Australia, Jan. 8, ‘43
Dear Parents and Sisters: Ever since I’ve been in the S. W. Pacific it has been my intention to ask what your conception of a soldier’s life is – please do not misunderstand, I have no use for people weeping on my shoulder – it merely interests me to hear your opinion, will somebody or all of you give your version? Telling a few things won’t spoil the game, will it?
In the first place a soldier has his personal equipment to care for, if through carelessness an article is lost the government rightly insists on payment, a gas mask if I remember the figures given in Yank magazine recently, costs $12 and all other articles are good and sturdy they cost in proportion, whit it costs to put an average soldier in the field I can’t say but I’ve often wondered. When you consider all the money spent in training, transportation and the many other necessary facilities the figures of a yearly national budget seem to make a little more sense.
However, we are drifting from the subject of what occupies a soldier’s time; all this government property needs care and maintenance because, and it’s easy to see, it must be kept in good order at all times, for example, a machine gun, field gun or truck motor will operate even though covered with a lot of useless and dirty grease or mud if that must but certainly doesn’t make a machine last longer. (My blitz-buggy is a perfect specimen of what should not be but until the rain lets up there’s no use washing.) Then there’s my rifle which requires a certain amount of attention. It’s not the same gun I had in the States, lighter and not of the same make but a nice piece nevertheless. I dpn’t know just how I promoted a brand new one but that doesn’t matter now, all new guns being otherwise alike. I picked this one for the beautiful grain of the stock, the work of cleaning off the casmolene is considerable but worth the effort, the gun shoots very accurate and one could fire all day long without fatigue, no other army in the world provides its men with a weapon of such quality, no doubt our enemies have learned also what that means. Do not think of an army rifle as being about the same as the average hunter at home uses. I’ve never seen a hunter lay every individual part on a table for cleaning because his gun is not make that way, he may do that occasionally but certainly not as often as we must. For our purpose a gun should be easy to clean without any inaccessible parts, when properly cared for it will always function; oftentimes this is a spare time duty. Maintenance is a never-ending job.
In the past week I received two letters from you, Xmas card from Ed De Vos, V letter from Uncle Ben, postal card from Joe Schnyders, letter from Margaret, Xmas card from C. Sybesma, letters from Am. Legion and Civic Club.
Yes dad, I’ll send that paper you asked for although I have not been able to visit Mr. Harvey for a long time. The pictures of the two churches are nice and I’ve shown them to my friends. I’m glad you found the book I sent so interesting, I thought you’d like it – I still have another that is perhaps fully as good but a bit larger – same author. Will continue in a few days.
Lovingly, your son and brother, Ernest T. S. Ernest J. Gerritsma Hq. Btry. 2nd Bn. 147 F. A. APO 923 San Francisco, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 4, 1943, p 11
T. S. Ernest J. Gerritsma San Francisco, Calif. Australia, March 2, ‘43
Dear Parents and Sisters: In the News of December 17, 1942 I read of a Flying Fortress forced to make an emergency landing not far from home; did you see it?
That little story reminded me of when I first saw a Fortress at fairly close range already months ago now. It had just arrived on the particular field where I was spending the afternoon, with a group of high-ranking officers on an inspection trip including General Brett, General Royce and a few others whose names I have forgotten.
The P40 and a Fortress compare as a sparrow to a hawk – she’s a big, graceful bird, this plane, and the Zero’s seem to have lots of respect for it.
Last night at 7:30 I attended Presbyterian church service in town, it has been my privilege to attend church services in various towns and cities of Australia and quite naturally I compare one with the other. There are some very beautiful churches and cathedrals in this country, the attendance is usually good but with respect to the number of members is often not what it should be. Especially are they to be commended for their efforts toward servicemen, American soldiers are fully as welcome and as well treated as their own.
Everywhere the ladies donate their time and cooking talents in operation the many fine soldier’s clubs, the Y.M.C.A. and Red Cross clubs are known and favorably spoken of by every soldier, in nearly every case the service is rendered at cost price. Quite often the servicemen are invited to a supper or lunch after the evening service for the purpose of becoming acquainted and making them feel “at home”. In this particular church service I encountered something new, nowadays the song “God Save the King” is always included in the order of worship but I’ve never heard our National Anthem used until yesterday. That was a very friendly gesture toward their guests, don’t you think?
Hearing our National Anthem has always deeply impressed me, I’ll never forget those first retreat formations I stood and if the band is willing to furnish the music it's a pleasant duty to take part in this ceremony.
The public thinks highly of its soldiers now but I wonder (and doubt) whether that love is genuine. I recall with disgust the attitude of civilians toward soldiers before the war particularly in areas near military reservations, happily it was not true of people about home. The real tragedy of this unhappy war is the man who becomes permanently disabled by it – think that over – will they be remembered more than once or possibly twice a year?
