Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1943-01-07


for gifts and greetings he has received
and includes best wishes to all his
friends here.
l would like to take this means to
extend my heartiest wishes for health,
happiness and prosperity to all you
people back home. l would also like
to thank the community, organiza-
tons and individuals for the many
greetings, letters and packages. 1 am
sure that speak for all of us in the
services when 1 say there's nothing
better than to hear from the people
back home and know that they re-
member us just as we think of them
always.
I'd like to tell you bit about the
ground forces. Of course any de-
scription within the means of a let
ter, must be brief However, if you
don't know any more about the arm
ored force than l did before my entry
into its service, it is very little you
have heard of it.
The armored force was organized
July 10, 1910. 1t combines under one
command, the armored units formerly
attached to several other commands.
Today the growing importance of this
branch is brought out by the trend
of things in Africa, where the fight
is becoming more and more one of
machine pitted against machine -.
The replacement training center
here at Fort Knox gives us quite a
thorough basic training after which
about one-third are sent to the arm
ored force school for specialist train
ing and the others are sent to combat
units where they go through maneu-
vers.
The principle weapon and vehicle
of the armored force is the tank, light
and medium. In addition you find
scout cars, halftracks jeepS, peeps,
trucks, motorcycles and self-propelled
artillery.
We are now two-thirdS finished
with our 13-week basic training and
We have studied many weapons. We
have also studied the use of grenades,
mines and anti-chemical tactics. Our
basic also includes great deal of
drill, marching and physical exercise
to tougher us up. A few of the other
numerous studies are use of charts
and maps, camouflage, first aid and
camp and bivouac tactics.
Now a little about Fort Knox.
AS far as Kentucky goes, judging
from our discussions and all the
'best" states from which the boys
are from, / guess this must be about
the worst in the Union.-No place
like home. The weather is of course
considerably milder than Minnesota
weather and lot muddier. It has
been frozen about four to six inches
into the ground but yesterday it
rained and l mean it rained about
like it rained last summer when we
began wondering where Minnesota
was going to float to. This mud we
have here is red clay and is it per-
sistant. It's a good pastime to keep
us occupied in our spare time clean
ing shoes, clothes and equipment.
Not to forget G. l. brush scrubbing
of the barracks floor two or three
times week in addition to hopping
every morning.
Well, with the news as it is at
present and with the fast and ever
increasing striking power of the
United States and her Allies, we may
see lot of changes by New Year,
next year.-It's going to take lot
of sacrifice and hard work on the
home front and on the front line. 1t
can, it will and it must be done. Yes,
rationing is only a little thing, but
also a pretty big thing. When one
sees the amount of gas, oil and rubber
used in place like this, it's much
easier to understand its great neces-
sity.
Also would like to clear any doubt
as to what the U. S. o. means to us
in the services. The entertainment
and their centers and services are
truly appreciated. Through organi-
cations of this type we can at all times
find good wholesome entertainment
and every one knows the worth Of
this.
Thanking you one and all remain,
Yours for Victory in 43,
Pvt. Arid D. Frederiksen.
Fort Knox XIV