Memorial

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Cpl Bernard T. Woodland enlisted in Baltimore, Maryland on 8 August 1942. He was one of the soldiers who tried to cross the Waal River in the Netherlands. He later died of his wounds in a hospital in Belgium.

Letter from Bernard Woodland to his brother Donald:

June 24, 1943

Dear Don,

Received your letter and was glad to hear that you have a chance to get out of the damn M.P.’s. I don’t see how you could stay in a non combatant outfit. We have been getting nothing but sh—— details up until this week but that is going to cease. From now on I don’t get any more K.P. or guard even.
Last week three of us wrote a letter to the general in charge of this camp requesting immediate combat service. Anyway, we only got gigged for it. The C.O. was mad as hell. We got one week’s restriction and have to write a letter to the captain every night. The restriction doesn’t mean a damn thing except we can’t get a pass. Last night we went two miles away to go swimming. In this outfit you are liable to be taking a trip any time without any notice. Before I leave I might make out an allotment to you which I want you to send home. The same goes for my insurance, which I made out to you in case anything happens.
We have a hell of a week ahead of us. We fire on Sunday. Can you beat that? We shall jump on Tuesday if we can get the planes;
I hope so.

Sincerely yours,

Bernard