#Randy Burms

[sageandscorpiongrass]

I am looking inward, You are looking at me.

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[wellmeetagaiin]

A Letter from Private First Class Robert B. Tiffany (December 25th, 1912-June 10th, 1985) to his wife, dated Wednesday May 3rd, 1944.

Transcribed under the cut. 

Wed. May 3, 1944

Babs Darling:

        I’m starting this at 7.45 AM since I have very few minutes while waiting for chow call. I’m so glad dear that you had a really scrumptious time at Jeanne + Leonards and that they were so nice to you. It must have been quite a treat to have a room to yourself and the privacy that goes with it. From what you wrote the place that the Thompsons have has it all over Randy’s place for about a $1000 more (chow now)

        9.15 Continued - Had chow and our platoon ate last. We had fried eggs, bacon, oatmeal + coffee. . It was a very big breakfast for me but is really necessary in view of the strenuous activities we have here. I have also thoroughly cleaned my rifle again since I fell last nite and got it good + dirty. We have been busy as the dickens this week as my postal cards will indicate. 

        Monday we started off with a bang. We had some drill and then set our equipment down. Then followed a 2 1/2 mile run over rough ground & I was pretty stiff and didn’t do the old ankle any good at all. I don’t quite see how the army works an cases like that. In the afternoon we had some stiff physical training and a coupe of classes just to keep us occupied. That night I had to attend a make-up class and it took longer for roll call at the class than the actual lecture, 1/2 and 1/4 hours for the respective activity. Some bunk, I was pretty tired after that and had no trouble sleeping.

        Well dear this is certainly not like home and you have no idea how I miss you.

        12:15 PM Resumed writing for a very few minutes before noon chow. I’ll tackle Tuesday’s activities now for a while. In the morning we had some drill, P.T. and a stiff dose of bayonet practice and I really sweat it out plenty. The morning went quickly tho. We had some chow I don’t remember what tho and didn’t eat very much. We had a few minutes after lunch to ourselves. In the afternoon we had lectures on various things and a practical demonstration of creeping + crawling. I crawled about 75 feet on my belly and picked up 5 pounds of sand in pockets, gun, etc. We also had some practice of hand grenade throwing and it stretched the arm muscles plenty. That nite from 8:30 to 10:30 we had a rather unsatisfying demonstration of night maneuvers in the field. On the way back I was, as usual, slow on the feet and gave the old ankle a slight setback. It wasn’t serious but is damned annoying. 

        After all that I was really glad to take a shower and hit the bed. I fell asleep quickly and with only one shoe polished. I had to finish up in the morning. 

        Since we got to bed late on army business we were supposed to have 2 hrs extra sleep but the Sgt. wasn’t on the hall and roused us out at 6 AM as usual. We had late chow as I mentioned and then cleaned the rifle, latrine, etc before I could continue this letter. We finally assembled at about 9:30 AM and had some close order drill. We marched to the bayonet practice court and had a stiff work out. I don’t mind such exercise nearly as much as running tho. We had a 10 minute rest and then continued on into the next class which was a solid hour of close order drill. Not too good I’m afraid and I expect the non-coms will throw it into us this afternoon.  I expect chow will be any minute now and will have to drop this and continue later. (I guessed correctly. Chow call just as I put the period (.) in.) 9:15 PM. I’m cutting own on my meals for 2 reasons. First to lose a little weight and second because I’m still hot + tired at meal time and just don’t feel like eating much. I drink too much water and boy how I sweat. That’s another reason to lose a little weight as it will be much easier to get around when the real hot weather starts.

        This afternoon we marched down Burme (?) Road and on across to the parade ground. There we found practice targets and rifle rests set up for dry fixing. That is we do not use bullets but practice sighting + aiming, etc. The rifle is set on a little stand and the target, in this case, was 200 yds away. 

        The bulls eye is a piece of tin on a stick and (???) stands behind the target + moves it accordingly to hand signals until the shooter is satisfied that the rifle is aimed properly. The ball is awfully small at 200 yards. I had some luck on my tries and made 3 shots so close together that a 1/2 dollar piece covered them. After that we marched back up Burme Road with its final hell which is the Punisher. Its steep and rough and we must march in formation. All afternoon we had practice in the position from which to fire a rifle. Standing, kneeling + sitting, also prone (?). The sling is wound around the left arm in a G.I.  manner and it is a tough position to remain in for long. We were told that we will lean it tho - or else. 

        After chow we got new equipment (1 piece) and had to clean the heavy grease off with boiling water, oil it, and etc. We also had to clean the rifle again, also the mess equipment. This took me until after lights out so I’m writing on the front steps here by the nite light. 

            Lots of love for my honey.

                                Bob.