大象传媒

550183 I. Pollard
RHQ
KDGs
8th Army
M.E.F.
21-3-43

My Own Darling Wife and Son,
Here is the promised letter 鈥� not written as I hoped, day by day, but am trying to do it whenever possible.
We started to move two days ago. After 鈥渟tanding to鈥� ready to move as from 3.0 pm (incidentally spoiling our tea,) we eventually did move at 7.0 pm. For a change, we had decent moonlight at the start. We travelled about 20 miles and halted at 1.30 am. It was a lousy ride over very bad country. Wireless silence was still in operation, but we had to switch on for 5 mins each hour, just in case anything had happened. As usual nothing did happen so it was a sheer waste of time. However the rest of the time was O.K. as I had quite a good bit of decent music. Bing Crosby, Connie Boswell and Deanna Durbin. Believe me I enjoyed the half hour even if we did hit one or two nasty bumps.
However we arrived at the camping site without any trouble this time and I soon had a brew on, After the Drum, we got down to it. Had strict orders to be ready to move at 6.0 pm; as we were in Close Leaguer, i.e., vehicles only a couple of yards apart, and we had to open out. No need to say how soon we were sleeping. The first thing I knew after putting my head on the pillow was a voice saying 鈥淗ere! What鈥檚 this?鈥� not quite as polite as that. Then Lofty chimed in, 鈥淐ome one Gin Palace, get a move on.鈥� And one or two compliments to cheer us up!! The time was 5.52 am. Everyone was up and ready to move and we were still sleeping peacefully. Of course we jumped out and had all packed up in about 10 mins. By this time, Lofty and half the echelon had gone on.
As we were in a hurry, the flak had to be troublesome. When ready for action, it is on the ground, but on the move, it is in a gun carriage:- two-wheeled ones. Very similar to a Bofors gun. First of all, we had a hell of a time getting it on the wheels, usually a two-minute job. Took us 5 mins. Then the tow hook on the jeep would not open. You can guess what the language was like.
However we did get going in the end and only had a mile to go. We were just having breakfast when we heard planes. We were expecting to be attacked by air on this trip. (Before going on, I may add that we learnt today from a pilot that we have 10 planes to every one of Jerry鈥檚.) We of course looked up and after a while Jock spotted them. Just as I got a glimpse of them, they started to dive, 2 planes. We nipped to the gun, a 50 yards sprint, then one came right over us and we saw Stars instead of crosses. The trouble was not only the dive, they were strange planes to us. Must have come from the 1st Army and Yanks. Later they were identified as Warhawks, no Mustangs (10/5/43). First time I have seen one. I also can see a few being shot down if they continue to dive on the 8th Army.
We went back to our breakfast, to find the Burgoo (??) just nicely done and not burnt as I half expected. After breakfast Jock and Canning got in bed. I stayed up as the stove needed attention; also the wireless had to be switched on every hour.
Nothing happened all morning but the order came to be ready to move at 2.0 pm. That was my kip knocked on the head.
I cooked the lunch, or rather opened some tins, and we armed the MOV up, also put a brew on. Wakened the other two at 1.15pm and we had lunch, then packed up. At 2.0 a D.R. arrived saying that the move was cancelled but we were under 30 mins notice to move. Before he had started his jeep again, my bed was on the ground and I was soon asleep. Not for long though, as at 3.15 pm the order came to prepare to move. On went my bed and we sat around waiting. By the way, silence was broken at 2.30 pm so we were on the air for 10 mins each hour, trying to get as bit of Griff, not succeeding though.
At about 3.45, I got fed up of waiting so decided to have a wash. We did not trouble earlier: too tired. After a wash and brush up, I felt better and the other two soon followed. We finally moved at 5.30 pm again. Had no idea how far we were going, but we did know it was shocking country. Of course we had had a brew and cheese and biscuits before moving.
We did 20 miles, then halted for half an hour and went on another 6. Stopping at 11.30. The ride had been terrible but as we had not heard any news on the radio all day I switched on at 6.0 pm then heard the 大象传媒 and closed down and got in the second driver鈥檚 seat. It is much better if one can see the country. I was very thankful too, also that most of the ride was done with decent light. At one point, the G.P. almost went over. The track led down into a wadi, very steep and on a slope. Another two inches of slope would have turned her over. However nothing happened and we arrived O.K. Had a brew again and were in bed by 12.15 am.
