Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

POST FIFTY-FIVE (Oh, Oh, Homesickness Strikes) 25 JULY 1943

July 25, 1943

Sunday Night

Dear Mother, Dad and All,

Here I am back in camp. I got here 8:30 to-night. Have been hanging up my clothes and fixing up a little. It's about 10 o'clock now. Gee, I wish I didn't need to come back. After writing this I am going to take a shower.

I got into La Crosse last night (Saturday) and found Marian had gone home over the week end. I called her up and she wanted me to come to Tomah. I got there about 11:30pm and stayed all night. (Remember her mother was there so everything was above board.) She was glad to see me and glad with everything I brought her from Maine. She said thanks a lot to all of you.

I got fast trains all the way back and just think in Albany, New York, Clarence Hanson got on the train. The funny part was he got on the same car I was in. A fellow I was riding with said there's a fellow in back of you with the same shoulder patch you have. I looked around and there was Clarence. In Chicago, we had to leave each other because his train left from a different station than mine. The three of us spent about two hours in Chicago, had something to eat at the U.S.O. then what do you think we ran into? A picture man on the side walk, you know what I mean. I'll send the pictures later.

It's quite hot here to-night. Hope it's not too hot at home. Also, hope you're all well.

Has Helen got three of my pictures? I'll send home the rest of the money. Also, find out what 6 small ones will cost.

Well, Mom, I have 23 cents Ha Ha, but what do I care. It'll be a long time before I get away from camp, then too this week is pay day. I don't much care for anything. Wish I could come home today. Thanks for everything while I was home. Oh yes, I'll send home the money for those films.

Tell Eugene to keep his courage up. Give my love to Helen and Joe. Guess I'll say good night but will write again soon. I want to come home more than ever now. Good night Mom and Dad.

Love once again

from Wisconsin

Son Charles

**July 24 – WWII: Operation Gomorrah begins: British and Canadian airplanes bomb Hamburg by night, those of the Americans by day. By the end of the operation in November, 9,000 tons of explosives will have killed more than 30,000 people and destroyed 280,000 buildings.

*July 24-August 3, 1943 – Operation Gomorrah (Firebombing Hamburg) - European Theater

Operation Gomorrah

More information: https://www.thoughtco.com/operation-gomorrah-firebombing-of-hamburg-2360535

^^Jul 23 Battle of Kursk, USSR ends in Nazi defeat (6,000 tanks).

Battle of Kursk

^^Jul 23 US 45th Infantry division occupies north coast of Termini.

^^Jul 25 1st warship named after an African American launched – USS Leonard Roy Harmon, a Buckley class destroyer.

USS Leonard Roy Harmon

Toby Keith - American Soldier

*Source 1 https://www.thoughtco.com/world-war-ii-battles-2361453

*Source 2 https://americasbesthistory.com/timeline2ndworldwar1943.html for major battles

**Source 3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1943_in_the_United_States

^^Source 4 https://www.onthisday.com/events/date/1943

##Source 5 https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

POST FIFTY-FOUR (HOME ON FURLOUGH) JULY 11-25, 1943

PVT. CHARLES D KNIGHT ON HIS WAY HOME

UNCLE CHARLIE ARRIVES AT UNION STATION
PORTLAND, MAINE

I DOUBT IT BUT IF HIS PARENTS WERE NOT AT THE STATION,
UNCLE CHARLIE COULD HAVE GONE TO THE WAITING ROOM

HOME SWEET HOME AT THE KNIGHT HOMESTEAD
GORHAM, MAINE

PVT. CHARLES D KNIGHT IN HIS 2ND INFANTRY DIVISION
UNIFORM STANDING ON THE KNIGHT HOMESTEAD

TWO OF HIS SIBLINGS THERE
TO GREET HIM HOME

THE MAN AND HIS CAR

Once home I can imagine my Uncle Charlie hugging everyone who was not at Union Station to pick him up. Later, he is sitting at the kitchen table with the family sharing about his experiences at Camp McCoy and answering questions coming from all directions. I sat at the same table many years later while visiting my grandmother and Uncle Charlie while growing up. I just wish I had been alive in 1943 listening to my uncle share his hopes, fears, and experiences at Camp McCoy. Listening to the struggles he was facing being a young man of 27 living away from home for the very first time in Wisconsin though from the old Yankee state of Maine. Next, he may have walked through the barn with his father who had built it while he was away. The same barn I use to play in as a young child. Oh, the memories. He may have entered his carpenter shop next where I would watch him work making beautiful items out of wood years later.

