Category Archives: 1944

SECOND WORLD WAR

July 1944

(Britain)

Canvey Island Councillor Ray Howard MBE was only a 2 year old child when a V-1 Flying bomb destroyed his home. As reprisals for the Allied invasion of Normandy, German Fuhrer Adolf Hitler ordered the launching of V-1 Flying Bombs on the primary target, London. Over 9,500 V-1’s were launched from sites in France beginning on the 13th July 1944 until October 1944. The V-1 Flying bomb had a sheet steel fuselage with plywood wings and a simple Pulse-Jet engine mounted on the top. Inside the fuselage was a gyroscope guidance system, fuel for the engine and explosive impact fuses which were activated when landing. On the 22nd July 1944 anti-aircraft guns, mounted along the river, aimed and hit one V-1 during its flight over the Thames estuary. The shell hit the V-1 on one side causing it to deviate from its course. Once the Pulse-Jet engine cut-out it crash landed and exploded in Deepwater Road, Canvey Island. The V-1 actually fell on Ped Scott’s property and he must have died instantly as he was home at the time. The Howard family lived next door and the blast destroyed their home. Two Howard children died, Eric aged 7 and Peter aged 5. Betty Brace, who was a cousin of the Howard children, was another victim of the blast. Betty was a young girl delivering newspapers. Ray Howard, 2 years old, was trapped in the rubble alongside his sister Doris and their mother. The three were rescued by Nurse Andrews when she pulled Ray, Doris and their mother from the wreckage. Mother, son and daughter survived, but Ray’s injuries were so bad he spent over six months in hospital. Upon leaving hospital, on a weekly basis up to the age of nine, Ray had to have pieces of glass removed surgically. Many buildings including the “Red Cow” public house were either damaged or destroyed. Ray survived the war and went on to become a passionate councillor for Canvey Island. On the 23rd November 2017 Ray was awarded the MBE in recognition of his long service for the welfare of Canvey Island and district.       

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Letter to Mrs E. Wilkinson dated 20th July 1944

Telephone No. GERRARD 9234

Extn 3800.

AIR MINISTRY,

73-77 OXFORD STREET

LONDON,

W.1.

20th July 1944.

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

Madam,

            I am directed to refer to the letter dated 26th May 1944 from the Department, and to inform you that the German Authorities have now established the identity of one of the two unknown members of this Halifax aircraft as Sergeant E.M. Keep.

I am to add an expression of the Department’s sympathy with you in your anxiety, and to assure you that you will be informed of any further news received.

I am, Madam,

Your obedient Servant,

Signature unreadable

for Director of Personal Services.

Mrs. E. Wilkinson,

1068 Bury Road,

Breightmet,

Bolton,

Lancashire.

Letter to Mrs E. Wilkinson dated 12th July 1944

Telephone No. Worcester 3411.

AIR MINISTRY,

WHITTINGTON ROAD,

WORCESTER.

12th July 1944.

WILKINSON 2211339/7k

Madam,

2211339 Sergeant E. Wilkinson

            With reference to this Department’s letter dated 31st May, 1944, you will no doubt be aware from the “Notes for guidance” which have been sent to you that although your husband is still unfortunately officially regarded as missing, the regulations do not provide for the payment of temporary allowance to be continued at family allowance rate for more than a period of 26 weeks, and that any subsequent payments must be based on the rate of pension which would be payable had your husband been officially reported as a fatal casualty.

In these circumstances I am to inform you that unless further information is received regarding your husband, the temporary allowance at present in issue will continue up to week number 30 (order due for payment on 28th September,1944) after which the allowance will be reduced to 23s. 4d. a week, but if further information is received, it may be necessary to reduce your allowance from an earlier date.  In this event you would be notified accordingly.

A further communication regarding an exchange of allowance books will be addressed to you in due course.

The certificates submitted by you are returned herewith and the receipt Form 157A enclosed should be completed and returned to this Department.

I am to add, with reference to the medical certificate, that your eligibility to the higher rate of pension has been carefully considered but as it is evident that you are able to do part time work, it is regretted that you cannot be regarded as incapacitated from self support for the purpose of an award at the higher rate.

I am, Madam,

Your obedient Servant,

Signature unreadable

for Director of Accounts.

Mrs. E. Wilkinson,

1068 Bury Road,

Breightmet,

Bolton,

Lancashire.

Captain P.C. Benham

G Branch

HQ I Corps

B.W.E.F.

5 July 44

My dearest Maz,

So very many thanks for your long and sweet letter of the 20th which I received at tea-time today.  Yes, I knew you wouldn’t write about Eileen until you had heard from me that she had told me – I am so very grateful for all the many many things you have done for her and she writes so often to say how sweet you’ve been to her.  By the time this reaches you she should be home and I hope you have some jolly times together – the platitude uttered at most weddings ‘we’ve not lost a son but gained a daughter’ has been very true, hasn’t it, and that thought, besides relieving my anxieties gives me untold pleasure.  You have all been so very good to Eileen and to me and I shall be eternally grateful.  Yes one takes a lot of comfort from the knowledge that all is set fair for the production of a family in due course – as you know there were doubts at one time, now all those doubts are dispelled.  Many thanks for forwarding Jack’s letter on to me – I had, oddly enough, written to him about a week ago.  A couple of days ago I started working at nights for a week – midnight ‘til 8 am so I now sleep during the day.  The weather, which has been more like April than July this last week, has now taken a turn for the good and today, on what little I’ve seen of the day, has been warm and sunny.  I had a very nice letter from Bill the other day and was so glad to hear from you that Dorothy had received my letter.  The news from Russia is most encouraging isn’t it?  Yes, I’m still extremely optimistic about our bet.  Maz dear I think it would be advisable to keep my present until we meet again, though on second thoughts how about changing it (if it was a cheque) into something material – the things I am most in need of are baccy, writing paper and envelopes and Ever Ready Razor blades.  Also I should be most grateful if you could let me have a few magazine type books – World Digest, Readers Digest etc.  otherwise I have everything I need – if you could let me have a cake it would be too good for words and I could send the tin back with a cheese or two in it!  on looking this through I seem to want an awful lot.

