26 July

On a working party today fetching rubble from ruined houses for the Brigadier's command post. Went first to Bréville where there isn't a single house that hasn't been damaged by shellfire. While there I realised the importance of this ridge we are holding for from its top I could see right across the bridgehead onto the other side of the Orne.

            Then through Escoville, Herouvillette St. Honorine in a bumpy RE tipper along roads choking with dust to Colombelles. The great steel-works is a mass of scrap-iron and huge bomb-craters 30 feet across and nearly as deep are everywhere. During the afternoon an unexploded bomb went off suddenly. The [...] shook, there was a terrific roar and a pillar of black smoke mounted straight into the air for several hundred feet.

            I was a good 300 yrds away and I never want to be any closer. We helped a Frenchman, one of the factory staff, to salvage the office safe which was lying face downwards in the heap of rubble which had once been the office. It was intact but he couldn't open it and went off to look for an oxy-acetylene welder.

            Saw plenty of guns and armour about, including 5.5"s and Shermans. Heard some more rumours.

            Had another salt water shower this evening but kept my hair dry to prevent its getting clogged with salt. Usual vain efforts to make a lather.

27 July

On guard that night for 2 hrs 40 mins by myself. After being relieved I was just dozing off to sleep in the guard tent when a stick of bombs crashed down nearby and we heard the sound of aircraft overhead. The bombs were close enough for us to feel the blast [...] we went off to our trenches. The raid lasted until 0200 hrs with plenty of flares and several more bombs quite close.

            We had to lay out our kits this morning in pukka fashion for inspection by the C.O. The intention was that we should leave here tomorrow on the first stage of our journey home which was to be made by air. Unfortunately at midday an order came cancelling this arrangement and we learnt instead that we were to go up to the fork roads to relieve the Canadians. This information hasn't been made public of course. I had it from Pat who is furious about the change. I'm glad I didn't know so much about it since I don't feel so disappointed now.

            Chilly was up before the C.O. today on several charges, lost 7 days' pay and was transferred to C coy . For some time he has been discontented and hasn't done much work so this move is quite welcome to him.

            Our guns very quiet today. From the news it seems as if a deadlock is developing [...] this front. Jerry has apparently been able [...] and withdraw his panzer divs whilst at the same time bringing up more artillery. We shall probably get some shelling in our new position.

            Have had several letters from Father recently, also a book and "The Listener". He is going to retire at the end of the month, which I am glad to hear.

28 July

Back to the Bois de Bavent this morning to a slightly different position further down the road. We have a narrow front with Bn HQ about a hundred yards behind the road on the crest of the ridge. We have a fine view of the Orne valley.

            I share a trench-shelter with Powell and one of the company runners. It is only a foot deep but stoutly walled with ammo boxes and sandbags and roofed with logs and turves. There is a good floor of pine branches and twigs which is very pleasant to lie on. The Canadians who were here before us have built several similar log cabins including a palatial one for the C.O. and even an officer's mess. Here our officers have their meals sitting on chairs at a table covered with a clean white tablecloth and spread with china and cutlery.

            The Int Office in which Pat and Paul are living is a large and commodious dug-out which at present has the disadvantage of having several inches of water on the floor. I spent the afternoon sitting on a tree stump outside it taking bearings on the reports of enemy guns and mortars and in the intervals writing out codes for the week. Occasional but accurate mortar fire on our positions which cost B coy 2 casualties.

            This evening during stand-to the Luftwaffe paid us another visit. One bomb was dropped close enough to send fragments over our heads and there was some machine-gunning on the road. An FW190 roared low overhead but didn't bomb us.

            Clouds of mosquitoes swarmed round us all night. There were far more than we ever had at "Coffin Corner" and it was bad enough there. They didn't keep me awake, though, and we were packed so tightly together that I was warm and comfortable. By great good luck I wasn't on guard.

29 July

Hard at work this morning pumping water from the Int. shelter with a pump borrowed from brigade. It was a hand pump worked by levers, one of which nearly laid me out when it flew from its socket and hit me on the side of the face below my left ear. I spun round like a top and flopped down on a convenient bank. A big bruise and swelling appeared and my jaw ached for the rest of the day.

            This afternoon went down to Brigade with Pat to mark up our maps with the latest information. They have some splendid dug-outs - properly walled and floored with boards, steps leading down and several feet of sandbags and rubble on top.

