Aug. 12, 15, 16, 17 & 18, 1943
Aug. 12: last night we had a very heavy air raid. An ammunition dump blew up and burned for hours. It was very pretty but a little close. Today I went to Scordia and met a Captain who was an inspector for Scotland Yard. He showed me through the Typhoid Hospital he had opened. A most remarkable chap. Later on we went to a tank bridge laying and Scorpion Tank mine exploding demonstration. Two days of my punishment over. Still behaving.
Aug. 15: Went on a Unit sight seeing tour. Two jeep loads and two truck loads. Went from billets north of Scordia to Palagonai, then to Caltagirone, north to Piazza Armerina, then north to Enna, which sits as a citadel on top of a very high rocky hill, then east to Leonforte, then east to Agira – a city built on a dome like hill then to Regalbuto a few miles west of Mt. Etna – then straight south to Palagonia and back to billets. Really a terribly rugged, barren country, with hair pin bends as roads.
Aug. 16: Started running a hospital and taking Brigade sick parades on admitting. Am terribly busy – Malaria and Dysentery to an alarming figure.
Aug. 17-18: Working terribly hard, Malaria and Dysentery almost swamping us – but believe we can handle it.
Aug. 5, 7, 8 & 11, 1943
Aug. 5: George Dodds and I drove to Syracusa in Scout Car. Visited the Cave where Daniel was thrown to the lions. Saw their old pens which are now being used as air raid shelters – then visited the old Cathedral built at the same time. Took Dodd’s confession from Confession Box and annointted him with Holy Water. Discovered that the 5th Can. Gen. Hosp. Were on the hill in Syracusa so went up to visit Marj. Florendine. We had a lovely chat for about 1/2 hour – then we returned to Catania Plains. News just received that Catonia has fallen today. The part of Sicily still held by the Germans is slowly but steadily dwindling. Italy next, and before long at that. Bert and Jim are forward with me now with the 15cwt ambulance.
Aug. 7: Jimmy Edmunds, Poop, Wells and drive were blow up in a jeep yesterday. Jimmy is badly wounded and in hospital. Poop has a punctured ear drum. We are moving back to A Echelon today, all three Echelons will be together again.
Aug. 8: Made a statement that I have never seen morale of the Unit as low – a statement which is true. The Col. did not believe me and instead of investigating, as he should – fired me from the Unit. I went before the Brigadier who sent me to Field Ambulance for a month – then to be returned to the Unit.
Aug. 11: Ralph and I have arrived at 2nd Field Ambulance. I loathe and despise it.
Aug. 2, 1943
They also serve who only stand and wait. We are still closing the Gap and getting awfully browned off., but I suppose our turn will come. No news, not any rumours even.
July 31, 1943
We moved our position about 1 1/2 miles west last night. The 11th moved up to cover up two bridges of the Dittaino River. The rumour is very strong that the bombardment starts tonight. Twelve big heavy bombers overhead right now roaring towards the German lines. Two letters from Muriel tonight date June 24 and July 1st. Mike and I are busy today running between the three squadrons which are now separated some little distance.
A Martin Baltimore of theTactical Bomber Force of the North West African Air Forces, flys over its target by a road in Sicily, while bombing retreating German forces heading for Messina. © IWM (C 3772)
July 26, 1943
Had a letter handed to me today from Marje Florendine. I guess she is in Sicily also. Certainly hope I can see her. Gen. Montgomery visited us today and officially welcomed us into the 8th Army. He told us about Mussolini being kicked out and said Victor Emmanual would soon be also. First air mail letter from Muriel today – was I thrilled. Wired Muriel today for her birthday. We are situated in Cuckoo in front of Cuckoo Mt. – Facing Catania Plains and looking straight into Mt. Etna. We are situated in an orange grove on a big farm, recently occupied by an Italian Aerodrome. The peasants are busy with oxen and donkeys hauling and threshing their grain.
July 21 & 23, 1943
July 21: Moved up to Catania Plains, north east of Augusta – the toughest trip we have ever taken. All sorts of wrecked vehicles along the way. Trip took 24 hours straight and were all in when we got here. We are now on the west edge of Catania Plains in reserve. Jim, Bert and I just had a grand bath at a well. It is terribly hot here today. Five miles from the front.
