Back in ’57 or ’58, that bus ride was made even more dangerous. Our driver was a small man who spoke only spanish, and there were no adults on the bus other than him. One day when the base was surrounded by rebels, when we got the to gate to board the bus, the marine on guard duty slung his gun over his shoulder and walked us out. Once on, again no adult, and off we went towards Port. Soon there were fighters shooting at each other across the road, and our driver drove us around via a detour over the open terrain. I don’t recall being frightened, but was fascinated by the adventure. Too young and stupid, I guess. We all had to keep a bag packed at Sidi in case we needed to evacuate immediately.
Then there was the incident from Sidi Slimane where one of the SAC bomber planes crashed on take-off and the base was evacuated into tiny Sidi Yahia. Us high schoolers were in school in Port Lyautey, but my younger siblings went to school in Sidi Slimane and were part of the ensuing mess–just before lunch, wouldn’t you know. It was all kept pretty hush hush for a long time. I have been able, finally, to find the incident on line, but it is quite imcomplete and speculative. The nuclear bomb on the plane was aboard, but not armed, but in the fire there was a possibility it could have gone off.
Anyone else remember this? Our letters from relatives came back wondering why our letters to them came back with sections cut out. It was quite a civics lesson.
Judy (Hill) Swanson