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Allied infantry were having a helluva time in South Italy and now converging on Monte Cassino which was expected to fall any day. The time had come to embark for Taranto in what became a logistical nightmare. Egypt was not Britain and its railways had to start from scratch learning to take on Sherman tanks for shipping to Italy via Alexandria. The honey tanks had gone ahead of us with their crews and were safely embarked. The heavier Shermans went aboard last, and what with their crews temporarily in attendance, the operation was abstruse. The tanks were destined for Bari on the Adriatic coast and the personnel were for Taranto. For the latter there would be more training before picking up their tanks at Bari and entraining them for the front.

Monday, 27th March ’44 — Helwan
Dust started blowing earlier and was worse than ever but this time it was a cold wind. It persisted and dampened all our spirits and we couldn’t write or read much. Packed up the [squadron] library, which took up most of the afternoon. Wanted to get drunk but we had no hooch. Bully and Joe to Carbineers to get some. Dust blew all night. Bully drunk and aggressive. Corporal Dore his adversary this time.

Tuesday, 28th March ’44
Honeys with Pooch left for embarkation. Dust still blowing — No water for showers. Wrote letters and read. Played poker in the evening and won 12 shillings. Made coffee and to bed. Melly (Ratcliffe) and Angus in drunken brawl.

Wednesday, 29th March ’44
Exit Joss (Deacon) with the heavies (Shermans) for embarkation. Dust continues to blow inexorably — Played Len a game of chess and of course lost but feel I’m improving. Over to Helwan for shower and cup of coffee. Thence to Carbineers to see Joe (Cowley) and Doug Alexander. We had some brandy etc. and a bit of fun. Back to camp and knocked back two more bottles of wine. Played another drunken game of crib and wrestled and cracked jokes with Len.

Sunday, 9th April ’44
Slept in. Bully fetched breakfast. Went to service by new padre. It was outstanding especially the sermon. Received two letters. Were paid at 2pm. Drew ÂŁ5.00. Went over for a swim with Len and went to another service with the same padre and the I.L.H. band playing. Very witty and good sermon. To bed after a game of chess and crib.

Monday, 10th April ’44
Route march again and developed a blister. Over to Helwan for a swim. Watched boxing in the afternoon when reserves beat us in every contest. Saw Serzel flattened again and a couple of other K.O.’s. We then had a cold drink and returned. Wrote three letters in the evening and to bed early.

Tuesday, 11th April ’44
Arose and started packing and this continued thru the day which was very hot. Played chess and won one game. Showered and put kit on to trucks. Travelled by truck to Giza passing base — wallahs and saw ‘Bello’ (Theunissen). Had an amusing fracas with Gypos. After nearly 4 hours we got to the train — 25 of us were put into each cattletruck. On our floor was cow dung. The officers of course were in clover! Train pulled out about midnight.

Saturday, 15th April ’44 — Alexandria
Arose early and completed packing. Had breakfast and travelled by truck to the wharf where we embarked to perfection…congrats to the adjutant. Are fairly comfortably ensconced on F deck which is three down. Rather crowded. Ship, I should say is about 12,000 tons. Played bridge and had our usual foul luck. Went to sleep on the deck and found it a bit nippy. Food is good.

Sunday, 16th April ’44
Set sail about 8am. Convoy is well guarded by about 5 destroyers. A high wind caused a choppy sea and fellows were sick all around us. It was bitterly cold in the morning. Food was plentiful, more so because the pork put most chaps off. Finished ‘A Man’s Man’. Played some more bridge. To bed early and slept well, it being a mild night and fairly warm.

Monday, 17th April ’44 — (off coast of Libya)
Len, Joe (Rawlinson) and I on kitchen fatigue. Had to draw food for our table of 18 men and wash the plates and dishes and tidy the area up. Played chess and contract to pass the time. Sailing off the coast of Libya. Water calmer and weather milder. Slept near some Tommies whose feet were pretty ripe. Had a glorious hot shower bath. Started Darwin’s “Origin of Species”.

Thursday, 20th April ’44
Convoy reached Taranto 8am and the day was spent packing and waiting for disembarkation. I read “Beany Eye” and started “Quo Vardis”!
Left the ship about 3pm. I was in trouble having to walk half a mile with all my kit. We then unloaded (the kit) and then marched six miles through Taranto to a transit camp. Taranto is rather decayed. There is little else in the shops but wine, scent and art. The people have an air of defeat about them and poverty is rife. Mentally, physically and morally they seem to have degenerated.
Read “Origin of species” Charles Darwin.
Some pretty children and a few beautiful girls — Transport is made up of motorbikes, cars, carts, and bicycles. Town was full of troops — mainly Italian sailors. Had a good meal and slipped into bed. Shoulder very stiff and sore after the carrying. It is the anniversary of our leaving Durban for the second time.

