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Extracts from Arthur Allvey’s letters to his wife, Gladys, January 1945

15-1-45 I regret that you feel so very depressed these days darling though I can understand it. After the terrific optimism of the late summer and autumn months, when the war seemed already as good as won, I’m afraid the natural reaction is one of despondency now that the Germans are putting up a greater show of resistance. The resistance they are still capable of showing is really surprising but we can never afford to underrate the German nation nor their ability to take punishment. However, some significant facts have emerged from the recent German push which I can’t divulge now since they are embodied in secret intelligence reports, but an encouraging interpretation can be placed upon them. The obvious fact, over which no secrecy need be maintained, is that the German push has been abortive and, I think, when statistics are published their losses alround will prove greater than ours.

In Greece apparently a tentative agreement, at least for cessation of hostilities, has been reached and I hope that this will lead to a final settlement of the trouble in that country.

On the Russian front the Red Army is making a number of drives and the fate of Budapest seems to be sealed.

Really when one reviews the position, comparing our situation today with that of a few years ago, one realises that we have much to be thankful for, though not complaisant and, fi the war isn’t going to end as quickly as we had recently imagined at least it will have a different ending from that which some people feared in the dark days. ….

Do try not to worry about things my beloved wife — it makes me very unhappy to think that you are depressed and upset dear. Despite the conditions over here one never finds any pessimism and that’s a good sign in view of the terrible weather in the Ardennes, where, this morning, the temperature was down to 0.5 º or 31½º below freezing.

I shan’t mind in the least sleeping in the shelter when I’m home on leave providing you are there dearest. I’m sure I won’t find it hard — in point of fact I sleep better on hard floors than on soft beds these days having been more accustomed to the former during the last few years.

Well as I’ve indicated the weather — what a hackneyed topic — is still as severe as ever — colder in fact. With the temperature around zero this morning it wasn’t very pleasant crawling reluctantly out of my blankets to go on guard at 04.30 — the cold was painful — what we need on this front are a few divisions of frost inured Russians not people who were recently blistering under tropical sunshine. However, I’m very lucky really dear — we have a nice room in a farm with a warm stove.

17-1-45 No, the draw for February leaves has still not taken place and I wish that they would get it over… Jack Airie is going home to Hounslow tonight. The leave facilities seem to be very well organised — one travels by rail over here to the port of embarkation and this is the slowest part of the journey. They are issuing new uniforms to the men going home but I have a good uniform which I’ve scarcely worn and am saving it up for the occasion.

As you say, this war has wasted many years of our life but it’s taught us to value the good things of life and, later on when we resume our family life, we will appreciate them the more — and will be young enough to extract much happiness from life.

I told you about that nice little brown and white puppy inthis house; there is another, smaller puppy with just the same markings but black and white. They’re lovely little puppies and we want to keep one as a mascot.

21-1-45 I very much regret that things are so difficult for you and hope it won’t be too long now before we can have a home of our own and be together always darling wife. A Belgian in this house where I am now situated, who was taken prisoner whilst fighting in the Belgian army, estimates that the war in Europe will be over in a month which is a more optimistic prognostication than appears to prevail now in England. Well this may be unduly optimistic but it is nearer to my opinion than is the gloomy view of many in England. Alas the weather here is still very bad and holds up operations again and again. If the weather were consistent and the ground remained firm and hard, as in Russia at this time of year, it wouldn’t hinder operations so much but at times there is a partial thaw and then movement is practically impossible on a large scale.

This Belgian of whom I spoke is of about my age and has a wife and a young boy and they are very friendly people allowing us to use an empty room and a bed. He had a terrible time in a German prison camp — an open compound without a roof over their heads where they were whipped for any offence.

Practically all they now have to exist upon are potatoes — there is scarcely any meat and very little bread. Eggs are non-existent and the lady is very sad because the little boy cannot obtain the nourishment he needs.

During the occupation they had the abhorred S.S. men billeted in the village and life was a misery to them. In this room is a large cabinet and these people pointed out to me a false floor under which a man hid while the Gestapo searched for him.

They speak some German and thus I am able to understand what they say. Many Flemings speak some German which tongue seems more akin to theirs than is French though they speak French also.

Today the sun shines cheerfully upon the snow carpeted world and it is very pleasant out. It has snowed quite a lot during the last few days and travelling is made very slow and uncomfortable in consequence. There is no sign of a thaw yet and the snow is crisp and deep and is constantly added to.

The offensive on the various Russian fronts is going marvellously well isn’t it dear. Once again the Germans have been kept guessing and the Allies have struck where they least expected it. It appears that they were anticipating an all out drive to begin in the west and their recent abortive attacks were designed to frustrate it. Well there appears to be no stopping the Red Army now outside the German frontier. It’s good to know that at last Warsaw has been relieved — how happy the unfortunate people of that city will be to know that after all their sufferings they are free again.

Well darling wife the war really is drawing to a conclusion and you must not be downcast but keep your spirits up. I hope soon to give you some good news respecting my leave.

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