Saturday, October 9, 1943.
They picked us up at the hotel, and hurried us out, to wait at the field, for the transports. Not all of us got on. They went according to the length of time on the waiting list.
The four hour flight to La Senia, at Oran, was pretty rough. But, the old veteran C-47, with it’s wings flapping like a birds, weathered it O.K.
I picked up my Orders at Operations, sending me home. I had a snack at the snack bar (no breakfast or lunch!), and then went over to our quarters. It is an old French barracks, but quite comfortable. Italian prisoners of war help in the Mess Halls, and are Orderlies. They are very good workers and seem happy. They want to go home and fight against the Boche.
I noticed a Father Maher’s name on a church bulletin, so called him. Sure enough, it was THE FATHER MAHER!( He used to be the Associate Pastor at St. Mary’s church in Berea. My Dad took a liking to him, and Father Maher gave him “instructions”, and converted him to Catholicism in 1935or 6.). So, I went over to the chapel before services tonight, and had a good talk. I stayed for Rosary, Benediction and Novena, and then went to confession afterwards.
I then went back to the Officers’ Club for the dance. They had a very good orchestra, and some pretty fair nurses were there. I danced and then had a good buffet snack - baked beans, pickles, French fries, coffee, sandwiches, doughnuts, salad and fish, The Arab wine was cold - period.
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1 comment:
Grandpa,
I continue to enjoy reading all of your military diary entries. They are all very fascinating. I also enjoyed reading about your high school reunion. You wrote with such detail it amazes me that you were able to take all of that in and remember it to write it all down!
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