Enemy has surrendered and immediately become our allies. We don't trust them much for a while. We move to town of Arzew and set up camp. Go to bank in this town and exchange our American Gold Seal money for French money.
While here I do just about everything. One day I direct traffic at the docks. I am sort of an M.P. Then one day I operated telephone switchboard. On a different day I have a walkie-talkie radio and spot trucks coming and going from docks. I report which way they are going and whether they are empty or loaded. Finally I get a regular job. I am a checker at a dump [supply depot]. All I have to do is see that ammunition is piled in the right place.
American Gold Seal notes were made in denominations of $1, $5 and $10 for use by U.S. troops serving in North Africa. The purpose of the gold seal note was to prevent the enemy from using them as demands on the U.S. silver stockpile, since they are actually silver (demand) certificates. Today they are very uncommon. [courtesy: www.hermes-one.com]
Thursday, November 19, 1942
Move to city of Oran. Set up camp in foundry or steel mill. Now we handle engineer equipment. We are running an Engineer Supply Depot.
Oran, Algeria, as it looks today [courtesy: sauvonslacasbahalger.viabloga.com]
Monday, November 23, 1942
Our work is routine. Receiving equipment, putting it in correct place and issuing it out to outfits which have requisitions to fill.
Had our first nite raid on this day.
Tuesday, November 24, 1942
Our first mail call since we have been in Africa.
Sunday, November 29, 1942
Move to ballpark in city of Oran. We start working in different engineer dump other side of town. We go to work by truck. My work is same, I check equipment coming in and fill orders going out. I do the pencil work. Arabs do the manual work.
My battalion camp site in Oran [Allen, 101]
My copy of volume one, first edition of The Stars and Stripes in North Africa, published on Wednesday, December 9, 1942. It includes a welcome message from General Eisenhower, Allied Commander-in-Chief, North Africa.
BACK IN THE WORLD: December 13, 1942. The Washington Redskins defeate the Chicago Bears 14-6 to win the NFL Championship.
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