My family in World War 2My family in World War 2http://www.milgeek.co.uk/familyhistoryww2/2007-12-22T16:57:13ZSquarespaceChristmas 'at the front' - North Africa, 1943My Dad, John Beathttp://www.milgeek.co.uk/familyhistoryww2/2007/12/22/christmas-at-the-front-north-africa-1943.htmlClone_Ranger2007-12-22T08:43:27Z2007-12-22T08:43:27ZIt seemed appropriate that I start of this new section of my site, documenting my family's part in World War Two, with a Christmas entry. At this time of year it would be nice to remember all those serving in our Armed Forces in far away and dangerous places, so here's a bit of a festive memory from my Dad's photo album.

2128630824_829c3489c1_m.jpgMy father served with the Royal Army Service Corps (what we would now know as logistics) as part of the 8th Army in North Africa. The role of his unit was to keep the units at the front line supplied with food and other supplies by managing the mountains of stores and the trucks that transported them.

Right: Dad recorded the menu served to the members of his unit, Christmas 1943. It seems a pretty good one, and certainly not what the troops at the front were probably eating. Click on the picture to see a larger version. 

Despite this being a 'second line' roll, military historians will appreciate that it was logistics and the flow of supplies that in the end played a vital part in victory in North Africa.

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Above: The men - and dogs! - of the 14 Base Supply Depot, Royal Army Service Corp, 1943. My father is on the second row, sixth from the left.

I am not entirely sure about the location of this Christmas meal, though from 1942 my father and his unit seem to have been stationed in or near Alexandra, and maybe at a petrol depot at Mersa Matruh - but I cannot confirm this.

2128630996_316702a3bd_m.jpg14 BSD and the sort of work they did are - I believe - mentioned in chapter 11 of a book called, appropriately, 'Petrol Company' by A. L. Kidson. An electronic version of this chapter - Back to the ‘Blue’ - is available online at the New Zealand Electronic Text Centre, and it gives an account of the fighting around Mersa Matruh and the part played my 14 BSD.

Left: Photo my father included of the venue of the unit's Christmas meal. This looks more like a building in a larger city - like Alexandria - than in Mersa Matru, which was just a small harbour town.

 This particular Christmas celebration must have been quite a significant one for the troops of the 8th Army, for while the war still raged on the Axis forces in North Africa surrendered on May 13, 1943. This victory, along with that of our Soviet allies at Stalingrad in February 1943, marked a turning of the tide against Germany and it's allies. From here on in, Germany was on the defensive.

MENU

Soup 'Minestrone'
Roast Turkey
Roast Pork - Apple Sauce
Roast Potatoes
Assorted Vegetables
Christmas Pudding - Rum Sauce
Mince Pies - Oranges - Nuts - Sweets
Tea - Coffee
Beer & Cigarettes

Looking at the menu, I can't help feeling how lucky my Dad probably was - although, by this time, he and his comrades had earned it. But it would be interesting to compare this rather luxurious war time menu with that being enjoyed at the home front - what with the strict rationing (I will ask my mum about this) - much less what our Soviet ally would have had to make do with!

Useful links:-

> 'Christmas 1943: A Meal Interrupted' - menu aboard the U.S.A.T. Evangaline, 1943
> BBC 'WW2 People's War' - Christmas in Italy 1943 by Peter G Whiting
> Russian Rations of The Great Patriotic War By Knackerstaff

> The Wartime Memories Project - The Royal Army Service Corps
> The Royal Army Service Corp entry on Regiments.org
> Back to the 'Blue' - account mentioning the 14 BSD at the New Zealand Electronic Text Centre

> My family 'World War Two' album on Flickr.com
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