The day before yesterday I went over and had dinner with Robin Dunn and Co and found them in excellent form, they have, touching wood, been extremely lucky so far and were in great heart, otherwise by way of news from here I have very little to offer.  Please thank Elli very much for his long and interesting letter to which I hope to reply tomorrow evening.  Yes, you might just about now to have been coming up to Uppingham, they were good days, days which one only lives once.  I can honestly say that my younger days must have been as happy as anyone could have had, made so entirely by the fact that you and Pari did so very much for me – but the thing which I shall remember always was the encouragement you gave me in the small things I did and the interest you showed, and then the way you took to Eileen – she is one in a million and I marvel sometimes at my great good fortune at so early an age.  Maz dear I must close.  I do so hope all goes well with you and live only for the day when I see Jumbo and the Town Hall from the carriage window.  Much love – God bless you.

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

            Illustration (that’s what I long to see again!)

In envelope headed ‘On Active Service’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 439 dated 6 JY 44.  Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham Capt.

On front of envelope Written July 5th 1944 rec July 18th1944. (16)

SECOND WORLD WAR

July 1944

(France – Normandy)

Having secured all five beaches on the Normandy coastline, the Allied invasion on D-Day (6th June 1944) had not reached the planned objectives at the day’s end. Stubborn resistance by the German defenders slowed down the Allied advance inland from the beaches. Both sides took heavy casualties. In the early hours of the 9th July 1944 British and Canadian patrols entered the city of Caen, following the evacuation of the Germans. By noon the city was liberated and French civilians came out of their homes to celebrate with the troops bringing with them glasses and bottles of wine. U.S. troops consolidated and began the advance to Saint-Lo, in the Carentan region of north-west Normandy but ran into resistance which turned into the “Battle of the Hedgerows” in the Bocage. During the planning stages of D-Day the Allied intelligence had not properly evaluated the area. They faced narrow roads and fields surrounded by hedgerows plus the fact the German defenders flooded the area by opening up the sea defences. By the 18th July 1944 Saint-Lo, an important rail complex, was overrun. The final destination was the deep-water Port of Cherbourg. The out-numbered German defenders surrendered and the port was liberated on the 29th July 1944.

German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, Supreme Commander of the German Atlantic wall, was at home celebrating his wife’s 50th Birthday when the Allied forces landed in Normandy on D-Day. He was immediately recalled and returned to his headquarters. In a meeting with Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler, Rommel was rebuffed and told to focus on military operations, when he requested re-enforcements for the defence of Normandy. By mid-July 1944 the German defensive positions were crumbling. On the 17th July 1944, returning from a visit to the headquarters of the 1st SS Panzer Corps, the car he was travelling in was strafed by an RAF fighter plane near Sainte-Foy-de-Montgomery. The driver of the staff car speeded up but was wounded and the car veered off the road and hit some trees. Rommel was badly injured with glass wounds to the left side of his face and skull fractures. He was hospitalised and never involved in anymore military operations again until his possible involvement in the 20 July Plot to assassinate Hitler.

(Germany)

A Group of mainly Wehmacht Officers plotted to assassinate Hitler, overthrow the Nazi regime and make peace with the Allies. On the 20th July 1944 the bomb hidden in a briefcase was moved behind the large heavy legs of a table so that the force of the explosion missed Hitler and he was injured. The plot failed and 7,000 suspects were arrested, Claus von Stauffenburg, as leader of the plot together with 4,980 were executed.

The Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter entered service in the Nazi Luftwaffe on the 18th July 1944 The Me262 was considerably faster than the conventional British piston-engine fighter. They were also more heavily armed, but because of the greater speed, only short bursts of machine-gun fire was available for each attack run. The first aerial engagement was with an unarmed British de Havilland Mosquito over Germany on the 26th July 1944. Flying on a reconnaissance mission over Munich, the Mosquito evaded the three attempts by the Me262 to shoot it down. Although the Mosquito sustained some damage, the pilot successfully landed safely at Fermo in Italy.

The Messerschmitt Co designed, tested and produced the Me163B Komet rocket fighter, and was an addition to the to the more famous Me262 jet fighter. Me163B was the only rocket powered fighter aircraft in history and in addition, the first aircraft to exceed 620 mph (1,000 km/hr). Because of its high speed the Me162B only had a short time in which to attack the enemy, it took several runs to achieve any chance of success. On the 28th July 1944 the first aerial combat between one Me162B and two USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress bombers occurred. The B-17s were flying on one of over 6,000 raids on the Leuna Synthetic Fuel Facilities in Saxony, Germany.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            No records can be found of the outcome, despite the fact the engagement occurred.