The days were going by so quickly as he listened to the crickets at night through his slightly open bedroom window after a long day swimming with his brother Eugene and his soon to be brother in law Joe. On another day he may have gone fishing or visited other members of his family using his car to get there while the scent of Maine's Pine trees and freshly cut fields of grass for the farmers' cows was coming through his open car window to give a breeze on a hot muggy day. He took in the smells, the images and sounds of his home town wishing he could package them for when he returns to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.

Another day he may have visited his girlfriend or gone to see his former co-workers at S.D. Warren wondering if he would return there when he got out of the Army. However, before leaving the Army, he is going to have to live, serve and breathe a bitter war across an ocean. It would start for him in just a few months after returning to Camp McCoy. A war that would change him in ways he could only try to understand and was able to share so little about years later.

He will be entering a crucible of fire that will make him into the man I came to know. A man of his word, a heart that cared for his family and others. A man that always did his best in everything he did. Whether it was at his work at S.D. Warren, or being an uncle, brother and son, or the hard work as a Mason. His achievements as a Mason would allow several of us nephews and nieces to serve hundreds of Masons and their wives a remarkable dinner with homemade ice cream from the family. He was to be honored that evening for achieving the highest post that a Mason and Shriner could reach in their state.

Yes, I wish I could have been there at his homecoming in July 1943 because it will be two long years before he will return again to the Knight Homestead on the hill that his father, my grandfather, built with his own hands. Much too soon he must get back on the train at Union Station to return to Camp McCoy where he will remain for just about two more months before going to Camp Shanks, New York. There on October 8, 1943 he will go aboard the Hawaiian Shipper that will take the 2nd Infantry Division to Northern Ireland to prepare for Operation Overlord.

However, in those next two months he will write another 35 letters before leaving Camp McCoy. Thirty-five more letters I will read, write and post on this blog in the weeks ahead. Letters giving us his view of "Camp McCoy in My Uncle's Own Words."

DESCENDING THE STAIRS TO RETURN IN ORDER

TO GO TO WAR OCTOBER 1943 IN THE

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

UNCLE CHARLIE WITH HIS MOM

TWO OF HIS FOUR SIBLINGS SAYING GOOD BYE

WILL NOT SEE HIS FAMILY AGAIN UNTIL
JULY 12, 1945

THE TRAIN WILL GET HIM BACK TO
CAMP McCOY, WISCONSIN
JULY 24, 1943

CAMP McCOY

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Saturday, September 5, 2020

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.

FURLOUGH DATES

I'M HOME

GORHAM FAIRGROUNDS

Where there was a fire

A MOMENT OF TRUTH

*Source 1 https://www.thoughtco.com/world-war-ii-battles-2361453

*Source 2 https://americasbesthistory.com/timeline2ndworldwar1943.html for major battles

**Source 3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1943_in_the_United_States

^^Source 4 https://www.onthisday.com/events/date/1943

##Source 5 https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii

Thursday, September 3, 2020

POST FIFTY-TWO (When I Send the Telegram) 7 July 1943

July 7, 1943

Wednesday Night

Dear Mom,

Just a line to-night saying everything is o.k. It has been a swell day, not too hot with a nice breeze. We fixed a Battalion problem to-day. Sure was glad it wasn't hot. I wilt as it was.

As we were in the mortar park cleaning the guns the other day, I looked up and behind a supply building was the top from an old packing case of some kind. Someone had taken some white chalk and made a big E. K. It made me think of Eugene.(Eugene Knight)

I just finished some clothes. Kind of getting things ready. It shouldn't be long now before I sail for home.(Though he is going by railroad.) When I send the telegram don't say too much about it then I can have plenty of time with you at first.

We had some corn for dinner. Gee, what sorry corn.(Many people planted their own corn in Maine during that time. Nothing like FRESH corn picked that day you husk and eat it.) It had no taste at all. Lucky to be eating I guess but don't think the Army has everything.

Well, Mom, have a good chance to go to bed and get a night's rest. I sure could stand some sleep. Good Night. Love to All. Hope to see Maine soon.

