Fri., July 7, 1944—Convoy moved to Civita Vecchia and bivouacked outside of town for the night. Beetem, Storsberg, & I are in a command car for the trip.
Sat., July 8, 1944—We loaded on an LST (vehicles & all) & it’s really crowded.
Sun., July 9, 1944—This Navy chow is good! We pulled out for Corsica in the evening. Hit some very rough, wet weather. Sailors on here are very young & have been overseas only since June 2 (this year). Some of them got sick when the rough weather hit.
Mon., July 10, 1944—When we got up this morning, we saw Corsica ahead. We docked in the evening at Porte Vecchio & bivouacked for the night just outside of town. (When we left the boat around supper time, we left the sailors eating fresh fried ham! We got cold C-rations.)
Tues., July 11, 1944—Convoy moved up east coast of Corsica to a field about 10 or 12 miles south of Bastia. Name of field is Poretta, & it is really dusty. We’re camped next to a river (Golo) which is good for swimming, & I’ve already been in twice.
Wed., July 12, 1944—Went in swimming six times today. Collins, Chester, & Young flew up today.
Thurs., July 13, 1944—We got 20 Italian prisoners to work here today & tomorrow. They are just young, underfed kids who surrendered to the French on Elba. I was looking after six of them who were clearing off a place for Operations. At first I carried a gun, but when I saw what kids they were I took it off. The French are in charge of their prison camp & practically starve them—one small loaf of bread for eight boys, plus some “hot water” (probably weak soup). These kids went wild over C-rations . . . I’m on duty tonight to take care of the night flying.
Fri., July 14, 1944—Rumor today that Stalin said over the radio that the war would be over in 1000 hours (41 days). Ha! . . . Corsicans celebrated Bastille Day today.
Sat., July 15, 1944—This swimming (in the Golo River) is buona.
Sun., July 16, 1944—On duty tonight in Ops. About 2200 hrs. I had the surprise of my life. [John] Murphy, a gunner who was shot down on March 27th, walked in very much alive. He had escaped a German prison camp and after some harrowing experiences made his way back through the lines. We all had believed that the whole crew of that plane was dead, but Murphy told us that all three of them [Lt. Hardy, Murphy, & Kuckenbecker] had gotten out. He also confirmed the report that Frankhouser and Love were prisoners of war and that Bartlett & Cockrill were definitely killed.
| Here is the sworn statement that John Murphy made upon his return to the outfit in 1944. I had the great pleasure of meeting John Murphy at the 7th reunion of the outfit in Long Beach, California, in May 1987. Here are the notes I took about the reunion and what Murphy told me then and later. —DMT |
Mon., July 17, 1944—My day off, & Mac & I went into Bastia. At the Red Cross we ran into Richert & Klum (who used to be in the 97th), & we rode around in the command car Klum had. Then we came back to camp. The ice cream at the Red Cross was good.
Tues., July 18, 1944—Worked all day trying to catch up on back paper work which the last move occasioned. Our meals have been good the past few days for some strange reason. I just found out today that Bryant (one of our new gunners) is from Lakeland. He’s Tom Bryant’s brother & is 37 years old.
Weds., July 19, 1944—Worked hard all day on back paper work and got almost caught up.
Thurs., July 20, 1944—Day off. Spent afternoon at Gp. Photo printing pictures with Junior. On duty tonight, but we got stood down.
Group Photo Section:
Middle Row: ?; Guthrie; Tutt; Webber.
First Row: ? (Twin); Rains; Boizelle; ? (Twin).
Fri., July 21, 1944—Got three teeth filled today.
Sat., July 22, 1944—Italian “K.P.” drowned in the river today. He fell in while washing clothes & couldn’t swim. Chapman (an engineer) finally dived down deep enough to get him several hours later.
Sun., July 23, 1944—Junior’s infected finger may send him to hospital tomorrow.
Mon., July 24, 1944—Junior went to hospital today. I’m on duty tonight.
Tues., July 25, 1944—I don’t know what’s the matter with me. I can’t sleep half the time, yet I’m tired. I roll & toss at night & talk in my sleep. I think I need a wife.
