Once our ship assignment was made, the ship's movement and locations were top secret. That made writing home somewhat creative because each letter was read by our communications officer. If there was even a hint as to our whereabouts, it was deleted by the officer before mailing.
The first time we passed Gibraltar, going into the Mediterranean Sea, I wrote to Ruth and asked her to check our Prudential insurance book because on its cover was a picture of the Rock. Somehow, it passed the censor and Ruth knew where I was. Clever, huh?
When we were in the Med, the convoy protection went to British ships and we headed for the Port of Oran, in Algeria. There we would have about five days for re-stocking, and some liberty before heading north to Norfolk. The return trip was much quicker because the merchants were empty, except for those carrying German prisoners.
I didn't like Oran. It was a dirty city, full of dirty people, with prostitution the main business. The most interesting sight to me was to see naval ships belonging to the Free French, scuttled in the harbor to avoid their capture by the Germans.
Norfolk was always a welcome sight, even though its residents posted signs on their lawns, reading DOGS AND SAILORS KEEP OFF THE GRASS!
More, later.
No comments:
Post a Comment