Getting to Know Brisbane (14)

July 14, 1943 (Wednesday)
     We have to have ration cards for clothes and tobacco.
     It rained a little during the night, and was foggy this morning.  They gave us 4 blankets last night, and straw (stuff-'em-yourself) ticks.  It was rather chilly, too.
     4 of us started down town about 10 A.M.  We took the "train" for 2d, getting off at Queen and Edward Streets.  Lady conductor, partly open train.  It reminded me of the cable cars in Frisco.  We wandered around sight seeing.  Chemists = drug store (and only drugs and supplies).  Timber merchant = lumber yard.  Ironmonger = hardware store.  We went to a bank to have our money changed.  For $46.25 I received £14 3/ 11d, the £ being $3.26.  We looked in at several shops and bought a 1/ lottery ticket.  The lottery seems to be the universal vice.  Everywhere you see "casket shops" and all sorts of people buying.  A ticket sells for 5/6d or 6 to a ticket of 1/ each.  The drawings are weekly and are a Queensland affair, the profit going to the hospital.  We bought booklets and carefully went thru a book store.  3/6, 2/6 and 1/6 for the things.  There seem to be plenty of flashlight batteries at the hardware stores.  We ate in an ordinary place on purpose.  We could hardly understand the waitress!  ...  We had steak, with 2 kinds of potatoes for vegetables besides a leaf of lettuce and small slice of tomato!  And the dessert was a "sweet" - "sundī" (the "milk bars" are the malted milk places) - 6d or 9¢ for one!  We looked at butcher shop windows.  There is a great profusion of meat and at ridiculously low prices.  Fine steaks at 6d (or 10¢) a pound!  Long 3' bars of soap for 1/1 (or about 17¢)!  Clothing is rationed.  I stopped at lots of "Tobacconist and Hairdressers" - combination cigar stores and barber shops - but no tobacco.  There are lots of U.S. brands and stores.  I saw Woolworth's, Macy's, Penney's, Sherwin Williams Paint, Dunlop Rubber Co., etc.  Finally I found some tobacco at Finney's Dept. Store, 1/2 = 19¢ an ounce which is high.  It was bulk mixture.  No pipes!  I bought a razor strop for 13/8 ($2.19), which is about a $3.50 value.  Later I bought more tobacco - Capstan Navy Cut Flake 2 oz. for 2/6 1/2d (?) and "Champion" which is quite dark and heavy.  It is all cut plug type.  Too expensive!

A residential street in Brisbane

     Padre [Griffiths] and I found a Masonic Temple and went in and signed the register and looked about.  One member invited us to a 3rd [a third degree Mason is allowed to attend meetings at other Lodges] at Acacia Lodge next Monday.  They have a bar, to which I shall return later!  Nice, solid-looking men.  Then we hunted up the main Masonic building on Anne Street.  It is a grand building, but we were at the wrong time for the caretaker.  I stopped in a saddlery store.  Their stock saddles are English type, but a bigger leg flap and seat and a sort of projection in front and behind the leg comparable in use to a "bulge" on the breaking saddles.  No horn!  For they don't use ropes.  These sold for some £16 and didn't look to be very good leather.  None of the stores appeared to have as cosmopolitan appearance as ours.  In fact they all seem to be "dinky" and with a mneager supply of goods.
     Last night at our officers' club I bought a 10/ chit book, divided into 6d chits, for the bar.  Small glasses of beer are 6d, wine 12d or 1/.  The beer was cold for us.  It was sweetish and I like it better than ours.  It is stronger in alcohol.
     Our bed rolls and footlockers arrived.

Horse-drawn cart

     Oh happy day!  The first mail!  I had 3 V mail letters [V- or Victory-mail letters were written on specifically-designed paper that was then microfilmed and sent overseas where it was enlarged and printed close to its destination; 2575 pounds of letters could be reduced to 45 pounds] from Beth!  Words fail me!
     I was astonished at the number of horse drawn vehicles - large 4-wheeled wagons, 2-wheelers, etc.  There are a lot of small cars and a few wood-burners of some type.  "Tyres" = tires.

Wood-burning automobile

     At lunch the smallest spoon even for ice cream, was a small tablespoon.  I saw one "Digger" eating with a fork in each hand, but conveying the food to his mouth with the right.  Another ate with his hat on.
     The sugar is very grandular - grains about 3 times that of ours.  But it is cane sugar.
     I weighed myself downtown for 1d - 11-5 1/2, which is 11 stone 5 1/2 pounds of 159 1/2 pounds, a stone being 14 pounds.
     The toilet paper her is a marvel.  It is puncture proof!  It is about the strength and smoothness of our brown wrapping paper, and gray in color.  The plumbing is old style - overhead tank type of toilet, faucets close to the side of the bowl, even in modern buildings.
     Everyone has bomb shelters or slit trenches in all vacant lots and parks.
     Street car stop is "Hail train here" post.

July 16, 1943 (Friday)
     Having recouped my strength, I set forth (having had a hot shower and shave - lovely) about 10:30 A.M.  4 of us took a cab to town for 2 bob each.  On the way down, I asked the driver about fishing.  He said to see Jack Grī-him and spelled Graham, G, R, HI, HAICH, HI, HEM!  I went in and out stores, looking for a gift for Beth.  They have scarcely any purses, and the few good leather ones have very poor workmanship and cost £2 17/.  The special dealer at Allen and ? had 3 gems, too.  I looked at jewelry shops - they have lots of unset gems but are not allowed to set them.  Best one is apt to be badly strung.  I heard one man ask what a 48 point perfect blue white diamond woulod cost and knowing the cost in our country (a la Beth's ring), I'd say things are no cheaper.
     Christie just told me to put down in my diaryt that he shot an 84 on the golf course yesterday.  I ran into Omer and we had lunch together.  Then I went to the Masonic Club bar and had a glass of been and a lot of talk with a fire insurance salesman.  The to another quar and took the Lone Pine launch for 2/ up the river 1 3/4 hours (~ 12 miles) to the koala bear farm.  Adams, Vinicor, and Farquar went along - among others 2 nurses who were mildly on the make for Sparky and I, and 2 Australian nurses, one of whom got out ot Tabruk just 5 hours before it fell.  There were over a dozen koala bears, including small ones.  They are very hard to raise and eat only gum (eucalyptus) tree leaves.  They also have kangaroos, wallabies, birds, emus, etc.  then we came back to town by bus for 9d (the zoo was 6d).  We ate at Lennor's - food wa good for 5/ but not exceptional.  Beer was 6/ a pitcher.  Then back home to bed about 8 P.M.

