G Branch.

HQ 1 Corps

BLA

22 Aug 44.

My dear Eric,

Just a line to let you know that all goes well and that I’m busy, fit and looking forward more than somewhat to an early return to Colchester, the sinking of that Victory noggin in the Cups Tap, and the resumption of a quiet and peaceful life in the old Bro’.  As you can well imagine our tails are well in the air now and we will chase the B’s back to Germany in no time if they feel like going that far.  It’s been a wonderful 3 weeks, the weather has been perfect and we’ve killed many of the swine and taken many thousands of PW.  My only really interesting item of news is of a trip I had some days ago up to Cherbourg.  I visited the uncompleted (it was very nearly ready for use) V bomb site and also the unfinished massive concrete shelters which he was building to protect his U and E Boats.  We came back via St Saveur, La Haye du Puits, Lessay, Coutances and St Lo all very recently captured by the Yanks and all especially St Lo, mere masses of rubble with bull-dozed roads through them – very tragic, but unfortunately essential to rout the swine out of his positions prepared for so long.  No doubt you are as busy as ever and I hope it won’t be long before I’m back giving you a spot of assistance.  We are at present in the most mosquito, fly and wasp ridden area I’ve ever known – never, Eric, shall I embark on one of these jolly open air camping holidays one hears about.  I’ve seen sufficient earwigs, woodlice etc too to last me for ever.

An air of great confidence abounds and as each succeeding good spot of news comes in, so does the target date thought likely for the final bugle become nearer – the general feeling is end of Oct beginning of Nov but my guess like everyone else’ is as good as his neighbours Eh bien Eric drop me a line when you can – All the very best to you, my kindest regards to Grandpa Key, Pop Dyer and the other stalwarts at the office

Yours ever

Peter

No envelope with this letter.