Category Archives: 1944

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                                                                   Stamp Mil Luftpost Par Avion

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 22

                                                                                    Stamp. Postmark date 21.6.44.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson                            Stamp PASSED P.W. 5858

Gebuhrenfrei!

                        Empfangsort: Little Lever Nr BOLTON

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street

                        Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor-und Zuname:

Ernest Wilkinson Sgt.

Gefangennummer: 211329

Lager-Bezeichnung

DULAG-LUFT

Deutschland (Germany)

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 10.6.44

Dearest.  Alive and well.  I hope you are alright.  I am a prisoner of war.  Will write letter from permanent address.  My regards to all.  Give my love to your mother.  All my love darling.  Yours ever.  Ernest.

Letter to Mrs E. Wilkinson dated 14th August 1944

R.A.F. Station,

Tempsford, Sandy

Beds.

14th August 1944

Dear Mrs Wilkinson,

            Your letter, just received, brought good news indeed.  We had heard unofficially that all was well, but the story was unconfirmed and I deemed it better not to write unless I was absolutely certain.

            Anyway, it is good news and I am voicing the feeling of the many in the squadrons when I say they will want to share your good news.  Please do not assume that as soon as a man is missing that his name is never mentioned again, for they are often discussed, and the hope expressed that they are safe and well and at the worst prisoners.  It will not be for long now and let us hope it will be over by Christmas, as well it might be.         

            My renewed good wishes,

Sincerely Yours

G.J. Holdcroft

S/Ldr.

F/O Clark & F/O Carson, pilot & navigator, are also safe & a 4th whose name I haven’t had yet.

That makes 4 out of the crew.

G.J.H.

Letter to Mrs E. Wilkinson dated 14th August 1944

Telephone No. GERRARD 9234

Extn 3801.

AIR MINISTRY,

(Casualty Branch)

73-77 Oxford Street

W.1.

14th August 1944.

P.415526/44/P.4.Cas.B.4.

Sir/Madam,

            I am directed to refer to your letter of the 11th August 1944 and to thank you for in information contained therein relative to SERGEANT ERNEST WILKINSON.

            I am to inform you that the International Red Cross Committee now also report your HUSBAND’S capture, and action is being taken officially to reclassify him as a prisoner of war.

            A pamphlet and handbook regarding communications with prisoners of war are enclosed as they may be of service to you.

I am, Sir/Madam,

Your obedient Servant,

Signature unreadable

for Director of Personal Services.

Mrs. E. Wilkinson,

1068 Bury Road,

Breightmet,

Bolton,

Lancashire.

Issue to DS and INT/10/L. RESTRICTED.

Students on 2 Aug                          

      INDEX 1.                                  10th Long Course.

STAFF COLLEGE QUETTA.

1944.

INDOOR EXERCISE – JAPANESE IN BATTLE.

  1. Object of Exercise. 

To study:-

  • The characteristic and psychology of the JAPANESE soldier.
  • JAPANESE tactical methods in certain ops of war.
  • Conduct of Exercise.
  • The exercise will take place on 16 Aug.  Index I is issued to you 2 Aug as there is much preliminary work to be done in your own time.
  • This preliminary work consists of preparing yourself to write a short paper summarising the main pts of the characteristics and psychology of the JAPANESE soldier, and of JAPANESE tactical methods.  This entails the reading of manuals and pamphlets which have been issued to you, particularly “JAPANESE in Battle Part 1” and relevant paras of WIC’s, G series, and the studying of other documents on the Int room.
  • A lecture on the JAPANESE Army on 11 Aug will give you some further ideas, and some of you are fortunate enough to be able to call on your own experience.
  • The special Requirement (Index 2) will be issued to you on 16 Aug.  You will NOT be asked to consider JAPANESE methods in combined ops.
  • There will be no conference on the exercise but DS will make notes on your work and a suggested solution will be issued to you.  In addition, the subject will, of course, be referred to continually throughout the course.

J.F.W.

Jul 44

Letter to Mrs E. Wilkinson dated 1st August 1944

Telephone No.

COLNBROOK 231/3

Central Depositary,

Royal Air Force,

COLNBROOK

Slough,

Bucks.

CD/F.48483

1st August 1944.

2211329 Sgt. Wilkinson. E.

Dear Madam,

In accordance with Air Ministry instructions the personal effects of the above named as enumerated on the enclosed inventory, have been despatched to you by registered post.

When the effects reach you, kindly sign and return the inventory for which purpose a pre-paid addressed label is enclosed herewith.

Yours faithfully

Signature unreadable

for Squadron Leader, Commanding,

R.A.F. Central Depository.

Mrs. E. Wilkinson,

1068 Bury Road,

Breightmet,

Bolton,

Lancs.

