大象传媒

This story has been added by CSV Volunteer Linda Clark on behalf of the author Major E. Donald Nisbet of the Honourable Artillery Company. The story is based on his diary which was written between September 1944 and February 1945. The site鈥檚 terms and conditions are fully understood.

On Saturday September 23rd 1944, after a night of heavy rain, a clear day dawned. The detachments were published and I was with Squadron Leader Alexander. Lieutenants Barlow and Harwood, May, Bartley, Flight Lieutenant Denys, Captain Court-Cooper and Captain Whitlock. Everyone commiserated with me about Alexander. After odd jobs I wrote to Stonesfield.

In the afternoon I went with Rose and Corcoran into Arras. As we looked in the shops we noticed that there was plenty of perfume and very well made, smart clothes but they were very expensive. There were very chic womens shoes made out of wood and canvas but they too were very expensive. I bought some crepe de chine for Shirley. In the evening I read part of Romeo and Juliet and then went to bed early. The night turned out to be very gusty and wet.

On Sunday the detachment assembled and in the afternoon we went into the citadel for G. 1098 stores. This was the Gestapo barracks and we saw the execution ground with the graves. The bullet holes were obvious in the walls and in one place, victims apparently were suspended from the top of the wall by ropes for target practise. It was all pretty grim with the barracks in disorder and maps strewn all around the place.

From there we went into town and I had a coffee and cognac in Caf茅 de la Paige. I later found Alexander, a policeman and OR鈥檚 in a caf茅 and after an omelette, chips and coffee, which cost me fifty seven francs, I shook off the crowd and walked around the town observing as I went some very picturesque streets.

I was able to stroll around Arras the following day, after organising stores in the morning. I bought cosmetics for Shirley and mother and had bread butter and coffee in a pleasant caf茅 which was not patronised by English soldiers. In the cafe was a pleasant plump blonde Madame, a couple of charming but plain girls and a mixed assortment of French youths. I walked back and after supper looked for Corcoran and co. in the village cafes but they weren鈥檛 there.

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