Saturday, 29th April ’44 — Altamura
Rehearsed during the day. The sketch is on “SANDY THE BURGLAR”. Had a frightful shower in the afternoon. It is bitingly cold. Had some wine and went up to the concert which was a great success. Len’s voice was hoarse through practising for the sketch and he didn’t sing so well. Our sketch went off without a hitch and Bill Janks* as Martha, brought the house down R.S.M. invited us to the sergeants’ mess where we had a terrific drink-up on whisky, wine and gin. Aga on tops. Len helped me to bed, pushed me into some mud and sang me lullabies.

Sunday, 30th April ’44
Had a bit of a hangover but was shaken when I was put on an all-day hygiene fatigue. One of the worst I have ever done — certainly the filthiest, mainly by hand and shovel. Bitterly cold with hail and sleet now and again. Went to Y.M. for tea and cake and listened to the Italian band. Came back and had my back.

Sunday, 30th April ’44
Had a bit of a hangover but was shaken when I was put on an all-day hygiene fatigue. One of the worst I have ever done — certainly the filthiest, mainly by hand and shovel. Bitterly cold with hail and sleet now and again. Went to Y.M. for tea and cake and listened to the Italian band. Came back and had my back
Had a bout of squad drill. Then a lecture on armour-plating by Bunny (Evans) before lunch. Terribly cold day. Lecture on ‘section leading’ in afternoon. Went to Naafi in evening and heard the Italian band and the voice of an exceptionally gifted bambino. Wrote 2 letters home. Went on a useless and beastly map-reading tour over 12 miles of rough country. Raced back before lunch. I got the needle. Played a hectic game of football in the afternoon which was pretty nippy. Had a shower and caught a cold. Washed some clothes, went to Italian lessons and then to Naafi.

Wednesday, 3rd May ’44
Went map reading as a squadron by truck and had quite an enjoyable and enlightening day in amongst the green fields and grey walls. Went through Altamura, Cassana, Aquaviva and Santarana and saw a bit of local colour. Got back to camp and went on guard for 24 hours. Went on first beat with Joe and wore mosquito veils. Finished “The Fatal Years”.

Saturday, May 6th ’44 — Altamura
Did very little (work) this morning. Had a lecture first by Vic Paul on “Mines and Mules,” then a lecture after it on this province of the Apennines. After lunch (M.O.) Nelson Eddy took over with first aid. Read and wrote a little. Listened to the Italian band and went to a lecture given by the Padre on ‘Psychological Interpretation of Dreams.’
After the last talk I stood up and asked the Padre whether he had heard about the Duke of Hamilton’s dream at the beginning of the war. He encouraged me to tell it. The Duke had dreamt that Hitler had visited him in search of peace. The next day, Rudolf Hess landed by parachute from a plane he had hijacked in Germany bearing a peace offer and flown to Scotland.

Wednesday, 10th May ’44 — Altamura
Our duty (day) and not having anything on I went up to the Recce tent and completed (writing) Chapter II after making several alterations and half of III. Had tea at the NAAFI with Len and washed some clothes before lunch. Went on to Altamura but did not enjoy it much. Town was not impressive but the cathedral was lovely. Beautiful gold leaf decorations inside and many altars and old oils on the walls. Went up to the Belfry and obtained a wonderful view. Visited Padre’s library and had tea there and took two good books. Had some ice cream and half a bottle of vermouth. Went to NAAFI for sandwiches and listened to their excellent band. Saw Ros. Russell in “My Sister Eileen.” There was no transport to take us back, but I was fortunate in getting a lift back to camp in a jeep. Bought two bottles of wine and lent Shorty a pound.

Friday, 12th May ’44 — Altamura
Push started (overnight) 11 p.m. On another route march but a more pleasant one. Thought up a new sub-plot for ‘Traitor’s Hill’ while marching. [Episode of Horse Brompton smacking Bunny Evans on the behind]. C-in-C Alexander and Lees order of the day read to us. Went on driving instruction in Pooch’s tank. Cleaned guns in afternoon and prepared for guard mounting. Had some sweet wine before dinner which was Roast Pork. Lucky to get first beat which passed quickly as did the dog-watch from 1 a.m. to 3., which I spent telling Len of the plot of ‘Traitor’s Hill.’
The routine of guards, route marches and inspections reared its head again and tempers were near to breaking. Bullimore’s proscribed list of defaulters had grown beyond restraint even into Sundays.

Sunday, 14th May ’44, Altamura.
Up later than usual. Had a whopping breakfast and cleaned the Bren guns and fed the library. Had a smashing game (hockey) with No.1 troop (ours) against the rest of the Squadron. Drew 4-4 but they scored two crooked goals. Had a deal of wine in the evening and got tight with Bullimore and Len (Clark). We stopped fights when they got obstreperous. Bumped the cooks, the Officers’ mess, the sergeants’ mess and put Bully to bed. I carried him like a baby as he was paralytic. Len kicked the back door down on top of Inky. Had some more wine. We had a bit of a tiff — not serious and then to bed.

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