July 17, 1943 (Saturday)
     6 letters waiting for me, mailed all the way from June 21 to July 5, both regular and air mail.  the one from Sam Tyson in Fla. about 10,000 miles in 10 days.
     This morning I had my first spell of censoring.  It was for the 17th Repl. Bn [Replacement Battalion], Co. K.  Most of the men had been sick or wounded and were waiting to return to their outfit.  What those fellows don't all write.  I learned that "dog faces" are soldiers!
     In the afternoon Armstrong, christie and I went to the races at Albion Park, where the Doomben Cup is to be run next week.  There are 3 grades: Paddock (13/), St. Leger (3/) and Flat (1/).  We went in the Flat end accidentally (they let us in free), but got a very big kick out of it.  Everybody was betting!  There were dozens of rivate bookies, and also the pari-mutual (?) betting.  It is easy to see why the poor stay poor - betting!  I bet 2 bob on Crafty Clare and she came in about 10th.  Chrisite (of course) won, lucky as he is.  So the next race I gave him 2 bob to bet for me and I also be on another.  Christie's horse won me 6 bob so I wa just even.  He came out £1 1/2 ahead!  Then Armstrong and I went downtown and saw the zoological gardens - Krape Park in Freeport had more at one time!  We came bakc out for supper.  Everything in town was closed.  We saw a show in the area based on "The Devil and Daniel Webster".

July 18, 1943 (Sunday)
     There is a bird around here that looks like a sort of magpie, but tamer [peewee?].
     Venetian panels = Venetian blinds.
     4 of us went to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church downtown.  It is quite a large church and quite Scotch.  We ate at the American Club - nothing else open!  Saw a raft of full Col's and 1 Brig. General.  MacAurthur is supposed to be in town, as well as Admiral Halsey.
     Rumor has it we are going to Rockhampton, 300 miles north of here, to set up a 1000 bed hospital for the 42nd Division which is just coming out of the islands - be with them3 to 6 months while they res up and then go back into action with them!  Scuttlebutt?
     Torch refills = flashlight batteries.
     It sounds funny to hear the men shooting craps saying 2 shillings, etc.
     Our nurses are at "Indooroopilly" [a suburd of Brisbane where Camp Columbia is located].
     Cigarettes are 40¢ a carton, being tax free outside the U.S.A.
     My left traverse arch has been paining me for several days.  I taped it this morning.
     The paper says there was a heavy frost with temperature of 45° and 61 degrees of humidity this morning.  How can it be?
     "Fanny" is Australian slang, does not refer to buttocks but to the front!

July 19, 1943 (Monday)
     I went with Christie to play golf at the Royal Queensland Golf Club.  The Prince of Wales played here 20 years ago!  It cost us each (servicemen) 1 shilling.  To rent clubs 2/.  We had tea and scones before we started - 1/.  After the first 9 we had lunch 1/6d for tea and sandwiches.  We had a shower and shaved and played the last 9 and had beer for 1/.  About $1 for all of it!  The grass is dry, but it is a good course.  I did the last 9 in 58 - George in 47!
     Still no mail!  Rumor has it that our orders are in, and that we'll move to Rockhampton soon!
     In the evening Padre Griffiths and I went to Acacia Lodge #330 in S. Brisbane, to a 3rd degree.  It was a Queensland Charter.  Things are very much different!  I hope I can remember the differences to tell in our lodge when I return!  When we got as far as downtown (about 11:30 P.M.) the power went off.  We had a hot dog, Australian-style - very tough skin!  We got rooked on a fancy ice cream deal - 2/ for a dish!

July 20, 1943 (Tuesday)
     Boy - cnesoring for 6 hour today.  It really plucks at the heartstrings to read some of the loneliness and love.  One fellow wrote, "I be the officer that has censored my mail will think I'm a lovesick fool.  I hope he is married or in love, so he can understand how i feel." So I wrote at the end of the letter, "You're right.  I am married and I am in love with my wife!" and signed it "Censor".
     A V from Oliver Waite [a friend from Trinidad].  No mail from Beth for a week.  Some of the letters of the men indicate that they haven't had letters for so long, and apparently write nasty remarks about the other person not writing, and then receive 6 or more letters at once, and are promptly sorry.
     2 letters this afternoon from my Honey!  Marvelous!  Everything is rosy again!

July 21, 1943 (Wednesday)
     10 officers and 100 men leave tonight on an advance party to Rockhampton!  We are to act as a station hospital, with 1000 beds, for the 42nd Division returning from combat.  It is practically 100% malarious.  They are on suppressive treatment, from which they will be gradually withdrawn and sent to the hospital as they relapse.  Withdrawal will be staggered in groups so we aren't swamped.  Then after about 5 months we are to return to combat with them!
     This evening we drank up our remaining chits - beer, apricot liquer, cherry brandy, Soleol [?] wine, etc.

