75 years ago - Preparing for Operation Overlord

On 1st May 1944 Dick became a full Lieutenant. He was still in Nightingale Wood and acting Squadron Leader – possibly while senior officers attended Exercise Thunderclap, Montgomery’s preparation sessions for D Day with ground force officers who would be involved in the assault. By now Dick would have known he wasn’t going ashore with 61st Recce on D Day but would follow to France with the majority of the Regiment in later in June. He wrote to Chotie describing the joys of the countryside and listening to classical music on the radio.

61^st Reconnaissance Regiment was inspected by General Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe, at the beginning of May and also received a visit from King George VI. On 6th May Dick was Orderly Officer, checking on the guards at night, and still running the Squadron. Chotie had been home, to Parkstone in Poole, where her sister Margaret was expecting her first child (Roger). Dick’s old friend Eric Kessler now had a baby son and Dick was “almost envious”.

By 10th May he’d “managed to get rid of this Squadron Leader racket”. On 14th May Bristol, where Chotie was stationed in an Ack-Ack unit, was again attacked by the Luftwaffe. The Easton-in-Gordano anti-aircraft camps defending the harbour would have played an important role successfully defeating the impact of the attack. Having at last secured 24 hours leave Dick wrote to Chotie urging her to join him in “the Haunch town” – their favourite pub was the Haunch of Venison in Salisbury (co-incidentally where Eisenhower and Churchill are said to have met when planning D Day). She went AWOL and they stayed overnight together in Salisbury on Friday 19th May; their last meeting before February 1945.

Letter written on Saturday 20th May 1944

Usual address

Saturday

Chotie Darling,

Just a few lines to thank you for a very happy, though all too brief, 24 hrs.

I managed to get back with ten minutes to spare and just made the afternoon parade. I hope you managed to get back without too much trouble – I hate the thought of you scrubbing floors all night*. What you would do for me, Darling, is a constant source of amazement to me.

I’ve just finished censoring the mail – a man size job tonight as unfortunately no one else bothered to do yesterday’s for me, with the result that I’ve had two days to do at once.

I regret to say that the 24hr passes have stopped but there may be a chance of some leave a bit later on – three or four days, I imagine.

I went to the naffy** and imbibed a little beer earlier this evening with the result that I keep running outside. Sorry….

All the other officers (both of them) went to the cinema tonight to see “Bombers Moon” – some punk Yank film, but I just couldn’t have stood it so I stayed here, in my little tent and wrote you, my Darling, which seems infinitely preferable.

After this show, Chotie, I reckon we’ll take a few months off – sheer rest – and forget all about the wretched life we now lead. Walking in Provence or somewhere like that. We could find a little hotel every night … and when we’re married things will be different….

I intend to come out of this business, darling, if only to take the chance of making you very happy, which is what you deserve.

I must close here, Precious as I have to write a few lines to mother – not having written for some time.

Goodnight, my Darling – I love you very, very much.

Dicker

RKWilliams

*Presumably an ATS punishment for going AWOL (Absent Without Leave)

**Slang for the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute’s canteen and recreation building. Officers weren’t meant to frequent the NAAFI as this was an intrusion on the private lives of the Other Ranks. The Commissioned Officers had their own ‘mess’, sometimes separated into Junior and Senior, and the senior NCOs had theirs, known as the Sergeants Mess.

Eric Brewer’s diary reveals he was working in the Sergeants Mess (“not a bad job”) from 22^nd to 30^th May (from Eric Brewer’s Diary by kind permission of Derek Brewer and his family).

Soon after this Dick moved to Aldershot with the rest of the Regiment not involved in D Day (including Tony Rampling). He wrote to Chotie with “No news from this end, of course. The old security racket again.”

Eric Postles, Sandy Handley, Eric Brewer and Don Aiken were all to be part of the first assault. They had been involved in the practice exercises, seen detailed reconnaissance films of their destination (without any names) and waterproofed their vehicles for an amphibious landing. Eric Brewer went AWOL overnight on 6^th May and was fined three day’s pay, possibly by Dick (RW)

(Eric Brewer's Service Record - copyright Derek Brewer and family)

The camp was shared with American Rangers, an elite unit who were to spearhead attacks from Omaha beach. Sandy was “shaking in my boots at the thought of what was to come. The majority of us hadn’t seen any action at all so far.”

Towards the end of the month the camp was sealed off – no-one was allowed out or in. Personal items had to be sent home and the cars loaded with ammunition and supplies to get through the first 24 hours. Some of the troops copied the Americans example and shaved their heads in case of lice. On 31st May they were told they would be embarking the next day and were served steak – an unimaginable luxury in those wartime days. The gunner in Eric Postles car ‘did a runner’, trying to get home to Slough, and was never seen again so Eric went to war with a crew of three, instead of the four he should have had.

On 8^th May Eisenhower had decided that D Day would be on the 5^th of June and a week later Montgomery gave a masterly presentation of the final plans for Overlord to the King, Churchill and the Senior Officers of the Allied Armies.

Map of the Overlord Plan from Olive-Drab website

150,000 troops were to land on the five Normandy beaches: United States 12th Army Group, commanded by Lt-General Omar Bradley, in the west on ‘Utah’ and ‘Omaha’ and the 21st Army Group of British and Canadians in the east on ‘Gold’, ‘Juno’ and ‘Sword’. XXX (30) Corps would be led ashore on ‘Gold’ beach by Dick’s own 50^th Division. 8,000 British and 16,000 American Airborne troops were to seize crucial inland points ahead of the landings.

It was vital to keep the Germans guessing where and when the invasion would take place. The deceptions of Operation Fortitude North continued with another attack on the giant battleship Tirpitz (feigning preparations for a Norway landing from Scotland) and Operation Fortitude South built up General Patton’s fake US First Army Group in SE England, threatening the Pas de Calais. Air attacks on key military and infrastructure targets all over northern France continued with a 5,000 bomber raid on 20^th May.

Berlin suffered a 1,500 bomber raid on 7^th May by the United States Army Air Force but the Allied air forces were now turned towards tactical support for the invasion and the USAAF began strategic bombing of Germany’s synthetic oil manufacture, succeeding in halving production by the end of June.

In Italy the Allies at last broke the Gustav (winter) line, which had stalled them for so long, taking the stronghold of Monte Cassino on 18^th May. They also broke out of the Anzio beach-head to the north, linking up with the US 10^th Army by the Tyrrhenian Coast on 25^th May.

In Eastern Europe the Red Army’s advance in the Crimea continued with the capture of the Black Sea port Sevastapol on 9^th May. Hungary was now occupied by German forces – mass deportation of Hungarian Jews began on 15^th May (less than one third were to survive the Holocaust).

The U-gō invasion of India by Japan retreated from Kohima on 13^th May.

Chinese forces crossed the border to attack the Japanese in Burma on 11^th May and joined with Merrill’s Marauders who had captured the Myitkina airfields. However, the town and river port of Myitkina remained in Japanese hands until August.

On 18^th May the success of Operation Cartwheel was demonstrated when the US Navy’s Admiralty Island campaign at last isolated the Japanese base of Rabaul, making it useless.

For the British the attention of the world was soon to focus much closer to home.

Posted on 20 May 2019 in Army life, ATS, Dorset, Family, Film, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Meetings with Chotie, Music, Photos, Poole, Promotion/Demotion, Pubs, Records, The Recce Men, Towns & Cities | Permalink

75 years ago - 61st Reconnaissance Regiment

Dick joined 61^st Reconnaissance Regiment at the Medieval Lympne Castle in the second week of November 1942. Before starting work as an officer he had nine days leave with Chotie at his home in Pagham, Sussex. His first letter to her as a 2nd Lieutenant is "rather sketchy but the security angel cuts out everything worth writing – almost …." We know from Eric Postles that 61st Recce were on coastal defence duties, patrolling between Folkestone and Romney in Kent.

Managing to get back to Pagham on a 24 hour overnight pass on Wednesday 17^th November Dick was re-united with his brother Brin and his sister Diller, both home on leave (Diller from the pay Corps and Brin from Officer training). He nearly got stuck at Brighton station on his way back having lost his wallet but was helped out by the local YMCA. Around this time he also met up with Don Johnston, his old friend from 43^rd Recce (later killed in the sinking of the Derrycunihy soon after D Day).

61^st Division was also a training unit and Dick was involved in a week’s exercise in the Kent countryside in mid November. He wrote to Chotie on his return:

Letter written on Sunday 28th November 1943

2/Lt R K Williams

‘B’ Sqdn. 61^st Recce Regt

Recce Corps, Home Forces

Sunday 28^th

Chotie Darling,

I’m now back again and settled down after the scheme, which lasted for its original duration much to everyone’s disgust.

On the whole I had quite a happy time, as I either stayed at, or passed through, several old haunts well known to the family in the old Morris Cowley* days, and coupled with the opportunity so often missed of worming my way into a vast number of period farmhouses and the like.

The weather was excellent, cold but dry and as we stayed in one little village for three days without doing anything of military importance, we managed to get sufficiently well organised to hold ABCA*** periods and run a football tournament. I evaded these two popular pastimes however, and mooched about a local farm until the daughter of the house asked me in for coffee and CHOCOLATE Biscuits! Her undoubted charms left me cold, but I took a lively interest in the biscuits. Lovely old house, with a massive oak beam over the fireplace marked 1600.

The major** came back yesterday. He appeared quite a good type – reads Balzac, so I’m well in.

Nothing much happens here. I’ve just finished a 48 hr spell of Duty Officer, rather a cushy appointment. I get another 24 hr next Wednesday so I may go up to ……….. (word inked out). There’s nothing to do here, or locally, but the snag is the fare. It will be the second day I’ve had off in three weeks, which isn’t so good, to my way of thinking.

Many thanks for your letter, Darling, most welcome at the conclusion of an exercise. Glad to hear you’ve got, or rather you’re getting, a rise****. I bet you’re getting more than me after all. After I’ve paid income tax, messing***** etc, I get the equivalent of Lance Corporal’s pay….

Must close here for dinner.

All my love precious

Dicker.

*presumably the family car from his childhood at Orpington in Kent.

**Army Bureau of Current Affairs – an organisation set up to educate and raise morale among British servicemen in World War 2.

***possibly the Regimental second-in-command, who was a Major, or maybe the Major commanding ‘B’ Squadron. Dick was one of 23 to 30 subalterns in the Regiment – commissioned officers below the rank of captain, generally comprising first and second (junior) lieutenants. Dick, as a newly commissioned officer, was a second lieutenant.

****due to her new qualification as Operator Fire Control?

*****Commissioned Officers were required to eat in the Officers’ Mess and pay a subscription fee for supplies and upkeep. They would also be expected to wear formal attire for evenings in the mess.

