October 18, 1942 – Camp Chaos

Sunday Afternoon

Dear Mom + Dad,

If I ever get a few spare moments I may be able to write this letter. I’ve been in such a dither all day that if I can salvage this time I’ll be lucky. I think things have calmed down a little so I may be able to get it done.

After completing the last sentence I paused for 10 minutes and now I’m back again. There is so much going on and so much darn activity around here I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. So lets start off from where I wrote you last night.

I told you about us moving back and I was waiting for the pass to town when I wrote you. I got the pass and went to town. I didn’t do much except buy a few things and have a few beers. Indio is crowded with soldiers and you can’t do much or have much fun. But as least it was a change from my usual routine.

This morning bright and early we were called out and told to pack. There then called out a list of men that were leaving for somewhere in the desert and I wasn’t on it. Thus I was to stay behind for the time being. Let me add a few salient facts that will help clear up the situation that I have omitted. Last night we got a new shipment of 40 men in. At the same time we moved in with all our junk. This morning the 64th Medical Battalion who were in the same area as us before decide that that want to move in to. So both of us are trying to squeeze in an area not big enough for either of us. They are out pitching tents now right in our company street. Then part of our outfit moved out this morning. Some of us along with the new men remained behind. Us moving in, new men moving in, 64th trying to move in and add to this something I’ll tell you about later and you can see what a mess it is. Nobody knew where or what there was to do. It sure was sad.

I was just informed this morning that I’m not longer a member of this outfit. As I told you my notification of passing the air corps exams was obtained in the office. There are going to transfer me somewhere. I don’t know if I’ll stay here move someplace else or what, it is all on the fire boiling.

The rest of our outfit is supposed to move out tomorrow morning. I think I will join the boys that went out this morning. The chances are very good that I will go with them. I don’t think the transfer will go into effect right away. So as you can see I’m in quite a mess. All this mix up and then a transfer coming through on top of it.

Right now practically all the non coms have taken off to town. I have been appointed as sergeant of the guard tonight. So I’m in charge of this whole outfit until tomorrow morning. Just another headache to my many numerous cares.

I’m enclosing another lousy picture of myself that one of the boys took. I can’t seem to get a good one of me at all out here.

I’ll write as soon as the situation clears up a little and I get a little time.

Love
Bob