            Our positions were mortared intermittently but very accurately during the evening. There were 8 casualties, including Sgt. Maj. [???] of A Coy.

            At 2240 hrs, just 5 mins earlier than last night, the Luftwaffe came over again. One plane gave us a dose of cannon-fire.

            A parcel from Mother came this evening containing shaving cream and several good magazines. I was sitting in the Int. shelter opening it when a mortar bomb burst just outside and a piece of shrapnel came in through the slit and whizzed past my nose.

            News at last of Pete and Watkins. Traces of their plane were found near Colombelles and it is believed that it blew up in mid-air. Paul confirms that for just after he landed he looked over in that direction and saw one of our planes going down in flames. So Pete and Watkins didn't have a chance, didn't even land in France. If they did land I would bet heavily on Pete's winning through OK, but it looks as if he didn't even get a start.

            A panzerwerfer captured by our troops opened fire this evening and startled everyone by the sudden "swoosh" of the rockets. It probably gave Jerry a shock, too, to have one of his own favourite weapons turned against him.

30 July

On guard this morning, one to three o'clock, in a slit trench by the track. Heard tanks moving in the plain, there was some shelling in the brickworks area, and a Boche plane paid us a short visit.

            Luftwaffe over again during dawn stand-to. One ME flew low over our position. All the time the raid was on Jerry was putting up Green Vereys to show his lines. Even so, I believe they were bombed.

            More baling-out in the Int shelter this morning. Paul has dug a hole and fitted a couple of ration-boxes in it to form a sump. This filled up during the night.

            Wrote letters, read and slept throughout the day, which was warm and sunny.

            Stan has written us a most amusing letter, telling us what a good time he is having. As Paul points out, though, he is rather unfortunate in having no relatives in England, for when he leaves hospital he'll have no home to go to.

31 July

Had to move at short notice this morning about a mile S. to a position near the fork-roads just beyond the ones we held during the first week of the campaign. No. 4 Commando who took over our old position roused our interest by their Swedish rucksacks which they all carried and the heavy loads they had. One of their troop-leaders wore the VC ribbon whilst another was French and commanded a troop of Frenchmen.

            It was a blazing hot day and I was very glad that our smocks and tunics were being taken on the truck. Our brigade was relieving the 154 Bde of the 51st and our Bn took over from the 7th Black Watch. Since the brigade on our right was also being relieved there was a great deal of movement which Jerry must have spotted, for he plastered us with mortar-bombs for two hours after we arrived. General came to see the CO and was pushing his round stomach importantly across the field when a bomb came over and exploded in a tree about 50 yrds away. The General dropped all dignity and flew into the nearest dug-out.

            The BW had taken off the [...] of the command post before they left and I helped put on a new one. Work was interrupted frequently by mortar bombs. Luckily we could hear them being fired and so had warning of their approach.

            There were some Shermans in support of us when we first arrived but they moved out during the dusk stand-to. Jerry must have heard them but he didn't send anything over.

            Haven't seen anything of the Luftwaffe for the past two days.

            5 casualties today in Bn HQ, including the RSM who was luckily only slightly hurt and able to remain with us.

            Am now reading "Cold Comfort Farm" which I think delightful. Its a most amusing plea for the civilised norm as opposed to all types of "cranky fanatics."

1 Aug

Had a good night's sleep since Joe and I were so close together that we kept one another warm. Fetched all meals today from the admin. area about ¼ of a mile back down the reverse slope of the ridge.

            Joe and I went to Bde HQ this morning to see the IO and take some traces. Capt Kippen has gone to hospital and the new IO is Lt. Fitzgerald, who used to be liaison officer with Div. To reach Bde we had to walk about a mile down into the valley. I saw no troops anywhere and realised how precarious our position was, perched up on the ridge with no one in support. Considering the importance of our position it is thinly held to the point of danger. From the crest of the ridge one can see for miles and Jerry has only to push us back a few hundred yards to be able to establish OPs there. If he once established himself here we should have to attack uphill to get him off.

            At present, though, all we have had have been brisk exchanges of mortar fire. Everything was still and quiet when we went out this morning but the firing started whilst we were on our way back and bombs were falling all around our position. This continued at intervals throughout the day.

