First Unit

"The beautiful fall day this morning is me to gladden your heart. I'm sitting now on the starboard rail with the gentlest of breezes blowing slowly. I've had my hair cut short, a provision feel sure will stand me in good stead. when we hit the ----- climes.

"At ----- where we wore sent originally we saw most of the town. Little picturesque cobblestone streets with tiny street cars much like S.F. cable cars. The women here have the loveliest complexions, just like yours, Mom, they are so clear skinned.

"Really it is most like a southern cruise. The A.F.S. men are acting very well; I'm happy to say the California contingent is the best spirited of them all.

"The morale is splendid with all of us; we sing almost every night and trade songs. The corridors are filled with little groups that even boast musical instruments and what is more important musicians. What with their efforts and ours we have a gay time. The cabin we are in is just big enough. It seems like home already ---at any rate it's cozy. But we are satisfied for what we had expected was a cattle boat and this is a far cry from that.

"The men are most interesting and already the trip has paid in full. I wouldn't have given it up for the world. The educational opportunities are wonderful and I hope to make the most of my opportunities;. We have in our 100 men a very varied group. It's little short of amazing how such a number get together and include such a high percentage of men with so much in common.

"By the time I get home I plan to have seen a great, great deal of land. The good Lord knows I've seen a very great deal of water. Now the land comes into it's own. I do hope you do not pine. Bear in mind that this is an important proposition, contributing not a little bit to education and I hope to my understanding of my fellowman, and more important relatively to myself. But again I say, don't worry."

From Bombay. Jan. 4th, 1942

"Xmas started cheerily with an ice-cream party by U-9 and with everybody smiling at everybody else. It was as nice a one as the authorities could provide, and an interesting and happy couple of days. The day ended with a recording of the Mikado and a glorious Indian ocean sunset. They are unique. The glow goes completely around the sky in a circle.

"We finally docked (Bombay) and were given a day's leave. Every time we go into port we have to get exchange and this time the wait for rupees took hours.

"We finally got started with lunch at the Taj Mahal Hotel, one of those tremendous open, gardened, and garish places that dot this part of the world. Very swank. Our first curry was worth the trip. All the chutney you wanted plus five or six doo-dabs of assorted goo which included a very crisp and dead fish known as 'Bombay duck'.

"Afterwards we got hold of a tonga (cart) and drove around the city. Parts of it are magnificent. The public buildings and the sections along the bay. The rest is very old and dirty and colorful. The people, of course, are the really fascinating sight. It's all like going into another world. There are a great many normal people, but even they stand out because of their turbans (Hindus) or fez (Mohamedan) and the women's ghost suits which cover even their faces. However, along the sidewalks stand, sit or lie the most amazing collection of perversions of humanity you can conceive ---cripples, or the remnants of diseases, malnutrition, etc. Women nursing their kids run after you pleading for "baksheesh", but if you gave one of 'em anything, the crowd that' d gather around you could fill the Bowl in ten minutes. The British here have cleaned up the place and kept disease, etc. under control and there is apparently complete order in the parts we've seen. Of course there's always the question whether so many ignorant people aren't really happier if they're left alone than blessed (?) with civilization.

"We stopped in at the bazaar which includes everything from monkeys and parrots to 'Hinduburgers' and on the way back we met a corpse being taken down the street (naked except for a few flowers) by five pall bearers.

"Leaving the ship, I really felt a few a pangs. It hadn't been an ideal cruise, but it had been 'home' for an awfully long time, it was a pretty easy and pleasant trip --- and we were a little apprehensive as to the future. (Fears ungrounded.)

"We marched from the dock to the station and on to the train. (third class) Each group was issued rations --- bread, a can of cornbeef and an orange, and off we went to camp. Ordinarily the trip would take about three hours, but this took six and it was hot and dusty. We read and kidded though, and arrived in pretty good shape. The last part of the trip was through the queerest mountains I've ever seen. Erosion has left the tops in towers, forts and castles that really look man-made and very eerie.

"The camp is mainly for transients and injured and isn't crowded, so we have plenty of room. We're quartered in a barracks of two large rooms, five to a room, each with a bunk (ropes but no springs) a large box for our stuff, and wall pegs. A hundred feet away are spigots for washing and next to that the shack where we get our grub and the mess house where we eat on long tables and have benches. The food is good as it's highly seasoned and although it's a little peculiar (meat cakes and onions for breakfast) the taste and sitting down again is enough.

"I spent the morning exploring. The country is very and, kind of like New Mexico must be --- cactus hedges and where there is irrigation, very luxuriant gardens. In the day time it gets up to the 80's or higher and at night it's cold as hell; but very dry and ideal if it weren't for the dust.

