Gravity Sewer Main (worker straddling trench)
Background:
During the early 1950s, conflicts between the French and Moroccans posed danger to American military and civilians living off base. Terrorist activities in Casablanca and communities near Nouasseur as well as the access routes to the base became hazardous.
To move families living off base to the base, Project Caravan was to provide expedited construction of on-base trailer housing at Nouasseur, Sidi Slimane, and Ben Guerir. Special Category Army With Air Force (SCARWAF) Aviation Engineer Detachments from Germany and France were deployed to these bases for the construction. Each base was provided a project officer (lieutenant) and 20 to 25 enlisted construction technicians. The detachments were augmented by local workers (allied employees).Nouasseur was the largest project with 300 trailers, 6 small quonset and 2 large quonset buildings, roads and water, sewer, and electrical systems. In addition to the engineering detachment, some 150 local Arab, Jewish, and other ethnics were employed in various trades. When the French decided to abandon Morocco and let the king return, the project was terminated without completion. Before I returned to my unit in Germany, most of the trailers were occupied, but the remaining work was abandoned.
-- John Dixon, Army Project Officer, Nouasseur, 1955-6