            After dinner Joe and I were set to work burying refuse - dirty German blankets and filth left behind by the Black Watch. Again after tea we spent an hour picking up litter. This incessant scavenging, combined with the many journeys I had made during the day, wondering all the time whether the mortar bombs I could hear Jerry firing would land near me, made me very glad to lie down for a night's sleep.

2 Aug

A quiet night, except some shelling a few hundred yards behind us. One of our patrols found an empty German trench containing fresh bread, letters and rouble notes. Powell translated one of the letters, written before June 6th, in which the writer said he thought "Tommy" was bluffing and there wouldn't be any invasion. He must have had rather a shock on D-day.

            Some interesting German equipment has been left behind in this field - 3 Faustpatroners, a magnetic hollow charge, and several boxes of 7.5cm Pak amms with extremely long cases. There were, of course, the usual stick grenades, egg grenades, rifles and MG belts.

            A noisy morning during which I did some traces whilst MG and mortar fire banged and rattled. The 9th were firing their Piats at the château, now a complete ruin, and were doing a little strafing from their forward positions. Jerry replied in kind, lobbing mortar bombs on to the road.

            Bright sunshine and clear skies in the afternoon and evening. More air activity than usual. Some Forts passed overhead and one was shot down in flames from a great height. The bomb-load must have been hit for we saw no 'chutes.

3 Aug

On guard last night in a trench by the roadside. More mosquitoes than ever before. Had a fairly quiet day until an arty stonk started soon after 1700 hrs. The enemy's FDLs were heavily pasted and our own mortars and MMGs opened up as well. Our MMGs must have been right on the target for they immediately drew mortar fire from Jerry in reply.

            Nearly everyone, including myself, complains of rotting toes or feet due, I suppose, to wearing boots too much.

4 Aug

Raid by the Luftwaffe on our positions last night. Several bombs dropped among A Coy's slit trenches but no casualties. A parachute mine of a new type failed to explode.

            A fairly quiet day until the arty put up another stonk in the evening. It was shorter and more concentrated and our forward posts reported it was falling right on the enemy's FDLs. Typhoons and Spitfires strafed his back areas.

            During last night's stonk we had heard some screaming from the enemy's lines and today the Canucks reported that one of the Boche opposite them had gone insane. 7 Prisoners came in to the lines today as a result of last night's propaganda broadcast.

            Our arty fired airburst leaflets over the Boche lines this evening but the wind blew them towards us.

            Worked all today on an enlargement which I am doing from an air photo of this area.

            The unexploded bomb was detonated by the REs in an empty field about 200 [???] away. We weren't expecting it and the terrific explosion with its cloud of black smoke gave us a moment's unpleasantness.

            Another propaganda broadcast was made from our forward positions early this morning. As a result of last night's effort 7 deserters went into the Lincolns' lines.

5 Aug

Rain seemed likely today so Joe and I roofed over the open part of our trench and dug a sump in the entrance. Luckily the clouds cleared away in the afternoon and we had fine weather for the rest of the day.

            Jerry has brought up some arty which shelled neighbouring areas this afternoon.

            Finished my map enlargement this morning.

            20 Marauders have just gone overhead.

            2 officer reinforcements arrived recently. They had lunch in Salisbury and were here on the evening of the same day.

6 Aug

Have been over here 2 months now. To mark the anniversary "Pegasus" published a letter from Gen. Gale.

            Went on a tour of the companies this morning showing people the situation map with the Americans' advance marked on it. They now hold Brest and Nantes and seem to be driving S without meeting much opposition. Jerry is probably delighted to see our armies rushing away from Paris and the German frontier.

            Our bn front is a long one and only thinly held. There are quite a few gaps in it. There is a troop of tanks back at Bde in a counter-attack rôle and tracks for them have been marked with white tape.

            An SP gun shelled our posns during the afternoon. One shell hit the tree above our trench and exploded in the branches. Joe's webbing equipment was cut to pieces, mine was slightly damaged and my respirator ruined. The pistol grip was torn off my Sten and the ground all around the tree was torn up by shrapnel. A beer bottle which stood just below it was untouched. Luckily Joe and I were in our trench at the time and weren't even shaken though the cordite fumes that drifted in made us cough.

            Mortaring in our area continued throughout the evening.

            We are all getting plenty of books and papers from home now. I had some this evening, with a letter from Father who has just retired. Dorothy is spending a week at a Youth Hostel in Ashford, Kent.

