Auld Lang Syne

Phillip's Photospage 9  


The 275th Armored Field Artillery
ships-OUT FROM LeHarve, France to U. S. A.
 
 
View out to sea from port LaHarve, France  Army band plays on the dock for the Santa Maria
Looking out at the port of
LaHarve, France ships
      A brass band plays "Auld Lang Syne" as the 
Santa Maria leaves  the port of LaHarve, 
 

            

 A resourceful Lt. Col. Roy U. Clay had volunteered the services of the 275th for ships detail including guard and K.P. aboard ship for the return trip to the United States. This resulted in a much shorter stay for the 275th at near-by Camp Lucky Strike. Most units were processing and waiting at these staging areas from two to three weeks. the 275th left port one week after arrival at Camp Lucky Strike. 

Excitement filled the air June 23 and June 24 as preparations to leave port proceeded. The battalion spent two days aboard the liberty ship Santa Maria having boarded at 0930 23 June 1945.

 

The Ship Bound for Home

Sailors on liberty ship Santa Maria

The Santa Maria was much smaller than the Scythia that took the 275th to Europe, but American sailors prepared good U.S. style food and plenty of it. Being a new ship, the Santa Maria was much cleaner, also.  The voyage was smooth and calm.

Soldiers in line on board the liberty ship [Santa Maria]

3 GI's on the Santa Maria

Waiting in line is a part of routine, on the U.S. Liberty Ship "Santa Maria", too.

The expressions on the faces of Jim, Bernie and their friend tells how the entire battalion was feeling as the ship departed port.               

Photos courtesy of:

 Phillip Millspaugh

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DeLoyd Cooper is the Historian for the 275th Armored Field Artillery Battalion Association.  dcooper1924@comcast.net
Copyright ©1999,  2000 DeLoyd Cooper. All rights reserved.
Revised: October 8, 2006