"From "alex" To Benghazi- Men of the Merchant Navy Back 8th Army Victories. 31 December 1942 To 6 January 1943, Alexandria To Benghazi. Men and Ships of the Merchant Navy Backing Up the Eighth Army's Victorious Advance in North Africa. They Carry Vital Supplies From Alexandria To Benghazi, Where the Royal Navy and Army Co-operate in Landing the Stores and Sending Them on To the Men in the Fighting Line." On the fo'c'sle head of a merchantman bound for Benghazi, the chief officer watches for the anchor while a deck-hand washes the harbour mud from the cable as it comes up through the hawse pipe.