At 3.15 am I woke up to hear Lofty saying, 鈥淐ome on, open out to 40 yards between vehicles.鈥� Just beginning to curse when he said, 鈥淥K you can stay where you are.鈥� As I lifted my head I saw the reason for the move. About 3 miles away a column was being straffed and bombed. Am afraid I was too tired to feel frightened or worry and went back to sleep. In any case there is not much to be done at night. Stay in bed and trust to luck is my motto. Anyone who gets hurt at night by planes is very unlucky. Have not heard whether any damage was done, but the sentries did not see any fires.
We got up at 6.0 am and packed up as we expected to move. Lofty did not put in an appearance so I went to his car. He was still in bed and informed me that we would not move until after lunch. I was annoyed as we could have done with an extra hour as well as he.
Still it was no good getting in bed so we cooked breakfast. We started the trip with 10 days rations, so we won鈥檛 starve for a while.
After breakfast we had a wash and shave and generally tidied up. About 10.0 am we began to get some battle Griff and found that things were as expected.
Must tell you this. During breakfast, we heard planes and saw a lovely sight. First 12 Kittyhawks followed 3 mins later by 21. It made the meal go down better.
It was very windy and as we were in soft sand you can guess what that meant. Tho鈥� contrary to the news, the weather has not been too bad, in this part of the world anyhow. Of course we are on the old Left Hook and well in the Desert.
I tried to do some fried fish and chips today. The fish being tinned herrings, the chips some dried potatoes. The only way to soften the latter is by boiling for about 10 mins, then allowing them to cool. I did this but forgot to put a lid on the tin. When I cam to fry them, I found them half full of sand. We had to be content with the fish. We almost had no dinner at all, as when I got hold of the plate, which had been stood on the stove, it was naturally hot and I dropped it. Fish all in the sand. I felt like throwing them away, but Canning (just out from Blighty and an anti-waste merchant) got them and somehow most of the sand out. Anyway, we enjoyed them. Food without sand does not taste the same.
We moved at 2.0 pm and after travelling for 7 miles got in a really nice position. Well sheltered and plenty of cover. It seemed too good to be true; and was. Suddenly heard guns going and looking to the East saw the shells burst about 4 miles away. Definitely no place for any self-respecting echelon. We turned about and are now sitting behind a ridge a mile back from the other joint. The Free French are in front watching the hills. The trouble being that we are going up towards the rear of the Mareth line and that line is still held by the enemy. Our forward troops are well up about 36 miles S. of Gabes. The news tonight said normal patrolling by 8th Army!!!
However, there is nothing to worry about as the Frogs have plenty of guns and can be relied on to stop any rash move on the part of the enemy. The only snag is that Lofty is a bit 鈥榖litzed鈥� and won鈥檛 let us put our tent down. It looks like rain too.
Have not heard much news about the battle. It appears to be going as per plan. You will probably hear about it tomorrow on the 大象传媒. With the tanks doing their bit and the 1st Army holding Jerry, he won鈥檛 know if he is coming or going soon. It should all be finished very soon.
Of course we have not had any mail yet and don鈥檛 expect any until the show is over. I hope you have got the ones I sent to you lately. It will let you know that I am still O.K.
Charlie is on his way up from the base again. Just in time to be too late for any fighting. Knows how much to work it.
Syd is still O.K. doing plenty of driving as usual, but in the best of health and spirits.

24-3-43
I stopped this to listen to Churchill鈥檚 speech. I don鈥檛 know whether to hope or not. Unfortunately, I could not hear the whole of it, as a Jerry came over after the first 15 mins. It was bright moonlight, the plane looked like a Dornier but I am not sure what it was. I do know that he had 3 gun positions: one in the nose, one at the tail and one in the belly. At first we did not take much notice as he was straffing about 2 miles from us, but he got closer and was apparently just flying around feeling for a target. As he came near to our wadi, Jock and I got on the gun. We could see him quite plainly and followed him around for about 10 mins. He banked and appeared to be heading straight for us. Jock fired and much to our disgust only one round went. We had to have a stoppage when we had an easy bird. However, the plane carried on and for about 20 more minutes was flying around, straffing here and there, but did not do any damage.