Dick, of course, was now in the regiment of the Recce Men we’ve been following. All were in ‘B’ Squadron: a reconnaissance regiment consisted of the Regimental HQ with HQ Squadron and three Reconnaissance Squadrons (‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’) of about 150 men each. Every Squadron had its own HQ, three Scout or Recce Troops consisting of one Recce and two Carrier sections - and one Assault or Infantry Troop. (From ‘The British Reconnaissance Corps in World War II’ by Richard Doherty, Osprey Publishing 2007). In 1943 Anthony Rampling and Eric Brewer were in the Assault troop (lorried infantry called in to overcome enemy resistance) while Dick and Eric Postles served in Scout Troops.

Dick's Recce officer lanyard

Although Home Defence was still important (particularly Anti-Aircraft response) Britain was becoming more relaxed about the possibilities of invasion. The fascist leader Oswald Mosly was released from prison, on grounds of ill health, on 17^th November 1943. The next day the RAF began a series of very heavy raids against the German capital of Berlin, killing thousands of civilians.

In Poland as Operation Reinhard (the plan to exterminate Polish Jews) reached its culmination, 42,000 Jews working in forced labour camps were murdered by the Germans in the so called ‘Operation Harvest Festival’. The world was waking up to the horror of the Holocaust when the dreadful atrocity of Babi Yar - the ravine where Nazis had shot and buried about 100,000 men, women and children - was revealed soon after the Soviet Army took the Ukrainian city of Kiev on 6^th November.

Wet and wintry weather was hitting both the Eastern and Italian Fronts. In Italy the Allies advance slowed as General Mark Clark’s 5^th Army reached Monte Camino, the mountain ridges defending the main route to Rome. The failed British attempt to take the ridge on 5^th November resulted in its nickname of ‘Murder Mountain’. Montgomery’s 8th Army was now approaching the strategically important port of Ortona on the Adriatic coast but the Germans fiercely defended the town for another month.

In the Mediterranean Sea, Germany’s sinking of HMS Rohna, with the loss of 1,138 of the US troops she was carrying, would have been such a blow to Allied morale that it was kept secret until 1967!

Americans were engaged in terrible conflict with the Japanese in the Pacific. 1,000 US Marines were killed in the 3 day battle for tiny Tarawara Atoll in the Gilbert Islands - as well as 5,000 Japanese and Koreans - and on 1^st November the battle of Bougainville Island, east of Papua New Guinea, began and lasted until August 1945 (the end of war in the Pacific). On 25^th November US planes based in China started to bomb the Japanese Island of Formosa (now Taiwan), contributing to a massive Japanese offensive against the airfields in early 1944.

Chiang Kai-Shek, the Chinese Nationalist leader, met Roosevelt and Churchill at a conference in Cairo http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/timeline/factfiles/nonflash/a1140364.shtml (BBC History website) on 22^nd November to confirm their strategy against Japan. Russia had not declared war against Japan and so did not attend but the two western leaders met Stalin together for the first time in Iran, at the Tehran Conference on 28^th November, where he agreed to join the fight against Japan once Germany had been defeated. Roosevelt and Churchill promised that they would invade France in a second western front by May 1944. This was to be Operation Overlord and the beginning of Dick's war in Europe....

Posted on 28 November 2018 in Army life, ATS, Books, Family, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Meetings with Chotie, Photos, Promotion/Demotion, The Recce Men, Towns & Cities, Villages | Permalink

75 years ago - Sandhurst at last

In May 1943, at the Trident Conference in America, Churchill and Roosevelt agreed the invasion of Italy after Sicily and set a date of 1^st May 1944 for the cross-channel invasion of North-West Europe – ‘D’ day. Operation Mincemeat appeared to have convinced Hitler that the Allies would first invade Greece and Sardinia, even after the Royal Navy began a heavy bombardment of Pantelleria, the island between Tunisia and Sicily

The Allies had now triumphed in North Africa, taking the critical ports of Tunis and Bizerte on 7^thMay. On 13^th May the remaining Axis forces in North Africa, nearly quarter of a million men, surrendered.

Although Eisenhower had appointed the former Vichy general Giraud as Commander-in-Chief of French forces in North Africa, General de Gaulle arrived in Algiers at the end of the month in a political move to take control of l’Armée Afrique, which far outnumbered his Free French forces. Jean Moulin, de Gaulle’s appointed leader of the French resistance, had succeeded in uniting the networks of northern France into the Conseil National de la Résistance.

On 15^th May Stalin announced the dissolution of the Comintern, the Communist international organisation working for world revolution. Britain’s SOE (Special Operations Executive) began giving support to Marshal Tito’s communist partisans, who had wrested large areas of Yugoslavia from Axis control.

In the Atlantic the cracking of the German Navy’s enigma code and new more aggressive tactics were at last ending the devastation of British and American shipping. Admiral Dönitz lost 33 U-boats in May 1943 and withdrew his wolf-packs from the northern Atlantic. In the northern Pacific the Americans took back Attu Island, US territory in the Aleutians, from the Japanese.

The disastrous first British Arakan campaign in Burma ended with no gains and 5,000 casualties since September 1942. However, Britain’s warfare technology was making important steps towards victory. The flight of a Junkers 88 fighter from Denmark by Danish defectors brought the Telecommunications Research Establishment a German radar set that contributed to the development of ‘Window’ radar interference. On 16^th May, in the famous Dambusters raid, bouncing bombs were successfully used to breach the Möhne and Eder, killing 1,300 in the flooded Ruhr valley and disrupting industrial production. On 29^th May RAF bombers created a devastating ‘firestorm’ for the first time at Wuppertal in the Ruhr – the explosive fire killed more than 3,000 people.

While Chotie adjusted to life among the guns near Bristol Dick was sweating over Pre-OCTU theory work “writing up notes for hours and hours” at Aldershot – “horrible place – nothing but military for miles.” He had made two friends - ‘Chunky’, the ex-chef at the Trocadero and Brian ‘Enoch’, the actor. By 28th April he was doing ‘Gunnery’, “which is pretty cushy” and looking forward to Sandhurst.

At the beginning of May he ‘passed out’ of Blackdown Camp pre-OCTU and 7 days leave at his parents’ home in Pagham, where he was telegrammed Chotie to join him. She didn’t (perhaps distracted by her new officer?). On 17^th May there was a large bombing raid on Cardiff, the Welsh capital on the other side of the Severn to Chotie’s station. Since the German bombers often flew up the Severn to reach their targets Chotie’s anti-aircraft battery may well have been involved in the action.

On 23^rd May Chotie’s former place of employment, the Beales Department store in Bournemouth, was destroyed by a bomb. Through 1942 Chotie was a trainee window-dresser and, like many of the staff, a night-time firewatcher for the building.

Dick only sent one letter to Chotie that month. It was written on paper from the Royal Military College, Camberley, Surrey - on15^th May he had joined the 162^nd OCTU of the Honourable Artillery Company, Sandhurst – and posted on Saturday 22nd May:

My Darling Chotie,

It seems ages since I heard from you and as I expect it’s the same with you – here goes.

As you will see from above I’m now at Sandhurst, which is quite a place.

I’ve been so busy the last few days, what with passing out (in more ways than one) at Blackdown and getting settled here, I haven’t had a moment to myself.

I was very disappointed with your inability to make Pagham, but realise what the hell of a journey Bristol is. But why didn’t you send a wire or something? Then I could have come down. Brinner and Diller were home as you probably know. We could have got really stewed – actually we did, but that’s another story. However, we must try again soon. I shall be able to get a week-end here and there, though I expect to be up to my eyes in work. I’ve been very lucky here in getting a room with Chunky* and Brian (my mates …. ) and an excellent servant who knows all the tricks of the trade – and then some.

(Don’t smile at this paper. It’s all they’ve got here, and needless to say they robbed me … Never again). I had a letter from Eric last week! No kidding. He “didn’t want our correspondence to collapse” or some rot or other. The rat. Doesn’t appear over happy, but then he never does.

Is Rosemary** still with you? Lucky Rosemary…. However, all good things come to an end – we’ll be kicked out of this Army before long – I hope.

I haven’t seen a flick for nearly a month, which cuts out that topic of conversation.

We’re allowed to wear civvies in the evenings here, also dine in them, but as I’m couponless it doesn’t really interest me.

So much for Sandhurst. I expect you know all about Bristol by now - all the pubs anyhow.

Diller and I found quite a good one in Chichester. It’s so old it doesn’t have a licence. It’s got some ancient charter from James I or some other bloke which dates back before shame even.

You’re lucky in having some relatives in the neighbourhood – I’ve never been near anyone.

Nothing new at home. Mother’s been offered Gentians (that little Tea Rooms by the Kings Beach) for £100 and is toying with the idea. Mike*** presents the only snag. I’m all for it as we would be able to get buckshee teas on leave. She always has these vague obsessions as well you know. She also wants to make out a thousand in our names (Diller, Bryn & myself) to avoid death duties should she be killed by a stray bomb…. Crazy’s right.

It must be over five months since I saw you last. Have you changed at all Darling? Don’t tell me you’re any slimmer ‘cos I’d never believe anything but my own eyes. I’ve had so many 771’s in the last few days I reckon it would be easier to turn nudist and have done with it. The old British public would raise horrified eyebrows, though you, I should imagine would remain entirely unruffled. (We’ve got a wonderful old oak outside our window. I have to keep stopping to gaze in rapt appreciation …. Must be the artist in me crying out like a voice in the wilderness against some aesthetic repression ….)

Brinner bought another Gigli**** when he was home. I won’t comment on it, as he and Solomon are the only two men in this poor world I would never attempt to criticize.

Have you read ‘Clochemerle’***** yet? Don’t ask for it in a bookshop as they would only give you a pretty old fashioned look anyway.

I spent a day up in town on my way back to Blackdown. Piccadilly was, as usual, full of the usual who keep stopping you which is all very embarrassing, especially for an innocent little boy like myself, in London Town to see the bright lights. I told one of them that she should be paying me, if only she knew me, which annoyed her not a little. I didn’t tell her I existed for Chotie alone.

Well Darling I must close here. Hope to see you soon. I’ll advise you when I can get a weekend.

All my love, Precious

Dicker

5731671 Officer Cadet Williams R.K.

77 Tp. ‘B’ Sqdn., 100 (Sandhurst) O.C.T.U. R.A.C.

Royal Military College, Camberley, Surrey.

*see letter of 18th April 1943.

**Rosemary was Chotie’s young cousin I think

***Mike was the family dog

*** Beniamino Gigli was an Italian tenor singer and Solomon was possibly the pianist Solomon Cutner. See letter of 7th February.