(Eastern Front)

On the Eastern Front in July 1944 Germanys’ impetus had finally been halted. The Soviet Union’s Red Army began a large scale counter-attack. On a front from the north coast of Estonia, located in the Gulf of Finland, stretching south to Ukraine, located by the Black Sea the counter-attack began. The city of Minsk was captured on the 4th July 1944. By the 26th July 1944 the Red Army had captured the besieged city of Leningrad and on the 28th July 1944 the Soviet troops had defeated the Germans at Brest- Litovsk. Nazi Germany continued to retreat until the end of the war in May 1945.

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Whilst the Red Army were sustaining losses and starvation on the battlefields, the civilian population of the Soviet Union also suffered the privations of war. One prime example was that of Tanya Savicheva, a 14 year old girl who basically died of starvation in besieged Leningrad. On the 1st July 1944 Tanya succumbed to intestinal tuberculosis. Tanya was born in January 1930, to a baker father and seamstress mother, the youngest of five children. When she was six years old her father died leaving his widow with three girls and two boys. In an attempt to wipe Leningrad “off the map” the Germans began the bombardment of the city, cutting off supplies and the siege of Leningrad began in 1941. The bombardment destroyed all the stored supplies for the city. The family had originally decided to stay in Leningrad rather than leave for the countryside. Instead the family were trapped, unable to leave. With exception of one brother, who had joined the partisans, the whole family worked to support the Army. At 11 years old, Tanya worked at digging trenches and helped by extinguishing firebombs. About this time she began keeping diaries and recording daily events, but eventually these diaries were burnt in order to help to keep the family warm in the harshest of winter weather. Whatever could be eaten was eaten, as food was not getting through to the civilians. Her sister Nina disappeared during a bombardment on Leningrad and her family assumed she had died. Nina had a notebook for her work commitment which included alphabetical pages left blank. Only nine entries went into the diary, the first on the 28th December 1941

Zhenya died on 28th Dec at 12.00 PM 1941.

Grandma died on 25th Jan. 3 PM 1942.

Leka died on 17th March at 5 AM 1942.                                                                                                                     

Uncle Vasya died on 13th Apr. at 2 o’clock after midnight 1942.

Uncle Leshla on 10th May at 7.30 AM 1942.

Mum on 13th May at 7.39 AM 1942.

Savichevs died.

Everyone died.

Only Tanya is left.

As one of approximately 140 orphaned children she was taken to a village outside Leningrad in August 1942 by a specialist nursing brigade. Although most of the children survived, Tanya was too ill and sent to hospital. For two years she hung on but finally died of intestinal tuberculosis on the 1st July 1944, aged 14. However, Tanya’s sister, Nina and brother, Mikhail survived the war. Nina returned to the family home in Leningrad and found the notebook with Tanya’s little diary inside. She gave the diary to a journalist and it is now on display in the Museum of Leningrad History in St. Petersburg.  

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(Eastern Front – Poland)

The resistance movement of the Polish Home Army underground forces began an uprising against Nazi German occupation of the city of Lviv on the 23rd July 1944. Operation Tempest was the codename for the secret plan by the Soviet Union to advance on the Eastern Front. The Red Army had advanced into Poland in late 1943 and the German forces in the occupied city of Lviv was targeted. The uprising in the district of Lwow lasted from the 23rd-27th July 1944 by Polish troops and the underground movement. The Red Army assisted by the gradually increasing Soviet 10th Tank Corps. Upon the capture of the city the Red Army disarmed all Polish troops. The officers were arrested by the Soviet NKVD. The ordinary Polish soldiers were either arrested, conscripted in the Red Army or sent to Gulag camps. The German occupation of the city was replaced by the Soviet occupation.

On the outskirts of the city of Lublin, in central Poland, the Nazi operated Majdanek concentration camp was liberated by Soviet troops on the 24th July 1944. The rapid advance of the Red Army during 0peration Bagration prevented the German SS guards from destroying the infrastructure. Majdanek was one of the largest Nazi concentration camps, consisting of seven gas chambers, two wooden gallows and 227 structural building. To house Polish slave labour, Majdanek was originally intended to be a labour camp rather than an extermination camp. However, from October 1941, the German plan was to murder Polish Jews on an industrial scale. When the Soviet troops captured the city, Majdanek was virtually intact and the Nazi SS guards had failed to remove the most incriminating evidence of war crimes. The site was from then on protected by the Soviet Union. The intact gas chambers and crematorium ovens were turned into a museum whilst the war was still ongoing. By turning the site into a museum, it served as some of the examples of the genocidal policy of Nazi Germany.          

