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LOCAL VETERAN TELLS OF MANEUVERS

The Hibbing Daily Tribune - 7/23/2017

A former Hibbingite, Corp. William B. Cratz, of South Dakota, sent the Tribune a letter he had written to his mother and daughter about his observations of the military maneuvers being conducted in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Maneuvers were conducted in 1940 and 1942 to evaluate U.S.military training, logistics, doctrine and commanders.

Among the officers who rose to top positions in World War II participating in the maneuvers were Gens. Omar Bradley, Mark Clark, Dwight Eisenhower, Joseph Stilwell and George Patton.

Cratz told how while conducting surveillance of a town, he was treated to breakfast by a woman who lived in the area.

He was awed by the coffee that was so strong and black that it bulged the sides of his cup and "turned cream black."

The following letter was published Wed., Sep. 24, 1941, in the Hibbing Tribune:

Corp. William B. Cratz,Troop 4, Fort Meade, South Dakota, formerly of Hibbing, sends the following letter for publication. It was written to Mrs.William Cratz and daughter, Claudette, who are in Rapid City, S.D.

Dearest Mother and all,

Just a word to let you know, this war has really started. (I.E., the big maneuvers). We started out Monday at 5 a.m. and went deep into the Blue territory. By noon there we were with the aid of two armored divisions, who took over strategic positions, and are holding them until further orders (we are the Reds),the second platoon, Troop F-4 Cavalry of which I am one car commander - is now holding the city of Man-e, a town of about 2,500 population.

Last night I had a patrol of four men, including myself, on a street in rear of the post office and this we watched all night. I relieved the men at 4:30 a.m. till about 9. In the meantime an old lady brought me out a very nice breakfast, the morning paper and pitchers of ice water served by a negro maid. Then she had to look over my tommy gun and my helmet and could she talk. They make coffee so strong and black that it bulges the sides of the cup - and turns cream black. (Believe it or not).

I am sending you a rose that this old lady gave to me and asked me to send to you. She said that as I was a red soldier it was a red rose from me to you.

She also said that she and most of the people in the town liked soldiers very much. They will give them all they have because they stand between the free and Hitler.

I don't know if you listen to CBS at 2:30 p.m. daily or not, but if you do, you will know just about what we are doing and as I said before I'll try and tell you all about it when it's over and the picture is complete.

There is an awful lot going on and a great many things to see and do that I really don't write down. I know you love to hear about this, however, I can't seem to put these things into words the way I want to, so I am going to send you a few overlay maps I drew of this country and see if that will help you. Most of this country is heavily wooded and very swampy.

There are a lot of mosquitoes. The people as a whole are very poor, some just medium, very few signs of wealth, most of the people here have houses (shacks) and kids galore. The wealthy people and those who seem to work live in towns and there you see some real swell places, some even beautiful.

Everything down here is still green and some gardens look young even yet. I never see a negro or poor person do any work down here. They seem to get up about daylight and sit on the porch till dark - and then go to bed. Hard life, isn't it?

To date we have gone about 1,700 miles coming down here, 900 in maneuvers, 2,600 in all.

The roads here are good when they are good - when they are bad they are very bad.

Some of them are paved, but most are dirt. There are no hills, the highest point in Louisiana is only 469 feet above sea level.

As I am running out of news I think I'll close and try to write again. We will be through in about 12 days so I'll tell you what the score is then if possible.

As ever, your son, brother and soldier boy.

P.S. I just snapped a picture of a big 28 ton tank. Love to you all.

Corp. Wm. B. Cratz