****see letter of 11th April.

Dick’s officer training would have included learning from his ‘servant’ how an officer should speak, walk and eat. Before WW2 the British Army had recruited only ‘gentlemen’ as officers based on character, use of weapons and ability to ride a horse; and , of course, class. Now they were also recruiting officers from the ranks they were still concerned that they should have the ‘competencies’ of gentlemen.

Posted on 22 May 2018 in Army life, ATS, Books, Family, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Music, Photos, Promotion/Demotion, Pubs, Towns & Cities | Permalink

75 years ago - Beginnings of an Officer

While Chotie was still training for Ack-Ack in Oswestry Dick had a major career change. On 4th March he left 43^rd Reconnaissance to begin training as an officer. Before Sandhurst and the Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU) he was a pre-cadet at Alma Barracks, Blackdown, near Aldershot in Hampshire for several weeks, missing out on Exercise Spartan, the first full-scale training exercise for invasion. (His old unit, 43^rd Recce, were on the Allied side while his future unit, 61^st Recce, including our friend Eric Postles, played Germans in occupation.)

The Army had now decided to recruit officers on merit instead of (as well as?) class but there was still huge emphasis on appearance – Dick wrote to Chotie on 8th March:

“The old spit & polish here is murder, have to change to best Battle Dress for every meal”…. “We’re on parade from 6 am to 7.30 pm. Murder”

Pre-OCTU would last as long as it took to prepare a pre-cadet for Sandhurst.

On Sunday 14th March Dick found time to write Chotie a long letter:

5731671 P/CDT Williams RK

30.0 Tp ‘A’ Sqdn.

No1. Pre-OCTU R.A.C.

Alma Barracks, Blackdown, Hants

Sunday

My Darling Chotie,

As Sunday has again occurred I find I have a few minutes, to write to you. It seems ages since I heard from you – but I expect you’re in the same position as I am – one of a temporary scarcity of spare time.

I’ve managed to settle down here, as much as is possible anyhow, but find myself pretty rushed off my feet and expect to be the same for the rest of my stay here.

The compensations, such as they are, consist of such luxuries as hot water, showers, marvelous food, and plenty of clothing exchanges.

There’s a whole harem of ATS here – they do all the admin. Duties, office work, driving, etc. They never seem to do any parades, apart from one Church Parade per month. Pretty cushy.

(I must make an apology here for using this paper, but I’m fed up with using poky little writing-pads.) I rather fancy that this letter will read like a young novel. However, I resume.

The instructors here are all Guards N.C.Os. Coldstream, Grens*, Irish, Welsh etc and aren’t too bad on the whole. We get a helluva lot of square-bashing, much too much for me, anyhow, as I reckon I’ve had enough after nearly three years in this racket.

I expect you’re getting interested in the leave problem – and what a problem! I only wish I could get mine, but I’m afraid I’ve missed it and certainly won’t get any until after this nine weeks.

The real job starts at Sandhurst, but there you get a batman and are allowed a collar and tie(!) even though still a cadet – but that’s a long time yet.

I can get week-end passes from here – provided I’m not on duty, but it’s a lousy journey and the fare would be well over a quid. On top of this there’s the fact that you need every available moment to blanco** and keep your notes up to date. What a tale of woe! – anyway that’s about enough of my troubles.

I suppose you’re quite the old soldier by now. You won’t, however, be able to give me any old buck as I know the ropes. You should get a better time when you get on a site somewhere – the initial training is always the stiffest, and the most boring.

Needless to say, I don’t get any time to read here, and I gather it’s the same with you.

Happily, I’m with quite a bright crowd – an actor (ham), medical student, couple of school-marms, buyer from Lewis’ Leicester, art student and several other buckshees.

I met LISBY here; do you know him? Rather fat, blond, used to work at Bank in Broadstone and ARP at Municipal Buildings. Went to Poole Grammar. He’s a pre-cadet for the Tank Corps. (I seem to be rambling on, all to no purpose).

Heard Ruth Naylor*** (waltz-song from Bohème) on Naafi Radio this morning. Pretty wonderful.

I miss my friend Alex**** from the 43^rd. Like Eric we had much in common, particularly opera. I promised to write, but then no one ever does.

The ham here knows lots of people we knew on the London stage, and every night-club in Mayfair. He knows enough about such people as Daphne du Maurier, Michael Redgrave, Noel Coward, etc to blackmail them a hundred times*****. Comes out with some rather indelicate tales after lights-out. (I’m thinking about taking this letter up with a publisher).

Had letters from home yesterday – no news. Brinner’s on a course somewhere. Diller is still expecting to do something. Expecting is as far as it will get.

How’s everyone at Parkstone? Give them all my best wishes when you write won’t you?

Well, Darling, I must close here as its nearly lights-out and they’re pretty mustard on that sort of thing.

Hope I can see you before very long. I can’t tell you how much I miss you, Chotie, that would be quite impossible, but I do think about you and love you very, very, much. Perhaps, this wretched show will end sooner than either of us imagine and we can be together again. I’m much more interested in that than any b----- commission.

God bless you, Chotie

always yours

Dicker

*Grenadier Guards

**Blanco was a cleaning compound used on the cotton of army uniforms.

***Ruth Naylor was an Australian soprano, famous for her appearance in Puccini’s opera La Bohème.

****Alex Johnston – see letters for January and February 1943.

*****Practising male homosexuality was illegal in Britain at this time. Daphne du Maurier’s bisexuality has not been confirmed. She was Dick’s favourite writer and married to his former Commanding Officer in the Air Landing, Frederick ‘Boy’ Browning.

“This wretched show”:

On 1^st March 1943 American Jews held a mass rally in New York to pressure their government to do more to help Jews in Europe. Heinrich Himmler visited the concentration camp at Treblinka in eastern Poland and gave orders for the mass murders there to be covered up.

On 13^th and 14^th March 1943 the Nazis ‘liquidated’ the remaining Jews they had forced into the Krakow Ghetto in southern Poland, shooting 2,000 in the street and deporting 3,000 others to nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau. Newly built gas chambers were put into operation at Auschwitz, the largest Nazi death camp where one million people were murdered during the German occupation.

In the same month German Army officers from the Russian front made two failed attempts to assassinate Adolf Hitler. The Soviet Army and Air Force were now better equipped than the Axis powers on the eastern front and far outnumbered them. However, the Germans were still successful in re-taking the old Ukrainian capital city of Kharkov on 14^th March.

Allied bombers focused their first attacks of the Battle of the Ruhr, beginning in March, on German armaments production in Essen.

In Tunisia Rommel failed in an attack from the Mareth line and left Africa on 9^th March. Montgomery’s British Eighth Army followed up with a successful attack on the line, winning the battle by 26^th March.

The largest convoy battle of the war began on 16^th March in the Atlantic with three wolf-packs of U-boats converging on 100 Allied ships and succeeding in sinking 22 with the loss of only one U-boat. On the other side of the world Australian and American planes achieved a landmark victory against the Japanese fleet in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea but Britain’s guerrilla force in Burma (the Chindits) was forced to withdraw to India with the loss of one third of their men.

In London there was tragedy on the underground at Bethnal Green on 3^rd March when 173 people were killed in the crush when panic set in.

The “wretched show” continued for another two years….

Posted on 14 March 2018 in Army life, ATS, Family, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Music, Photos, Poole, Promotion/Demotion, Records, The Recce Men, Towns & Cities | Permalink

75 years ago - Chotie trains for Ack-Ack

On 3rd February 1943 Chotie began training to be a ‘spotter’ on the Anti-Aircraft gun sites at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry in Shropshire. Before her posting she had 48 hours leave and was able to see her family in Poole.

Dick was stuck in Dover, which was still suffering air raids as the anti-aircraft guns attacked planes coming in over the Channel. He now sported his Good Conduct tape for “two years undetected crime”. He wrote to Chotie again on 24th January : “I suppose you’ve discovered that writing letters is just about the last thing you feel like in the services”.

(I’m glad he did write letters – this blog wouldn’t exist without them!)

before taking part in the Kent Exercise Hammer II, returning on the 29th. At the beginning he’d filled out a Recommendation form for Candidates for officer Training Units and this was endorsed by Lieutenant Colonel Crawford on 30th January. By then Dick was taking this seriously with evening classes in French and German and participation in the Post-War Reconstruction Committee.

At the beginning of February 43^rd Recce was Section Training with a cross-country run and a day on ‘Battle procedure – Withdrawal’. Writing on 4th February Dick knew Chotie might be training on the artillery sites in North Wales, where his family originally came from.

Chotie did not warm to Park Hall Camp where “life was grim”. “We did full military training with a Sergeant major on the parade ground. God, it was just like prison – food so awful and the tea implanted with bromide to stop us getting passionate.”

Dick’s letter of 7th February had been ‘opened by an examiner', maybe at Dover because of Dick’s officer prospects or perhaps at Oswestry to check the correspondence of new recruits. I doubt there was anything that would get either of them into trouble (Dick was attending evening classes, reading French, listening to classical music and trying to play the Warsaw concerto – although he did refer to ‘spit and polish’ as “Heluva waste of time altogether”

43^rd Recce commenced Troop or Squadron training on 8^th February. From 10^th to 14^th February Dick was undergoing officer section tests with the War Office Selection Board at Brockham Park in Betchworth, Surrey and on 14^th February his recommendation was approved. Not knowing this there is no mention of the Board in his letter of 16th February - just family gossip and more about his friend Alex Johnston (who was to be one of 214 men killed when the ship transporting 43^rd Recce to Normandy hit a mine off Sword beach in June 1944). However, when Dick wrote again on 25^th February he did have news:

As usual

Thursday

My Darling,

Many thanks for your letter received yesterday. Glad to hear you’re still alive & kicking, even though rather over-worked….

Well, Precious, I have got an item of news this time, as, since last writing to you, I’ve been on and passed a War Office Selection Board for Commission. It will mean a long and arduous task ahead but with proverbial luck and good management I see no reason why I shouldn’t be successful in this respect.

I am now waiting to go on a pre-OCTU course, which may last any time before eventually getting to an OCTU. After that it’s about six months of merry hell before getting the old commiss!

What a game it is,,,I had three marvellous days on the Board, as all the time you’re there you’re treated as an Officer – even waited on at table by ATS….

Marvellous old Georgian House and Estate* has been loaned to the W.O. for this purpose and the owner had the decency to leave all his furniture there. The pictures alone were insured for £120,000!

You spend three & ½ days there doing just about anything the human body can do – and more, - intelligence tests, exams, interviews with Brigadiers, Colonels and psychiatrists etc.

First question the last mentioned asked me, was “How many women have you slept with?”….

Shook me – rotten.

Most of the paintings I knew – several of Manet, Monet, Cézanne etc. so I had an interesting chat with the Brigadier and visiting woman M.P. Apparently the owner used to buy still life & his wife, the nudes. Some of the nudes shook us …..All excused like strip-tease, under “ART”.