(Pacific)

In the Pacific the fortunes of war had turned against the Japanese. During the Battle of Saipan, on the 7th July 1944, the largest banzai charge took place against the American 105th Infantry Regiment. The banzai charge is considered by the Japanese to be an “honourable suicide attack” rather than be captured by the enemy. Almost 4,300 Japanese troops, walking wounded and unarmed civilians were ordered to carry out the charge. The 15 hour pitched battle was ultimately repulsed and almost all of the Japanese were killed. On the 8th July 1944 Saipan was declared secure but the Americans had lost almost 2,000 men to achieve the victory. With Saipan secured and the recently introduced Boeing B-29 Superfortress Strategic bombers flying out of newly built airfields Tokyo was in range as a target.  On the 10th July 1944, B-29 bombers attacked the city for the first time since the Doolittle Raids in April 1942. Incendiary bombs were dropped on the city as they were effective against wood and paper buildings.  On the island of Papua New Guinea the Japanese were still resisting. On the 18th July 1944 Hideki Tojo resigned as Japanese chief minister of government. He had that position during the glory days of Japan and was fully supported by Emperor Hirohito. Following the fall of Saipan he had lost the support of the Emperor and forced to resign. The Second Battle of Guam began on the 21st July 1944 when U.S Marines landed on the island in readiness to recapturing the island. During the First Battle of Guam the Japanese captured the U.S. territory in the Mariana Islands in 1941. U.S. Marines invaded Tinian Island on the 24th July 1944. The island had formed part of the Japanese line of communications and its location is too close to Saipan to allow it to be bypassed. The island was secured on the 1st August 1944 and joined Saipan and Guam as a base for the B-29 bombers.

(Other Areas)

Franklin D. Roosevelt announced he would run for a fourth term as President of the United States of America on the 11th July 1944, despite his declining health. Apparently he later told a confidant that he might resign from the presidency following the end of the war. His first term as President began in March 1943 during the worst depression in its history. A quarter of the workforce were unemployed and over two million people were homeless. His policies of “relief, recovery and reform” was successful which enabled the U.S. to become a powerful nation. When the European War began in 1939, America was supplying the Allies on a “Lease-lend” basis.  American involvement in the Second World War was when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour in December 1941.

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P. C. Benham

26 May – 12 July 1944              

Notebook supplied for the Public Service.

1 June

Left A 14 at 1000 hrs – I led column to Gosport where we loaded up into LST 384 – very long procedure and much lounging about – inevitable I suppose – got on board at 4.15 pm.  Lucky to have a bunk and food in wardroom.  Got to bed at 12 ocl – difficult to get in.  Illustration.

2 June (Friday)

B’fast with white bread etc at 9 ocl – read in morning after v lengthy conference which lasted 10 – 11.30 am.  Lunch good at 1 ocl – Wrote A after lunch – read – tea and so it goes on – Reading Angela Thirkell’s ‘Wild Strawberries’ which is excellent – finished ‘Wild Strawbs’ – tasty – Wrote to A again after tea.  After dinner had game of poker – won 12/6 – good game! Best hand FH Accs – several gooduns – bed at 0010 hrs.

3 June Sat

Nothing special to report wrote A and L – read and slept, poker again in evening & won steady 12/- – 4 Q & 4 9 within 3 hands, latish to bed.

4 June

Nothing to report – read, wrote, poker – average luck – won 3/-  ? D day tomorrow – sea getting choppier – Papers came on board.

5 June

D Day postponed last night – should have been today – sailed at 1830 hrs this evening – choppy and LST is a real roller!  Not sick but felt a trifle like it.  Last game of poker – last wistful look of England and to this big journey begins.  I long already for the next journey back to England – how long? – who knows.  Lost at poker tonight – about 6/6 so up about 22/- on trip.

6 June

D Day arrived after good trip at H +6 i.e. 1340 hrs – but rhino ferries not functioning properly so didn’t get off until 11.30 – only one air attack that I saw – 3 MEs dived over – air ever super – on this memorable day 2 most amazing sights were cruisers b’ships etc plugging away at enemy coast and most amazing ever – gliders – thousands of ‘em crossing in to bridgehead, several strong points left behind on coast – read a little, watched a lot & spent most of day with Col Teacher – (Airborne Light Regt Co) – farewell to ship’s company – v good lot.

News – well, all about it.  4 planes in flames, houses in flames – din and chaos – c’est la guerre.

7 June

Landed just before midnight and then the rhino ferry ramp door broke – fugged about on beach – jerry dropped one or two very close – not pleasant – got to Div HQ at 6 am – met Charles etc – not an awful lot to do – visited beach and the Airborne Div with Lamb – Alistair Pearson still going strong – bound to get 4th DSO – Gilders all lying about the fields – many prisoners in today – battle fair many snipers and pockets of resistance about – slow job mopping up – not so many casualties as expected – George now in command of E York’s – met Tapp – Bobby Thompson wounded – last day of 48 hour ration.  Weather fair, sunny with dull intervals.

8 June

Very noisy night – spent most of it in slit trench with Wright – nothing fell very close though Jerry was very active – b’fast wash and shave at 9 ocl – gunned up and at 12 ocl set out for Corps – got half way and found that there were several snipers about – nothing came near me though on way back I was on the road under my jeep on one occasion – all no front were so I followed suit!  LETTER from Eileen dated 27th superb show.  Sent cards (FS to A & L)

On return dug very hard!

9 June

Went over to Corps in the afternoon but found them moving – Visited 6 Airborne in morning – wrote A and L.  Nothing much to report today.

10 June

Shocking night – about one hour’s sleep bombs all round including Anti pers bombs which killed poor old Roger Bunnan, Robert Blyth and Cpl Smith – came back to Corps at 0900 hrs after visits.

11 June

Duty 0600 – 1400 – relieved Garratt v early!  Good night in Garratt’s tent – spent pm digging me a hole and reorganising now v comfortable

SUPER SHOW – MAIL UP 4 from A and 1 from L & G read & re-read & then after short line to A & L to bed.

