October - December 1943

October 9, 1943

Cargo Inspection Duties Completed - Taking Troops to Naples, Italy
After completing their inspection duties and transferring Lt. Hays to LCT 199 on Saturday October 9th, LCI 35 took on troops, anchored for the night and got underway for Naples at 0600 on October 10th. LCI 35 arrived in Naples and tied to LCI 216 at 1145 and later to LCI 45. Liberty was granted to one-third of the crew from 1400 to 2000 hours.

October 11 - 20, 1943

Naples, Italy
LCI 35 got underway in a convoy of 5 LCTs to Naples at 0800 on Monday October 11th. Lt. Hays was picked up from LCI 196 after LCI 35 dropped anchor in the Bay of Salerno at 1550. At 1730 LCI 35 joined in a convoy of 6 LCTs (one in tow) sailing for Naples. On Tuesday at 1005 LCI tied up in Capri but only stayed about an hour before getting underway for Naples at 1120 where she tied up to Pier "A" at 1340. On Wednesday October 13th at 0930 LCI 35 was beside HMS Hilary. LCI 35 remained in Naples until October 20th where she was called upon on two occasions to transport troops to a small island north of Naples.

German and Italian Prisoners Unloaded from LST 351 in Naples*

*These prisoners were taken aboard at Anzio in 1944. This photo appeared in the July 1944 "National Geographic Magazine."

October 12, 1943

Captain Lorenzo Sherwood Sabin, Jr. Transfers Command

E.W. Wilson - New Flotilla Two Commander

On October 12th Captain Lorenzo Sherwood Sabin, Jr. transferred Command of Flotilla Two to E.W. Wilson. Captain Sabin made these comments before transferring his command:

...Nothing would please me more than to continue with Flotilla Two. They are a fine bunch of sturdy little fighting ships with an inspiring bunch of fighting American men. Big men in little ships. We don't have all of them we started with...But our losses have been amazing light...One ship lost [LCI 1] and not more than twenty [men wounded] out of a total of 30 ships with approximately 105 officers and about 800 men. I mean MEN!!!...

 - Personal War Notes - Commander Lorenzo Sherwood Sabin, Jr.

Captain Sabin made these comments on his replacement who he felt was the best man for the job in taking over Flotilla Two. He said of E.W. Wilson:

...The Pittsburgh banker is tops all the way and plenty of guts. He's earned the command of the Flotilla...He'll do a fine job and the Flotilla will go on to greater glory under his command...

- Personal War Notes - Commander Lorenzo Sherwood Sabin, Jr.

October 18, 1943

Troops to Small Island North of Naples
On Monday October 18th, LCI 35 tied up to one of 2 British LCIs and with these British LCIs took on troops from a Liberty ship for transportation to a small island north of Naples* where 235 troops were disembarked at 1140. LCI 35 returned to Naples and tied up to an Italian ship at 1630.

*The small island may have been the Island of Ventotene that is Northwest of Naples.

POSTCARD - PALERMO, SICILY

October 20 -25, 1943

Return to Palermo, Sicily and Back to Bizerte (La Percherie), Tunisia

LCI 35 got underway for Palermo on Wednesday October 20th to lead a convoy of 10 LCTs and 1 YMS in tow. After passing the Isle of Capri, the ship arrived in Palermo on Thursday and tied up to LCI 190. Friday, the crew performed general and routine duty and those eligible were granted Liberty. LCI 35 departed Palermo for Bizerte at 0600 on Saturday October 23 in a convoy that now consisted of 15 LCT and 1 YMS. While still underway on Sunday, LCI 35 had LCT 207 in tow since she could not keep up with the convoy. At 1030 on Sunday the coast of Africa was visible over the horizon. The convoy arrived in La Percherie at 0930 on Monday October 25th where John Laga* reported for duty and H.L. Phillips transferred from the ship for return to the USA.

*John Laga became one of Dad's closest friends, a friendship that began during the war and continued thereafter. John was also responsible for many of the photos that appear throughout this site and many personal photos of John, his brother, and others remain with Dad's World War II collection.


