North African recollections

Kingarthur - finally found that chap who wrote extensively about Algiers - he may still be around - his stories are well worth tracking through both Africa and Italy - especially his time in Rome - only the Pay Corps were staionery for that long ...


BBC - WW2 People's War - My Billets in Algiers: A Pub, a Casino and a Bank
Cheers

That was a good read Tom,there was a bit that made me wince then chuckle and Ive pasted it below.

The Kasbah was out of bounds (off-limits) to all military personnel. Legends circulated - maybe more than legends - about soldiers who had tried to 'chat up' Arab women and whose bodies, when discovered, lacked certain organs. The ordinary British soldier had a half-contemptuous, half-amused attitude towards the 'natives'. We were unaware that 'Arabs' were sometimes Berbers. The veiled women aroused little erotic interest. Most of those appearing in public were obviously so old and fat that the veil was a kindness. 'I'll get one for my old woman when I get home,' was a common remark.

 

This very descriptive story of Algiers from Len Scott also mentions the unique smell.

BBC - WW2 People's War - Dawn and Darkness in Algiers, 1943

 

This is an excerpt of my father's recollections of his first days in Africa - he was serving with the 38th (Irish) Brigade :


QUOTE :


After sailing for almost a week, elements of our convoy seemed to peel off. I believe we went through the Gibraltar Straits at night as I cannot remember seeing the rock. I remember, however, seeing the vivid white houses and the towns of the North African shore. I was ordered to arrange a pay parade. It was held on the mess deck. It was hot and crowded and I had barely started when I had to run to be sick. The foetid air was too much. The men were paid a fixed amount in a strange currency, Allied Military Francs. I attended an operations (O) group where our destination was confirmed as North Africa. I was issued with maps that filled two bren gun magazine cases. I was ordered to issue every person with a 48-hour emergency pack. Our part of the convoy separated. We entered Algiers Harbour and berthed at the quay without tugs. It was a beautiful morning on Thursday 22 November 1942 and the sun shone brightly. We speedily disembarked. The great liner pulled away. On the quay was a great stack of kitbags which we would not see for months. Some would be permanently mislaid. While we were waiting we were attacked by aircraft which were chased by some of ours. Bombs were dropped but not on us. We were formed up in companies in full marching order with a blanket on top of our other equipment. All the men also carried two filled bren magazines or a case of three two-inch mortar bombs. I carried two cases of maps of the whole of Algeria and Tunisia in large and small scale. The officers carried almost as much as the men. Led by our sensible commanding officer, who wore only skeleton equipment of belt and shoulder straps, we climbed out of Algiers in thick service dress carrying everything in the hot midday sun. The pipers carried only their pipes. The first mile out of Algiers was a steady climb up a road that wound in a semi circle. Gradually men collapsed from heat and exhaustion. At first, stretcher bearers went to attend to them. Eventually, we left them where they fell. Gradually, my load increased. At one time I was carrying a bren gun and a two inch mortar but I had farmed out the case of maps.

We finally arrived at an open space which was large enough for the whole battalion. We were told to take off our equipment and make ourselves comfortable. Stragglers appeared and joined us. We were told we could open our emergency rations and have a meal, but were warned that it would have to last the full 48 hours. A water tanker appeared. We filled our water bottles and brewed up in our mess tins. There was no twilight and suddenly the light went, although it was early evening, probably about 6pm. As soon as the sun had gone, the cold set in. We were allowed no lights and certainly no fires. Putting on every scrap of clothing including our greatcoats and anti-gas capes, we huddled together and tried to sleep. It was said the commanding officer went around begging for a share of a blanket. Canvass buckets had been left which the men used to wash and shave the following morning. After eating a breakfast from their packs of biscuit, margarine, jam and potted meat, they washed it down with a powdered tea mixture brewed up in their mess tins. The battalion was paraded by companies, inspected and then led by the pipers on a route march wearing skeleton equipment but carrying all weapons. The only persons excused were the sick and the strong picket left to guard the mounds of equipment. We marched in a great circle, returning to the camp after about two hours. In the early afternoon, transport arrived with the quartermaster and regimental quartermaster in charge. Colour sergeants reported with fatigue parties and were issued their first 14 men packs of composition (compo) rations.


END QUOTE