Between The Lines - Ep 15

**Al Murray** (0:03)
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Hello, and welcome to this edition of Between the Lines, the podcast that decipher the handwriting, unfolds faded pages and dips into the details of diaries, log books and letters written during this same week, there or thereabouts, in 1943, some 80 years ago.
Let's start with a quick recap of the situation.
It's only natural, our focus now is on the Mediterranean. The Allied invasion of Sicily is underway, Operation Husky. This combined operation was entirely logical, as it secured access to the Italian mainland with the benefit of essential air cover by fighters operating from Malta. The operation brought the 7th US Army and the British 8th Army together, not forgetting our Canadian cousins, of course, as well as all the other Dominion troops involved in this action. And altogether, this meant organizing some 180,000 men on more than two and a half thousand ships, the largest seaborne assault to date. Ahead of them were some 40,000 German troops and 230,000 Italians, although it must be said, not all of them were sure whose side they were on.
Elsewhere in the world, the Japanese have just gained a tactical victory off the coast of Colombo-Gara and the battle for Mount Tambou has begun in New Guinea. It's incredible to think about the amount of administration that must have gone into resourcing supply lines for all of these actions, all taking place in different theatres all at the same time.
We'll start by catching up with Major General Oscar Griswold out in the South Pacific. He's under intense pressure this week. It looks as though he's about to handle even more of the logistical burden of command. Medical services must be improved and the entire supply system needs to be overhauled as a large number of reinforcements from the 25th and the 37th divisions have to be received, accounted for and assigned to duties. Here's Oscar.

**Oscar Griswold** (4:21)
11th July, 1943 Routine. A fuss between General Hardin and Admiral Turner about my taking over the NGOF.
Turner wants Hester to take it with my staff. Harmon feels the operation is getting bigger and that he wants it under core direction and not division. Don't know how it'll turn out.
8 a.m. Left Henderson Field, Guadalcanal. Arrived Randova Harbor at 9:30 a.m. Advanced party.
Arnold C5, Riddings G3, Leary G4, Tracy G2, Jack Blocker acting G1. Ralph O'Ginn as ADC. Orders to observe with probability of taking over the logistical burden from Hester. Camped with General Hester at HQ. New Georgia Occupation Force at Randova.
12th July, 1943 Spent day in New Georgia. Landed Zanana Beach. Spent most of day at Divisional HQ. The battle was going on up the Munda Trail near Beroyka River. Many wounded coming back. Heavy losses. Men look all tired out. Bewildered look of horror on many faces.
Troops impressed me as not having been mentally prepared or well trained. Impressed me as not doing job very effectively. Enemy resistance, however, is very stiff. 1720 and 169th Infantry doing the fighting.
13th July, 1943 Remained in command post all day. Observed how staff was handling the operation. Was not impressed. Lots of loose ends. Reported to Harmon as observer on way things are going. Recommended reinforcement from 25th Division. In my opinion, disaster in this operation is a possibility unless something is done.