大象传媒

Don鈥檚 War Diary 鈥� 1. From Scotland to Algiers November 1942
My father, sergeant Donald W.O. Paige, Suffolk Regiment, served with the Irish Brigade (38th Brigade) throughout their campaigns in North Africa, Italy and Austria. A trained artist and painter, he worked as part of a small team in aspects of intelligence in Brigade HQ. Following about two year鈥檚 training in various parts of the UK, the unit finally embarked from the Clyde for an unknown destination in November 1942, in fact as part of the 1st Army which seems to have been a bit of a scratch team set up for the invasion of North Africa. The Irish Brigade became part of the distinguished 78th Division later on in North Africa, and eventually therefore part of the 8th Army.

8 November
After hectic morning up early at 6.30! to leave HQ dressed like a Xmas trees by 10.00 hours. The first time I had worn F.S.M.O . plus a kit bag for a long long time. We all felt very conscious of it. I left the office, which looked like the wake of a hurricane to the tender care of Capt.Lowry and Jimmy. Farewells to all. The B.M. wished as all the best and we cumbrously piled our bulky kits on board waiting lorries. The main party got on 3 tonners. Myself , C.Q.M.S . and a few more had a 15cwt. We started. Got as far as Signal lines when the driver, Denner, found that he had under a gallon in the tanks. There was much delay whilst the others swept by. We eventually got going to the pump, (7 miles) and the pasted like blazes to Kilmarnock. Here we had to wait for some three quarters of an hour for the train. Eventually we got aboard and settled down. Sometime later we arrived at our detraining point and lugged our bags etc. to the sheds. Here, after a further wait and mothering by redcaps we eventually found ourselves aboard. To my great relief I found myself in a cabin. The men were less fortunate between decks. We were pretty hungry but had to wait until 18.00 for tea. We were very pleasantly surprised with the service and food. We made our own beds and spent an awful night in the stews. Ventilation would not work. During tea they broadcast the American invasion of N Africa. My suspicions were confirmed.

9 November
Arose feeling like death. Terrible atmosphere. Couldn鈥檛 go into breakfast without a visit to the promenade deck. The men鈥檚 decks were terrible when we went down there first thing. We eventually got them ship shape for rounds. Afternoon we rested. Not much organization in evidence yet. We moved down stream amidst great cheers from the workers. Scenery grand. Fingers itching to draw.

10 November
A better night鈥檚 sleep. Got the ventilation working now. Boat drill. We have two CMP sergeants at table with us. One a Metropolitan policeman and the other an ex Coldstream Guard and native of Wiltshire. Decent fellows nonetheless. Our steward is quite a character, a native of Southampton. One of the CMP was attached to 113 Infantry brigade and knows well some of the chaps I knew. He tells me Sgt Jenkinson is now in First Army and is in advance.

11 November
Armistice Day. We are moored now, the rest of the ships around us. The scenery is perfect; the best I have seen of Scotland. We have now established a fair sort of order in the men鈥檚 quarters. It is hard to interest them in anything except card playing.

12 November
A grand day. Remarkable weather for November. The scenery looks even better today than it did yesterday. Still little activity. P.T. started but muster drill killed it. There seems little prospect of a start today.

13 November
Friday! I quite understand the sailors鈥� prejudice against sailing on such a day. The day passed slowly, there was not an awful lot to do except at spot of housey in the WO鈥檚 and Sgts mess. Had a bit of luck last night, unfortunately some other twit also got a house at the same time and so the pool was split. I got 6s/7d.

14 November
The great assembly. Truly an amazing sight. Expectation is high. We must leave soon. This evening we saw Rudey Vallee in 鈥淪weet Music鈥� Very amusing though dated. Sure enough we have moved.

15 November
We are now well out. It is a peculiar feeling seeing no land for a change. On every horizon there is a vast waste of water. This morning I went to the morning service in the officers鈥� lounge conducted by the senior chaplain. A very enjoyable service and despite the heavy motion of the ship, all went well.
Being the first day of sailing many suffered from mal de mer. Including poor Paddy Moore. He disappeared to his bunk after breakfast and stayed there until after tea. He was pretty queer. The state of the mess decks is beyond description. The poor beggars have little comfort in their sickness. Our numbers on parade were sadly depleted. I was one of the more fortunate ones and did not suffer the same as others. I maintained the traditional remedy of eating well and often which seems to be effective. It鈥檚 difficult to know what to do to pass the time. A sleep in the afternoon or reading in the mess if you are lucky enough to get a seat are the main diversions to boredom.

16 November
The sea has been noticeably calmer today, much to the relief of the less fortunate members of the company. Paddy turned out today though he was a bit squeamish at meals. The usual routine parade was completely broken down by the entire party getting detailed for guards. We ended up with three sergeants on parade. This afternoon we had a talk on tropical hygiene and VD from one of the MOs. A very interesting talk though rather inclined to give one a bad impression of life in the country that is to be our destination. I am very relieved to know that I had my inoculations and vaccination. We are sleeping in our clothes, which makes it difficult to get any real sleep. However, the extension to my bed, which I affected, has made a great difference.

17 November
Our progress is still good. Not a bad sort of day. Many guesses as to our position but nobody really knows. Much flapping this afternoon. A map issue was proposed and the officers鈥� lounge was commandeered. There was much shouting but no progress. Those in authority finally decided that it was a longer job they thought! However, eventually they dished us out with our sets and then we set to counting and tabulating the lot in the officers鈥� cabin 鈥� a small room occupied by six officers. By 22.00 we had established a list of what we had got despite childish prattle from those who should know better. Attended morning prayers this morning.

