September 1944--USS Charles Carroll, US Liberty Ship--Arriving in France

September 2, 1944--Left Naples Harbor at 6:10 p.m. on the USS Charles Carroll.  There are about seven cargo ships and three destroyers in our convoy.  The sea is very calm. 

September 3--A storm came up, and the front part of the ship went up and down 25 feet.  I got very seasick, and we had one man overboard who was later picked up.

September 4, 1944--We pulled into a cove near St. Tropez, France at 10 a.m.  The Infantry was sent ashore first, and then my Jeep and trailer were loaded over the side into a small landing craft.  I crawled over the side and down a rope ladder.  We had to stand my trailer on end because the boat was so small.  Two sailors and I were the only ones in the landing craft.  We hit the sandy beach of Southern France.

The sailors let down the front door of the landing craft, and I drove my Jeep forward enough to hook up the trailer.  Then I drove off into two feet of water.  The beach was all cleared and wire laid down over the sand so the vehicles would not sink.  Landed at 11 a.m. and waited there until 7 p.m.  Then drove 35 miles to the 7th Army's rear and put up my tent and went to sleep.  Southern France has beautiful scenery.

Letter Home from Robert to His Family:  "September 9, 1944--Southern France.  Dearest Folks, Here it is evening, and I have been driving my Jeep and trailer.  I got lost, but I found my outfit at last.  Thanks for all the letters and V-Mail.  I even got one Railroad Magazine!  I sure enjoyed all of the stories.  Tonight I also got a lot of rations, so now I have plenty of candy to eat.  I am thinking of you all, and lots of love and sweet kisses.  From, Your Son Robert."

USS Charles Carroll, US Liberty Ship