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

Mar31

Date Time Location Damage

02/03/1944 Between Great A private motorcar property of Dr J B Radcliffe of 1

14.00 Wakering Tudor Way Hawkwell was pierced by an incendiary

and 16.00 bullet from a Thunderbolt Fighter. N.C.

14/03/1944 23.00 Herongate 2 – H.Es exploded in fields at rear of “Old Dog”

P.H. N.D.C.

14/03/1944 23.05 Canvey 1 – Container of I.Bs. exploded in field on White

Island Farm Haven Road. N.D.C.

14/03/1944 23.05 Canvey 7 – Ux.H.Es fell in Cook’s field Haven Road.

Island N.D.C.

14/03/1944 23.05 Canvey 1 – Ux.Ph.I.B. fell in White’s field W of Haven

Island Road. N.D.C.

14/03/1944 23.05 Canvey 1 Container of I.Bs fell in Hole Haven Creek.

Island N.D.C.

14/03/1944 23.15 Ingrave 1 – H.E. exploded on 13th fairway, Thorndon Park

Golf Course. N.D.C.

14/03/1944 23.15 Mountnessing 6 – H.Es exploded in field between Belman’s

Farm and the ‘George and Dragon’ P.H. Damage to property. N.C.

14/03/1944 23.15 Shenfield 2 – Ux.Ph.I.Bs fell in garden of ‘Trevosper’ Worrin

Road. N.D.C.

14/03/1944 23.20 Great Warley A number of I.Bs fell on Stoneyhills Farm. Stack

fire. N.C.

14/03/1944 23.20 Shenfield 2 – Ux.Ph.I.B. fell in Worrin Road. N.D.C.

14/03/1944 23.20 Great Warley 5 – Ux.H.Es and 3 exploded H.Es fell in woodland

near Stonyhills Farm. N.D.C.

14/03/1944 23.30 Langdon 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in garden of “Oakdene”

Hills Eastleigh Drive. N.D.C.

17/03/1944 21.30 Brentwood 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in garden of “Three

Cables” Cornlands. N.D.C.

19/03/1944 17.45 Vange 3 children were seriously injured as the result of a

fourth placing a partly ignited I.B. on a fire burning on waste land and are detained in hospital.

22/03/1944 01.00 Rochford 1 – I.B. container exploded in field 200 yards W of

Butler’s Farm, Shopland. N.D.C.

22/03/1944 01.00 Shenfield 1 AB/1000/2 container of French I.Bs fell in field

adj. Herd’s Farm Cottage. Slight damage. N.C.

22/03/1944 01.00 Rochford 1 AB/500/1 container of mixed I.Bs fell in field on

Butler’s Farm, Shopland. N.D.C.

22/03/1944 01.00 Little Warley 1 – H.E. exploded in field W of Hall Lane. N.D.C.

22/03/1944 01.05 Rochford An enemy aircraft crashed in flames and was

totally destroyed. 2 of crew captured and 1 found dead. Plane crashed in field on Butler’s Farm.

22/03/1944 01.05 Rochford 2 – Ux.H.Es and 1 exploded H.E. on field on

Butler’s Farm Shopland.

22/03/1944 01.05 Rochford 1 – Ux.H.E. fell in field 400 yards SW of Butler’s

Farm, Shopland. N.D.C.

22/03/1944 01.05 Rochford 1 – Ux.H.E. Fell 150 yards of Butler’s Farm

Shopland. N.D.C.

22/03/1944 01.10 Ashingdon 1 AB/1000/2 container of mixed I.Bs fell in field

200 yards S of Ashingdon School. N.D.C.

22/03/1944 01.10 Ashingdon 1 AB/1000/2 container of mixed I.Bs fell in

Canewdon Road. N.D.C.

22/03/1944 01.10 Ashingdon 1 AB/1000/2 container of mixed I.Bs fell in field

400 yards NW of Ashingdon School. Damage to property. N.C.

22/03/1944 01.12 Billericay A number of I.Bs fell in 40 acre and surrounding

fields. Damage to property and telephone wires. N.C.

22/03/1944 01.16 Ashingdon A number of I.Bs fell at Beckney’s Corner. Stack

fired. N.C.

22/03/1944 01.20 Pitsea 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in garden of “Gorlestone”

Winifred Road. N.D.C.

22/03/1944 01.30 Bowers 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field 350 yards NNE of

Gifford Gun Inn. N.D.C.

22/03/1944 01.30 Hutton 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in garden of ‘Laburnum’

Rayleigh Road. Slight damage. N.C.

22/03/1944 01.50 Rochford 1 – Ux.Ph.I.B. fell in field on Butler’s Farm

Shopland. N.D.C.

22/03/1944 07.15 Barling An empty metal container 2′ in length marked

‘O.H.M.E.’ together with balloon was found at Burton Farm. N.D.C. Date and time of falling unknown.

22/03/1944 07.30 Barling 1 – German machine gun and 1 cannon gun with

part of turret attached were found on mud flats at Barling Point. N.D.C. Date and time of falling unknown.

22/03/1944 08.00 Great 1 – German rubber dinghy with equipment

Wakering including wireless transmitting set was found at Oldbury Farm. N.D.C. Date and time of falling unknown.

24/03/1944 00.05 Langdon 1 – A.A. Shell exploded rear of ‘Lilac Cottage’ Dry

Hills Street. N.D.C.

24/03/1944 23.30 Wickford 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field rear of London

Road. N.D.C.

24/03/1944 Unknown Brentwood On night of 24/25 roof of Police house in La

Plata Grove was damaged by shrapnel.

24/03/1944 Unknown Pitsea On night of 24/25 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in garden

of ‘Parkville’ Northland Park Drive. N.D.C.

24/03/1944 Unknown Brentwood 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 300 yards S of

railway bridge. Nags Head Lane. N.D.C.

25/03/1944 00.30 Billericay 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in meadow 400 yards NE of

Oak Farm, South Green. N.D.C.

27/03/1944 17.45 Coxtie Green A meteorological balloon with kite attached was

found on Red Lion Farm. Date and time of falling unknown.

31/03/1944 08.30 Rayleigh Found on railway track 1 mile NE of Hambro Hill

railway bridge (M.108/261111) portion of cardboard box measuring approx. 5 1/2″ x 5″ bearing words Berax Universal BILBFILPREATE MIT HALTED N.R. 128 Berax GILBFILTER’ on the reverse thereof. Figures 126 on back of box. Also 1 camera filter in black metal with spring clip attached but bearing words ‘Berax’. Also a piece of camera filter glass. Time deposited between 08.30 30.3.44 and 08.50 31.3.44.

SECOND WORLD WAR

Mar7

March 1944

(Britain)

During March 1944 a series of RAF bombing attacks were conducted against various German cities. In February 1942 Sir Arthur “Bomber” Harris was appointed commander-in-chief of Bomber Command. He is quoted as saying “They sowed the wind – now they will reap the whirlwind”. A raid of 30 RAF planes attacked Dusseldorf, without much success, on the 4^th March 1944 which was the beginning of the whirlwind. Frankfurt was bombed with heavy civilian losses on the 22^nd March 1940. Heavy bombing over a period of 24 hours was conducted against various German cities beginning the 24^th March 1940. When the RAF attacked Nuremburg on the 30^th March 1940, they suffered great losses. Of the 795 RAF bombers attacking Nuremburg, 95 were shot down, and over 700 men were missing. As many as 545 died and over 160 were taken prisoner. On the raid one Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously to Flying Officer Cyril Barton. He was piloting his Handley Page Halifax bomber when the aircraft was badly shot-up. Despite loss of one engine, radio and rear-turret and leaking fuel tanks he continued on to the target. In the meantime three of the seven man crew had bailed out during the engagement owing to a misunderstanding in on-board communications. The three crew members were the navigator, bombardier and wireless operator. Having reached the target Barton dropped his bombs and headed for home. He crossed the North Sea with only one engine still running. Desperately short of fuel he attempted to land near the village of Ryhope near Sunderland. He steered away from the village and crash-landed and was pulled from the wreckage seriously injured but died on the way to hospital. The remaining three crew members survived the crash-landing.

—

(Eastern Front)

On the Eastern Front the strategically important Narva Isthmus in Estonia in the Bay of Finland was attacked by the German Army on the Soviet Leningrad Front. The offensive began on the 1^st March 1944 and lasted until August 1944.

The harbour city of Tallinin, Estonia, located in the Bay of Finland, was occupied by the Germans. As part of the overall Soviet offensive the Soviet air force bombed the city in two waves on the 9^th/10^th March 1944. Between 6:30 – 9:00

pm on the 9^th 300 Soviet aircraft dropped 3068 bombs. The second wave of bombers attacked at 2:00 am on the 10^th which lasted for an hour and half. Approximately 20% of the buildings were destroyed and over 750 people died of whom most were civilians.

The Dnieper-Carpathian offensive was well established on the 8^th March 1944 when 3,500,000 Soviet soldiers advanced along a 745 mile (1,200 km) front. The aim was to split the 3,500,000 Axis soldiers from the Ukraine and Moldovian territories. By rapidly advancing, on the 23^rd March 1944 the Red Army had successfully achieved their aim by capturing Chorikova, which cut off the supply line to the German Panzer Army.The Soviet offensive continued and ended in May 1944.

Hungary was part of the Axis from early in the war. However, Hungarian Prime Minister Miklos Kallay and Regent Miklos Horthy wished secretly to enter into a separate peace with the Allies. When German Fuhrer Adolf Hitler became aware he wanted to prevent the Hungarians abandoning Germany. He therefore invited Horthy, to meet on the 18^th March 1944 for discussions in Austria. Whilst discussions were being conducted, German forces marched into Hungary. The discussions were a distraction to keep Horthy out of the country and leave his Army without orders. On the 19^th March 1944, Operation Margarethe, the German occupation of Hungary began, and being a complete surprise, was quick and bloodless.

—

(Italy)

During the Second World War, the Vatican City in Rome was neutral. Both allied and axis air-crews were ordered to respect the neutrality, if and when bombing Rome. With Italy now out of the war following an armistice with the Allies, the German Army was the sole occupiers of Rome. However, the Vatican City was bombed twice by the allies. The first occurred on the clear and cloudless evening of the 5^th November 1943. At approximately 20:10 a single aeroplane was heard consistently circling Rome and the Vatican. At the same time a squadron of Allied aircraft passed over Vatican City. Once the squadron passed over the single aircraft dropped four bombs on Rome and flew away. There does not appear to be any documentation as to the perpetrators. The bombs dropped landed in the Vatican gardens. The blast caused all the windows to be blown to pieces in the outer buildings but there were no casualties. The Vatican itself did not suffer any damage. The second bombing of the Vatican occurred on the 1^st March 1944 when a British aircraft dropped his bombs on Rome. Unfortunately six bombs landed too close to the Vatican wall and one workman was killed and a number of injuries were sustained. The bombers caused damage to a number of the Vatican buildings, and most of the glass in the Vatican was shattered. However, the glass with the image of Our Lady remained intact. Later two sculptured shield-bearing Angels were installed on either side of the image. Beneath the Angel sculptures was an inscription – AB ANGELIS DEFENSA KAL MART. A.D. MCMXLIV. This translates into – Protected by angels. 1^st March 1944 AD.