18 November
A very rough night. Our cabin squeaked and groaned all night as though it would tear itself in half. I had a return of the feeling that I was again in a tent on a wet night. Another assault on the maps under great difficulties. The padre in Officers鈥� cabin did not feel too good again, nor indeed did Paddy. We did not see him at dinner. Towards evening we noticed a marked decrease in the ship鈥檚 motion and an increased blueness in the water. The air has also got a lot warmer.

19 November
Our journey has now brought us into a superb (apparently so) climate. It is very warm and the sea is getting bluer and bluer. There are rumours of us putting in to Gibraltar tomorrow and we may write letters. Went to see Victor Maclaglen in 鈥�? Champ鈥� in the dining hall this evening. Not bad 鈥� very sob stuff.

20 November
Handed letters in for censorship today. We have had a good foretaste of the Mediterranean climate 鈥� plenty of sun and clear blue water. Remarkable. Hell of a flap developed this evening, everyone issuing and reissuing orders. Eventually, we were all packed up by bedtime. It was excessively hot. Entering the Mediterranean was rather thrilling. One recalls all the history that has happened there. The Pillars of Hercules, of Herodotus, Phoenicians etc. and finally when we saw the lights of Souta, Tangier and La Linea, we were full of memories of the Spanish Civil War. It was a perfectly marvellous night. Bright moonlight and the ship pounding along with its companions. Three of us, Paddy, Norman Wilman and I walked round the ship鈥檚 decks to celebrate the event. The terrible closeness pervading the interior of the ship was almost unbearable. However, sleep came pretty quickly once we got down to it about midnight.

21 November
After the terrific preparation of last night we were rather at a loose end. However, baggage parties and issue of rifles and washing down the mess decks was a major occupation. It seems probable that we shall disembark sometime today. We are rather disappointed with the Mediterranean this morning. It鈥檚 greyer than the Atlantic and no blue sky. Rather an anti-climax. We are all parked up now and waiting. We waited rather hopefully all day but there was no move. I ate my last piece of birthday cake last night. It was very acceptable. We expect to arrive at Algiers tomorrow morning.

22 November
Up early this morning all prepared but after much preparation and staying below decks we were allowed up top to see fully the vista of Algiers which we had only seen from brief glimpses from the porthole. It was truly amazing. The hills at the back of the town against which the town climbs in large white square buildings. All the ships anchored in the Baie d鈥橝lgers. The sea is a fine green. Curiously one could see no sign of humans on shore. From the ship we could see quite a lot of buildings, gas, electricity works, mosque etc. There is no hope of us landing until tomorrow. The ship now mounts a balloon on the rear. Soon after tea we were rudely awakened by the arrival of one bomb between us and the ship next to us. Paddy, Norman and I were talking in our cabin when we thought we heard the swish of ropes lowering the steps alongside our porthole. We were quite wrong; the swishing was rockets and the bang convinced us. There was hell let loose for some time, but it eventually subsided. We went to bed about 03 15. The alarm went again and until 07.15 this hullabaloo went on. As far as we can see no damage suffered by any of the vessels 鈥� discounting a balloon presumably shot down by our own gunners.

23 November.
All clear went about 07.00. Another lazy day. Little to do but walk round the decks and look at the town and ships through binoculars. Recce plane over this morning and more fireworks. This evening at 18.30 I was detailed for baggage party. Got ashore about 18.50 to await box coming from forward hold. Two bomb holes along the quay which did not improve the going. Our party came ashore at 21.30 and they parked their baggage at the place already selected. Soon after they had gone we had our first dose of fire. It went up from all directions. We did a quick dive under the side of a warehouse. We repeated this about every 40 minutes until 02.30,when we got aboard to bring down ammunition and officers鈥� kit. This was an infernal nuisance because every time we got to the gangway the fireworks started off again. Then we eventually got Room鈥檚 valise nicely lost and spent a hell of a time looking for it. Eventually got back to our beds about 03.30, air raid warning still on.

24 November

Up at 06.30 for breakfast on the mess deck. Got our kits off to our store place and got a tarpaulin to cover the stuff with. We had to wait till nearly 13.00 before any news of our box coming off. Ghastly news. The blasted thing got busted open and we had to collect the miscellaneous junk distributed all over the hold. However, the boys got it all out into blankets and so we got it ashore. Fortunately I got Room鈥檚 valise. I was damned worried about it and was very relieved to find a bloke wandering about with it. Saw Arabs for the first time. They closely resemble a walking rubbish heap, dressed in all sorts of garments all ragged and without shoes for the most part. They did well from the troops getting of the ships. In the urinal they appeared to wash the penis after action. Interesting. Just as I was sitting down to a haversack ration, Captains Nightingale and Thompson arrived and I had to leave the party and start marching (F.S.M.O.) for the concentration area. Cpl Lowndes and I got about two miles out where we were picked up by Capt N. We then went into Algiers and saw Mr Carr at Jardin d鈥橢ssais then eventually got away to the camp. A farm off the road with a drive of date palms. Got down to sleep about 22.00 but with only a blanket and a greatcoat it was difficult. To make things more difficult it poured with rain most of the night. Nearly all the lads got wet through. A ghastly night.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.