SECOND WORLD War

August 1944

(Britain)

   The American Liberty ship SS Richard Montgomery was anchored in the Thames estuary in August 1944 while waiting the formation of a convoy to travel to Cherbourg in Normandy.The Richard Montgomery had arrived off Southend on the 27th July 1944 loaded with 6,127 tons of munitions. On the 20th August 1944 the ship dragged her anchor and ran aground near the Medway Approach Channel. As the tide receded the ship broke her back on a sandbank near the Isle of Sheppey. On the 23rd August 1944 removal of the cargo began. The ship’s hull cracked open the following day allowing several holds to flood. On the 25th September 1944, the unloading was abandoned after the ship broke into two separate parts. Currently, after 80 years of laying on the seabed, the ship is constantly under surveillance whilst approximately 1,400 tons of unexploded ordinance remains on board.

(France – Normandy)

Following the successful D-Day landings the ancient city of Bayeux was the first city to be liberated by British troops in June 1944. The Allies had liberated the city of Caen and the deep-water Port of Cherbourg by the end of July 1944. The Allies began their break-out by early August 1944 and reached the German defended town of Falaise. They formed the Falaise Pocket, which had completely surrounded the town,and by the 14th August 1944 they failed to close the pocket. The pocket was finally closed on the 21st August 1944, resulting in the destruction of most of the German defenders west of the River Seine. This opened up the way to Paris and the Franco-German border. With the Allies approaching Paris an uprising erupted in the city on the 19th August 1944. The key to the uprising was a resistance against Nazi control of the city, as called for by the French Resistance leaders. The Parisian people’s determination to free themselves of German control resulted in barricades being erected in the streets together with Resistance fighters facing the occupiers. With American General George S. Patton’s Third Army approaching Paris, German Fuhrer Adolf Hitler ordered the destruction of the city on the 22nd August 1944. Despite efforts to implement the order Paris was liberated on the 25th August 1944, when the German garrison commander surrendered to the French. On the same day, Charles de Gaule, President of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, moved into the War Ministry and broadcast a speech to the nation. He claimed Paris had liberated itself with the help from French forces. He deliberately down-played the part the American troops had played and also dismissed the Vichy establishment as a false France. The following day, 26th August 1944, de Gaule and the Free French began their Victory Parade. They started at the Arc de Triumphe and marched along the Champs-Èlysées. With Paris liberated and the Allies having joined forces, the Germans fought fierce delaying tactics. By the 29th August 1944 the Germans had retreated to the River Seine, and withdrew over the river the next day, the 30th August 1944. On the afternoon of the same day the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division crossed the Seine and entered Rouen, to a jubilant welcome, and Operation Overlord had ended. The advance east toward the Franco-German border was about to begin.

(Southern France)

On the 15th August 1944 Operation Dragon began which was the code name for the Allied invasion of Provence in southern France. Originally Operation Dragon was planned to coincide with Operation Overlord in Normandy during June 1944. This operation was cancelled owing to lack of supplies for both operations. The Allies agreed that Operation Dragon should proceed in August 1944. The delay enabled the French Liberation Army to assemble and participate. The invasion was planned to secure the ports of Marseille and Toulon on the French Mediterranean coast and opening up another front.  To achieve this the American and French forces landed on the beaches of the Cote d’Azur and encountered a weakened German defensive system. Many defenders had been relocated to other fronts and the replacements were third-rate soldiers kitted with obsolete equipment. The landings were very successful, with German resistance low. The German defenders of the beaches very quickly surrendered. The German defenders on the extreme southern coast of Vichy-France realised they could not halt the Allied advance. They were ordered to retreat to the French-Italian Alps. By the 28th August 1944 the Allies had surrounded Toulon and Marseille. The two ports were liberated after the defenders had surrendered.

(Germany)

The 20 July Plot, Operation Valkyrie, to assassinate Fuhrer Adolf Hitler failed. Four of the leaders of the conspiracy were immediately courts martialled and sentenced to death. The executions were carried out at 1.00 am on the 21st July 1.944. On the 7th August 1944 the first trial was conducted. The outcome was that 4,980 plotters and associates were found guilty and on Hitler’s order were “hanged like cattle” on the 8th August 1944.

(Italy)

With the liberation of Rome in early June 1944, the Allies began their advance toward northern Italy. On the 4th August 1944, Florence was liberated and by the 15th August 1944 the Allies were closing up on the “Gothic Line”. The “Gothic Line” was the last major German defensive line and ran from the west coast of Italy, north of Pisa, along the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic coast just south of Rimini. On the 25th August 1944 the “Gothic Line” was penetrated but there was no decisive break-through until later in the war.