October 26-28, 1943

More Troops Aboard for Transportation to Nisida
After performing routine duties on Tuesday October 26th more troops came aboard for transportation to Nisida. At 1730 LCI 35 got underway and traveled to Nisida arriving at 1205 on Thursday October 28th and tied to LCI 217 where she unloaded all troops aboard. LCI 35 did not stay in Nisida but joined a convoy headed to Palermo, Sicily.

October 30, 1943

Palermo, Sicily
Arriving in Palermo on Saturday October 30th LCI 35 docked alongside LCI 218 and remained there on Sunday October 31st. The crew performed routine duties on these days, and one-third of the crew were granted liberty on both days.

November 1943

November 1 - 2 , 1943

Bizerte, Tunisia

On Monday November 1st at 1615 LCI 35 was on the move again. This time headed back to Bizerte in a convoy of 5 other LCIs being escorted by 2 Sub chasers and a YMS.

At 1300 on Tuesday November 2nd LCI 35 tied up to LCI 232* and brought spare parts from storeroom and 3 barrels of oil aboard. The following day C.L. Camberg, RM 3/c reported aboard for duty and welders came aboard to repair the lifeline stanchions.

* LCI 232 sunk on June 6, 1944 at Normandy

November 3 -10, 1943

British Nurses Aboard for Transportation to Taranto, Italy
At 1600 on Wednesday November 3rd Ensign Russell reported aboard for temporary duty and at the same time British Nurses and F.A.N.Y women came aboard for transportation to Taranto, Italy. LCI 35 anchored for the night in Bizerte Lake but before getting underway for Toranto had to return to the docks at La Percherie (tied to LCI 195) to allow William Lee, MoMM 1/c to go ashore to sick bay. At 1230 LCI 35 finally got underway for the long trip to Toranto in a convoy of 10 LSTs. While still underway on Saturday November 6th all ships in the convoy held a 15-minute gun practice. After anchoring in Augusta (Sicily) Harbor for a short time on Sunday November 7th, LCI 35 was again underway in the convoy for Taranto where she arrived and docked at 1205 on November 9th and the British Nurses left the ship. Liberty to one-third of the crew was granted until 2100. The following day, after moving to another position and tied to LCI 272 at the docks, the F.A.N.Y. women left the ship at 1225. At 1420 LCI 35 joined a convoy of 6 LSTs (one joined at 2000) for the return trip to Bizerte

November 11, 1943

Return to Bizerte, Tunis, Tunisia
Armistice Day Observance / Port Generator Failure and Floating Mine Sited
On November 11th while still underway to Bizerte, Sicily was noticed on the horizon to the north at 0700. At 1200 a 2-minute period of silence was observed in honor of Armistice Day (Now Veterans Day). The following day, while still underway for Bizerte, the port generator shut off and the lights to the ship went out for a minute before the ship switched to the starboard generator. The port generator was found to have two faulty injectors that were repaired. At approximately a floating mine was sighted to port. LCI 35 continued on to Bizerte passing the Isle of Zemba off the port side before dropping anchor because of bad weather in the Gulf of Tunis near the south side of C. Farina. On Sunday November 14th at 1415 LCI 35 finally tied up to LCI 211 at the docks in La Percherie. William Lee was discharged from sick bay and returned to the ship and two barrels of lube oil was brought aboard.

November 15, 1943

Crew Get Immunization Shots
On Monday November 15th and Wednesday November 17th three pharmacists came aboard to give the officers and crew immunization shots for typhoid, typhus, and tetanus.

