Everything is quite this morning and it looks a little like it might storm. Swanny and I just beat the heck out of everyone we played pinochle. We challenged Lt. Griffith and the First Sgt. and beat them badly. Today we received our ammunition. I got 19 clips or 192 rounds. Some day I’m sure going to sling the ammunition. I had to go on guard today at 3pm. A storm is coming up and the ocean is getting rough. I will have to finish this tomorrow.
It was a very beautiful morning today. The sun was just rising and it sure was pretty. It has been clear all day and planes have been out scouting around all day. We had practice session of abandon ship drill and the session in maps. Played a little pinochle and then went to bed.
I went to 8:30 Mass today. It was stormy out a little and the wind was very strong. We could have landed today but we are not suppose to land until the 8th of Nov. We played cards this afternoon for a while and then went up on the sun deck. I am broke so I sewed some 3rd division patches on and made myself 95 cents. Every one is betting the time until we land.
The sun is shinning bright and the ocean is calm but the waves are big and rolling. They put out the mine sweepers out today and are expecting danger. We had to carry rations all over ship today. Boy was it ever hot down in the holes. Tonight four of us were picked as volunteer for a demolition job. My buddy and I volunteered but two of the other fellows new a little more about it so they got the job. I am going to mass tonight at 7:30. Mass is over and we went out side to get some fresh air. No stars and the sea is getting rough. I am sleepy so I guess I had better close. Good night.
Two ships have fallen out of the convoy. One was the aircraft carrier transport and the other was a ship full of nurses. They must of had engine trouble so they will catch up soon. The meals are getting worse and I hope they don’t continue. Nothing else happen today and the sea is very calm. There are no stars what ever out tonight.
Well it wasn’t much of a storm and the sun is shinning bright this morning. The convoy is up to 106 ships now and is suppose to be over 200 when we get there. Just as far as you can see, there’s nothing but ships. Germans had better look out. The day went on the same as usual and nothing new happened. They had a little machine gun practice today.
Nothing new so far today. The sea is a little rough and the sun has been shinning all day. About 1:30pm 4 Air Craft Carriers, 2 Cruisers and some destroyers joined the convoy. One of the carriers was the Ranger. It is the longest air craft carrier U.S. has. It looks like a floating Island. We played cards all afternoon and at night sang songs. They are preparing the ship for a storm so I am going to bed and get some sleep. Good night.
Last night the destroyers that are guarding us dropped a few depth charges but the enemy was not hurt. A battle ship had joined the convoy during the night. A small storm came up but didn’t last long. In the afternoon another battle ship and the destroyers joined the convoy. A Lt. & these privates were first in the brig for shinning a light on deck last night. Today we learned a little more about our mission. I sure hope the Arabs are friendly. To day was also pay day. I drew 12 dollars and lost most of it playing cards. Money wont do me any good now.
We are to find out where we are going to night. We had to carry some secrete maps up today. While we were carrying the maps up, one fell open and we saw the name of Morocco. Monday night our Officers told us we were going to Casablanca. That is a town in Morocco, Africa. Nobody knows whether the French troops there are friendly or not. The sea has been fairly rough today and no excitement occurred.
Today is Sunday. There are about 45 ships in the convoy now. At 9:30 I am going to mass. There’s not much doing to day. the ships all remained the same. It is very hot and windy.
