Summary Information
Title: Robert W. Dirks Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1942-1945
Inclusive Dates: 1990
Creator: Dirks, Robert W.
Call Number: Eau Claire Mss CN
Quantity: 2.4 c.f. (6 archives boxes)
Repository: Housed at the Area Research Center, William D. McIntyre Library, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Library-Archives Division
Archival Locations: UW-Eau Claire McIntyre Library / Eau Claire Area Research Ctr.
Abstract: Letters written by Robert W. Dirks of Jackson County, Wis. to his future wife, Leatrice Sonenberg, during World War II and a reminiscence based on the letters written by Mr. Dirks in 1990. Dirks served from 1942 to 1945 with the 178th Signal Repair Company. He describes his training at Camp Shelby, Miss., the Midland Radio School in Athens, Ga., radio school in Lexington, Ky., and Camp Polk, La. After being shipped overseas, much of his duty time was spent installing radios in vehicles in England and driving supply trucks in France, Belgium, and Germany. The letters and reminiscence describe conditions and activities, and contain observations about his surroundings as well as glimpses into what was happening at home.
Language: English
Search Terms/Subject Terms
- United States. Army. Signal Repair Corps, 178th
- World War, 1939-1945—Personal narratives, American
- Camp Polk (La.)
- Camp Shelby (Miss.)
Administrative/Restriction Information
Acquisition Information
Loaned for copying by Robert W. Dirks, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, 1990. Accession Number: M91-088
Processing Information
Processed by Donna Sereda and Jamie Szudy, 1997.
Contents List
| Correspondence | |
| Box/Folder 1/1-9 | 1942, May-1943, January |
| Box/Folder 2/1-6 | 1943, January-April |
| Box/Folder 3/1-7 | 1943, May-October |
| Box/Folder 4/1-8 | 1943, November-1944, June |
| Box/Folder 5/1-14 | 1944, July-1945, August |
| Box/Folder 6/1-2 | 1945, September-October |
| Notes and Letter Excerpts for Reminiscence | |
| Box/Folder 6/3 | U.S. and Maneuvers |
| Box/Folder 6/4 | England |
| Box/Folder 6/5 | England and France, 1943-1944 |
| Box/Folder 6/6 | France and Belgium, 1945 |
| Box/Folder 6/7 | France, 1945 |
| Box/Folder 6/8-9 | Toul, France to Trip Home, 1945, July December |
| Box/Folder 6/10 | Reminiscence |