12 June

Duty 1400 – 2200 hrs.  Quiet morning with big letter writing effort – wrote A, L, G and B all individual letters otherwise I just wiled away the time.  Nothing further to report.

13 June

Duty 2200 – 0600/14

Leisurely morning with stroll into la Delivrande where I bought the odd (very odd) trinkets and some stamps from the Post Office.  Battle went averagely today – only chief news being 7 Armd Div thrust South – held up and beaten back from Villers Bocage by 2 Pz Div.  Snooze in pm and walk with Ken Rigg into Village after tea then letter to A and dinner after which I tuned in to the news – BBC say we have taken troarm – b – nonsense – Drink with Owen Hunt and so on duty.  Met Woodrow Wyatt – to take Roger Brennan’s place.

French in village seem fairly happy – village badly knocked about – very pathetic to see many well nourished children not knowing what to make of this b war – Boche knock them about – one day, we the next.

14 June ]

15 June ] No entries

16 June ]

17 June Saturday

What a birthday – no letters but I had a couple of brandies in the evening just to show there was no ill-feeling.

18 June Sunday

Came off duty at 0600 hrs and after b’fast attended a celebration of Holy Communion at 0830 in the orchard by Rear HQ.  Wrote A in evening otherwise awfully little happening today – spent most of it reading the Song of Bernadette finished during the evening – Slept 0930 – 1815 hrs!  Good show.

19 June Monday

Up at 0600 hrs – nothing of importance during my tour of duty – In afternoon went over with John Morris to visit 2nd Army and 8 Corps – stopped in BAYEUX and did a little shopping my purchases being a rather wizard bottle of scent for A (135 fr) – a camembert cheese and a razor + 5 blades.  Met Ian inspecting a knocked out tank in fair form – Diana had a girl.  In evening wrote A and warmed myself with a glass of Calvados – tres pleasant.  Letter from Lois dated 13 June and ECS.  Wet and windy all day.  BAYEUX a pleasant town comparatively untouched by the war as is the same with most villages and hamlets in 30 Corps area.

20 June Tuesday.

Quiet morning wrote Eileen, Lois, Eric B and Aunt Vi and pottered generally – after lunch duty at 1400 hrs and found letters from A and Elli waiting for me – poor darling Eileen in hospital – no big event now, thankfully she is OK – letters dated 13 June – my consuming desire for all this to be over and to return to her more ardent than ever before.  After dinner took half an hour off to write to A again – thank God for Dorothy’s kindness A very miserable Peter got to bed at 0015 hrs.  Cold and windy all day.

21 June Wednesday

Heard today that Americans are only 4 miles from CHERBOURG – good effort – they hope to be in there tonight – nothing happening with us.  This morning did a little domestic work in my tent and wrote to A and Dorothy then walked over to rear where I had a long chat with Doc Stevens – inter alia about A and bought him back to the mess for a glass of gin.  After lunch had a very restless lie down and came on duty at 1600 hrs where I found nothing exciting happening.

Illustration my shrine.

Good dinner – soup

                      M&V new spuds

                      Strawbs & ersatz cream

                      Biscuits, butter camembert cheese tea.

Quiet til midnight – one bomb 1230 on rear – intercept re shelling certain areas proved correct.

22 June

Quiet morning – still tidying up tent – wrote A – took over from Garrett to help him out at 1.15 he relieved me at 8 pm til rest of evening – at 11 ocl Brig Mears phoned up to say that he had a vacancy in 20 A Tk Regt for me if I would like it – spent rather sleepless night thinking it over.  Weather improved, not so windy – not much air activity in night – longing more than I can say for news of A.  320 Forts went over at 6 pm and we also watched 72 Mitchells 1 Marauders attacking the factory at COLOMBELLES – great sight.  Flak not awfully accurate – rumours that we may be winning.

23 June Friday

Mind made up – saw Bill H at 9.45 and confirmed then told Mears – Answer – can’t accept (a) lack of tech knowledge etc makes it impos – can’t leave in middle of battle – if a few days grace then OK – not fair on Bty or myself – (b) getting into swing here.  Saw & had long chat with Sandy D, Francis & CBEC MBE!  Wrote A after lunch and had ¾ hour kip – we move tomorrow.

Lovely afternoon.  Duty at 1600 hrs – good dinner with incl strawbs and ersatz cream.  New address is BWEF – off at midnight.

24 June

Spent first hour or so this morning packing up – relieved Stephen at 10.30 for an hour then over to new location just west of DOUVRES – booked Ken Rigg and myself a site and then back to the old place where to my great joy I found some MAIL UP – 3 from A – dated 15th, 16th and 18th – 2 Gerald – 18th – 1 Lois 18th.  All most gratefully received – boy was I relieved to hear A is getting on OK and Lois has received some mail from me.

On duty 4 – midnight after writing off a hasty line each to A and L.

25 June  Sunday

Spent whole morning digging – relieved SG at 2 pm – 8 pm – then wrote A a good longun after dinner – back again from 10.30 until midnight – news good this evening – 30 Corps adv during day – Yanks all but got Cherbourg Russians – good show all round.  Very hot and sultry some rain in evening.  Otherwise not a very thrilling day – Letter from Aunt Vi – v welcome.