(Eastern Front)

In Poland, the Warsaw Uprising was major Polish underground resistance operation to liberate Warsaw from German occupation. The uprising began on the 1st August 1944, its objective was to drive the Germans out of Warsaw. The uprising was an attempt to assist the Allies in defeating Germany. However, it was 63 days later in October 1944 the uprising ended with a German victory.  In the meantime the German Waffen SS ordered that between 40,000 and 50,000 Poles be systematically murdered. The Wola massacre began on the 5th August 1944 in the neighbourhood of Warsaw in an attempt to stop the Warsaw Uprising.  When the massacre ended on the 12th August 1944 the Germans had anticipated the massacre would crush the uprising but it only stiffened Polish resistance. The Red Army continued their advance through Poland towards Germany.

(Pacific)

In New South Wales, Australia, Cowra was the nearest town to No 12 Prisoner of War Camp. On the 5th August 1944, the Cowra Break-out occurred when 1,104 Japanese prisoners of war attempted to escape. It was the bloodiest and largest POW escape of the 2nd World War. Ten Australian soldiers were killed and 231 Japanese soldiers were either killed or committed suicide during the escape and subsequent manhunt. The remaining escaped prisoners were recaptured within ten days of the break-out.

In the Pacific the American war against Japan was gathering pace. On the 1st August 1944 U.S. Marines completed the capture of the Mariana Island of Tinian.  On the 9th August 1944 General Douglas McArthur’s plan to invade the Philippines was chosen by President Franklin D Roosevelt over Admiral Chester Nimitz’s plan to invade Taiwan. All of the Mariana Islands were in American hands after the Second Battle of Guam ended on the 10th August 1944. Also on the 10th August 1944, 54 B-29 USAAF bombers attacked the Japanese refinery at Palembang in Dutch East Indies. The bombing was at night and with overcast conditions it was difficult to assess the damage. However, mines were dropped in the river connecting Palembang to the sea. It took the Japanese nearly a month to sweep the mines and open up maritime traffic which held up petroleum exports.

(Other Areas)

In the U.S. Capital, Washington, D.C., delegates assembled for an international conference for peace and security which was to become the United Nations. The Dumbarton Oaks Conference was held from the 21st August to the 7th October 1944. The conference was led by the “Four Policemen” – the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and China.  The Dumbarton Oaks Conference recognised the need for an organisation to maintain post-war peace and security in the world. A tentative set of proposals were agreed by the delegates to meet these proposals on the 7th October 1944.

——————————————————-

……,,

Air Raid Damage Reports Brentwood Division Essex Fire Service July 1944.

Date                Time   Location         Damage

01/07/1944    19.55  Rochford       An American Mustang No. 2106688 from

Bottisham Station Cambs. Crashed on waste land at junction of King Henry Drive and Sutton Court Drive and was completely destroyed.  Pilot uninjured.

03/07/1944    09.07  South             1 – ‘Fly’ exploded on marshes 500 yards W of

Fambridge     Norpits Farm and 300 yards S of sea wall.  Slight damage to farmhouse.  N.C.

03/07/1944    09.30  Thundersley 1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in field adj. Daws Heath

                                                            Road.  N.D.C.

04/07/1944    16.35  Rochford       1 – 500 lb Ux.H.E. fell from an Allied aircraft into a

sandpit 35 yards W of the W end of Doggett’s Close.  N.D.C.

05/07/1944    00.28  Paglesham    1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in corn field 200 yards NW of

Stannett’s and 600 yards SW of South Hall.  Slight damage to property and crops.    N.C.

05/07/1944    16.00  Canvey          A Naval kite balloon grounded at Northwick Farm. 

                                    Island             N.D.C.

07/07/1944    21.28  Little Warley  1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in field adjoining Codham Hall

                                                            Lane.  2 slight casualties and damage to property.

08/07/1944    03.30  Mountnessing          1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in Thoby Wood.  N.D.C.

08/07/1944    04.15  Billericay        1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in grounds of New Lodge Tye

Common Road 12 slight casualties and extensive damage to property.  Superficial damage was caused to Billericay Police Station.

09/07/1944    12.46  Doddinghurst1 – ‘Fly’ exploded near Gowe’s Farmhouse causing

3 slight casualties and extensive damage to farmhouse and nearby cottages.  Part found bearing stencilled figures 747390.

10/07/1944    02.30  Hadleigh1 – A.A. Shell exploded on roof of ‘Salterns’ Arcadian

                                                            Gardens, causing slight damage.  N.C.

11/07/1944    Unknown  Wickford Richard Casholt, aged 9, of 12 Elm Road Wickford

found a ‘Thunderflash’ on river bank at Wickford and took it home and ignited it.  He sustained injuries to forehead, right arm and leg – treated by local Doctor.

12/07/1944    07.23  Shenfield       1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in field on Hogarth Estate.  Slight

                                                            damage to approx. 50 houses.  N.C.