The Battle of Anzio had begun on the 12^th January 1944 and was an amphibious landing by the U.S. VI Corps of the U.S. Army. They were opposed by the German 14^th Army. The U.S. plan was to draw the German forces away from Monte Cassino south of Anzio. Initially the surprise attack was successful and U.S. troops proceeded inland. Rather than advance toward Rome they dug-in expecting a German counter-attack. Whilst the U.S. troops consolidated, Field Marshall Albert Kesselring, German commander of the Italian theatre, moved as many forces he could spare into a defensive ring around the beachhead. His artillery had a clear view of every Allied positions. Desperate fighting occurred during February 1944 and by the beginning of March 1944 both sides had realised that a decisive result could not be achieved until the spring. With both sides building up their fighting capabilities they indulged in artillery duels. On the 3rd March 1944 Kesselring ordered the preparation of the Caesar C Line. This was to run from just south of Rome, across Italy to the eastern Adriatic coast of Pescara. This would enable the German defenders to retreat behind the line should the need arise. During March 1944 both sides saw many changes. Many British troops were replaced after suffering heavy casualties The Germans, although well dug-in, lacked any reserves through the shortage of Officers and NCOs.

Whilst the winter continued the Allied commanders decided the Battle of Monte Cassino would continue with a bombing campaign. The third battle began on the 15^th March 1944 with the bombardment of 750 tonnes of 1,000 lb bombs, fitted with delayed action fuses, being dropped from 8:30 am. The bombardment lasted three and half hours. However, the bombing concentration was not accurate, with only about 8% of the bombs landing within a 1,000 yards from the German defenders amongst the ruins. Of the rest only approximately 50% landed a mile or less from the target. What bombs did land on target managed to kill approximately 50% of the 300 German paratroopers stationed in the town. In the meantime 746 Allied artillery pieces provided a creeping barrage for the New Zealand advance. The momentum was lost as the defenders had acted far quicker than had been expected. Allied armour was also held up by the bomb craters. A follow-up assault was too late as the defenders had been reorganised far quicker. The most critical factor in the failure to advance was that the rain had started again, which flooded bomb craters and turned rubble into a muddy morass. But more importantly, communications were lost as the radio sets were incapable of surviving constant immersions in water. Moonlight was blotted out by dark rain clouds, which hindered clearing routes through the ruins. By the 19^th March 1944, Allied commanders decided to mount an attack on the town and monastery ruins. This was to be in the form of a surprise attack by tanks of the 20^th Armoured Regiment Any possibility of an assault on the monastery, by the tanks, was completely disrupted when the German defenders counter-attacked. Owing to lack of infantry support all the tanks were destroyed by mid-morning. The initiative was gradually passing to the Germans. To counter this the Allies committed some of the 78^th Infantry Division to the battle in order to provide a greater troop presence in the town. The plan was that the cleared areas of the town would not be re-infiltrated by the German defenders and secondly prevent any possible reinforcements. However, the defenders held out and the Allied gains in the town were measured by taking house by house. The Allies spent the remainder of March 1944 replacing exhausted troops. Fighting continued through April 1944 which prevented the Germans from reinforcing the army facing the Allied invasion of Operation Overlord in Normandy. The Fourth and final battle for Monte Cassino would begin on the 11^th/12^th May 1944.

With Italy out of the war the allies were able to establish an airbase at Foggia. The allies, located north-east of Naples and south-east of Rome were in an ideal position to attack the enemy. On the 17^th March 1944 Vienna in Austria was attacked in the first of a number of heavy bombing raids by the USAAF. Included in these attacks were the Floridsdorf Oil Refinery which suffered untold damage and the city also. The attacks on Vienna continued right up to the end of the war in April 1945.

In Rome, on the 24^th March 1944, German occupation troops conducted the ”Fosse Ardeatine massacre”. The massacre was a reprisal by the S.S. Police Regiment Bozen at Via Rasella who were ambushed by Partisans the previous day, the 23^rd March 1944. Twelve partisans of the communist resistance group carried out an ambush by placing an improvised explosive device in a rubbish cart. When it exploded the blast caused the immediate deaths of 28 S.S. policemen. The partisans drifted away into the by-standing crowd. The commander of the German Security Police of Rome was Herbert Kappler an S.S. officer, who was on the scene shortly after the explosion. He was summoned to the German Headquarters of Kurt Mälzer who had decided that reprisals were to be carried out. Mälzer and Kappler both agreed that a suitable ratio of ten Italians should be executed for every German policeman killed. Upon hearing the news Hitler endorsed the executions, which he stipulated should be carried within 24 hours. By the time the executions were to take place on the 24^th March 1944, the German Police toll had risen to 33 dead. A total of 335 Italian prisoners were transported by trucks to the Ardeatine caves. They were forced to kneel down and were shot through the Cerebellum to ensure that only one bullet was required for each prisoner. The Cerebellum is the largest part of the brain located at the top and front of the skull. Following the executions, the bodies were buried under tons of debris. German military engineers had used explosives to seal the entrance to the caves. This deliberant act was to cover up the atrocity and to prevent the executions from becoming known which, for the Nazis, was the aim.

—

(Pacific)

The Japanese-held Admiralty Islands are located east of New Guinea. U.S. troops invaded the Admiralty Islands by attacking Los Negros on the 5^th-7^th March 1944. On the 15^th March 1944 the Americans quickly took Manus Island as the Japanese were completely taken by surprise. The U.S. army finally achieved victory over the Admiralty Islands on 18^th May 1944.

The island of Bougainville had been administered by Australia as part of New Guinea since before the Second World War. As part of their advance into the South Pacific the Japanese had invaded and landed on Bougainville during March-April 1942. By early March 1944 U.S. troops were on Bougainville. On the 8^th March 1944 they were attacked by the Japanese at Hill 700 and by the 13^th March 1944 had failed to establish control of the area. For the time being the planned building of an airbase so that Rabaul could be attacked had to be put on hold.

In 1942 the British Burma Corps was commanded by Field Marshall William (Bill) Slim who was forced to retreat to India. The corps had been attacked and heavily out-fought by the advancing Japanese. General Archibald Wavell, Commander-Chief of the Middle East Command, was based in India and part of his responsibility was the defence of Burma. In March 1942, Wavell requested the services of Brigadier Orde Wingate in Burma. Wingate was to assist Slim in the eventual Burma Campaign. Wingate arrived in Burma in March 1942. Using tactics he had developed in the East Africa Campaign, he began to train troops in the jungles of India during the wet season. He formed the “Chindits” for deep penetration raids against the Japanese. The word “Chindits” was a corrupted form of the Burmese language for “Lion”. By February 1943, in the first “Chindit” operation, a force of 3,000 men marched over 1,000 miles in order to harass the Japanese lines of communications. By the end of April 1943, after taking heavy losses, the order was given to return to India. Slim by now was the new commander of the British Fourteenth Army, and had trained his forces to take the fight to the enemy. Military equipment for the Fourteenth Army was being delivered to the Imphal and Kohima supply bases in India. The second and larger force of “Chindits” operation began training and by the 6^th March 1944 had been deployed by making several successful forays into Burma. Slim issued an order to Wingate to inflict the greatest possible damage and confusion on the enemy in North Burma. In order to liaise with air force commanders regarding air supplied equipment, Wingate flew to Imphal on the 24^th March 1944.

On the return journey the USAAF B- 25 bomber possibly flew into a thunderstorm and crashed in the jungle, killing all on board including Wingate. The Burma Campaign continued into April 1944. On several fronts the war was going against the Japanese at the beginning of 1944. However, Burma remained under Japanese control following the British retreat to India. Their ability to re-supply their occupying troops was becoming more difficult. Japanese merchant ships, carrying supplies to the troops, were under constant attack by Allied submarines and aircraft which were based in India. To counter these, the Japanese plan was to isolate the Allied units in their forward positions, destroy them, advance and capture the British supply bases at Imphal and Kohima. The supply base at Imphal was commanded by British Lieutenant General Geoffry Scoones of the IV Corp as part of the Fourteenth Army. When British intelligence informed Slim and Scoones of the Japanese offensive, they planned to withdraw forward troops onto the Imphal plain. This would force the Japanese to fight at the end of a long march through the jungle. However, Slim and Scoones misjudged the date and strength of the Japanese attack. On the 7^th March 1944 the Japanese began an invasion attempt on India. By the 13^th March 1944 Scoones ordered his forward divisions to withdraw to Imphal. On the 20^th March 1944 Japanese troops crossed the border into India. The Battle of Imphal continued into April 1944. The Battle of Kohima also began in April 1944.

—

Other Theatres)

General Charles de Gaulle was recognised by the UK government as leader of the Free French and had been exiled in London since June 1940. Various resistance groups had begun in France following the German occupation in 1940. A unification committee was proposed by de Gaulle, broadcast from London, to act as a resistance group against the Nazis. On the 1^st January 1942, de Gaulle delegated Jean Moulin to form the committee. The committee was to be called the Council of the French Resistance. Moulin formed the committee and met for the first meeting in Paris on the 27^th May 1943. After months of negotiations, agreement was reached and the document signed. On the 15^th March 1944 the document was adopted as the National Council of the Résistance (CNR). Shortly after the formation of the CNR Moulin was arrested by the German S.S. An officer of the S.S., Klaus Barbie, known as “The Butcher of Lyon”, personally tortured Moulin for three days. During that time Moulin did not divulge any information to the Nazis. He was being transported to Germany when he died. His silence allowed the CNR to pursue its resistance activities.

——————————————————

P.C. Benham’s

Mar7

Collins Diamond Diary

1944

Tuesday 1 February 1944

Came in to HQRA but not much to do. Eileen phoned – swg.

Wednesday 2 February 1944

Visit to A Tk (Col Thatcher) in am. F.G. in pm where had good game v Padre (Squash)

Thursday 3 February 1944

Nothing of note.

Friday 4 February 1944

Letter from James re hockey v Cambs Univ

Saturday 5 February 1944

Goalkeeper in hockey (mixed then lazy after tea – Early to bed.

Sunday 6 February 1944

Duty offr

Monday 7 February 1944

Saw ‘Pilot no 5’ with C & F. Letter from A.

Tuesday 8 February 1944

Bath – not a very busy am – letters from L & G. Summary – addit.

Wednesday 9 February 1944

Busy day – CH UMP Killed – hectic am. Summary of Ev in pm. Visit JAG. A phoned GBH. Letter from A 35.99. Wrote A.