26 June

8 Corps attack 0730 hrs – during the day progress was made though slowly.  Duty today 4 pm – 8 pm – Spent am letter writing and getting my tent organised – wrote A, L, Jack Baker and Aunt Dolly.  After lunch very showery with heavy rain at intervals – end of bed wettish but not enough to hurt – just odd drips – defence turnout at 3.30 spoilt my afternoon’s kip – early to bed as I’m on duty at 0800 hrs in the morning.

27 June

Up in the morning early – 6.15 but still not in for b’fast til 7.30 – brewed myself some hot water – good shave.  Not a very thrilling day except right at the end of it when I received 3 letters from A – one from L – one from Elli – attack by 8 Corps v slow today – Weather not being a bit kind to us – wind – low cloud – rain – wind prevents a certain amount of stuff not being landed – low cloud lets him bring up more stuff as we can’t bomb him so easily.

Cherbourg ours.

28 June

Letter from A today – great show.  In evening went over to rear to see George – poor old G. looking v weary and washed out – John Hig now comds Coy in E York’s – drink with G.  Wrote A after dinner – 8 Corps have reached line of Odon – good show.  Odd shells nearby during night – rained on and off all day – especially hard during night.

29 June

Another letter from A today – what a hero she is – also letter from G.  Spent a pleasant half hour after dinner with Phantom – cheese and biscuit and grand cigar – wash and brush up after tea, and sort out of kit.  Rain again on and off with thunder storm in evening.  Wrote A after tea and sent her 5 5 f notes as souvenirs.  Heavy c/a put in v 15 (S) Div this evening – no good – well done our chaps though they got to HAUT DU BOSQ by last light all our posns intact.  Normandy butter today.  Sleep or rather bed early but didn’t ‘drop off’ til 12.30 noise too great.

30 June

Series of counter attacks today against our bridgehead over the ODON – Armour withdrawn during last night north of River.  Hours of duty today – 0800 – 1130 1330- 1800.  After I had finished work came back to tent where I had a super wash – feet, knees, arms, neck, then hair wash and change of undies & creased trousers.  Parcel from A today – SUPER show and letters dated 25 (with parcel) and 26 – parcel 4 oz baccy and 10 valet R.Bs – clever girl.

Wrote A and L in am and A again in evening.

Feeling something in wind about future, early end to war – probably entirely wrong but Monty reported to be apathetic about things

Letters To                                      From

A                                                     A (parcel) 25

L                                                      A letter 26

P.C. Benham’s

Collins Diamond Diary

1944

Thursday 1 June 1944

Moved to LST 384

No entries Friday 2 June 1944 to Monday 5 June 1944

Tuesday 6 June 1944

D Day – arrived off Ouistreham at 12 noon.  Nothing very much happening.  Waited about for rhino ferry – 3MEs bombed us at 2.15.  no hits – Gliders thousands of them in at 9 pm.  left ship and got on shore at 11.50 pm.  rhino doors wouldn’t open.  Bombed on beaches – phos bombs near.

Wednesday 7 June 1944  D + 1

Arrived 3 Br 0500 at Colville-Sur-Mere met Charles.  Visited 6 Airborne HQ road to Corps not yet cleared of enemy.  George in command.  Hutch wounded.

Thursday 8 June 1944 D + 2

Visited Corps + 6 Airborne. 

Not a good night – but nothing v close.

Friday 9 June 1944 D + 3

Visited Corps & 6 Airborne HQ.

Bloody awful night incl AP bombs v close.  Roger & Robert killed.

Saturday 10 June 1944 D + 4

Visit 6 Airborne Div and then over to Corps – on duty from 10 ocl until 8 pm, long day.

Good night’s sleep in Stephen Garratts tent.

Sunday 11 June 1944 D + 5

Camembert for Dinner!   Made pig of myself – Duty 0600 – 1500 hrs – Dug hole established

4 letters for A – 1 for L & G.  Wrote L & A

Monday 12 June 1944 D + 6

Quiet am.  Wrote A, L, G and B –

Duty 1400

Tuesday 13 June 1944 D + 7

Village in morning bought odd trinkets and some stamps –

Duty 2200 – 0600.

Wednesday 14 June 1944 D + 8

Morning in Town – bought more stamps – haircut – after lunch sleep from 1400 – 1815!

Dinner – soup, bully & new spuds, strawberries, camembert tea and vin rouge – Letter card to A – received ECS – morning with Rice.

Thursday 15 June 1944 D + 9

Duty 0600 – 1400

Mail up – letters from A (3), L and G (2) – Bill & ECS – Visited 3 Br, 6 Airborne, 4 Agra – long chat with Bill H.  After dinner walk with Owen Hunt.

Friday 16 June 1944 D + 10

Duty 1400 – 2200

AM spent letter writing to A & G – otherwise lazy time.

Saturday 17 June 1944 D + 11

PCB Birthday.

Duty 22 – 0600 Letters from L & G.  Read most of day ‘Bride of Bernadette’ wrote A & L.  bath?

Sunday 18 June 1944 D + 12

Brian Birthday.  Slept from 9.30 to 6.15!  Then wrote letters & read Song of Bernadette – excellent.

Monday 19 June 1944 D + 13

In pm went over to Bayeux bought scent for Eileen & a cheese for myself – letter from L dated 14th but nothing from A – Saw Ian – in fair form.

