Air warfare continued over southern England and in Dorset German planes and spitfires came down on land and at sea. By December the Warmwell Dorset airbase had lost 26 pilots. On 13th December Poole’s heathlands were set ablaze by incendiary bombs on Hamworthy but when Montgomery came to view ‘Project Fougasse’ on 20th December, 'Operation Sea Flame' was less successful at setting the sea alight at Studland.
Fights among the Young Soldiers in Wiltshire also continued, although discipline was apparently tightened up. Dick, continuing to ‘try for a Commission’, was the youngest Corporal in the battalion. He was badly lovesick but there was to be no leave to see Chotie in December. The company (he was now in 'A' company of the 70th Dorsets) left Chippenham to guard Corsham aerodrome – a miserable place. While changing the guard,after a raid on the aerodrome, Dick walked into a spitfire in the pitch black but at least he wasn’t shot by one of the guards – a recent "morbid" accident! By Christmas many of the Young Soldiers had made a bid for freedom:
Wednesday 25th December 1940
Corsham, Wilts
Christmas Day
My Precious Darling,
I had to write straightaway, to try to thank you for the lovely lighter you sent for the 25th. Darling, it lights! Nothing can stop it lighting - not even a young hurricane. I've used it on guard - and believe me the wind howls round here - and it lights first time every go!
Darling, it's just what I've wanted for years. You know how many matches I use! Thank you ever so much Cho, Dear. Remind me to give you a big kiss when I get home. When.………..But I'm still hoping.
I thought about you all over Christmas Darling. It made me so mad to think that I couldn't send you anything, not even a Christmas card. Poor Eric's in the same boat and Pete. We haven't seen a shop of any sort for nearly three weeks. I've been to Bath twice since we've been here but each time the only thing open were the pubs.
The latest is that all passes to Bath have been stopped as the Chief-of-Police has banned us from the town! The same applied to Chippenham. The Boys beat up every town we get near!
I've been on guard all day (Christmas) and come off tomorrow morning. It's now about 9.30 pm., and as usual I'm writing this by the lamp in the Guard Hut. I managed to wangle Eric on this guard so I've had his company all day, which is a relief. We had quite a good dinner, which included Beer & Cigarettes.
Pete has been in bed for 2 days with a so-called gastric stomach! He's really no more ill than I am, but you know what he is! Needless to say however, he made a rapid recovery on Christmas Eve.
Owing to present conditions I can't say just what's going to happen to me. Let me explain. Out of the whole battalion (A,B,C,D & E Companies.) which is approx 850 men, there have been over 250 deserters in the last fortnight! Which only goes to show what the conditions are like!
Now, everyone over 20 can get a transfer to another Regiment - and believe me, there are plenty over 20 who have put their age down to 18.
Lieutenant White our Officer in Charge is being replaced as from tonight by a Captain. This means I have to start all over again as regards a commission! What a life!
The Orderly Officer has just come up with Beer & fags (!) so I have altered my opinion of the Army since writing the last sentence.
Well, my precious, I must close soon as the Ord has to be accompanied around.
Darling, I must see you soon as I love you so madly that I just can't go on without you.
Goodnight, Cho Darling
Your adoring
Dicker
© Chotie Darling, 2010
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