No entries between 10February and 24^th.

Friday 25 February 1944

Met A 12.30 KX. Bags to room 612 then good lunch at Majnca – back to KX then good tea (1/6) at Chorlton – News meal & Dinner dance at Simpsons – Soup boiled duck coffee – walk back to RP bath bed early.

Saturday 26 February 1944

Saw A off at 7.30 KX very soon having b’fast alone do hope A got a bit of food alright. Arr C at 11.15 day taking over – wrote to A

Diary of Major D.G. Fisher February 1944

Mar7

Tuesday 1^st February 1944.

Beautiful sunshine this morning. Met Josephs in morning. He went on to Beirut. Shall see him in Jerusalem on Sunday. Saw Douglas, Violet and Sylvia at Carmella. They were married in Beirut this morning. Saw Lottie for half an hour. She gave me a beautiful writing case because of my majority.

Wednesday 2^nd February 1944.

Busy day paying out all the WOGs and B.O.Rs. Page left for Rafah. Sgt Hogg posted to 13^th F.B. Heard that Hobbs may be going home. Lucky blighter. Russians inside Estonia. Yanks invade Marshalls. Dined with Lottie at the Astoria. Quite a good dinner. Prawn cocktails. Almost a luxury. Received letter from Joyce Godfree.

Thursday 3^rd February 1944.

Page returned from Rafah & Tel L*** not able to move machines at T.L. as voltage only 110. 52 Aldershot’s arrived, all incomplete. Also baking tins. The wrong type again. Had an early night & read book about Lidice massacre.

Friday 4^th February 1944.

Fairly quiet day in office. Wrote to Dudley. Still can’t lose my cold. Weather grand. Sunny & cold. Dined at Lottie’s. Grand pork chops!! Stayed in the flat for the evening.

Saturday 5^th February 1944.

Went to Rafah. Had to change car at Hedra as petrol pump failed. Got a good one in exchange! Rafah O.K. but still awaiting generator. Visited El Jiya. New Sgt seems quite happy. Think he may be alright. Stayed night at the Yarden Tel Aviv. Went to Pils with Charona & Galila. Saw Pisey Hicks.

Sunday 6^th February 1944.

Went to Amman in T.J. to see RAF Bky. Had lunch in RAF mess. C.O. very charming. Went on to Jerusalem. Arrived 18.00 and stayed at the Carmelite. Spent a quiet evening in bar with Sgt Sesiter, SIB.

Monday 7^th February 1944.

D.D.S.T. conference in morning. Lunched at Officers’ Club and left for Haifa. Arrived Haifa 18.00. Only one puncture en route. Josephs arrived. He came with Lottie & I to Carmelia Ct. Saw Jim & Greta.

Tuesday 8^th February 1944.

Went to Hadra with Col. Hull & Josephs. Met Thorne & sited new bakery. Back in Haifa for lunch Off Club with Josephs. Went to the Waiter’s Ball at the Carmelia. Lottie, Pisey, & Josephs. Very crowded & many drinks.

Wednesday 9^th February 1944.

More rain today. Obtained authority to draw my car. My new civvy driver arrived. Just come from Partional on the Nyassa. Seems a very good type. German from Berlin. Stayed in camp and had an early night.

Thursday 10^th February 1944.

Fine day with plenty of sun. Josephs phoned from Cairo to say that Halli would be in Cairo on leave on the 15^th. Must try & see him. Wonderful letter from mother. Pictures with Lottie. Saw Alice Faye in “Hello Frisco”. Good film. Alice Faye can come to my next party!

Friday 11^th February 1944.

Went to Jerusalem saw DDST re local cereal samples. Must gradually decrease amount of Canadian flour. Oil ovens at Rafah broken down. Burners split. Lunched at Carmelite. Back at Haifa 18.30. Finished in office 20.30. To bed.

Saturday 12^th February 1944.

Glorious day. Unfortunately missed Lottie for coffee again at 11.00. Was busy with Col. Johnny Haines called to see me. Was unable to get to Beirut for the dance at 84 S.A. Dined at Carmelia with Lottie, her boss, and his girl friend. They had a row and left early.

Sunday 13^th February 1944.

Visited Sarafand. Met Col. Hacking and lunched with him at Tel Aviv. Back to Sarafand after lunch. Left for Haifa at 16.00. One puncture. Arrived back at 19.00. Phoned Lottie & went to bed early.

Monday 14^th February 1944.

O.C. R.A.S.C. 15 Area inspected camp & baking at Haifa. All O.K! Got some action at last on poor sanitation. D.A.D.H. visited bakery in afternoon with R.E’s. Had dinner at Lottie’s. Did not go out at all.

Tuesday 15^th February 1944.

Windy day, no sun. Collected new motor cycle and a Hillman Minx Utility. Hope to get a four seater later in place of the Hillman. Too small for long trips. Phoned Lottie. Early to bed. Reading “Last train from Berlin” by Howard Smith.

Wednesday 16^th February 1944.

Windy, dull. Page left for Rafah & El Jiya. Josephs phoned to say that Halli is being posted here. Grand news. He arrives Sat. Four ovens for Sarafand on their way. Remaining four awaiting fire bricks. Saw Sgt Harding & told him he was not capable. He admitted same! Went to pictures with Lottie. Saw “Mission to Moscow”, Walter Huston as Ambassador Davies, U.S.A.

Thursday 17^th February 1944.

Dull day, very windy. Drew money from bank and paid out men. Douglas & Sylvia returned from their honeymoon in Cairo. Spoke to Dudley on the phone. Letter from angel. She seems a little upset about some of our gallant allies!! Had dinner at Lottie’s & went to bed early. Feeling very weary.

Friday18^th February 1944.

Wet & strong wind. Went to Sarafand in the new Hillman. She goes well. Saw Col. Franklin & fixed up the odd sort of trouble. Lunched at Tel Aviv. Drove back myself to Haifa in just two hours. Cleared up office work and early to bed.

Saturday 19^th February 1944.

Halli arrived today. Just like old times to see him again. He’s just the same only much fatter. We lunched at the Officers’ Club. He’s over for a fortnight’s leave & may be stationed here. What a do!! Met Halli in evening at C. Ct. and then he came to unit dance. Grand evening.

Sunday 20^th February 1944.

Beautiful weather. Like English spring. Met Halli for lunch at C.C. Session at piano. Shades of long ago. My new S.S.M. arrived. Seems a reasonable chap. Dined at C.C. with Halli and Lottie. Halli played one of the best nights for years. Lottie was so happy, bless her.

Monday 21^st February 1944.

R.E.’s started work on the ovens in Haifa. Feeling very weary today. Had a good sleep in the afternoon. Halli took Lottie and I to dinner at the Zion. Quiet evening. Very pleasant. Lottie & Halli get on well together.

Tuesday 22^nd February 1944.

Raining again. In office all day. Still pretty tired. Lottie phoned in the evening. She is out with some Col. tonight! Did it sound very excited. Phoned Halli & arranged to meet him 07.50 tomorrow.

Wednesday 23^rd February 1944.

Went to Sarafand & Tel Aviv. Halli came with me. Stayed night at Jordan Hotel, Tel Aviv. We had dinner at Gat Rimon then went to Pils and Maxim’s. Had quite a good evening. Visited Degoria in afternoon.

Thursday 24^th February 1944.

Went to Rafah & El Jiya. Car going extremely well. Arrived in Jerusalem at 18.00 hrs. Took Thorne & Halli out to dinner at Finks. A quiet evening but very enjoyable. Stayed at St. Julian.

Friday 25^th February 1944.

Saw Thorne in morning. Left for Haifa at 11.10, arrived 13.30. Had lunch with Halli at Carmelia. Played a few of Halli’s new songs. Halli & I took Lottie & Pisey to dinner at Carmelia. Very good evening.

Saturday 26^th February 1944.

Perfect day. Feeling very weary. Sgt. Nunn posted on promotion. What a blow! Lunched at Carmelia with Lottie, Pisey & Halli. Had dinner with Lottie at flat, Alfie & husband & Halli were there. Had a wee tiff with L. but all O.K now.

Sunday 27^th February 1944.

Busy in the office all day. Bakery at Haifa beginning to look a picture. Drew up plan with Page of proposed bky at Sarafand. Bed at 22.30 hrs.

Monday 28^th February 1944.

A.D.S.T. inspected Haifa Bky. Very pleased. The place looked fine. Tiling, painting, etc all completed. Went to C.O. for dinner with Lottie & Halli. Then to pictures to see Deanna Durbin & Charles Laughton in “**** with Eve”. Excellent.

Tuesday 29^th February 1944.

Catastrophe! Fire in Haifa Bky last night at 01.00 hrs. Ovens damaged. Place blackened by smoke. S/Sgt Atherfold nearly in tears! No baking possible & called on Lottie. She has moved into new flat. Saw Halli at C.C. He has written new number called “Mexico”.

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

Mar7

Date Time Location Damage

03/02/1944 21.00 Thundersley 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell in wheatfield nr Oak Cottage.

N.D.C.

03/02/1944 21.00 Laindon 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in Hardy Road, slight

damage to 2 bungalows. N.C.

03/02/1944 Unknown Canvey 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in rear garden of Wilburn

Island Dovercliff Road, N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.00 Ramsden 1 – Ph.I.B. exploded in grounds of Ramsden Hall.

Heath N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.00 Great 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field 100 yards N of

Burstead Acres Farm. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.00 Hawkwell 1 – Ph.I.B. exploded in field 400 yards SW of Bells

Nurseries. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.00 Hockley 7 Unexploded and 2 exploded Ph.I.Bs in field

N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.00 North 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell in Windsor Road. N.D.C.

Benfleet

04/02/1944 05.00 Hawkwell 1 – H.E. fell in open field. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.00 Hawkwell 1 – Ph.I.B. exploded in field 400 yards SW of Bells

Nurseries. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.13 Downham 1 – H.E. exploded in a field at Whites Lillies Farm.

N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.13 Laindon 1 – Unexploded A.A. Shell at Norfolk Road, slight

damage. N.C.

04/02/1944 05.13 Ramsden 2 – Ph.I.Bs Ux. fell in field at Dowstetts Lane and

Heath Hawkwood Farm. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.15 Ramsden 1 – Ph.I.B. exploded in orchard 100 yards W of Mill

Heath Lane Ramsden Heath. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.20 Rochford Number of I.Bs.1 Straw stack destroyed. N.C.

04/02/1944 05.20 Herongate 4 – H.Es exploded in field off Mount Thrift Farm,

Billericay Road. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.20 Childerditch 1 – exploded and 2 unexploded H.Es in field 30

yards N of Hill Farm. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.20 Paglesham 3 – H.Es exploded and 1 unexploded fell in

Clements Marshes. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.20 Paglesham 2 – Ux.Ph.I.B and 3 ex at Clements Marshes.

