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My mother, Christine Hoon (later Kolczynska) kept a diary of her posting to North Africa and Italy as part of a FANY unit. Here are some extracts:

10.11.43

Departed by train from London soon after midnight, after 2 hours waiting in a fine November drizzle. A fairly comfortable journey passed the night and half the next day with an interval for buns and tea at Sheffield.

11.11.43

Went on board the Monarch of Bermuda at 2 pm, after a dismal delay in the shed. She is a pleasant looking ship, formerly a conveyor of luxury cruisers to the West Indies, now packed to capacity with nearly 4,000 troops.By dinner time our appetites were sharpened, and great appreciation expressed by all at the food, which consisted of things we had not seen for three years in England. Ran across childhood friend in person of Ian Gray from Johannesburg.

21.11.43 - 26.11.43

The voyage. On the whole an interesting and enjoyable fortnight, marred by one day of mal de mer and a bout of bronchial flu which attacked everyone. About the third day we awoke to find ourselves in fjord-like surroundings, a beautiful coastline of snow-tipped mountains with heather-covered slopes and attractive villages
clustered along the water's edge. Soon,however, we were in the north Atlantic but had good weather almost the entire time. Our day usually commenced with "Life on the Ocean Wave" at 6.30 a.m., musical efforts on the part of the Commandos in cabin 27, then the tremendous effort of getting showered and dressed to the accompaniment of heated arguments between Alys and Molly, the airlessness becoming more oppressive every minute.
8.15 a.m.: a short walk round the deck then breakfast. 9a.m.- 10.30 a.m.spent on the sun deck watching P.T. 10.30 a.m.: a clanging of bells summoned us to boat drill after which the queue
for sweets at the canteen formed up. 11.30 a.m. a long awaited hour, the bar opened and orange juice was imbibed until lunchtime. 2p.m.: an airing on deck watching perhaps tug-of-war between the Commandos and lesser beings. 2.30 p.m.-5p.m.: post-prandial slumbers interspersed by visits to the sun deck for air. 5.30 p.m.-6.30 p.m.: another big effort getting washed and changed but in better spirits at this time of day. 6.30-7p.m.: perhaps a sundowner in cabin 31, then a very excellent dinner, most of the F.A.N.Y in good form. 8 p.m.: the great struggle to acquire chairs in the smoke room. Long drafts of orange juice & much chatter then bed at 10.30 p.m. after a short airing on the poop deck.

About 10 p.m. on the evening of the 13th day we passed Gibraltar, a dim outline and Tangier, a blaze of twinkling lights - a sight enjoyed by all on board as it was a perfect night. The sea has been a deep blue and the air more mellow. The last day was spent in attempts to squeeze one's
expanded belongings into their appointed places with cabin-mates trying to do the same.

26.11.43

At breakfast time we sighted the coast near Algiers, pine-covered slopes dotted with dazzling white villas, and as we steamed into the harbour
the town looked most attractive. We did not land until 4 p.m. after a tea party in cabin 31. Milly and I had a somewhat exhausting evening coping with 40 FANYs' luggage. -had a meal on board then, with the help of Neil and Odendal who produced 25 mean, managed to get it onto the docks. The harbour, crowded with ships unloading and partly floodlit, was an impressive sight. More dead than alive we crawled into bed after a tot from Milly's flask.

27.11.43

We are living in a rather strange tiled but bathless hotel and mess in the Restaurant Phenix
where one meets most of our travelling companions. We pottered round the town this morning,it is full of strange sights, sounds and smells, crowded with every race and colour imaginable, has attractive
buildings and sub-tropical trees and plants but also has a a very sordid and shabby side. At lunchtime who should walk in but John W. who took us to have a drink at the Oasis, then we all dined at the Phenix. It was a pleasant evening with everyone in a good mood increased by the good Algerian wine.

28.11.43.

We breakfasted with John, then at 10 a.m. packed and were collected to go out to the camp where we had a delicious lunch in Curry's mess. At 12.30 we drove to the airfield and at 2 p.m embarked for our flight. Our craft was a 4-engined Liberator and one had not the slightest qualms or fear of air sickness as it was a glorious day. Everything below in miniature looked most attractive as we flew out to sea over Algiers. The flight took about two and a half hours, the last hour we were over land again, very mountainous near Bizerta. Then near Tunis the airfield where we landed is in open plain, bordered by the sea. We had an early supper in the squadron officers' mess at their camp in an olive grove, then proceeded to the Majestic in Tunis.