Wed., July 26, 1944—Mail situation is getting bad again.
Thurs., July 27, 1944—Saw show at Gp. Hq. tonight, “Going My Way” with Bing Crosby & Risé Stevens. Very good.
Fri., July 28, 1944—On duty tonight. Sqdn. stood down, so I got to bed about midnight.
Sat., July 29, 1944—Inspection by Gp. officer this morning (of equipment).
Sun., July 30, 1944—Going to Capri tomorrow. I don’t know how I rate, but they asked me.
Mon., July 31, 1944—Flew from Borgo to Capodichino in A-20 (#76)—Lt. Surber, pilot; Lt. Brannan in nose; & Frieze, Carroll, Zipkis, & I in back. We had a gasoline leak in left wing tank, but it stopped. Left Borgo at 11:30, got to Capodichino at 13:15. Left on boat at 14:45 & got to Capri at 16:45. Frieze, Zipkis, & I staying in one room at Albergo Splendido (Splendid Hotel).
Tues., August 1, 1944—Walked around; visited Red Cross E.M. Club; had ice cream. Saw show last night.
Wed., Aug. 2, 1944—Frieze & I rode in horse carriage to Anacapri & ate dinner at Bella Vista. Dance at Red Cross this afternoon. I tried one dance. Saw stinky show tonight.
Thurs., Aug. 3, 1944—Walked a couple of WAC’s home from Valentino Club tonight.
Fri., Aug. 4, 1944—Dave & I had a supper prepared for four at the Windsor, & he & Almena (Red Cross girl), & “Torky” (a WAC) & I had supper together . . . We leave in the morning.
Sat., Aug. 5, 1944—Went back to Naples by boat & flew back to Corsica in #76 . . . Found out that Davis of Gp. Hq. drowned in the river (while I was on Capri).
Sun., Aug. 6, 1944—Back to work with a bang—all day & most of the night.
Mon., Aug. 7, 1944—Beaucoup mail & a package were awaiting me when I got back from Capri. Buona!
Tues., Aug. 8, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Wed., Aug. 9, 1944—Maj. Young flew up this a.m. to tell us goodbye. He’s going back home.
Thurs., Aug. 10, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Fri., Aug. 11, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Sat., Aug. 12, 1944—Several more combat crew members left for the States today.
Sun., Aug. 13, 1944—Frieze & several others left to join a B-29 outfit today. They’re probably going back to the States . . . Ten people bailed out of B-24 over our field today.
Mon., Aug. 14, 1944—Invasion of southern France to start early in the morning. I’m glad things are going to break at last.
Tues., Aug. 15, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Wed., Aug. 16, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Thurs., Aug. 17, 1944—On mission last night one plane turned up missing—Lt. “Stumpy” Underwood, Lt. Moran, Chapman, & D.A. Johnson. I hate that . . . I hear that I’m on the list to go home next. Maybe.
Fri., Aug. 18, 1944—Keeping very busy these days.
Sat., Aug. 19, 1944—Worked tonight.
Sun., Aug. 20, 1944—Went to picture show tonight at Gp. Hq.
Mon., Aug. 21, 1944—Mail today . . . Collins, etc. got back today from a week’s trip to Casablanca & Algiers.
Tues., Aug. 22, 1944—Two funny things have happened recently. The other night a P-47 crashed on Poretta Airdrome and burst into flames. The pilot didn’t have a chance. A few minutes later a fellow walked into Base Ops. & asked if there was a doctor around. Somebody asked him who was hurt, and he said he had sprained his wrist. When they asked him how he had hurt himself, he said, “Oh, I was flying that P-47 that crashed.” . . . Two or three nights later a P-47 spun in near Poretta, and when the pilot bailed out his chute didn’t open. Searchers were looking through a marsh trying to find the wreckage when someone called out. They yelled and asked the caller if he had seen a plane crash. He said, “No, I didn’t see it, but I’m the pilot.” He was sitting in soft mud up to his neck!
Wed., Aug. 23, 1944—Paris was freed today . . . I worked tonight.
Thurs., Aug. 24, 1944—Took day off & built a seat & washstand. Saw British stage show tonight.
