General Sturgis (AP 137) - Naval Cruise Book

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7 J-okltO — ; UlilL The destination was Tokyo — but no one could have prophesied it — when the Sturgis steamed under the Golden Gate the morning of 16 June bound tor Marseille, France. The ship had been assigned to carry troops from France to the Pacific theater, and thoughts were centered on new adventures to be had in the Atlantic rather than on vague dreams of a Jap- anese surrender. The first destination was Panama, and the trip through the locks kept everyone topside most of the day. It was easy to imagine the engineering problems involved in digging the Culebra Cut, and other passages through Panamanian hills, and the efficiently operated locks with electric donkeys which always moved on two bells, provided constant educational entertainment. On the other side of the canal was Cristobal, and during the one-night layover, liberty was granted. Shoregoers found silk stockings and other items unavailable in the U.S., and alligator bags were purchased by many. A peaceful Atlantic awaited, and the Rock of Gibralter provided the next thrill. The famous life insurance company view of the rock was clear, but more comment was made about the great watershed which at one time supplied the craggy fortress with fresh water. Marseille was next, and after winding about among the small islands which guard the harbor entrance, the Sturgis was moored to a demolished pier where German prisoners of war waited to load cargo. The port was efficiently organized, for troops were loaded the day after arrival, and the ship sailed immediately after loading. Two liberties were arranged, and men found France in storybooks much nicer than the real thing. Destruction was slight, with most damage being due to demolition efforts by the Nazis. Some Ger- man roadblocks and fortifications were still to be seen. The much publicized French women proved to have plenty of charm, but appeared to use more powder than soap. The return voyage across the Atlantic was again peaceful, and the next liberty party went ashore to find excitement at Cristobal. Even troops were permitted to leave the ship as the Red Cross and USO had facilities for entertainment on the dock. It was again a thrill to go through the canal, but the Pacific looked good. The course was set along the equator, and news of the atomic bomb, the declaration of war on Japan by Russia, and pleas for peace by the Japanese was received while on this leg of the journey. The crew, seasoned shellbacks now, had their fun with the pollywog soldiers when the Sturgis dodged across the equator to Hollandia, and all hands were in good spirits when the ship arrived at the New Guinea port. The morning aftfejf arriving at Hollandia, as the ship prepared to hawse the anchors for Manila, President Truman sent spirits soaring with the announcement that the war was ended. The stage was set for the historic role the Sturgis was to play in the official surrender ceremonies. I