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February 1
Monday. [BLANK] and the Major went on the "Sea Sweep" today. BLANK
"ranked" out. I get very tired of it as it makes the 6th raid I have missed out on.
Wrote some
letters today. Nothing exciting during the day. The 26's lost a plane today. "Unlucky dogs."
I was recommended for my second award of the Air Medal which is the Oak Cluster.
Some boys that
were forced down the other day finally got back after walking 60 miles over rough territory in only four days. What
blisters they have.
February 2 Log 3:00
Tuesday. Another raid on Sfax
airport. We lost a B-25. It was shot down by our own tanks. The B-26's hit the same target.
Had the usual air alerts at night. We could see the bombing of town 60 miles away.
It is
rumored that the value of francs is going up. That will be nice, if true.
Saw a show finally,
"Algerian Nights" with the Andrews Sisters and Ritz brothers. Good music but poor story. 1st show I've seen since
Iceland.
Think I will go to bed early tonight. Rather tired. Saw a big tank battle
today.
February 3 Log 1:30
Wednesday. Got paid and left for Algers for
a 7-day rest-cure. Stayed at the best hotel in Algers and ate food that was old army grub but served by [CAN NOT READ
WORD] which made it [CAN NOT READ WORD] grand.
Prichett [BLANKED] made Captain so we had four
quarts of champagne to drink.
This is really one beautiful city. There are around a hundred
boats in the bay. Destroyers, mine sweepers, transports, and all.
Seems some W.A.A.Qs -
had a talk with some of them. A good percentage of them are very pretty. But an officer can't date a private.
February
4
Thursday. There were three air alerts during the night. I didn't get up for any
of them. In fact, I had a hard time getting up in the morning because of the terrific hangover I had. Oh, what
a big head.
This rest camp is 27 miles from town. Very nice hotel. A resort.
Lots of stuff to drink.
Before we left town this evening, an old bomb blew up after sitting
around for a week.
Gen. Dolittle was here today. Gave medals to our escort (P-38 14th Fighter
Group) boys who are going to the States by DC-3's tomorrow. Lucky them. All got 15 day leaves and promotions.
February
5
Friday. Friday and what a day! After a good night's sleep we had our usual day
of good music, fine food, and etc. This place is really okay even it's name is funny "Air Tayca" [DIFFICULT TO READ].
The name of the hotel is Tarwas. [DIFFICULT TO READ]
This laying around may sound good to some
people but I am growing tired of it already. I miss the hustle and hurry scurry of our camp.
Walked down on the beach, 50' from the hotel. It is black due to the oil on the water from the tankers and such that
have been sunk around here during the war.
There are two landing boats wrecked near by.
February
6
Saturday. Went into town to see an old American show "Escape." It was far. (Cost
12 francs)
Went to the barbershop and got the works. Really felt good to get rid of the
dirt in my hair, and etc.
S/S Taylor, our radio gunner, is going to be on a broadcast with Gen.
Doolittle tomorrow. He expects to get his Air Medal Award.
The girls in Algers are very
nice looking. In fact, they have better looking legs (French legs) than the American gals.
It is hard to sleep on a soft (really soft) bed after having the other type so long.
February 7
Sunday. Still at Air Taya and resting very well. Went to Algers in the afternoon and stayed until late evening.
There wasn't very much to do in town as the stores were closed. There was a big parade of French soldiers on their way
to the front. Their fellow countrymen gave them a big send-off.
For once, I have really
seen people scared. The sky was clear and thus the jerries come. People run to the shelters as if it were life
or death. Saw a girl that reminded me of a certain gal in the States. Nice.
February 8
Monday. Back into town again. Went to Maison Blauck [DIFFICULT TO READ] to see about the plane we brought down
with us. They have straightened the tail that was bent due to pressure at 380 mph as we usually hit coming off the target.
Taylor got his award from Gen. Doolittle. He was on a broadcast that went to the States.
Saw the picture 'Ruffles' [COULD BE RAFFLES] in town. Very old picture but helps forget the war.
Roamed all over Algers today. What a place. Went to a French C.O. home - really a treat. Beautiful.
February
9
Tuesday. Bought $300 worth of war bonds. It is impossible to get money orders.