"In the course of my excursion I stumbled on a little hotel and to my delight a real bar, wall stocked with ice etc. I rushed back to camp, picked up ------- and it being New Years eve, we decided a cocktail was in order, and during our second, we were joined by an attractive young major and an older Lieut. Colonel, who turned out to be the C. O. for the camp. We started setting 'em up all around and they insisted we stay and join 'em in a delicious and. spirited lunch. Afterwards, a woman cane up and introduced herself as an American. (She's married to an Aussie who's here training) and was dying to talk to us. We brought out cigarettes and she, Scotch, and we had a pleasant afternoon bringing her up to date. She was a classmate of ------- so we ended up with a reunion and then the Col and Major reappeared. --- showed the Col. how to use his American fishing reel and the friendship was cemented. To see the Col. casting around the hotel room was a never to be forgotten sight. They insisted that we accompany them to the officers' ball and we needed little persuasion. It was as riotous a party as any I've ever been to.

"The next day the Col. had to have his fishing, so the four of us were joined by a couple of dull lieutenants and we set out in two cars (with three servants) to a lake about 30 miles away. While the rest fished, the Major and I sat under a tree and talked.

"And so life went on pleasantly and quietly for the next couple of days with an occasional trip to town and the bazaar where there's lots of stuff at absurd prices.

"Then it happened! I was quietly eating supper Saturday night, when ----rushed in with the news that he'd just found out a gang had gotten permission to go to Agra, and the train left in an hour. We jumped for the nearest compartment as the train was pulling out and then followed the damndest night I ever spent. When we looked around, we found ourselves surrounded by one Indian with a towel wrapped around his puss who mumbled all night into the Koran. a red-headed soldier who spit on the floor, and in one upper, a wizened little Moslem who alternately picked his toes and salaamed towards Mecca --- which left the other for ----- and myself,---which by lying head to toe and not moving, we managed to squeeze into. Later we were joined by a tremendous Sikh who sat on our suit cases, ---a very silent and efficient watchdog. What a night ! The next day ----- and I played casino in the diner and talked our way thru India. The rest of the gang joined us for meals which are quite an event on an Indian diner, --a minimum of eight courses. We arrived at Agra late in the afternoon, dumped our bags, and headed for the Taj. It was one of the real thrills of a lifetime. I can't describe it and a photograph doesn't begin to convoy its qualities. In the first place it's immense -- all of the finest marble, which has acquired an ivory shade and in carved to look like the most delicate embroidery. Inside are the tombs with flowers of precious stones etc. and the whole effect is fantastic. The Taj is only one of four large buildings --- an entrance hall, and two large red and white Mosques flank it. Then there are the gardens, the reflecting pools and the river behind. Not having much to bring to it and usually liking simple things best, I was amazed at the effect it had on me. It literally left me with my mouth open. After a prolonged gasp, we wont to a lovely hotel for dinner, also beautiful, --- and touched off by a couple of "Sin Proof" cocktails which made the Taj look double, were feeling very mellow when we returned for the pilgrimage by full moon, which was even more beautiful. Color and shadow changed every few minutes. After a mixup in leaving came back to the hotel for a drink, then followed the damndest night I've ever spent. Our train left at four A.M. so we curled up in chairs at the station for the first couple of hours, and then hopped the train and froze until Delhi at 7.30. (W had forgotten blankets in our excitement.) We made a. bee line for Hotel Cecil's Delhi brother which turned out to be the loveliest one I've ever seen. It's built around a garden and literally covered with bougencillia, with a swimming pool and tennis courts thrown in. Bobby and I had a balcony suite---living room with fire, beds with sheets, and bath with bath. After two months it looked like heaven.

'After breakfast, which consisted of eight courses, we started off in a car with Billie, an old Indian with an Oxford accent, as guide.

"First to new Delhi which the British have made into a lovely modern city. The government buildings are impressive tho imitative. The Congress for instance is a copy of the Coliseum. Towering above all is the Viceroy's palace. His Excellency was home, so it was closed, but by pulling the American angle, we wangled our way into one wing and saw the court room --- a tremendous oval of varied marble with a four foot chandelier dangling in the middle. Then to the Tower of Minar, an old Moslem tower from which they call the people to prayer. It's the highest building in India and there's a wonderful view from half way up, where I stuck. Then we went to see the ruins of a twelfth century temple, the Buddhists added on and then the Moslems semi destroyed it and built their own part which age has destroyed in turn. So you get all three religions and civilizations in one building. All that is left now are a few columns and arches and grass and sky. It was a lot like Glastonbury and we lay on the grass for an hour and loved it.

