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SHEET NO. 1 WAR DIARY HQ & HQ SQ, 19th AD Gp STATION APO 528
MONTH OF November 1, 1943 thru November 30, 1943 BY Sgt Roger M. Porter
DAY EVENTS
Nov. 1 Advent of new month shows added stimulus to sending money home for safe keeping and post-war obligations. Over $4,790 on its way either by cable or money order. Cloud formations give hint to all. Preparations being made to combat mud and water.
2 Major L. E. Gage made Liaison Officer of docks and Intransit Depot. No other changes of personnel at Intransit Depot. Yards are slowly showing signs of projects moving on tally-out.
3 First load of sand brought into area. After twisting and turning wheels on the broken tile walk, it was decided to make travel a little smoother and easier--thus the sand. Work to be started immediately, and should be completed within the week.
4 Suggestion that the attic of the house be used as a Chapel meets with approval. Carpenters and Chaplain's Assistant now installing altar, seats, and windows so services may be read Sunday. Problem of a leaky roof being remedied, and paint is being applied to the walls. Beef roast and cherry pie tonight. Sure are getting our fair share of fresh meat.
5 PX day. Ration of cigarettes is lower. Plenty of soap and candy-still no chocolate. Noticeable increase of transients eating at our mess. Officers have party for members of Army Nurse Corps.
6 Three British Men depart for Algeria to form part of a convoy coming east. Mail coming in slow--everyone thinks a U-Boat must have spotted the ship with letters from home. Squadron notified that all day Tuesday, and every Tuesday, will be
"Tonsorial Day". The barber found too much crowding when he tried to clip hair at the day's end.
7 Heavy rain all morning. Photographers sent to hangar to photograph wrecked aircraft. War for Enlisted Men takes place in workshop. Sunday dinner made rain and mud less noticeable after eating Chicken-a-la-King with hot biscuits.
8 Medical Corps sets up offices at 1st Sub-Depot Headquarters building. This makes the fourth place the Medics are functioning: the Group in the Squadron area, and one man each at the Intransit Depot and the Hangar, take care of minor injuries and medical care.
9 Sub-Depot Dental Clinic now located next to Headquarters. Landing light equipment belonging to Group is sent to Base Operations for use on runways.
10 Group now has new Flight Surgeon--Captain Andrew E. Pensoni. Rubbing issued to unit as rains increase. All 2M directed to hear lecture on Military Courtesy. Lecture ends with a free-for-all "gripe" and constructive criticism "hour". Notice published to effect that shows would run on a definite schedule of three weekly instead of "whenever they can be obtained".
11 A quiet, clear Armistice Day. No ceremony or fanfare to celebrate the end of World War I. Everyone too much concerned with a new Armistice Day to come. Lt Col C. C. Maknew, Group Commander, and other personnel of 1st Sub-Depot, fly B-17F to Italy as directed by official orders. Enlisted Men have meeting concerning newly constructed bar. Committee picked to make house rules and to serve as bartenders. EM voice their opinions on restrictions and limitations to govern the bar-room.
Officers have party in honor of Commanding Officer of the Base.
12 Enlisted Men show active interest in forthcoming wines and drinks. Donations of $1 coming in to finance first purchases of beverages. Morale takes a turn for the better as mail becomes heavier,--the best day for mail in over a week.
Carpenter shop busy making stoves for tents. Surprising what can be done with old pieces of scrap--the stoves show evidence.
13 Line War (tent rope pulling) all over barracks. It started with tying doors so those inside couldn't get out, or those on the outside couldn't get in. War dozed off to a lull as dinner call was sounded. Certain rare spare parts arrived. The glittering wheels, rotors, and gadgets were packed carefully as precious stones. Actually they are worth their weight in gold. This type of business is indeed.
14 First snow to three and half inches on ground late afternoon. Mess Sgt. is including coffee (for it still must be called that) four times day, with ration allowance for eleven and all seem enthusiastic.
15 Sub Depot rushed in an the medieval serviceable complex and placed a first quarter units for base and intransit areas of the depot. The beginning is promising, with hope that normal shipments in the future will not be as delayed as heretofore. Captain Elkins, the "missile specialist", made records of his experimental work. The Depot's new wooden ammunition bunker received its first shipments today. It has been effective since 9 September as a power unit, and now the club is slightly larger--filler on the carpet.
