In 1941, Adolf Hitler made a final attempt to secure bases in Northwest Africa from the Vichy French. After Germany defeated France,  the pro-German Vichy government under Marshall Petain cooperated with Hitler, who feared an American threat to North Africa.  After the fall of France, Germany had permitted the Vichy government to keep a fighting force in Morocco.  Tensions mounted with the French as more and more German "inspectors" were sent to oversee French military affairs. During the summers of 1941 and 1942 French troops were moved to defend the Atlantic coast, even though it was apparent that they could not put up a prolonged defense. The Germans, who did not trust the French, limited their participation.

On December 4, German General Rommel abandoned Tobruk under pressure from the British and retreated toward Tunisia. Hitler was unconcerned about an Allied attack on western North Africa.  He felt that the Japanese were keeping the Americans too busy in the Pacific after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Hitler anticipated no Allied landings in Morocco in 1942. In the fall, French forces moved back from the coast. Logistics prevented large scale Allied landings until November 1942. Algiers surrendered on November 8. Oran on November 9, and Morocco was surrendered to General George S. Patton, Jr. on November 11. On November 9, the Germans landed in Tunisia. The Germans and Italians would hold Tunisian positions until May 1943.

DESTINATION REVEALED

My first thoughts when I heard we were headed for Africa( we were told once we were on the "high seas") were of safaris, lions,Tarzan and "Great White Hunters". My knowledge of Africa came straight from Hollywood. How naive I was!

The sea was very rough from day one, and we were travelling in a convoy, which for safety's sake would change course every twenty minutes.  Many were seasick.  North Africa began to look better and better. I hurried to the mess hall for a cup of strong coffee. Unfortunately it was heavily laced with sugar, and I joined the ranks of the infirm. From then on I was miserable. I stayed away from the mess hall and ate the Hershey bars I had brought along.

Feeding several thousand men in close quarters on a rolling platform became a real challenge.  Breakfast was served at seven A.M. and supper at four P.M., and it took about three hours for each meal; about 600 men eating at a time.  Meals were served on metal trays, cafeteria style, but each man was required to carry his own canteen cup, knife, fork, and spoon. When seas were rough, you had to hold onto your own tray or it would slide left or right and you could be eating off someone else's tray if you didn't hold onto  your own. This was OK as long as the guy next to you didn't use too much salt. Smoking was permitted on open decks during daylight hours, and in protected areas until nine o'clock at night.  There was little to do to break the monotony of being cooped up and there was the terrible uncertainty of not knowing if we would get to where we were going. For most of us, it was the first time at sea, and for some of us, the first time we even had seen the ocean.  It was a far cry from the tranquil Minnesota lakes where I was used to fishing.

In order to while away the time, another enlisted man, Lloyd Benore and I put together a show while we were enroute.  I saved a copy of the program.

CONVOY CAPERS

  PRODUCED UNDER THE PERSONAL  SUPERVISION OF
     LL0YD BENORE, ASSISTED BY WILLARD HAVEMEIER

     1. "THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT A SOLDIER"
          Piano - Jack George   Trumpet - Frank Silva
     2. "BY MIR BIST DU SCHOENE"
          "I WANT MY MAMMA"  - Paul Soveges
     3. "ALWAYS IN MY HEART" AND "WHISPERING"
      Whistling Solo by Walter Houghton
     4. "SHARPSHOOTERS MARCH" AND "CHINATOWN"
                 Accordion Solo by Pat Muscolino
      5. ."NOVELTY NUMBER"    "LIFE IN THE ARMY"
         Lt. Ponton at the Harmonica
                  Chorus of Army Nurses led by Miss
                  Milligan, assisting.
       6. SONGS BY E. K. DORAN Jr.
       7. HILLBILLY SONGS BY JOE SCHNEIDER.
       8. COMEDY SONGS BY AL DAVIS
                   (Simm London at the piano)
                      "THE CHICKEN AIN'T NOTHING BUT A BIRD"
                      "MOONLIGHT BECOMES YOU"
        9. "IMITATIONS OF BIRDS" BY BRUNO LAGOZ
       10. PIANO AND TRUMPET
       11. RUDY SPAGNOLO AND HIS "TONETTE"
       12. GUITAR TRIO  - REQUEST  NUMBERS
                       Pat Captut
                       Warren Coxen
                        Joe Beard
        13. "ECHOPHONE" SOLO BY PAT  CAPTUTO
                      "RED WING"
         14. "MELODY IN "F"  AND "I CRIED FOR YOU"
         15. "IMITATION OF TED LEWIS"
                        Comedy song by Cohen
          16. "LADY BE GOOD"  AND   "STARDUST"
                        Piano Duet by London and George
          17. "NIGHT AND DAY"  AND "AH SWEET MYSTERY OF  LIFE"   Solo by Otis Lumpkin
          18. FINALE

WE OF THE NAVY WISH TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE THANKS TO
CHAPLAIN SHEARER, LLOYD BENORE, WILLARD HAVEMEIER, AND ALL
THOSE ASSISTING THROUGH WHOSE EFFORT AND KIND COOPERATION
THIS PRESENTATION WAS MADE POSSIBLE.

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