"At eight-thirty the next morning we started back for a lovely twenty-six hour train trip. By this time we were experienced travellers and between bridge and writing post cards the time passed pretty quickly. The next morning we pulled into camp, exhausted after two thousand miles and a full and exciting few days.

First Unit

"December 22, 1941.

We are headed for another Continent than originally intended but will eventually go the address I gave you before leaving New York. I'm fine and this is a grand experience with a splendid group of men.

"When you see Stephen Galatti, please tell him that we are well and happy and please write soon and often. The morale of the organization is excellent."

Letter from headquarters in Cairo in reference to the First Unit.

"The men are a changed lot --- more mature, self-reliant and certainly more efficient and they were delighted to get their hands on the cars after their long wait.

"I am just back from six days in camp on the desert with the men. They leave for ----- tomorrow, just under a week ashore. They are in fine form and keen to get started. They learned to ride their motor-cycles, ran practice convoys on the dessert, had demonstrations by a British sergeant on the care and upkeep of the ambulances, and in addition the sergeants had instruction in map reading.

"Everything at camp ran like clock work. The British officers in charge all turned out to meet us, and though we arrived at 9 o' clock, the men sat down to a bat supper less than fifteen minutes after getting out of the trucks. Capt. Sixsmith went with us to meet the men individually, he told me that his expectations had been high, but that the men surpasses his expectations.

You will be interested in reading below the list of equipment given out to the men in the first unit when they arrived in Cairo. It isn't every country which would supply our boys with a "house-wife !"

Equipment issued by British Army

Second Unit

"Most of the alleged advice (about, censoring) comes from the inevitable Englishwoman travelling around the world with her Scotty to join her officer husband. She is a mine of misinformation about everything, but I don't care to take a chance on having my letters chewed up by censors. The real. obstacle to a sparkling coruscating, epistolary gem is my torpid mental condition, part-induced by trying manfully to keep abreast of three or four Franco-Levantine meals a day and partly caused by more inoculations.

My serums are being injected by the capable hands of a pretty little nurse from Sasketchewan with a Scotch burr and a Scotch complexion. It is amazing to see again girls who have never used rouge or lipstick and who don't need it ! Little Miss ------ has brother in the Canadian Army in England and another training. for the air-force.

Pardon my pride, but the other men are getting their inoculations from a little ship's doctor, who has robust sense of humor and uses a needle the size of an anti-tank gun. His technique is said also to have a blitzen quality, about it.

My steward and I have arrived at a moderately satisfactory settlement of the language situation. His native tongue and mine failed to provide a meeting of minds, so I have gradually overpowered his resistance and am now making great progress in teaching him Egyptian out of a phrase book. After a fierce struggle of three days he conceded that coffee was 'gahwah' and not 'coffee'. This Arabic requires the development of special throat muscles and his are developing splendidly.

The blackout the first night was worse than I had anticipated. Coming unexpectedly out of the lighted dining room into the completely blacked out deck was one of the quickest shocks I've ever had. After falling over innumerable strange obstacles and zigzagging down the deck I finally reached the cheery smoking room aft. It's cheeriness was only a memory. It has become a dark shadowy cave lighted by two dim blue lights . Instead of the noisy talkative crowd, two or three dejected wretches inhabited it in lonely misery.

After one rough day which put the crew and. most of the passengers into their bunks we struck beautiful weather with the most magnificent moonlight nights imaginable. The romances flourishing in the moonlit blackout I leave to your imagination. We drifted one day, while the engines were being repaired, in the softest, bluest sea watching schools of fish investigating us . All too idyllic to last. "Lovely voyage" said a passenger. "So far!" snapped the grim little captain.

Second Unit

I thoroughly enjoy these days, taking a bath under a hose on deck, shaving in cold water, eating enormously and constantly dreaming of food, etc.

The island is lovely but there is not a single attractive man-made feature there, or none that I saw. Some of us went to a Calypso show but the dialect is a bit too thick, which is natural when you consider that the population is a compote of negro, Hindu and Chinese, with the vices of all and the virtues of none.

Everyone was very cordial to us. Even H.M. Navy was highly affable. Several. of us one night ran into the commander of a sub-chaser and be kept setting up drinks while telling us about bombarding the Libyan ports from a destroyer several months ago. What pleased us most, however, was being returned to our ship on a navy launch, with proper ceremony.

