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


<- PREVIOUS LETTER November 6, 1943
Brisbane, Australia (Camp Columbia)
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November 6, 1943

Hello Ma:
      Well, today is Sunday and I have a little time to myself for a change. I did not get time last week in which to write.

      Well, here at school things are not going as good as they could be for me. My "tactical" work is not passing; that is, my commands lack force, my voice is not strong enough, etc. My academic work is fair. This time two weeks from now, I may not be in school any more. I am merely one of quite a few men who will probably not make the grade. It seems that I lack experience in handling men. Well, anyway there is one consolation, that is, I have done my best. And, if that isn't good enough in the eyes of my instructors, I will be ready to leave. If I am not qualified to be a good officer, I have no desire to be any at all. I have seen plenty of officers who were not qualified, in my opinion, to be buck privates. I do not care to be one of that type. Well anyway, I have gained a lot while I was here. I have learned plenty and got a corporal's rating along with it. So, I cannot complain. It will only be for the duration [of the war - Ed.] plus six months anyway.

      Last night, I went to town for the third time in six weeks. I spent about three hours roller skating. Next week, my class will start going over the obstacle course, so I thought that it would be a good idea to start getting into condition. Made two dates for next week, if I can get off. Rather nice girls. Just got a letter from one of the boys of my old squadron. Some sad things have happened up where they are. Haven't received any packages yet. I haven't gotten those pictures developed yet. Well, that's about all for just now. I'll have to start studying for a two-hour examination for tomorrow. It consists of about ten to fifteen subjects. So, until sometime later -

Earl

P.S. I got the second highest score of my class in shooting the Thompson submachine gun.


 
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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