大象传媒

Story Title. The Last Straw.
People in Story. Wilfred Davis
Location. Germany

2379554 L/Cpl. Davis W.
鈥淏鈥� Coy
B.L.A..
1st .Bn. York & Lancaster Regt. 12th July, 1945

Dear All,

Well, I have been driven into writing this letter by the way we are being treated. Life out here is beginning to get unbearable. They promise us all kinds of pleasure and give us nothing but guards and piquets. Four weeks ago they promised us 48 hour leaves in Brussels and 48 hours in rest camps in Germany. Up to now there have been 2 lads to a rest camp out of 150 of us.

There is a cinema in Brunswick about 3 miles away but only 20 men are allowed to go per week so it looks like we will see a show about every 7 weeks. Also N.C.Os are not allowed to walk out with Privates and no one must go out on their own so if your friend happens to be on guard, you can鈥檛 even go out for a walk.

This is how my time has been spent so far this last week. Sunday I was on guard, Monday I had a night off but could only go for a walk as there was no truck going to Brunswick. Tuesday I was on inlying piquet (confined to camp for 24 hours). Wednesday I was on guard. To-night I am on inlying piquet again. All being well I should get a night off on Friday but nearly all the other NCOs will be on guard and those that are not will be too tired to go for a walk and then I will most likely be on guard again Saturday night.

Now, I will tell you about the N.A.A.F.I. I saw it in the paper about 3 weeks ago we were supposed to be able to buy 90 cigarettes from the N.A.A.F.I. through the battalion but up to now we have only had 75 and then we could buy 15 per week from the N.A.A.F.I. van. The only trouble is a N.A.A.F.I. van never stops near us. I have never had a thing off a N.A.A.F.I. van yet in Germany. Also, we get, through the N.A.A.F.I. half a tablet of soap per week which is supposed to wash ourselves and our clothes. We also get 1 box of matches per month and 1 or 2 razor blades per week.

Now about the food. We get nearly all dehydrated food while the Officers can go out and buy fresh vegetables and eggs from the German civilians, but we are not allowed and to top the lot the Brigadier comes down and inspects us and gives us a lecture afterwards and says, 鈥淚 have had a good time in the Army, why can鈥檛 you!鈥�
He was surprised when nobody said they were stopping on in the Army.

Well, I think I have let off a bit of steam now so here is hoping this finds you all well,

Love to all,

Wilf.

P.S. Please let me know if you receive this letter.

Caption for picture.
Wilfred was called up with his age group in l941. After initial training he was sent to North Africa on active service, hospitalised several times with battle wounds and malaria and finally, posted to the Army of Occupation in Germany.

Ref. ARMY

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