July 23: A & C Squadrons took up a support position, closing the Gap east of Catania. Mike and I with Carrier have opened a R.A.P. In forward position with Tanks. Went on recce this afternoon with Tommy Johnson in Scout Car, in direction of Mt. Etna which towers in the distance like the Rockies. We are on Catania Plains filling the Gap in the encircling movement of the Germans. Do not expect this campaign to last a great many more days.
July 15, 1943
This is not a peach orchard but an almond orchard. Poop, Bob Purves and I went to Beach for service. Troops coming ashore by the thousands. Indian Gurkhas and Ethiopians both present. Amphibian trucks bearing troops and supplies ashore to destinations. Everything going well.
Glimpse of the invasion coast as an armoured vehicle was being towed ashore from landing craft. Alexander family collection.
June 16 – July 4, 1943: Bound for Sicily and Operation Husky
June 16: Got our allotment for boats today. I will be travelling with “C” Squadron. Bert, Ralph, Bill, Ruddick and I will go on the same boat. Expect to pull out in little over a week, but from where or to where, I don’t know.
June 18: Two years ago today we left (Camp) Borden (Ontario). Just finished a long and interesting B.S. Session – Bob Taylor, Tommy Johnson, Bruce Trotter, Poop and I. This is the only recreation we have here at all. This camp is even worse than Salisbury Plain. Believe it or not.
June 19: Sudden orders to move off tomorrow morning. One terrific day of documentation. Poop and Jimmy staged a celebration at night, which did not help our sleep much.
June 20: Fell in in full kit by Naffie and marched to Langholm stations, which we left at 10:20. I hated very much to say good by to old Hank Greenberg who was down to the station to see us. Off. He is not coming with us. We picked up the XIth Bn at Hatwick, passed through Edinburgh and Glasgow, saw Mr. Muir’s Bank (the Clydesdale Bank) on way through. Landed at Greenoch at 5:30 and marched to barracks. Bob Taylor, Bob Donby and I occupied a compartment in train coming up. Bob Taylor, Grant Elliott, Capt. McKay (M.O. With XIth) and two other XI officers and myself are sharing a billet, a club house of a cricket green.
June 21: Breakfast is over, sick parade is over. I have just brought Ralph up to our billets and I am now going to have one swell bath. Tonight I went out to Part Glasgow and visited Mr. And Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Brown. The latter is writing home.
June 22: We line up at barracks at 9:30 a.m. And come by bus to Wemyss Bay where we go aboard L.S.T. 164 – F11. All “C” Squadron is on this boat. I am sharing a cabin with young Archibald from Saskatoon. In the adjoining cabin are Cresey (Calgary), Grant Morrow (Peterborough), Graham (Montreal) and Don Taylor (Toronto). The accommodation is excellent here and the meals are grand. I don’t know when we sail, but there is a large convoy forming. I still don’t know where we are going.
June 24: Still in harbour – started Malaria treatments today. The last of our troops came on board yesterday. Big Canadian mail brought around to the Ships today and we sent mail off. Don’t know how long they will hold it before posting.
June 25: Sailed tonight at 5 p.m. – It is now 8 p.m. And no sea sickness yet.
Officers on board:
Capt. Liggett — Brigade, Capt. Swanson RCASC, Capt. Gillespie RCOC, Capt. Curran RCPC, Capt. Gray Brig. H.Q., Lieut. Hanson RCCS,
Calgary Regiment: Major Donahie, Capt. Taylor, Lieut. Graham, Lieut. Morrow, Lieut. Cawsey, Lieut. Archibald, Capt. Alexander
June 26: One day at sea, starting our second. Long rows of vessels parallel in Convoy with destroyers in front and on the sides. Ireland has at last faded from sight – now no land visible as we start our second day. Got doused with a pail of water from the upper deck today. The sea is smooth and we seem to be making good time. The Convoy really is a glorious sight to see. Much warmer today. Not very much sickness aboard. We expect to turn south tomorrow so it should be warmer.
© IWM (A 18096)
Operation Husky: The Sicily Landings 9-10 July 1943: A late evening picture as the fast convoy of big ships, carrying the men who made the initial assault, approached Sicily. Photograph taken from the destroyer NUBIAN
June 27: Everything just the same today. Getting some warmer. It will probably be pretty monotonous before we get to the end of our journey. Good weather.