7 Aug

On guard last night, surrounded by the usual cloud of mosquitoes. Kept a log of sound observations - firing etc during the night. Slept in an ex-German trench - well-built but smelling horribly of stale scent.

            A .D.M.S. inspected the area this morning and a good deal of "bull" was done in preparation - everyone had to be washed before breakfast and the area specially tidied up. Gen. Gale and the Brig. came round later but didn't stay long.

            There seems to be something in the wind for Pat came back from Bde today looking very secretive and hinting at considerable changes on our flanks. News from the West is very good. Perhaps Monty intends to drive eastwards by a more southerly route and leave this sector in the area.

            SP guns shelled us in the early afternoon and again later in the evening. There was a fatal casualty in C coy and Maj. [???] was slightly wounded in several places. Joe and I sat in our trench drinking beer from a bottle and laughing. That's all we can do for the roof of our trench is so thin it wouldn't stop a rifle bullet, let alone a shell.

            Am now reading the Penguin Herodotus, a copy of which I found in the Command Post. It's an entertaining book and easy to read, which suits my present frame of mind.

            Really hot today, as it should be, for it is August Bank Holiday.

            During stand-to this evening many of our bombers passed overhead to make a raid further south.

8 Aug

Another fine day. It is most pleasant in the mornings when the sun is warm but not yet hot and there is still some dew about. We generally have an hour or two's quiet in the morning but there is never absolute stillness - always the mutter of gunfire in the distance or the sound of a plane overhead.

            Had some real tea today made from fresh ingredients.

            Our own arty fired airburst over our posns this evening. Luckily there were no casualties. Shelling from SP guns has been intermittent but accurate.

            Several days ago Sgt. Ellison, [???] Sgt. since Sgt. Sapping became a casualty, was wounded during the dawn stand-to. The tail-fin dropped off one of our own mortar bombs which fell short and landed right in our field.

            A night or two ago Cpl. Roberts, who was guard commander, shot himself in the hand whilst climbing out of his slit trench. He was well enough to pack his kit before leaving and went away grinning all over his face. Sgt. Goodfellow will be lost without his fellow "Bevin Boy", as people who are too scared to leave their trenches.

            Heard vehicles moving behind the enemy lines this evening.

            Joe and I managed to forget the war for an hour or so after stand-down while we lay in our trench talking of various things and swapping tales of our Army life. Joe was in the Pioneers for several years but managed to turn it to good account by learning a number of useful trades.

9 Aug

Moved back at 11 o'clock this morning to the area of the old Bde HQ above Touffreville. The 9th are extending their line to cover our area and we are in reserve to be used to occupy Bures when the Boche pull out. Apparently the theory is that the big advance further S is such a threat to his left flank that he may be compelled to withdraw beyond the Dives. When that happens we shall have to advance through the wood and occupy Bures. We shall probably have to go through intensive artillery fire and are bound to meet plenty of booby traps and minefields.

            Maj Tyrrell and several of the lightly wounded people have returned from England with reinforcements - all parachutists straight from Hardwick.

            The Int office has been established in the former Bde Command Post, which is a sandbag palace with several rooms.

10 Aug

Blistering heat today. Joe and I started work on a trench for the 3 of us but it was very hard work and we hadn't made much progress by the evening. Then had to stop and help Paul mark up air photos for the coming action.

11 Aug

Continued work on air photos this morning. After dinner we all got to work on our trench and made it large and wide. [???]. Phillips the QM arrived today from England with a small party of reinforcements, including the cook-sergt. with whom we had many queer tussles back in Tilshead.

12 Aug

Still waiting for "Spanner" and hoping we shan't get it. More fine weather and plenty of mosquitoes. Had a bath at Herouvillette this afternoon at the "Ferme de Lien Haras". Returned to Escoville along the road I used to watch so often when the front was hereabouts.

            Pat will get his commission soon, as will Sgt. Hutchinson [...] C.S.M. of HQ [...], and Sgt Dudley of C coy. [???] is now a Maj [...] and OC [...].[1]

13 Aug

More good news from other parts of the front. To satisfy people's curiosity we have hung a marked map up on one of the [...] and keep it up to date by frequent visits to Bde for information.

14 Aug

[...] today and we heard the [...] south. Jerry [...] or the road to Escoville.

