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USS
Philadelphia - CL-41 |
I recovered these images from
negatives (labeled 1945 USS Philadelphia) saved by Joe Kiskel, Livingston
NJ and provided to the Philadelphia Association by his son Keith |
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What are all these sailors watching? |
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They are watching the USS Augusta |
 The USS Augusta in Plymouth England flying both the Presidental and Royal flags The USS Philadelphia escorted the Augusta with President Truman and other officials aboard to the Potsdam conference |
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The following background information
is from the Diary of my father Frank Paukstis |
August 2, 1945 We went to quarters at 08:30. We were supposed to man the rail when the president or King arrived but the English don’t have enough men on the Renown to man the rail so it’s been decided to fall in at quarters and break all rules by saluting in rank. This is for the King and President only. About 0930 the King goes by the farther end of the Bay in a motorboat to the Renown escorted by the other boats & Barges. We all stood stiff even though he was almost a mile away. The President came about a half hour later. We then waited for the President to leave the Augusta to have lunch with the King of England on the Renown. We were falling in and out of quarters every time a boat left the Augusta. No one seemed to know just when old Harry was going to disembark Finally after all the rigamaroll, we notice the Augusta crew falling in at quarters. Well we all knew for sure the President was getting set to make the historic visit with the King of England. Additional pictures of this historic episode are also on the website at this link Escorting-Truman.htm |
The motor launch described in
my Dad's diary is in the photo below |
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The Philadelphia and Augusta
received these orders: The Commander-in-Chief desires to return to the U.S. in all possible haste On August 6, 1945 the crew learned the reason for the top speed with Truman's radio address to the nation "And We Were There" (Memory document of Russell Simpson) |
In September 1945 The Philadelphia
returned to England as part of Operation Magic Carpet - bringing our troops
home |
Pep talk before voyage to Southampton (1 September
1945) |
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Dock at Southampton England - September 1945 |
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Job Charles Dyas, Mayor of Southampton
tours the Philadelphia with other civilians (I found the mayor's name on the website of Southampton) |
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Captain Boller and officers greet
Mayor Dyas |
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Other unidentified civilians
were in the Mayor's party touring the ship |
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At least 3 women were included
in the group |
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The Philadelphia escorted the
Europa (image below) carrying troops home to the USA |
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If anyone has additional information,
identification or corrections regarding the above photos contact me at backofene@hotmail.com |