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. Former shipmates of Jerry may contact Jerry at Jerdadzim@cs.com.

Naval Air Station Crash Boat Photographs

Although most of the NAS Port Lyautey crew were land based and airborne, the Crash Boat and its crew maintained the sailor's connection to the sea. Beyond life saving duty on the river, the Crash Boat provided moments of recreation for all hands. Behind the boat is the Sebou River's opening to the Atlantic Ocean.

Crash Boat #27

Ivan Rock, (on the right) and fellow shipmates check-out the insignia of the Crash Boat he had just painted on the forward deck..

Ivan Rock painted this insignia on the side of Crash Boat C11. It depicts a downed TBM in the water..

Out of the wind and happy crewmates on the "Muddy" Sebou.

Crash Crew Member Ivan Rock remembered this outing in 2007 after he saw the photograph on the Port Lyautey website.
(Ivan Rock stands on the extreme right with a hand on his hip). Jerry and Ivan have re-connected after a 60 year hiatus and are presently swapping "war stories".

Crash Boat view of the entrance jetty to the Wadi Sebou River. This is where the USN Destroyer Dallas (Nov. 1942) would eventually enter to sail down to the Port Lyautey Air Base.

1947 overall view of the Mehedia Kasba. It was from here on Nov. 8, 1942 at 0545, that the French opened fire on the first USN assault boats.

"Smokey" riding a surfboard behind the Crash Boat on the open sea. Mehdia Beach can be seen in the background . In 1947- 48 the Enlisted Men's Beach Club was located on the beach and, in 1942, it was where the US Army made its landing.

Jerry Zimmerman (at drydock, a land-lubber :-) )

Crash Boat Repair in Casablanca

One of the Base's Crash Boat's was taken to Casablanca for a dry dock overhaul. When the boat was ready October 2, 1947, to return to service, Jerry was invited by Commander Phelps and the crash crew to fly from Port Lyautey to bring the boat back to the base. (Read an exciting account of this event in Jerry's letters.) Needless to say, Jerry and Ivan have been reunited after a 60 year hiatus!

A British pilot and his Spitfire flies close and beside the Base's R4D-6 while flying the Crash Crew to Casablanca to bring Crash Boat 11 back to the Base from an overhaul.

From right to left: Ivan Rock, the Casablanca US Naval Attaché, "Smokey" Teungel, Jerry, and two unidentified shipmates. (Although he is not sure, and the spelling may not be correct, Jerry "thinks" the sailor to his left may have been, "Rosenthaul".).

The Crash Boat on its dry dock carriage prior to being lifted off by the barge crane.

The Casablanca harbor crane, floated to position, preparing to lift the Crash Boat.

The Crash Boat lifted and on its way back to the water.

The floating crane moving away from the dock with the Crash Boat in tow.

With the crane safely away from the dock the Crash Boat is lowered to the water.

A mix of U. S. and French sailors help guide the Crash Boat and keep it safely away from the dock and crane. The Crash Boat is safely back on the water.

A French boat loaded with French military men headed home to France.

The wake of the Crash Boat after stopping to salute the French boat and its military passengers heading to France before going full speed ahead for home.

After a quick check out and harbor run the Crash Boat is ready to head back to NAS Port Lyautey with The harbor of Casablanca disappearing as the Crash Boat enters the open, Atlantic Ocean..