent me a money belt and an Army tie as a present. That boy [John] Hutchins is going to learn to be a cook. Did you know that he is married and has two kids? Tell Gordon that I hope he makes out all right in the hospital. I wonder what Buddy Oster thinks about going into the Army? [Buddy Oster was an uncle on his mother’s side of the family. Difficult to research, since “Buddy” was obviously a nickname. Likely, he was either William Oster (1908-1982) or Albert Oster (1901-?). His mother’s other brother, Gordon Oster (1901-?), was always referred to in the letters by his legal name. Further, Earl's letter of August 26, 1944, refers to "Buddy and Gordon," so logically Buddy could not have been Gordon. - Ed.] Yvonne's drawings were good. Does she still like school and the boys as much as ever? Tell Pappy thanks for the flag that he put on the lawn. [Pappy was his maternal grandfather, John J. Oster (February 29, 1872 - October 25, 1947). Also mentioned in other letters as “Grandpappy.” Possibly same person referred to as “Pop.” - Ed.] I wonder why Buddy Yates is dissatisfied in the Coast Guard? Probably misses his wife. Well, we haven't gotten paid yet, but when I do, I will send some money to you.

      In your last letter, you talked about the gas ration book. I turned this book over to one of the assistants to a "Mr. Thorn" of the inspection personnel office. After that, I don't know what happened to it. Maybe this assistant either kept it himself or else sold it. I don't know. Let me know how you made out with the O.P.A. on this matter.

      It's plenty cold up here and we had rather bad weather last Wednesday. It snowed all day and it was 6 degrees above zero. It went down to 0 degrees that night. Nevertheless, we had to do our daily drilling as usual outside in the morning while it was still dark. We did have some fun marching through the storm even though it was cold and the ground slippery. It was not uncommon for us to find ourselves sliding off balance and slipping out of formation. The wind continually blew between 30 and 40 miles per hour all day and all of the electric wires were whistling. The snow was almost flying horizontally. It reminded me very much of some of the scenes of blizzards in certain movies. We have to walk about eight blocks to the mess hall to eat. Four of the boys came back with frozen ears and another with a frozen nose and mustache. I expected the shingles on the next barrack to be torn off as they were rippling like a flag in a breeze. One boy had his eye frozen shut. It seems that snow melted and it froze on his eye lashes. Another who wore glasses had to remove them in order to see, as they soon became coated with ice and snow. We usually walked backwards when going against the driving snow. Our clothing consisted of two pairs of pants, two shirts, gloves, heavy wool socks, canvas leggings, a jacket, a heavy overcoat, and two hats - one inside the other, one keeping our ears protected somewhat. The shoes are plenty heavy too. Our range of vision was limited to only a half of a block in distance because of the flying snow.

      The other day, a sargeant came over to our barrack and picked out ten of us to be transferred to the Military Police Squadron of the Army Air Corps for foreign service. We (I was one of these ten) were given a physical examination and I passed. This group of ten is to be added to an M.P. guard squadron which is to be sent overseas within 3 weeks. The remaining boys, about 130, were assigned to the Third Airdrome Squadron. There is good training in the M.P. squadron, but it is not in the aircraft line. I, as you know, prefer aeronautical work. So, I have been arguing ever since, trying to get out of this guard squadron. I think that I am going to win out and be put back into the Third Airdrome Squadron with the other boys. So, far, I have talked to seven sargeants, two lieutenants, and the captain who is the commanding officer.

      Saturday, I had some pictures taken in Columbus. Just as soon as they send the proofs to me, I will make my selection and have six copies made. I will send you all of these. You can distribute them as you wish. [See photo below. - Ed.]

      Also, in this envelope you will find my insurance paper, an opera program, and one of the Air Corps insignias which we wear on our sleeves.

      The other night, I made a record and I will mail it to you to play. Use a cactus needle on the phonograph if you can get one. I talked plenty fast so that I could get it all on. Play both sides, the first one first. They are numbered.

      I certainly could use that letter writing set and sewing kit, but you had better not send it to me, as I may be gone by the time it gets here - if I cannot get out of the M.P. guard squadron. Likewise, you had better not try to send me any Christmas presents for the same reason, unless I let you know differently. However, you can keep my gifts at home until sometime later when I get settled.

      The last letter which I sent you was over a week ago. Every time that I started this letter, something happened. I have been four days writing it. When I started this letter, I was in a barrack other than the one which I am in now. This is the third barrack that I have been in since I arrived here at Lockbourne. It seems that I have been continually on the move since I joined the Army. This sure keeps the Army from being anything but monotonous. I will let you know whether I land in the Military Police Squadron or in the Third Airdrome Squadron. Both, however, are going overseas sometime as non-combatants.

      Please note that my address has changed. See the envelope.

