Cpl. Raymond G. Fisher
Co. F. 337 Engr. Regt.

On Sept. 1, 1943 we boarded a British ship “The Duchess of Bedford” at Oran harbor.  We stayed in the harbor until Sept. 5th and left that afternoon in a large convoy heading east along the coast of North Africa.  Up to this time no one of us knew of our destination.  We had only discussed and speculated on it among ourselves.  However, we did know that we were to take part in a large scale invasion.  

We had just spent month training for that purpose.  But where would it take place?  Some thought we would go to England to take part in an invasion of Northern France.  Some others thought it might be in Southern France or Corsica and Sardinia.  Many guessed it to be the mainland of Italy, while a few spoke of Greece.

On the second day out, after having the regular daily boat drill and fire drill, our company commander called us together in our quarters on a lower deck and explained to us the plan of operation, where it would take place, and the nature of the terrain on which we were expected to go ashore.

Each one of us had been equipped with two blankets, a mosquito bar, a mosquito head net and repellent, an extra set of underwear and socks, first aid kit, water purification pills and a supply of food rations to last 3 days; consisting of 3k ration units for one day and 6 D ration units “chocolate bars” for 2 days.  Wherever we went on the ship we always had to wear our life belt and steel helmet.

The ship was crowded with about three thousand men.  Most of them slept in bunks decked to the ceiling in every available place.  Many slept in hammocks hung from the ceiling and a great many slept on the floor as I did.  Each bunk accommodated two men, one who slept in the daytime and another who slept at night.  I was on the night group to sleep.  My bunk was located 3 decks below.  For four different nights I carried my bedding up to the top deck to the outside air, because it was too hot to sleep comfortably below.  All portholes and doors were kept well blacked out.

During the last three days on ship besides boat drill and fire drill we trained in order of groups so we would all be ready and know where to go and what to do when our group would be called to climb down the side of the ship in to the landing barges.

I had some interesting visits with the British sailors relating their experiences in the war up to then.  Some were only sixteen to eighteen years old.  Some of them had been on several different ships like others who were old time seamen.  We would also tell of each others civilian life before the war.  

The British maintained a store on ship selling soft drinks, lemonade, candy, cookies, tobacco, toilet articles and a variety of other small items.  All were British products.  The quality was not too good all around as compared to American products.  The chow they served was also poor; bugs in the bread a plenty.  Apparently the flour was never sifted before baking.

I spent most of my daytime hours outside on the top deck at the fore end of the ship, watching the other ships as the convoy zigzagged along its course.  Sometimes I would notice large schools of fish jumping out of the water.  I saw several large turtles floating along on the water, also some strange looking things floating along which the sailors called “sailfish”.  They appeared to be about 6-12 “long, jelly like, with varying colors of light transparent grey to black with orange and red.  A long sail like fin on its back enables it to move around by the wind.  Once we came across an area where the water was covered with a heavy film of oil and numerous parts of wreckage.  Apparently some naval action had occurred there not long previous.

We passed along the north coast of Tunisia where more ships joined us at Biserti, and from there along the north coast of Cicely.  The weather was good for the entire trip, though the sun was hot during the day.  The nights were comfortably cool.  There had been several air raid alarms but no raids to my knowledge before D day.  

At six thirty in the evening of September 8th, I had just came up from chow.  The ships radio reported a special announcement would be made at 7pm.  Everyone was interested and anxiously awaited.  Everyone was becoming well alert for any event, for events were soon to come.  

At 7pm the announcement came.  Italy had accepted the Allied terms of unconditional surrender.  Immediately there was plenty of noise.  Everybody was happy.  It was good news.  Many agreed that Germany couldn’t last long now…not over two months anyway.  Some of the fellows even made remarks that we might walk in on the docks at Naples or Salerno instead of wading ashore.  I guess it was mostly wishful thinking.

As the night passed on there appeared to be no change in our plans or preparations.  The next morning Sept 9, 1943 though Italy had surrendered to the Allies, a new great battle was on…a battle with the Germans in Italy.

I did not go to bed that night (D-Day eve).  Few men did.  Everyone had to be up at two thirty anyway.  We had breakfast at four am and was ready at five for any call to leave the boat to go ashore.

From 3am on there was a continual rumble and blast of naval guns and minesweepers hunting and setting off sea mines.  Sometimes the exploding mines as much as three miles away would rock the ship like an earthquake.  I went on top deck when I could to watch the gun flashes and the fires on shore.  When daylight came I could see the mountains of Italy, our ship was not moving.  The sky dull and smoky.  I watched the cruisers fire their big guns inland.  The Germans were busy at us with their bombers.  Ships were everywhere and the small landing barges were busy unloading men and equipment from them.  It was interesting to watch them when loaded fall in line like cars in a train and head for the shore.  

It was 10am that morning when they began unloading the Duchess of Bedford.  At about noon our unit was called and within ten minutes we were climbing down the side of the ship by ladders to the bouncing barge 40 foot below.

What I mean by bouncing, the barge was going 6-10 feet up and down by the waves.  A quite a trick with a pack, gasmask, rifle and ammunition.  There were about 40 men in each barge.  One row squatted down in the middle and a row along each side standing.  If standing we could just see over the side of the barge.  It took about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach land.  There must have been about 8 or 18 barges in our convoy.  One following the other.

When our barge reached its designated place it stopped about 30 feet from the waters edge by running aground.  The high end gate at the front was dropped forward into the water as a ramp.  With the officer in charge we all started for the dry ground.  Italian Soil.
Each of us immediately dug a foxhole in the sand.  High grass was all around.  There was plenty of activity everywhere and the front line of battle was only a little way from us in orchards and on the mountain side.  Our foxholes were quickly ready and we left our packs and two guards and began to work loading and unloading ammunition and supplies.

So that’s the story of our trip from North Africa to Italy as I remember it and from my diary, Mom and Dad.  Stories, pictures or any articles of souvenirs or keepsakes which I have or may send home.  I wish to be enjoyed by the family alone, until I get home.
Signed…			Raymond G Fisher