Love,

Charles

^^Jul 7 Erich Hartmann shoots 7 Russian aircraft at Kursk. Erich Alfred Hartmann (19 April 1922 – 20 September 1993) was a German fighter pilot and the most successful fighter ace in the history of aerial warfare. Hartmann amassed 352 kills over 30 months. Most of these kills happened on the Eastern Front against the Soviet Union. Hartmann was captured after the war by American forces.

Erich Hartmann

^^Jul 7 Liberator bombers sinks U-517

U 517

^^Jul 7 German Submarine U-951 sunk by depth charges, off Cape St. Vincent in the North Atlantic

U 951

Soldier gets home for holiday

when stranger pays for airfare

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

POST FIFTY-ONE ( Mississippi River Flooding ) 5 JULY 1943

July 5, 1943

Monday afternoon

Dear Mother,
We are having a heavy shower so bad we came in, that is some of us that were working on the guns cleaning them. This is a good time to write you a letter.

Marian took the Greyhound bus from La Crosse Saturday about 5:15 and went to her home in Tomah. She sent me a letter telling me to be sure to come up as she would be home until Monday night. I brought back her traveling bag to come home with.

Gee, I had a hard week working K. P. I didn't write for a couple of days as one morning I got up at 3:15 and finished at 8:45 in the evening. Another morning at 4 o'clock, done about 8. I should have worked Sunday but paid a fellow that wasn't doing anything to take my place.

We are firing a problem Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, then I think I can come home, about the 10th or 11th. I'll let you know.

Did you notice the picture of the Mississippi River high water? It sure is high. Many fields, parks along the river, wood land along the river bank are under water. Thanks for the shaving cream you sent in the paper.

I knew you'd be happy to hear I was coming home. Now, Mom, what do you mean about the lawn not being mowed? Didn't we keep it cut good last summer? Remember how many evenings I stayed home? I didn't go over to Pauline's only a couple of times a week. As for my pants and the ironing board I sure would like to see those days again. I bet if I was home I would have to press my pants. Say sister wouldn't you press them just one Saturday afternoon for me? I'll let you press my army pants when I come home. Mom, you should have told them I was an old maid, they don't take women in the army. (Maybe I could have made the WACs.) Ha! Ha! Tell Uncle David and Aunt Annie I send them my best wishes and will be glad when the day comes I can take a trip up to pay them a visit.

Now that I have the suitcase I'll start to get my things ready to leave for home. Marian said she wished she was going with me.

Will say so long for to-night. It makes it hard for you to write so much as I know you don't fancy writing letters, but I sure enjoy the mail from home. I have tried to send more mail lately. You don't know when to expect a letter now. I know you watch the mailbox every day. Wish I could send more things home, but you can't get them. I may be able to pick up a little of something before I leave camp.

Good bye folks,

Love from your Son in Wisconsin,

Charles

P.S. See you soon, Dad.

WELCOME HOME SON

1 **July 5-6 – WWII: Americans and Japanese fight the Battle of Kula Gulf off Kolombangara. As a result of the U.S. landing on New Georgia on June 30, 1943, the Japanese, led by Rear Admiral Teruo Akivama, made an attempt to land reinforcements with ten destroyers, resulting in the Battle of Kula Gulf, July 5-6, 1943. Rear Admiral Walden L. Ainsworth, USN, led Task Group 36.1. In the battle, USS Helena (CL-50) was hit by three torpedoes. Broken into three parts, she sank, resulting in the loss of nearly 170 crewmen. The Japanese lost destroyer Nizuki and destroyer Nagatsuki ran around at Kolombangara. USS Radford (DD-446) and USS Nicholas (DD-449) helped to rescue the light cruiser's survivors. Video in the video section below.

2 ^^Jul 5 Liberator bombers sink U-535 in Gulf of Biskaye

U534 ONE OF THE FEW LEFT IDENTICAL TO THE U535 THAT WAS SUNK

3 ^^Jul 5 US invasion fleet (96 ships) sails to Sicily

4 ^^Jul 6 2nd day of battle at Kursk: 25,000 Germans killed. The Battle of Kursk was a Second World War engagement between German and Soviet forces on the Eastern Front near Kursk in the Soviet Union, during July and August 1943. The Soviet Union will win. It is estimated that there were as many as 6,000 tanks, 4,000 aircraft and 2 million men involved in the battle, though numbers vary.