We did not attempt to fire again as if you miss a night plane the first time, it is seldom you get another chance.
We spent a rather uncomfortable night, as planes came over in a regular procession and none seemed to have a definite target. Of course the vehicle tracks must have been plain to see and they were content to straff these on the off chance.
I must say that I did not lose any sleep. The following day we moved up and are now in a nice wadi about 7 miles behind RHQ.
It was interesting to listen to the 大象传媒 account of it all. At the moment all seems well. But we don鈥檛 get much news of the fighting on the Mareth Line.
We are held up a bit here. There is a gap of about 4 miles wide thro鈥� the hills which we are trying to get thro. No doubt it will be clear tomorrow. Our lads had a fine time yesterday, took quite a lot of prisoners and a fair amount of kit. Almost all POWs were Eyeties.
There is a bit of a sweat on today as 12 large vehicles were reported 12 miles East of us and moving West. That was at 10.0 am, it is now 1.40 pm and nothing has happened.
About 11.3-, 40 of our planes flew over and made a bombing and straffing raid. We could see the Jerry AA but could not see the planes during the attack. Our patrols reported 鈥淣o visible result鈥� but I bet morale went to rock bottom. The sky seemed full of planes as they passed over our heads.
The Yanks appear to be doing well; we were informed that they are fighting a tank battle only 60 miles NW of us. It looks as if the Yanks will be Jerry鈥檚 Dunkirk. I only hope it is all over soon. Imagine another 3 days will end it.
Since coming to this spot we have not been troubled by Jerry planes at all. None at all last night and only two the night before. He does not seem to have much of an air force now. His night flyers probably come in from Sicily.
I am still quite O.K. A spot of leave would be very welcome at the moment, but will have to wait for that. One thing I ought to be able to send a decent present to you next time I am on leave. I have nearly 拢 5 in credit now. Will leave this for today and carry on tomorrow I hope.
29-3-43
Well darling, Great news tonight on the 大象传媒 but nothing compared to tomorrow鈥檚.
Our regimental HQ was 5 miles east of Gabes at 12 noon today. Patrols about 6 miles North of them. It has been a wonderful weekend in every way. It was the day before yesterday when the enemy started to crack. Yesterday our patrols had great fun. One squadron alone captured 800 prisoners. The following extract from our Griff book will show the state of the enemy morale:-
To HQ from A: 鈥滳aptured 4 men, very browned off state. Panzers upsticked and left infantry to take the can.鈥�
To HQ from B: 鈥淗ave captured 4 vehicles and 12 men. Replenishing echelon of 8th Panzers. Very grateful for this replenishing.鈥� The Griff book is the one in which all messages are entered, I hope to keep it; it will prove very interesting later.
As you will have heard, the RAF started the attack on Friday. The sky was black with planes from 3.30 on wards. Then at 4.0 a barrage started more intense than the Alamein effort. No wonder the Left Hook got home.
We of course have moved up and at present are in a range of mountains. All round is incidence of the hasty retreat. Lorries abandoned and no end of kit lying around.
On the way yesterday we passed the prisoners cage. Actually a cage in name only. The men were just standing around waiting for lorries to take them back to the rear. It was a heartening sight believe me, there must have been 1,000 mixed Eyeties and Jerries. When caught, all the forward troops do is to disarm them and send them back. Sometimes send an escort and at others let the POW find their own way back.
I don鈥檛 know where Rommel will make his next stand. If only the Yanks from Macknassy had pushed on he would have been trapped. As it is he must have got a large force away. Suppose we鈥檒l have to chase him to Tunis before he turns again.
I don鈥檛 know when you will get this letter, may be a bit too thick for the censor. Still I may try it soon, will have to or it will cost a fortune.
Still no signs of any mail for us. Suppose as usual we will get it all in a lump. I must send another card tomorrow as it is a week since I sent.
I have wondered lately whether you ever received the stockings or the 拢 5. I do wish I could get some mail, perhaps I would know then.
I hope Bruce is still O.K. Making more plans for when Daddy returns I suppose.
I don鈥檛 know when you will get the next photo from me. Probably won鈥檛 know who it is when you get it.

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