Setting the Scene: Australia and Japan (13)

Australia at 2.97 million square miles, is about the area of the United States minus the state of Alaska.  It is considered the world's smallest and driest continent.  Most of the interior is flat and desert or semi-arid.  Brisbane is located in the middle of the east coast, and at the southern edge of Queensland, a state that is about the same size as Alaska.  The temperature is moderate, and the average annual rainfall is about 42 inches which falls mainly in the summer months of November through March.  The population of Brisbane in 1942 was about 750,000

According to A Pocket Guide to Australia published by the War and Navy Departments in 1943 (which I mentioned in yesterday's blog), annual per capita consumption of wheat and flour in the U.S. was 160 lbs, while in Australia it was 203 lbs.  In the U.S., 1/2 lb of tea and 13 lbs of coffee were consumed; in Australia, 7 lbs of tea and 1/2 lb of coffee.  Meat consumption was as follows: beef (U.S.) 63 lbs, (Australia) 112 lbs; lamb or mutton (U.S.) 7 lbs, (Australia) 81 lbs; pork (U.S.) 55 lbs, (Australia) 19 lbs.  Americans made up the calories by eating lots more fruit and leafy vegetables. Both countries probably had a similar sweet tooth.

In January 1942 the American British Dutch Australian Command (ABDACOM) was formed to oversee the Southwest Pacific Area and was placed under British control.  At the time the goal was purely defensive since "Europe First" had been decided upon by the British and Americans.  President Roosevelt felt that even though the U.S. had been attacked by Japan, American commitment should be first against Germany.  He had concerns about the ability of Russia to hold up against Germany and he wanted to keep Great Britain free. He also thought Germany would continue the war with or without Japan.

In early 1942 Japan seized various small islands in the south Pacific, as well as Borneo, Singapore, and ports of New Guinea (including Finschhafen on March 11, 1942, which will be important to the 92nd Evac later).  The ABDACOM was dissolved only a few months after it was formed when most of the area to be overseen was conquered by the Japanese.  At this point the Australian politicians discussed establishing a defensive line at Brisbane,  thus effectively  conceding half of the continent to Japan if they were attacked.  They were in a difficult position because most of their ground troops had been committed by Great Britain to fighting in the Middle East.

General Douglas MacArthur was evacuated from Corregidor Island in the Philippines in March, and the Philippines were surrendered to Japan in May 1942.  After arriving in Australia, MacArthur was not willing to participate in passive defense.  His strategy was to take control of the area, starting with New Guinea, and eventually to take back the Philippines.

Gene describes sailing up the estuary to Brisbane,  and finding their spot in Camp Ascot in his diary:

July 13, 1943 (Tuesday)
     We came part way up the estuary, inside the submarine nets and anchored last night.  I was up by 6 (the men made so much noise) and we were moving up the channel then, and it is a narrow channel between low islands, but quiet as a mill pond.  In fact, as soon as we came inside the bay it was quiet.  It was quite a ways up the river to the docks - 10 miles or so.  We were all excited to see land.  Last night everyone rushed to one side and darn near capsized the boat.  They warned everyone to stay on his own side.  I was relly alarmed, because it took a terrific list when they had to make sharp turns.  We tied up to the dock about 7.
     I had to get the detail for the baggage and unloaded it last, so I didn't get off the boat until 11.  We had a right-handed truck and our education to Australia began.  We drove to section H, Camp Ascot, about 1 1/2 miles from the dock.  The rest of the men and officers had to walk, so I had a ride for my trouble [according to nurse Edith Anderson, the nurses rode by government bus to Camp Columbia] We drove all over camp looking for our outfit and finally [after] about 3/4 of an hour located us.  We went to eat at once.

The area outside the turf track at Eagle Farm Race Track,
the interior of which was called Camp Ascot in WWII

     This camp is in a race track which is quite elaborate and new.  It was finished just before the war in '39.  We have only the inside area.  The beautiful turf tracks are left undisturbed.  Of course it is all dead-looking now, it being winter.  On the way up we passed some perfectly huge poinsettias in bloom - actually trees with big trunks!  The large grandstands house officers.  The mess is not too hot!  We pay a ration plus 1 bob (1/) (shilling, = 16¢) extra a day.
     We had an orientation lecture from 1:30 to 4:15 which was a series, and very instructive.  "I'm knocked up.  Go jazz my sister." means "I'm tired out.  Go dance with my sister."  The lady who says she gets a good screw each week means she has a good wage each week!
     We signed in and I had a $10 bill converted - £3, 1/ and 11d.
     I sent Beth a canned cablegram for 44¢.  I couldn't tell in it where we were (that can only be put in letters), and mailed letters.

In a cable to Mary X sent on 16 July 1943 (Friday), Beth writes: CARD FROM MERCY INDICATES SHE RECEIVED ALL WELL CABLE FROM DICK WEDNESDAY.  NO DETAILS JUDGE IT WAS FROM AUSTRALIA.  AT LEAST BOAT IS SAFE AND IM SURE GENE IS TOO.  CANT UNDERSTAND WHY NO CABLE FOR ME.  AM WIRING MOM.  THANKS FOR KANSASCITY CARD LOVE TO ALL= ELIZABETH.

We have tents, wooden floors and some have cots.  Open air cold showers and wash stands (we can use the officers' showers at times with hot water - Christie and I did.  Was it nice!)  There was a movie last night but I was too tired.