N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.20 Childerditch 1 – A.A. Shell exploded at Childerditch killing one

mare.

04/02/1944 05.20 Paglesham 1 – H.E. Ux. In field N Waterside Lane. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.20 Downham 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field at Lt Prestons

Farm. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.25 Brentwood 1 container of I.Bs AB 1000 fell in a field at rear of

St Faiths Hospital. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.25 Brentwood 8 – Ph.I.Bs exploded in fields between Calcott Hall

and Gt Charles School. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.30 Canvey Number of I.Bs slight damage to property.

Island

04/02/1944 05.30 Shenfield 1 – H.E. exploded at Herds Farm. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.30 Herongate 1 basket of a number of I.Bs ignited in field 3/4

mile N of Fouches Farmhouse. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.30 South Weald 1 container of I.Bs in meadow at Vicarage Lane.

N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.30 Shenfield 5 – H.Es exploded and 5 unexploded in fields at

Sawyers Hall Farm. Damage to cables at Wireless Station. N.C.

04/02/1944 05.30 Foulness A number of I.Bs ignited in field NW of Foulness

Church. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.30 Wallasea A number of I.Bs ignited at Old Pool Farm. 3 ricks

Island burnt out. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.30 Canvey 3 – H.Es exploded at Pantiles Farm. N.D.C.

Island

04/02/1944 05.30 Wallasea 1 – H.E. exploded and a number of Ux.I.Bs fell at

Island Grass Farm. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.30 Canvey 1 – I.B. container fell 300 yards off shore. N.D.C.

Island

04/02/1944 05.30 Rayleigh 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 80 yards S of Lt

Wheatleys Farm. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.40 Mountnessing 1 – A.A. Shell exploded by side of Railway

Line. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.40 Bowers 7 – H.Es exploded in Marshes 1/4 mile S of

Gifford Rookery Farm. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.40 Foulness Crashed Aircraft. German aircraft, make not

known, struck sands 1/2 mile SE of Eastwick Head MR 457098 and disintegrated. Parts of bodies recovered with German AF uniform. Number of crew not known.

04/02/1944 05.40 Doddinghurst 1 – H.E. Ux. In field at Shops Farm and 1

H.E. at Pettits Farm. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.40 South 1 – Ux.H.E. 800 yards W of South Benfleet Station

Benfleet and 120 yards .W. of track. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.45 Pilgrims Number of I.Bs Slight fire, 2 houses damage. N.C.

Hatch

04/02/1944 05.45 Shopland 2 – H.Es exploded in Beauchamps Farm. 4 calves

killed. Damage to electric mains. N.C.

04/02/1944 05.45 Shenfield Approximately 100 I.Bs fell at Hall Farm. All failed

to ignite. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.45 Vange 4 – H.Es exploded Southview Avenue, Gordon

Avenue, Fairview Road, extensive damage to property. 5 fatal casualties, 28 N.F. casualties.

04/02/1944 05.45 Rochford 1 – H.E. exploded 1/4 mile E of Newlands Farm.

N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.45 Vange 2 – I.B. containers fell in field S side of Clay Hill, 1

container failed to ignite. The other burned itself out. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.54 Brentwood Number of I.Bs in Highwood Hospital, minor fire.

N.D.C.

04/02/1944 05.55 Raweth 2 – H.Es exploded in open ground. Damage to

property. N.C.

04/02/1944 05.56 Canewdon Number of I.Bs in fields. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 06.00 Stambridge Large number of I.Bs at Barton Hall Farm. Farm

buildings destroyed by fire. 6 horses killed. N.C.

04/02/1944 Unknown Brentwood 1 – A.A. Shell exploded at Hartswood Road.

N.D.C.

04/02/1944 Unknown Hutton 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in Roundwood Avenue.

N.D.C.

04/02/1944 Unknown Laindon 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in Northumberland

Avenue. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 Unknown Herongate 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell 100 yards of Mount Thrift.

N.D.C.

04/02/1944 Unknown Brentwood 1 – A.A. Shell Ux. Fell in Weald Park.

N.D.C.

04/02/1944 Unknown Rochford 1 – Ux.Ph.I.B. in field at New England Farm.

N.D.C.

04/02/1944 Unknown Raweth 1 – A.A. Shell ux. in field at Carters Farm. N.D.C.

04/02/1944 Unknown Rochford A Barrage Balloon grounded at Mays Nurseries Nr

Cock P.H. Collected by RAF.

04/02/1944 Paglesham Number of I.Bs in fields. N.D.C.

05/02/1944 16.30 Foulness 2 Steel auxiliary petrol tanks dropped from an

Island aircraft at Landwick. 1 bearing Serial No. 7496 Assembly No 5398. Interpretation No 608 Wgt. 90 lbs US Gallons. Both smashed.

06/02/1944 17.00 Paglesham Norman Victor Brown age 12 years of Boards Row

was playing with German I.B. when a slight explosion occurred slightly cutting his left hand.

09/02/1944 Unknown Mountnessing 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell in field at Fitzwalters

Farm. N.D.C.

09/02/1944 Unknown Childerditch 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell in field 300 yards S of the

junction of Brickfield Road and Arterial Road. N.D.C.

12/02/1944 16.15 Great John Graves age 27 of School House and David

Stambridge Cornwall age 21 of Walden Farm were burning some German I.Bs on a wood fire in an isolated spot at Walden Farm. Graves put a complete I.B. on the fire. They both stepped back from the fire and when about 2 yards from it an explosion occurred. The clothing of both men caught fire. Graves sustained severe burns to the face and Cornwall received only slight burns to the left hand and did not receive medical aid.

13/02/1944 20.30 Great 1 – A.A. Shell exploded 20 yards rear of Bereden

Warley Cottage, Cranham Road, slight damage to cottage. N.C.

13/02/1944 20.30 Brentwood 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in piggeries at Brentwood

Mental Hospital, 1 sty damaged. N.C.

13/02/1944 21.00 Foulness 10 – Ph.I.Bs 1 mile SE of Post P.18 in open fields.

N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.00 Hullbridge 1 – I.B. fell through roof of Limedale, Perry Road.

Minor fire. N.C.

13/02/1944 21.00 Hullbridge 1 – I.B. container fell 100 yards SE of Post N.2

Coventry Hill also 1 – I.B. container at Hill Top Avenue approx. 20 bungalows damaged in Oakleigh and Sth Ave. 3 persons treated for shock slight leg injuries received by Dennis Hemmings age 21 years of La Mascot, Sth Ave.

13/02/1944 21.00 Basildon 1 – A.A. Shell exp. at Rectory Road. N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.00 Wallasea 8 – Ph.I.Bs exp. at Grass Farm. N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.00 Wallasea 1 – AB 1000-2 I.B. container at Cracknells Farm.

N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.05 Rochford 1 – Ux.Ph.I.B. in field approx 100 yards E of Smiths

Farm, Eastwood Rise, Eastwood and approx. 20 Ux.I.Bs and approx 60 exploded I.Bs. N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.05 Eastwood 1 – Ph.I.B. in field at Eastwood. N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.09 Hockley 2 – camouflets and 7 – Ph.I.Bs at Beckneys Farm.

N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.10 Paglesham 3 – H.Es exploded at East Hall also 4 flares at

same location. N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.15 Hockley 1 – H.E. fell on house Crouch View Wood Avenue.

Serious damage to bungalow. N.C.

13/02/1944 21.15 Hockley 1 – A.B. 1000 container burnt out in crater and Ux.

I.B. scattered over woods at Beckney, Plumbers Ave. N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.15 Billericay 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in garden at rear of

Greenway Western Road. N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.15 Doddinghurst 1 – Ph.I.B. exploded in field 30 yards from

Solid Lane. N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.16 Foulness Plane seen to crash in sea 2 miles SE Rugwood

Head.

13/02/1944 21.21 South I.Bs in field 1 mile S of Post No. 10. N.D.C.

Fambridge

13/02/1944 21.30 Basildon 1 – A.A. Shell Ux. in Nelson Road Basildon. N.C.

13/02/1944 21.30 Thundersley 2 – A.A. Shells Ux. in Church Road Thundersley.

N.C.

13/02/1944 21.34 Thundersley 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field 100 yards E of

Church Road. N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.35 Hutton 1 – A.A. Shell exploded 40 yards NE of Mavis

Cottage, Hall Green Lane. N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.40 Pilgrims 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell at Coxtie Green Farm. 40

Hatch yards from Fair Lane at side of footpath. N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.40 Thundersley 1 – A.A. Shell exp. in field at Rushbottom Lane.

N.D.C.

13/02/1944 21.46 Hullbridge I.Bs in Oakley Avenue, several small fires. 2

bungalows slightly damaged. N.C.

13/02/1944 Unknown Rayleigh 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in meadow 70 yards of The

Warren. N.D.C.

13/02/1944 Unknown Mountnessing 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell in garden opposite

Mountnessing Hall Cottages. N.D.C.

13/02/1944 Unknown Little 1 – A.A. Shell ux. in field at Sudburys Farm.

Burstead N.D.C.

13/02/1944 Unknown Rayleigh 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in meadow 70 yards of The

Warren. N.D.C.

14/02/1944 11.30 Havengore Body of German Airman found on sands 1 mile SE

of Havengore Creek M.438062. Body conveyed to Rochford Mortuary and searched by RAF I.O. Rochford. Identified as Kurt Urhan age 19 Oberleutnant. Believed to have come from aircraft shot down on night of 13 February 1944.

19/02/1944 00.57 Rochford 4 – H.Es exploded in field 200 yards West of Lt

Stambridge Hall Lane. One high tension electric pylon severely damaged. No casualties.

19/02/1944 01.10 Billericay 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell at 50 yards N of Stack Yard

at Browns Farm Cox’s Farm Road. N.D.C.

19/02/1944 01.15 Mountnessing 1 Container of I.Bs fell at Fitzwalters Farm

and burnt itself out. N.D.C.

19/02/1944 01.15 Hawkwell 1 – Ux.Ph.I.B. fell in field on Clement’s Hall Farm.

N.D.C.

19/02/1944 01.30 Billericay 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in Outwood Common

Lane, Billericay opposite to bungalow “Pembroke” which received very slight damage. N.C.

19/02/1944 01.40 Pilgrims 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell in field 250 yards E of Crow

Hatch Green Road. N.D.C.

19/02/1944 Unknown Shenfield 1 – A.A. Shell exploded on Palmer **.

N.D.C.

19/02/1944 Unknown Cranham 1 – Ux. A.A. in field adj. Moor Lane.

19/02/1944 Unknown Warley 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in Mental Hospital

Grounds. N.D.C.

19/02/1944 Thundersley 1 – A.A. Shell exploded on Burches **. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 21.20 Raweth 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell on Lower Barn Farm. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 21.30 South 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell on waste land 50 yards S of

Benfleet Croft Road. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 21.50 Crays Hill 1 -Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field on Gurnard’s Farm.