Yesterday I received some most welcome letters and papers. The letter Ida and Ann wrote, two Saturday Eve. Posts and the Sioux Center News of Dec. 17, 1942. I certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness in giving me a subscription to the News – also the other papers, although they haven’t arrived as yet. The two issues of the Post were greatly enjoyed, the two articles written by Admiral Hart are worthy of study, I would like to call your attention not only to the thoughts expressed in those articles but especially because they reflect the type of man who wrote them. You’ll not wonder any longer why he holds the position that he does. In the Oct. 10 issue of the Post the article, “How to Do Business In South America”, appears, it is a bit difficult to explain just why this story interests me so much unless it is because I have a strong passion for good tools and I like to learn about the history of the company who makes the things I use. Now folks I’m glad you sent those papers but you also promised to save them for me, I surely hope you kept a copy of these issues – will mother kindly take a firm hand in the matter? The pictures of the Pearl Harbor disaster are always closely scrutinized for this sort of affects me personally, shortly before this greatest act of treachery occurred I was able to sense the increased tension, but few people could even attempt to predict anything of such nature. In that first blow the character of our enemy was revealed, however, he isn’t given advance notice of our plans either and no doubt it will keep him worried. Since Lester Van Muyden and I first met in Australia we have not seen each other again, there’s no telling though how one may meet old friends. Please tell Lester’s parents to send him my greetings – I don’t think we’ll forget the circumstances of that event. Tonight’s paper says the Japs are massing about Australia – very well – they’ll be given a “bit of a go”. I must finish for this time – so far nobody has connived to smash the 1st Sgt’s whistle – that’ll be the day! Lovingly, Ernest
Source: Sioux Center News Mar. 25, 1943, p 9
Redlands, Calif. April 16, 1943
Mr. Edward E. Roelofs Sioux Center, Iowa
Dear Friend: It actually was quite an effort on your part to get these greetings over here to Redlands. They reached me after running the gauntlet of Jap submarines and bombing planes, tarrying briefly with T-5 Ernest Gerritsma and then being sent by him directly across the Pacific from Australia to my address here. Thanks! With them came a request from Ernest that I write a short article for your paper. His bold suggestion is pardoned upon his request. I wrote to him that since both you and he are so easily made happy, I’ll make the attempt. It is almost two years ago that I first contacted Ernest at Fort Ord. On a Saturday afternoon I travelled by car from Alameda on my mission for the Christian Reformed Church to bring spiritual help and encouragement to the men in the Armed Forces. I had returned a few months before from China where the war had for years been an actuality. From 1937 till 1941 I witnessed its ravages as years of constructive effort was obliterated and hope gave way to despair. The millions of daring spirits in China moved west – ever farther west – to escape the domination and cruelty of Japan’s juggernaut. All that was in my mind most vividly when I contacted the men at Ft. Ord where our country was making preparatory efforts to meet the tidal waves approaching our shores from both oceans. There was little conscious of danger on the part of the soldiers at Ft. Ord. They thought of home and the expiration of their term of service. And then came the startling news that the outfit was to embark for ?? We had many a talk of what was in store and those conversations laid solid foundations of friendship. The storm broke while these men were still on the way. My friend Ernest and many other men who have become dear to me through repeated contact and Christian fellowship are there to protect the White Man’s heritage in the Southern Pacific. Had the Australians thrown open their shores in the hospitable way of other colonial possessions, the fair dominion might also have succumbed. But Australia for many decades fought to maintain her status as a White Man’s land. Though danger still threatens on all sides, the Jap has no foothold there and our boys will see to it that they never will. The Australians are much like Americans. They also built their nation in the wilderness and – brave people that they are – they will never surrender what is theirs. Clearing the Japanese from the island strongholds which they have fortified against American attack is a part of the effort to break and annihilate Japan’s land, sea and air power so that she may never again be in a position to challenge our political and economic security. But those islands, although economically valuable are the homes of races other than ours. We seek for no territorial aggrandizement. We are determined with the help of God to retain and protect what is our own. The security of White Australia is inseparably linked with the security of the United States. The help we give to the friends “down under” is an investment which will pay dividends in centuries to come. Letters of interest and prayers on their behalf express our appreciation to fellows like Ernest who are doing their bit in the attainment of the grand objective we have in mind. Sincerely yours, H. A. Dykstra Harry A. Dykstra 1234 Orange Street, Redlands, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Apr. 22, 1943, p 5
NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA
Ernest Gerritsma writes from Australia, telling of attending a bowling match. He described the bowling green as a course perhaps thirty yards long and of varying widths. He said the game of bowls was definitely a game better suited to the temperament of older men. It is quite a popular sport there however, as each town has one or two teams who play against each other and engage outside teams much as baseball teams do here. Another popular sport there is racing. It seems almost every city and village has one or several race courses, and the betting is the attractive feature, and money for betting flows abundantly, according to his observations.
