On to Rockhampton (15)

After a mere nine days in Brisbane, the 92nd Evacuation Hospital is moved north, closer to the action of the war in the South Pacific.

July 22, 1943 (Thursday)
     We leave this noon!  We had to pay 10/ extra on our mess bill - certainly a gyp for what we had to eat!
     [Later] We left the area by truck at 12:30 and went to the Roma St. Station, and left there about 1:30.  What a train!  We had a "2nd class sleeper" of very early vintage.  The Aussies with us said they hadn't seen one like it for years!  It was in 5 compartments, narrow aisle to the side, 6 to a compartment.  The back of each seat raised up to give 6 bunks (2 permanent as shelves).  The covering was that slick straw.  The engine was a tiny thing.  The cars all wooden.  ...  The wheels are not solid but iron spokes!  The whole thing is light in weight.  The "guard" or conductor-brakeman rides in a special little cubicle in the last car.  Some cars have side doors to their compartments.  ...  We ran thru gentle hills and wooded country - a few skinny and tall palms, ferns, few pineapple fields and sugar cane fields.  We stopped about 6:30 (after dark) for supper at "Gimpie" [Gympie, Queensland] and went thru the mess line at the station - steak, watery mashed potatoes, gravy poured from a pitcher, sliced tomatoes, tea already "treated" with milk and sugar, bread, butter and jam.  But were we hungry!  We went to bed early.  The roadbed was too rough for much reading.  It was cold!  I had on long underwear tops, wool shirt, jacket, and covered with my trench coat.  I awakened at 1:30 and went right back to sleep.  At 3:30 I awoke again and shivered until 4 when I got up and put on the long drawers, a wool sweater and slept until 6 when we stopped and everyone woke up.  At 4 I put my head out the door (open platforms at the ends of the cars and no passing between cars!) and it was very cold.  It was said that we got up into 4000 ft. mountains during the night.  We reached Rockhampton about 9:45 A.M. about 400 miles from Brisbane.  Averaged just about 20 miles an hour!

July 23, 1943
     We ate breakfast, going thru the line at the station again and had practically the same food!  Trucks were waiting for us.  The town appears to be very much spread out, and quite similar to Brisbane.  We headed for some low hills east of town to our area.  We found the 5th Station Hospital very well set up in some buildings, tent frames - very fine in fact.  They've been here 6 or 7 months.  We are to be just back of them and up on a knoll for part of our camp.  It has been occupied before, so we can set up more easily.  It is quite full of trees from saplings to 8" [diameter] ones.  It is now dry and brown and a little dusty, but so very pleasant.  We can see part of the town, which is about 3 miles away.  There is running water (cold) and electricity.  This should be fine!  We ate at their mess - very good!  We slept in some of their wards, under mosquito netting as is required here.  There are very few skeeters due to the dryness and cold (what ones there are must use a low SAE oil in their engines to be able to fly these chilly nights!)  There is no native malaria, but some Dengue fever - very mild - from these mosquitoes.

Camp at Rockhampton

     I mailed a letter to Beth that I hope the censor doesn't see.  I'm afraid I inadvertently said the wrong thing about moving!
     Our new APO is #926.

July 24, 1943 (Saturday)
     What a cold night!  I missed my sleeping bag!  Nothing to do today but walk around.  Our fellows are setting up.  This is certainly a pleasant grove - more like a camp meeting grounds.  We are not accustomed to such surroundings!  What long evenings - worse than Freda.  ...

July 25, 1943 (Sunday)
     ...  No blackout here!  However, there are bomb shelters, slit trenches and all that!  All the windows of the stores are crossed # with tape or boarded up or covered with wire netting.
     3 of us took about a 6 mile hike up between some hills and saw some very nice country.  We came upon an open park with a shack in it and evidence of farming and a few orange trees.  We saw a large wild wallaby.

July 26, 1943 (Monday)
     ...  Tonight we moved to the area to assigned tents.  I drew Powers and Terstegge!  We had slept for 2 nights in one of our ward tents.  2 letters from Beth dated July 10 and 12.  The July 11 didn't arrive yet!
     On our way back from town Christie stopped to talk to an elderly man about fishing.  He [Christie] pulled some tackle out of his pocket and out fell a rubber.  Padre [an army chaplain is usually called "Padre", regardless of denomination] and I practically rolled on the ground laughing!  It was one Christie had been given as a joke, for censoring mail while at Ascot.  Even the [old] man laughed!