I’ll let you know any further developments should they arise.

I wrote to and had a long reply from Benetti** the fellow at Hove. Sent me a letter full of arias, and invitations to stay with him. The bloke’s a genius on arias. Hope to look him up on my next leave, which brings me to a sore point.

I’ve had the wretched thing cancelled indefinitely! Heaven knows when I’ll get it. However one can’t talk of commissions and leave in the same breath I suppose.

Saw ‘In which we serve’*** this week. Wasn’t very impressed I’m afraid, though Captain’s wife’s speech was rather brilliant.

Must close here Darling

All my love

Dicker

*Brockham Park, Betchworth, Surrey.

**See letter of 3rd September 1942

***Patriotic British war film – ‘the story of a ship’ – directed by Nöel Coward and David Lean and starring Nöel Coward. Celia Johnson played the Captain’s wife.

The major event of February 1943 was the end of the battle of Stalingrad on 2^nd February. By 13^th February the Germans’ withdrawal extended to Kharkov, the former capital of the Ukraine far to the east (which had been taken by Operation Barbarossa in October 1941). Rostov-on-Don, the ‘Gateway to the Caucasus’ near the Sea of Azov, was re-captured by the Russians on 14^th February.

As news of the defeats in Russia leaked out Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda minister attempted to rouse the morale of the German people with calls for ‘Total War – Short War’ but during his speech he mentioned the eradication of the Jews. By the end of the month the German wives of Jewish men had begun to gather in Berlin to protest against the deportation of their husbands to concentration camps.

In France the introduction of the ‘Service du Travail Obligatoire’, forcing French men to labour in Germany, was bolstering recruitment to the resistance forces.

Rommel inflicted heavy losses on the Allies in Tunisia during the Battle of the Kasserine Pass, the first major clash between German and American forces.

By the end of February the US was in control of the Pacific Solomon Islands having taken the central Russell Islands. British Special Forces in Burma, the Chindits, were now fighting behind enemy lines but the Australian commandos who had continued resistance to the Japanese were finally forced to withdraw on 10^th February.

Meanwhile Eric Postles and the 61st Reconnaissance Regiment were back in England to take part in Exercise Spartan.

Posted on 25 February 2018 in Army life, ATS, Family, Film, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Music, Photos, Poole, Promotion/Demotion, The Recce Men, Towns & Cities, Villages | Permalink

75 years ago – Reverting to Private

On 24^th May the popular Picture Post magazine predicted that Poole, where Chotie lived, would be one of the main landing areas for the still anticipated German invasion. Dick sent a telegram to Chotie on 24^th May and they managed to meet up in Southampton the next day.

On Tuesday 27^th May Dick wrote to Chotie while guarding prisoners on Southampton Common. Rumours that he’d heard about moving proved true and, as Allied troops were evacuated from Crete (following the German paratrooper invasion), Dick was preparing for a move to Fort Brockhurst at Gosport near Portsmouth.

In June rationing was extended to clothes – Chotie found this increasingly miserable. She was an avid fashion fan and trained as a window dresser at the Beales fashion store in Bournemouth (later bombed).

The move to Gosport on 3^rd June found a very disgruntled Dick comparing the place to a chicken coop and fed up with his duties as a Corporal. On 7^th June he reverted to Private at his own request:

Letter posted Monday 9th June 1941

‘D’ Company

Fort Brockhurst

Gosport.

My Darling Chotie,

Thanks a million for the letter. I've only just got it as I suppose it was held up at Soton.

Well, Honey, I've got some news this week! I'm now a private again.

I got so utterly fed up with this Battalion, that I sent in an application to the Old Man to revert to the ranks. He refused, saying he considered me better as an NCO, than as a private. He then asked me why I wished to revert, so I let him have it!

I told him I'd sooner serve as a Mess Orderly in a fighting unit than a Sergeant-Major in this. That shook ‘ee!

He asked me whether I'd like to go on MT*, driving, probably on a motor-bike, should there be a vacancy. I told him I would, so may start there soon. At any rate I'll get a transfer.

I told the Old Man that all the NCOs did here was to wet-nurse a lot of kids who should be in the Boy Scouts.

So here I am. Being a Private will give me a wonderful chance to swot up, which I intend to do. Besides, driving is more fun than fooling about in barracks, etc. I shall probably break my neck, but that's how it goes.

(Don't forget to address all correspondence to Private name & number)

Will you still love me as a private, Darling? That's all I'm worried about.

George was going to chuck his in, but he's got some sick leave, so I don't know much about it.

I went to the Coliseum at Portsmouth, yesterday, and saw a Strip-Tease Act. The compere said “The more you applaud, the more she takes off.”! Did the boys give her a hand! I went with John and Ted Rendall, - we nearly killed ourselves laughing.

Later The only good thing at this place is the showers. They're hot almost always. I've just had one, after dinner, and do I feel ‘in the pink’! I could kill an ox.

Well, Darling I must close here, with all my love. Please write and tell me you still think of me now & then.

Bye, bye, Darling

Your own loving hubby,

Dicker.

*M.T. = Mechanical Transport

Posted on 09 June 2016 in Army life, Dorset, History, Letters from Dick, Meetings with Chotie, Photos, Poole, Promotion/Demotion, Records, Towns & Cities | Permalink

75 years ago - the Intelligence Course

In May 1941 rationing was beginning to bite in Dorset as both Viscount Cranborne (the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset) and the Earl of Shaftesbury (Member of Parliament for South Dorset) were taken to court for buying black market butter. Chotie’s family were relatively comfortable since they ran the Creekmoor Farm Dairy in Parkstone.

Creekmoor Farm Dairy, on the corner of Chapel Road and Commercial Road, Parkstone c.1932. The children are Chotie's younger sister and brother, Beryl and Jack.

The first ‘Bailey Bridge’, later to play an invaluable role in the Normandy landings and liberation of North-West Europe, was tested on the River Stour in Christchurch. Bombing went on in Dorset with significant attacks in Weymouth and the loss of the famous Maia flying-boat in Poole Harbour.

A number of Poole men lost their lives when the battlecruiser HMS Hood was sunk in the Battle of the Denmark Strait on 24^th May. Revenge was swift with the county’s cruiser, HMS Dorsetshire, finally sinking Hitler’s prize battleship the Bismark and ending the battle on 27^th May.

Southampton’s Blitz produced its last casualties at Hedge End in the air-raid of May 1941.

Dick was able to take his seven days leave at the beginning of May so was home in Poole for a while with his family and Chotie.

Corporal Richard Williams of the Dorsetshire Regiment with his father, Dudley Williams, in home guard uniform and his younger brother Brin, a cadet.

On 13^th May Dick was back in Southampton on sick leave, writing to Chotie from a hut on Southampton Common on Church Army paper. The week’s Intelligence course he’d heard about on 25th April was in Winchester (where Ordinary Ranks were recruited for the Corps) from 18^th to 24^th May. Dick was confirmed as a full Corporal while he was on the course.

Wednesday 21^st May 1941

Winchester

Wednesday Morning

Darling,

Sorry I haven't been able to write before. I've been on the course for 2 days now and so far haven't had a spare moment.

I don't mind that so much, but unfortunately I won't be able to receive any mail whilst I'm here. This means I won't hear from you until Saturday night at the earliest. Rather a blow, but these things can't be helped.

The course is very interesting to a bloke who knows sweet ---- all about Intelligence. I don’t suppose I’ll know much more about it when I’ve finished but still....

Incidentally, I get back on Saturday night, which means the CSM will try to jump on me for guard on Sunday. If, however, I can evade this, I’ll send a telegram on Saturday night to let you know whether I can get the day off. I’ll probably have to go on Church but still, we get back about 11.30. I believe.

I’m afraid I can’t write any more, Darling as it’s now nearly 0900 hrs. We have to be in the Lecture Room by 0930 and it’s a fair way to walk. (I’ve just had a marvellous breakfast!)

Bye bye Darling,

Your adoring

Dicker

Posted on 21 May 2016 in Army life, Dorset, Family, History, Letters from Dick, Meetings with Chotie, Photos, Poole, Promotion/Demotion, Towns & Cities | Permalink

75 years ago - the Quartermaster

The worst bombing in Poole was on 27^th March 1941 when two bombs blew up the stores and canteen at Branksome Gas Works. 34 were killed and another 23 injured. A few days earlier a bomb hitting the railway embankment blew out all the windows on the Poole 'Glamour Puffer' transporting women working in the Royal Navy Cordite factory at Holton Heath. Poole had a special role to play in combined operations – in April the secret Small Scale Raiding Force, a forerunner of the Royal Marine Commandos, began life with a HQ set up in the Antelope, Poole.

Fighting continued in the skies above Dorset with further attacks on the Spitfire fighters at Warmwell who intercepted bombers heading for the northern cities. Southampton, where Dick was stationed, was also receiving considerable attention from the Luftwaffe. On 21^st March he wrote of his frustration at all the hours spent in shelters as the bombs rained down every night. Returning from home on 23^rd March he got lost at the docks. After three days instructing on the rifle range he was complaining of losing his student skills and on 31st March of his ghastly THB inoculation, which put him under the weather for a week or so. He was cheered by the chance of a commission, although it meant delaying his seven days leave, but was unsuccessful because his time in PT meant he didn’t have enough military knowledge. On 24^th April we find him unhappily covering the Quartermaster’s duties for a week:

Thursday 24^th and Friday 25^th April 1941

IMMEDIATE

Southampton

Thursday.

24 APRIL 1941

Darling Tootsie,

Well, Sweetheart to get it over quickly, I can't get my seven days this week at any rate. Lieutenant Thomas, the Company Commander, came to me this morning and casually said, “Oh, Corporal Williams, do you think you could take over the Quartermaster’s job for a week? I literally shuddered (!), and said “not b----y likely!” but unfortunately he wouldn't take no for an answer, and consequently here I am for 9 days altogether.

I've been at it all day and have just finished. It's now after eleven! What a game! As far as I can see I shall be at it every night like this. The C.Q.M.S.* never finished before eight or nine, and I know nothing about the job. However, it may be the chance of a lifetime. We shall see.

I seem to be getting all the rotten luck lately - but if you still love me a little I don't give a damn. That's all I care about anyway. I can't write any more darling as I'm nearly asleep.

Bye bye, Darling

Don't lose hope,

Your loving

Dicker

XXX

PS Thanks for letter received this morning.

“D” COMPANY

No....................

25 APR 1941

70^th BN. THE DORSET

RKWilliams Capt. Commanding D Coy

70^th Bn. The Dorsetshire Regt.

URGENT!

Southampton

CONFIDENTIAL!

Friday

25 APR 1941

My Darling,

I wasn't able to post your letter yesterday, so I'm writing a few more wads whilst I've got a chance.