November 17, 1943

More Troops to Nisida
On Wednesday November 17th the crew got paid and 6 sailors came aboard followed by Army Troops to be transported to Nisida. At 1330 LCI 35 got underway in a convoy of 9 LCIs, 5 LSTs, 2 Liberty Ships, 2 Sub chasers, 1 PC and 2 AM. The convoy continued underway on Thursday November 18th before arriving in Nisida at 1050 on Friday November 19th. While tied to LCI 221 and LCI 217 at the docks, the soldiers disembarked at 1105. LCI 35 got underway immediately for Naples where she docked at 1242 tied to LCI 232*. (Although not documented in the deck log, the 6 sailors that came aboard in Bizerte probably left the ship in Naples)

LCI 35 only stayed in Naples for about 4 hours, but one-third of the crew was given liberty until 1610 and Ensign Russell who came aboard on November 3rd was released of his temporary duty aboard the ship. LCI 35 got underway to return to the Bizerte area in a convoy of 9 LCIs, 5 LCTs, 3 YMS, 1 PC and 1 Sub chaser. LCI 35 continued underway on Sunday November 21st and passed the Isle of Zemba to port with the shore of Africa sighted on the horizon. At 1355, the ship dropped anchor in Bizerte Harbor.

* LCI 232 sunk on June 6, 1944 at Normandy

November 22 - 27, 1943

Troops to Naples
On Monday November 22nd LCI 35 tied up to LCI 11 at La Percherie, loaded mail for ships stationed in Naples and loaded Army troops and 2 sailors, but it was not until 0940 the next morning (November 23rd - Dad's 21st Birthday) that she got underway in a convoy of LSTs, PC, VM, Italian Destroyer Escorts and LCIs.

Mine Sited - Air Raid and Heavy Action
Upon entering the Bay of Naples LCI 35 sighted a mine but continued on to the docks where she tied up to LCI 196 and unloaded all troops. Although 3 air raids ensued and heavy action occurred in the vicinity of the harbor, LCI 35 did not fire any of her guns and anchored in Naples Harbor for the night tied to LCI 8.

November 28 - 29, 1943

On Sunday November 28th LCI 35 went to the docks and tied to a Navy Salvage ship where mail destined for Bizerte and supplies for LCI 9 were brought aboard. At 1630 Gartman and Urzeni (sailors) came aboard for transportation back to Bizerte. At the same time another air raid occurred but no action was reported. At 1745 LCI 35 anchored in Naples Harbor tied up to LCI 8 and LCI 9 where the supplies for LCI 9 were transferred. On Monday November 29th at 1125 R.M. Roger SA C/Mx British Petty Officer came aboard for transportation to Bizerte. Finally LCI 35 got underway for Bizerte.

November 30 - December 1, 1943

Return to Bizerte, Tunis, Tunisia

On Wednesday December 1st LCI 35 docked at La Percherie alongside LCI 18 and the sailors from Naples left the ship. LCI 35 remained in Bizerte for only for a few days before getting underway again. On December 2nd G.R. Drost, Sea 2/c, E. Drugen Sea 2/c, and C.F. Loux SM 1/c came aboard to be transported to Palermo, Sicily. However, on Saturday December 4th after the crew got paid, oranges, Army rations and troops came aboard for transportation for Nisida, Italy.

December 5, 1943

Underway and Docking in Nisida and Naples, Italy
Addition of Ensign Lowell E. Miller and S 2/c George Berkley to LCI 35

On Sunday December 5th food supplies to be transported to LCI 32 in Naples, Italy and mail for LCI 237 were brought aboard for transportation. Lowell E. Miller, Ensign reported for duty aboard LCI 35 at 1405 as did George Berkley S 2/c at 1450. Mr. Gibson, Ensign also came aboard for transportation to Palermo and Mr. Sisk HP Ensign was relieved of duty and left the ship. At 1805 the LCI 35 was in a convoy bound for Nisida arriving at 1015 on Tuesday December 7th tied to LCI 37 where all troops were unloaded at 1045 and the ship got underway for Naples arriving at 1310 where the food supplies for the LCI 32 tied alongside were unloaded. Liberty was granted for a third of the crew until 1800.

December 8-9, 1943

Palermo, Sicily
After getting underway from Naples on Wednesday December 8th, LCI 35 arrived in Palermo in the morning and by 0910 all hands were engaged in general repairs and chipping and painting the ship. Mail for LCI 237 and 211 were taken off the ship and the four passengers coming aboard in Bizerte left the ship.