(After some days in Tunis, the FANY unit were transferred to Southern Italy.)

22.12.43

Took off from Sidi Amor at 10.30 in a Liberator, not the one we camein from Algiers. A perfect day to start with, the outline of the coast very distinct as we left with Carthage and La Marsa on our right. About half an hour over the sea, then we saw the small rocky islands south of Sicily in a very blue sea with waves breaking on them. We skirted Sicily on our right - saw a harbour very distinctly with a convoy steaming towards it. Passed over some lovely country on th Italian mainland, very mountainous with small white villages perched on the hills. Came over Brindisi
at 1.30 pm, very flat and not very attractive.
Were taken to have lunch in a villa in the town, waited about until 6 pm, then went out to Latiano
where we supped at the HQ. Went to our own villa at 9.30 pm - it is bright pink and stands in quite nice grounds with an impressive entrance.In side it is quite spacious with tile floors but somewhat chilly, oil lamps and no running water and earth closet in the orange grove! Slept extremely well on the home-made bed in spite of everything. Received our first letters for 6 weeks.

23.12.43.

Left for breakfast at 7.45 am at HQ, an impressive villa with large grounds full of orange trees, loquats, persimmons, colonnades and goldfish ponds. Left at 10.30 with Colonels Roper-Caldbeck, Perkins, & Jean for Monopoli where we had lunch in the FANY mess, which is a most wonderful residence in a squalid street of a rather deadly litle town. Most spacious and comfortably furnished with 3 lovely bathrooms. Retured to Latiano at about 5.30 pm in pouring rain along a dull straight road for about 50 miles - I have been frozen all day and wished myself back in Tunis many times. When I got back to our villa everyone was in the depths of misery too! We left again at 7 pm for Monopoli and the party at the FANYs' there. I slept most of the way in the back of the PU(personal utility truck).
Their villa looked most attractive with decorations and a Christmas tree of olive - the most lovely food, macaroons, burnt almonds etc.
Spent the night here and was never so glad to get into bed!

24.12.43

After a marvellous hot bath met Perks (Perkins) and R-C (Roper-Caldbeck) who took me to Bari to pick up a 15-cwt. Most pleasant to drive a big vehicle again - a lovely day which cheered me up a good deal and I thoroughly enjoyed the drive back
to Monopoli, with the sea on my left all the way.
Went through two attractive towns much nicer than anything I have seen, yet built on cliffs above the sea. The fields are cultivated right down to the water's edge, and in the fields are tiny orange marigolds, the prickly pears seem to be in bloom, and also the loquats. Had lunch and much- needed snooze at the FANY mess.

Tea at Monopoli officers' mess which is an impressive and palatial house in the town. Drove the 15-cwt with Perks back to Latiano in pouring rain and darkness, stopping at Ostuni. Here we had drinks with the Colonel, then down to Xmas dinner with the soldiers (Polish trainee parachutists & resistance agents - Ed.) preceded by speeches on the part of the Col. & Perks. A delightful atmosphere in spite of the primitive building - lovely singing.

On to Latiano where everyone was extremely bibulous!

25.12.43.

Did not rise until 9 a.m, a rather chaotic breakfast in the Officers' Mess, and a slightly more orderly lunch. More rain and grey skies, our spirits are zero.

Quite an enjoyable Christmas supper in the Mess, after which we talked by the fire, then later paid a visit to the O. villa, where everyone was in high spirits. Their mess is in a room with a white Gothic ceiling - the brightly decorated Xmas tree and lovely flowers made the scene extremely attractive.

26.12.43.

A strange day, overcast, spent mostly in hitch-hiking between our villa and the Mess, getting meals organized there, and coping with the Italian women. This evening after dinner we went to O.villa where a party was in progress, our Sidi Amor friends having come out with their band of three, accordion, guitar and banjo. Waldi arrived about 8 pm with profuse apologies for not turning up in the afternoon but would not stay. The party a great success, we danced tangos, waltzes etc and there was of course lovely singing.

27.12.43.

The usual day, up and down to Villa d'Ippolito - a very cold wind and a few flakes of snow. To bed early- my Monday night routine - with a hot-water bottle!