16 Major H. J. Graven, Squadron Commander, took off in a B-17 bound for Algiers. Lt. L. A. Wright, S-4, directed bombardment operations on mud under the personal supervision of engineers. Men will be in over their shoe tops by the first of December, so prognosticates S-4. Lots of army beans for dinner, and the group had corn chowder, hot rolls, of each, and, at the same time as estimated crowds go to the mess areas.
17 New PX regulations, shotguns over and observing of gun-controlled boundary, are called to the line today to take care supply of a D-4 which has just been moved outside the direction under the direction of the base bldg. No sooner occupied and new thot under no paper ink, price.
18 Lt Col Nichony, Major O'Connell, Captain Pensoni and Capt. Stevens take a plane trip to Casablanca in search of supplies necessary to keep the "C" certificate active. Charcoal stove has been so lined up all over the area today as U.S. decided to keep warm. This move precipitated many an urge to find additional fires and that batches were dispersed about the area.
19 It was rumored of "three days", within a radius of 150 feet about a platoon clerk told no one at just after the squadron had gone to chow. Noticed in "G" by Lt J. Hill. Lights went out so early it was dark by 4:45 so everyone decided to go to bed.
20 The ration boards keep on reducing food, and what fruits and vegetables are brought in are at a premium. All pieces of cola tiles are used for souvenirs. The only shells we expect to encounter for awhile are walnut shells to be cracked just. This is the most critical time.
21 More mules on the line today as engineers stoop, slither and rise over mud, tools at a ready, in an inch and a half of it. Mule -- 1 1/2 cubic ft. -- picks, shovels, passion to get oneself muddy, making it all hours. More rain fell in this last week than, and why the desert?
22 The snow precipitation gives a cold bite, and is becoming inseparable of existence. Lt. J. Brown, a diesel V-8 in a mud stream, is unable to make a maneuver. All free pleasure. Monday, is a day off for the line maintenance and to see many weeks add this to first day next
23 No operations weather for nearly two long time. Little sensation when S-2 officers and towel bearers display, with great speed and accuracy the routine. One hilarious song at the "Ford" red line. The radio that was a menace to G.I.'s in North and South artillery. The radio set, and fright black and frost. Someone said the more you look over for times time: [howling], unlike others observed the impossibility in a game of
24 Sgt. stationed slowly over reminded in a clothing of a neck worn by as part of a uniform. The entire wearing apparel of the officer-made. Another mystery mostly surrounding the case. Lt Col Maknew, C.O. goes back from Gen. Lucas to the 15th Air Force. A few more flights.
25 Thanksgiving dawned bright and will not be remembered. The war even made light to everyone stationed in North Africa. One more in sight from the now to make refreshing that the thirtyare relaxed nothing more a full reason for being the day that maintains no longer release and in terms to desires.
The wind of cheer was held long after old coffee time.
26 It was today, a harder climactic ration has an born of many a phone at strange. No eight foot an entire barley a drew on over of the next tent had been on the line where that the dark. The outer ad, have not appeared on the line today as the barber to file up as and number.
After we all slowed are greed by the amount of rain of this clouded event, and after a half hour's time all made finally went in.
27 Dr. McCauley, section of how thin limitations came only as a review room, but the missionaries one over with con [?] of and answer. A Frank revolution and his accordion furnished music, while one and some with his gap routine had not had said in stbones.
28 The big hit desk came up and now it is out to look like their deepships in works stations the big. Frames move like ants in nearby in our area. Too [?] have been running a steady build of latest for the past 24 hours--insofar as indicated me rest as a part of normal life. The appeal of all old bases for returned men for sentiments, newly formed planes, places, being and other end for to over living. The ones who feel no longer there are working best in the story. A super pass from the Enlisted Men---someday-an occurance and ice.
29 One huge sign a big "MAIL" on a motion was posted to the effect that envelopes had to be filled out in full. Seemed that to many errors were "punched" when not in public--or until the code caught on to a letter or piece of mail. The first of mail with a letter or an envelope to all it has purpose. For whom a rest as in the area today after work had been accomplished at times during the weekend. Another company show tonight with to please these liking on [?] side of the clientelle.
30 Once again the pocket charges with news American spendthre, to make the day complete every member of the Squadron bit in casket to hit paper shot, and a few received new types--some hit to care of, others were hit, again on the old--each special generation to complete today and the night.
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