Tuesday 20 June 1944 D + 14

Poor sweet Eileen and now I know why she hasn’t written these last few days – how grim for her and how very bitter is the pill to swallow but thank God she is alright – blast & damn the bloody WAAFs.

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

Date                Time   Location         Damage

04/06/1944    20.30  Canvey          A Naval barrage balloon grounded in a field at

                                    Island             Clenton Road.

05/06/1944    16.30  Rochford       An electric supply cable at Warden’s Post ‘P.3’ was

carried away by a target being towed by an aircraft from Rochford Aerodrome.

07/06/1944    18.00  Hockley          2 – cylindrical objects (believed auxiliary petrol

                                                            tanks) fell in River Crouch.  Not recovered.

08/06/1944    20.15  Ramsden       Prior to crashing i.e. at 20.15 16 Ux.H.E. were

Heath             jettisoned and fell in fields at rear of Jackson’s Farm, Ramsden Park Road, Ramsden Heath and were later disposed of by BDS.

08/06/1944    20.25  Herongate     An American Marauder (B.26) No. 296-196 from

Station 168 Rivenhall crashed in flames 200 yards SE of Park Farm and was completely destroyed.  1 member of crew was killed and 5 slightly injured.

09/06/1944    19.00  Bulphan         A kite with damaged balloon attached was found 1

mile E of Bulphan.  Date and time of falling unknown.

13/06/1944    16.00  South             A kite with balloon attached was found at South

                                    Benfleet         Benfleet Camp.  Date and time of falling unknown.

15/06/1944    23.40  Billericay        1 – A.A. Shell exploded in garden causing slight

                                                            damage to 2 bungalows.  N.C.

15/06/1944                Brentwood     1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in Hill Road causing the following

damage: Cat ‘A’ – 2 houses: Cat.’B’ – 2 houses : Cat. ‘C’ – 25 houses approx. : Cat. ‘D’ – 200 houses approx and 2 serious casualties and 8 slight casualties.  Superficial damage was also caused to County property at Brentwood Police Station.

15/06/1944    23.45  Great              1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field 150 yards NE of

Stambridge    Stewart’s Farm.  Slight damage to Canewdon Police house.  N.C.

15/06/1944    23.45  Wickford        1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field 250 yards W of

Hampton Barn Farm killing 1 horse and 4 sheep.  No other casualties or damage.

16/06/1944    01.26  Nevendon     1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in mid-Air over Does Hill Farm. 

                                                            Damage to property.  N.C.

16/06/1944    01.40  Nevendon     1 – ‘Fly’ exploded on Friern Farm.  Slight damage.  N.C.

16/06/1944    02.15  Pilgrims          A.A. Shell fragments caused damage to rood of

                                    Hatch             “Tanberat” Coxtie Green Road.  N.C.

16/06/1944    Unknown  Brentwood         1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell on outbuildings of

                                                            Telephone Exchange.

17/06/1944    02.40  Wickford        1 ‘Fly’ exploded in Ramsden View Road causing

23 casualties 3 fatal (2 male and 1 female) 4 serious (2m 2f) and 16 slight.  2 houses demolished, 10 seriously damaged and 12 superficially, rendering 70 people homeless.  Also damage to gas main.

17/06/1944    03.00  South             1 – A.A. Shell penetrated the roof of 193 Tyrrell

Benfleet         Road and exploded causing slight damage to property.  N.C.

17/06/1944    03.00  South             Damage was caused to the roof of 430 Wallington

                                    Benfleet         Road by shrapnel.  N.C.

17/06/1944    21.00  Basildon        1 – Ux.A.A. Shell fell in cornfield at West end of

                                                            Cleveland Road.  N.D.C.

19/06/1944    18.18  Canvey          2 American ‘Flying Fortresses’ (Nos. unknown)

Island and     belonging to the 535th Squadron, 379th Bomber Allhallows             Group Kimbolton Hunts. Collided in the air over

Kent                2 killed 2 injured.  Kent Canvey Island.  1 machine    crashed in flames and was totally destroyed at Canvey Point, the other crashed at All Hallows Kent.  12 members of crew accounted for:- At Canvey 2 killed, 6 injured : At Kent 2 killed 2 injured.

20/06/1944    20.51  South             1 – ‘Fly’ exploded 200 yards NE of Fambridge Hall.

Fambridge     Superficial damage to farmhouse and buildings.  N.C.

22/06/1944    04.50  Hockley          1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in cornfield on Home Farm, 1/4

mile E of the  S end of Mortimer Road, and 200 yards S of main L.N.E.R. line.  Slight damage.  N.C.

23/06/1944    05.35  Crays Hill       A bungalow and shed at The Nurseries, Oak Lane,

Oak Road were completely destroyed by a fire which is thought to have been caused by a tracer bullet.  N.C.

25/06/1944    01.55  Mountnessing          1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in Blackmore Road 200

yards NW of Woodlands Farm, Swallows Cross.  Damage to property and telephone wires.  N.C.

25/06/1944    20.54  Stambridge    1 – ‘Fly’ exploded in middle of River Roach 200

yards due S of Walden’s Farm.  2 slight casualties and slight damage to 4 houses.

25/06/1944    Unknown  Hockley  An emergency transmitter and an oxygen bottle

dropped from a British aircraft were found on Beckney Farm.  Date and time of falling unknown.

