A Noble Sacrifice - Monday 12th March 1945

Letter written on Monday 12^th March 1945

‘C’ Squadron

52^nd (Lowland) Recce Regt

BLA.

Monday 12^th March

Chotie Darling,

                                    I’m writing you at my first opportunity, which hasn’t presented itself up ‘til the present moment.  I’m still at the half-way stage, and may well stay here another day or two as there’s an acute shortage of transport, it seems.

            I spent a day or so with Brinner, who unfortunately got himself posted yesterday.  Strangely enough he was very profuse with his congratulations on our behalf and gave us both his blessing!  He says he’s going to write to you.  I expect that’s as far as he’ll get, however, as he’s an even poorer correspondent than I am.

            I had a much better trip over than I had at first expected, and managed to sleep most of the night.  Since then of course I’ve been bandied about all over the place.  The food here tho’ is really excellent so I can’t grumble on that score.  You would be in your element.

            Chotie Darling, at risk of sounding very trite I must thank you very much for your noble sacrifice in marrying me.  I must be an awful person to live with.  You must find me terribly moody.  I try not to be, but since the beginning of the war I find I’m completely dis-orientated at home.  I’ll try to make you happy, Darling, which is what you deserve after all this time.

            Am I writing awful rubbish?  I’ll try another tack.  There are some fourteen OR*s here, mostly from my troop also waiting for transport, but who are at least half a mile away which means that I spend most of my time running from here to there, trying to tee-up the transport question.  All very trying.

            To compensate however, they opened an Officers' Shop, the first I’ve had a chance of visiting since I came over here (D-day I mean!) so I bought a few necessary articles of kit, pyjamas etc.

            There’s also an excellent bar here, so I can sink a steady schnapps now and again.  I’ve also got a bottle of whisky to go back to….

            I must close in rather a hurry, Darling as my transport seems to have turned-up.

            I’ll try to write you again when I reach the regiment.

                                                Goodbye, my Darling

                                                            Your favourite husband….

                                                                                    Dicker.

*other ranks i.e. not officers.

 © Chotie Darling

 

Dick’s 1945 diary for March:

12th Mon – Returned to Unit

 

WAR DIARY of 52^nd (Lowland) Recce Regt RAC March 1945

– Lt Col J.B.A. Hankey OBE

Date 12^th Place MENZELEN 1636:                                       Weather – Dull

Strength - 907 men, 188 tanks/armoured cars/guns

2 Prisoners of War taken              

‘ ‘C’ Squadron took Prisoner of War who crossed RHINE.  Commanding officer went to Divisional Commanders’ Conference.  ‘A’ Squadron under command of 155 Brigade (the South Scottish).  ‘C’ Squadron under command of 157 Brigade (the Highland Light Infantry).  Rest of Regiment in Divisional reserve.’  General Officer Commanding’s notes attached.  Operations Instrument No: 3 attached.

From the 12^th March 52^nd Recce were again in formation with 52^nd Division. ‘A’ & ‘C’ Squadrons were detached.

(From the War Diary of the 52nd Reconnaissance Regiment held by the Archive and Reference Library, the Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset.)