The days go by very quickly. First a huge breakfast; then several hours of lectures, map-reading, first-aid, calisthenics and drill, etc.; sunbath and salt water shower and then it's time for lunch. The afternoon idles away with reading and deck tennis, perhaps clothes washing, tea time with the nurses, finally dinner again along with blackout, usually violated by an unbelievable moon. Those last few days I've spent watching the albatross swooping and gliding along with us.

The ship's captain welcomed our offer to form lifeboat crews and to stand watch at night. Our watches are mainly to enforce the blackout. My last turn was at sunrise and I can't even try to describe the beauty of it with the Southern Cross fading out.

The days have all been lovely. In the Caribbean it was hot, lazy August. Now running South it is like September at Nantucket, altho the South Atlantic is a different ocean, or so it affects the imagination, a wider emptier ocean with strange strips of clouds, and strange unafraid life in it,----albatross, Mother Carey's chickens, and schools of whales, all alongside the sane afternoon. Instead of merely enduring the trip as we expected, I am going to be deeply regretful when it comes to an end..

Second Unit

"Come what may, the company on this trip will be good. Which of course leads me to the 90 Red Cross girls --- all Canadian and headed for------. They give the appearance of being a very bustling, spirited young bunch with types of as varied sorts as in our own crowd. Finally a dozen R.A.F. boys, an Englishwoman trying to get to India, and several French engineers complete the passenger list.

The crew is entirely Egyptian and are an odd lot of looking individuals wearing their fezes all the time and having their faces all criss-crossed with terrible looking scars which are somehow connected with their religious beliefs.

Our ship is completely blacked-out, and reading at night will be impossible as what few lights stay on in certain heavily shaded rooms are very weak indeed. One can't even smoke on deck. The Captain is absolutely superb, and I honestly can not think of anyone I have ever met better qualified to lead us. The food is good and plentiful, and from what I gather will continue to be so. One of the worst things so far has been the cold, but after tomorrow night we have miles all in warm weather.

Sun. Jan. ----

I have been on deck reading and playing chess all day. Getting around the ship at night is quite a problem. Deck chairs, ropes, machinery, and other people comprise obstacles so numerous that the going is treacherous at best. I ran smack into the arms of one of the scar-faced crew when both of us were reaching out with our hands in front of us.

The entire morning today was spent in map reading, which is a considerably more complicated subject than I realized. This will be essential to our

work later because all our orders will be issued with localities designated by latitude and longitude, etc.

There was a life boat drill for the first time today and we all rushed off

to our designated spots with life preservers and musette bag of equipment which we are supposed to have available at all times. Everything went off well. The crew are a strange lot indeed. Some are Sudanese and others are Moslems. When we left New York all the Moslems were down on their knees toward the East out on the deck of the ship, bowing and mumbling for some time.

Most of us have a good tan and are over the early stages of sunburn. The ocean has been full of flying fish, which can be seen endlessly rising just a few yards in front of the boat and soaring away fifty to a hundred yards, dipping in and out of the troughs of the waves, occasionally scraping one and then bouncing off and going on. Most of them are only about 4" long but often we see the much larger ones too. We saw two sharks following behind us yesterday, great white things following us like wolves .

"We are definitely in the tropics and the heat has set in for fair, though this is nothing compared to what is coming, I am told. Everyone is wearing shorts and cotton shirts, which is quite a contrast to the heavy overcoats, woolen sweaters, etc. we had on a few days ago. The rough weather has entirely gone and tonight the sea has an ominous, glassy look which is accentuated by a copper disc of moon. The heat inside the cabins and dining rooms is oppressive and everyone is moving out onto the deck for the night. When the portholes and doors have to be kept shut for black-out purposes, ventilation inside is about nil.

Second Unit.

"Feb. 4, 1942.

We are just coming into the harbor, which is extraordinarily beautiful, where I want to find a letter awaiting me. The voyage has been pleasant, beautiful. weather, and comically like a cruise ship.

Had quite a celebration on crossing the line. -----------acted as Neptune (a very fat one). I was Triton, decked out in a Dutch bay's uniform. There was a general rough-house ending by turning the fire hose on all the spectators.

There was deck tennis, ping pong and Bridge Tournaments, and last night the Captain's Dinner, amateur theatricals, and a dance, which, considering the blackout, was quite successful. The ship has a fine cellar! Lanson's 28 at $4.50 a bottle---hard to resist even in our reduced circumstances. However, it hasn't all been revelry and entertainment. We assemble at 9 a.m. for instruction in map reading, First Aid, or something. Then, a half hour of calisthenics --------- taking half the group, and I the other half. In the afternoon, we read or play games, and at 4 o'clock ----- and I alternate in giving setting up exercises to the ladies. While I imagined a number of things, I never pictured myself giving calisthenics to a group of all ages, sizes, and attire! In the evening we play Bridge or Chess, drink and sing 'Sweet Adeline', etc. Very collegiate! I also conduct a Bridge class for some of older, more serious nursing sisters." .

