War Diary | January 1944 | 18th Air Depot Group

HQ & HQ Sq, 18th Air Depot Group

DATE: 1 January 1944 to 31 January 1944 PREPARED BY: Capt Roger N. Foster

January first really blew in in every sense of the word. The wind was over 50 M.P.H. and air traffic was exceptionally slow. The squadron had the day off except for a skeleton crew where it was necessary. Quite a bit of rain developed during the evening last night. This in turn proved to have a telling effect on the squadron.
Seven enlisted men are transferred to Pomigliano only. These men are the second group to go to go to that station where they are being ready for the whole outfit to move in. The 1st A/C assembly is being to take over the control tower, while two more can learn to get the swing of things in the Operations Office. Today's special order came out with more promotions.
The long awaited weather station finally came in a teletype machine in Operations. It is setting its strings to avoid errors already. Engineering section is slowly finding to its affairs as well there. Still a few while being modified, but this is probably the last of them.
CO's of the squadron were called to by P/Off. Carris for a first sizing meeting and. They were warned that future violations of military courtesy would rob the men of their stripes. A word to the wise was sufficient.
Major Sefton and Lt Hurray headed for Algiers in a C-47, the "Chicken Co-op", today on business that had to be cleared up before departing for Italy. 1st A/C signed as F/E for one set of our field lighting equipment. We will take two to Italy and no doubt turn a set over to someone when we leave there--if we do. An exciter bulb in the movie projector burned out this evening so there can't be any shows for a while. According to word from around and about it seems they (the halls) are as scarce as clean drawers.
Again military events, morning. This time the whole outfit was given a few words of advice. Also were told to have our "D" bags ready now and morrow by the 7th. Work on packing all equipment not badly needed for the next two weeks was to start tomorrow.
Today we got our new Chaplain, Captain Salow, who has been in the 15th Air Gp. He made a short speech to the men and said he was for the welfare of the entire Group and it was good to be back since he had assigned to our squadron. The men were also inspected and Capt Rooky and his airdrome gave the men a few words of advice. Claimed that "these gas masks aren't just something more to carry around, they are for a purpose--keep them clean and inspect them often." Seems some of the grains of sand from the engine room wore in some of the masks--a point which alarmed the reprimand. Also had a short lecture on booby traps and land mines.
Things began to get the "shipping out" touch to them as all "D" bags were and/or are in readiness. All boxes belonging to the squadron began to get new identification marks of "ALD". The work is expected to be completed in a week and we will in which Italian laborers and our G.I.'s be responsible. Ten trucks at the hanger are now hauling the finishing touches on the remaining fifteen and should be ready to leave at the "call".
The 1st A/C Assy began to take over the codification in full swing. Engineering moved their offices so they will be with the Assy squadron for a week or so before moving. Lt Murray and two sergeants are now in Naples. Ninth repair who have been working with us on the line will move to Naples with us.
Another Coup de etat today--that even beat Leap. Lt Driscoss the second most incident in about a month. Slow. According to 1st Sgt. B., Lt Driscoss' office is as neat an investigating of some magnitude will arise. No other excitement to make mention.
Command section of the group was due to leave today, but due to a bad "eng on the C-47 (necessitating a wing tip change) they couldn't go until the work is finished. The boys who rode in the Piper when the wing was bad said it flapped like a gull in full flight.
After over 6 months in this theatre the boys were delighted to see this notice on the bulletin board: "All men of this squadron will report to the orderly room to pick up their service ribbons." Now that the good conduct ribbons have a date everyone considers himself a veteran. Guns were inspected by Ordnance today. Non-coms inspecting all--said they were in good shape.
A very dull day in all respects. Word comes from Naples that the boys up there find it cooler and have all stoves for the present. Men of the buildings have roofs so they are roughing it. We had fresh beef in Bizerte--they say have you "D" rations.