      Well, in case I cannot get home over the holidays, I would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

            Until sometime later,

                        Earl



TEXT OF OPERA PROGRAM:

THE GRAND OPERA COMPANY
     presents

THE
DESERT SONG

     BY
SIGMUND ROMBERG

MARGARET CRAWFORD
   PRODUCER

EDWARD WHIPPLE
   DIRECTOR

MARY VAN GILDER ............ Dance Director
MARIE LEWIS ................ Accompanist
JOSEPH DEL GRECO ........... Concert Master

         COSTUMES
   EMILIE SULLIVAN STUDIOS

         SETTINGS
ARMBRUSTER & SON SCENIC STUDIOS

       Produced
Through Arrangement With
  SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
     New York, N.Y.

East High School Auditorium
  Tuesday, December 1, 1942


      CAST OF CHARACTERS

Sid El Kar .................................... James Schlader
Min Dar .......................................... Hugh Harter
Hassi ............................................ Gene Bethel
Hadji ......................................... Robert Heywood
Pierre Birabeau, The Red Shadow ................ Parke Cushnie
Benjamin Kidd .................................. Joseph Carney
Azuri ......................................... Rose F. Graham
Captain Paul Fontaine ........................ William D. Paul
Lieutenant La Vergne ........................ George Blackmore
Sergeant Dubdussac ............................... Harold Lutz
Susan .......................................... Betty Mettler
Edith ......................................... Katheryn Grose
Margot Bonvalet ................................... Mary Terry
General Birabeau .............................. Rovert Heywood
Clementina .................................... Bette Van Hise
Ali Ben Ali ...................................... Merle Strom
Nogi, a Guard ................................ William D. Paul
Sentinel ......................................... Harold Lutz
Servants of General Birabeau ..... Jerry Grodin and Andy Hauer


     SYNOPSIS OF SCENES

          ACT 1

Scene 1.  Retreat of the Red Shadow in the Riff Mountains - Evening
Scene 2.  Outside of General Birabeau's Home - Same Evening
Scene 3.  Interior of General Birabeau's Home - A Few Minutes Later


PROMENADE INTERMISSION - 15 MINUTES


          ACT 2

Scene 1.  Harem of Ali Ben Ali - Afternoon of Following Day
Scene 2.  Corridor - A Few Minutes Later
Scene 3.  Room of the "Silken Couch"
Scene 4.  Edge of the Desert - Following Morning, Half Hour Before Dawn
Scene 5.  Interior of General Birabeau's Home - Two Days Later


            MUSICAL NUMBERS

                ACT 1

  1. Prelude and Opening Chorus .................. Sid and Riffs
  2. "Riff Song" .......................... Red Shadow and Riffs
  3. Song "Margot" .................... Paul and French Soldiers
  4. "I'll Be a Buoyant Girl" .................. Susan and Edith
  5. "Why Did We Marry Soldiers?" ........................ Girls
  6. "French Military Marching Song" ....... Margot and Ensemble
  7. Song "Romance" ........................... Margot and Girls
  8. Duet "Then You Will Know" ................ Margot and Pierre
  9. Trio, "I Want a Kiss" ... Margot, Paul, Pierre and Ensemble
10. Duet "It" ......................... Bennie, Susan and Girls
11. Duet "The Desert Song" .............. Margot and Red Shadow
12. Finale - Act One .................... Principals and Chorus


            MUSICAL NUMBERS

                ACT 2

  1. Entr' Acte
  2. Opening Chorus "Castagnette" ......... Clementina and Girls
  3. "Song of the Brass Key" .............. Clementina and Girls
  4. Duet "One Good Boy Gone Wrong" ...... Bennie and Clementina
  5. Trio, "Eastern-Western Love"
    A. "Let Love Go" .............................. Ali Ben Ali
    B. "One Flower in Your Garden" ........................ Sid
    C. "One Alone" ................................. Red Shadow
  6. "Sabre Song" ........................ Margot and Red Shadow
  7. "Farewell" ..................... Red Shadow and Male Chorus
  8. "All Hail to the General" ............. Birabeau and Chorus
  9. "Finale" ............................ Principals and Chorus


        ARMY AND NAVY OFFICERS
               UNIFORMS
    Complete Equipment and Insignia - Enlisted Men's Needs
             LEO-MYERS CO.
           HIGH AT CHESTNUT


This is probably the photo that he was talking about.



 
NOW AVAILABLE AS A KINDLE BOOK!

The Kindle book includes the letters; all 23 issues of the unit’s wartime newsletter “The Squadron Pulse,” which was originally edited by Leonard Stringfield; all 12 issues of the “Pennant Parade” newsletter that Stringfield published while sailing home after the war; complete text of the U.S. government booklet “Pocket Guide to Australia,” which soldiers heading Down Under were given to read; more than 200 photos; pre-war and postwar family history; and over 700 explanatory endnotes.

































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