February - May 1944
February 6 - 26,
1944
Bizerte,
Tunisia
While the LCI 35 was in dry dock in Bizerte,
Dad wrote a number of letters to his
sister Mae. Most of the letters dealt with personal matters going
on at home, however, a few contained information on his thoughts, feelings and
ambitions.
While Task Group 81.1 continued to operate in the Naples Area a number
of Flotilla Two LCIs were directed to Bizerte including the following:
LCIs: 9,13, 15, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 35, and 231.
LCIs: 9, 13, 15, 35, 216, and 231 were given all available
aid for reconditioning.
February 26 - April
3, 1944
Bizerte
and Tunis Tunisia - Naples Italy
LCI (L) 35
remained in Bizerte until February 26th when it traveled to Tunis
for additional repair work and then to the Naples area until
April 3rd.
The LCI 35 Docked at
Bizerte, Africa
February
26, 1944
LCIs 13, 35 and 231 were dry docked in Tunis.
February 1944 |
Other WW II Action and Notable Events |
February 7, 1944 |
Germans launched a counter-offensive at Anzio |
February 20, 1944 |
US bombers began raiding German aircraft manufacturing centers in a series of attacks that became known as "Big Week" |
March 1944
Bizerte and Tunis, Tunisia
While the ship was in dry dock being repaired, Dad and his other shipmates
tried to enjoy themselves as much as possible. Here are some photos
taken probably at some night spot in Tunis, Tunisia.
John Laga (Top Left), Dad
(Front Center), Frank Roachell (Top Right) with Unidentified Persons in Tunis, Tunisia
Pozzouli, Italy
Sometime in March 1944, after being reconditioned, the LCI (L) 35
returned to the Naples area (Pozzouli) to continue operations with
Flotilla Two and Task Group 81.1.
March 1944 |
Other WW II Action and Notable Events |
March 6, 1944 |
US heavy bombers staged the first American raid on Berlin |
March 15, 1944 |
Allied bombers again raided German-held Monte Cassino |
March 24, 1944 |
In occupied Rome, the Nazis executed more than 300 civilians in reprisal for an attack by Italian partisans the day before that killed 32 German soldiers |
April 1944
April 3 - 15, 1944
Back to Bizerte,
Tunisia
On April 3rd Flotilla Two was ordered to Bizerte. LCIs 75, 173,
and 238 were added to the Flotilla raising the total number of LCIs
in Flotilla Two to 30.
Oran, Algeria
April 13 -20, 1944
On April 15th Flotilla
Two proceeded to Oran, Algeria and reported to the Com 12th Fleet
on its arrival on April 17th.
Map of Gulf of Arzew
April 20, 1944
At 0300 on April 20th Flotilla 2, including LCI (L) 35, left Oran
as part of Task Group 81.13 and joined convoy MKS 46 for England.
The convoy arrived in the Straits of Gibraltar on April 21st. On April
28th the convoy received it's orders: "Your destination in UK
is Penarth".
| April and May 1944 |
Other WW II Action and Notable Events |
| April 22, 1944 |
US forces began invading Japanese-held New Guinea with amphibious landings near Hollandia |
| May 11, 1944 |
American forces launched a major offensive against German lines in Italy |
| May 18, 1944 |
Allied forces finally occupied Monte Cassino in Italy after a four-month struggle that claimed some 20,000 lives |
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