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CHAPTER 1
THE CALL TO WAR
On November 8, 1942, the Allies invaded French North Africa, resulting in the capitulation of the Vichy French colonial forces. Expecting complete victory over all Axis forces in North Africa by early spring 1943, plans were formulated for the Allied invasion, staged from North Africa, of the Italian island of Sicily. Invading Sicily — sandwiched between the northeast coast of Tunisia and the southwest tip of the Italian mainland — might induce the war-weary Italians to surrender and sever their alliance with Germany, thereby weakening Axis control in the Mediterranean. Code-named Operation HUSKY, the combined Anglo-American invasion plan called for supportive airborne operations: during the predawn hours prior to the amphibious landings, British and American troops would be dropped and air-landed inland to seize key terrain and block enemy movement toward the invasion beaches.
Selected to protect the American beachheads, Major General Matthew B. Ridgway's untried 82nd Airborne Division — America's first airborne division activated by the War Department in August 1942 and based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina — received orders to deploy to a training area in North Africa. The Division's table of organization included one parachute infantry regiment and two glider infantry regiments; however, to meet the plan's operational requirement, one of the glider regiments would have to be replaced by an additional parachute regiment — Colonel James M. Gavin's 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia, got the call. Fourteen years after graduating from West Point and determined to repay his "Spartan mother" for all that she had given him, Jim Gavin — the orphan from the small coal-mining town in eastern Pennsylvania — would now have the opportunity to cancel the debt.
Assigned to the 82nd, Gavin moved his "boys" of the 505 to Fort Bragg. From Bragg, Gavin sent Barbara the first letter of their nearly three-year wartime separation, obviously determined that life remain as normal as possible for his nine-year-old daughter.
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[Undated]
Dear Barbara,
I am sorry that I forgot to send your allowance. I liked your Valentine very much. I have it on my desk now.
I am enclosing $1.00, your allowance for the last two weeks and 50 cents extra for being a good girl. I am glad that you are buying a war bond. It is wise to save and it is patriotic to buy bonds. If everyone buys enough bonds the war will be over soon and all of the soldiers can come home.
It has been very cold here [at Fort Bragg]. I live in buildings close to McKellars Pond where you went swimming last summer. There is ice on the pond now.
Write to me again when you have the time.
XXX Love,
Daddy
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April 11, 1943
Dear Babe,
I have finally after much looking about managed to get a typewriter so my letters from now on should at least be more readable. In addition, my letters from now on will very likely be exposed to an extra reading since the censor will be reading them too. That may ultimately cause some double talk and misunderstanding but it is all for the best.
I am enclosing a check for ten dollars which includes your allowance, plus the cost of "Never Call Retreat," and sufficient balance to get me a copy of "Lee's Lieutenants," Vol. II, by Douglas Southall Freeman. Please get it as quickly as possible and mail it to me at my present address. [My dad relaxed by reading and especially enjoyed books about the Civil War. — BGF]
I have been swamped with work and consequently haven't had an opportunity to send the radio, books, etc. I plan on getting it off tomorrow, or at least part of it. I have to send it express collect, let me know how much it cost.
Max was prop blasted last night. He did very well. He had a big bowl of milk and seemed to like it very much. [Max was the mascot of the 505, a handsome boxer dog who loved to jump. —BGF]
Love XXXXXXX,
Pappy
The 82nd Airborne Division departed Fort Bragg on April 20, 1943, for Camp Edwards, Massachusetts, where it would make final preparations for deployment overseas. Traveling by train under strict security and thereby keeping secret their move to war, America's newest elite soldiers were also directed to cover or remove their telling airborne insignias and badges and were further instructed on the wartime censorship regulations governing all correspondence.
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April 23, 1943
Dear Babe,
I have a new address now as you have probably noticed [by the enclosed APO card]. Be sure to address your letters to me exactly like that, notice that the word "parachute" is omitted, that is important.
I have been very busy or I would have written you sooner. After this letter it may be some time until you hear from me again. I will write you whenever I can. Sometimes letters may get lost or end up in the drink so you must expect that. In addition, any or all of my letters may be censored. That means that I will not be able to tell you very much, if anything, about where I am or what I am doing. If you follow the newspapers though, sooner or later you should find mention of our activities. Everyone is fine and very anxious to catch up with some nazis and japs. At present, as I said, we are very busy.
I saw some ceagles today. You remember them. It has been very cold and I miss the dogwood and cherry blossoms like I saw last time we took a walk together. [I once confused a seagull with an eagle. Realizing my mistake, I then called it a "ceagle," much to my dad's amusement. — BGF]
I was glad to get the candy that you sent to Fort Bragg. I received the Martha Washington and it was best of all. It should have been I suppose. Anytime you are wondering if there is anything you can send, send candy. I have about everything else that I can use. If you try to send anything it might be necessary for you to have this letter containing a request for a specific item, hence the request for candy.
