N. Atlantic/Merchant Marine/The Draft

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by chipm, Nov 1, 2017.

  1. chipm

    chipm Well-Known Member

    Prior to summer of 1943, The Battle of the Atlantic was such a horrendous reality for a sailor on a Merchant Ship.
    I often wonder how We/They got the guys to keep going. Were they excluded from the draft.?.....or maybe a better question is...if they did not serve on a Merchant Ship, were they quickly tossed into the daft pool.?
    It must have been a terrifying proposition, to keep making that run across The Atlantic.
    Thank You
     
  2. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    Horrendous indeed. Many were sunk, some several times and they still went back. I remember when watching the Festival of Remembrance in 50s/60s the Merchant Navy contingent always got an extra loud cheer.
    Is that a pun or a typo in line 3!!
    Tim
     
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    I'm guessing you're asking from US perspective?

    From site dealing with American Merchant Marine at War
    Frequently Asked Questions about the Merchant Marine
     
  4. chipm

    chipm Well-Known Member

    Yes...mostly USA, not sure if Canada and England were similar.
    Thanks for that link.....pretty much answers my question.
    Thank You
     

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