28.12.43.

Nothing much happened today either, we spent quite a pleasant time at the FANY villa writing letters, tidying etc. A dull cold day, we walked quite a way along the road at lunchtime before getting a hitch hike in a lorry full of gunners. The Italian women at the Mess are getting quite good and we have quite long chats now - meals are much more dignified and calm and it is really quite fun now.

Supper this evening was very early and afterwards
we sat round the fire and talked - Fred Whittaker
had organized the hot-water bottles again. Milly returned, rather disgruntled, for the night.

29.12.43.

A good deal warmer this morning thank goodness. A very good turkey dinner with the Sappers in our villa, extremely chilly and rather hard work as
our hosts were extremely shy.

30.12.43.

The truck came for us before we were up, a hectic attempt at dressing. A lovely sunny morning, which makes all the difference - the orange grove looked
so attractive. Returned to our villa and later Aleksander Char³ozinski came to give me my first Italian lesson - we had a pleasant hour sitting in the sun on our terrace. After lunch a snooze then dressed for the party before dark, and for once the truck came late. Left at 7.30 pm for Taranto arriving about 9 pm. The RAF have a magnificent apartment in rather hideous Italian Renaissance style on the sea front. The dance with a band and excellent supper was quite pleasant, talked to quite a pleasant Irishman, then danced a good deal with a nice Naval Commander and unusually nice American Colonel. Fetched by Perks.
and Oran. in a 15-cwt - a rather pleasant drive back, all four of us huddled on the floor, along a cypress-lined road, rather attractive under a starlit sky.

31.12.43

Another fine day "Gott sei Dank". My second Italian lesson, rather slow progress - a pleasant talk and walk to HQ before lunch. Felt not at all well and was extremely ill this evening
- staggered to New Year's Eve party at S. house.
The air force came with an accordeon, it was quite gay, danced a good deal in spite of feeling rather deathly. Retired to bed directly after midnight.

1.1.44.

Remained in bed today until 5 p.m. Very snug, slept nearly all day, then girded myself and went to HQ.

2.1.44.

The P.U.s (personal utility vehicles -Ed.) have arrived with Captain Davis. I drive the one allocated to the FANYs, which also collects and delivers the food with cook in attendance.

3.1.44.

Went into Brindisi with Freddy Whittaker who introduced me to REME (Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers) where I had quite a successful morning. A lovely morning made the countryside look quite attractive. This afternoon
took Morgan to Brindisi, had tea at the Green house.

4.1.44. Spent the morning in Brindisi doing maintenance. This afternoon took Sue(Ryder) in
and hosed car while I waited for her, using hose of rather uncooperative but later more amiable
Italian. A fine sunny day with a most wonderful sunset on the way back. An early night.

5.1.44.

Tried to grease car in between showers - most trying. This afternoon washed my hair at Jess's billet, with enthusiastic assistance of her hostess and maid, who made sounds of admiration
even when I was looking my most hideous. To dry it I had to sit in the kitchen chimney corner over a glowing wood fire and was fed with magnificent naartjies (tangerines). A dark cold winter's afternoon with an icy wind.

6.1.44.

After an awful night of storms and gales we had the sad news that Witek and other friends have been lost. It has overshadowed everything, and Jess, Pam, and I went unwillingly to dinner with
D.I.D. (?Capt. Davis). An excellent meal but rather deadly evening.

7.1.44.

At 9.30 after delivering breakfast I took Jess & Peter Boughey to the hills above Fasano. It was overcast to start with but fine though cold later.
We called first at Monopoli, then up an attractive
mountain road above Fasano to Michaelis's villa, which is most civilised with a nice bathroom. We
had a delicious lunch well served on the brown pottery plates, with rush mats on the table, in a room bathed in sunshine. It is so lovely up here with views over the Adriatic on one side and rolling hills on the other. The little white houses with pointed roofs (trulli) ar scattered in the slopes in clumps and look like fairy-tale villages. We stopped at Ostuni, then on to Brindisi where we had a drink at the Officers'Club with Capt.Heinie.

8.1.44.

Arose as usual about 6.30 a.m. and after breakfast went into Brindisi and scrounged oil with Freddy.
Prepared our villa for the imminent arrival of the remainder of the unit - it now looks rather pleasant. A fine afternoon and lovely moonlit frosty night. Stayed quite late at the Mess, talking over the fire and dancing a little to the radio with Adam (Kwiatkowski). A nice atmosphere and people in good form.