Third Unit

Hotel Edward, March 6, 1942.

"Much has transpired since I last wrote. We only stayed at X overnight ----couldn't go ashore and were required to gaze largely at what appears to be a beautiful city from the ugly deck of an uglier ship.

We got in here on Wednesday, March 4th, early. We came ashore and immediately began investigating possibilities of other methods of travel from here on. The boat was perfectly comfortable but the disadvantages of staying aboard were manifold. We could not even be sure where our boat was going from here--- schedules mean nothing you know. Anyway we found we can fly to ------ and almost surely the rest of the way as well. We may have to proceed overland for part of the journey, but from all appearances it will save us not less than two weeks and possibly closer to five. It should be fascinating and for all I can see now it will be the last chance I am likely to get for many years to see this continent. You can imagine with what relief we say 'farewell' to the men on the ship, many of whom I had become quite fond of.

This a charming city---about 25,000---it is a winter resort. This hotel is as nice as any you are likely to find in the fanciest places and the food is, after the boat, quite a revelation. It costs me 26 shillings a day with meals. The town is full of military men from every country in the Empire --officers of all ranks and descriptions. Only slightly less numerous are the naval boys and the R.A.F. The man in civies is the definite exception and is very conspicuous indeed. We have fallen quite into line by wearing our shorts and the word 'American' on our uniforms is an open sesame to anything. We must be very nearly the first they've seen in uniform and the result has been that nothing is too good for us.

As soon as we had left the boat, we went to the American Consul ---he was most cordial and promptly suggested this hotel, dinner the night following at his home, and the trip by air. The hotel is on a gorgeous beach. We have a private balcony from which we survey the ocean --- the harbor entrance ---a series of about fifteen beach sides, irregularly shaped swimming pools and an aquarium. It's truly beautiful --- colorful, gay and exudes good will and hospitality. This afternoon, after lunch, we went on a shopping tour for some things we needed. You can get about anything in the world here if you've got the money to pay the price. There is yet little, if any, effective control of anything outside of a few essentials such as gas, rubber and certain foods.

The city itself is a strange hodge-podge. It is definitely Americanized in the sense that everything one buys is from the States ---the biggest ad in town is of Lux Toilet Soap. The buildings are or the most part modern and are extremely fine looking. This is the off season --- in another three or four months the place will be jammed with winter vacationists . But the town itself has little of the resort atmosphere---it's a substantial industrialized center as well as being the main seaport on this side of the cape --- quite a bit more important along this line than-----.

The black population are amazing. They're from all over the place ---most of them look as if they'd come from Lenox Avenue instead of the other way --- by their dross that is, and general appearance. Others are savages of the most primitive variety. The town is littered with rickshaws drawn by natives who get themselves up in the most grotesque costumes you can imagine. Brightly colored robes (it's hot as hell but they don't pay any attention) with all manner of jingles hung on them and draped around the body. But the piece de resistance is the head dress---two horns brightly painted stick out from their ears --- the latter going straight up. The face is covered with paint and usually they wear rings in their noses and ears and have in addition, feathers plastered all over their heads. This is no exaggeration. Surprisingly enough the rickshaw isn't for the tourist, because I have yet to see any but a native riding in one. The Europeans simply won't do it. The sight of one of these creatures at a traffic light with two Harlem boys in the rickshaw, a bus that looks like a fifth Avenue coach on one side and a 1941 Buick on the other is not soon to be forgotten --- here it is a simple commonplace.

The ----- officials amused us when they apologized profusely for having taken about a half hour to complete our clearance. Never have I been treated with such extreme courtesy and I have never gotten so much accomplished in such a short time.

Yesterday afternoon we had to get our stuff off the boat --- that was an awful mess. This took us so long that we had to give up our dinner with the Consul --- we're going there next week unless we leave tomorrow which is unlikely. Then an American medical missionary --- the director of the biggest hospital in town --- invited us to dinner tonight; we are going as soon as I have finished this. We've met an American correspondent who is staying here at the hotel. He's just come from ----- and may return. With him is a British Colonel --- and they have been very nice. We may go off for the day with them tomorrow or Sunday if we're still here. The American's name is Paul Manning. He writes for the World Telegram --- watch for his stuff."

