Eventually, conditions became so bad that they were moved up to Mersa Matruh so that the time "under fire" was
reduced to some 18 hours. The mode of operation for the A Lighters was that as soon as they arrived in the
harbour just before dawn they moored alongside a wreck. They were then camouflaged and remained thus until the next night
when they were unloaded. They were then camouflaged again until it was getting dark when they would then
scurry back to Mersa Matruh at all speed.
Conditions within the fortress were grim and exceedingly dangerous and indeed it was a "spartan life".
There was however a great spirit with everyone working together - a "Brothers in Arms" attitude. Rank and all thoughts
of promotion etc. didn`t mean a thing because they thought they would be lucky if they got out alive.
The young RNVR officers from the A Lighters found a space amongst the ruins to convert into a meeting place which
they called "The Bombe and Blaste Inne" where they drank a mixture of Rum and Italian Brandy and they would sit around
an old piano and sing ballads which they made up to suit the occasion. I would like to read out two which reflected
their feelings and the conditions under which they were living.
Both ballads are displayed on CONTENT PAGE 6
Content Page 5