| Table of Contents < - - - return Chapter 3 - The ‘Cruise’ < - - - next Don Bennett's War Chapter 2 - Boarding the ships _______________________ After two days of restriction to camp, the day for leaving the U.S. came and our stay at Camp Shanks stopped at six days. We packed our barracks bags, rolled our 3 1/2 foot long packs, got our individual numbers (mine was C-143), and waited for the Go sign. We waited all afternoon and finally after darkness fell, we put on our heavy packs and belts, strapped on our gas masks, slung our rifles, and with our overcoats and an extra blanket in our left hand, made the two mile hike to the train. The thirty mile long train ride to the Ferry near Hoboken, New Jersey, seemed long for we were anxious to be on our way and we were uncomfortable with our packs and gas masks on. We boarded the ferry, doing our best to keep our equipment, packs, and duffle bags in order, and made the hour-long ride down the Hudson, across the harbor to Staten Island. While going from the ferry to the big warehouse on the dock, a military band played for us, and in the warehouse the Gray Ladies gave us doughnuts and coffee. Company "C" began
boarding the ship at 1: 00 a.m. and at 1: 15 a.m., October 6, 1944 I
stepped from U.S. soil onto the gang plank. They herded us down to the
second deck and shoved us in the crowded bunks with our equipment and
there we stayed till morning. They let us go up on deck in the morning
and we were away from the dock and though we were still in the New York
Harbor, we couldn't see the city or the Statue of Liberty because of
the fog. I went down below and prepared for the long trip to somewhere
in Europe. Chapter 3 - The ‘Cruise’ < - - - next Table of Contents < - - - return _________________________ Copyright, Donald Bennett
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