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A GENTLE WAR
DECEMBER 11th — 20th 1942

During his RAF posting at Predannack Airfield in Cornwall my father, Kenneth Crapp, kept a diary. The diary runs from October 27th 1942 — June 7th 1944 and the first 4 month extract is included below. It shows an unexpectedly tranquil aspect of war — quiet background work on a somewhat isolated airfield, where an interest in birds and nature was undoubtedly ‘a saving grace’.

Friday, December 11th
A barn owl hunting in broad daylight. A day of heavy, sudden showers and at midday a great stillness.

Chap at receivers tells me they had rats there: now a stoat has appeared, and no rats have since been seen.

Conversation over the telephone between here and the DF station gave us both plenty of amusement — pidgin German, bastard French, broad Devon, falsetto and crude humour at times.

From the war fronts, neither side makes much headway in Tunisia: in Russia the Russian offensive has slowed down, Von Hoth is encircled before Stalingrad and Germans strongly counter attacking on Central Front.

Douglas Reed suggests that MPs may be active and devoted to interests of their constituents, if Civic Vigilance Leagues are set up, to act as liaison between MP and the electorate.

Saturday, December 12th
Mr A tells me that I can have leave from January 2nd to January 11th — I am delighted.

Another gale warning and the wind rises until this building shudders. We watch the needle of the voltmeter flickering erratically and hope that the power won’t go off.

Bacon, warmed up for supper, gave enough fat for fried bread, delicious.

Sunday, December 13th
The gale still rages, but the rain has stopped. Trouble with the transmitters — fuses blew: we discover a short to earth at the base of a rectifier valve — a common fault that has compelled modification: but this set was unmodified — hence the trouble.

Monday, December 14th
At Poltesco this morning I saw two bullfinches, the first I have seen in this part of the country.

U/S transmitter modified this afternoon; it was a simple job that either of us could have done if we’d been told what was required. News from North Africa — while Turin and Naples bear the brunt of our bombing attacks, 8th Army attacks Rommel’s army at El Agheila — Rommel retreats again, losing the last natural strongholds before Tripoli is reached.

In ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ this evening I find Shakespeare’s words to fit this victory — ‘a victory is doubled when the achiever brings home full numbers’.

Tuesday, December 15th
More trouble: one of the accumulators is down, because I left the filament of T1154 on and we can’t charge it up because the petrol tank of the petrol electric set is leaking. Reported latter to Signals Officer.

TX2 fused last night, more rectifier trouble, caused by insertion of a new valve. Doubles valve also replaced. All this is good practice for us. Yesterday I traced right through the circuit of the modulator power unit and satisfied myself that nothing was amiss except for the trouble already located.

Wednesday, December 16th
Filled up and put in my application form for leave.

At the NAAFI I bought two weeks’ rations of cigarettes and chocolate: later I found that I was 40 Goldflakes to the good and I hadn’t been charged for them. I shall give them to various friends.

Thursday, December 17th
Huge seas running again; though there was no more than a strong breeze. With Curtis I went to Kynance to get driftwood. Great waves were breaking right over the islands and running down the other side. It was more terrifying than it was on Tuesday. We got plenty of driftwood.

A busy evening writing and sealing letters, doing up laundry parcel and a book for Edith and preparing potatoes, leeks and soup for tomorrow’s breakfast.

Friday, December 18th
Have recently received 3/6 postal order from British Legion in St Columb; a fine pullover from the WVS St Columb and now two big pasties from Auntie Noah.

After cycle parade I went down to the Lizard. A really beautiful day inland and by the sea. It was so warm that I sat outside — as I do now — and let the warmth delude me into the belief that spring had come. Strange to sit out in warm sunshine, writing Xmas greetings.

News — Russians still hold Van Hoth’s army before Stalingrad in a trap despite fierce counter attacks: they have won another big victory in this area.

Rommel left El Agheila because we’d sent a force to his rear to cut him off. Some have been trapped and others are fleeing westwards.

Saturday, December 19th
Fierce rain, but the sun came out in the afternoon so after a shower and a haircut and a read in the education hut I slipped down to Caerleon for an hour. How the beaches alter, even overnight!

New system to start on Monday. Three of us share watches here and do morning periods of two and three hours at the workshop and an occasional duty mech. I sounds all right just for a short while, during the absence of two of the mechs.

Sunday, December 20th
Went to the Looe Pool this morning. Saw a flight of wild duck and talked to a farm lad. Rode back in a head wind to relieve Frank. At Gunwalloe I saw a redstart.

At this place and at Poldhu the beach defences have been washed away and two of the mines went off with the weight of the water at Poldhu.

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