November 20th, 1943
Transcript
| Times | Log | Location | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
|
7:15am |
The USS Iowa arrived at Oran, Algeria (on the Barbary Coast of French North Africa). The USS Brooklyn and other escorting ships left our company at the outer harbor to proceed on duty assigned. The USS Iowa proceeded to the naval anchorage at Mers el Kebir (the "Great Harbor"), about 6 miles to the westward of Oran. |
Oran, Algeria |
TRP |
|
8:09am |
USS Iowa anchored at Mers el Kebir. Noted good weather conditions. |
Oran, Algeria |
TRP |
|
8:36am |
FDR entered the USS Iowa's motor whale boat, which was in the port davits and lowered to main deck level; the boat was then lowered into the water; and FDR left the USS Iowa for the shore. |
Oran, Algeria |
TRP |
|
8:55am |
FDR disembarked from the motor whale boat at Mers el Kebir landing. He was greeted here by his sons, Elliott Roosevelt, USA and Lt. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., USNR, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Adm. Cunningham (British Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean), Vice Adm. Hewitt, (Commander U.S. Naval Forces Northwest African waters) and others. FDR departed for La Senia airport, 50 miles from Mers el Kebir. Riding in the car with him were Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Elliott Roosevelt and Lt. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.. |
Oran, Algeria |
TRP |
|
10:25am |
FDR arrived at La Senia airport, left his automobile and embarked on his plane at once. Names of pilots and crew noted. |
La Senia airport, Algeria |
TRP |
|
10:40am |
FDR's plane departed La Senia, Algeria airport for Tunis, Tunisia. In FDR's plane were: FDR, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., Harry L. Hopkins, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Adm. William D. Leahy, Gen. Edwin M. Watson, Adm. Wilson Brown, Ross T. McIntire, Lt. (jg) Rigdon, and Secret Service agents. Joined by fighter plane escort at Dellys. |
Plane to Tunis, Tunisia |
TRP |
|
2:03pm |
FDR's plane arrived at El Aouina airport, 12 miles northeast of Tunis, Tunisia. Vast numbers of wrecked German aircraft on ground noted. Elliott Roosevelt on hand at airport to meet his father. |
Tunis, Tunisia |
TRP |
|
2:20pm |
FDR disembarked and left the airport for guest villa #1 in Carthage. Background of villa noted. En route to villa, FDR stopped to view the ruins of old Carthage. Sgt. Robert Hopkins, USA and Maj. George H. Durno, USA, joined FDR's party here. Col. E. D. Cook, USA, presented FDR with metal from fusilage of shot-down German bomber. FDR worked on official mail. |
Carthage, Tunisia |
TRP |
|
5:00pm |
FDR left his villa for La Marsa airfield where he inspected Elliott Roosevelt's air squadron. FDR then returned directly to his villa. |
Carthage, Tunisia |
TRP |
|
8:00pm |
(dinner - FDR's villa) Miss Kay Somersby (Dwight D. Eisenhower's chauffeur) and Miss Nancy Gatch who were guests of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr. and Elliott Roosevelt, Adm. William D. Leahy, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gen. Spaatz, Airchief Marshall Arthur Tedder, Sgt. Robert Hopkins. Talked with Dwight D. Eisenhower after dinner. Before retiring, FDR announced that he would delay his scheduled departure from Tunis, Tunisia to after dark. The night flight was considered safer for FDR. |
Carthage, Tunisia |
TRP |
|
ER |
In Washington, DC, left by train in the late evening for New York, NY |
USH |
USH = White House Usher's Diary, STE = Stenographer's Diary, PC = Press Conference, TU = Tully's Appointment Diary
These transcripts are based on archival sources documenting President Roosevelt's daily activities, including the White House Usher's Log and the White House Stenographer's Diary. The transcripts were created for reference purposes. Because errors can occur in data entry, we encourage you to review and cite to the original sources displayed below.
Image Gallery
November 20 1943 - Stenographers Diary
November 20 1943 - Ushers Log