Went to Algers during the afternoon, as usual. Had a grand time roaming around. Bought some more pipes.
Now I have a very good collection - they are same briar as Kay Woodies' in the States.
Found a
French soldier that had be slugged. He was knocked out cold and bleeding badly. He as taken care of the O.D.
Was in the garage when Gen. Doolittle's car came in. Someone took a shot at it but Doolittle wasn't riding in it.
Lucky for him because the slug would have caught him.
February 10
Wednesday.
This is my last day here. Tomorrow, it will be back to the old grind again - Eating out of mess kits, and living hell
on earth. If I were a soldier of fortune, I wouldn't go back for any amount. But as my status so exists, I will
go back.
Got 250 bucks worth of money orders to send home.
Saw "Alexander's
Rag Time Band" here at the hotel. It was good enough though I seen it many, many times before.
Doolittle is riding co-pilot on a B-26 these days. They are some of the boys that went on the Japan raid.
February
11
Thursday. The weather was "0 - 0" so we couldn't go home. I really would like to
get back and get the rest of my raids over with. And then, I am hoping for some mail when I get back. This vacation
has been wonderful but now I have had so much rest that the waves beating against the shores below my window keep me awake.
I spent the afternoon in Algers as usual. Talked to some Waacs. Wonderful to talk to American gals.
Lots of convoys to see on the Sea. They have barrage ballons [AS IN DIARY] over them. Really odd.
Hoping we go home tomorrow, I close.
February 12
Friday. Went out to Maison Blanke
to find out that the booster pumps were out. So we couldn't go back to dear old New London (Breateau). That meant
the usual afternoon in town.
Bought a pipe in town. They really are hard to get. Worth
10 times their value when have in the States.
I hope we get off tomorrow.
February
13
Saturday. Plane still not ready so we had to stay for the dance. Gals outnumbered
the boys 2 to 1.
Rode horse back, play tennis, ping-pong, cards. Really had a day of loads
of fun.
Lots of reporters are here again. All they do is ask lots of silly questions.
Met a very wonderful French gal. She had studied in England and Paris - thus could speak very good English.
[BLANKED OUT] got very drunk. What a day. Most happened when I was in town.
February 14
Sunday. Katz. Made 1st Lt. I guess I will never get mine. It was worded incorrectly to it bounced.
Put in again, tho. [AS IN DIARY]
Spent the afternoon in Algers again being we couldn't take
off due to bad weather. The gal (Feb. 13) was very nice and we had a grand afternoon. She is a Championship swimmer
and diver of Paris and France. She has 36 gold medals.
Returned to the hotel in time for
supper and to see Gary Cooper in the "Westerner."
Heard that the B-26's and B-25's have lost a
bunch of planes. Rommell is really getting rough.
February 15 Log 1:30
Monday. Finally got off. I flew [BLANKED OUT] lost the escape hatch on the take off - and it was a cold trip home.
Crump, Wilson, Frolicker, Cox , Szezygiel [HARD TO READ 1ST, 3RD, AND LAST NAME] (Classmates from Visalla) were shot down
over Gabes on Feb. 9th. Luiden and Jackson made a crash landing. 380th lost two planes.
The pink [DIFFICULT TO READ] jobs (B-25) from Liba [DIFFICULT TO READ] traveled to Medinine [DIFFICULT TO READ] to lose a
plane.
A B-26 had to come in for a crash landing. All the crew bailed out except for the
pilot. We could see them coming down on their chutes.
B-26's lost three planes this A.M.
Total of 7 for today.
February 16 Log 2:15
Tuesday. Another patrol mission.
Really was rough, as we had rain most the trip and had to return early. Gen. Doolittle flew co-pilot in the lead ship.
[BLANKED OUT] lead 2nd element.
Received some very nice packages from the States.
They finally opened an "Officer's Bar" here this evening. Really okay as it gives the boys a chance to blow off some
of their "steam."
Slept all afternoon because I wasn't feeling very well. I guess the trip
was too much work today.
Read the good old Toledo Blade most the evening.
February
16 Log 2:15
Tuesday. Another patrol mission. Really was rough, as we had rain most
the trip and had to return early. Gen. Doolittle flew co-pilot in the lead ship. [BLANKED OUT] lead 2nd element.
