大象传媒

'I wouldn't want to leave you with the impression it was all beer and skittles as we were being subjected to more daily bombing raids by flights of Stuka bombers, usually about 12 in a flight. They timed their run to coincide with the position of the sun so that they were on us before we could really see them. The target was normally the docks area and its installations.

What with the banshee blood curdling scream of diving aircraft, the anti-aircraft barrage and exploding bombs it was a nerve-racking experience. The biggest danger to us in the higher parts of the town was from falling shrapnel from our anti-aircraft barrage. Pieces of shrapnel were anything between 1 to 3 inches in size and all capable of inflicting considerable damage to any unfortunate individual caught in the open. We soon found the most effective cover was to dive under a lorry. At this stage it became evident that the navy and airforce were very conspicuous by their absence.

It was evident that Jerry had the skies to themselves. This confirmed rumours that were circulating to the effect that they had no wish to be trapped in another siege and had pulled out.

This story was submitted to the people鈥檚 War site by a volunteer from CSV Oxford on behalf of the late Bill Harvey. It is a transcript of his own diary and several interviews. He gave written permission for the material to be edited and published.

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