I would like to tell you more about what's going on but I am particularly unable to right now. Perhaps later I will be able to be more newsy.
Love XXXX,
Pappy
On April 29, the three troop transports carrying the 82nd to North Africa sailed from the harbor of New York City in a well- protected convoy — the 505on board the converted liner "S.S. Monterey." Though the assistant division commander, Brigadier General Charles L. Keerans Jr., also traveled on board the "Monterey," the less-senior Gavin was made commanding officer of troops.
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May 1943
Dear Girls,
I thought I would let you know how things are going while I still have the time. This letter is to probably be mailed in New York. The permanent transport commanding officer, one Lt. Col. Truscott, is going to take it back with him and mail it upon arrival. If all goes well you should get it much more quickly than you would by the regular channels. Incidentally, I understand that the V-mail is now operating in you-know-where [French Morocco].
This is our fifth day at sea, maybe the sixth, and it is a very nice day. We are in quite dangerous waters and yesterday sighted our first sub. Fortunately it went right ahead minding its own business and we paid it no attention, so other than having to get up too early it caused no inconvenience. Our escort seems, to a landlubber, quite sizable. Except for losing some sleep and having to wear our water wings [life preservers] at all times, they cause no trouble. We will probably get a warm reception at the straits of you-know-where [Gibraltar] but no one seems concerned about it.
I have an interesting job. Being the senior officer aboard ship outside of General Keerans, who is not traveling in a command capacity, I am commanding officer of troops. The entire 505 is with me fortunately. In addition, I have an assemblage of 4,000 additional spare parts [replacement troops not yet assigned to a unit], casuals, and diverse nondescript forms of soldiery.
These parachute soldiers are tops and they are doing about all the work on this ship right now. Most of the people who joined have to be taken care of rather than helping. We have a grand ship, a big Matson liner. It is all quite an experience. Not the least interesting, Charlie is redoing his weekend in Tulsa, without accompaniment this time. I have been too busy, too much responsibility.
There has been nothing particularly exciting happening. We lost a big part of our air force yesterday. A ship was catapulted from one of our accompanying battleships during the passing visit of the sub, and when the pilot tried to land (this is an airplane I am talking about), the ship kept going into the ocean, busted a pontoon and disappeared. Too bad. A few more days and we may get within support of land-based aircraft. That will be much better.
We have no idea what is going on in the outside world. We have no way of getting the news. Radios are not permitted. No one on the ship receives news.
We have had the usual round of band concerts, physical training, care of weapons (which we don't have to caution them about anymore), boxing, inspections, etc. Starting today we are going to have language classes for everyone aboard ship simultaneously. We have records: Arabic, French, etc. After a brief introduction and explanation of what is to happen, they are played over the ship's public address system. At the same time officers have classes with the troops, each soldier has a text which follows the exact lesson being broadcast. Quite a system. Keeps them out of trouble. They don't learn much Arabic.
We have had no seasickness to amount to anything although the sea has been rough at times. This is a grand ship. The best ship in the convoy. I can look out and see the old "Chateau Thierry" at any time, she has been bouncing around like a cork since she left you-know- where.
I will give the V-mail a try as soon as I have an opportunity after debarking. It may get back before this.
The 505 is going to give a good account of itself in any capacity anywhere. Everyone is anxious and looking forward to what is coming. They have been outstanding in everything they have put their hands to since leaving Fort Bragg.
Love XXXXXXX,
Pappy
[On back of above letter]
We are now out eight days and things are pretty much humdrum. I thought you would be interested in the enclosed [Pocket Guide to North Africa]. Each soldier is to receive one before landing.
There has been no particular excitement. Passed Swedish prisoner of war exchange ship, or something like that, last night. Everyone was alerted and stood by for trouble. It stood out like Times Square in 1929. Lights aglow, we could see it for a long time. Our ship cannot be seen even a few feet away at night so we were quite suspicious. Since nothing has happened, I guess it was OK.
I finished "Lee's Lieutenants." Thanks very much. The purser aboard ship wanted to borrow it so he is taking it back with him, and if all goes well, he will mail it upon reaching the States.
Hope the allotment is coming through, I haven't been paid in a long time. If I can get some money wherever I am going, I will send it to the bank. I am sure, however, that your allotment is getting through.
Lots of seaweed floating around these days. Must be near the Az-r- s [Azores].
Love,
Pappy
* * *
May 1943
Dear Babe,
Thought you might like to have this table assignment ticket. Although there have been but two meals per day, there is food enough on those occasions to last longer than the next meal.