December 10, 1943

British and Italian Officer and American Troops to Naples, Italy
LCI 35 made another trip to Naples, Italy getting underway at 1615 on December 10th in a convoy with LCI 211, LCI 217 and a Sub chaser headed to Naples with a pontoon barge in tow, and troops and a British and an Italian Officer on board. Arriving in Naples on Sunday December 12th, LCI 35 tied to the British LCT 549 and at 1320 unloaded the troops and Officers. One-third of the crew was granted liberty until 1700.

December 13, 1943

Return to Palermo, Sicily
LCI 35 departed Naples at 1200 on Monday December 13th for her return trip to Palermo, Sicily in a convoy of 2 LCIs and 1 Sub chaser escort. Arriving on Tuesday December 14th, LCI 35 tied to LCI 211 at 0710. The crew returned to general cleaning duties and continued chipping and painting the ship. Liberty was granted to one-third of the crew until 1800. The LCI 35 stayed in Palermo until December 20th where the crew continued to chip and paint the ship, perform general and routine duties. Liberty was granted to different groups of shipmates throughout this time. Below are photos taken while the crew was granted liberty.

RICHARD MICHAELSON - STANLEY GALIK (DAD) IN PALERMO, SICILY

DECEMBER 1943


GEORGE BERKLEY - JOHN LAGA IN PALERMO, SICILY

DECEMBER 1943

December 19 - 21, 1943

To Licata, Sicily to Load Soldiers Bound for Naples, Italy
On Sunday December 19th LCI 35 tied to an Oil Tanker to take on oil and returned to its former position in Palermo at the docks tied to LCI 217. The next day at 1820 the LCI 35 got underway in a convoy with LST 376*, LCI 211 and 2 Sub chasers to load troops in Licata and transport them to Licata, Sicily. On Tuesday December 21st LCI 35 went through the Straits of Messina and arrived in Licata at 1015 on Wednesday December 22nd tied to LCI 211. The soldiers came aboard at 1415 and LCI 35 got underway in a convoy at 1615 sailing for Naples, Italy.

*The LST 376 was torpedoed and sunk by a German surface craft in the English Channel on 9 June 1944.

December 21, 1943

Collision with British Cruiser While Headed to Naples
Troops Still Aboard

Deck Log Account
*At 0501Collided with British Cruiser. Collision was unavoidable as British cut across our bow-Starboard to Port. Damage confined to forepeak. Proceeded with convoy after determining ship was seaworthy. Approximate position - Lat 36˚21' - Long 15˚33'

The footnote in the Deck Log provided additional information:

*At approximately 0450, two flashes from a light seen broad on our starboard bow. Approximately 0455A, unidentified British Cruiser observed heading at convoy. Considered to be coming at LST. Upon observation that unidentified Cruiser was still maintaining collision course, made an emergency turn to port. Lack of time to complete turn forced us to back down two-thirds and [?] full on both engines. When we started to turn to starboard when she hit us as we were backing away from her. After Cruiser passed by she asked us the extent of our damage and our number. We then challenged her but received no reply.

December 24-31, 1943

Turkeys for Christmas
Naples, Italy - Back to Palermo, Sicily
On Christmas Eve, LCI 35 tied up to LCI 211 and unloaded the troops in Naples and got underway for Palermo where she arrived and docked on Christmas Day at 0900. At 1020 three turkeys were brought aboard for the crew to enjoy. (Naturally, Dad as the Ships Cook would have to prepare them for the officers and crew.) The LCI 35 stayed in Palermo for the rest of the month where the crew continued to perform general and routine duties and started painting the ship. Maintenance and repair crews came aboard on several occasions to repair the bow damaged as a result of the ship's collision with the British Cruiser. While in the repair dock on Tuesday December 28th LCI 35 transferred 5000 gallons of fuel to an out of fuel gasoline tanker, the AOG 16 GUYANDOT. Later that day, LCI 35 tied up to LCT 223. Liberty was granted to the crew when feasible during the week. On New Years Eve LCI 35 tied electric to LCT 205 supplying them with power.