Ludlow (DD 438) - Naval Cruise Book

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The LUDLOW continued her escorting duty making four trips to Londonderry, Ire-A land, abd 0116 UQ FYCHOWH, South Africa. in which the first American troops were landed in Afric . D h' ' ' ' - - ' a uring t is trip survivors were picked up from a sunken British freighter. Upon the return to New York, Captain Bennett was detached and relieved by Lieutenant Commander Liles W. Creighton on September 19, 1942, At early. dawn on November 24, 1942, the LUDLOW got underway from Norfolk, Va., destination unknown. All curiosity was eased the day Lieutenant Commander Liles W. Creighton, U. S. Navy, called the crew together around the loudspeakers to give 'em the dope . Men, he said in his husky southern drawl, We gotta job to do and By God, we're gonna do it. VVe're gonna invade North Africa. It was a long awaited mo- ment for many. The LUDLOW was on her way for her first actual crack at the enemy. The opening of the Second Front was in sight. The sixteen-day trip over was dreary--not due to weather. A blanket of deep wondering had settled over the LUDLOW, the convoy, the whole task force in fact. We will succeed, but will I come back ? ran through the minds of all. Tenseness and even terror were on the faces of the men, from the weather- beaten old-salts down to the twelve boots who had come aboard the evening before departure from the U.S.A. ' More preparatory training and drills were carried out never-the-less. As the force moved along on her southerly course the sun came out, climate warmed and the sea calmed. Much sun-bathing was enjoyed by all during off moments.-all of which helped to release tension of what was ahead . A few days before D-day separate forces, coming from numerous embarkation ports, began to group together for the strike. It was an immense affair-800 ships in all. Almost unbelievable. Only an eye-witness would believe of such unheard of strength and power- a symbol of democracy-the Allies' answer to the Nazis. The time of strike was near. The LUDLOW's job up to now had been escort and anti-submarine work. Now her's was a new and a much more dangerous task-she was to act as guide and fire-support ship for the boat waves. She was to anchor alongside the boat lane, with U.S.S. MURPHY and U.S.S. WILKES, ever ready to lend assistance and gunfire when needed. A job neither too pleasant nor healthy. E A NORTH AFRICA ON the morning of November 7, 1942, the LUDLOW was anchored only 1000 yards off the beach with the task force at Fedala, French Morocco, only a few miles from Casa- blanca. All hammocks and' mattresses were laid over the life lines on the forecastle for some protection to the men on watch there. These men carried Tommy guns and rifies and were on guard against mines and any enemy acts of treachery. The daring of General M. Clark's secret visit to friendly French forces here earlier had paved the way for an easy invasion if the Vichy French could be brought to co-- operate. All men off watch went below to the mess hall to listen to President Roosevelt's famous radio speech to our potential enemies on the beach. The President told the French people that the Americans were off the beach in force and that damage could be avoided if they wished to show no resistance. They were told to shine searchlights straight up in the air at night and fly the American Flag over the French Flag by day as a signal of no resistance. That night the French shined searchlights skyward and all Americans were happy as our loaded invasion barges headed for the beach. The French were tracking us, however, and when our forces were about half way into the beach the French searchlights and guns. were trained on them and many lives were lost by this deceit. The LUDLOW was an ear- ly target. We were underway and shelling the beach at the first sign of Vichy French trea- chery. The fight was on. The next morning found us shelling enemy installations at Chel-gui and Cape Fedala. Only one German bomber tried to attack us. The LUDLOW had a successful day, knocking out all shore 7batter1es in her sector. However, being the fa ....- u c at ,.