I've just seen some good news in Battalion Part II Orders. I've been selected to attend the 4th Division Intelligence Course at HQ 4^th Div. wherever that may be. There are two of us going – 2^nd Lieutenant Wallers (that hot bloke who we saw going into the flicks at Soton).

It's a marvellous chance. It's only a week's course, but should be very good. It's on the 18th of May, and lasts until the 24th. The only thing is, I don't know where it is. However, I shall be able to get my Seven Days before going.

Well Darling once again bye bye for the moment.

Lots of love

Dicker

* C.Q.M.S – Company Quartermaster Sergeant, the non commissioned officer in charge of supplies for a company. (Hence the stamps on the letter….)

Posted on 24 April 2016 in Army life, Dorset, History, Letters from Dick, Meetings with Chotie, Poole, Promotion/Demotion, Pubs, Towns & Cities | Permalink

75 years ago - moved to Southbourne

After long lonely nights on guard at Lee-on-Solent Dick did get home on 18^th January and met Chotie again for the first time since October. He got caught up in a blitz in Southampton while returning to his unit. Towards the end of January he writes to Chotie about peace as 'something to be fought for' but also seems determined to marry her when the fighting is over.

Compulsory fire-watching was introduced in January 1941 and as an employee of Beales, the Bournemouth department store, Chotie took her turn as ‘Roof Warden’.

On 1^st February the BOAC flying-boat service in Poole Harbour expanded with a route to Portugal – the only safe staging post in Europe to reach the African front. On the same day Project Fougasse or ‘Sea Flame’ successfully set fire to the sea off Studland, lighting up the East Dorset night sky so brightly you could read a newspaper in Bournemouth. (From ‘Poole and World War II’ written by Derek Beamish, Harold Bennett and John Hillier and published by Poole Historical Trust in 1980 and ‘Dorset’s War Diary - Battle of Britain to D Day’ by Rodney Legg, Dorset Publishing Company 2004.)

On the first weekend in February Dick wrote:

Rye Cottage

Marine Parade W

Lee-on-Solent

Hants.

Darling Chotie,

Thanks for the letter. As I'm on Guard again I thought I'd write. It's about the only time I get. I'm on the Beach Hut Guard with no stove and only a candle for light and heat, and is it cold!

It's now just eight o'clock Saturday evening, and I'm faced with the pleasant prospect of staying in this wretched hut, awake, ‘till ten o'clock tomorrow morning. It's so damn cold now that I can hardly write - Heaven knows what it will be like by about midnight.

There was an inspection of these guards by a General a few days ago. From what I can gather from various sources, he condemned the conditions and I believe there is the chance of moving again. I don't know where it will be, of course.

Everyone's fed up with this place as, apart from the food, there's nothing to be said for it. It's one long Guard - up to our necks in mud and only one wretched cinema, when we get any time off.

Anyhow, Darling, I still love you so much that even Guards become a pleasure when I think, of the glorious time we're going to have when I get back. And I don't mean maybe...

About every ten minutes someone, some clumsy ---, knocks over my candle, and if it were not for my lighter, Darling, I don't know what I'd do. I'd certainly have used a good few matches tonight.

I'm afraid as usual there's very little news - if any. Nothing of any real interest ever seems to happen.

I hope to meet Eric again soon. He's at Gosport (about 5 miles from here) and I'm trying to arrange a reunion. The snag is that it's difficult for us to both get the same night off duty. I expect we'll manage it soon - Eric's a born wangler.

Sunday Evening

I came off Guard and after a bath and some din-din, felt a lot better.

I'm afraid I can't write any more, Darling as it's just on Supper Time, and I must post this in the NAAFI as it's the only chance I’ll get.

Bye, bye Darling,

All my love

Dicker

Soon after this letter Dick’s unit was moved to Southbourne in Bournemouth – near enough to see Chotie regularly so there are no letters until 12^th March.

He may have seen some action from the coastal battery at Hengistbury Head firing on German Schnellboots close to the shore on 12^th February.

On 20^th February Dick was again promoted to full Corporal.

Posted on 06 February 2016 in Army life, Dorset, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Meetings with Chotie, Photos, Promotion/Demotion, Towns & Cities | Permalink

75 years ago - Changes

January 1941 brought changes for Dick. On 1^st January he was demoted to Lance Corporal for “not having control over the men”. He was also transferred to ‘C’ company at Battalion Headquarters in Corsham, 10 miles from the aerodrome.

Soon after this the 70^th Dorsets were moved to Lee-on-Solent on the Hampshire Coast, presumably as part of Lieutenant-General Montgomery’s V Corps in Southern Command. Monty was responsible for the defence of Hampshire and Dorset from July 1940 to April 1941.

And then Dick ran into a lorry:

January 1941

“Rye Cottage”

Marine Parade West

Lee-on-Solent.

Hants.

My Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know how I'm getting on and to give you the new address. Did you get my P.S.?

I wrote about a week ago, telling you of my demotion etc - I also wrote home but they don't appear to have got it. I don't know whether you did.

I'm afraid I've been laid up for some time as I had a bit of an accident and nearly managed to lose my left eye. I was blind in it for three days - but the MO says it's OK now – I only hope he's right. I was running pretty fast (Olympic Games Standard!) in the Black-Out early one morning, when I collided with a lorry. I thought I was tough, but I rather think the lorry had it all the way. I got a slight concussion and a deep cut under my eye - but it's all right now.

In case you didn't get my last letter, I'm now a L/Cpl having been busted by the Colonel (bless him). Pete is now a full Corporal in ‘D’ Coy my original Company. Eric has also been made up again. The fortunes of war....

However who cares? I've still got my Tootsie (I hope..) and that's all I have to worry about.

Well Darling I'm afraid I'll have to close here as this wretched NAAFI is closing.

Still loving you every bit Cho Dear,

your devoted

Dicker

*The Blackout ensured that there were no outdoor lights, or lights that could be seen from outside. This was to prevent enemy aircraft from identifying targets at night.

There were still plenty of air attacks on the south coast – Poole suffered from incendiary bombs on 6 of the first 12 days in January 1941 with c.250 houses damaged on 9^th January and two men killed by high explosive bombs.

Portsmouth, near Lee-on-Solent, sustained an enormous Blitz on 10^th January 1941.

At Lee-on-Solent the Royal Naval Air Station Dick may have been guarding (HMS Daedalus of the Fleet Air Arm) was packed with underground pipe bombs to make the site unusable in the case of enemy invasion. Rediscovered in 2006 this led to probably the largest peace time evacuation in Britain while they were removed.

Posted on 12 January 2016 in Army life, Dorset, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Poole, Promotion/Demotion, Towns & Cities | Permalink

75 years ago - Choosing Friends

At the beginning of October Dick had his 7 days leave at home in Parkstone (Poole, Dorset) and met up with Chotie. On the 3^rd October he’d been appointed a Full Corporal and he was already angling for a commission.

Parkstone was seeing plenty of action - enemy planes would have been frequent by day and by night, heading inland over the Dorset coast or occasionally bombing Dorset ports and towns. The Battle of Britain was also frequently fought in Dorset skies and many German and British planes crashed into Dorset’s land and sea in autumn 1940. (See David R. Privett’s account of a wartime childhood in Poole on the BBC People's War website .)

Back in Bemerton Dick was still with his Dorset friends, Eric Kessler and Pete (despite rumours of a move to Basingstoke and even joining up with the Hampshire Regiment!) but since they were privates and Dick was an NCO (non-commissioned officer) this friendship was not encouraged:

Tuesday 22nd October 1940

Bemerton

Tuesday evening

My Darling Cho,

Thanks for the letter which I got this morning.

Well Darling to get down to business, I find that with reasonable luck I’ll be able to get home on Sunday. The point is Honey, that if I can get a pass all day in Salisbury I may just as well come home, and it will save you a look of trouble & expense. Also I don’t like the idea of your travelling back all that way in the dark.

There is some truth in what Mummy warns you about, even if you don’t believe it… Mind you, I’m not saying you can’ take care of yourself, but after all you’re only a lickle baby although you’re the most adorable chubby baby that ever lived. I tremble to think what could happen to you, Sweetheart, and I hate taking those kind of risks.

I was doing Battalion Orderly Sergeant all day last Sunday which is some job, & I don’t mean maybe. It means being on all day from réveillé until about 11pm, with one worry after another – but for all that, it’s good experience.

Incidentally, I was choked off the other day, pretty severely. I bet you wouldn’t guess what for? (No, Precious, it wasn’t women!) It was for associating with private soldiers vis. Eric & Pete. I’m no longer able to go out with them, and should I meet them in the N.A.A.F.I. or anywhere, they have to address me as Corporal and not the now familiar ‘Dicker’. What a life!

The latest news as regards moving is back to Dinton which suits me admirably – that is, it’s b…..y awful but much preferable to Basingstoke.

We had a dance here last Monday. I’d had nine pints at the Conservative Club before I got there, so had a pretty good time on the whole. The women were a little better than usual but have no fears, Darling, as there isn’t a woman living who could take me away from you, (and that includes Bergman*…)

Well, Chubby, I must close now, loving you more than ever.

Je suis à toi pour la Vie,**

Your adoring,

Dicker

P.S. I terrible sorry about you’re cold. It’s just like me to forget all about it until the end. I hope you’ll forgive me Darling and get better soon.

all yours

Dicker

xxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxx

All for you! (when I come home)

* Ingrid Bergman, the Swedish film star.

** “I am yours for life.”

Posted on 22 October 2015 in Army life, Dorset, Friends & acquaintances, Letters from Dick, Meetings with Chotie, Poole, Promotion/Demotion, Pubs, Towns & Cities, Villages | Permalink

75 years ago – “Birmingham Urchins”

At the beginning of September 1940 Dick was back at Bemerton, a Lance Corporal and a PT Instructor but without friends. Toni, who was in ‘D’ Company with Dick, had moved to Dinton when Dick went on the PT Instructor course at Tidworth and by the end of August George and ‘Hughes’, who were in ‘G’ Company, had also gone to Dinton. On the night of 4th/5th September Dick was woken by ‘a veritable rain of bombs descending around’ on Salisbury Plain – the London Blitz started two nights later on 7^th September. Later that month Dick was hearing of 'a lot of action around Parkstone' where Chotie lived.

Having made two new friends, Lance Corporals du Rose and Gammage, he also made an enemy – Company Sergeant Major Gurd – and they narrowly escaped trouble on a few occasions. Dick was already fed up with PT and pinning his hopes on a commission. In these September letters Dick begins to mention his close friend Eric Kessler. There were also some interesting acquaintances from Brum…

Posted on Wednesday 18th September 1940

Bemerton

Wiltshire

My Darling,

What’s happened to you! Haven’t heard from you for ages. I thought you must at least be pushing up the daisies by now.