9.1.44. Off to Brindisi with Jess, collecting kitchen ware etc - a visit to the new house, rather squalid eastern style. Had arranged to go
to Officers' Club, but had to go with Freddie and bring back 44-gallon drum of oil. Fried eggs for supper and evening in front of the Mess fire.

10.1.44.

A hectic day rushing madly about with Kucharz Express (the truck transporting the Polish cook and food - Ed.) and furniture etc for the imminent arrival of the rest of the unit. This afternoon- the funeral of the crew of the plane we flew in from Tunis. I took a Sergeant with a strained leg to the Military Hospital in Brindisi
and gave a lift to a Royal West Kent from Teddy's HQ. Milly and Roper-C. spent the night at Latiano.

11.1.44.

Rose at the civilised hour of 7.45 and left with Col. R.-C. for Monopoli via Brindisi where we picked up Milly. Lunched with FANYs at Monopoli and had a really hot bath afterwards, followed by tea. On our way to M. stopped at Ostuni and saw Waldi for a few minutes. Left Monopoli at 5 p.m.,
stopped and saw Col. (?Okulicki) still in bed with his bad leg. Returend to Latiano for a late supper of eggs.

12.1.44

Left early with Jess & Col.R-C for Taranto to meet the ship. The sunniest and warmest day we have had yet - Taranto quite interesting as one drives over a bridge to an island to reach the docks. We arrived just as the ship was coming in, greeted the others, who are somewhat impetigo-ridden, packed them into a truck, then set off for the hills. The road was a gradual rise for some time, then wound attractively to the heights of Laureto.
We lunched with Peter B. at Selva, then went to look at the new houses, which are rather nice.
On to tea at Monopoli, then back to supper in Denittos' house, the move having taken place during our absence.

13.1.44 & 14.1.44

Much chaos and endless buzzing to and fro in the Latiano district these days. The mileage averages 80 miles per day as the new house is a reason for many journeys - up at 7 a.m. and not to bed before 11.30 p.m.

15.1.44.

A busy morning as usual, quite pleasant as th weather is really lovely. A party of us went to the Officers' Club after some difficulty, as we could not find the 15-cwt; the band is good and it was great fun but ended too early. Our party consisted of Peter B., Fred, Adam, Pam, Molly F. and we met the Air Force going on to their mess afterwards.

16.1.44.

Buzzed again, went with Jess and her hostess to Latiano, then discussed wine with Mac. and Arturo for 3/4 hour, with much gesticulating and ex- citement. This evening a party at the new house, which had been attractively decorated, the white gothic ceilings forming a dramatic background. We danced to energetic singing by our hosts, on a tiled floor.

17.1.44.

Free from 11 a.m., slept & rearranged clothes etc,
washed & put on clean clothes. Felt most festive
& enjoyed the evening, talking in the mess & spending part of the time and spending part of the time at the O. house. Met Michael Webb from Jubilee Road, Parktown (Johannesburg) & Stock
Exchange.

18.1.44.

Life a good deal more paceful, an amusing hour spent with Peter & Fred buying vegetables with the help of our fig friend (a local fig dealer) and his wife who is from Bozen (South Tyrol).

19.1.44.

A good party at Station 2, wiht very attractively decorated rooms - the morning was spent in Latiano
obtaining wine and fruit for the evening.

20-24.1.44.

Days full of the usual trips & small jobs - hardly a pause in the delivery of meals, shopping, etc. On Friday evening Station 1 had a wonderful party; unfortunately I was rather late as I had to take Jess up to the hills in the afternoon and we did not return until 8 p.m.. I then washed in cold water and dressed by lamplight in the eeriness of the villa, alone. The house looked delightful with charcoal drawings on the white walls of the hall, and decorated with leaves and branches. Most
of the airforce were there and brought a band, in addition to which Stefan played the accordeon. I danced madly all the time and was swept into hectic national dances at intervals.

On Saturday I had some time off and managed to wash my hair and dry it in the sun on my balcony, then had a short sleep. This evening trailed to
Taranto to a rather deadly RAF party.

Sunday, a peaceful unruffled day, the usual routine but intervals of sitting in the sun and conversation.