N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.00 Brentwood 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell struck house. Slight damage.

N.C.

20/02/1944 22.00 Barling 3 – Ux.H.Es fell in fields. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.00 Canvey 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in road. N.D.C.

Island

20/02/1944 22.00 Wickford 6 – Ux.Ph.I.Bs and 4 Ph.I.Bs exploded, fell in Swan

Lane. Slight damage to 2 houses. N.C.

20/02/1944 22.00 Stambridge 1 – Ux.H.E. in river bed, 2 H.Es exploded in marsh

and 2 H.Es exploded in River Roach. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.00 Thundersley 5 – Ux.Ph.I.Bs and 4 – H.Es exploded in fields.

N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.00 Langdon 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field S of High Road.

Hills N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.00 Billericay 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field on Hatches Farm.

N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.05 Wickford Large number of I.Bs Slight damage to 3 houses. N.C.

20/02/1944 22.05 Little 4 – H.Es exploded, 6 H.Es unexploded and 2

Burstead containers of I.Bs fell near Hatches Farm. Slight damage. N.C.

20/02/1944 22.05 Canvey 1 – A.A. Shell exploded. 1 Naval rating killed.

Island

20/02/1944 22.05 Ramsden 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field on Barn Farm. N.D.C.

Heath

20/02/1944 22.05 Billericay 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field E of Blunt’s Wall

Farm. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.10 Ingrave 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field on Willow Farm.

N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.10 Billericay 2 – Ux.H.Es fell in field W of Blunt’s Wall Farm.

N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.14 Great Warley 2 Containers I.Bs 2 Stacks destroyed. N.C.

20/02/1944 22.15 Rayleigh Large number of I.Bs fell in fields. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.15 Ingrave 1 – H.E. exploded in field on Willow Farm. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.15 Nevendon 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field on Does Hill Farm.

N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.15 Rayleigh 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell at Brockley Drive. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.15 Hutton 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in Bush Wood. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.15 Crays Hill 2 – H.Es exploded in fields. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.15 Crays Hill 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in Hope Road. Damage to

1 house. N.C.

20/02/1944 22.20 Great Warley 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in Selo Works. Slight

damage. N.C.

20/02/1944 22.20 Hutton 1 – A.A. Shell exploded. Slight damage to 1

house. N.C.

20/02/1944 22.20 Wickford 2-A.A. Shells exploded in field off Runwell Road.

N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.30 Laindon 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field NE of Merrylands

Road. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 22.35 Laindon 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field. N.D.

20/02/1944 22.35 Wickford 9 – Ph.I.Bs exploded on open land. 1 house

damaged. N.C.

20/02/1944 Unknown Shenfield 1 – Ph.I.B. exploded in field adj. Priests

Lane. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 Unknown Hutton 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field at rear of Wood’s

Cottages, Hanging Hill Lane. N.D.C.

20/02/1944 Unknown Little 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in spinney. N.D.C.

Burstead

23/02/1944 00.30 Hutton 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field N of Wash Road.

N.D.C.

23/02/1944 00.30 Laindon 1 – 1000 A.B. container exploded in Heywick Drive.

N.D.C.

23/02/1944 00.30 Wickford 4 – H.Es exploded on open ground at Shotgate.

Damage to property. N.C.

23/02/1944 00.30 Fobbing 1 – A.A. Shell exploded rear of house in High Road. N.D.C.

23/02/1944 00.30 Langdon Hills 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field. N.D.C.

23/02/1944 00.30 Crays Hill A number of I.Bs fell in field. N.D.C.

23/02/1944 00.35 Vange 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field. N.D.C.

23/02/1944 00.40 Little Warley 2 – Containers of I.Bs exploded on Little Warley

Hall Farm. Stack destroyed and slight damage to property. N.C.

23/02/1944 00.40 Pilgrims 1 – A.A. Shell exploded rear of Claydon’s Coxtie

Hatch Green Road. N.D.C.

23/02/1944 00.40 Little Warley 1 – Container of I.Bs. exploded nr Glenwood Café.

N.D.C.

23/02/1944 00.40 Great Warley 1 – exploded ‘U.P.’ Shell casing fell in garden of

No. 3 Rita Road. N.D.C.

23/02/1944 00.45 Hutton 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field. N.D.C.

23/02/1944 01.00 Brentwood 1 – A.A. Shell exploded nr Poplars Farmhouse

Brook St.

23/02/1944 01.00 South Weald 1 – Ph.I.B. exploded in meadow E of Old Vicarage.

N.D.C.

23/02/1944 01.10 Hadleigh 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field W of Templewood

Road. N.D.C.

23/02/1944 01.15 Thundersley 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field N of Church Road.

N.D.C.

23/02/1944 01.20 Laindon 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in Pound Lane. N.D.C.

23/02/1944 22.50 Canterbury Tye 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field. N.D.C.

23/02/1944 23.05 Canvey 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in garden in Surig Road.

Island Slight damage to 1 bungalow. N.C.

24/02/1944 22.00 Billericay 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field 300 yards W of

Police Station. N.D.C.

24/02/1944 22.30 Canewdon Slight damage to tiles of Police house by shrapnel.

24/02/1944 22.30 Dunton 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field. N.D.C.

SECOND WORLD WAR

Feb1

February 1944

(Britain)

Operation Argument or “Big Week” was a series of bombing raids on the German aircraft industry from the 20^th to the 25^th February 1944. Allied intelligence were aware the German aircraft industry was capable of producing over 2,000 aircraft per month. The Allied plan for “Big Week” was to achieve air superiority over the Luftwaffe. This was crucial for the forthcoming invasion of Northern France in June 1944. The Allied air commanders agreed “Big Week” would be to attack Germany with USAAF bomber daylight raids and RAF bomber raids by night. Escorting the USAAF bombers would be the recently introduced U.S. long-range P-41 Mustang fighters, whose aim was to draw German fighters into combat. American Major General Jimmy Doolittle, commander of the Eighth Air Force, ordered bombing missions of key aircraft factories. When the Luftwaffe fighters attacked the bombers, the P-51 Mustangs were ordered to attack the enemy fighters. On the 20^th February 1944 “Big Week” began with the USAAF and RAF bombers attacking airfields and aviation industrial areas in Germany. On the 21^st February 1944 the USAAF and RAF bombers raid airfields and flying-bomb sites in Germany and Belgium. Both air force bombers attacked Germany, the Netherlands and Yugoslavia on the 22^nd February 1944. On the 23^rd February 1944 all the bombers attacked Germany, Austria and dropped leaflets in central France. On the 24^th February 1944 the bombers targeted V-weapon sites, ball-bearing factories, airfields and leaflet dropping in German and the Netherlands. On the final day of the “Big Week” missions, on the 25^th February 1944, the bombers were dispatched against aviation industries in Germany and leaflets dropped in northern France. The total losses for “Big Week” were, for the Allies were 357 heavy bombers and 28 fighters lost. They also lost over 2,000 aircrew killed or missing. For the Germans, they lost 262 fighters and 250 aircrew killed or missing. This figure included nearly 100 fighter pilots. Nearly 1,000 civilians were killed in raids on Nazi occupied Netherlands. The end result was mixed with neither side actually winning, but the Allies eventually achieved air supremacy in support of the northern France invasion later in the year. For further details see the separate essay on the “Big Week”.

(Eastern Front)

As part of the Red Army Winter/Spring Campaign 1944, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin ordered a “broad front” strategy. In the Narva Isthmus, the border between the Soviet Union and Estonia was located between the Bay of Finland and Lake Peipus. The Narva River was on the border and the town of Narva and Lake Peipus was on the S.U. side of the river to the east. The Battle of Narva began on the 2^nd February 1944. The participants were the S.U. Army and the German S.S. Army. Stalin demanded the German-held town of Narva be captured by the 17^th February 1944, but that order was not attainable as the battle, and the additional “broad front” battles continued into March 1944.

(Italy)

The Battle of Anzio began on the 28^th January 1944 when the U.S. launched a surprise attack to bypass the German held Monte Cassino. By the 10^th February 1944 the advance had stalled, despite Allied troops and stores still arriving. Instead of advancing onto Rome from Anzio, the element of surprise was lost, when U.S. Major General John Lucas preferred to entrench against expected counter-attacks. These local German counter-attacks caused the Allies serious losses. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill requested that British General Harold Alexander, should order more aggression from his field commanders. Alexander was the overall commander of the U.S. and British armies during the Italian Campaign. Field Marshall Albert Kesselring, the German commander in the Italian theatre, was aware of the landings and began to provide defensive reinforcements. The Germans launched an offensive on the 16^th February 1944 with reinforcements supported by Tiger Tanks. The recently arrived British 167^th Brigade was overrun with many losses. By the 18^th February 1944 the Allies had prepared defences at the original line of the beachhead. They sustained huge losses. Following Churchill’s request to Alexander regarding a breakout as soon possible, Alexander hosted a high level conference to discuss the circumstances. In attendance were American Lt. General Mark Clark and Harry Wilson commander of Allied Forces Headquarters. Two deputies were appointed to assist Lucas, American General Lucien Truscott and British Major General Vyvyan Evelegh. However, on the 22^nd February 1944 Clark replaced Lucas with Truscott and appointed Lucas deputy commander of the Fifth Army until being sent back to America. The Battle of Anzio would continue into March 1944.

The Battle of Cisterna, part of the Battle of Anzio Campaign, ended on the 2^nd February 1944. Located NE of Anzio the town of Cisterna was defended by the Germans behind the Gustav Line. 0n the 30^th January 1944 at 01:30 a small force of 810 U.S. 1^st and 3^rd Ranger Battalions attempted to infiltrate the town as a surprise attack. Bypassing numerous German positions, by first light they were short of the objective. The infiltration had been discovered, by German intelligence, and an ambush had been prepared. With open ground still to go the Rangers were attacked by German forces of the 715^th Infantry Division and at least 17 tanks of the Hermann Göring Panzer Division. One tank was destroyed by the 1^st Battalion commander Major Dobson. Two additional tanks were captured but were mistakenly destroyed by Rangers who were unaware of the capture. With the Rangers in open ground and despite fierce fighting there was little chance of success. 700 Rangers were captured and taken prisoner. Despite the German victory, an attempt by the U.S. troops to rescue them, and break through the Gustav Line failed. However they did push the Allied lines forward on a front 3 miles (4.8 km) deep and 7 miles (11 km) wide which the Germans failed to recover.

British Royal Navy light cruiser HMS Penelope was sunk on the 18^th February 1944. Penelope was leaving Naples to return to the Anzio area when she was struck by a torpedo fired from German submarine U-410. A second torpedo hit the after boiler room after the first had hit the after engine room. She sank immediately and 417 of the crew, including the captain, went down with the ship. 206 members of the crew survived.