"I happened to be at a farewell party given by the American Field Service in honor of the drivers. You never saw such happy faces, shining with eagerness --- young and middle aged --- some of them near-sighted --- several had a limp --- but all of them so glad of the chance to do something useful somewhere --- anywhere.

Just because a man has been deferred from duty with Uncle Sam's forces because of his age or a physical defect doesn't mean he can't serve in the American Field Service. By the same token, healthy, able-bodied lads, fit for active duty, have been deferred because they signed up with this organization.

Martin Knowlton, A.F.S. driver just returned from the Syrian campaign, says: 'If we can get these men to a hospital in six hours after they are wounded, we have a good chance of saving their lives. If not, shock sets in and there is little hope. There are not enough ambulances and drivers.' Martin is heading back to the Middle East as soon as possible.

Fourth Unit

"It's a grand trip, with we fellows safer than the 4th. of July. Meals fine; weather grand. Please do not worry, for we are not."

Fourth Unit

Postmarked: Tampa, Fla. February 25, 1942.

"We have been sailing several days now and I am told this might be forwarded to you after we left some port of call. After the first days' organizational confusion our life is rapidly reaching a routine. Everyone has a blue card. 'Messing Card, Table #3, Second Sitting' That's mine. We carry our kapok life belts wherever we go and frequently have drills for entering the life boats. The boys have brought musical instruments, a violin (how sadly sweet it sounds through the crowded quarters, smelling of new wood, sweat and dust), a cornet, a banjo and a clarinet. I blow the mouth organ A gave me. 'Old Black Joe' and 'Oh Susanna'. Our status aboard is ambiguous, but Mr. ------ is making herculean efforts to look out for us. Now the weather is warmer, accompanied by squalls. Rumors abound wherever there is no accurate source of news. They are somewhat of a curse, these rumors. Soon classes will be inaugurated in 'First Aid' and Mechanics. The food is tolerable, butter, sugar and occasionally an apple are given us. There are several photographers aboard, but we have had to surrender our cameras until the voyage is over. It is a small matter. The simplest pleasures become paramount. Milk, a drink I am fond of, I haven't had since we left, though we did have tea, currant cakes, buttered bread, thin, one afternoon. The AFS men take out compasses and maps to figure where we are. I ate a package of Joyce Ltd. biscuits today and a can of fruit salad. I feel strongly that Fate is tossing us to and fro over the earth. Many to whom I talk have no homes to go back to and don't know where their children are. We have been lucky. I enjoy the work, miss bathing and washing duds which haven't been arranged yet... But I am much better off than most. Adventurers have a limited value in society, I believe. Well, 10:30 is 'Lights Out' and we have to get up early. Books have been brought in large numbers. Delicacies are shared. Boys and men are a fine cross section of intelligent America.

Later: Medical care here is adequately accounted for . . . . It has been rumored that the British will give us battle dress when we arrive. Chevrolets are the cars we'll drive.

(From 2nd. letter mailed some time to friend)

It is difficult to keep my uniform clean. Baths are reduced to sponging. The officers are organizing recreation and classes. Inspection of our crowded bunks is regular. I take long rapid walks. . . Many of the men are no older than 18, one or two over 50. We carry our life preservers everywhere and call them 'our knitting'. So far I have not set eyes on any nurses, though speculation is rife among us about them. There is a nonchalant camaraderie about the boys. Biscuits, candy, magazines are shared. There has been a 'losing objects' streak, bolts, caps, even duffle bags disappear, apparently magically...We are fortunate, so far, to be in the AFS, because it is not as rigid as the regular forces. To-day for the first time we were allowed onto the sun deck, where volley ball and boxing, tossing the medicine ball, etc. in the still nippy, but sunny air will help us in condition. The men line up before the canteen for Australian biscuits, Schrafft's chocolate, and a very good, waterproof boot polish. We will be getting 1st. Aid and auto trouble shooting very soon in classes. The men come from 22 states, I believe, and are collected together under officers who have had an excellent background of years in the Army. Our leader is an air corps officer, who does not wish to be a martinet at all, but who I am sure will enforce discipline and do his best to secure for us all he can in privileges and considerations... The constant drill has brought an order to the situation of leaving ship and made us all feel the reality of danger....How the fresh air revives the spirits ...I must say the necessity for keeping only masculine society is trying. You miss the spontaneity of laughter and the more emotionally free attitude of women....I am reasonably happy, though we'll all be glad to set foot on land. Often I am glad I stopped smoking, because here it is restricted, though cigarettes are but 7¢ a pack. Herds of men smoke, in the blacked-out passage ways, walking to and fro, a piano securely lashed down, tinkles the 'Beer Barrel Polka'. Newspapers are non-existent end news so scarce, that rumor suffices. Rumor is the 'Grape vine'. People were very good to us in New York, putting us up at their homes... The sea is a kind of frothy Prussian blue In the afternoon an impromptu orchestra of cornet, violin and clarinet, plays Duke Ellington's 'Mood Indigo'... Sea gulls, and once a porpoise, are sighted.