Received some very nice packages from the States.
They finally opened an "Officer's Bar" here
this evening. Really okay as it gives the boys a chance to blow off some of their "steam."
Slept all afternoon because I wasn't feeling very well. I guess the trip was too much work today.
Read the good old Toledo Blade most the evening.
February 17
Wednesday. Had
to be on "alert" all the day long. We were waiting to go on a sea patrol but bomber command didn't request us to go.
A rather dull day in all. There wasn't much to do as one can't leave his quarters when
on "alert."
When the alert was over, I went out to fly the plane but they had it taken apart so
I couldn't go. Alex was going to go with us.
Food is still very lousy here. Saliave
[DIFFICULT TO READ] and Taylor paid me what they owed me so I have more money to send home when I get the money orders.
February
18
Thursday. Just another one of those days. Not much to do as the weather was rather
rotten.
Saw Joan Bennett in "Girl Trouble" in the evening. It was lousy as the projector
ran too fast so as no one could understand them as to what was said.
It was really funny setting
among the cows seeing a show! I had to move a cow in order to get a place to sit.
The newly
opened officers club is going great guns these days. It is nice to be able to get something to drink.
February
19
Friday. Visibility down to 2 miles and wind (surface) at 35 mph. No missions of
course.
We now have our mess with the 428 now. Should be a much better set up.
We bought 900 eggs today being that the meals are so rotten around here.
We lost 85 out of 1000
tanks yesterday. What a mess. We have even lost some of our advance pursuit fields. The story is really
changing over here.
We were on the alert all day. Many planes came thru from the East with
injured men. Rough.
February 20
Saturday. Nothing much to do all day
except playing dice, cards, and etc. I didn't fair too good in the dice game.
It rained
all day. Their place is really a mud puddle now. The enemy is only 90 miles away now. At the present date,
we are losing the war.
There isn't any mail coming thru these days because of the need of materials
up front. They are being flown in by air.
Some transports went over in 500' ceiling weather.
They really deserve loads of credit - they are doing a good job.
Feburary 21 Log 5:00
Sunday. A sea patrol. And what a job - had to fly at 11,000' part of the way. And over an overcast!
We ran into a JU-88. The P-38's lost two planes and the enemy lost one JU-88. Not very good for our side.
Only got four hours sleep due to the air raid alerts, and such disturbances during the night.
The second patrol sank a tanker "German's largest" and a destroyer. Several B-25's are missing yet including Col. Heinman.
[DIFFICULT TO READ]
Our patrol would have had a chance at the convoy if it hadn't been for the
JU-88.
February 22
Today - Atkinson, Hartley and Greene shot down on a sea sweep. [LOOKS LIKE WRITTEN
AFTER ESCAPING FROM PRISON CAMP]
February 23 2 1/2
Hit 22 ship convoy.
My ship [BLANKED OUT] shot down. Also two other kites.
Captured 4:30 PM. The 24th
of Feb. 1943.
Back with Allies Dec. 16 after escaping from the Germans.
F.
[THE LAST THREE PAGES OF THE DIARY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING]
[PAGE 1]
Memoranda
#380
lost a B-25 at Hardwick on Dec. 2, 1942.
Westover the Presque Isle 2+30
Test flight 1:30
Recall
1:00
[PAGE 2]
1844. Mass. Ave. S.E.
Box 1196 Stephens College
Columbia, Mo.
Jacqueline Gluth [DIFFICULT TO READ]
119 e. 3RD Street
Port Clinton
815 -23
S. Wabash St. Chicago
PAGE 3
Rosedale 3832
3950 Hoiles R.W.T 942 S.S. Las Vegas Nev.
821 1/2 W.
Woodruff. D. Doering
Jo Strack
3115 Kurioso [DIFFICULT TO READ] Rd.
Lt. A.C.H. 115 S. St.
Asaph St.
Alexeandria, Va.
A/C Jon E. Roberts
Santa Ana
Army Air Base
Pilot SQD. #37
Santa Ana, Calif.
1802 Wenonah
Ave. Berwyn.
2107 Ashand
CO.B Brks. 16 1584th S.U.
Camp Perry, Ohio
Reception
Center
2038 Abington Rd. C.O.
END OF DIARY
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