I should have written a couple days ago, but as we
were playing in the victory parade in Tunis, I was
unable to do so. It was a marvelous parade. I have
never seen as many French, American and English
troops in all my life. The parade was of an enormous
length and was reviewed by all the big generals of
this campaign, so I saw them all. We were, by the
way, the only American band to play. There were a lot
of newsreel cameras there, so I suppose we will be on
the screens over there. If any of you ever see
pictures of the parade and our band, you should be
able to find me as I am, you know, playing the bass
drum.
While in Tunis, I went swimming in a grand
swimming pool. It is a very large one done in black
and white marble. The bath houses were marvelous. I
really would have enjoyed going into it every day for
some time. There are certain sections of Tunis that
are very beautiful--modernistic homes and such. The
German general, Von Arnim, had his headquarters in
one of these modern houses. I was in the house and
saw some of the stuff that he had to leave behind
when he was captured.
We are going to a lakeside rest for a while now,
so will be able to loiter on a sandy beach and go
swimming. It sure will be a treat after spending so
much time chasing Jerry.
I am allowed to write about our encounters now, so
I will give you an outline of things from the time we
left England. Our first real scare came while we were
yet twenty odd miles from the Port of Oran where we
landed. Our ship was rammed and it had to be towed to
port. It was listing so badly that I thought any
moment we would go over. The was a hole in the ship
big enough to drive a big truck through. I was very
thankful when we got ashore. I don’t think the
ship ever sailed again.
Well, we spent most of January in Oran playing
parades every evening and the last day of January we
left there for Tunisia. It was about a 600 mile
journey over mountains and it was rather cold at that
time. At least I slept in snow one night. We were all
wondering what it would be like to meet Jerry, and
believe me, we found out.
Our first encounter with him was at El Alamein
which was only minor. Next was Rahia, then Sfissa and
Sefletia. We rested for awhile and then we were on to
Mejafe el Ovin, and then the big Battle of Fondouk
Pass. I saw many boys heroically lose their lives
there and when you see those things you can readily
say that war is hell.
After Fondouk we left the southern sector and had
a short rest, also moving to the north. We stayed in
the camp ground a few days and then went on to the
final Battle of Hill 609. Then came the fall of Tunis
and finally the end of Jerry in Africa.
We still had some harrowing times. I shall never
forget the sound of Jerry artillery shells on the
dive bombers. All I can say is it all is in the past
and I hope it will soon be forgotten. God was with us
at all times and for that we have so much to thank
him for. I know He shall continue to be with us until
we have our enemy conquered. May that time come soon.
