Louis Amundson a GI with 11th Port of Embarkation
at Swansea
Glenn Booker, Chairaman of Barry Island War Museum, sent me a copy of a letter he had recieved in 1999, from Louis Amundson, of San Diego, who had spent some time in Swansea.
Louis Amundson, a GI with 11th Port of Embarkation at Swansea
Background
As background, be advised that the 11th Port of Embarkation (later changed to 11th Major Port) was activated by the War Department in early July 1942, at Seattle, Washington. It was primarily designed as a headquarters unit and operating units such as labor battalions, stevedore battalions, truck companies, etc. could be attached as needed to perform the mission, depending upon the size of the port or ports we were required to operate...."
The 11th Port headquarters was assigned to Newport, South Wales and I was assigned to a sub-port in Swansea. Other sub-ports were located at Barry, Cardiff and Bristol....
Louis Amundson
College Street, Swansea after the 1941 Blitz.
An aerial view of Patti Pavilion and St Helens & Victoria Park, Swansea, pre war
Arriving in Swansea, I saw first-hand the terrible destruction of a city as the result of German air raids. We were also told we could expect future bombings and we should waste no time in locating the nearest air raid shelter to our work place and living quarters. My first assignment was as Detachment Commander of a small detachment of enlisted men. They were housed in the social hall of a Masonic Temple. The Masons maintained their lodge rooms on the upper floor while our men occupied the lower floor with its dining room and kitchen. Sleeping space was a little cramped but it was a comfortable facility. I am a Mason so I attended some of their Lodge functions and we established a good relationship. We officers were housed in a large empty house bordering St. Helens Park, and a cricket field. There were about ten of us and we were quite comfortable. I remember the first air raid after moving in. I raced downstairs to the shelter, hardly touching the steps. Later it became more commonplace and sometimes if we were tired, we would not even go to the shelter. We had blackout curtains on the windows so ventilation was poor. My roommate liked to stay up late reading in bed while smoking a cigar, which was not to my liking.
Caswell Bay Hotel, upper right
Swansea South Dock and Prince of Wales Dock.
We worked hard and long hours depending on ship arrivals and departures, but we also had our share of fun. I have always enjoyed music and I found the Welch to be very good singers, not only in churches, and concert balls, but also in pubs. I remember the beautiful Brangwyn Hall in Swansea and on Saturday nights we would go dancing with the local young ladies at a resort hotel at Caswell Bay, Mumbles. There were so many beautiful areas around Swansea for walking when we had time off such as along the waterfront, exploring the many coves and bays, and in the many parks. I am of Norwegian descent and there was a Norwegian Seamen's Mission located in the dock area where I would often attend church services and participate in their social activities. It brought me a little memory of home.
After a few months I received orders transferring me to a staff position at headquarters in Newport. I hated to leave Swansea and the wonderful Welsh people I had come to know...."
Louis Amundson
“Walkway to Victory”
A group of 11th Port family members added a memorial “brick” in the “Walkway to Victory” sponsored by the Reagan Legacy Foundation at the Airborne Museum in St. Mere Eglise, Normandy, France.
https://11thport.wordpress.com/2021/01/25/walkway-to-victory/