27/06/1944    02.40  Ingrave           1 – ‘Fly’ exploded on allotments between Middle

and Rectory Roads causing 1 serious and 1 slight casualty and extensive damage to property.

27/06/1944    12.15  North              A Barrage balloon grounded at N Benfleet Hall in

                                    Benfleet         field.  N.D.C.

27/06/1944    13.45  Great              A Barrage balloon grounded in field.  N.D.C.

Wakering

27/06/1944    14.35  Thundersley A barrage balloon grounded at Claydon Road. 

                                                            N.D.C.

27/06/1944    15.30  Langdon        1 – A.A. Shell exploded in garden of Bank Ridges,

Hills                Coronation Road demolishing a small shed and causing slight damage to bungalow.  N.C.

27/06/1944    15.30  Canewdon    A barrage balloon grounded at Apton Hall.  N.D.C.

27/06/1944    15.30  Langdon        1 – A.A. Shell evidently fired at a low elevation

Hills                passed through an outhouse and a lock-up garage near Wardens’ Post ‘F.8’ causing damage to both buildings.  N.C.

27/06/1944    Unknown  Ingrave   1 – A.A. Shell exploded on greensward adjoining

main road, 300 yards NW of Dairy Farm, causing damage to boundary wall of Thorndon Park and military telephone wires.  N.C.

28/06/1944    02.50  Brentwood     1 – A.A. Shell exploded rear of 127 King’s Road. 

                                                            Slight damage to 3 houses.  N.C.

28/06/1944    03.00  Laindon         1 – A.A. Shell exploded in Bullen Road causing

superficial damage to 1 bungalow and 2 sheds.  N.C.

28/06/1944    03.35  Laindon         1 – A.A. Shell exploded at West View Basil Drive. 

                                                            Damage to 3 bungalows.  6 slight casualties.

28/06/1944    17.20  Hadleigh        A Barrage balloon (No. K.B.Mk.7 S.2-22310)

grounded on Hadleigh Marshes, 1 mile SW of Hadleigh Castle ruins.

28/06/1944    21.13  South Weald 1 – ‘Fly’ exploded at Gilstead Hall.  Damage to

                                                            property.  N.C.  Later confirmed as WT/Fly.       

Captain P.C. Benham

G Branch

HQ I Corps

B.W.E.F.

Please note change of address – official!

Saturday 24 June 44

My dearest Maz,

I’m afraid lack of time today forbids a long letter but I just have time to thank you so very much for your lovely long letter of the 18th – I was thrilled to hear from you and was delighted to hear at last that my letters are reaching you – again so many thanks for your birthday wishes – please, too, thank Pari for his two letters received today (both of the 18th) – I think it would be wiser for you to keep my presents.  I long to receive them at your hands.  I had three letters from Eileen and was terribly relieved to hear that she is up and really better.  Yes, the news is excellent, may it remain so.  I didn’t see the King or Churchill – I believe they looked for me but I was out!!  I met Francis yesterday, he was summoned over in a hurry when I see him again I’ll tell him his brother has been to see you – I shall be off duty tomorrow morning and will write a longer and more newsy letter – this is just to let you know that I’m fit and well, that I think so much about you all, and long to be seeing Colchester out of the carriage window again – many thanks again for your letter –  love to you and to Pari and Elli – in haste –

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

In envelope headed ‘On Active Service’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 439 dated 25 JU 44.  Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham Capt.

On back of envelope Written June 24th 1944 rec July 8th 1944.          (9)

Captain P.C. Benham

G Branch

HQ I Corps

APO England

Thurs 22 June 44

My dearest Maz,

This will not be a very long letter as I shall have to go and feed myself in about a quarter of an hour’s time, do I shall miss me lunch.

Now, Maz dear, the reason for my lack of news from Eileen is apparent – poor child.  I had a letter from her on Tuesday written from some wretched RAF hospital on the 13th – she must have been feeling pretty miserable, though in her letter she showed no trace of the bitter disappointment which I know she felt and I was more thankful than I can say that she’s recovering well and is really better – it must all have been a nightmare for her – oh how I wish I could have been there with her it’s awful to be so far away and to feel so powerless to do anything – never have I hated this war so much as I did that afternoon – there seemed no justice in the world – there are so many thousands of unwanted babies born every day, even to people who call themselves happily married – it’s so very easy to say – ah well there will be plenty of time but when one has said that for years, it gets a bit irksome – sorry to sound so childish about it all but that afternoon was the nearest thing to hell I’ve yet to know – but with the knowledge that Eileen is OK that is all that matters – I think it’s the feeling of inability to help that makes things seem worse.

I have led a very sombre existence since my last letter and now have definite hours of work each day from 4 pm – midnight so I have nothing to complain of – no mail has arrived these last two days and there’s no immediate sign of any on its way – I do so look forward to a letter from you soon.  I had such a nice birthday letter from Elli, please thank him very much for it and tell him I’ll be writing soon – I’m sorry this is such a dull gloomy affair – I don’t feel too bad and am in good health and am still as optimistic as ever that we haven’t much longer to wait now before we shall be coming home – much love to you Maz dear, I think of you so much and long to see you again – God bless, my love to Pari and Elli.

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

In envelope headed ‘On Active Service’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 439 dated 23 JU 44.  Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham Capt.

On back of envelope Written  June 22nd 1944 rec July 14th 1944.      (10)