On Board the Lurline (12)

Even after boarding their ship, the S.S. Lurline, the officers of the 92nd Evac still didn't know their destination.  Gene continues in his diary:

June 26, 1943  All day on board - very quiet and rather tiresome.  I watched the loading, which was finished by about 4 or 5 P.M.  Eggs, ice cream, fresh meat.  ...  Atlantic?  Australia?  India?
     No troops [other than the 92nd Evac] came aboard until some officers about 7:30 P.M.  The troops will no doubt load after dark and we may leave during the night.  A sailor said the storekeeper said that they had taken on more food than for any previous voyage.  The crew (?) expect it to be the Atlantic this time!  This boat has made it to Australia in 14 days.
     The dining room and food are marvelous - tablecloths, silver, good waiters!  Today we ate 3 times.  From now on I eat at 10:15 and 6:15 on the 4th shift.  We will be allowed only 30 minutes.
     This boat is probably as tall as a 10 story building at least - top deck (divided), boat deck, then A, B, C, D, E, and 2 or 3 below that.  The Pilsner (?) line [Plimsoll line] on the bow is at 28' with a possible 30.  3500 more men should put it down a bit more.
     I slept fairly well last night.  There is a lot of noise.  6 men in a room 12' x 12' is a bit crowded.
     The companion boat to this [the troop ship next to theirs] left this morning.
     The official rating is 3900 troops and crew up to 4500 total.
     We won't know where we are going for some time.  We are said to leave with sealed orders as to the course, which are opened successively as we go along.
     There is no hot water for shaving.

June 27, 1943 (Sunday)  I was surprised when I woke up this morning about 7:30 to find we were still at the dock.  Troops had come aboard all night, however.  They (or some at least) came from Camp Stoneman on a ferry.
     The gangplank was taken off at 9 A.M. and we cast off about 9:20, the ship backing itself out.  We passed under the Golden Gate Bridge about 9:40 and stood out to sea, convoyed by a destroyer and 2 blimps (or dirigibles?) which stayed with us most of the day.  It was a little foggy.
     ...  About 11:30 we had our first "abandon ship stations" drill and had some instuctions over the loudspeaker system.  7 shorts and a long by the bells is "It"!
     The sea has a fair swell to it at times and quite a few have already been sick!  So far (at 7:35 P.M.) I'm still fine!
     At 3 P.M. we had another drill.
     We passed quite a few ships at first.  This baby really steps along!
     We were given "Australia" books [perhaps a copy of the book found at http:www.scribd.com/doc/29729334/WWII-1943-Australia-Pocket-Guide]  Maybe we'll go there!  We were also given a very neat ditty bag containing a pencil, tablet of paper, deck of cards, "housewife" (of needles, thread, buttons, pins, etc.), shoe cloth, pack of cigarettes, gum, pocket edition book, razor blades, shoe laces - this from the Red Cross of East Chicago.
     The meals continue to be simply marvelous!  I hope I can continue to enjoy them.
     They call our life preservers our best friend while on ship!
     Sea water is hard to wash in!  We get 2 buckets of fresh a day for the 6 of us to wash in.
     We have been going chiefly SW all day.

July 1, 1943 (Thursday)  Adams puts us 130° west and 18° north, southeast of Hawaii, and 2300 miles from Frisco ..., so maybe we are making about 24 knots an hour.
     We are in the scattered sunshine today and it is much warmer.  The calisthenics this morning were dillies.  ...
     This morning we had a mild flurry of excitement.  About 8:30 I went on deck and everyone was looking off to port at a ship.  The guns were all uncovered and trained on it.  It looked like a ship similar to ours.  They began blinking messages and we turned away after a while.

July 2, 1943 (Thursday [actually Friday])  It rained hard during the night.  This morning the sea was quite calm, only a few gentle swells. ...
     Time certainly does hang heavily!  I've read a lot of detective stories.  Another abandon ship stations drill.
     Last night I watched the phosphorescence in the water.  It was not so very brilliant, but quite beautiful.
     The weather continues to be very sticky and hot.
     This morning I had a haircut.
     I wonder if Beth is to Trinidad yet.  Damn the war!

She must have been, because on 8 July 1943 Beth wrote from Warrensburg, MO, where she is visiting her parents:
Dear Mary X.
     ...  I had a tiresome trip home but all went well.  ...  The boys did mighty well.  They are really sweet youngsters.  Trinidad was tough.  All people asked too many questions and I had a hard time finding time to do necessary work.  ...  Dutchie [their dachshund] was so glad to see me.  He is so fat he is a monstrosity but he is happy and they love him to pieces so I don't care if he does die young!  ...
     I had two letters from Gene waiting for me in Wbg.  One was written from Camp Stoneman the day he called me and one was written on the boat.  Both had been censored and the date on the 2nd was all that was removed.  He said he had been all over the place (boat) and it was most interesting.  They had been asked to leave very few places!!  ...  How I hope he has a good trip.  Of course I can't wait to hear of his safe arrival. ...
     Much love, Elisabeth

     We are all acutely and constantly conscious of the possibilities of having to abandon ship and believe me we enter into the spirit of our drill!  Last evening the ship gave a peculiar lurch.  We all stopped dead still and listened, ready to grab for our shirts, canteen belts and life preservers. 

July 3, 1943 (Saturday)  We probably crossed the equator today about 1315.  Nope!  There is no black line!  And we're not going downhill, that I can see.  There have been none of the usual monkeyshines with Father Neptune.  The barber told me that one trip everybody on board had his hair clipped off so that they looked like a load of convicts going to Australia, as the original bunch.  I still have my moustache too.  ...
     It is just a year today that I entered the army.  And a lot of water has gone past since then.  I hope I'll be home with my Honey before another year, but I'd be afraid to bet on it.

July 4, 1943 (Sunday)  I forgot to turn my watch back last night so I was up at 6:30 and it is a long time until breakfast at 10:15!  ...
     Church today.  Everyone sitting on the floor of what formerly was the library.  Sang an old Navy hymn #128 in the Army-Navy hymnal.

July 6, 1943 (Tuesday)  Mother's birthday today.
     Talk on malaria.  I resolve to take my atabrine.  I don't want "falciparum" malaria [the most serious form of malaria] ...!

