We would haul
it around on a truck and set it up at a gun emplacement. The first
time we shot it there were several officers there and the target was
on a hillside about a quarter mile away. We fired the gun and watched
for the hit. Nothing happened and we just stood waiting. We never did
find out where it went. After the officers left we had a good laugh!
The land there was red sand and the trees mostly pine. It was very hot
and muggy as we were there in June, July and August. We wore one piece
coveralls and every time we got back to the barracks we would step in
the shower with our clothes on and would dry off in about 10 minutes.
We had to got up at 5:30 am and pick up all the cigarette butts and
papers on the grounds before breakfast. This was loads of fun when it
was raining... We spent most of our time in marching drills, rifle
range, obstacle course and 1earning., about the big gun. The drill
sergeants were mean, miserable and yelled at us all the time. They
yelled at me continually for being out of step while marching. I
couldn't figure out why because I was always in step. After 13 weeks,
I could have easily killed both of them.
The obstacle course was about a mile long through woods, gullies and
across water. I had such a competitive spirit that I would run the
whole route and try to finish first. Some guys would walk, take short
cuts and really goof off. It didn't seem to make any difference how
you did it, but I still ran all the way.
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