Source: Sioux Center News June 10, 1943, p 2
Australia, April 10, 1943 Dear parents and sisters:
Last night I had someone describe the size of a town to me in a way I thought was unique. My informer couldn’t give the number of inhabitants but he knew definitely there were seven pubs – beer parlors or saloons to you. With that information one can safely assume he won’t suffer from thirst – also all the possible hardships of that trip are compensated for if the anticipation for a good whistle-wetter is held before imagination. The beer sold here is not like our 3.2, it’s more concentrated and you can’t treat it like Penrod’s licorice water, the slogan I’ve seem somewhere might be applied, “a little goes a long way”. I’m very fortunate, so to speak, in that I haven’t developed a taste for the stuff, the shillings spent for beer have been few. Another reason is I don’t dare start the habit, aside from wrecking the budget the supply of beer is not always so plentiful in places and to have the craving with nothing to satisfy it is just another unnecessary hardship, there is a lot of bush country in this part of the world where pubs aren’t found and almost invariably we get ourselves plunked down in such spots. We are frequently told that drinking in a tropical climate is doubly injurious, the immediate effects are greater and also an early death may be the direct result of drinking. Our Captain, too, has his opinion of the liquor situation, apart from being interested in the general welfare of the battery there is a more clearly defined or practical angle to the matter…less liquor, less trouble. Under authority of the “Articles of War”, the army can deal severely with the man who drinks, without this restraint the problem could become a serious one. The waters surrounding Australia are said to contain more species of fish than those of any other country, this statement came from a man who tends one of the best-known aquariums this country has – I had the privilege of seeing through it for the cost of only a sixpence, special price to soldiers. In this aquarium I saw almost all the different kinds of fish and all sizes and shapes including the octopus, stingrays, eels, turtles, a shark and many other rare varieties. I suppose it isn’t very practical to keep a whale in captivity or I might have seen that too at a different place. I did see the two jawbones of one, they were just inside the doorway of a public library and formed a sort of Gothic arch at least twelve feet high, I should judge these bones were fully fifteen feet long and weighed fifteen hundred pounds each according to the tablet placed on them. It was an evening when I went to this library mainly because there was so little else to do, the rooms in which the bulk of the books are kept is not open at night but I was shown through, the same man told me the jawbones were taken from a whale eighty feet in length which was found on a beach – normally you wouldn’t expect a fish to wash up on dry land but as was explained to me the sharks may have driven the creature on the beach and when the tide receded it was left helpless, no one could or would like to live with a shark for long, he’s the best streamlined fish I’ve seen and very powerful, he can snap a man’s leg off in one bite and even iron rods. Speaking of this particular library, a glance at the title of the numerous books is in itsef interesting, I took one especially thick volume off the shelf which measured fully six or seven inches thick, about ten inches high and eight wide, it was a “Lloyd’s Directory” and it contained a list of the principal business firms over the entire world, New York City and London took the most space by far, having a book of this kind you could go any place in the world and know exactly where to buy a pair of shoes or have a check cashed. Paging through the directory and seeing among others the lists of firms in occupied countries causes one to realize even better that a war is a complicated thing and that it involves vastly more than a short communique stating an army has been successful somewhere, what disruption it brings and how will it finally be settled. Look about you and try making an estimate of all the things which there are to lose in the event this war doesn’t end in our favor, there wouldn’t be a good feed mixer for you, dad, nor a good elevator to put it in nor would you have a piano, radio and nice floors in your home, mother, there are a few handicaps now but these can’t affect our humor too much because we know they are only temporary, now supposing a permanent 1929 depression closed in on us, some people might have a little surplus to tide them over for a time but gradually the pinch would take effect. Can you really blame the people of Germany and Japan for envying us? The Banner, Calvinist and News still arrive from time to time – excellent reading. Greetings to Uncle Ben and Aunt Tena.
