I arrived by train one late november morning. It was still dark, & I said to myself so this is France & Bar-Le-Duc. I was with others who came over with me on a troop ship. After standing around for a short time a Gi bus picked us up.
It was now daybreak & after boarding the bus I recall it was our 1st experience with some kind of craziness that seemed to be the norm for the next two years. The bus driver accelerated to great speeds as we whipped through the meandering streets of Bar-Le Duc & beyond. I for one was glad when he stooped at HQ TFAD.
I recall standing around again then we got word we will march to our new home. We got to C company to be assigned our hut, bunk, & locker space.
What I will never forget; I had a real bad cold & I think a little shock, but the guys were not friendly at all. It seems they had a form of hazing or initiating & some of it was down
right cruel. They would say welcome to hell & we are glad to see you for one reason YOU MAY BE MY REPLACEMENT. They called me a recruit,& my response was I have been in the Army over a year. That meant nothing I was a (cruit) at TFAD. When night came I found drunkenness was more of the norm. Soon I fell into The routine work & day to day life, but I never took part when new men came.
Robin remembers...
1958
