Sunday, 1 October [1944]. HMT Highland Monarch
Days run 318 miles (total 697). Naturally we are all guessing as to our destination. Most of us think that it is England (I hope so). We haven’t sighted land since leaving New York. We picked up more vessels today, probably about 60 ships in our convoy by now. The sea is a good bit rougher and many of the men are sick continually. I feel sorry for them but it is funny to see them head for the railing. Saw a Pbm (mariner) today scouting around for subs. I have spent the entire day on deck enjoying the air and the view. It is beautiful. Bob (corporal Hertz) and I are both weathering the trip like real sailors (so far). 1 Cpl. Robert J. “Bob” Hertz was a good friend of Vernon’s in the Army. He served with Goetz in B Battery, 549th Anti‐Aircraft Artillery, 87th Division. He lived in South Carolina with his wife and they kept in contact for many years. Interview with Mary Goetz, April 14, 2014. We talk about home and our families and our girl friends.
Monday, 2 October [1944] HMT Highland Monarch
Days run 322 miles (total 1019). I was on deck about 0200. The Sea was rough but the moon was up and the Ocean was a huge drop of silver. Each ship stood out clearly & distinctly. I was glad of the rough water. It was our best protection from submarines. The weather is warm, evidently we are following the gulf stream. We had 30 minutes of calisthenics today. The sea is getting rougher. It is difficult to stand on deck and almost impossible to walk. Bob & I sit in the compartment, read & play poker until we can no longer stand the smell of so many people so close together, then we go up on deck and talk. We have stopped speculating to our destination. Figure it doesn’t much matter. I am enjoying the trip except for our quarters & our meals. We were entertained by a school of porpoises for a while and of course, the sea gulls are always with us. It is a wonderful experience but hardly a conditioner for battle (or is it?).