            The old Army "bull" continues even here - we have to lay out our kit for inspection every morning. Did some traces for a rehearsal of "Spanner". We are now to have 10 hrs notice of it.

            Pat and the other prospective officers went to Div this afternoon to see Gen Gale and apparently got on all right.

            We sprayed creosote in our trench last night and it was quite successful in keeping out the mosquitoes. I rely chiefly on my gloves, now badly torn, camouflage veil, and piece of parachute. I daren't take my boots off for on the one occasion that I did I was badly bitten through my socks.

            Luftwaffe active tonight.

15 Aug

During breakfast this [...] a filling in one of my front teeth came out [...] to get sent to the MDS at Ranville [...] and there had a [...] filling put [...]

16 Aug

Mass kit check this morning in the centre of the field. The QM came round and made some insulting remarks to me. I complained to the Coy comd and he promised to speak to the QM about it.

            "Spanner" given at 2130 this evening. Hurried preparations in the dark.

17 Aug

Moved to FUP in darkness. Crossed startline at dawn. Area absolutely clear. Jerry had withdrawn completely. Much evidence of our shelling and bombing beside the track into Bures and in Bures itself. Several dead horses on the road. Railway line torn up and bridge blown but we crossed on wreckage. Had to wade ankledeep in floodwater from R. Dives.

            Pushed up long straight road from Vauvers [???] and contacted enemy rearguard near [???]. Moved up in series of [???]. I was sick and had a splitting headache. Reached  Goustranville at dusk and held up there by heavy shelling and mortaring. Slept in a barn for a few hours. Jerry SA fire came up the road just over our heads.

18 Aug

Bn HQ estd in local Mairie. Int OP in attic with excellent view across river to Putot en Auge. Other bns now up in support. Jerry has about 1 coy this side of river. Many FOOs came up to record targets on opposite ridge. Interesting to watch them. Had first food for 36 hrs.

            2200 hrs heavy stonk after which bdn advanced to river and 9th went through them to take rly line. Then 5th Bde came up to take ridge. Slept comfortably on mattress.

19 Aug

Heavy shelling all day on road. Several near us causing casualties. Atmosphere of tense excitement following progress of attack.

20 Aug

1st and 4th SS Bdes now on way to Dozulé and Angoville. We remain at Goustraville ready to move at short notice. Reinforcements arrive from Eng. incl Niven, a Pole, for Int Sec. Rather conceited but will be useful for interrogation.

21 Aug

Heavy rain all night and again this morning. Bn moves along main road to Dozulé. Occasional shelling. Several houses on fire. Dutch recce are out in front. I move with adjt in B party. Meet some Frenchmen who are really glad to see us in villages beyond Dozulé.

            Meet stiff enemy opposition at Annebault and battle develops. Direct hit by rocket projectile on A party killing Pat and wounding Paul badly in leg. He will recover though. News is horrible and I feel very bad. Despite accurate SP fire on our posns we gain crossroads by dusk and take about 40 PW: including an Oberfeldwebel. He says they were to pull out to Pont l'Evêque at 2200 hrs.

            Spend night in French cottage just recently evacuated. Very tired and unhappy. I now take over IO duties.

22 Aug

After good sleep wake to find 5th Bde has passed through to Pont l'Eveque and guns are also going forward. We have breakfast and march to crossroads at La Haie Tondue approx 7 km from Pont. Bn HQ in a barn - quite comfortable.

            Attend O group in evening. CO makes me up to corporal. Bn at 2 hrs notice to move. Good sleep on straw.

23 Aug

Very busy distributing new sets of maps and air photos. Go with O group to hill this side of Pont to recce valley. Shells and occasional rifle shots; several buildings on fire. Jerry on opposite slope across R Touques.

            After dinner another O group this time to prepare for possible parachute op across river.

            Hear great news that Paris is in hands of Free French.

24 Aug

During night hear that jump is cancelled. Have good sleep with boots off. Go out with CO in jeep to recce Bn concentration area. Have to find our way in the rain through a maze of muddy lanes to big farmhouse at Glatigny. Frantic hurry over everything. Bde is to cross R Tongues and seize St. Gâtien on other side. Bn ferried across in collapsible boats - helped pull ¾ of it over myself. Then up steep slope on far side to top of ridge - no opposition thank God! Could see Deauville and Trouville from top. Carrying big pack and very exhausted. Cloudburst occurred whilst on long straight road through forest of St. Gâtien. Everyone absolutely drenched.