July 8, 1943 (Thursday)  We lost another hour last night (really gained for watches are set back).  Ordinarily we would change the date also, but we are waiting until we cross the 180° line, instead of [changing] according to the map.  We are now directly west of Brisbane [Australia].  We are doing considerably more zig-zagging.
     This is the first time this ship has carried any army personnel.  Always before it has been Marines and sailors.  It was gone for 60+ days last trip, gathering (finally) some 2000 sick and wounded on its return.  The ship's doctor said they have a much smaller sick call with us than with Marines!  He was also surprised at how little athlete's foot there is compared to Marines.  ...
     It is clearing rapidly in this cooler weather! ... We are near the Aldrich Deep - 30,930 feet!  ...
     I saw a whale spout twice and barely stick part of himself out of the water, about 1/4 mile off the starboard, last evening.  He must have been a small whale, at that!  We change dates tonight.

July 9, 1943  Lost Friday the 9th!

July 10, 1943 (Saturday)  This week has had no Friday so far as we are concerned!  There came out yesterday (Thursday) a notice from the commander of troops saying that on Friday the nurses would be confined to quarters, and that 25 would be detailed for KP!  Big joke!
     Scuttlebutt has it that we will arrive Monday noon - 2 days more.  Probably that is in error.  ...
     We have 2 new converts to chess - Ed and Niemyer.  Now all 6 of us play in this room.

July 11, 1943 (Sunday)  On a trip such as this one can appreciate the meaing of the hymn "Safely thru Another Night".  Last evening a flare was sighted a long ways off.  But we didn't stop!  Survivors?
     We won't be in before Tuesday.  This morning I saw a school of porpoises playing along, jumping out of the water.
     We turned our watches back another hour last night.  ...  Our food continues to be excellent.
     Church again - our Padre at 2 P.M., in the "library".  This ship must have been something of a luxury ship.  We certainly are lucky to be on it and not a regular troop ship.
     I'll have charge of the baggage detail unloading.
     These long evenings!  It was dark by 6 P.M.  I'm so darn lonesome for Beth.  I hate to think of how long the time may be before I see her again.

July 12, 1943 (Monday)  Last night was the worst one for pitching around, but still nothing like a storm.  We are probably still 350 miles from port.  This morning about 9 a minesweeper (?) came up and blinked at us and is our escort.  It is now cruising ahead of us.  Golly but it can travel fast!
     Another change in time last night.  We had our last boat drill yesterday.  We plan to tip our waiter $3 apiece, and likewise our steward.  I wonder where we'll go on landing and what we'll do.  Rumors have it India and the Solomons.
     Tonight I saw the light house lights after supper (about 7 P.M.).  We'll soon be in the harbor.  With all the zig-zag, we must have gone over 8000 miles in about 14 1/2 days, roughly.
     I thought the darn boat was going to capsize about 9 P.M.  Everyone rushed to the port side to see the land, the boat was light from oil consumed and kept that way to go up the river, and we were making sharp turns.

Brisbane, Australia

They made it to Australia!  Now where will they go?

"Der Tag" (11)

Capt. Pfile's paternal grandparents had come over from Germany ("pfeil" means "arrow" in German), so German was the foreign language he had chosen to study in college and use when making extraneous comments. 

June 14, 1943  At last, "Der Tag" ["The Day"]  We were up at 4:30 and rolled our bed rolls.  Breakfast 5:15.  We had the luggage (including the men's A bags) - 4 big truck loads.  The men did a good job of packing.  Then Mac and I took our stuff back to our officers' car - #7 and took a seat.  Then we wandered around until 9:30 when the personnel all arrived, and got on the train.  We finally pulled out at 10:30!  Our ride was a lot more pleasant than coming from Ord!  We went to Los Angeles and then up the inland route.  We were into and out of L.A. in 6 hours!  We expected to arrive at Pittsburg in the afternoon but we got here at 6:30 A.M. - only 20 hours!
     We had Pullmans - old ones, but nevertheless Pullmans!  I had a lower all to myself.  I slept quite well but they awakened us at 5:15!  I was astonished at the speed with which they unloaded the baggage - the detail from the Camp Stoneman.  We were the last to leave, Dick and I, but we were in time for breakfast.  Then we went back to our barracks - in Section F.  It is fine in barracks!  No sand, no dust!  Hot showers, wash bowls!  The comments were varied - "Hey look, they have water running right out of pipes in the wall!"  You could tell we'd been living out in the bush for a long time.
     Meals at the mess hall are 25¢ each and fine meals!  And how the men wait on you!  You go thru the line serving yourself on a plate, take your drink of coffee or iced tea, go to a table.  They bring you a glass of water, refills and dessert!  All you can eat for two bits!
     It was pretty hot here today and a little muggy.  But it has cooled down this evening!  We went to the personnel office and signed in, filled in cards, etc.  At 1 we went to a lecture on censoring.  We went to the main PX.  I bought shoes at the QM sales.
     We had officers' call at 6 P.M.  Nothing much was told us.  We will get impregnated clothing (against gas).  I'm O.D. [officer of the day] tonight and tomorrow.  I will have to officiate at retreat tomorrow and be on hand at our "Code HQ" all day to answer the phone.  Here we are known only as 6529N
     My directions are still as turned around here as at Desert Center and Freda.
     We will be censored, both letters and phone calls.  But we still aren't on an alert.  When that comes we will be confined to quarters.
     We are to get some training, including a 12 mile hike.  I don't know when I'll get to see Beth.  I hope she arrived OK and found a place to stay.
     Christie and I are rooming together again.  The water here is quite soft and so nice for showers!

June 17, 1943 (Thursday) ...
     Beth was [came] out last evening but I hardly got to talk to her.  She is having trouble with Jean, Mercy and the kids.  I know she could take care of herself and do a better job of it and be happier, but it just doesn't seem safe for her to be alone!  It seems like such a darned shame that I'll soon be leaving and not able to see her, the Light of my life, for who knows how long.  Somehow the possiblity of my not coming back doesn't impress me at all.  I have every confidence that I will.  I just hope and pray Beth stays well.  ...