13/07/1944    17.20  Vange            As a result of a heavy explosion in the Thames

area SW of Vange, Patricia Barling, aged 7, of ‘Narkunda’ Rashleigh Drive Vange received facial injuries through a window falling down on her head at her home.  She was conveyed to Billericay Hospital and detained.  Cause of explosion unknown.

15/07/1944    12.00  Great              A torn and deflated rubber balloon (British) with

Wakering       tinfoil kite attached was found on marshes, nr Halfway House.  Date and time of falling unknown.

17/07/1944    12.20  Hullbridge     An empty auxiliary petrol tank fell from a ‘P.38’ or

‘P.47’ into the back garden of an unoccupied bungalow ‘Willena’ Elm Grove Hullbridge.  N.D.C.

20/07/1944    00.10  Great              The roofs of 2 houses in High Street were

                                    Wakering       damaged by shrapnel.  N.C.

22/07/1944    03.15  Billericay        1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in Springfield Road Perry Street,

causing 1 serious female casualty 2 slight female casualties and 1 male slight.  3 houses demolished and others severely damaged.  10 homeless.

22/07/1944    03.28  Hockley          1 – ‘Fly’ exploded at Northlands Farm Main Road,

causing 1 serious female casualty, 3 female and 1 male slight casualties.  Northlands Farm partially demolished and superficial damage caused to several other houses.  9 homeless.  Figures 250167 stencilled in white.

22/07/1944    03.34  Little                1 – ‘Fly’ exploded on grass land 400 yards NE of Lt

Stambridge    Stambridge Hall.  Superficial damage to Lt Stambridge Hall and 2 farm cottages and buildings.  N.C.

22/07/1944    11.30  Canvey          1 – ‘Fly’ exploded at Deep Water Road causing 3

Island             fatal male casualties, 8 serious (2m, 6f) and 19 slight casualties (6m, 13f).  3 bungalows demolished, 62 bungalows extensively damaged, 98 bungalows slightly damaged and also 12 shops and 1 church.

24/07/1944    00.20  Great              1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell on Gt Wakering Recreation

Wakering       Ground, 1/4 mile E of Lt Wakering Road junction.  N.D.C.

24/07/1944    00.30  Canewdon    1 – ‘Fly’ exploded 130 yards NE of Lion Wharf on

marshland.  Superficial damage to 6 properties.  Landmines in vicinity detonated by explosion.  N.C.   Number on ‘Fly’ 250194.

24/07/1944    04.45  Shenfield       1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in cornfield between Priests Lane

and Friars Avenue.  6 slight cas. and superficial damage to a large number of houses and shops.  Number on’ Fly’ 250008.

24/07/1944    06.30  Foulness       1 – Yellow oxygen cylinder (Type “D.2”) was found

                                    Point               on the Saltings.  Date and time of falling unknown.

25/07/1944    23.42  Nevendon     1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in field E of ‘Cricketers’ P.H.

Arterial Road causing damage as follows;  Cat. ‘B’ – 2 : Cat. ‘C’ – 4 : Cat. ‘D’ – 30.  Including slight damage to 2 Police houses.  N.C.  8 persons rendered homeless.

26/07/1944    03.25  Pilgrims          1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in open field 1/2 mile S of

Hatch             Ashwell’s Farm Ashwell Road, causing Cat. ‘D’ damage to 19 houses.  N.C.

26/07/1944    15.00  Ramsden       A meteorological balloon kite was found in a

Heath                  field 200 yards from Searchlight site, Dowsetts Lane.  Date and time of falling unknown.

26/07/1944    18.15  Rochford       A barrage balloon drifting over Shopland was shot

down in flames by an RAF ‘plane.  As it descended it startled a horse harnessed to a rake on Butlers Farm.  James Rippongal of 3 Slated Row Shopland a farmworker, who was riding on the rake was thrown off and sustained slight injuries.  No other casualties or damage.

27/07/1944    00.04  Ashingdon    1 ‘Fly’ exploded in field 200 yards N of Moon’s

Cottages and 200 yards E of Moon’s Farm causing superficial damage to a number of dwellings.  N.C.

27/07/1944    02.25  Great Warley 1 ‘Fly’ exploded in field adjoining Bird Lane

causing 1 fatal and 4 slight casualties and the following damage: Cat.’A’ – 1 : Cat. ‘B’ – 2 : Cat. ‘C’ – 13 : Cat. ‘D’ – 15 : Total – 31.

27/07/1944    19.35  Billericay        1 ‘Fly’ exploded in oatfield 800 yards W of Great

Blunt’s farmhouse causing slight damage to property and crops.  N.C.

28/07/1944    00.03  Great              1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in wheatfield 400 yards N of

Burstead        Barleylands Farm.  1 slight casualty and slight damage to property.

