Happy National Coffee Day!
Sailor with a talker helmet enjoys a coffee on the Brooklyn-class light cruiser USS Philadelphia (CL-41) during Operation Torch off of Safi, Morocco, 8 November 1942.
It was a busy day for Philly as was provided fire support as the transports offloaded troops in the early morning darkness, which included French shore batteries opening fire at 0428, and within two minutes Philadelphia joined New York (BB-34) in the bombardment of Batterie Railleuse which, with four 130mm guns, was the strongest defense unit in the Safi area. Later in the morning, Philadelphia bombarded a battery of three 155mm. guns about three miles south of Safi.
LIFE Magazine Archives – Eliot Elisofon Photographer WWP-PD
Note the handle-less “watch mug” was a staple of USN galleys, wardrooms, and messing areas from 1900 through the 1950s. The handle was deleted because the mugs could then be stacked and cleaned more easily, and take up less space while being more secure in a locker that may be rolling at 47 degrees.