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In several of the boats had guitars which they played while alongside. Several of our men bought guitars for 5 cartons of cigarettes. Cigarettes are the popular medium of ex- change. A wooden box 12x6x2 filled with shelled almonds costs 2 pkgs. Our ship, having more troops aboard, soon attracted most of the boats. At one time, I counted 15 along one side and six on the other. Merchandise is passed up in a basket on a line. Barage baloon put aboard all ships not having any for duration of voyage 2/24/44 Weighed anchor 0730 and sailed out of harbor of Augusta, Sicily north along coast hazy and foggy, an