Well Darling, I’m still fed up (as usual) and trying hard to get a transfer. Du Rose, Gammage and myself are still being chased by the RSM. My God, what a life we get. It’s just an existence.

He managed to get du Rose on two charges in the same day last week, but Eric, who is almost a BA put up a lawyer’s defence and the cases were dismissed. It was a narrow shave, though.

I’d rather hoped that we would have been stripped, in which case I should have reverted and gone back to the ranks. At the moment none of us care either way. If du Rose would, I know I should.

I’ve been reading rather a lot, having enjoyed immensely Adrian Bell’s ‘Corduroy’ and having fought, I think rather unsuccessfully, with James Cabell’s ‘Jurgen’. I also read a Penguin (these are all penguins) entitled ‘Murder at the ‘Varsity’ ’* in which the murderer, an elderly scholastic University Lecturer, has a passion for Rabelais! – which I suppose only goes to show what Rabbi can do for you.

I hope you will excuse this scrawl but as I write less, so my écriture** depreciates. I’m afraid I get duller and duller in my present company. My former touch with ‘Les Belles Lettres’ now seems to elude me. I often misquote Shakespeare. An unpardonable sin. However, I rival University Dons on the ‘Immortal Bard’ when half tight; so perhaps it’s not as bad as I make it appear.

At present I’m sleeping in du Rose’s tent with six Birmingham urchins – and what amazing blokes they are. Nothing seems to get them down. They grumble about everything one moment, and are exceptionally cheerful the next. Their language is amazing. They all appear to live for “tabs” (cigarettes) and kypher (skirt) and come back to the tent late at night and recount all their luck and experiences until the early hours. Needless to say it’s all very interesting.

Du Rose is something of a swimmer. He is the present Midland Champ and has swum against Wainwright*** a score of times.

It’s now Tuesday afternoon & I still haven’t heard from you. Mother wrote on Tuesday last but I only received the letter on Monday. It had gone all the way to Warmwell although it had the Bemerton address.

Well Darling I must close now, still loving you more than ever

Your devoted

Dicker

PS Write soon.

PPS. I’ve just received your letter.

All is forgiven!

Dicker

* Adrian Bell was an English rural journalist and farmer – ‘Corduroy’ recounts his early experience of farming. James Cabell was an American author of fantasy fiction. His best known book ‘Jurgen’ was the subject of an obscenity trial soon after publication. ‘Murder at the ‘Varsity’ ‘ is by Richard Wilson Webb, and English detective writer.

**French for handwriting.

***Norman Wainwright was a British Olympic swimmer. At the 1938 Empire Games in Sydney he was in the gold medal winning freestyle 4 x 220 yards relay team.

19^th September 1940 – the German Fleet assembled to bring their troops to Britain for the invasion was dispersed.

Posted on 18 September 2015 in Army life, Books, Dorset, Family, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Promotion/Demotion, Sport, Villages | Permalink

75 year ago – Lance Corporal Williams at Bemerton

75 years ago Dick was a soldier at Bemerton on Salisbury Plain and had started training to be a PT Instructor.After a month in the Army he’d gained his first stripe, becoming a Lance Corporal, which must have been testing since there were already 'a large number of deserters'. ‘

Dick had 48 hours leave on weekend of 27^th and 28^th July 1940 and met Chotie.

Sunday 28^thJuly 1940 was his nineteenth birthday.

6^th Dorset’s

South Wilts

Cricket Ground

Bemerton

NR Salisbury, Wilts.

My Darling Chotie,

I’m writing this on Monday evening, my first opportunity to write since regaining Camp, which I’m trying to do in almost total darkness in the NAAFI*, in the company of Hughes and George. There’s really nothing to write as there is of course no news. I feel terribly flat. We must get really moving on our next meeting. We seem to waste so much time…

I was told tonight that I am going on a fortnight’s P.T. course at Tidworth, which I believe is somewhere near Salisbury. Could you let me know where this is, (ie look it up on a map or something?)

I’m afraid I have to turn in now, but will continue tomorrow.

It’s now Tuesday dinner time. There’s still no more news. I have been on P.T. all the morning and I’m rather fed up. I’m certainly going back to the ranks after I become proficient.

I had a yarn with the Instructor who appears to be rather pleased with my going on this course. He imagines I’m going to come back and teach him something. He must be nuts. Still there’s no harm in thinking.

I have another two squads to take this afternoon, what a life! I’m not missing much however, as all the boys are trench-digging.

It’s now Tuesday evening. I write a little every time I get a moment to spare.I really must thank you again for this super writing case. It certainly gives me inspiration.

I must close now darling, as I have to slip this down to the Post Office without delay.

Bye, bye darling

Your devoted

Dicker

P.S. Je t’aime encore de tout mon coeur même plusque la vie.**

*NAAFI – Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes – official trading organisation of HM Forces i.e. the canteen.

** “I love you always, with all of my heart, and more than life itself.”

Dick was appointed Lance Corporal on Monday 29^th July 1940.

On 31^st July 1940 Dick’s medical form stated he was in A.1. condition.

Posted on 29 July 2015 in Army life, Birthday and Xmas cards, Friends & acquaintances, Letters from Dick, Promotion/Demotion, Records, Villages | Permalink

Friendly Belgians - Monday 8th January 1945

Sandy Handley continues the story of 61^st Recce in the Ardennes:

“Later in the Ardennnes the snow came and curtailed any reconnoitring. It was bitterly cold but now and again we managed to stay in an empty house for shelter or sometimes occupy a spare room of a friendly person’s home. We found the Belgians so friendly and fortunately by far a most could speak English.”

(From Ex Trooper S Handley’s ‘61 Recce - Memories of Normandy 1944 – 1945’, unpublished)

61^st Recce Regt

RAC. BLA.

Monday Jan 8^th.

Chotie Darling,

I wrote you yesterday, but on reflection found it wasn’t much of an effort so, as I have a free evening today, I thought I’d tear up yesterday’s meagre missive and start again.

It’s very cold here and there’s still plenty of snow about, though not very much has fallen during the last few days. We’re in another village now – a very charming little place, about the size of Blandford.* The people, needless to say, are all exceptionally kind to us – I did all the billeting for the Squadron and found no difficulty in fixing up everyone.

I’m living with a very charming family who do everything they possibly can to make things as pleasant as they can be, under these circumstances. They press me to have all meals with them but of course I decline most invitations.

These “middle-class’ houses are quite pleasant but lack the ‘lived-in’ appearance of the English home. For example many of the ‘dining-rooms’ I’ve been in have tiled floors and everything very much in its place. Against this however, the people in the £1,000 per annum class have really beautifully furnished houses and a much better conception of interior decoration then we have. The house I was in at Iseghem falls into the latter class, where the Sintobins collected paintings and furniture. They also collected albums of Mozart recordings, but I digress….

I read in your last letter that Margaret’s baby is getting on well. I’m afraid I haven’t really had time to write her, but I will try to do so as soon as possible. I hope you’ll send her all my best wishes when next you write. I still haven’t managed to contact Ted, and now of course with this weather he’s miles away as they can’t use his sort of unit** in this snow.

Well, my Darling, I’ve just received your letter of the 3^rd. Glad to hear you got the cheque – hope you can cash it without too much trouble. No, it’s not the letters that get behind so much as the parcels – they’re deadly. I haven’t had any tobacco for weeks and weeks and mother sends some very regularly. I’m now smoking cigarettes again which makes me very crusty. Always grumbling aren’t I?

No, again, I haven’t seen Madeleine, though she sent me a very nice letter at Xmas. Once more I’m afraid I haven’t found time to write her.

I must say, you’re a very naughty girl for getting all these charges*. I’ll write your C.O. suggesting he spanks you. That measure may prove beneficial. Alternatively I could send him my copy of ‘The Taming of the Shrew’****…

I haven’t had any news of Bryn since hearing that he was recalled from leave to go to Barnard Castle*****, which mother told me in her last letter.

My uncle, whom I believe I told you about before, died on Boxing Day. He was conscious until Xmas Day and able to recognise my Aunt. I can’t say I feel any pangs at his passing – though I haven’t said a word to mother on the subject. He hated Dad like poison and that was always enough for Brinner and I. He was always reckoned to be ‘so clever at figures’ but the old man used to make him look like a two year old. However, mother as ever turned the other cheek and went up to Nottingham to console her sister. She learnt that my cousin Dennis (“Denner”) is now a Lieutenant with the R.A. over here. His sister Doremy (‘Dommer’) is in the WAAF.

We must certainly come here after the war darling. The countryside is really very lovely and the food…!

I’m afraid I must fall out with you over “Greenery Street”******. I must have been in a very happy mood when I first read it, as on re-reading it some short time ago I found the whole thing to be mere sentimental canting. However, it’s of no importance….

Have I told you about Geoff? He’s had his first operation and was waiting for the second when he wrote. Says they’re pumping him full of penicillin. Frank Harding (the Squadron Leader) has been flown to England after a spin in the same hospital as Geoff following his jeep crash on Xmas Day. Apparently the frontal (forehead) was fractured – which may be serious.*******

There doesn’t seem to be much to write about, Chotie – nothing I can tell you anyhow, and that, restricts my writing by about 90%.

I’m hoping to see you again soon Darling – keep your fingers crossed, won’t you? You’re very precious, you know.

All my love, Baby,

Dicker

*Blandford Forum is a market town in Dorset.

**Ted Lewis, Chotie’s brother-in-law, was in a tank regiment in the Guards Armoured Division.

***Mum told me every time she was made Corporal or Lance Corporal she was ‘busted’ and put on a charge. She went AWOL (Absent without Leave) to meet Dick just before D Day and I think there were a number of other misdemeanours.

****Shakespeare’s somewhat misogynistic play.

*****a northern market town in Teesdale, County Durham.

******a novel of domestic happiness by Denis Mackail.

*******Major Frank Harding, MC survived until 3^rd June 1981. He was a staunch supporter of the Old Comrades Association, often speaking at dinners or official visits re-treading the footsteps of 61^st Recce in Europe. He published a book of poems ‘War Echoes Over Thirty Years’ in 1970. Colonel Brownrigg wrote on his MC citation:

‘The success of Major Harding’s squadron has been very largely due to his own example. He has never spared himself, and his cheerfulness in any difficulty or danger has been a great inspiration to his Squadron. It would be hard to overestimate the value of this officer’s work to the regiment.’

Posted on 08 January 2015 in Army life, ATS, Books, Family, Friends & acquaintances, Letters from Dick, Promotion/Demotion, The Recce Men, Towns & Cities, Villages | Permalink

Caruso and Countryside - Monday 1st May 1944

On 1^st May 1994 Dick became a full Lieutenant

(see Recce Mitch’s post in WW2 Talk)

61^st Recce Regt RAC

APO England

Monday 1^st May

Chotie Darling,

Caught once again for Duty Officer I find the usual consolation in having time and opportunity in writing you.