This will probably be my last letter aboard. We are nearing the end of our voyage. The sailors call this area "submarine alley," so far it has not lived up to its name which has been a bit disappointing and reassuring both. Of course now after coming so far we are anxious to get where we planned on going even though a little excitement would relieve the monotony.
The past few days have reminded me of the trip across the Pacific [traveling between San Francisco and Fort McKinley in the Philippines]. The days are getting warm and the sea is calm. Most of the poor sailors are over their initial spell of seasickness. I have been very comfortable and am enjoying all of the comforts while I still have an opportunity.
I hope you are getting good use of the radio. We are not allowed news of any sort. It has been very interesting under these circumstances to hear the fantastic and highly imaginative rumors that are circulated throughout the troop areas. Usually they are accompanied by some authentication to the effect that a member of the ship's crew got the straight dope from the ship's radio operator. Actually, no one gets any news but if it would be possible to do so, some authentic news should be sent around.
Our first land-based friendly plane has just appeared over our area. Everyone is very glad to see it. From now on we should get good protection and it also means we are getting close. As you probably know, submarines can be spotted from an airplane better than by any other means, and best of all, the airplane can bomb the submarine but the submarine cannot retaliate.
I hope you are doing well in your studies. Work hard and be honest with yourself as well as with others. I will send your allowance as soon as I can get some money. It may not be negotiable in the States but it will be your allowance and it will be money. Let me know how your grades are in school as soon as you can.
I am enclosing an "invasion arm band" [a strip of canvas with a stamped-on small American flag] which I thought you might like to have. They were worn by all American troops in the initial landing in Africa. You probably saw them worn in the newsreels.
Note the correct APO number: 469
Love XXXXX,
Pappy
CHAPTER 2
OPERATION HUSKY — NORTH AFRICA
Reaching the coast of North Africa on May 10, the convoy carrying the 82nd sailed into the harbor at Casablanca, French Morocco. While in North Africa, the Division fell under the administrative command of Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark's Fifth Army, headquartered at Oujda. Within days, the 82nd's units were bivouacked nearby, not far from a former French airfield selected as the base for the Division's partnered troop carrier wing.
HUSKY was scheduled for the early morning hours of July 10. American forces, commanded by General George S. Patton Jr., were to land on the island's southwestern coast, while the British and Canadian forces, commanded by General Bernard Montgomery, were to land on the southeastern extremity. The operation's final objective was to be the quick capture of Sicily's coastal town of Messina at the northeast corner of the island opposite the Italian mainland, preventing the enemy's escape across the narrow Strait of Messina.
Due to a shortage of transport aircraft, the airborne missions preceding the amphibious landings were scheduled piecemeal. Shortly after arriving in North Africa, General Ridgway informed Gavin that his regiment would be reinforced with parachute artillery, engineers, supporting elements of medics and signal personnel, and, exceptionally, one battalion from the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Together, this regimental combat team would form the American vanguard.
Responsible for the first large-scale combat airborne operation in the history of the U.S. Army, Gavin had only two months to properly train his team of over three thousand paratroopers in a desolate region of less-than-perfect training and living conditions. High winds that swept the area drastically curtailed the required jump training with the troop carrier wing; moreover the terrain, baked hard under the hot African sun, was strewn with large jagged rocks, making selections of suitable practice drop and landing zones almost impossible. Consuming food and water rations contaminated by the wind-borne sand that was infested with animal dung, the men soon became ill with dysentery so severe many were unable to train, let alone exist comfortably. Making life even more miserable for the men were the African flies that attacked them "as one dark and horrible force" without mercy, determined to destroy them "body and soul."
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May 11, 1943
Dear Babe,
Some place. The only difference between Pappy and the Arabs is that the Arabs are a bit hungrier. We are both very dirty right now. In addition, this is my first letter by candlelight, this is North Africa. [It was also his first letter written on V-mail. — BGF]
So far I have used a combination of French, Spanish, and Tagalog [the official language of the Philippines] and it works OK. The Arabs don't seem to understand anything except "Scram" and "Here is a cigarette."
Hope we don't have to stay here too long. It could easily become unpleasant. The climate seems like summer in Arizona but the place is dirty, dusty, unsanitary, and infested with louse-ridden Arabs.
Let me hear from you. I understand that I am not permitted to send XXXXs.
Love,
Pappy
* * *
May 17, 1943
Dear Babe,
I thought you would like to have these stamps so I am sending them along. I had a hard time buying them. They are Moroccan (French) and I am learning that my French is none too good. The The francs you may like to have. At the present rate of exchange they are fifty for a dollar. There are all kinds of them, Moroccan, Algerian, Tunisian, etc.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "The General and His Daughter"
by .
Copyright © 2007 Barbara Gavin Fauntleroy.
Excerpted by permission of Fordham University Press.
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