Between tedium and terror by Sy Myron Kahn

Author:Sy Myron Kahn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Kahn, Sy Myron, 1924-, United States. Army -- Biography., World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Area., World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American., Soldiers -- United States -- Diaries.
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

Biak Island

173

September 6

I've been working steadily. Got the pictures back we took when Frank Harris got out of the hospital. They came out well. Now I have some with my beard, which is over three months old, nearly four. I find it quite comfortable.

We had another alert about two nights ago, but nothing since. Fleets of bombers continue to go out day and night, hitting the southern Philippines, Palau Islands and Halmahera. We follow our progress in the European theater. The end is surely in sight with our forces in Belgium, Holland, and at the German border in France. Russia today declared war on Bulgaria, and, at long last, it looks as if Finland may pull out of the war. It can't go on much longer over there.

We have three men down with yellow jaundice, Hiller, Johnson and Meacham. Fazekas has been transferred to another outfit. Men who go to the hospital now are transferred out of the outfit, baggage and service records included.

Been reading the psychiatry book slowly. There is much of interest, although much goes over my head. Haven't been able to get at Plato for some time. Life is getting civilized here. During the past few days we've had fresh eggs, butter, meat, and real potatoes once in awhile, and even jello. We obtained a crude kind of ice cream (not too good but cold) in exchange for a load of dunnage, to which we have easy access. Last of the beer issue tonight. We spend our evenings lately playing a game of naval engagements. All that is needed is pencil and paper. Pap and I have been having a great time playing these last few nights.

Had a nightmare toward morning today. Dreamt I threw two men off a cliff and killed them. Woke up just as I was caught—glad I woke up!

September 8

Last night I woke out of a deep sleep in time to hear the second shot of the alert. A few moments later I was in a shell hole with about 25 others. The sound of planes was quite clear. At first they were down at Bosnek section, giving the little island a blasting, and then worked their way out here. They circled and made their bombing runs right over our heads toward the airstrips all around us. There was some anti-aircraft fire, and the searchlights poked the sky with long, white fingers. For a moment one of the beams picked up an enemy plane approaching us. That's not good for us, because any plane approaching may let go its bombs when caught in the lights. A plane overhead or going away is nothing to worry about. Anyway, this Tojo let go with something, for we heard it as it

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.