Naval Air StationPort Lyautey, Morocco

The following photographs are from the personal collection of Jerry (Gerald J.) Zimmerman who served at NAS Port Lyautey between 8/2/47 to 4/15/48. Copies of these photographs may be obtained in a larger format by contacting Jerry at Jerdadzim@cs.com. Former shipmates of Jerry may also contact him at the same e-mail address.

Aerial Photographs of Port Lyautey, Rabat and Casablanca

Port Lyautey

An aerial view of Port Lyautey. The City Hall and Catholic Church can be seen just above center. The Port's working cranes can be seen at the river's edge. The French Prison is close to the top and left of center, the Base is at the top and right. (The darkened areas, such as above the Prison, are cloud shadows.)

An aerial view of Port Lyautey. The darker area of buildings and huts (center and to the right) is the Medina. The shadow in the lower right corner was caused by the wing tip of the SNJ that Jerry was taking pictures from.

An aerial view looking West across the looping of Sebou River to the NAS PL hangar and airfield. The three French Barracks can be seen on top of "the hill." On the extreme left, and above center, the Sebou River enters the Atlantic Ocean.

A bird's eye view of the Port Lyautey Catholic Church.

Looking northwest up the Sebou River. The white, walled complex is the French Prison. The object in the river just right of the Prison is one of the ships the French sunk at the time of the 1942 US invasion. The Base and airstrip can be seen behind the Prison.

An aerial view of Port Lyautey looking towards the north. The dock cranes would be to the left.

These white and walled buildings are unidentified. The Catholic Church and Municipal Building can be seen at the top and center.

Port Lyautey Athletic Field (Soccer)

Port Lyautey's main dock located on the Sebou River. Picture includes its working cranes, warehouses, and high rise storage building.

The following 5 of 7 photographs are unidentified as to the locations

Unidentified #1

Unidentified #2

Unidentified #3

Unidentified #4

The Port Lyautey train station looking down the Avenue de La Gare towards the center of town........Our thanks to Vince Bailey for the identification.

Unidentified #6

Another view of the Port Lyautey train station looking down the Avenue de La Gare towards the center of town........Our thanks to Vince Bailey for the identification.

Rabat

Aerial view of Rabat looking south-southwest. Tuer Hassan is lower right, and the white cluster of buildings above center on the right is the Medina. The railroad tunnel entrance to Rabat's downtown station begins at the base of the bluff on the left where two roadways form an inverted V.

A bird's eye view of central Rabat. The railroad tunnel entrance to Rabat's downtown railroad station is on the bottom, left.

In the foreground is what was known by us Navy men as the, "New Sultan's Palace" and grounds. Behind and to the Ocean is the south side of Rabat.

Casablanca

Jerry was invited to ride along with the Base's Mailmen to leave packages to be delivered to the US and to pick up Base mail delivered by ship to Casablanca. Because The Mailmen had to be armed (notice holstered pistols). One of the mail stops was at the Casablanca Airport.

The second stop for mail truck and Mailmen was at the Port of Casablanca NAS Detail Unit. (Jerry on the left.)

An aerial view of Casablanca taken by Jerry Zimmerman in 1947............can anyone spot "Rick's Place"?