29/07/1944    14.20  Billericay        1 – ‘C.C. Fly’ exploded 150 yards S of Blunt’s Wall

Cottages Blunt’s Wall Farm.  2 slight casualties and extensive damage to farmhouse and 2 cottages.

29/07/1944    18.40  Mountnessing 1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in field 80 yards from

Woodlands Farm Blackmore Road causing extensive damage to farmhouse and buildings and slight damage to another farmhouse.  N.C.

29/07/1944     20.00  Childerditch  Anthony Mitchell aged 16, of Home Farm

Childerditch in company with his brother, aged 15, was experimenting with some explosive believed to be Potassium Chlorate – at Childerditch Brickfield.  He placed some explosive in a piece of 1/2″ iron tubing and 4″ long and ignited it, thereby sustaining serious injury to his right hand necessitating his removal to hospital.

29/07/1944    23.10  Hutton            1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in field 150 yards from Sewell’s

woodyard Hanging Hill Lane causing damage to 2 cottages.  N.C.

29/07/1944    23.57  South Weald 1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in field 400 yards S of L.N.E.

railway bridge, Nags Head Lane causing damage to property and telephone wires.  N.C.

30/07/1944    13.44  Canvey          1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in the River Thames 1000 yards

                                    Island             S of Hole Haven.  N.D.C.

31/07/1944    23.30  Canewdon    1 – ‘Fly’ exploded near Lambourne Hall causing

                                                            damage to property.  N.C.

31/07/1944    23.35  Ramsden       1 – ‘C.C.Fly’ exploded in field 200 yards SE of

Bellhouse      Willows Farm causing 1 slight casualty and damage to property.

31/07/1944    23.45  Rochford       1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field 100 yards W of

                                                            railway line Hainault Avenue.  N.D.C.

P. C. Benham

Notebook 13 July – 29 Aug 1944

Notebook supplied for the Public Service.

13 July

During morning John Morris and I took a Jeep and had a ‘look see’ round the places ‘liberated’ during last weeks battle – our route was Villiers Les Buissons – Buron – Caipiquet Village – Anfield – Verson – Haut du Versons and back West of R Mue through Thaon and Basly.  All these villages were mere mounds of rubble and stank something awful – round Haut du Verson there were dead cows lying about everywhere and the odd body not yet buried.  After this trip we went down to Luc Sur Mer where we had a couple of Grenadines each & so back for lunch.  40 winks after lunch and so on duty at 4.15.  No mail again today – v disappointed.  After dinner started letter to A but masses of bumph came in at 10.30 so didn’t get very far.  Left office at 0030 and so to bed.

From                           To

Nil                                    A.

14 July

Feeling rather homesick today and none to fit – very restless – in am wrote A and had super wash.  For hour before lunch read, smoked, thought alternately.  Saw family of Frenchmen carry bouquets of red white and blue flowers and place them on the two graves just by C Mess where 3 Sappers are buried – v touching.  After lunch slept, read & thought til 4 then on duty.  Letters from A, L and Dorothy made my longing to be at home the more.  Off duty at 11 pm & so to bed by light of captured Boche nightlight.

Letters from                           To

         A L Dorothy                             A

15 July

On ‘information room’ today – nothing happening on all fronts – read at intervals and wrote A during morning – sent note to Bill Maughn – hope to see him some time.  No mail today – again felt far from fit, lazy, sans pep and not enjoying life much, paid Mess Bill 440 frs Bed at 11 ocl.

Letters from               To

Nil                               A

16 July

Information Room all day, very tiring answering bloody stupid questions most of the time.  Felt depressed all day.  Weather and this and that – only letter was from Aunt Dolly – Wrote A and read ‘I will maintain’.

From                           To

Aunt Dolly                  A

17 July

Nothing much today – on duty from 0800 – 1600 hrs – much warmer in afternoon with brilliant sunshine ½ hrs face tanning before tea – ditto after tea, then early dinner and wrote A and L.  Optimistic chat and glass of whisky with David Carey and then early to bed.  Nearly finished ‘I will maintain’ – first class – What of the morrow it should prove to be one of the greatest ever?

From                           To

L (14th)                       A

B (14th)                       L

B

18 July

Up at 5.45 am and saw most amazing sight yet – 1100 Lancs followed by many 100s medium bombers and 1500 Forts and Liberators – Big Day – H hour 8.20 and barrage put down by 880 guns excl 3 Destroyers and a 15 in Monitor!  Magnificent start with ammn through to Bouquetus by lunch-time – tank battle now in progress (5.30 pm).  Armd Divs taking part are 11th, 7th (Desert Rats) and Guards Armd – 3 Br on left, 3 Cdn on right – Quiet morning – ½ hr kip after lunch then up to PW cage at Eazelle with Ken Hurell.  About 60 there with 5-600 on way.  Very young and filthy most of them – lousy – much pornographic stuff on them.  One very typical young Nazi officer.  Pottered after tea dinner early after which I wrote A, listened to the news and then on duty at 11 pm.  GREAT DAY.