When the Battle of Monte Cassino began in January 1944, Germany declared the hilltop abbey/monastery was a holy place. It was not to be included in the Gustav Line German defences, and the Pope in Rome together with Allies were informed. Heavy fighting between the German defenders and U.S. Marines continued, and on the 7^th February 1944 the marines reached a round-topped hill immediately below the monastery. This hill was approximately 400 yards (370 m) from the monastery, but heavy machine gun fire from the German defenders prevented any further advance. What was left of the Marines were withdrawn from Monastery Hill and Cassino town after a final unsuccessful three-day assault on the 11^th February1944. After over two weeks of battle the marines were worn out and sustained losses.

(Pacific)

In the Marshall Islands, U.S. Armed Forces secured the Kwajalein Atoll, which is a curved coral reef in the sea. Code-named Operation Flintlock the amphibious landings on Kwajalein began on the 31^st January 1944 and ended five days later on the 4^th February 1944. Following the securing of the atoll, American Navy construction workers (Seabees) began building Kwajalein into a major base on the 4^th February 1944. When completed an airfield, a seaport and craft repair depots were built. The major functions on Kwajalein atoll were for radar and tracking stations.

Between the 17^th to the 23^rd February 1944 various U.S. naval operations occurred on the remote Japanese held island chains in the Pacific Ocean. These attacks on Eniwetok, the Truk Islands, the Mariana Islands of Saipan, Guam and Tinian were all successful.

(Other Fronts)

Belgium had been occupied by Germany following the invasion on the 10^th May 1940. Prior to the Belgian government evacuating the country on the 15^th May 1940 Alexandre Galopin was appointed chairman of an informal group of businessmen to act as a kind of Belgian shadow government. The businessmen included ex-politicians, bankers and industrialists who were known as ”Galopin’s Committee”. Their aim was to keep Belgian industry and economy strong, so that at the war’s end, the economy would not be destroyed as it had been after the Great War. Despite the committee’s policy for the production of non-military equipment, the policy was difficult to maintain. Individual business committee members were forced by the Germans to co-operate with the threat of the confiscation of their business. They were also threatened by personal punishment. German occupation officials nicknamed Galopin the “Uncrowned King of Belgium” for his power and influence within the Belgian wartime economy. On the 28^th February 1944 Galopin was assassinated by a pro-Nazi radical paramilitary group.

————————————————————

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

Jan31

Date Time Location Damage

15/01/1944 0.00 Cranham 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in meadow 100 yards E of

Woodlands Moor Lane. N.D.C.

15/01/1944 9.45 Billericay 1 – A.A. Shell exploded on a shed at the rear of

Tree-tops Western Road. N.C. but shed demolished.

19/01/1944 1.15 Canvey A British Aircraft passed over Canvey Island and

Island jettisoned a petrol tank which dropped on the sea wall about 150 yards W of Benfleet Sewerage outfall and exploded causing a crater in wall 6′.

21/01/1944 1.25 Billericay 1 – A.A. Shell exploded by side of footway at Lt.

Norsey Road. N.D.C.

21/01/1944 2.00 Canvey 2 – A.A. Shells exploded on grass verge at Lt.

Island Brickhouse Farm Northwick. N.D.C.

21/01/1944 21.50 Hadleigh 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in garden 30 yards N of the

rear of Sea View London Road. N.C. very slight damage.

21/01/1944 Hadleigh 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in Hadleigh Gt Wood.

N.D.C.

21/01/1944 North 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell in ploughed field 60 yards W of

Benfleet St Johns Florence Road. N.D.C.

22/01/1944 04.45 Billericay 1 – A.A. Shell exploded on Waractel, Norsey Road.

N.C. Damage to property.

22/01/1944 05.10 Vange A large container of I.Bs exploded in field 50 yards

W of West End of Hillcrest View. N.D.C.

22/01/1944 05.10 Wickford 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell on footpath adjoining

Southend Road Wickford adjoining Southend Road. N.D.C.

22/01/1944 05.10 Vange A large number of I.Bs exploded in the vicinity of

Paynters Hill. 1 fatal, 1 serious and 1 slight casualty. Extensive (Rest of entry missing on original).

22/01/1944 05.11 Wickford 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in garden 50 yards N of

Hedgerows, Highcliff Road. N.D.C.

22/01/1944 05.20 Great Warley 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell on verge of Great Warley St. nr

Waterworks. N.C.

22/01/1944 05.20 Great Warley 1 – Firepot I.B. fell on grass verge between track of

Southend Arterial Road A.127 opposite Codham Hall Farm. N.C. Water main damaged.

22/01/1944 05.20 Great Warley 8 – Ux. H.E’s fell on grass verge of Southend

Arterial Road A. 127 opposite Codhams Hall Farm. N.C. Water main damaged.

22/01/1944 05.00 Pilgrims 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field 100 yards N of

Hatch Day’s Farm. N.D.C.

22/01/1944 05.30 Hullbridge 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in back garden of Valley

View Windemere Avenue. N.D.C.

22/01/1944 05.30 Vange 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in pond on Riverside Farm.

N.D.C.

24/01/1944 22.54 Billericay A British Meteorological Apparatus No. B4805 with

Balloon and Parachute attached fell in fields near the Anchorage Buckwyns Estate.

28/01/1944 22.45 Foulness 1 – H.E. exploded on sea wall 100 yards East of

Island Clarks Hard. No casualties.

29/01/1944 20.30 Mountnessing 1 – A.A. Shell exploded at Bacons Farm.

No casualties or damage.

29/01/1944 20.40 Doddinghurst 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell 16 yards from

Maytree Peartree Green. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 20.45 South Weald 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell in field on Sth side of Old

Vicarage. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 20.50 South Weald 1 – H.E. exploded 240 yards Sth of St Vincents

Hamlet in open ground. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 20.50 Langdon 2 – Ph.I.Bs exploded in field 100 yards S

Hills Sanatorium. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 20.55 Hutton 1 – Exploded A.A. Shell. Slight damage to

property. No casualties.

29/01/1944 20.55 Ramsden 1 – H.E. exploded. Hut demolished 23 soldiers

Heath killed.

29/01/1944 20.55 Raweth A number of I.B’s fell destroying 2 straw stacks.

No casualties.

29/01/1944 20.59 Downham 3 – H.Es exploded in Hawkwood Road. Slight

damage to 1 house. No casualties.

29/01/1944 21.00 Coxtie Green 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in grounds of Chafford

School. No damage or casualties.

29/01/1944 21.00 Little 1 – H.E. Ux. 300 yards West of Lt. Burstead

Burstead Church. No damage or casualties and 4 H.Es fell in fields South of St Margarets Farm. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 21.00 Billericay 1 – H.E. exploded in field 200 yards E of Whites

Farm and 1 – H.E. exploded in field 200 yards E of Cullis’s Factory Southend Road. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 21.00 South A large number of I.Bs fell on Marshland. N.D.C.

Fambridge

29/01/1944 21.00 Hadleigh Approx. 100 I.Bs fell on marshes on Salvation

Army Colony Hadleigh. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 21.00 Coxtie Green 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in ditch 250 yards NE of

Chafford School. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 21.00 Coxtie Green 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in grounds of Chafford

School. No damage or casualties.

29/01/1944 21.00 Ramsden 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 300 yards SW London

Bellhouse Road. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 21.00 Ramsden 1 – H.E. exploded in Hawks Wood. N.D.C.

Heath

29/01/1944 21.00 Raweth 1 – A.A. Shell unexploded in open field at Watery

Lane. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 21.00 Raweth 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in meadow 60 yards West of

Boxes Farmhouse. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 21.03 Brentwood A large number I.Bs 10 dwellings slight damage. 1

slight casualty.

29/01/1944 21.05 Pitsea A large number of I.Bs Railway signals damaged.

N.C.

29/01/1944 21.05 Pitsea 3 – H.Es in field Ux. 200 yards -250 yards Sth of

Railway Line and 1 mile E of Railway Station. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 21.09 Rochford A large number of I.Bs. No casualties or damage.

29/01/1944 21.10 Great 1 – H.E. Ux. Fell at Havengore Road Gt Wakering.

Wakering N.D.C.

29/01/1944 21.13 Ingrave 1 – H.E. and 1 Ph.I.B No casualties or damage.

29/01/1944 21.15 Rochford Large number of I.Bs 3 straw stacks destroyed.

29/01/1944 21.15 Pilgrims 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in Awkard Lane. N.D.C.

Hatch

29/01/1944 21.15 Ramsden 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in garden 50 yards NE of The

Bellhouse Blenheims, Glebe Road. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 21.51 Foulness Large number of I.Bs overhead electric cable

Island damaged.

29/01/1944 22.10 Childerditch 1 – A.A. Shell exploded on up track of Arterial

Road. No casualties or damage.

29/01/1944 22.10 Little Warley 1 – exploded incendiary container full of I.Bs in

garden of “Lyndhurst” Hall Lane, slight damage to tiles of 2 bungalows. No casualties.

29/01/1944 22.15 Hullbridge Large number I.Bs one shed on farm damaged.

29/01/1944 Unknown Wickford 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field 300 yards of

Wickford Church. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 Unknown Mountnessing 1 – A.A. Shell in Main Road. Slight damage

to 1 cottage. No casualties.

29/01/1944 Unknown Raweth An unignited parachute flare at Hylands Farm.

29/01/1944 Unknown Ingrave 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell on the verge on South side of

road, 100 yards East of Dairy Farm, Tilbury Road. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 Unknown Great 1 – H.E. 500 Kg Ux.B. in Codham Hall Wood and

Warley 200 yards N of Arterial Road. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 Unknown Dunton 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in field 700 yards due West

of Dunton Church. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 Unknown Bentley 1 – A.A. Shell exploded in field 200 yards W of

White Cottage. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 Unknown Runwell 1 – Ux. A.A. Shell fell in garden of the Oaks

Runwell Road. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 Unknown Little 1 – A.A. Shell Ux. Fell 300 yards SW Sudburys

Burstead Farm. N.D.C.

29/01/1944 Unknown South 1 – H.E. fell in field at Vicarage Lane causing a

Weald camouflet.

Diary of Major D.G. Fisher January 1944

Jan31

Friday 31^st December 1943.

Had party at Carmelia Ct. Wheatman’s, Jim Graham, Gretel, Pen, Lottie, and myself. Finished up at O.C., R.A.S.C. mess. Lottie & I walked all the way home and didn’t remember it! Poor old Pen passed out in the mess! Stayed the night (what was left of it) at Lottie’s flat.

Saturday 1^st January 1944.

Very quiet day. Most civilians still on holiday. Stayed in camp & early to bed.

Sunday 2^nd January 1944.

S.S.M. Nuttall posted to El Jiya at the BSD. What a relief! Visited Yankee Bky at Tel Aviv.

Monday 3^rd January 1944. No entry.

