Cpl Roman F. Klick 36620923
Co "A", 353rd Engr Regt
A.P.O. #502, c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, California
September 8, 1943

Dear Aunty Clara,
Wednesday


But forty-five minutes was enough and at the end of that time I was seated in the front seat of the mail truck with the projector alongside of me.

Before I go any further with the story of what happened to my twenty-four hours today I will tell you that I received no mail today.

Lt. Yantis had rewound the film for me so I was not troubled with that. There were four reels this evening, making it an extra long show. The first reel was a series of GI shorts filmed for public presentation. It had to do with paratroopers, another on the song "The Caissons Go Rolling Along", a third about the Navy and a fourth about the war in general.

To top that off the picture was preceded by three shorts. One was a newsreel, another was about the stroboscope, a third was about a golf tournament conducted by Bing Crosby.

The picture was "Aerial Gunner" with Chester Morris and Dick Arlen. All the entertainment was good. The picture was alright but not exciting. The story is about Morris and Arlen having a grudge in civilian life and meeting each other in the army. Both are Tech Sgts but Morris is in charge while Arlen is the pupil. In the end, Arlen is commissioned and Morris is under him as an enlisted man.

The best of the shorts was the one concerning the stroboscope. It is the light which can go off and on many times a second and when synchronized with a speed camera the results are amazing. The entire short is a series of surprising slow motion pictures such as a pencil puncturing a soap bubble. The speed camera shows that the pencil is entirely within the bubble before it breaks and not just the point. They also show that milk dropping from a tap is not just a drop but consists of one big drop followed very closely by a very tiny drop. The show the slow motion picture of an electric light being shattered. You have probably seen that type of movie yourself.

The Bing Crosby picture on golf was entertaining also since it pictured many famous golf stars and snapped them making some beautiful shots.

The machine worked perfectly tonight and we had no trouble with the sound at all. That is the first time in the last three trips that I have returned having shown a complete picture. But is was the length of the show which made it so late in getting back here.

It is now past eleven and it looks as if it will be past twelve before I hit the hay. My bunk and the surrounding area is still in a messy condition and it will take me some time to quietly pick up the stuff and make my bed.

Tomorrow night should be free so that I will be able to answer Uncle Jack's and Dolores's letters for sure. I also hope to find time to complete the foot locker tomorrow. And I would also like to be well on the way towards completion of the payroll if that is at all possible.

The candy bar situation is well in hand. I ate two before noon, four after noon and four after supper. So far I have not felt any ill affects.

I have some very personal information to tell you about finances and the like and I would also like to send that to you tomorrow. This information will be in a letter all by itself even if it's only a short letter.

The war seems to have entered a stage now which is similar to chess. The opponent knows full well that he has lost the advantage and is being systematically whittled down for the kill yet he hangs on thinking that perhaps an opening or escape might yet come where he can checkmate us and still win the war even though we have the power concentrated on him. It sure would be wonderful to have them resign at this stage of the game.

So-long,
/s/ Roman
Roman