大象传媒

Saturday 8th May
Today we entered Tunis! We were up at 05.00, breakfasted and struck tents by 06.30 and moved off at 07.15. The route to the main road through the mountains was difficult but eventually we reached it, just west of Peter鈥檚 corner. Proceeding east in the direction of Massicault was tons of our own and 8th Army transport. Massicault showed few signs of the battle except numerous Honey tanks, the odd Churchill or two knocked out. The other side of Massicault showed more signs of battle, a few horses and mules occasionally a dog or two lying dead and bloated. I only saw one dead German covered with a groundsheet. About 11.30 we reached our DP at La Mornaghia. Here we went into a field and stayed for a while. During the stay a number of our chaps partook of the wine given to them by refugees at the farm. It absolutely knocked them flat as they drank it like water. I myself had some and got my water bottle filled. It was the best vin ordinaire I ever tasted. George Watt, Halligan and Harrison the cook were quite paralytic. We had to carry them on the trucks. A PoW cage was established at La Mornaghia and we saw streams of PoWs coming in all the time. We pulled out about 14.30 after a hectic rush job to get a tracing of the roads of Tunis done in three quarters of an hour! Our progress to Tunis was marked by a continuous stream of PoWs at least 5 miles long and four abreast. Germans, Italians, soldiers, sailors and merchant navy. A motley crew. Tunis was reached about 15.00 and there began the biggest and most sincere expression of welcome and gratitude it is ever possible to show. The streets were packed with cheering people, particularly the Jewish quarter. The German hand has certainly been felt here. The French of every class and age, from the riotous clamour of youths who hit you on the back to the dignity of the older people who came over and kissed you on the cheeks or shook your hands. It was a memorable journey and extremely touching. The only thing was that we lost our way completely and went round in a complete circle so we got a double dose of the cheering. Eventually, we got out to our destination at La Cagna , south of Tunis. After erecting our tent, it was commandeered for the Brigadier! Some PoWs, German and Italian, appeared at 18.30. So ended a terrific day. I slept with the stars as a blanket and thanked God for His victory.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.