Tuesday 4^th January 1944. No entry.

Wednesday 5^th January 1944. No entry.

Thursday 6^th January 1944. No entry.

Friday 7^th January 1944. No entry.

Saturday 8^th January 1944. No entry.

Sunday 9^th January 1944.

Lt. Page arrived. Stayed in camp & had an early night.

Monday 10^th January 1944.

Lt. White departed for 33 F.B. Atmosphere clearer already! Went with Lottie to Wheatman’s for dinner. Did not get to bed until 03.00.

Tuesday 11^th January 1944.

Visited Affulch with Page. Contract there expired. Wrote to mother. Major D phoned from GHQ re ovens at Hadera! Told him we didn’t need new ones. Bed at 9.30 p.m. Very tired.

Wednesday 12^th January 1944.

Col Hall cancelled his inspection. Capt Sterrard, SIS, inspecting accounts, etc. Catering Advisor trade testing cooks. Capt Hunt came tom see me. Knew him in Beirut. Invited to his mess tomorrow. Had dinner with Lottie at her flat. We went on to Carmelia Ct. & joined Page. Sergt Smith, Cpls Morkillie & Green were there from Beirut.

Thursday 13^th January 1944.

Padre visited the camp. Started to rain like hell again. Capt. Perkins arrived for the evening. Page, Perkins & I went to Carmelia Ct. met Lottie, Greta, Graham etc. Quite a boozy party. Got to bed about 01.00 hrs.

Friday 14^th January 1944.

Frightful storm. Camp flooded. Lunched with Pen on board the “Saad”. Shocking tragedy this afternoon. Pte. Bunn collapsed & died in two minutes. Leaves a wife & two kiddies. No previous record of illness. Dined with Lottie at her flat. Grand meal, bless her. Stayed the night in comfort.

Saturday 15^th January 1944.

No rain today. Extremely cold. Pte Bunn buried in Haifa today. Managed to get wreathe in time. New establishment came through. Not to be implemented yet! We had a unit dance this evening. Quite enjoyed myself. Band very good.

Sunday 16^th January 1944.

Bloody cold. Very quiet day in office. Padre held a service in afternoon. Collected Lottie in evening & went O.C., R.A.S.C. mess for an informal “do”. Not very exciting. Stayed night at Lottie’s.

Monday 17^th January 1944.

Left Haifa at 07.30 with Page to visit detachments. Good car. Arrived Rafah at 12.00 hrs. Called at El Jiya on way to Jerusalem. Conversion set arrived. Arrived J at 18.00 hrs. Stayed night at St. Julian’s. Sing song with some Yanks & ENSA blokes.

Tuesday 18^th January 1944.

Saw Major Thorne in morning. I left for Sarafel at 10.00. Had lunch in O.C., R.A.S.C. mess. Game of snooker. Called at Hadra on return journey. Arrived Haifa 18.00. Stayed in office & went to bed early.

Wednesday 19^th January 1944.

Started to pour again. D.D.M.S. inspected Pott’s bakery. All O.K. Said he would help us re drainage there. Sumps all very bad & overflowing. Went to pictures in evening with Lottie. Saw “Commandos Strike at Dawn”. All about invasion of Norway. Extremely good. Stayed night at Lottie’s.

Thursday 20^th January 1944.

Weather becoming impossible. Heavy rain & wind. Floods approaching camp at Haifa rapidly. Back of Pott’s a foot under water. Ct of Enquiry held on Bunn’s death. Died of cerebral haemorrhage. Wrote to his wife, lousy job. Saw K**** fight but on points. Good.

Friday 21^st January 1944.

Camp completely under water. Potts flooded at rear & sides. Rain still falling. Just managed to save ovens at Potts by erecting a barricade. Had dinner at Lottie’s flat. Afterwards went to Carmelia Ct. Lottie had on a new black dress. Looked sweet. Met Jim & Gretel.

Saturday 22^nd January 1944.

Rain stopped. Floods receding. Glorious sunshine at last. Spoke to Dudley on the phone. Expect to see him in Beirut next week. Went to the “Behal” with Page, Knolles & Atherfold. Quite good fun. In bed by midnight.

Sunday 23^rd January 1944.

Glorious weather. Visited Capt. Hunt at Pet. Toc mess for a drink at lunchtime. Page & I went for a long walk in afternoon. Felt it in my legs. Hunt & three officers came to tea. Went to Lottie’s for dinner. Stayed the night. Very cold.

Monday 24^th January 1944.

Went to Mafrae with Page. All O.K. Lunched in O.C., R.A.S.C. mess. Back in Haifa by 18.30. Cleaned up in office & early to bed. Very weary. Reading “Vicomte de Cragalone” by Dumas.

Tuesday 25^th January 1944.

Received charming letter from Amiouni. He is a fine fellow. Had news that establishment to be implemented at once by “A”. Notified that Sgts Hogg, McBain, Shephard, Smith & Cpl. Jones to be posted. Went to pictures with Lottie. Saw Clark Gable in “

Wednesday 26^th January 1944.

Went to Saisford to see about four new ovens there. Lunched in the Gat Rimon Hotel in Tel Aviv. Met Gretel and had a drink with her. Looked up Chloe after lunch. Found her home & asked her why she had’nt written. Promised to see her next time I went there. Had puncture on way home. Arrived Haifa 18.30. Joseph phoned coming Monday. Splitting headache. Early to bed.

Thursday 27^th January 1944.

Glorious weather. Col. Geddes called to see me. Invited me to dance at Beirut on Feb. 12^th. Page & I lunched with him at Officers Club, Haifa. Got stockings from Lottie in afternoon. Had dinner at her flat. Roast York!! Went to Orlando afterwards to see cabaret.

Friday 28^th January 1944.

Great day in my young life! Received my majority. New establishment through. Tons of work ahead. Cabled the news to angel. Went with Page to cocktail party at 53^rd G.H. Got a bit tight. We took two sisters to the Piccadilly. Quite a cheery night. Sister’s name was Angela Overs.

Saturday 29^th January 1944.

Poor Page very ill this morning. He certainly gets a good hangover!! Had a coffee with Col. Hull at 11.00. Missed seeing Lottie. The Sergts had a dance in the mess saying farewell to McBain & Shephard. I stayed for a time. Then took Lottie to dinner at Carmelia. Everyone congratulated me. We went on to Piccadilly. A grand eve. Extremely merry. Finished at Wheatmas.

Sunday 30^th January 1944.

Shocking cold this morning. Can’t smell, taste or hear. Weather lousy again. Morning in office. Slept all the afternoon. Felt a bit better. Busy in the office until 20.00 hrs. Phoned Lottie. Bed at 20.30. Read for an hour or so.

Monday 31^st January 1944.

My cold a bit better. Arranged for all personnel at Haifa, excepting H.Q. to proceed to Base Depot on Saturday. Major Josephs phoned to say he would stay night at Tel Aviv. Had dinner at Lottie’s. Went to Carmelia for drink later. Met Blumenthal on his way to G.H.Q.

P.C. Benham’s Collins Diamond Diary January 1944

Jan31

Saturday 1 January 1944

Heard this am to go to WO for interview – wires sent to A & L. Caught 3.50 pm train and had dinner in Perth – sleeper 1^st class in 8.50 train – didn’t get a lot of sleep.

Sunday 2 January 1944

Arr London 11 am – taxi to L’pool St – caught 11.50 train to Colchester. Met by G in car – after tea wrote A – after supper played Poker Dice with L G & B and lost 2/– A phoned at 5.30 great news.

Monday 3 January 1944

Charles returns – Up in time in have good chat with A – Town 9 – 10. Caught 10.37 to Town in London at 1.20 and had lunch at G.E. Taxi to Whitehall. Taken in front of 2 Cols by Graham Peddie – interview seemed to go OK. Tea John French – wrote A at Euston 4 Train 7.10 – no sleeper.

Tuesday 4 January 1944

No b’fast – no water – arrived Inverness at 2 ocl. Shave at Sr Hotel – car came – lunch at 2.30. Told by Eric K before tea that I had not got job, pity. Phoned A and wrote 3 super letters from her awaiting my return. Also letter from John Q. Bed at 12 – late in office. Duty offr.

Wednesday 5 January 1944

Usual day – not much work to do. Hockey in pm, scored 6 eye fairly well in. Bath & change – office late with George. Cut up 300 odd ships!

Thursday 6 January 1944

Usual day – no letters. Still cutting out ships! Office late – wrote A. Went down to PO put in £10. Visit Ness Castle – sep

Friday 7 January 1944

Still no letters – George off on leave – usual dull day – medal up. Conf for 2 ½ hrs after tea. Wrote John French – Boyd may be going – Felix too.

Saturday 8 January 1944

Tony returns – Dull morning no mail – hockey in pm. Chat in morning with John Dawkes, G2 – Wrote A after dinner and phoned Ox Rd. Scored 1 goal in hockey game.

Sunday 9 January 1944

Took things very easy all day – b’fast at 10 ocl – did certain amount of work. In pm read in mess til 3 – office til 4 doing stamps. After tea walk and letters to A etc. Letter to A to be continued. Bath.

Monday 10 January 1944

Letter from A at last – p.g. but things will be OK – Gods not being very kind this year. Dull day – office after dinner finished letter to A. Airgraph from Peter Rawson. Walk with Roger Bruman over Golf Course. Very good sharp frost.

Tuesday 11 January 1944

Haircut in a.m. Very slack day with practically nothing doing. Told this evening that I am to return to 7^th Fd tomorrow – saw CRA said ‘No go’ and told him why.

Wednesday 12 January 1944

Film Wed night with Charles, Francis & George Ashly – very good ‘Above suspicion’.

Thursday 13 January 1944

Eileen phoned – great show.

Friday 14 January 1944

No entry.

Saturday 15 January 1944

Parcel from A arrived – incl baccy G.G. Hockey in pm with Navy – 7 aside very hectic very short. Out patrolling with Charles until 1 am.

Sunday 16 January 1944

Up at 9.30! No mail – stamps am for Charles. Bought £1-1-10 worth but in pt exchange for my Coronations. Quiet pm. Wrote A & L. Concert after dinner good fun. Stamps with Charles in his hut.

Monday 17 January 1944

Dull day – letter from A – good show.

Tuesday 18 January 1944

Dull day – Letter from L, G & E.

Visit to Spey Brg

Wednesday 19 January 1944

Super long letter from A. Sent wire off congratulating A on promotion – super show.

Thursday 20 January 1944

Visited EY this morning and out in FORRES direction in the afternoon. EY in good form – one or 2 old faces still about – Gerslip, Sedgwick Gee etc. ENSA show – very good.

Friday 21 January 1944

Developed very bad cold today – a real snorter. Kept in most of day. Phoned 370 but A not there – spoke to friend – A to ring on Mon or Sun.