To A                            From A

19 July

Uneventful day – consolidation and good work on right by 2 Cdn Corps – 9 Br not in TROARN.  New G1 arrived.  Was on duty from 2300-0800.  Egg for breakfast and sleep, no lunch, til 3.30 when on duty again.  At 2300 hrs off duty and went along to John Morris farewell brawl – flat out – bed at 12 ocl midnight – Ruski news first class also fall of Arena & Leghorn

From                                       To

G                                             (letter to A posted am)

(written part today)

20 July Duty 0800-1600.

Heavenly day up to 1600 when it fair poured with rain – still is (now 7.20 pm.  chess with Ken Rigg after tea during terrific thunderstorm.  Warning order we move to BIEVILLE tomorrow. ? Attempt on Hitler’s life announced.  Battle a bit static today – total PW East of ORNE since 18th – 2200.  Not too dingy by half.  Mucked about after dinner with only one object in view namely to meet the post – nothing arrived so to bed at 10.30 – David C brought mail down at 10.35 – great show – super letter from A and long jaunty one from Aunt Clara

From                                       To A – lettercard

A                                                  A – letter

Aunt Clara

ECS of 14th

21 July On duty 1600-2300.  Absolutely torrent of rain this morning – after resuming my bed had game of chess with Ken Rigg – won.  News of a rival Govt formed by Generals in Germany? Truth – Nazi trying to say only small clique but must be something in it – nothing much while I was on duty.  Unpleasant bite by ? mosquito.  Slept high and dry – Ken moved into some blgs – rain practically whole day.

Illustration

To A                From – no letters today for anyone

22 July Duty 0800 – 1600 – no move of Corps HQ today – not so much rain but v wet and boggy everywhere.  Nothing much in news line.  At 1810 hrs I was just getting things organised in my tent when a “buzz bomb” flew over – going North to South – very low – under 2000 ft cloud ceiling –

Illustration.

Intended after dinner to go out and visit Ian but no vehicle – long chat with new G1 (Butler) found he knew Tom Thomas well & many old N African haunts.  Bed earlyish but disturbed night owing to very heavy AA fire.

Mail

To – A                                    From No mail in

L

23 July not called til 7.30 – infm room at 0815 then b’fast after.  Dullish morning though I did a lot of map marking made time go fairly fast.  Nothing at all exciting from Germany – revolt has probably fizzled out – I wonder.   After tea attended evening Service.   I was only one there – 2 came in half way through.  Nothing exciting to report today – no rain thank goodness.  Our move to BIEVILLE postponed to (earliest) 27th – Super letter from A.  not feeling so hot after dinner.

To – B                                    From A

24 July

Bloody awful night – very sick.  Up at 7.30 and in infm room at 8.15 feeling like death warmed up – tea and biscuits for b’fast.  News from Russia first class – say German Army in central sector has disintegrated & hope to be in WARSAW in 24 hrs.  Only 50 m to go by lunch time.  Saw Dr at 12.30 & after a light lunch & castor oil slept from 1.30 – 6.30 pm.  light dinner, wrote A after and bed v early with more medicine.

From L                                   To – A

J.B.

25 July (Tuesday)

Attack at 0300 hrs by 2 & 3 Cdn Divs with in Sp Gds Armd & 7 Armd.  Attack by 2115 (now) not too good, progress made though but slow, armour not first in.  Wrote a few letters in am.  After lunch to Delivrande fixing hall etc for conference tomorrow pm, then to rear HQ (cashed cheque for £4) and on to have a chat with Francis.  Back for tea and afterwards in search of Ian and John Higson – found neither but run out was good fun – area round Epron & Galmanche has awful last war look about it.  Still not feeling too fit and very tired – duty at 2300 hrs.  short drink (lemon squash) with David Carey before ‘short’ dinner.  After dinner listened to news and wrote letters.

To G                                                   From   A

AJA                                                                L

Aunt Clara                                                     B

26 July Off duty, nothing much but no sleep, at 8 ocl.  Bed from 0930 – 1 ocl when got up, lunch and then down to La Mairie, Delivrande taking minutes of conference.  Bill H there.  On duty on return (5.30 pm) until 11 pm – feeling v tired.  Spent most of evening writing up minutes 4½ sheets foolscap.  Super parcels from A & L, ackd by letter card.  No war news of note.

