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Dads job during the second part of the war, was driving Landing Craft; these notes were written by him in the diary that he carried with him and are his brief but personal account of the landings in North Africa and Sicily.
Posted to HMS VICTORY on 1st Jan 1942 (I believe this was a Royal Navy Shore establishment - a Training base)
19 Aug 1942 Left barracks for Inverary, combined operations (commandos) and joined the “Reina Del Pacifico”
15 Sep 1942 Joined MV Winchester Castle
29 Sep 1942 Coxswain of LCM on Ennerdale LCM carrier
1st Nov 1942 Posted to HMS QUEBEC (Combined Operations base in Inverary, Scotland)
The following are the notes he wrote for his part of the landing on OPERATION TORCH
Beach Signals
On entering Green beach watch for Red light marking big rock. Keep it on Starboard hand when going in and keep well clear.
To lay off signal is (--.-) (Q) meaning wait. If beach is closed to craft 3 vertical red lights by night and 3 red discs by day.
Alternative Beach.
In event of weather being too bad to land at original beaches, ships will carry on to place East of Algiers about 6 miles out. Bay is covered by 7.9 guns. Commandos take fort in 1 1/2hrs approx. When taken assault craft proceed. Strathnaver and Aviator will carry out attacks on Red 1,2,3,4 beaches.
NORTH AFRICA - OPERATION TORCH in his own words
The landing of allied troops in North Africa took place in the early hours of Sunday Nov 8th 1942. We had no idea on the “Winchester Castle” that our objective was Algiers until we were three days from Greenock. Then we learned that attacks would be made at various points along the coast. Iran and Algiers being the main objectives. I was in an L.C.M and we hit the beach just about dawn. Our English commandos were the first to land, but for reasons purely diplomatic it was an American invasion. The air support was very good. I landed at Sidd Ferruche and was ferrying for about 48 hours without sleep. The ships moved to Algiers bay and I made the journey in an L.C.M it was 15 miles and boy what a journey. I didn’t think we’d make it. Plenty to do when we arrived in port and was I tired.
Settled down now and waiting to get back home again. Jerry over pretty regular and doing a fair amount of damage.
SICILY - OPERATION HUSKEY in his own words (click here to see an original document)
March 26th 1943 we left England for unknown destination abroad. Joined R.F.A Ennerdale at Greenock then off we went. First stop Walvis Bay, South Africa from there to Capetown, 2 days there, then on to Aden and Port Jewfick. Had a month there and took on Bren Gun Carriers for the operation. Left Jewfick for Alexandria and from there away to sea.
We were told after 3 days at sea that we were invading Sicily. What a shock that was to everyone.
July 10th 1943 at approx 02.15 we were to start on the biggest combined operation ever known. Came the great day everyone was keyed up and expecting great opposition, especially from aircraft. When we landed about dawn it was comparatively easy we didn’t get air attack till the afternoon at Avola and boy did they give it to us. We had some very near things and for 3 days were very busy and had no sleep at all. We went on to Syracuse and from there to Augusta which was then only 6 miles from the front line. Tons of aircraft and still lucky. Plenty of work for us but its all for a great thing.
Where we go from here I don’t know but lets hope its over soon.
Sunday 18th July 1943
Still working hard unloading. All went to Augusta from Syracuse. So long to get boats ready. Invading Italy what a job that seemed. Left Augusta in big convoy of small craft a terrible ordeal during the night, beaches at St Teresa next morning Sept 2nd 1942. Loaded up and proceeded to Reggio in Italy. Surprisingly no enemy aircraft when we beached. Fighter bombers had a smack at us but no damage done. Ferrying for days then up to Messina. Ferrying again up till October then transferred from Catora to Djidello (N.A) in Prince Leopold, and now waiting to go home October 19th.
CESARE has created this great map of the above events and (Click here to see his picture of Dads original notes plus translation)
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Posted to HMS Copra 1st September 1943
DDAY
Click here for his brief account on the next page
Dad didn’t record anything more, so the rest of his war is a bit sketchy all we know from his service record is that he was posted to HMS Copra - (The use of HMS Copra on grave stones, in pay books and other service records confirms that the men concerned were in the Royal Navy and assigned to Combined Operations..... and that they served on and/or were lost from an unknown landing craft.)
But all is not lost because Mum and Dad both saved a lot of the letters that flitted between them and they come from this time. Not much could be said in letters at this time but I may glean some more information - So watch this space |
Dad’s War