I was very sorry I couldn’t make last weekend, but I’m afraid it was just impossible as I was out the whole time.

I’m still doing Squadron Leader* and finding it a little cushier having got the hang of things now.

Managed to get out a few nights ago with a friend - a recently joined officer who used to be in the M of I** and has all the scandals re Brendan Bracken and Churchill*** at his finger tips, as it were. He’s an MA, amongst other things, with a very keen appreciation of beauty in its many forms, and we spent a very pleasant evening walking cross-country to find an unspoiled pub some four or five miles away. The countryside has never looked better, I’m sure, the meadows full of rabbits (lots of baby ones) and the woods full of pheasant.

Heard Caruso’s recording of 'Celeste Äida'**** half an hour ago so I’m on top of the world. (Also heard the second act of Äida a few nights ago – Eva Turner gave a particularly brilliant performance. I think she’s still improving. I heard her ‘Turandot’ when I was in Scotland which is her best, plus I ‘m now beginning to think she ranks after Cancellia & Ponselle.)

Came across Bruce Segler’s name in a copy of ‘Frabreo’ the Jewish Club’s Magazine of which the Adjutant has a copy, so I suppose he’s still alive and kicking. That man had quite a good sense of form apart from a Tchaikovsky mania. He practically refused to acknowledge the existence of Mozart.

I’m enclosing a cheque with this letter, which I trust you’ll have no trouble in cashing, and a few coupons. I would have sent cash, but I just can’t get any here myself.

Hope to hear from you soon.

All my love, Chotie

Dicker

RKWilliams

*Senior officers involved in the D Day Assault were taking part in Exercise Thunderclap – Montgomery’s preparation sessions using a huge relief model of the battlefield to work through potential issues and outcomes. (From ‘Overlord’ by Max Hastings, Macmillan 2016 edition)

**Ministry of Information - the central government department responsible for publicity and propaganda during WW2.

** Brendan Bracken was a close friend and supporter of Churchill. From July 1941 to May 1945 he was Minister of Information.

****Enrico Caruso, the famous Italian tenor who died in 1921. (Listen to Caruso’s recording of 'Celeste Äida' from Giuseppe Verdi’s Egyptian opera.) Eva Turner was an English soprano most famous for her title role in Turandot, Giacomo Puccini’s opera set in Asia. (Listen to Eva Turner’s recording of ‘In Questa Reggia’ from Turandot.) Rosa Ponselle was an American operatic soprano.

1^st May 1944 – Commonwealth Prime Ministers meet in London at the ‘Imperial Conference’. (From WW2-net Timelines.)

Posted on 01 May 2014 in Army life, Friends & acquaintances, Letters from Dick, Music, Promotion/Demotion, Pubs | Permalink

A Commission

Copy of Record Service & Casualty Form

O.C.T.U., Sandhurst…..Camberley, Surrey DISCHARGED 30.10.43

For the purpose of being appointed to a commission in accordance with King’s Regulations, 1940, paragraph 390 (xvii)

Copy of Record “Exemplary” Military Conduct

PAGE I. Substitute A.F.B.268.

Army No. 5731671

Rank. Tpr Appointment Cadet

Surname WILLIAMS Christian Names Richard Kelner

Unit:- 100 (Sandhurst) R.A.C. O.C.T.U. Corps:- 43/Recce Rgt.

Reservist’s Identity No. Date of transfer to Reserve.

Date of discharge 30.10.43

W.O.Authority for Discharge 111/GEN/4885/AG.17/B d./24.10.43.

PAGE II.

(a) Military Conduct Exemplary

(b) Testimonial as recorded on p.2 of Certificate of Service (A.F. B.108.)

“Selected for training as an officer at the 100 (Sandhurst) R.A.C., O.C.T.U., and has obtained a commission on satisfactorily completing this course”.

Cause of Discharge (See Note J.)

“For the purpose of being appointed to a commission in accordane with

King’s Regulations 1940 para. 390 (xvii)”.

Date of discharge 30.10.43

Station Sandhurst R.A.C. O.C.T.U. SANDHURST

Date 30.10.43.

Copy of Record from Statement of Service

Military History Sheet

Service at Home and Abroad

Country HOME Service to count as British or Indian. BRITISH

From 21-6-40 To 30/10/43 Length of Service 3

PT/II 126/43 100/OCTU

Discharged under para.390 (xvii) K.R. 1940, having been appointed to a commission

61, RECCE REGT. Authority WOL 112/GEN/4885 (A-G. 17. B) D/24/10/43

Army Rank Pte 30/10/43

AW.K Row Ltn for O. 11c Infantry Records, Ashford, M2.

L.G.No 36265. 26 11/43

Total Service Engagement to 30/10/43 (date of discharge) 3 Years 132 Days

Total Service Pension to 30/10/43 3 Years 132 Days

On 30th October 1943

Dick received his commission and was

appointed to the 61^st Reconnaissance Regiment.

Posted on 30 October 2013 in Army life, Photos, Promotion/Demotion, Records | Permalink

Band and Banners - Tuesday 26th October 1943

Tuesday

Chotie Darling,

Just received your letter and am replying instanta. Very pleased to hear you can manage some leave, if only three days.

I suggest you come down to Pagham – I’ll pay your fare, and we can renew our former brief acquaintenship (sic) with the ‘Lamb', ‘Bear’* & ‘Beach’.

Things are so quiet for Mother & Dad that I think I should stay home as I don’t know how long my leave will be. The point is that I may be posted and recalled from leave after a week or so at home.

If I can float a loan from someone I’ll enclose some shekels in this letter.

Glad to hear you had a happy time in Whitby**, you certainly get about a bit. My only travel consists of going out on schemes etc, when you’re usually wet, cold and generally miserable and certainly not in the mood to appreciate the beauty of the west country.

However, I have seen enough to convince me that the people who say ‘See England first’ do know what they’re talking about.

Can you let me know probable time of arrival at Pagham? – and I’ll get the band and banners out.

Will close here, Darling for dinner – it’s a Band night.

All my love

Dicker

*Pubs in Pagham.

** See Chotie in Yorkshire.

30th October 1943 – the United States 5th Army breaks through the Barbara line, Germany’s defensive position across Italy, at Mondragone on the Tyrrhenian Coast. The British 8^th Army attacked across the Trignov River near the Adriatic Coast on 2^nd November 1943. (From Chronology of World War II and WW2-net Timelines.)

Posted on 26 October 2013 in Army life, Family, History, Letters from Dick, Promotion/Demotion, Pubs, Towns & Cities | Permalink

Mucking about now - Saturday 23rd October

As before

Saturday

Chotie Darling,

Many thanks for letter. I didn’t get it until yesterday as we were out on exercise for a week.

Firstly, as regards leave I definitely get it on the 30^th inst. Though I don’t know, as yet, for how long. It’s almost sure to be 9 days but you know the army.

I’ve received my final reports and have only a week of mucking about now. I’ve also got my clothing coupons…I bet that made you wince!. Thousands of ‘em.

Anyhow let me know whether you can manage anything as regards leave won’t you? Brinner may be home on the 5^th before he goes to OCTU but nothing definite as yet.

Had glorious time on exercise in the Cotswolds. Went to Cheltenham and Gloucester, etc.

Can’t write anymore now as dinner’s up

Love

Dicker

P.T.O.

Do your damdest to get leave, Chotie.

24^th October 1943 – The Soviet Army takes Melitopol, near the Sea of Azov in the Ukraine, breaking the Wotan line (part of the Germans’ hastily constructed defensive position from Smolensk along the Dnepr River to the Black Sea). By 1^st December the entire line had been broken and the German 17^th Army were isolated on the Crimean Peninsula. Only the German’s Panther line in the north between Lake Peipus (now between Estonia and Russia) and the Baltic Sea along the Narva River remained intact.

Posted on 23 October 2013 in Army life, Family, History, Letters from Dick, Promotion/Demotion, Towns & Cities | Permalink

Putting in for Recce

On 13^th October 1943 Dick signed a preference form

for the Recce Corps

with a ‘family or territorial claim’ for the 61^st Reconnaissance Regiment, then stationed in Kent.

Copy of Record Preference form

5731671 AGE 22 years 3 months 299440

(M.S. Form E.C.1) ARMY FORM E.562

OFFICER CADET TRAINING UNIT 1A

77 TROOP FIRST APPOINTMENTS EMERGENCY COMMISSIONS B

FORM to be filled up by successful Candidates for appointments to Emergency Commissions in the Army

Name in full WILLIAMS, RICHARD KELNER

1.Regiment or Corps of the British or Indian Army for which I desire to express a preference. Officers wishing for Scottish, Irish, or Welsh Regiments should state their connection, if any, with the country in question. (Not more than three Regiments or Corps should be specified. Family or Territorial claims should be fully stated.)	(1) *RECCE CORPS*	Family or Territorial Claims (if any), to be fully stated
		61
	(2)
	(3)
2. (For applicants for Household Cavalry and Foot Guards only) Have you been accepted by the Colonel of the Regiment for which you have applied above? (NOTE. No commissions in Regiments of Household Cavalry or Foot Guards will be granted unless applicants have previously been accepted by the Colonels of the Regiments concerned.)

Signature RK Williams

Address to which notification of appointment should be sent. Any change should be at once notified to the War Office

“St Margarets” Sea Lane PAGHAM SUSSEX. (To be written in BLOCK LETTERS)

Date 13.10.’43

NOTE.- This Form must be filled and forwarded to “THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, THE WAR OFFICE (M.S. 2.), WHITEHALL, LONDON, S.W.1,” through the Officer Commanding, Officer Cadet Training Unit.

(2331) Wt.29614/1238. 20,000. 9/39. W.R.M. Gp.69s

13th October 2013 – the official Italian Government declares war on Germany.

14th October 1943 – half of the prisoners in Sobibor, 300 men and women, escape in an uprising (although only 47 survived the war). Sobibor, in eastern Poland was constructed in spring 1942 and by the time of the uprising at least 167,000 people, mainly Jewish, had been murdered there. Although the killing centre was dismantled shortly after the uprising and kept secret by the Nazis, it has been estimated that over 250,000 people died there. (From WW2-net Timelines and and The United States Holocaust Museum.)

14^th October 1943 – after suffering heavy losses over Germany the US Air Force calls off long-range unescorted daylight raids. (From Chronology of World War II. See 'precision bombing in daylight.)