June 18, 1943  This morning I went over the obstacle course.  It was a dilly!  At the "water jump" I missed the rope and flopped flat in the knee deep muddy water!  I was a complete mess!!  The wind whipped to rope when the fellow let go.  I tried it over again and did OK.  The rest of the course was not bad, but a grind - climbs and jumps, rope nets, rope slide, pits, walls, swings, bars, etc.  Christie and Armstrong started with me, but I was the only one to finish.  ...

Beth writes: 18 June 1943 (Friday)
Dear Mary X,
     I have the afternoon free - am just waiting to see Gene.  I can't tell a thing about him.  He insists he knows nothing.  If he did know he couldn't tell me.  I've been told so many things I was not to mention that I hardly know what to say.  Guess I'll have to talk about myself and will skip him.  Jean Adams drove up with me.  Mercy MacIlroy and her two boys followed in her car - except when I took a boy and Jean drove with her.  Jean & I were on the road about 12 hours on Monday.  At 40 mph we did well to make 375 miles with all the necessary stops.  Had a nice tourist cabin in Fresno.  Got off to a slow start Tuesday but got into Berkeley about 1:30 pm.  Drove thru Berkeley & thru Oakland & found a place to stay.  Spent 1 1/2 hours putting money in the telephone.  Called at least 20 hotels in the two towns and found no vacancies.  Were fortunate to find a nice tourist cabin place out of Oakland in San Leandro.  The kids just about drove me wild.  Of course the trip was hard on them but they have never had any disciplining and each time Mercy said "Don't do that" they tore into it with renewed vigor.  That night they screamed & played until 11 pm.  We contacted the men that evening.  Gene was OD and I didn't talk to him.  It took all Wednesday am to feed the kids & after a series fo telephone calls, we started out the 45 miles to see the fellows.  They met us at 4:30 and we ate dinner & spent the evening with them.  Then drove the 45 miles back to the tourist camp.  As it appears that we can come & visit the men but they can't get out much, we spent all of yesterday - a terribly hot day - looking for a place closer to the men.  At the last minute Jean & I took a room in Antioch.  It is in a nice new home.  The people are very nice, and the room is a sun room and not as big as your pantry [Mary X's pantry was about 6' x 10']!  The 3/4 bed & chest of drawers leave no room to spare for a chair and 2 people stand with difficulty.  We thot [sic] we'd stay 1 night & then could get an early start to look for another.  When we got home last night the woman told us she had just found a friend who was leaving her house & we could sublet for 2 weeks.  I went over this morning and took it.  Of all the luck, this appears the best.  It is a quick construction gov't project house.  It is cute as can be & beautifully furnished even to bedding, linen & silverware.  We pay $32 for the two weeks.  Of course I had to deposit $12.50 on utilities.  It is a gamble.  I may be ready to start home by Monday - and I may want to stay past two weeks.  Who knows.  Anyway - please write me a letter pronto to
                                1143 Cook Street
                                 Antioch, Calif.
     I'd like to know how all goes on the home front.
     Gene looks fine - a bit tired out and decidedly on a strain.  His outfit has never worked very smoothly.  I guess none do.  The army does the darnedest things.  I'll keep you posted on where I am and what goes on.  Do hope you are OK and I'll hear good news from Daddy soon.
     My love to you, John & Jack, Elisabeth

June 20, 1943  We haven't really had much of a training program!  I stayed the night with Beth in Antioch and came back to camp early this morning.  I met Beth for dinner.  Then we started to Frisco about 2:30 P.M. (I had a 24 hour VOCO).  We finally had a place to stay at the Plaza Hotel after the 4th try.
     We ate at Bernsteins Sea Food place.  I was brave enough to try a half-cracked crab!  It was good and fun too.  I bought my Honey a gardenia (after a bit of hinting - dumb me!).  We walked around some of China town and weren't much impressed.  Then back to the hotel room for a stop and then out to have some Tom Collins - only 40¢ a drink!  We certainly slept like logs.  The Bay Bridge was something!

June 21, 1943  Did we ever have fun riding the Powell St. Cable car from end to end and then another to the Ferry Bldg.  The motorman was nice enough to point out points of interest while we rode up in the open air part.
     Then we shopped.  I found some plug pipe tobacco on Market Street.  Then we ate at the Pig 'n' Whistle.  Then got the car out of the 4 story underground Union Square garage and drove along the piers.  Being an officer got us a lot farther than we would have otherwise.  We got to Fisherman's Warf finally.  Then on the Ft. Mason, thinking it the Presidio.  Then to the Presidio thinking it was the Golden Gate Park, then to the Park.  Among other things we saw the dandiest armor! [He was always fascinated by armor; years later Gene bought a breast plate and helmet to have on display.]
     Then back here to Antioch, where we spent the night at the Robinson's.  I saw where we are to leave foot lockers and bed rolls ready by Wednesday morning.  Sounds as though the time is coming when I'll be on one of those gray transports such as we saw out in the bay!

June 22, 1943 (Tuesday) ...I called Mother this morning.  I think that she knows I'll leave soon, although she was so good not to ask questions.  ...
     I went shopping with my Honey and we had such a good supper and such a wonderful evening.  Our time together is drawing to a close so rapidly.  It is hard to be going and not a thing of the future!  But my Honey is so brave about it.  I wonder when again we can spend such a nice evening together, alone.  I hope it won't be too long!
     I went over the obstacle course again today.  Monday Rathman broke 2 fingers while going on it and Swanson got a fibula fracture - dislocation of the astragalus [a bone of the foot] on it.  Lucky me!  [Although lots of pages are left in the diary, it ends here abruptly, probably because he gave it to Beth to keep, and he continued on in a new one.]

