Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle: POST FIFTY-THREE (Work is Done in Darkness) 8 JUL 1943

Special! - I signed my furlough to-day

July 8, 1943

Thursday Night

Dear Mother,

Have been cleaning up some more clothes to-night and packing things in my barracks' bags that I want to turn in for safe keeping while I'm home.

We had an easy day which was in our favor because it has been quite warm.

To-morrow night we go out to fire all night. That is kind of a hard job because all the work is done in darkness. As you can see you have to be careful about getting hurt.

I signed my furlough to-day. It starts Sunday July 11 and I have 15 days. I'm in hopes of having a pass Saturday afternoon and taking an early train for Chicago. It will give me almost a whole days start ahead. You can bet I can't get back home too soon.

Marian wrote me to-night that Helen (sister) had sent her a little wooden box from Westbrook, Maine. (I think that's what it was.) She seemed pleased. She may send Helen something.

Gee, that was a bad fire they had at Gorham Fairgrounds. May be something fishy inside.

Well, Mom, not much more news to-night but I'll sure be able to find enough to talk about when I get home. Tell Dad to keep his chin up. The news looks better all the time. Say Hello to Eugene, Helen and Joe. Tell them it won't be long now. Say Eugene and Joe how about going swimming up to New Hall on the rope?

Good Night All,

Love

Charles

P.S. May not be able to write

again before leaving for home.

I'm sure coming home now.

*July 9 to August 17, 1944 BEGINS – Invasion of Sicily, Italy (European Theater)

Troops: Allies (USA, UK, India, Canada, Free French, Australia, South Africa) 467,000; Italy/Germany 292,000-312,000. Casualties (Killed/Wounded/Missing): Allies 22,802; Axis 55,003, plus 163,039 missing or captured. Amphibious and air campaign followed by six week land battle captures island of Sicily and Mediterranean sea lanes for the Allied powers. Victory, celebrated by Sicilians who had grown weary of Mussolini's war rule, would lead to the invasion of Italy and cause Italian leader Mussolini to be ordered jailed by the King of Italy and Germany to divert forces from its Eastern front.

*July 9-August 17, 1943 – Invasion of Sicily – Mediterranean

More information: https://www.thoughtco.com/operation-husky-invasion-of-sicily-2361493

^^Jul 13 Greatest tank battle in history ends with Russia's defeat of Germany at Kursk, almost 6,000 tanks take part, 2,900 lost by Germany.