Old man and his fishing boat on the Fitzroy River

July 27, 1943 (Tuesday)
     Today we really began to set up the place!  Sgt. Decker (I have 6 clerks and 4 orderlies and 1 ass't - Lt. Vinicor) can be trusted to get things rolling.  I received 2 V-mails from Beth, the 14th and 15th of July, and a regular June 28th and an air mail from Mother of June 28.  Fine weather!  I'm Receiving Officer.

Form filled out for each outpatient at the
92nd Evac Hospital in Rockhampton

July 28, 1943 (Wednesday)
     Fairly quiet day!  The admitting tent is functioning.  We got our liquor ration.  I drew a 26 oz brandy for 16/ or about $2.56.  It is good, aged brandy.  We are allowed 3 bottles of beer a week at 1/8 a bottle.  I sold my share to the men, for it seems a shame that they are left out of any army arrangements.

July 31, 1943 (Saturday)
     ...  2nd Lt. Gray arrived late last night with [six] 2 1/2 ton trucks, 2 weapons carriers, 1 command car, 1 staff car, 2 jeeps.  It took them 3 1/2 days to drive the 300 miles from Brisbane!  They were allowed 4 days, but decided to come right thru.  Their roads were scarcely ever surfaced!  Sometimes it was just a single track dirt road thru the woods!  They said the "backwoods" people regarded them as such a curiousity and were so hospitable!
     Some of the birds can sing very well with beautiful liquid notes.  And others, especially morning and evening, sound like someone trying to rob the henhouse!
     One officer [a patient in the ward] told about his outfit capturing a Japanese hospital that they tried to defend.  Our men went thru it, killing every patient and the few doctors that were left.  They have learned not to trust the Japs any time.  The Japs are always pulling stunts such as pulling out a grenade and setting it off when a Yank gets close to him, killing himself as well.  The officer said you sleep anywhere, and with a knife in your hand.  ...  In the dense jungle, a man could be firing at you from 5 feet away and you couldn't see him!
     Men carrying supplies thru mud, sometimes made 2 round trips a day over an 800 yard distance.  The Japs sank the Australian hospital ship, in retaliation for one of theirs we sank (and which was not told in the papers!)  Since we killed off a few of their hospital units in retaliation, they've left our hospitals alone.  In one place our men captured, they found ample evidence of Geisha girls - including rubbers!  They [the Americans] used [captured]Jap drugs and other supplies freely.  Some Japs were very much malnourished.  In some places they found vitamin tablets!

August 1, 1943 (Sunday)
     Lansing-Hatfield, Metropolitan baritone who sang in Trinidad several years ago, sang [The Lord's Prayer] at our church service this morning.  He is in the USO.
     Hagmann and I climbed a hill NE of our area.  A grand view of the city and valley.  We saw a wallaby.  The Fitzroy River is quite a river.

Beth: 1 August 1943
My dears [Mary X and their parents, who are visiting Freeport],
     ...  Knowing that Gene went to church yesterday since he is a day ahead of me makes me feel as tho [sic] he is a 7 day Adventist!  ...
     Can't wait for tomorrow for I should have the missing letter from Gene.  A year ago today we spent at Fort Ord and on Monday he left for the desert.  ...
     Love, Elisabeth

August 2, 1943 (Monday)
     My Honey's birthday and I'm not able to hold her in my arms and hug her.  Last year we were confined to the Fort of Ord because of leaving for the desert, and today I'm too far away to even see her!
    
Beth: 2 August 1943 (Monday)
My dears,
     I'm favored by the Gods!  Such a lot of good mail I got at noon and now at 3:30 pm I get a birthday cable from my sweetheart in Australia.  I must tell first the good news that is in his letter.  He has been writing that they would move and intimated New Guinea and I've been so upset about it.  Col. Ireland went out on "an expedition" and rumor had it he called on MacArthur.  Anyway their orders were changed and they had to set up a base hospital which is an entirely different thing from an Evacuation Hospital.  The base hospital is supposed to be about 3X the size of the EV and be stationary in a safe spot.  An EV Hospital follows the battle and is the first behind the line.  He said they would be in a lovely spot near a nice Australian town and all were so happy about it.  I am overjoyed.  Once set up they can't move them for quite a spell.  And I won't have to worry about Malaria.  When his other cable took 6 days to come, I wonder how he knew when to send this one.  And in his letter he said he was afraid it (the letter) would arrive after the birthday but he wanted to send greetings.  That letter, #10, came today and I have not had #9 yet!  ...
     Love, Elisabeth


A reprieve from the battlefront, but for how long?

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