June 25, 1943  Left Camp Stoneman 1 P.M. by truck to pier 43, San Francisco.  S.S. Lurline (Matson Line).  Norman passenger capacity - 720.  Now carries 4500 to 5000.  Built 1932.  Speed up to 22 knots (1 knot = 1 1/8 miles).  B deck, starboard, #111: Niemeyer, Pfile, MacIlroy, Mihalick, Christie, Hagman.  Travelled the ship top to bottom and thru supper by 6 P.M.

A photo of the S.S. Lurline taken in 1962

To Beth: To be read after you are reasonably certain that I'm on the way!
Dearest Beth,
     I'm writing this while waiting, still on the desert.  I wrote a note last evening - much too melodramatic!  So I'll try again at noontime.
     First (as also "last and always"!) I want to tell you that I love you so very, very much - I love you more than life, but I fully expect to come back (and to find you here!) to do more of it.  You are the most wonderful, the sweetest, the dearest wife (or paramour!) that a man ever had.  And I am the luckiest man there is, to have such a wonderful wife and love.  I've told you that before, but it all bears repetition!
     I wish I could continue to look after you personally, but it gives me such an immense amount of comfort to know that you can look after yourself!
     Needless to say, I don't like the idea of separation, but it can't be helped.  So we'll both make the best of it.  I'll try to be a good soldier, and I know you will.  It will be tough on you, especially at first, but I know you'll be able to snap out of it.  Our trust is in God, so things will work out OK.  Just think what a happy reunion we'll have!  You are my Sunshine!
     Here's tae us!  None like us!
     All my love, Eugene

Beth writes: To be read at sea.  How I hope for no sea sickness!
Tuesday, 1 June 1943
My own Sweet Husband,
     I've tried for days to write a letter to you and I couldn't do it.  Just the thought of your leaving the country reduced me to tears.  I still hope it doesn't happen - and yet I'm quite sure it will.  I hope it will be for the best.  The war has changed a lot of things for us and it has changed us, too, dearest.  But it has only strengthened our love of each other and convinced us more than ever of our need of each other.  I have always been so grateful for you but each day I am away from you I realize how much more a necessary part of me you are.  Each day I am with you I become more conscious of the joy of your love and companionship.  We do have so much.
     Then, too, my own, the army and the war mean a different thing than they did.  I still feel war is useless and the winners lose as much as the losers - but I am proud that you are one ot the men who is doing his best for his country instead of one who is hiding behind a defense job or phony illness.  Oh honey I'm so glad you are too proud and too courageous to pull a stunt like Stanley or Mauchin.  At one time I would have been anxious for you to do anything, even that, to have you stay near me.  I am so happy now to know you are not that kind.
     You are My Man, dear heart, and you can do no wrong.  As you said to me - so many things we have dreaded have become mere nothings - so perhaps when it is all over we can laugh about this parting as we now laugh about our concern last July in Denver.  I shall do my best, dear one, for I know you are doing yours.  Army regulations forbid my going along but nothing can keep me from being with you in spirit.  You will be in my heart always and in my thots [sic] constantly and dreaming of your sweet smile - I shall be smiling back at you.
     All my love, dear one, Beth
    

Will They Leave the Desert Behind? (10)

The higher-ups are getting the 92nd Evac ready to embark, but to where will they be going?  Various preparations offer subtle hints, so the rumors fly.

Capt. Pfile continues in his diary:

May 4, 1943  This morning I went thru the field identification of gases - PS (phenylacetyl -?) [actually chloropicrin], lewisite, mustard gas and phosgene.  They exploded small containers and let the gas drift down wind.  We all had a good sniff.

May 7, 1943 (Friday)  Some inspectors are here today from DTC who say the Inspector General's outfit will look us over next week.  How the rumors fly!  These fellows claim we won't go to Austin at all, but will go to an embarkation point June 1st and then probably overseas shortly.
     Here I was counting on a nice post for 2 or 3 months before going overseas!  But it still could be.  We have no orders and plenty of outfits have changed even after they had orders.  ...

Torney General Hospital in Palm Springs

     Matthews, the old goat, is reported getting ready to go to Torney [Hospital] about his sinus infection.  I hope he's miserable as possible, the gold-plated old sob!

May 10, 1943  Took my 1st shot in my second series of typhoid today.
     They are starting to make boxes to crate stuff for overseas shipment. ...
     The latest dope is that we leave May 25 for a point of embarkation, but no one knows which one.
     Tonight (officially May 11 [at] 0001, [but] actually May 10 [at] 2000 or so!) to start a 4 day leave.  It looks as though it will be the last in this country for quite a while.  My only regret will be leaving my Honey so far behind.  She is the center of my universe.  But I'm counting on a glorious reunion after this mess is over.

May 16, 1943 (Sunday)  Returned last night - Boy but it was lots of fun.  Tuesday we puttered around.  I checked the car, we sorted things and discussed plans.  Wednesday we went to Palm Springs.  I saw Christie at Torney - he seems to be doing OK.  We took some color pictures and did some shopping.  Then we drove up to Idyllwild.  It was so nice and cool, and the pine air was grand.  It was just like being in an entirely different world!
     Thursday Beth had her hair fixed.  We went back to the QM sales at Torney and I bought some Oxfords I heard about and didn't need a ration stamp!  Shot arrows with Dr. Smiley.
     Friday we went to San Bernardino (the natives shorten it to San Berdoo!) and shopped to beat the band - only we couldn't find a nice cotton dress for Beth.  We drove to Arlington and looked over the country.  It was too nice there to be a point of embarkation for us, I'm sure!  Then we went back to Riverside and shopped and finally located something for Beth.  ...
     Saturday we talked and got things ready.  This was in the Indio paper: "after the defeat of the Yanks at Fayed (?) Pass in North Africa, Patton was giving his men a pep talk.  He said, 'If you g___ d____ s___ of b____ don't get in there and fight better than you've been doing, I'll take the whole g___ d____ bunch of you back to Camp Young!'  Suffice it to say since then they have been winning!"
     An EM [enlisted man] told Capt. Adams [Sparky] that when he went on the battle inoculation course he noticed the fellow ahead of him sticking his head up a lot, so he told him "Keep your G__ d__ head down!"  Later he saw that it was Lt. Col. Ireland and he was worried about what he'd said.  So Adams spoke to Ireland about it.  Ireland laughed and said to tell the man that next time he should just add "Sir" at the end of what he said! ...
     This is to be our last day as a hospital.  The 36th takes over at midnight.  They are taking our trailers over today.  No other news about when we leave or where we'll go!