From Parcels A]                   To           A]  letter cards

    L] SS                                              L]

Letter A

27 July  

David Carey left today, was very sorry to say goodbye to him.  Came off duty at 4 ocl.  After tea wrote to A and L then pottered til dinner time.  Went out after dinner to see John Hig who I found in excellent form but in a bad way, physical & mental.  His ‘mucking’ about – quite unreasonably sacking from Cmd – etc etc made me feel very humble.  Got back at 10.30 then straight to bed.

From A                                   To A]

ECS                                             L] letters

28 July quiet morning letter writing.  Met John Hig at 12.45 and ‘cracked’ my bottle of beer with him and had long chat after lunch – he’s had a thoroughly raw deal.  Snooze before tea.  After tea wrote A and generally lazed around.  Walk with Stephen Garrett before going on duty at 10 pm.  Yanks doing well.

From L                                               To A

     Aunt Beatrix

     Mrs C

     Mrs Samson

29 July

Yanks going great guns still – keep it up.  Had good night about 4 hrs sleep in the KRAAL thanks to ‘Colombelles’ – Slept during morning and read after lunch ‘til 4 when I went on duty.  Super dinner – meat, cauliflower, sauté potatoes.  Off at 10 pm, drink with a G3 (L) (Major) on the G1!  Mine was a double!  Wrote short pencil letter to A in V1

From A (2)                                         To A

30 July

Better day today – sunny & warm.  Cerrick, who I used to know well at Uppingham, came in to see me this morning – he is G3 (L) 49 Div.  Knocked off work at 4 pm and had half hours sunbathing in my vest (and trews!) before a *** tea.  After tea letters and went with Charles Woodford to LUC SUR MER to see “Song of Bernadette” – Excellent.  Dinner at 9.45 pm.  30 Corps battle going slowly but surely.  Flies too much in evidence – feeling v confident of an early D day today.

To Barclays Bank (Statement) From – Nil

A

L

31 July

Not much gen in today from 8, 30 Corps or Yanks but things going OK – In inform room – Hay, in charge of stealing, iniquitous came up to see me from 16 Bty and had dinner – good game of soccer for offrs v Sgts won 6-4 great game but shall feel v stiff – must have 5/- with Mrs Blackett before I play any serious game again.  No mail again today – knocked off 10.15 & wrote in V1

To A                                        From – Nil

P. C. Benham

1 – 12 July 1944                         

Notebook supplied for the Public Service.

1 July – No mail today.

Again day of probing by Hun a day which has cost him about 30 tks and hvy inf cas.  Most attacks in Banneville, Ramay, Vendes, Le Valtin area.  Nothing from our part of the world.  Came off duty at 1600 hrs after slack day – kip ‘til 1830!  Then finished letter to A.  Listened to news at 9 ocl with John Morris and back, in pouring rain to tent – read, of all things, manage service and so to bed.  Several v tgts fired this evening – odd shells landing nearby at this moment? 88s

To                                                   From

A                                                     –

2 July duty 0800 – 1600 hrs.

Nothing of great interest on the war form – pretty unsuitable wet day.  In evening went along with John Morris to a concert – Biff Bynton and His Boys!  Quite good.  Early to bed.

To                                                   From

A                                                     A 27 Jun

L                                                      L 27Jun

                                                        ECS 23 Jun

3 July

Not on duty at all today – very idle.  In morning took an airborne push bike and went over to Rear HQ (a) to give them the latest ‘gen’ (b) to cash a cheque (£6).  Got simply covered in mud – returned and had good wash and change of clothes.  Read ‘Doomsday’ by Warwick Deeping before lunch.  After lunch tried to sleep but couldn’t – read on bed til tea time.  Read again after tea.  At 7 ocl Martin Bunch & I went over to Barville where we had an excellent dinner with 16 Bty who were in great form.  Back at 10 pm and wrote to A in Vic I – On duty midnight.  Eileen a Sergeant.  Great Work.

From A – 28                                  To A

         Bill – 28

4 July

Attack on Carpiquet airfield started at 0500 hrs – v hectic from 0500 – 0800 when I came off duty.  B’fast then to bed.  Slept excellent from 0915 – 1600 hrs.  Good tea – biscuits – farm yard butter – cream cheese – jam.  Now sitting in my tent about to write A and Gerald.

Packed up parcel having come by some brown paper at last.  Attack fairly successful though not yet complete.  So far has been a lovely day but it’s just beginning to rain – same of A’s ‘lambedrats’ eating my camouflage!

