Hal Cohen Letter - April 6, 1943
Item
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Title
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Hal Cohen Letter - April 6, 1943
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Description
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Tues 4/6/43
My dearest -
I know that you we been
anxiously awaiting this letter.
I'm sorry I couldn't contact
you sooner but we aren’t
permitted to phone or telegram
until our 14 day confinement
is over.
Darling, I never expected to
get into this outfit. It's a
new unit and it seems swell.
The officers, from the Captain
down, are grand fellows. At
least here we are spoken to
as intelligent humans and we
[page II]
arent abused and pushed about
the way we were at times at
Dix.
We left Dix at 3.40 yesterday
(Mon) afternoon. Our train
consisted of 7 coaches and a
mess car. We had been told
to leave out our toilet articles and mess
kits so we knew we were going
quite a distance. We weren’t
told our destination but after
riding about an hour we
knew we were headed south.
We ate lun supper on the train.
we were served on paper plates
and cups. The menu was stewed
meat boiled potato, string beans
bread & jam, coffee, fig-newtons,
and an apple. The meal was
[page III]
prepared on wood burning stoves
and the smoke that issued
forth was terrific. We got
the food from the kitchen mess car but
ate in our own coaches.
We reached Washington about
9:00 P.M. and 8 coaches were added.
each of us bad an individual
seat but still the sleeping was
uncomfortable. We ate breakfast
at 6.00 A.M. (orange cornflakes, milk, eggs &
bacon bread and jam and coffee)
We first guessed our destination
this morning at breakfast when
we saw that they were it going
to feed us on the train again. How
[page IV]
ever we were afraid of being sent
to Fort McClelland or some other
Infantry camp. It was a pleasant
surprise being attached here.
Our battalion is a coast
guar Artillery, anti-aircraft
unit. I am attached to the
headquarter section of the
headquarter battery. (are you
confused?) There are 4 batteries
in all. Our group of men
do not handle the guns but
our we form a pool from which
are drawn the drivers, clerical
workers, communications etc.
In short we are a service unit,
consisting of specialists.
Our Captain told us that
we would train for at least
5 months before we could be
called a fighting unit. Then we
[page V]
could be sent to a post someplace
else. He emphasized
the fact that just ca because
our training would be completed
was no reason why we would
be shipped. We might be
assigned in the states for the
duration. But I feel that
my chances are better here
than in the infantry.
This camp appears to be
quite new. Unfortunately (how is it spelled) the
nearest town is 32 miles and
it’s very small. The train
connections are very bad. Takes
about 18 bours to get to N.Y.
[page VI]
Maybe I can meet you in
Washington for a week-end. I
We have plenty of friends and
relatives there who could
accomadate us for a week-end
What do you think?
We eat out of mess Kits bere.
All we need do is rinse the utensils
after we finish and they dry
by themselves. So far the meals
here are better than Dix. We
don't get more food but it is
prepared much better.
All in all I think I'll like
it here. Theres an O.C.S. unit
here too and when I m thru
with basic I intend applying.
I also have a distinct advantage
of the fellows assigned to gun
crews in that I'll be in contact
[page VII]
with the officers. That should
improve my chances to advance.
Darling, if your folks didn’t get that money [belt] yet tell
Them I’d rather have
If you should see Moe-
remind him about sending down
the Sun Tribune.
Please please write as soon
and as often as you can.
Send everyone my regards.
More tomorrow
with all my love
Hal
P.S. Yes??!!!
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Contributor
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Meagher, Mary
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Coverage
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World War II
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Creator
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Harold Cohen
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Date
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1943-04-06
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Format
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Written Document
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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Keene State College
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extracted text
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