May 20, 1943 (Thursday)  ...  Some big shots from the DTC indicated that Matthews won't be back.  Some of the officers said that this was the first time they'd heard of "cold feet" being an etiological agent in causing sinusitis!

Beth writes: 20 May 1943
Dear Mary X,
     ...  The much hated commanding officer, Col. Matthews, got acute gang plankitis and rushed to Torney General Hospital to get his sinuses treated the day after the Surgeon General's office called and said "prepare for embarkation".  I am sorry they can't find anything wrong.  I don't care what they find just so long as he doesn't go with the unit.  He claims acute pain so I don't think he will get sent - all hope not. ...
     All my best wishes to your men.  Love, Elisabeth

May 21, 1943  Now I can truthfully say that I've been under fire!  I went thru the infiltration course at Camp Young.  We went along in a trench at the side and then turned into the trench (irregular) at the back of the area, crawling on hands and knees.  We crawled out at slanting places on our belly and crawled towards the machine guns, with bullets cracking over our heads.  There were 4 guns, firing in bursts, traversing the area.  The ground under us was sand and small sharp rocks and took a little skin off.  The sun was hot and it was dusty and darn hard work.  And what I mean we stayed as flat as possible on our bellies!  You could look up and see the tracer bullets flash by!  It was a distance of about 75 yards to crawl with one barbed wire entanglement and then a single wire to crawl under.  It was a funny feeling to look at the machine gun right in the face and know that it was shooting real bullets just about 3 feet over your head!
     It just seems that we are going to a port of embarkation near Frisco.  Our boxes are all marked that.  6529N is the important number.  If we knew what that stands for, we'd know where we are going and when and how and all about it! ...
     Today we get our tetanus and smallpox.

May 30, 1943 (Sunday)  Still no orders - that we know about!  I think the Col. knows but just won't tell us until about 48 hours beforehand, because he probably knows somebody would be bound to talk and talk plenty!  I'm going again to Indio today just having returned yesterday morning.
     The Col. (Matthews - the SOB) has definitely been relieved of command here.  Rumor has it that he is assigned to Camp Young!  Someone said that if we keep our nurses it is a sign we will not be very close to the Japs [he must already know or assume they are not going to Africa].
     Lt. Col. McCarthy from the Inspector General's office was here to go over us and did it in a good fashion.  He shook his head over lots of things that Matthews did. ...

June 4, 1943 (Friday)  This is certainly the 92nd Vacation Hospital!  I've been arriving back at camp for breakfast and leave the following afternoon about 3, have the next day off and back the following morning.  Sure fine!  Still no word.  They claim we will have to be out of this camp by June 20.  Probably we'll be moved to Camp Young!  As somebody said it is a case of "Hurry up and wait"!  ...
     According to the new TO [travel orders], I'm to be the receiving and evacuation officer.

June 9, 1943  ...  Travel orders have been issued.  I'm in charge of baggage!  McIlroy is my assistant.  I took drill this evening.  My platoon did fairly well!

June 10, 1943  Finished drill this morning.  Then I took the exam and instruction for a gov't driver's license.  I drove a command car up and down hills - 60 or 65°!  They were never made to make it but they did.  The man with me said I caught onto the double clutching better than most!  Then thru deep sand.  Then we took a jeep out and that was most fun of all - more so than driving a tank.  I certainly did go thru some sand with it.  The 4 wheel drive and low gear ratio in both did it.  I got my license!

Beth writes:  10 June 1943
Dear Mary X,
     ...  I am out of circulation for a while.  I am leaving here Sunday or Monday to visit a relative near San Francisco [I think this is a code, because Gene will be the "relative"].  I do not know where I'll land and will notify you as soon as possible for I am so anxious to know what goes on [the father of Mary X and Beth is scheduled to be checked out at the Mayo Clinic for a problem with anemia].  My good friend Jean Adams [Sparky's wife] will drive with me and we will "convoy" with Mercy MacIlroy [Dick's wife] and her two wild Indians, Jack aged 5 and Dick aged 3.
     I expect Gene in tonight.  He will be here until midnight Friday and I have no real assurance I will see him again.  Of course I expect to.  ...
     Much love, Elisabeth

June 12, 1943 (Saturday)  Out this morning - Beth brought me out to take the car back, for we are now restricted to the area until we leave, which is Monday.  I spent part of the morning checking men while they packed their "B" bag (which goes with the freight and which they will not see until we get overseas), and part of the time packing.  Out foot lockers are all out to be loaded by 4 P.M.   Our hand luggage goes in the morning and our bed rolls Monday morning.

June 13, 1943  McIlroy and I went in to see to packing luggage at Indio.  I got to go out and eat dinner with Beth.  Then back to Camp to find a campaign to shave off mustaches, on.  They held Sparky Adams down and got his.  I told them very plainly that I'd try to knock a few teeth out, etc. before they got me down.  They made me plenty riled.  As a result they only talked.  Bill Baker was back of it all.  He did the same thing at Ord before we left there.  I fully expected them to jump me during the night but they didn't.  It was such a kids' play idea in the first place, for grown men to engage in such horseplay.

A train brought them to the desert, and now they prepare for a train to take them away, and most of them are ready to leave.