Saturday 22 January 1944

Hockey this p.m. v RN – Excellent game though it poured with rain during first half – won 5-4 (2). Had dinner with Charles, George, Boyd, Tury – looked in for 5 mins at Sgts dance. Washing & stamps arrived.

Sunday 23 January 1944

B’fast 9.45 – EY in morning, lunch there – feeling pretty bloody – waited til 10 ocl in case A phoned – no such luck. Powders & ‘whiskied tea’ brought along by Wright.

Monday 24 January 1944

Still feeling bloody – marked AQ’s map in am. Quiet pm – no letters – good tidy up – Back to office after early supper – no sign of phone call from A.

Tuesday 25 January 1944

1500 – Lecture in gym. Out all day in Elgin area – lunch at Gordon Hotel – sent pc off to Eileen – letter from L & G.

Wednesday 26 January 1944

Duty Officer. Letter today from A good show – feeling particularly browned right off – duty offr. Slept here. 3^rd & last inoculation.

Thursday 27 January 1944

Dull day – nothing of any importance to relate. Over to 101 A/Tk to see a chap about divorce.

Friday 28 January 1944

Nothing at all in the work line. At 4 ocl went down to town tea with Charles at Station Hotel – film after – Mr Lucky – dinner with C in C Mess. Chat with C & Q in C’s bunk.

Saturday 29 January 1944

In pm few holes golf with George, tea in Club house – Dinner B Mess with C, G & F. then to WRENS pty – left early chat & tea with C.

Sunday 30 January 1944

G + C to Dumfries – conference in pm – walk after tea – early night.

Monday 31 January 1944

Nothing of note.

SECOND WORLD WAR

Jan7

January 1944

(Britain)

The appointment of American General Dwight D. Eisenhower (Ike) as Supreme Allied Commander of Europe preceded his arrival in London to take up his post. Arriving on the 16^th January 1944 the Allied leaders named him as head of Operation Overlord, and confirmed his promotion on the 24^th December 1943, Operation Overlord was the codename for the Allied invasion of Europe in Normandy, the forthcoming D-Day landings in June 1944.

The Battle of Berlin began in November 1943 and ended in March 1944. Commander-in-Chief of Bomber Command, Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur (Bomber) Harris, believed with the aid of American bombers it would cost “Germany the war”. As a typical RAF night attack, on the 20^th/21^st January 1944, Berlin was attacked by 495 Lancaster, 22 Halifax and ten Mosquito bombers. Low cloud the following day prevented any assessment of the damage suffered. The RAF lost 22 Halifax and 13 Lancaster bombers to anti-aircraft guns and night fighter attacks. The Germans were victorious during the Battle of Berlin as the RAF was unable to inflict a decisive defeat over Germany in Berlin. This was no different to the Nazi Blitz on London in 1940.

(Eastern Front)

The two and half year Siege of Leningrad in the Soviet Union ended on the 27^th January 1944, when the Soviets had pushed the German Wehrmacht back 36-62 miles (60-100 km). Following Operation Barbarossa when Germany attacked the Soviet Union the siege began on the 8^th September 1941, after the German Wehrmacht took control of the last road to the city. During the course of the siege the S.U. lost 500,000 military personnel killed, captured or missing. Leningrad also lost one and a half million civilian dead. The German casualties were in the region of 580.000. Prior to the withdrawal the Wehrmacht destroyed many historical palaces of the Tsar and a large collection of valuable art collections were sent back to Germany. At a later date, when asked why they didn’t occupy Leningrad, the German reply was they would have had to feed the occupants.

(Italy)

Count Gian Galeazzo Ciano was the son-in-law of Italian Duce Benito Mussolini. He was an Italian diplomat and politician who served as Foreign Minister from 1936 to 1943. He was seen as the most probable successor to Mussolini as head of government when the time came. Ciano was executed by firing squad for treason on the 11^th January 1944. Alongside him were four others who had voted for Mussolini to be removed from power. When Mussolini founded the National Fascist Party (NFP) and his subsequent “March on Rome” in 1922 he emerged as Prime Minister of Italy. Ciano and his father were with Mussolini. In April 1930 he married Mussolini’s daughter and she bore him three children. Shortly after the marriage Ciano and family left for Shanghai to serve as Italian consul. Upon his return to Italy in 1935 he volunteered for action during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935/36. When he returned from the war as a “hero” in 1936 he was appointed Foreign Minister by his father-in-law. Italy declared war on Britain and France in January 1940 and joined forces with the Axis Power regime of Nazi Germany. Following a series of defeats suffered by the Axis Powers during the war Ciano began to push for Italy’s exit from the war. As a result he was dismissed as Foreign Minister. Being a member of the Grand Council of Fascism he was one of those responsible for the dismissal and arrest of Mussolini. Ciano attempted to flee to Germany but was arrested and handed over to Italy’s new regime, the Italian Social Republic. Mussolini, under German pressure, ordered the death of Ciano and the subsequent trial resulted in in his execution on the 11^th January 1944. The five treason prisoners were tied to chairs and were to be shot in the back. However, at the last minute Ciano managed to turn his chair to face the firing squad before saying “Long live Italy”.

When Italy surrendered to the Allies in September 1943, the Germans were the sole defenders of Italy. The Winter Line was south of Rome and ran north from Cassino and where the terrain allowed it, terminated on the west coast. The western half of the Winter Line which formed part of the Gustav Line-Monte Cassino extended from the east coast to the Lira and Rapido valleys and central mountain spine of Italy. The Germans were located behind this valley-strewn and peaks/ridges line and especially around the historic hilltop abbey which dominated the nearby town of Cassino. German Field Marshal Albert Kesselring, commander in Italy, ordered his troops not to include the abbey in their defensive line and informed the Vatican and the Allies in December 1943. As a protected historic zone the area was unoccupied although they did man some slopes below the abbey’s walls. The Allies were aware of the strong defences around Monte Casino as they advanced toward Cassino from the toe of Italy; they were repeatedly bombarded by artillery located on these slopes. The Allied leaders incorrectly assumed the Germans were using the abbey as an observation post. On the eastern side of Italy the Germans were in the process of reinforcing the Winter Line. The battle began on the 17^th January 1944, the Allied objective was to break through the Winter Line and begin to advance on Rome. British General Harold Alexander, overall commander of the U.S. and British armies, launched an attack on the Gustav Line west of Cassino. General Oliver Leese, commander of the British X Corps, replaced Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery when he returned to Britain for his role in the D-Day landings in Normandy in June 1944. The X Corps forced a crossing on the Garigliano River, which ran from Cassino to the west coast, as part of the first assault. Unfortunately the X Corps did not have any extra troops available to overwhelm the Germans and waited for the central attack. Fierce fighting between the Allies and the German defenders saw the attack being repulsed. Kesselring was aware that if Cassino was taken the Allies would be able to advance on Rome. German reinforcements arrived from Rome on the 20^th January 1944. The central attack was launched by the U.S. 36^th Division which began on the 20^th January 1944. This attack was hindered by strong German defences, bad weather and un-cleared mines/booby traps previously set by the Germans. The Battle of Monte Cassino was to continue into February 1944.

Anzio is to the northwest of Monte Cassino on the west coast of Italy. The Battle of Anzio began on the 22^nd January 1944 and ended on the 5^th June 1944 with the capture of Rome from the Germans. The Allied plan was to assault the beaches at Anzio and to by-pass Monte Cassino, thereby trapping the Germans between the two armies. The Anzio beach-head is in a basin and comprises reclaimed marshland surrounded by mountains. The landings began on the 22^nd January 1944. The campaign was launched in a hurry, so no proper training had been possible and insufficient landing craft was another problem for the Allies. The majority of the available landing craft were allocated for the invasion of Normandy later in the year. In what landing craft were available the initial landings were virtually unopposed, with the exception of some strafing runs by the Luftwaffe. By midnight 36,000 American troops and 3,200 vehicles were on the beach. The landings came as a surprise to the Germans and the American troops should have swiftly advanced inland and supported the battle for Cassino. A misunderstanding between Clark and his second-in-command Major General John Lucas did not achieve that element of surprise. Clark, commander of the U.S. Fifth Army, wanted to continue with the attack. Lucas, commander of the U.S. VI Corps, preferred to take time to entrench his positon against any counterattack. The proposed support for Monte Cassino was therefore not forthcoming. With the element of surprise gone, Germany’s Kesselring moved every unit, who were available, into a defensive ring around the beach-head. The mountainous terrain favoured the defenders and as a consequence the Germans were in a position to see every movement of the Americans. 40,000 German troops had arrived by the 24^th June 1944 bringing the total to 71,500. Further arrivals of the U.S. 45^th Infantry Division and the U.S. 1^st Army Division landed on the beach-head by the 29^th June1944. This brought the American attack force up to 60,000 troops, 508 guns and 208 tanks. The Battle of Anzio was to continue into February 1944.

As part of the supporting naval attacking forces the British destroyer HMS Janus (F53) was sunk off the beach-head of Anzio on the 23^rd January 1944. There is some confusion whether Janus was sunk by a conventional torpedo or a guided bomb dropped by a German bomber. Whatever the device was, she sank within twenty minutes of being hit and only about 80 of her 240 crew were rescued. It is recorded that Janus had fired over 500 salvoes of 4.7“ shells in support of the Allied troops.

(Pacific)

Cape Gloucester is located on the far north-west coast of the island of New Britain, which is part of the Territory of Papua New Guinea. The area around Rabaul was the main Japanese supply depot and was located on the north-east corner of the same island. The Battle of Cape Gloucester began on the 26^th December 1943 when American Marines attacked the Cape from east to west in a two-pronged formation. The battle ended on the 16^th January 1944 when American Marines defeated the Japanese defenders of two Japanese airstrips. By the end of December 1943, the Japanese held airstrips at Cape Gloucester. These were over-run by the Marines. The marines began to extend their airport perimeter south toward Borgan Bay on the 2^nd January 1944 and met with organised Japanese resistance. Fierce fighting continued through the jungle until the 16^th January 1944 when the marines captured Hill 660. 0rganised Japanese resistance ended when Japanese commander Major-General Iwao Matsuda had withdrawn from Cape Gloucester. He was accompanied by approximately 1,000 troops evacuating the battle area and heading for the supply depot at Rabaul. During the Battle of Cape Gloucester, the U.S. lost 310 marines killed and 1,083 wounded and the Japanese losses were 2,000 killed.

The Andaman Islands are part of the Union Territory of India and located east of Burma. When the Japanese left the islands at the end of December 1943 there were unconfirmed rumours that 750 civilians had been murdered. The Japanese had occupied the islands since early 1942 and after leaving authority was handed over to the Provisional Government of Free India. However, the Japanese still remained in control as the leader of the government Subhas Chandra Bhose was pro-Japanese. 44 Indians, the majority of whom were part of the Indian Independence League, were accused of spying and shot in what became known as the Homfreganj Massacre on 30^th January 1944.

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