Fri., Aug. 25, 1944—Saw interesting picture show tonight, “It Happened Tomorrow.”
Sat., Aug. 26, 1944—Worked like a B – – – all day.
Sun., Aug. 27, 1944—Worked tonight.
Mon., Aug. 28, 1944—Washed clothes.
Tues., Aug. 29, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Wed., Aug. 30, 1944—Advance echelon left for France. Collins, Amick, & McLaughlin went from our sections.
Thurs., Aug. 31, 1944—Working all the time now.
Fri., September 1, 1944—Worked today & tonight. Jr. flew over enemy territory today with Maj. Marsha.
Sat., Sept. 2, 1944—Worked all day. Went to show tonight.
Sun., Sept. 3, 1944—Jr. flew to France & back again today with Col. Akers . . . Worked tonight.
Mon., Sept. 4, 1944—Worked all day. Went to show tonight.
Tues., Sept. 5, 1944—Overseas two years today . . . Flew over to France today on our B-25. France is very nice compared to Italy or Corsica. People are friendly.
Wed., Sept. 6, 1944—Flew back to Corsica from France in our B-25. Flew in a solid overcast for a long time & I was scared.
Thurs., Sept. 7, 1944—Flew back to France this afternoon to stay.
Fri., Sept. 8, 1944—Went to Salon this morning with Mac . . . Set up Ops. & Intelligence this afternoon . . . Went into Eyguierés tonight.
Sat., Sept. 9, 1944 (LaJasse Airfield, France)—We’re not doing any bombing now. The planes are hauling rations, gas, & bombs because of transportation shortage . . . Went into Eyguierés & ate supper tonight.
| Donald J. Tolle, 1988: The nearly three weeks spent in France were generally very interesting, but I’ll mention only a couple of events. When some of us went into the nearby little town for supper (9-9-44), we ate at a restaurant which listed rabbit stew on the menu. That seemed like a nice gastronomic change of pace, so that’s what we ate. Later, walking through town, we met a G.I. who told us, “Whatever you do, don’t eat at that restaurant across the street; they list rabbit but actually make that stew out of alley cats.” It seems that he had learned that fact from a local acquaintance, but too late for us. |
Sun., Sept. 10, 1944—Work.
Mon., Sept. 11, 1944—Work.
Tues., Sept. 12, 1944—Work.
Wed., Sept. 13, 1944—Work.
Thurs., Sept. 14, 1944—Work.
Fri., Sept. 15, 1944—Went to Marseilles on pass. Met a nice lady and her daughter and another nice girl, and we had a drink together. Gen. DeGaulle is in town today.
Sat., Sept. 16, 1944—Saw General Charles DeGaulle this morning. Had dinner with Madame Mommens and her daughter. Got back to camp just before dark.
| Donald J. Tolle, 1988: The dinner on 9-16-44 turned out to be a severe embarrassment to me. I had invited Madame Mommens and her daughter to dinner at a restaurant, but I had greatly underestimated the cost for three of us. When the bill came, it was for far more francs than I had (and far higher cost for meals than I had previously experienced anywhere). At any rate, Madame Mommens (Bless her!) stepped into the breach and paid the large difference between what I had in my wallet and what the meal tab was. (I hope she discovered that they were trying to “stick a rich American” and that she got some of her money back.) C’est la vie! One other event of that day: There was a parade in honor of Gen. DeGaulle. I was on the second floor of a partially bombed-out building, along with several French civilians. French soldiers searched the whole group (except me) to make sure that no one attempted to assassinate DeGaulle while he was riding in the Parade. A feature of the parade was a group of German P.O.W.s being marched along under guard, while a lot of the on-lookers shouted obscenities at them, with some running into the street to spit on them. I could understand their feelings, but I thought that aspect of the parade was a sort of sorry spectacle. But (and I end with this), I guess my only comment can be: C’est la guerre! |
Sun., Sept. 17, 1944—We’re starting to move back to Italy tomorrow.
Mon., Sept. 18, 1944—Part of Sqdn. went back to Italy by plane today. We’ll be south of Leghorn (Livorno) somewhere. Typical 47th Gp. weather for moving—rain.