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August 17, 1943
Stanley Galik, Ship's Cook 2/c Transferred
to USS LCI (L) 35
LCI 35 tied up to the docks in Bizerte on Tuesday August 17th at 1035.
Sometime during the day Dad was transferred from the Flotilla Two Staff
(Pool) and came aboard the USS LCI (L) 35. Dad's arrival came a day
after the previous cook, Merle Lovell, was transferred from the ship.
At 1400 the ship took on additional supplies and remained at the dock.
At 2230 an air raid occurred and enemy planes bombed an oil storage
area and sunk a Liberty Ship as well as the LCI 1, the first LCI to be lost to enemy action in World War II. Although 25 Sailors aboard LCI 1 were wounded in this attack, they
all survived.
**LCI 1 Sunk of Bizerte, Tunisia, 17 August 1943
The Group 4 War Diary of E. W. Wilson, Lt. Commander, USNR noted the
sinking of LCI 1 with the following entry:
USS LCI (L) #1, a most gallant and
fighting ship, a ship that brought out what's in the heart of every
true-blooded American during the SICILIAN CAMPAIGN-To fight on and
on and on, whatever the odds may be - was hit and sank. Fortunately,
though, through the help of LCIs 236 and 324 and the merchant ship,
USS PAINE WINGATE, all members of the ship were rescued, some being
seriously injured...
- War Diary E.W. Wilson, Lt Commander, USNR
After the attack the LCI 35 got underway
and anchored in the Lake of Bizerte at 2350.
August 18, 1943
More Air Raids
Early Wednesday morning at 0415 and 0445 air raids were sounded
but no planes were sighted and, in response to the raids, only a few concussion shells were
fired from larger guns.
August 20-21, 1943
Transferring More
German and Italian Prisoners
After performing routine duties and making daily round trips between
the Lake of Bizerte and the docks in Bizerte for two days (on Friday
August 20th LCI 35 had an officer on board to compensate their compass),
LCI 35 was called upon to transfer German and Italian prisoners.
On Saturday August 21st between 1610 and 1710 LCI 35 transferred
approximately 100 German and Italian prisoners. After a short break
for chow, LCI 35 tied to a Liberty Ship and loaded 150 more German
prisoners. By 1910 all German prisoners were unloaded.
August 23, 1943
Liberty Ship Duty - Ferryville
On Monday August 23rd LCI 35 was on Liberty Ship duty in Ferryville.
After docking in Ferryville a number of the shipmates were granted
liberty from 1415 to 1900.
Routine Duties
For the rest of August, LCI 35 continued its daily round trips
between the docks (#25 and #26) during the day and anchoring in
the Lake of Bizerte at night. During this time period the crew performed
general and routine duties and took aboard
2 new ramps (August 26th) and loaded supplies.
Other Ship References in LCI 35 Deck Log
During the period August 15 - 31, 1943, the LCI 35 Deck Log contained
notations related to the following LCIs or other ships: LCI 13, LCI 9, LCI 32, and an American Liberty Ship
August 1943 |
Other WW II Action and Notable Events |
| August 17, 1943 |
The Allied conquest of Sicily was completed as U.S. and British forces entered Messina. |
| August 25, 1943 |
U.S. forces liberated New Georgia in the Solomon Islands from the Japanese. |
| August 29, 1943 |
Responding to a clampdown by Nazi occupiers, Denmark managed to scuttle most of its naval ships. |
September 1, 1943
September 1st began with the LCI 35 going to the docks in Bizerte
where the ship loaded troop rations at 1615 and moved alongside
the LCI 229* before returning to the Lake of Bizerte and anchoring
for the night.
*The LCI 229 was the ship that Dad (Stanley Galik, SC 2/c) was
aboard when he crossed the Atlantic arriving in Tenes, Algeria
on April 13, 1943.
Preparing for the Invasion of Salerno
September 2, 1943
Underway for
Palermo, Sicily
At 1130 on Thursday September 2nd LCI 35 got underway
to tie to the docks in Bizerte where at 1345 approximately 100 naval
personnel and 11 soldiers came aboard with their gear. LCI 35 got
underway after loading the troops and anchored for the night in
the Lake of Bizerte.
The next morning LCI 35 returned to the docks in Bizerte in order
for the crew to get paid and to take on fresh water. Finally at
0950 LCI 35 got underway for Palermo, Sicily joining a convoy as
the second LCI in the left column with the LCI 33 ahead.
September 4, 1943
Arrival in Palermo,
Sicily
On Saturday morning September 4th LCI 35 was still underway in an
8 ship convoy of 6 US LCIs and 2 British LCIs. At 1040 the rugged
coastline of Sicily was seen in the distance approximately 2 points
off the starboard bow. At 1905 LCI 35 docked alongside LCI 216 to
disembark the naval personnel and soldiers that traveled aboard
the ship. LCI 35 anchored for the night outside the breakwater.
**LCI 339 Sunk off New Guinea, 4 September 1943
September 5, 1943
Invasion Preparations
Continue
On Sunday September 5th LCI 35 was assigned as a signal ship for
the day and while tied to LCI 232 in Palermo took on more supplies
for the troops that would be coming aboard. After completing these
preparations, LCI 35 anchored for the night outside the breakwater.
Monday the crew performed routine duties and some crew were granted
liberty from 1330 to 1800.
September 1943 |
Other WW II Action and Notable Events |
| September 3, 1943 |
The British 8th Army invaded Italy, the same day that Italy signed a secret armistice with the allies. |
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