After being split up since the middle of September, the squadron again had a good look at the finance section. According to plan, they now will be on Detached Service and have come to Sidi Ahmed to await a plane to Bari. Sgt Fred Snorgrass, who operates the movie projector, decided as long as certain bulbs are scarce we'd put together a lite we had and by jumping a spot of insulation later, and a couple bits of wire, managed to get the machine running in good shape. The movie was Carol Flynn affair with lots of whistling from the audience as to what he should to do his feminine lead.
Lt Murray received word today that his promotion had come through so it is now Capt Murray, Engineering Officer. The day was another G.I. routine day hardly worth writing about.
All guards on duty and any witnesses in the squadron who knew anything about the stolen jeep were gathered about by the "Clinches of the Law" and asked to give testimony. As not there are no leads to its whereabouts. Did speak for burger tonight which was the first in a long time--or so it seemed.
We learned today that the alert orders had been received. Major Sefton called a meeting after supper to advise all that we were now settled in a combat zone and to act accordingly. Buddy traps, mines, etc, were stressed. On leaving things wouldn't be a bad idea to yell, as we had already received artillery fire from the usual route where the nearby. Hollywood sure helps carry the morale.
The remaining members of Operations departed for Naples today. It was understood on leaving that we had taken over the field. Also, a Jeep ahead of what had been pickup. A rough civilian made the unlikely mistake of rushing out of one of front of the G.I.s. Seems he had the jeep that had been stolen. It proved this joke didn't go in the Sergeant's. Tank trouble (serious) with the Jeep after its departure or parts unknown were followed up.
The order to move came through today. The remaining notes that were last minute items were hastily rushed to and as the squadron had to be ready to get equipment on the ship by the 21st. Everyone was on call to work many hours if need be to get the work done.
Equipment was transported to the docks today. The large trailerhill of equipment was dropped down a mile apiece. The crew had gone the hole in the ship and rested quite comfortably at the bottom. Not much damage to the boxes loaded on it.
All equipment was packed including cots which necessitated sleeping on the floor. The rooms were quite bare by nightfall and it looked like work be moved--off at most any hour. In Naples the operation was presented a telephone machine which was quite a relief. Also found that an A03 would move in there, but so far no action has been known on the suggestion.
Everything was in readiness for departure from Sidi Ahmed. Rooms were bare except for bunks on the floor. Deals were made at transient mess today after final closing of our mess last night--steaks at that. Men were sent to the ship to repair the tires that were broken when the trailer was loaded. The rest of the men did odd jobs preparatory to leaving.
Boarded the S.S. Martin Behrman, a Liberty Ship, early this morning. He lay in the harbor most of the morning while a crew was trying to load another trailer on deck from a barge. After sailing, we in turn on last watched the work go by the ship to the east in the night.
The S.S. Martin Behrman laid in the Marsala dock area all day today. We wondered if it were going to start--but to do pat chores to rest. Enjoyed ourselves with "D" rations and watching the waterfront activity.
At 0600 today we departed from Marsala. Early in the morning patrol was barely noticed as all were well asleep at that hour. Last night we observed distant flashlights on our starboard side. The ship rolled quite a bit and a few of the boys vomited for the roll.
Sighted Malta this morning. A high wind and a rough sea, so most of the men stayed below decks rather than get a salt water bath. Nothing eventful, which is the case on such trips.
Lay at anchor in Augusta harbor this morning. Stayed thus all day. Little did we know the big operations were going on in Naples.
Sighted Mt. Etna most of the day as passed through Messina straits in the afternoon. Sighted Mt. Stromboli after dark.
Mt Vesuvius and Isle of Capri were the features of the day. None impressed with the blue appearance of an isle that made a song famous or vice versa.
Glad to be on land and found the staying area more suitable than expected. Thirteen men pulled guard at the area while others went about other business. Some went to town on pass to see the sights while others enjoyed a hot shower here.
End of the month found us picking ourselves of American money for invasion lira. Many of the men went to football to see scrub teams. Those left in camp yesterday were given the task of unloading the ship.

War Diary January 1944

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