To A                                               From –

Gerald

5 July

Off duty at 0800 – amazing how light and airy one feels coming off duty (hectic night) with the prospect of a good breakfast and a spot of bed.  In bed at 9.15 – ** at 12.30 and woke unaided at 4.15.  To my great delight found letters from A, L and Brian waiting for me.  Shave, wash, tea at 5.15.  After tea wrote A and then dinner.  Wrote L after dinner – on bed 10 ocl but as usual merely dozed.  Lovely day sunny and warm.  Relieved Stephan at midnight.  Also wrote Martin RAF & Ranceby – they seem to have been very good to A – Very relieving thought.  Full moon, what wouldn’t I give to be seeing it with A.  Big things tied up for Saturday.

To A                                                    From A, 30/1 July

Martin, RAF Hosp +                         L 30th

L                                                          Brian 30th

Brian                                                   Jack B

Jack B

6 July.

Nothing much happened during night – came off duty 8 ocl and went to bed after b’fast getting up just in time for tea and the reception of a wizard letter from A which had only taken 2 days to get here.  Read most of evening and finished Robert E*** ‘The Journey’ which really was excellent and well worth reading.  Thunder storm in evening just to add to the general tone of things!  Otherwise nothing much to report.

From A (4 Jul)                              To A

7 July.

Off duty at 8 ocl – one or two shells fell closeish (about 500x!) away during night – everyone thought it a hell of a show!  Didn’t sleep in morning but had a super bath, hair wash etc – in trop shirt, sleeves up, for rest of day.  Slept from 1.30 pm – 7 ocl then after dinner went up and relieved Stephen G at 10 ocl.  At 9.50 prompt 450 Lancs went over at 4-5000 ft and bombed area just N of CAEN – incredible sight – (no Oerlekon shell bullets all but hit yours truly whilst standing mouth open, watching the attack).  Quietish evening though slight flap in preparation for tomorrow’s big battle.  Wrote A after dinner.  Sent 25/- to Brian to buy odd things – A book, A, L and Dorothy flowers

From L                                           To A

         G                                           Brian

8 July

D day for capture of CAEN.  On duty from 10 last night until 3.15 then to bed.  Up at 7.15 then breakfast.  Had a good wash and shave and then back again on duty until 6 ocl when I sloped off and wrote to A – after dinner Ken and I took a walk up to PW cage and saw about 350 of the swine, a thoroughly moth eaten looking lot, cruel and very young – nearly all 12 SS Div.  Wrote in Vic 1 to Lois bed at midnight.

From                                              To

Brian                                              A

Eric Brough                                   Lois

9 July

Longish day – should have been up at 7.30 but was rather prematurely aroused at 5.45!  On duty all day until 7.30.  Battle went very well indeed. Caen (up to line river-canal was cleared by 1.30 pm.  No real excitements during day – last night Hun bombers were very busy dropping flares over the beaches but heard no bombs drop.  After dinner wrote A and then walked up to PW cage with David Carly on return we had a drop of whisky and then to bed boy shall I sleep like a log – yessir.

From                                              To

Nil                                                   A

10 July

Up in the morning early – called at 7 ocl with good cup of char.  Relieved Stephen at 8 and was on duty until lunch-time after which I slept like a log until 5 ocl when I got up for tea – second mail-less day running.  I then cleaned my ‘office case’ thoroughly and wrote to A – after dinner slept until 10.30 when Ken Rigg woke me up but fell asleep again waking with a start at 0020 hrs – and was a bit late on parade.

From Nil                                          A

11 July

On duty at midnight – only item of interest during the night was an attack by 51 (H) Div on the Columbelles Factory area – not a success and by lunch-time they were back where they started.  Came off duty at 0800 hrs and after breakfast (and a good egg) and shave bedded down and slept til 4 ocl.  Tea then up to office to see if the postman has ‘played the game by me today’ – he has and letters from A, L and G.  Very relieved to hear A’s leave OK and safely arrived in C.  Wrote A there.  At 6.45 met John Morris and went to concert in DOUVRES with him.  Excellent show – OC was one of those who came up with an ENSA party to Scotland.  Back at 9.30 after dinner went along to Vic 1 where I finished off my letter to A and wrote L – on duty 2355 hrs – jolly good show!

From                                              To

A – 7th (posted 9th)                       A

L – 7&8 (1 letter)                           L

G – 9th

12 July

Slightly improved weather today – Came off at 8 ocl after very boring and cold night – breakfast – S, S & S! then to bed at 10 ocl – bread for b’fast (2 slices retained for dinner) – slept til 1 ocl then from 2-3-45 pm.  On duty at 4 ocl very little happening – we have now lost 3 Cdn Div who have gone to 2 Corps (Cdn).  Not a bad dinner – soup, hash peas & spuds – bread and cheese, coffee.  No letters today.  Feeling very tired tonight and completely pep-less.  Sheet on bed today.  Weather improved slightly this pm – sunny and quite warm.  Russians only 60 miles from East Prussia – bash on the Ruskis.

From                                              To A

ECS of 7Jul                                      G

End of this notebook.