            Occupied former German HQ in large house in St. Gâtien. Lit fires and dried our clothes. Food arrived at 0100 hrs. Patrols went out and made no contact with enemy. Did not get much sleep owing to having to send reports to Bde.

25 Aug

On the road again without breakfast through St. Benoit d'Hébertot. Rly bridge on road just outside Beuzeville blown so went with CO to recce route by side-tracks S of town. Enthusiastic but unfortunately rather plain Frenchwoman kisses me. Stiff fight develops - a hedgerow battle. Bn HQ well forward. Lucky to find a German dug-out in which to estd BP safe from accurate SP fire. We make progress - slowly and with heavy casualties, including 18 killed.

            Captured German corporal said they would start to withdraw at 2200 hrs. Battle had died down by then and there was no firing during night - except from our own guns. We have a Belgian fd bty in support and the FOO is a very pleasant little man.

            Slept intermittently during night owing to cold. Was stiff as a board in the morning. Situation satisfactory but Chilly killed - shot through the chest whilst scouting across a field.

26 Aug

Warm sunshine today. We lay about sleeping and caught up on our meals.

27 Aug

Moved back to rear HQ in an orchard. Spent the day getting cleaned up and rested. The advance has gone right forward nearly to the Seine and we are now well behind the line.

28 Aug

Sorted out our Int Sec equipment in the Admin Area today. Plenty of cigarettes and tobacco belonging to Paul and Pat. There is something in the wind though I don't know quite what. Our amm has been collected and taken away.

            Intermittent rain throughout the day.

29 Aug

Rumour has it that we are to go back to England on Sept 6. Leave addresses have been asked for and lists of deficiencies etc are pouring in. Mr. Miller has been awarded the M.C. though no one knows why, and is angling for promotion! He had the Coy out on drill this morning in the lane and revealed himself as the barrack-square sergt he really is.

            Niven is proving himself very useful in getting things for us from the French. He has made friends with two old ladies who live in a cottage just across the road. They provided me with some hot water for washing clothes and in the evening made some omelettes for us. I had a long talk with one of the inf. reinforcement pl. comds. from B coy who said that the morale of his men was very low and he had to drive not lead them into battle.

            Had some French bread and Camembert cheese today.

            On guard tonight. More rain.

30 Aug

Continual rain and grey skies. News is good but I hope we don't stay here long. More indents for kit.

1 Sept

Recreational tpt. [???] to Trouville this afternoon. Went with Niven who had been given an introduction to M. Besserés owner of the Hotel Bras D'or and Hotel Chatham, by his brother who owns the Lansdowne Restaurant in London. Luckily the gentleman had not left throughout all the years of war and was there in his empty hotel with its 100 rooms when we called. He and his wife were pleasant middle-aged bourgeois who made us welcome immediately. They brought out a bottle of champagne which had been kept specially for such an occasion. We sat at a table in the courtyard of the hotel talking and drinking. Naturally, Niven did most of the talking but I could understand most of what was said and even spoke occasionally myself. M. Besserés was very grateful for the news of his brother from whom he had not heard for 4 years. Some refugees from Pont l'Evêque - a lady and her two daughters - called and we were introduced.

            Then M. Besserés showed us the town - the casino, now a hospital, and the German defences along the sea front which included anti-tank ditches, concrete walls and pillboxes, barbed wire and the turret from an old French tank sited to command the harbour entrance. All houses on the front had their ground-floor windows blocked with concrete and MG nests in the upper storeys. The sands between high and low water-mark were dotted with stakes pointing seawards so as to wreck the bows of landing craft. In the cliffs, we were informed, were emplacements for coastal guns. It was all labour in vain, though, for Jerry had left the town without a fight.

            Touville must have been a pleasant place in peacetime - full of hotels, bars and restaurants, with a fine modern swimming-pool designed in imitation of the one at Cannes [???], and extensive sands, it is a typical seaside holiday resort. Just across the river was Deauville which, so our friend informed us, was the resort of the "upper 500" and where the season lasted from Aug 1 to 27th when the Grand Prix took place, after which everyone returned to Paris.

