21 November, 1943

[Note from FOURTHCHILD:
This letter was begun on ship on November 17th, 1943.
It continues as his passage continues across the Atlantic...]

Still at Sea –

(as to what to write)

without having it censored

Well, dear,

The voyage is still a pleasant one, the food is still good and everything seems safe. I haven’t done a thing but relax and I guess I needed it, because the last month or so was one of tension. So far I’m writing only to you and my folks. I’m not using V mail yet because there really isn’t much room to write.

[Note from FOURTHCHILD: These images are edited to keep them anonymous]

Below are a few things Greg sent home from the journey.


Aquitania Room Assignment - B Deck


Aquitania Mess Assignment - Second Sitting


Aquitania Berthing Assignment for
Greg's Medical Detachment - Section A11

20 November, 1943

No letter today.    Just this:

* TIDBIT *

about Weather During the Crossing

Wesley Ward, from upstate New York, served aboard the Aquitania in a gun crew during all of 1943 and after. In a small journal he wrote the following entries, which give added insight to Greg's crossing:

17 November 1943, Wednesday

- Left NY at 10:00AM. Cold as hell

18 November 1943, Thursday

- Cold

19 November 1943, Friday

- Cold as hell, headed toward Scotland

20 November 1943, Saturday

- Getting warmer, sea a little rough, rain

21 November 1943, Sunday

- Warm in gulf stream. Cleaned gun. Airplane school

22 November, 1943, Monday

- Sea little rough. Convoy attacked by 6 German planes,

100 miles from us

23 November 1943, Tuesday

- Sea high. Biggest rolling sea I ever saw

24 November 1943, Wednesday

- Got in Scotland at 6:30AM. Cold as hell. Tore gun down

Here is video of the Aquitania, with music of its time.

19 November, 1943

* TIDBIT *

about the R.M.S. Aquitania

The AQUITANIA, laid down in 1910 for Cunard by the John Brown and Company yards in Clydebank, Scotland, was the longest serving Cunard ocean liner built in the 20th century. In keeping with Cunard tradition, she was named after a Roman province, this one in southwest France. With the United Kingdom as her Port of Registry, the ship was originally planned to make North Atlantic crossings along with the Lusitania and Mauretania. Launched in April of 1913, it was the first liner equipped with enough lifeboats for every passenger, as the Titanic disaster occurred during her construction. The Aquitania left Liverpool on its maiden voyage on 30 May 1914, bound for New York.

Aquitania Set for Sea Trials

The most exceptional feature of the Aquitania, aside from its size, was the luxury of the interior passenger areas, which were far superior to anything seen on the North Atlantic before. The columned Palladian lounge and the Louis XVI-style first class dining room rose through two decks. The appearance of the large smoking rooms had been copied from the Royal Naval College in London. These fantastic interiors earned the Aquitania the nickname "Ship Beautiful." Some are shown in the postcards that follow.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Postcard of Cross Section, 1913

The ship made only two more voyages to New York before the outbreak of World War One, when it was refitted for military service along with other highly distinguished ships such as Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Normandie and Île de France. After proving too large for use as an armed merchant cruiser, the Aquitania made three voyages as a WWI troop transport and then was converted to a hospital ship for use December 1915-January 1916 as well as November-December of 1916.The entry of the USA into the war in December 1917 brought the ship back into military service to transport the American Expeditionary Force.

Aquitania as Troop Carrier

Aquitania as Hospital Ship in World War I

The Aquitania went on to operate on the Southampton-Cherbourg-New York route, along with the Mauretania and Berengaria, and passenger accommodation was extensively modernized during annual re-fits. With improving times and ocean travel the only means of transportation across the oceans, she became one of the most profitable ocean liners in history.

Postcard of a Painting of the R.M.S. Aquitania

Some of the big money now came in from movie stars and royalty, other aristocracy and politicians, as the 1920s became one of the most profitable ages in ocean travel history. The Aquitania's plush and extravagant interiors remained reminiscent of an era which had been largely diminished by years of war. Even as the Roaring 20's ushered in the era of art deco, Aquitania held fast to the ideals of the early floating palaces throughout all her refits.

Postcard of the Aquitania Leaving New York

In 1932 the Aquitania was used as a pleasure cruise ship for the first time, cruising in the Mediterranean and from New York to Bermuda. Requisitioned as a troop transport on 21 November 1939, at first it was used to transport Canadian troops. During 1940 it underwent a refit in America and was defensively armed with six inch guns. From March onwards it was based in Sydney transporting Australian and New Zealand troops, also making two passages between Pearl Harbour and San Fransisco. For the remainder of the war it was employed on the Atlantic, carrying 10,000 soldiers to war with each Scotland-bound crossing,  and carrying the wounded home on her return to New York.  The Aquitania then served to bring of Canadian and American troops home after the fall of Germany.

Aquitania painted wartime gray.

On April 1st 1948 the Aquitania was released by the Admiralty and once again wore her Cunard colors. After a quick refit for passenger service, the Canadian government chartered the ship to carry emigrants from Southampton to Halifax. Fleeing the war-torn cities of Europe, thousands of people fled Europe to seek a new life in Canada. By December of 1949 this role had been fulfilled, and later that month Cunard announced that the Aquitania would be withdrawn from service.

Toward the end of her service her funnels were
painted but the wartime gray remained.

She had served ever since 1914, carried out her duties in two major conflicts and steamed over three million miles, completing nearly 450 voyages. In January of 1950 the vessel's furnishings and equipment were auctioned. Later that month the ship was sold to the British Iron & Steel Corporation Ltd for £125,000. The Aquitania then sailed from Southampton to Faslane, in Scotland where it was broken up.

Her four funnels gone forever, the Aquitania is scrapped.