Lovingly, Ernest T-5 Ernest J. Gerritsma Hq. Btry. 2nd Bn. 147 F. A. APO 301, c.o. Postmaster San Francisco, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News June 17, 1943, p 2
T-5 Ernest Gerritsma received his promotion to Corporal from Private First Class some time ago. He hasn’t been getting his News for sometime now, though his address remains the same. Hdq. Btry. 2nd Bn. 147th F. A., APO 300, c.o. Postmaster, San Francisco, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 5, 1943, p 2
Ernest Gerritsma writes from New Guinea that never a day goes by without rain, and lots of it. He says he is getting along fine hopping from stone to stone.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 26, 1943, p 10
Dear Parents and Sisters: You may be thankful that your best brother isn’t home today and he’s glad his real home is not in this country. Due to the rain I’ve changed clothes three times today and it must be the last because the cycle is complete. Shorts or bathing suits would otherwise be ideal only regulation says NO and for a reason. There aren’t so many mosquitos about, that is to say, they don’t swarm around your ears making a big nuisance of themselves but the few present are genuine fifth columnists, if not worse. The Anopheles mosquito is the malaria carrying type, if there were no malaria in this area not even this mosquito could spread it but unfortunately the disease is super-abundant. The insidious thing about this pest is that it does not have the annoying whine characteristic of other types, nor is the sting particularly painful. In spite of protective measure I learned these things at first hand. Formerly, as you know, the drug quinine was used not to prevent malaria but to keep the worst symptoms from appearing. A new drug called “Atabrine” has been developed equally effective for the purpose and without the drawbacks. Since the whole world knows the supply of quinine is very limited the Japs no doubt also had this factor in mind when they took over the N. E. I. However, the Americans are blest with a lot of ingenuity and thus the Yanks go their merry way. As proof of their point the medics often cite the example of the Gallipoli campaign of the last war in lectures. This undertaking proved a failure mainly because of malaria, soldiers landing on the beaches became stretcher cases in from two to ten hours afterward, this occurred in such numbers that only a small percentage were able to carry on. No matter what weather we must keep our jackets on as a measure against mosquitos, at this season the temperature is not extreme although humidity is always high. From a few miles out at sea the scenery is far more beautiful than any South Sea Island story ever stated, palm fringed beaches, rich, velvety foliage, delightfully warm, soothing breezes, a lazy, restful and quiet place, it’s all there in everything your imagination told you. You’ve already seen part of the real picture explained, enough at least to spoil the fantasy. Previously I mentioned a kind of wood which is exceptionally light, I had a suspicion this was balsawood and later it was confirmed. When the youngsters in wholesale began whittling model airplanes with kits supplied by the 5 and 10c store the main materials were balsa wood plus glue. Strange that a tropical climate produces wood which is pulplike in texture and also one of the most attractive and durable woods – Mahogany – not to forget “teak”. A soldier should soon become an expert authority on various qualities of soils, he lives close to it and he can’t avoid being mixed up in it. This soil too has peculiarities of its own as I soon discovered. A slit trench is sometimes a fine thing to have so I lug one forthwith. For three feet down you strike moist yellow clay, just as the digging gets really good you find pebbles and rocks in almost a solid layer, what lies beyond this I don’t care to know. I’m satisfied in believing whatever they tell me.
Lovingly, Ernest T-5 Ernest J. Gerritsma 37078142 Hq. Btry. 2nd Bn. 147th F. A. APO 301 San Francisco, Calif.
Source: Sioux Center News Sept. 9, 1943, p 2
Ernest Gerritsma’s APO number has changed from 301 to 928. Call his parents or the News if you wish his complete address.
Source: Sioux Center News Oct. 14, 1943, p 8
Ernest Gerritsma, son of Mr. and Mrs. Syne Gerritsma wrote recently that he had received the record the family had made and sent to him some time ago. He enjoyed it very much.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 4, 1943, p 10
Local Boys Meet In New Guinea
It’s a small world for our globe-trotting soldier boys who are apt to meet in strange places these days. Such was the experience of Ernest Gerritsma and Lester Van Muyden who met in New Guinea within the past couple of weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Van Muyden were very anxious about their son Lester from whom they had heard no word for four weeks, when this week they received a very welcome letter from Ernest Gerritsma, son of Mr. and Mrs. Syne Gerritsma, saying he had a pleasant visit with Lester who had just arrived at the same station. Lester’s letter which also came this week gave them no information as to his whereabouts except that he was in the Southwest Pacific. Incidentally, Lester and Ernest met just a year ago in Australia.
Source: Sioux Center News Dec. 2, 1943, p 1
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Iowa, U.S., WWII Bonus Case Files, 1947-1954, Claim No.139700
Ernest J. Gerritsma, SN 37078142, was born Jan. 13, 1917, at Sioux Center, Iowa, where he resided prior to entering the army on Feb. 23, 1941, at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He served with the Headquarters Battery 147th Field Artillery Bn., departed for foreign duty on Nov. 22, 1941, and returned on March 25, 1945.
He was honorably discharged on July 24, 1945. His application for bonus compensation was filed on May 27, 1949, for which he received $500.00.
Source: ancestry.com