            We went into the chief shop - the "Galeries Modernes" - where Niven and I each bought a bottle of perfume for 200 fr. and I bought some ladies gloves at 123 fr. Our friend then led us to the little restaurant of the Hotêl des Dumes in the Rue Alexandre [???] and recommended us to the care of the "patronne". She served us a simple but finely-cooked meal of roast meat, "pommes à la paille" tomatoes, cucumber and lettuce followed by a delicious ripe pear and the whole washed down with some excellent Bordeaux. Total cost 244 fr.

            Then on to another bar where we had coffee and cognac and back to the Bras d'Or in the Rue des Beaux to say goodbye to our friend. He promptly produced a bottle of white wine - Graves and we sat down to talk again. I felt once more a civilised being and was extremely happy. Eventually we had to leave to catch the truck back to camp and took with us a letter to the other M. Besserés in London.

            To round off the day we had for supper another excellent omelette followed by biscuits and Pont l'Évêque cheese. The old lady in the cottage across the road, whose hospitality we enjoy, has lived through 3 wars. In 1870 she was a little girl of 6 years and can remember the exhausted French soldiers retreating through Bonneville and the subsequent German occupation.

            Although Calvados is far too strong for our liking she drinks it as a matter of course and is greatly amused by our dislike of it. She is a shrewd, good-humoured old lady.

2 Sept

Yesterday's fine weather was only a temporary break for we had intermittent rain throughout today. More work on the War Diary. Am heartily tired of these grey skies and the wet orchard in which we live. Talk over with Joe the events of the last 3 months and speculate on the future of the battalion.

            Joe wishes to wipe out his previous disgrace by getting fresh promotion and will probably transfer to a rifle coy. Niven has already asked Seaife, now Acting Coy Comd, to put him forward for a commission, and is thinking of eventual transfer to the FSP. Though I am hoping that some of our wounded will rejoin us it looks as if practically a complete new Int Sec will be needed.

            Yet another excellent omelette made for us over the wood fire by the old lady and her daughter and washed down with hot milk. Very pleasant to sit by the fire in their room and chat with them.

            This morning Niven and I each sent home a parcel of Pont l'Évêque cheeses which had been made up for us by a neighbouring farmer. I should have liked to have sent some Camembert as well but that is too soft and lasts only 8 days.

            N.B. Have written these last 4 pages by the light of a candle in our Int. Office cum cowshed. I can hear the rabbits moving about in the hutch beside me. Hope it doesn't rain too hard - there's a hole in the roof just above me.

3 Sept

Another very boring day in this wretched orchard with nothing to do except read magazines and wait for the next meal. The war has gone a long way from us now and the Tilshead spirit is already beginning to creep back. Distant heavy gunfire from the North this evening - probably Le Havre, which we could see clearly from Trouville. A propos [???] of this M. Besseres told us that the German officers used to tell their men that the Le Havre peninsula was England and that the men firmly believed it. Yesterday morning Niven went to Trouville on the motor bike to take some cigarettes and chocolate to the Besserés.

            Had an excellent farewell supper at the cottage this evening, omelette, beefsteak, bread and cheese and coffee. The latter was my Bantam coffee which I have carried around with me since D-day in the bottom of my pack without being aware of it until this evening when I turned everything out.

            Interesting conversation with Niven who is a Polish Jew whose real name is Nowik [???]. He is a B Sc textiles of Leeds University and intends going back there after the war to do research. Since he is 30 this makes my fear that I should be too old to return to Oxford look rather silly. Niven can talk well and is good company, I hope he remains with the Bn. He refused, wisely, to join the Polish Army and volunteered for the Pioneer Corps in which he served for 3 yrs, spending several months in Bermondsey when the Blitz was at its height.

4 Sept

Start of our journey home. Moved off with B coy to which I am attached for travelling purposes. I was carrying two big packs and have never been so weighed down before. The sgt maj. started off on the right road but then decided it was wrong and led us to the [???] point by a maze of lanes instead of along the main road. There were half-a-dozen of us there who knew the way and told him so but he refused to listen and was cursed by everyone for his bungling.

            T.C.V.s took us back along the old familiar road - Pont l'Eveque, Annebault, Dozulé, Troarn and Escoville to Pegasus Bridge. Here we had to wait whilst the bridge was raised to allow a ship to pass up the canal to Baen. Pont l'Eveque was badly damaged in the centre of the town and Troarn even more so. Large R.A.F. convoys passed us on the way forward.