R.M.S. AQUITANIA
SPECIFICATIONS
Gross Tonnage - 45,647 tons
Length – 901 Feet (275.2m)
Beam – 97 feet (29.6m)
Draft – 36 feet (11m)
Number of funnels - 4
Number of masts - 2
Construction - Steel
Propulsion – Quadruple-screw (4 shafts, 4 propellers)
Engines - Geared steam turbines; 59,000 shp
Accommodations – 3,230 passengers; 972 crew
Service speed - 23 knots;  6 days across Atlantic

LINKS

Facts and photos here overlapped on many
web sites, but some sites are most worth mentioning.

Victoria and Albert Museum's Inside an Ocean Liner: The Aquitania
A postcard collection at Great Ships - Aquitania

18 November, 1943

[Note from FOURTHCHILD:
Greg wrote one long letter while crossing the Atlantic.
Portions will be posted as though separate letters,
according to surmised dates.]

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 4916 c/o Postmaster N.Y.

Somewhere at Sea; Date also ?

Dearest Sweetheart –

I keep looking out over the water and I can hardly realize that it is I who is actually aboard a ship carrying me overseas. Of course I can’t tell you when I left. For the time being you’ll have to guess for yourself, darling. It shouldn’t be too difficult.

To begin with, it has been very thrilling and exciting and so far – outside from the ever present fact that I’m getting farther away from those I love – it has been a pleasant trip. Remember, darling, that there’s practically nothing that I’m allowed to write concerning all this, and of course this won’t be mailed until we arrive.

I believe I can write that this is our second day out. The sailing has been perfect. The boat is magnificent to the point of being luxurious, and I guess my luck is still present because we could have drawn a much worse boat than this one. Of course, darling, I’ve been taking those sea-sick capsules – and so far I haven’t felt sick at all. Some of the boys have. But the truth is, the sea is not rough at all right now.

The food is worthy of the finest hotel. We eat in 4 seatings. But it’s at large (seats 8) round tables, waiter service, tablecloths, etc. – and breakfast always includes fish – among several other things. Honestly, darling, I’m amazed at it all and had no idea that going over would be as pleasant as this. The only places we can smoke are on the outer decks – of which there are several, (and daytime only); also the officers’ lounge which is converted from a former grand ballroom.

Our routine has been easy. I’ve been able to get up at 8-8:30. The stateroom I share with several other fellows has one wash-stand, an easy chair, elaborate bureau and connecting bathroom with both hot and cold running water. After shaving – we eat and then have boat drill. Then relax or sleep, eat, smoke, boat drill again etc. Now, darling – who said that war was tough?

I only hope darling that you’re not worrying too much about me. Apparently all is safe and everyone exudes confidence. Anyway, if I ever saw a Nazi submarine, I’m sure I would react as I do in the movies – namely sit back and expect H. Bogart take over.

Darling, the one thing I do feel is lonesomeness for you. That is always present, dear, and particularly because our mail has not come in. I do hope that by now you’ve received some of the mail I sent you last week. Pretty soon, now, dear, you ought to hear from me – somewhat regularly and I from you, and that ought to make things a little bit easier. For the time being dear I’m going to stop. But I won’t seal this now, but wait to write you later. So long for now Sweetheart –

17 November, 1943 (Route of the ?)

No letter today.    Just this:

Route of the Question Mark

Page 17 and the top of Page 18 from The Route of the Question Mark are transcribed below, describing aspects of Camp Shanks and the crossing of the Atlantic on the Aquitania. You can see scanned pages by clicking on the tab of the same name, above.

pp. 17 and top of 18

"The back-breaking haul up the hill at Camp Shanks when we were trying to find our barracks... The rain... The series of last-minute inspections and the interminable chow-lines... The night we all got a pass to New York, and the condition of the men who staggered in for roll-call the next morning... The ferry-boat ride across the North River the night we boarded the Aquitania, and the Red Cross Girls on the pier who tried to force on us the candy and doughnuts that we were too burdened-down to accept... The last glimpse of America... Life-boat drills... Life-preservers in the chow-line... The boxes of Hershey bars that we all ate all the way across the Atlantic... Our splendid quarters on the "A" deck... The agreeable voyage, traveling alone, unhindered by an escort or a convoy..."

16 November, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 4916 c/o Postmaster N.Y.

Nov. 16, 1943    1430

Dearest Sweetheart –

It was with extreme surprise and pleasure that I received your letter (one) a short while ago. It was one which you wrote Nov. 12 and before I had called you Friday night. I don’t know what has become of your other letters but I’m sure I’ll get them all very soon now, dear.

This was a very busy day in camp, darling, for many reasons, but my wash is about done at this point and I now can sit back and relax.

I guess all in all it was best that we didn’t meet in New York. As you said, it could have been very trying. And by the way, Sweetheart – I do hope you are managing to get enough work and studying done to do a good job in your exams. I know you’ll pass, but you should do much better than that.

I keep thinking about your Birthday and graduation, and it makes me sad to think I won’t be able to spend either with you. But I’ll be back to celebrate other Birthdays and gosh, darling, we’ll have a lot of fun doing it.

Yes, whatever else you do, you must be good in hygiene and allied subjects if you want to be a doctor’s wife, although I don’t really care – as long as you remain as sweet and lovable as you are.

Darling, this is all the time I have right now. Be good, dear and keep thinking of me. I’m glad and proud of what you write me concerning us and our future and don’t ever fear that anything you write to me will ever become boring.

So long, Sweetheart, so long. Send my fondest regards to your folks and thank the girls for their wishes. I don’t know when I’ll be able to write again – but until then – keep all my love.

Greg.

16 November, 1943 (Card)

[Note from FOURTHCHILD:
Sent in advance of November 23rd, Wilma's birthday]

[CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE]