大象传媒

letter continued:

3-6-43
Well darling it鈥檚 a long time since I added any to this budget. Unfortunately I dare not send it at the moment as I have mentioned too much to pass the censor at the moment. I may as well tell the truth about the present position.
To go back a bit. At the end no-one felt any elation.. I have spoken to quite a lot of the lads who were on the last patrol up the centre of Cap Bon. They all said the same, it somehow did not register that the Campaign was over. Everyone felt at a loose end. Suppose it was the fact that Jerry packed in and did not try an evacuation that spoilt it all. I must say we were surprised as no-one suspected him to pack in even. Tho it would have been suicide to try to escape by sea. The old 90th Light Division fought until it was absolutely hopeless. Of course we expected then to do so. They are a respected Division. A significant fact is that all prisoners wished to surrender to the 8th and not the 1st Army. As one bloke is reputed to have said 鈥淲e are old friends of the 8th; the 1st don鈥檛 know what war is!鈥�
However, to get on. You know of our break in camp by the sea. It was very lovely there. Incidentally so is the dance music at the moment. Some girls band from home (time 23.40 hrs).
Well, we set off for our rest camp - a four day journey and a shock at the end of it. We had been told the area where we were going but it was hard to believe it was true. We soon discovered it was. The journey was quite pleasant starting at 0800 and stopping for lunch from 1200 to 1300 hrs. then on until 1900 or 2000 hrs. The only bad thing was that the country was changing again. Definitely for the worse. Gone are the green fields and trees. We are back in the sand again. 22 miles from Tripoli. We can have 4 days at the rest camp. Up at 7 in the morning. Late for meals! Unlucky! Report back to camp 4 times per day. What the hell do they think we are. For 7 long months we have chased Jerry from over 2,000 miles of coastline, done everything that was asked of us. Even taken Tunis for the 1st Army. And we can鈥檛 even camp within walking distance of the sea. 2陆 years out in this country, 2 years of sand, sand and more sand and we can have 4 days leave in Tripoli. A really magnificent Beau Gest. I am very pleased to say that everyone except 9 men have refused the offer. I foresee a lot of trouble with this Army. Rumour has it that the R.B.s have mutinied. I am inclined to believe it too. They are just the type.
As far as our camping site: It is amongst the sand hills, no shade except for each lorry with a tarpaulin. Of course the officers have a nice fort to live in. With room enough for the whole regiment. But no, we must make the best of it and pig it out in the open. Perhaps it is not the fault of then regiment, but we only see our own part and believe me feeling is very bitter at the moment.
There are no laundry facilities. We have to do our own washing. For a change there is plenty of water. But I don鈥檛 expect to have to wash my own clothes when in rest. Also we have had an issue of ice. If this is a daily issue, it will help a lot to keep us reasonably quiet. To be able to get a cool drink is a great help.
The heat is as usual in the desert terrific during the day and rather nice after about 7.30 pm. We do get a bit of breeze occasionally but it is not much.
There are swimming parties to the sea. 20 miles to go so it hardly seems to be worth it. Daily trips to Triploi but there is not much there according to all accounts. May take a trip there one day.
22-6-43
Quite a time since I added to this letter. You will easily understand how I have felt. Am afraid that you will have to have this in the form of a diary as it is impossible to post it.
Lots have happened since (I wrote the last bit. For instance central messing has started and is as usual lousy.
The swimming trips were not as bad as we expected tho they have not been every day. Now however they are considered part of our training. 鈥淔or operational purposes every man must be able to swim.鈥� Sounds as if they expect the boat to be sunk.
There are numerous rumours about. Some of them are quite good ones. Latest is that all the old blokes are going home, i.e.鈥� men who were in the KDGs when we came out here. There are several pointers to this being true. It is not only this regiment who have that Griff. It spreads throughout the Div - by the way, 1st Division now. Naturally I am hoping it is true. But I do believe that we will be on the way home by Xmas 43.
Were inspected by the King yesterday. He looked as browned off as we were. We were on parade at 0830, piled into lorries and taken 2 miles to the village Suani ben Adem. We then fell in on the road and marched about 2 kilometers down it. Formed up in 4 ranks, 2 on either side of the road. We stood there for about 20 mins then the colonel evidently got browned off as he gave the order 鈥淔all out鈥� and got in the shade. It was about 10.00 then. The Gaffer was due at 12.00. We were to be ready to fall in at 11.45. We had not been standing long when he came along in an open car with Monty in the seat with him. The order was to give 3 cheers when the King was speaking to the CO. I don鈥檛 know if it was noticed or not but the cheers were very half-hearted. Not surprising after the lousy deal we have had. If this was an attempt to boost morale it was a dismal failure. Only one thing will boost it 鈥� the BOAT.
Tomorrow we have an inspection by our Div. GOC. Another morning standing on our feet. Suppose we鈥檒l be told what good lads we have been and how we are expected to do as well in the future.
14-10-43
Quite a while since I added to this but I think it is OK to send now. Hope it is interesting.
Cheerio
All my love
Forever yours
Snub
XXXX

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