            From Pegasus Br we went along the usual road through Benouville, Colleville and Hermanville to Délivrande with its church of the twin towers. Then on through Reviers and Tailleville to no. 60 Transit Camp on the hill behind Arromanches. We had tents and a blanket each, which was more than I expected.

            In the evening Niven and I, to pass the time, walked to Ryes to the canteen in 36 R.H.U. Here we met two interesting people - a French-Canadian aged 47 who had been born in Alencon, and an artillery corporal who a week before had been at Amiens with a unit of the R.H.A. attached to the 8th Armd Bde. It had been raining intermittently throughout the evening and was pouring steadily by the time we started back. Making your way along twisting lanes in darkness and in the pouring rain is not an easy job. Luckily we didn't lose our way but were pretty wet by the time we arrived at camp.

5 Sept

We hoped to embark today but were disappointed - the weather was too rough. After waiting all the afternoon with our kit ready we were sent back to our tents.

            There is a large PW cage by the side of the camp.

            A long column - several thousands strong - of shabby unshaved prisoners marched out towards the coast - presumably to embark for England. One of the prisoners had an accordion on which he played popular tunes. Later on one of our people played the bagpipes. Of the two I certainly preferred the accordion. Most of the prisoners were downcast and gloomy but a few senior N.C.Os, lean, wolfish and dangerous, walked about with an upright and commanding air. 

6 Sept.

Up early this morning; washed and had breakfast in the dark. Then put our kit on and marched over the hill and down into Arromanches. A large artificial harbour had been made and a long pier of steel girders led out to a landing stage. Here the whole battalion was crammed into one TLC and we were taken out to the Liberty Ship "Empire Gauntlet" which was lying at anchor outside. The TLC tied up alongside and we climbed aboard up scrambling nets and steel ladders fixed in the ship's side. Since I was carrying two big packs and the TLC was rising and falling at intervals to go up the ladder required careful timing.

            Once aboard we were crammed into the holds which were fitted up with folding bunks 4 tiers high. For about an hour there was terrific confusion but eventually the companies were sorted out and we settled down. Then it was time for a meal. Feeding was done on the cafeteria system - all courses being eaten off the same tray. It took a long time of course but the food was good and the system seemed the best possible.

            At about one o'clock we got under way and I went on deck to have a look around. We were in a convoy consisting of another Liberty ship, a hospital ship, and several small cargo vessels with two destroyers and two corvettes as escort. The sea was calm and the sun shone brightly, making the trip a very pleasant one.

            At 4.45 it was announced over the ship's loud-speaker system that the Isle of Wight was in sight. Everybody rushed up on deck. At first I couldn't see anything at all but after hard staring through binoculars spotted what seemed to be a long dark cloud very low on the horizon. It grew larger and clearer but it was not until several hours later that we really came up to it.

            I was very pleased to see Portsmouth and Southsea again and pick out the familiar landmarks on the promenade - the naval barracks, the War Memorial and the old forts at the entrance to the harbour.

            As we entered the Solent a convoy of about 20 TLCs carrying lorries passed us heading for France and a formation of 50 Lancasters flew inland. There were many ships about - chiefly destroyers and escort craft but there were two battleships as well though one couldn't tell what they were because their names had been painted out. By the time we dropped anchor further up the Solent it was already dark and so we spent the night aboard.

7 Sept

Disembarked at Southampton Docks this morning in a drizzle of mist and rain. Luckily there was a gang-plank and we weren't called on to perform perilous gymnastics on a ladder. On the quay was a military band playing, for some unknown reason, "The British Grenadiers." We marched straight across the quay and on to a waiting train. The excitement of being back soon died down and our return seemed quite an everyday affair.

            At Bulford the transport arrangements were equally good for TCVs were already waiting to take us to Tilshead. Most people were pleased to be back in camp but I personally found it most depressing. It was only bearable at all in the old days because of the good friends I had in the section and now all those had gone and Serge and Joe couldn't possibly replace them.

            Spent the rest of the day [...] finding a bed, blankets, etc and filling up 1157s. Capt. Seaife, now coy comd, in a flat spin. Everything most depressing.

8 Sept

Kit inspection this morning and issue of new battle dress in the afternoon. The wire I got Serge to phone last night should have reached home this morning [???]. Rang up Mother and Father this evening and told them to expect me home soon. 

[1]    Please note :The entries from 12-15 August have been especially badly damaged, apparently by water.