2nd Feb. ‘43
Dear Mum,
Just
returned after spending another days leave in Tripoli & this is just a
short note to let you know what I did & what I saw.
I forgot to
mention it before but the day Tripoli fell I witnessed one of the greatest
fireworks displays I have evr seen. Everyone fired off rifles or coloured
flares & cheered like mad & put on a great show.
As I said I have just returned from leave again & this time I
had a better chance to look around. We spent about half the day looking around
the Arab Quarter, which, by the way, is out of bounds. I bought a couple of
things while I was in there & I will pack them up when I finish this
letter. I bought a powder compact & an evening bag for Betty & two
pairs of stockings for you. I don’t know how the colour or texture of the
stockings will suit you ‘cause I’m afraid I’m not much of a judge of same but
as you can’t get them at home now I thought you may be able to make use of them.
Let me know if they are all right. I have also included a few little things for
Dad in the parcel & hope they suit him alright. I will draw some money
before I go on leave because there are a few little things down in the Arab
Quarter that I think you would like.
Tripoli has
changed quite a bit since I was in last & more shops are opening every day
so it should be a worthwhile leave town as soon as the harbor is opened &
food starts coming in.
The civil
police forces are still directing the traffic & they are done up in their
best Italian uniforms & trying to show the eighth Army how snappily they
can make their movements.
The harbor entrance
has been blocked with numerous sunken ships & at the rate the salvage party
is working it will not be very long before the harbor is opened. There is also
a good few ships sunk & beached in the harbor & these are being towed
out of the way.
The
waterfront is extremely pretty being lined with many palm trees & beautiful
homes. At each street intersection there is an island in the middle of the road
& in the centre of this there is a large fountain, which are all working.
One of the
largest buildings on the waterfront is the Union Club which is for NCO’s &
the ranks of the three forces. When the Jerries were here this building has
been for officers only & so it is done out very elaborately. It consists of
a large theatre, waiting rooms, lounges etc. & one wing is one large room
for reading.
We had a
look over a beautiful cathedral that had been built by the Italians a few years
ago. I took photos of the place so I won’t go into detail here.
Well, Mum,
that’s more than I thought I would write so I will close & write to you
shortly.
Much love to Dad & Betty & my regards to
Leo
Lovingly
Yours
Frank
Would be great to see Tripoli one day and see how it has changed.
ReplyDelete