Postmarked, New Orleans, April 1, 1942.

Gradually the weather has become warm enough to wear shorts. The stewards are doing our laundry reasonably enough, the food is coarse, but better than we shall probably get regularly on land, in the future; the quarters are crowded, but everyone is surprisingly cheerful and cooperative, despite difficulties, as these and of bathing. Enclosed you will find some sketches I did of the boys. More will follow when I get the chance. The air is marvelous, the sun, however, dangerously strong and deceptive. Last night, after a brisk walk around the deck to settle our dinners, we listened to our violinist play, opened cans of fruit and later discussed religion. Usually a most dangerous subject, the atheists, agnostics, Quakers, Catholics and others argued so convincingly that you could be persuaded as you wished. In the mornings I have an opportunity to do a bit of Mensendiecke exercising, and have answered many questions about the system. So far, no smoking by me, but I have bought cigarettes here (very cheap) as medium of exchange, later. Quite a number et Yale men are, in this AFS contingent... One boy in the group studies Arabic, others German, Egyptian, Spanish. Every so often we have air raid drills and boat drills. The nights are splendid. We can still see the stars we know, clear and sharp... Our boat is fast and smooth. There is little sea sickness and a good number of dispensaries to choose from when you are ill. The library of books the boys brought includes Dorothy Parker, mystery stories, like Gypsy Rose Lee's G-String Murder, poems, plays, Audel's Auto Guide. There are two auto mechanics with this group. There is speculation on exchange. Some of the boys brought large amounts, others very little. We are going to be equal to warrant officers abroad and should be fairly well taken care of. Things are settling into a routine. We are becoming acquainted. A Daily Paper is issued with the radio news from shore. "

Fourth Unit.

"We've been rather satisfied with the ship except for a few minor inconveniences. Sleeping accommodations are not the best. We are rather crowded into bunks ---one piled above a another--- about 2 1/2 x 6 high---50 per floor on two floors of what used to be the squash court. Right now it is quite hot, but we are allowed out on deck to sleep. We share the deck with the others. In my opinion and that of the majority of the fellows, our officers are working like Trojans and doing a swell job. They certainly have much with which to contend. In spite of our inconveniences we are all resolved to go ahead and do the job and do it well.

I'm writing from one of the uppermost decks where the wind is blowing furiously. The weather, however, has been fine all the way through. No storms ---no incidents or accidents.

Some very interesting things ---unusual and unprecedented have taken place on the trip. I'm very happy I acted on your suggestion to come when I did.

In spite of the officialdom of the officers (not our own, of course) we are permitted two things for which we are very happy---after being shunted from place to place we finally have two small decks entirely for our own use, and we also have access to the Officers Bar. The bar has not been touched as far as the original furnishings go---it still is as comfortable as ever. There is no hard liquor sold anywhere and it seems strange to order a half dozen drinks in the main bar of this particular ship and pay the waiter thirty cents! Coke, lemon pop and such is the order of the day. The bar is important to all of us because it is a place on board in which we are permitted that is at all like home. I don't mean a bar is like home---but here we have comfortable chairs, low lighting, an attentive waiter etc.,---and all the while we are plowing thru not the safest of waters! So there is a law of compensation---if we must have privates' mess, we also have the officers' bar. We used to enjoy the lounge that was reserved for officers, but that lasted only two days.

Blackouts are stringent. As soon as it is dusk we black out--- and completely. Decks are cleared, all portholes locked --- and we become a Stygian ship on a Stygian ocean. Boat drills are fairly frequent. They asked 25 AFS men to volunteer as litter bearers and got them quite easily. The very first drill which occurred the same morning as their request for men, we fastened on our Red Cross bands and were at our posts, 25 strong, in record time. Esprit de corps for the most part is especially good. There's lots more, a heck of a lot more, I feel we personally could do, but conditions here are difficult, and I've sufficient confidence in our officers to know that if they could remedy the situation they would."

