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This contribution to People’s War was received by the Action Desk at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Norfolk and submitted to the website with the permission and on behalf of Mr Frederick Jude
Christmas Eve, 1944.
Tomorrow is Christmas Day, if Gerry leaves us alone we will amuse our humble selves indulging in our stocks of chicken, tinned turkey, nuts, oranges and vino and these are not to be snared at. So please Tedeski do leave us alone at least tomorrow.

Sunday, 14th January, 1945. En bloc the men at Christmas offered to forego their chocolate and orange issue in order that they may be distributed amongst the wounded children in the neighbouring hospital
Our OC put my name forward to the Brigadier for a direct commission. I was given two days to think it over and battled with the pro’s and con’s as to what this would involve, would I remain with our Unit? No, at this stage of the war I seek no honour, let me return safely to civilian life neither maimed nor mentally scarred, so I turned the offer down.
I felt somewhat vindicated in my decision when I learnt that on January 6th Jack Gant, the only Fakenhamian I have come across in this division had been killed.
14th April, 1945. Seven days ago we left Forli, my particular friends were centred at the civilian hospital. When we arrived this Infirmary was packed with civilians who had been bombed, shelled or shot at by either the Germans or the British. Silvestro Cicognani, aged 11 with his sister of 8 remain the only survivors of a complete household when a German shell scored a direct hit on their house. Regrettably such is the situation in this country. A Father nursing the only surviving member of his family having lost his wife and 3 children.
The pathetic case of Aldo Musconi at Christmas lying in hospital with a son on either side of him, between them they had three legs and one son had also lost an arm, all wounded from bombs dropped by British forces trying to drive Germans out of the town. Papa Musconi lost both his sons, I said how sorry I was, his immediate reply, in my mind, made him nothing less than a saint, he said ‘Cosi, la guerra’, translated meaning ‘Like this is war.’
(10 years later Grace and I retraced what I felt to be the most important places of my Italian army career, we went to Forli where we visited the hospital)

4th May, 1945. Rovigo, Dola, Gorizia and so we speed ahead.
The memory of the trip from Rovigo to Dola will remain with me for a long time, a journey of over fifty miles through towns, villages and hamlets that were seeing British soldiers for the first time together with all the instruments of war. It would be true to say that at least 90% of the population of this part of the country lined the streets armed with the best flowers of an Italian spring to shower upon us, chanting‘Vivo Englesee!’ We felt like royalty.
How different in Gorizia, a large town at present occupied by Yugoslavs, partisans and Italians. Each occupying force has different designs on this town as well as that of Trieste and each sits waiting and watching with all the cunning of a cat stalking a mouse ready for the other to make a false move.
5th May, 1945. The rumour was true and we now find ourselves in Trieste. Here Tito seems to have very little support, populated 90% by Italians their language is the accepted means of communication and they wish it to remain that way. They envisage Slavs en masse from the countryside pouring into their midst ruining their culture and bringing everyone down to the level of the countryside Yugoslavs.
7th May, 1945. I am billeted on my own with a Slav. family very much pro Tito, but despite this I must say the old girl is very considerate towards me.
Today it has been announced on the radio that all hostilities in Europe have ceased, but here our troubles are far from over, until some agreement is made to settle the destiny of this territory there is no hope for the same announcement here.
2nd June, 1945 At Cervignano we are accepted with tremendous enthusiasm and our Unit plays netball, cricket and football matches. Many well known professionals played in these games including Kirshen who originated from Norwich.
21st June, 1945. Once more chasing this Tito guy, our section together with the complete 167 Brigade of the 56th Div. have been sent here to Pola. To police the area of Yugoslavia, not thus far agreed by conference, but we hope Gorizia, Trieste and Pola remain Italian with any agreement finally made, these Yugoslavs are a belligerent lot.
South of Trieste we passed through extensive Yugoslav country territory occupied by the forces of Tito and the natives anything but pro-British as they shouted ‘Vivo Tito’ and ‘Vivo Stalin’ sneering at us as they did so. But as we reached Pola the scene changed completely, we were greeted with flowers and cheering crowds yelling ‘Vivo Englesse’. Pola, a city of fifty thousand had awaited our arrival with impatience, as they said ‘wherever the British conquer they never let go.
16th July, 1945. Since the arrival in Pola of the 167 Infantry Brigade our Field Park life has assumed a very different role. Now that the war appears to be over our job seems to be that of policing this Italian area and comparative idleness appears to be justified having achieved the ambition the authorities had set themselves.
Education is considered of some importance these days and various personnel are attending courses ranging from motor mechanic to that of advanced banking. I had hoped to take advantage of some of these, but in contrast to being taught I find myself detailed to teach. Our Daily Order for one day last week listed the following:
(i). A Course in Botany will be given by the OC and Staff Sargnt. Jude on alternate
days. This will consist of a ramble over the adjoining countryside with subsequent discussion. Dress — shorts, KD shirt, notebooks and pencils to be carried.
This didn’t prove to be a great success, I remember one chap saying, ‘this leaf, do you think this is the leaf Adam and Eve used in the Garden of Eden’, ‘No, not big enough’ I replied.

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