Allies Advance & Boot Camp

The Allies were doing fine, thank you: In Europe, the Soviets attacked the Germans along the Mius River; The British seized Pantelleria off Sicily, capturing many Italian soldiers, and in the Pacific Theater Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean areas, was responsible for all land, air and sea in the Central Pacific. The Allies captured New Georgia; Allies land at Nassau Bay, New Guinea and U.S. troops take Rendova in the Soloman Islands.

Most of us in Boot Camp were in very good condition, most having just graduated from high school. Only a few had to work very hard to keep up. Even so, the long distance marchs, running and working faster at calisthenics were having the desired effect; those having any spare fat were quickly turning it into muscle. This had another effect; men were getting shorter tempered with more and more flare ups happening. This started producing fights over the slightest provocation, with the result being a few black eyes or a few cuts. Chief noticed but said nothing. I was surprised to find I was in 6 fights in about 4 weeks, although I felt I hadn't started one of them. In about the last 2 weeks I wasn't challenged because I had won all of them, easily. (Fighting continued)