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Letters Home - December 1944 — Part One

Gnr. R.Dalley O.F.C
1838809
E Troop
320/98 H.A.A. Regt. R.A
B.L.A

Belgium
December 1944

Dear Mum Dad and Bubs,

Myself, I was very glad to know that you intended to go to Aunty Nins’s for Xmas. The different atmosphere and surroundings will tend to give you all a ‘break’ from everyday routine. It is the same feeling after Service on Sunday. That is why I really did enjoy a Service way back there in England- it is something out of the ordinary, something not to be taken as a common occurrence- and, as such, one is rejuvenated, a fresh buoyancy to the spirit is given and the world is faced with an added zest.

Surely you have experienced the feeling upon walking back from Church upon Sunday mornings! One is in atonement with the world- are they not? Also it is a place where one can be in contact with the departed and absent people; this being brought about by its striking holiness, sereneness and tranquillity- it is a time to reflect that the world is, indeed, a small place; that there must be something that is greater, something that binds us together, even when our presence is no longer there. It is an all-pervading force that can almost be felt. You KNOW that the human era is just a passing flash!- and, wherever we are, and whatever happens, in reality we are, and always shall be, in mental oneness!

As you know, we moved from Holland, and moved back near to Antwerp. Its a grand town, but I’m jolly glad to be away from there! Whilst there I was able to get my washing done for me- I almost lost it! As we had to move pretty sharpish from the place, early in the morning I had to dash round to the house to collect it! My old door which has faithfully served me as a bed has now been dispensed with, and in its place I have now swiped a small mobile bed from some Yanks who we took over from. Those guys are certainly looked after! We have to grab and improvise to look after ourselves!

In England, it was a rare event to go back to place twice, but on the Continent it is almost a miracle! And its come off! Once again I’m back with my Belgian friends, the people who sheltered the airmen from the Hun. But I returned back here with very mixed feelings. Naturally, I was glad to come back to my friends- but events had caused such a shadow of gloom and despondency over everything, especially when feelings and thoughts should be turned to such things as good cheer, happy greetings, and goodwill to mankind! How farcical things seem to be sometimes!- but it is only caused by human folly and faults, which we are all capable of!

They were so glad to see me once again! Never, never can I ever repay them for all they have done for me! Oh! I should dearly love you all to meet them. At the sight of the number on our lorries they went crazy with joy. It is the very same number that once you saw Mum, as we passed through London.

Whilst waiting to get ready for action I was taken indoors by Gustave and his sister Mady and given hot coffee and something to eat- and did I need it!

Developments ensued necessitating our presence in this sector, I expect you know more than I do about the German offensive by your newspapers. The terrific speed of modern advances and the fluidness of the following battles leaves much to conjecture on the part of the opposing armies. It is a terrible ordeal not knowing where and how far away the enemy maybe. You may even awake to find yourself miles behind the German front line! I described in a previous letter the awful damp mist we encountered on our return from Holland. It was this day Gerry awaited to break through. Not a yard could be seen in front, and objects moving towards you could have been anything- and, with this uncertainty, we came to my friends on Xmas eve. We worked like Trojans on our equipment, but it was not until 11 pm I managed to see them all! My pity is for them- for I have come to realise what German occupation means. If, once again, the Hun were to over-run these parts it would go hard indeed with these people who have extended such a welcome to us. I have seen the look of fear in their eyes, and, it is a reminder of all that is at stake. Such great friends are worthy of any effort on our behalf.

It was unforeseen whether we would be called upon to play individual parts, but thank goodness it has passed for the present, although we are kept busy with German aeroplanes and V weapons. I suppose that I am now as well acquainted with the V2 as you Londoners. Apparently this all-out effort by the Luftwaffe is the answer to the lull of the German Air Force. This is an all out effort on his part which at times reached critical proportions. But let the praise be for the glorious weather, the RAF and those that were pulled back from their long needed rest straight to grips with the Hun once again. As I say, we are lucky and are not wanted, and happily the crisis for our lot seems to have passed by. We breathe freely once more.

The weather here is bitterly cold, a white blanket of frost covering everything in the mornings, anything that is left exposed is found frozen. Upon first awakening a glittering frost can be seen lining the inside of our tent. I said upon awakening, but that is if you have been lucky enough to sleep- because I can hardly sleep due to the intense cold.

Upon my ‘off nights’ I sleep at my friends place. The daughter (Mady) using the spare bedroom whilst I have her room for the evening. Fresh clean pillow-cases and sheets are put on for my benefit, and a hot iron is put in the bed for me. Some nights I finish at twelve o’clock, but they still insist that I go there at this unearthly hour, wake them up, and have a good night’s sleep. Of course I still go into camp by the back entrance just before daybreak. I can wangle things better this time as only two of us sleep in a wooden hut in the camp.

Received the cigarettes safely last night. Thank you ever so much for them.

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