June 28: The weather is still excellent, but very heavy swells are running and we are rocking like a cork. There will probably be a lot of sea sickness tomorrow. We are still running south west. Will turn east for Gibraltar one of these days.
June 29: Very difficult to write as it is so rough. We are supposed to be a few hundred miles out to sea, opposite the Bay of Biscay – but all the water looks the same to me. We are really having a congenial – all good fellows, so everything is o.k. This flat bottomed L.S.T. Is grand in harbour, but holds the world’s championship for the open ocean.
June 30: Last night we had engine trouble and got quite a long way behind the Convoy – caught up O.K. During the night. We are not rolling as much today. We have just finished our fifth day at sea – should reach Gibraltar by the end of the week. We will certainly all be glad to find out where we are going and to get there.
July 1/43: Dominion Day – I wonder what news is broadcast to you at home today. We are now a few hundred miles west of Portugal – still proceeding south. We put on our Eastern uniforms today – shorts with open shirts – lovely and warm out – bright sun and smooth sea. Gave three lectures today on heat stroke and Malaria. We are having a real good trip, but will be glad when we reach the other side.
July 2: Still beautiful weather. Nothing of interest today.
July 3: Shooting accident on board, not serious. Sing song on deck today. We are getting nearer Gibraltar. All indications point to Italy.
July 4: All called to action stations early this a.m. A corvette had made contact with a submarine and dropped some depth charges. Results unknown. This afternoon the sea is like a mirror. It is very warm and the sun is almost blistering hot. Have just had a nice salt water shower and am tingling all over.
May 20-June 3, 1943
May 20: Have been working like the dickens on my drugs all day. Everything taking shape pretty well. One year ago today we landed on the Isle of Wight. What a change in this last year.
May 23: 7:05 a.m. Raining. We are all up ready for a Regimental Church parade at 8 a.m. Two years ago today, Muriel, Bob Taylor and I left Barrie, Ont. For Calgary. Yesterday went to Annan 2nd Field Ambulance, got a load of supplies for journey. Everything is hustle and bustle, but we still do not know where we are going or just when. It is quite evident that it is to the tropics somewhere. Mail service is very poor.
May 26: Two years ago today, Muriel (Doc Alexander’s wife), Bob Taylor and I landed in Calgary. One year ago we were in Osborne Forest, Isle of Wight. Today we are in Scotland just north of the Solway Firth. Today we drove to the other side of Annan to the Field Amb. For the major portion of the medical supplies for the expedition. The activity here reminds me of a year ago on the Isle of Wight. Feverish activity, water proofing, camouflage painting, building and packing boxes etc. The boards are finished, the documentation is about complete, but I still have most of my distribution to do and the general lectures to the Unit on how to use some of the equipment.
May 27: Have had a very busy day today – have made up and distributed all the first aid kits to the Tanks, all A.F.U. Vehicles and all other Echelons – really big day’s work. Tomorrow I go on with it, but have to go and inoculate an infantry workshop unit which is quartered with us.
May 29: In return for giving the workshop unit which is camped with us medical attention, they are making an ambulance out of a universal carrier (Bren carrier) – two stretchers covered by armour. I think it will be mighty good too. Had a lecture yesterday from an officer from the War Office on intelligence. It was excellent. We are still packing and getting things straightened out.
June 1/43: It has been raining for the past two to three days, and it is terribly muddy around here. We are practically all packed up. All the Tanks and “B” vehicles are painted and water proofed and the packing and loading is almost complete. Our deadline is day after tomorrow, but just when we move, I don’t know and we still do not know where we are going. Our equipment looks like the Middle East, but that may be a camouflage. If it is, it is a darn good one. Had a good B.S. Session tonight with Bruce, Poop, Stoney, Jimmy E. And the Padre. We practically settled the whole war this evening.
June 3: 7 p.m. Just two years ago tonight at about this time, we were leaving home for the train to leave Calgary. Everything is packed and all is now in readiness for the Mediterranean – a few thousand miles farther from home. Don’t know just when we are moving but don’t think it will be very long.
May 19, 1943
Saw DuBarry was a Lady last night. Am all changed into battle dress now, going to have lunch, then down town to pick up my stuff and then to the station. There should be some mail for me when I get back. Caught train at Glasgow Central at 3:50 p.m. and arrived at Carlisle at 6:40 p.m. Met at train by Bert and Jim with my jeep.
Doc Alexander 