Aquitania

A wonderful slide show of the Aquitania … the only cruise liner that served as a troop
ship in both World Wars.  These pictures convey its majesty, scope and size.

Hedy received notice in July of 1943 that her headquarters had been changed. That month she also had a medical exam which found her “fit for foreign service.” However, it would be six months before she would actually travel abroad.

A secret Monthly Progress Report from OSS London described their difficulties in obtaining adequate staff from the United States. “The Army will not allow these women to be transported to London.” Their challenge was to find secure transport. Germany was a threat to planes and ships alike.

Finally on January 1, 1944, Hedy boarded the Aquitania, a massive British ocean liner which had been converted to a troop ship.  Just imagine what an   adventure this had to have been for this 22 year old from Hibbing, Minnesota.

The trip on the Aquitania would have taken a week or more, with much zigzagging in order to evade any German submarines. The ship was teeming with soldiers, but the women had separate quarters. Hedy’s orders stated that she would travel with the same privileges as an officer.

The Aquitania landed in Scotland, and she traveled by train to London.

Hedvig E. Johnson

Hedy’s replacement back at OSS Washington, DC wrote to her:

While you were gone away
Someone called to say
“Is that beautiful bombshell around?”
No, sorry, she’s gone to town.

Then, that Major Angleton - in he flew
Wanted to know - where were you?
Inquired, if on his T/R, you were working
Or, if your duty, you were shirking?

But, of course, I let Angleton be
You know that no man phases me!
After all, what a substitute am I
When it was for you that he came by!

As for this seat, you can have it
It has been giving me a fit.

From the “most exciting place in Washington” Hedy had entered a whole new world. 

A world at war.