Fifth Unit

Just a word to let you know that everything has gone as well as possible. There are fifteen of us, and as agreeable and congenial group as once could ask to travel with. We spend our time at deck tennis, cards, fooling around, talking with the ship's officers---as interesting, humorous, and kindly lot of people, ---looking at the ocean, etc. They sell drinks on board, but in fact we drink mostly beer, not much of that. We are the only passengers. There are showers. The food is excellent and plenty of it, we have a smoking room (small but big enough for our number) to ourselves, and plenty of deck space. The nights are hot, and the ship is, quite rightly, thoroughly blacked out, but very soon we shall be spending them on deck.

I am interested and pleased to see how little I miss the ordinary luxuries of life --- we have all the necessities and many of the comforts here --- and how easily I still get on with young people. But what really does give me a great deal of satisfaction is my luck in getting this job. Looking at the situation as dispassionately as I could, I had not been able to hide from myself that the chances were strongly against my getting anything whatever, and it was really getting under my skin. Now, all that is over, and the war affects one differently. When we get news again --- we do have some wireless reports but pretty unsatisfactory---we shall be pleased or disappointed but it will somehow be different; we shall have our own little activities to attend to as best we can, and it will be other people's business to attend to the great things as best they can.

Your first aid manual and bandages have been a godsend; some of the boys know something about it, and our classes are going well.

It is the nicest ship you can imagine. There is plenty of deck space and an agreeable sitting room besides the dining saloon. The officers are pleasant, kindly, humorous, interesting to talk to, and evidently know their job thoroughly. The food is abundant, plain and good, and the men of our group are as good a lot as one could ask for, with enough difference of age and background to lend variety. In short, everything is going to perfection --- this is not to cheer you up, it is so.

Naturally it is a great relief to have something definite to do in this situation. I am doing it and will do it as well as I can; as that is immensely satisfying. The Japs or Hitler may take this place or that, but I am doing my little part, and I do attend to it, I can have a feeling that if things turn out well it has not been in spite of me, and if they turn out badly it has been in spite of me; do remember that our separation is the price of this satisfaction. We are about to make port, and this is just to add that everything is going as well as possible and that I am enjoying myself thoroughly."

Fifth Unit.

"We've been out now for three days and are having the time of our lives. Our accommodations are much more than we had expected, large stateroom, good food and lots of room to roam around. We have quite a few bridge players on board and have some pretty lengthy sessions.

They naturally will give us no idea where we are or where we are going, but of course that was to be expected. The blackout each night is really a black-out. If you go on deck the blackness envelopes you as if with pressure, and anyone caught with a lit cigarette can expect to be quietly hit over the head."

Colonel Richmond, who is in charge in Cairo writes:

"I told one of the officers what I had written and had his approval, but he came to the office later to say that on further consideration he thought it would be unwise to say so much; they are so frightfully afraid that letters might be captured and information get into enemy hands. He has been here for months and men vow his wife does not know where he is."

ANNOUNCEMENT

The American Field Service can no longer accept packages for shipment to the men because of very stringent regulations in regard to them.

It is gratifying to receive the letters from some of you expressing interest in the Bulletin. We must find some means of financing it and are hoping the parents and relatives will be willing to contribute monthly to it. With the ever increasing amount of material coming in and the growing membership, we will be obliged, before long, to print it. Do you feel you get enough from it to donate a dollar a month towards its continued existence?

A WARNING!

DON'T EVER mention any knowledge (not even to your most, trusted confident) concerning travel activities of the A.F.S., no matter where, in this chaotic world, these activities are. Our boys', and other boys', lives hang on the utmost support from home. Strictest self-censorship is our duty.

HAVE YOU an American Field Service Pin?
We have had many compliments about them from the friends and relatives of the boys. You can order them from our headquarters at 60 Beaver St., New York, N.Y. at two dollars apiece.

Last minute news, just arrived, of the First Unit on the job.

"Then I took them up to Syria. We started off at 7.00 a.m. There were 13 motorcycles in the convoy, besides trucks, ambulances and staff cars. Only four of the men had ever ridden motorcycles before, but, if they were saddle-weary at the end of the first day' s run, no one knew it. They were grinning; and 210 miles is something on a motorbike. We slept that night on the desert, under the stars. It was very cold, and even colder at daybreak when we were off again. Another night in the open, and the next day our destination. I have seen lots of convoys, but never anything like this one. The cars kept perfect alignment and distance; the motorcycles scouted ahead---or whizzed back and forth along the line carrying messages. There were no accidents; and every escort sent out to meet us at crucial points said the same thing---that this was the only convoy in history to arrive on the scheduled time. 500 miles on the dot ! and no one else had done it. Thru Palestine the natives were agape as we passed, and in Syria the excitement was more intense.

Bulletin No. 3

Index