"There seems to be an awful lot of activity
around here -- the eastern seaboard I mean."
-- John Edward, October 17, 1942
There was a lot of activity.
Top Secret Operation Torch was underway.
This joint American-British invasion of North Africa
was led by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, and
its secrecy was crucial for the success of America’s entry
into the war in Europe.*
Six days after John Edward wrote his letter, the first troops would depart under
Gen. Patton, commander of the Western Task Force.
Until they were well on their way across the ocean, the troops and
even most officers would not know their destination.
 |
| Map of World War II in Europe, November 1942, Creative Commons |
This joint American-British amphibious assault
would invade Morocco and Algeria, North African colonies
occupied by the Vichy French Regime
(who were Germany collaborators, unlike the Free French underground).
With control of the Mediterranean Sea they would
invade Sicily, then Italy, and move into Europe through
what Winston Churchill called "the soft underbelly of Europe."
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| Operation Torch diversionary tactics while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Autumn 1942, Army photo |
On the 23rd of October, with Naval warships and air protection,
Gen. Patton and the first convoy left Chesapeake Bay.
It would have been conspicuous for all ships to leave at the same time,
and so diversionary
tactics were used. Departure was staggered from various ports
asthe 107 troop transport and cargo vessel ships headed for the
Atlantic coast of Morocco near Casablanca.
across the Atlantic. It was only at night that they headed directly toward
the rendezvous point near Gibraltar.
 |
| Stuart Tank hoisted above ship hold, November 1942, Army photo |
Meanwhile, World War I Naval ships were still being
refit,
and civilian ships refashioned to transport vehicles, artillery, and tanks.
Some were ready only on the day troops boarded,
their departure from various
ports along the Eastern Coast and Bermuda.
War
correspondent Walter Cronkite was on one of the ships in the
first convoy. In his journal he said there was "consensus"
among the Naval crew about the ever-changing route:
"Damned if [it] doesn't confuse us.'"
'We watch which way the ship is
going,' they said, 'and we can pretty well figure out
where we are
bound. Before we left Norfolk we figured we were going to Martinique ....
When we zigged
northward a little bit we began to decide it was Dakar we were going to,
and some of the boys even thought we might be going around to the
Indian Ocean and
up to Alexandria .... Then we zigged again and now
we're going straight north.
Damned if that doesn't confuse us.'"
 |
| Dog Tags of John Edward Binnion |
Not knowing where they were headed,
over 34,000 soldiers boarded ships through early November.
Each wore an identifying Dog Tag hung on a chain
around their neck. It included their name, serial number,
rank, tetanus shot verification and blood type,
followed by next of kin and their address.
For almost all of the troops, this would be
the first time they would enter
battle.
 |
| John Edward's first Officer's Pay Data Card, October 21, 1942 family scan |
2nd. Lt. John Edward and his men
departed from the NYPE,
New York Port of Embarkation.
Carrying a 100 duffle bag, bed roll,
rifle, and helmet, they traveled
by train to New York
and took a ferry to the NYPE.
To vigilantly guard
secrecy of the operation,
most ships were boarded at night.
A soldier on a troop transport ship
described his first experiences:
"Once we had climbed the gangway
and gotten aboard, each of us
simply followed the man in front of us
through a maze of hatches and
companionways until we reached our
assigned area. This consisted of
a forest of steel pipes supporting
canvas strips stretched tightly with ropes.
These hammocks were tiered three high.
Aisles between the hammocks were
extremely narrow and packed with
duffel bags and gear, so we were
constantly climbing over something."
He added that days were filled with waiting in long lines for meals.
There were also card games and more card games; time above deck;
and drills, exercises, and inspections.
 |
Operation Torch ship bound for North Africa, Inspection, early November 1942, Army photo |
Showers were taken in salt water. Meals were twice a day.
And for most, there was scarce time above deck.
The first days at sea were smooth waters.
The ship convoys soon merged into an armada of 107 ships under the
command of General George Patton and Rear Admiral
Henry Hewitt.
They were "a sight to behold:"
The force included 3 Navy battleships and several dozen safe passage minesweepers,
tankers, and destroyers, as well as aircraft for air cover and reconnaissance.
Casablanca would first be attacked by the additional
91 Naval Assault Force vessels and 171 Army Aircraft,
which completed the Western Task Force.
 |
| 5th Army airman photographs fleet crossing Atlantic, early November, 1942, National Archives photo |
Radio silence was maintained for this enormous formation, its columns
spread some 20 to 30 miles across the ocean.
Command, however, remained in full control, and "a flag hoist
on Rear Admiral Hewitt's ship could reach the entire fleet in ten minutes."
But there were a few stormy days with fierce winds as the fleet neared Casablanca.
For the seasick in close quarters below deck, it was torturous.
For others, enlisted men and officers alike, it was nearly as agonizing,
confined as they were with heaving bunk-mates.
Rear Admiral Hewitt watched the weather and considered the threat of rough surf
on the coast of Morroco, then signaled "proceed on service assigned."
on November 7 was successful.
Allied leaders "marveled" that they remained undetected given
the complexity and scale of the operation:
combined forces had included 350 warships
and 500 transports that carried over 107,000 troops.
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| Map of the 3-pronged plan for Operation Torch, November 8, 1942, Army map |
commence its 3-pronged assault on Vichy French controlled North Africa.
Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft began anti-U-boat and
reconnaissance patrols along coast llines and over naval bases.
into position just off the coasts of Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers.
Before dawn of November 8, all task forces were in position;
the American arm, the Western Task Force,
lay ready just off the Atlantic coast of Morocco.
Additional background and stories are readily available on sites such as
the National Army Museum or the Warfare History Network.
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