16th October 1943 – beginning of the Roman ‘Razzia’ or round-up of the Jews in Rome. Although in September 1943 the Germans had levied a ransom in gold for the safety of the Roman Jews, which had been paid, the SS still proceeded to seize the Jews in Rome and deport them to Auschwitz-Birkenau. 1,800 were sent to the death camp and all were killed. However, for every Roman Jew deported 10 escaped, with the Italian people helping them to hide.

In 1933 there were about 50,000 Jews living in Italy. Anti-Jewish discrimination laws were introduced in 1938 but the Italian military authorities refused to participate in the mass murder of the Jews and Jews were generally safe from deportation in Italy or Italian-occupied territory until the Italian Armistice. More than 40,000 Jews survived the Holocaust in Italy. (See United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for Rome and Italy.)

17th October 1943 – completion of the Thailand to Burma railway, between Bangkok in Thailand and Rangoon (now Yangon) in Burma (Myanmar). Built by the forced labour of 180,000 Asian labourers and 60,000 Allied Prisoners of War (half of them British) for the Japanese military. Conditions and treatment were so horrific that half of the Asians and over 12,000 of the Allied PoWs died or were killed – the railway construction is viewed as a war crime. ( See the Second World War Experience Centre and Far East Prisoners of War.)

19th October 1943 – the Treblinka death camp in eastern Poland, is closed and steps taken to completely dismantle it, returning the site to farmland to hide the atrocities. Between July 1942 and August 1943 25 German SS men assisted by 100 Ukrainian auxiliaries murdered around 800,000 Jews and Roma at Treblinka.

20th October 1943 – creation of the United Nations War Crimes Commission by a meeting of Government representatives of seventeen of the Allied Nations, including all of the major powers except the USSR at the Foreign Office in London.

22nd October 1943 – more than 10,000 people die in the explosions and fires caused by a bombing attack on the city of Kassel, in central Germany.

This was also the beginning of Operation Corona – the RAF used native German speakers to impersonate and broadcast as German Air Defence Officers. When the Germans switched to using women controllers in November so did the RAF.

Posted on 13 October 2013 in Army life, History, Promotion/Demotion, Records, The Recce Men, Towns & Cities | Permalink

The Gentle Sex - Tuesday 28th September

Same Address

Tuesday

My Darling,

Many thanks for your letter. Was very glad to hear that you enjoyed your leave and were lucky enough to get the same time as Mary*.

Still, I expect you’re glad to be back …..I was home myself this weekend but felt so wretchedly ill, I did not really enjoy it. I started on a pint at the Beach on Saturday and hadn’t the heart to finish it.

Been very busy lately on schemes and will be on them nearly all the next month. They’re not too bad in the summer but it’s getting just a wee bit nippy these days. On top of this I’m Troop Sgt. for the week which all means added work.

Found time to read D.L.Murray’s ‘Tale of Three Cities’ which I’ve always meant to read, and enjoyed immensely. Have read virtually nothing else. Saw ‘Gentle Sex’ and Col. Blimp** during past few weeks – I believe I told you. Enjoyed Blimp but found Howard’s influence on ‘Gentle Sex’ just a little too much. He always was hammy.

Sorry to hear about your indisposition – hope it’s better by now.

Everyone seems to be having a competition as to who can produce the most offspring. News from HB < Herne Bay***. Gives lurid details of further progress in this direction. There are times when I think the world’s gone mad. They’re no sooner married than the poor girl’s tied down for life, and in most cases before she’s even started to live! I hope there’s enough money in circulation after this war to feed them all.

Had a letter from Brinner with yours. Full of his customary appalling language. He’s met a soprano of ‘Tosca’**** fame. It won’t last long. Apparently the Austrian refugee affaire has closed down for good this time.

I’d send you some denarii if I had any – but at the moment I’m bankrupt.

Did you hear the Beethoven on Sunday pm? Pouishnoff*****.

I must close here for dinner – not that I shall eat any, but I have to attend anyhow.

love & kisses

Dicker

This letter was addressed to:

W/242328 Pte Chalkley BE.

‘B’ Tp. ATS OF.C. 462 Hy (M) AA Bty RA

Markham, Easton in Gordano

Bristol

Maybe Chotie was back at Markham Camp when Dick sent her the postcard addressed to Portishead on 7^th September, or maybe she’d moved the short distance to Easton-in-Gordano since then.

*Chotie’s best friend Mary Dakin, who later married Geoffrey Thomas, gentleman.

**’Gentle Sex’ - a romantic comedy film about the ATS, directed and narrated by Leslie Howard, who had been killed in June 1943 and narrated by Leslie Howard. ’The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp’ - a comedy film derived from the satirical Colonel Blimp comic strip.

***Monica, Dick’s ex-girlfriend and Diller’s best friend, lived at Herne Bay.

****Giacomo Puccini’s opera ‘Tosca’ - the lead soprano has the eponymous title role, so Brinner’s new girl was presumably quite a singer.

*****Leff Pouishnoff, a Ukrainian pianist and composer.

28^th September 1943 – Chotie visited the dentist at Bristol.

Copy of Record

Dental Treatment Card – 28/9/43 Bristol

28^th September 1943 – two years after the shooting of nearly 34,000 Jews at the Babi Yar ravine near Kiev a number of the concentration camp prisoners now tasked with covering up evidence of the massacres there manage to escape. By the autumn of 1943 at least 100,000 Jews, Roma and Communists had been murdered by the Nazis at Babi Yar.

29^th September 1943 – Marshal Badoglio, the new Italian leader meets General Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allies Expeditionary Force to sign the armistice agreement aboard HMS Nelson in Valetta Harbour, Malta. (From Chronology of World War II.)

After Exercise Link in mid-September 1943 61st Division, including 61^st Recce, was relegated to a static role in home defence (Lower Establishment status – Higher Establishment Divisions were intended for employment overseas and combat.) The Division was also a training formation and was intended to find suitable replacements for fighting formations: “when the 61^st Division was relegated to Home Forces…we had to draft many of our best men away”. (Lt-Colonel P.H.A. Brownrigg’s account of ’A Reconnaissance Regiment in the B.L.A.’ in ‘Beaten Paths are Safest’ by Ron Howard, Brewin Books 2004)

By October the 61^st Division had been assigned to anti-invasion duties in Kent.

Eric Postles writes:

“The regiment was responsible for patrolling the coast from New Romney to Battle. Our squadron was stationed in Lympne Castle next to an RAF airfield. We did day and night mobile patrols into Folkestone and Romney. On a clear day you could see France from the castle tower and at night flashes from the German guns shelling the Dover area. One night we watched as a night fighter shot down a German bomber in flames. Our fighter planes took off and returned from France very low over the castle often returning damaged and sometimes with their rockets hanging down from the wings. On our patrols we reported to the coastguards and coastal gun sites. We often got a welcome cup of tea.” (Extract from ‘My War Years’ by John Eric Postles ISO used by kind permission of the author.)

1^st October 1943 – the Allies enter Naples. Much of the city had been wrecked by the Germans, including its historic aqueducts, in revenge for the Neapolitan resistance begun on 27^th September.

Britain’s 8^th Army on the Adriatic coast of Italy seizes the Foggia plain with its airfields vital for bombing southern Germany, Austria and the Ploesti oilfields.

1st October 1943 – the Germans begin to round up Jews in Denmark. However, their plans have been revealed in advance by a German naval attaché, Ferdinand Duckwitz, and most of the 7,500 Danish Jews were helped into hiding and then ferried to safety in Sweden by Danish citizens and the Resistance. 470 Danish Jews were deported to the Theresienstadt Ghetto in Czechoslovakia but relatively few Danish Jews (120) died during the Holocaust for a German occupied country. (From United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.)

2^nd October 1943 – heavy RAF raid on Munich, deep inside Germany. Germany’s third largest city was an important industrial centre and suffered 71 bombing attacks during the war. (From WW2-net Timelines.)

3^rd October 1943 – the Battle of Termoli commences the Allies’ attack on the Volturno line. This was a German defensive position stretching across Italy from Termoli on the Adriatic coast to the mouth of the Volturno River, north of Naples, on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The line was breached by the British 8^th Army at Termoli on 6^th October and the US 5^th Army crossing the Volturno a week later. The Germans retreated back to the Barbara line. Both lines had been established to delay the Allied advance to the main German defensive position (known as ‘the Winter line’) protecting the access route to Rome at Cassino.

4th October 1943 – Corsica is liberated when the last of the Germans are evacuated from Bastia.

6th October 1943 – at a conference with high ranking Reich officials at Posen in Poland, Heinrich Himmler is frank about the Jewish ‘Final Solution’ for the first time, admitting that women and children as well as men were being killed so that “this people disappear from this earth”. (From ‘The Second World War’ by Antony Beevor, published by Weidenfield and Nicolson 2012)

The Devil's punchbowl - Tuesday 14th? September 1943

Same address….

Tuesday

My Darling,

Many thanks for letter just received – and for programme enclosed. I had hoped I could have written to you during the week but have been on schemes almost continually.

It’s now about seven in the evening and I’m all packed for another three day show after dinner. We’re going down as far as Hindhead which is wonderful country, and luckily I’m driving all the time. The road runs south from Aldershot, over the Hog’s Back and down to the ‘Devil’s punchbowl’, a famous venue for motorists pre-war and one of Surrey’s best known beauty spots. We’re going right through the night and are all swearing on fine weather.

Mother enclosed a letter from Brinner in her last. He’s now a Cadet at Wrotham which is only a few miles from Sevenoaks, Eric’s place. (Incidentally, I’ve never heard from him despite you’re saying he’d written. Also, no cracks about my repaying – if I had a letter from him I’d reply straight away, but I definitely wrote last …)

I managed to see Diller last week-end – she went back on Sunday. I gather she likes the life but would prefer to be in anything but the Pay Corps.

I don’t get any leave for another three weeks, I’m afraid and then only a weekend.

Theoretically I should pass out in six weeks’ time – but things are going very badly as regards Recce Corps. They’re over staffed as it is which has the annoying habit of making them very difficult to please. They cheerfully accept about five in every fifty and the unhappy remainder have to go all through an Infantry OCTU, which takes nearly another five months. The only consolation I’ve got is that I should go to Wrotham, for some weeks anyhow.

Hope you enjoyed the concert under Sargent**, whom I think is still the best conductor in the country. ‘Fraid I never get a chance to see anything these days.

As you remark, the news is good, but as usual is inclined to be taken far too optimistically. We still have the hardest fighting to do.

Must close here for dinner, as I’ve got to get my carrier started which takes me anything up to an hour….

Here’s to the Devil and his punchbowl.

love & kisses

Dicker

*Hindhead Common and the Devil’s Punch Bowl are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty protected by the National Trust.

** Malcolm Sargeant, famous English conductor.

15th September 1943 – Australian and US troops capture the Japanese base of Lae, on the east coast of New Guinea, north of Port Moresby.

16^th September 1943 – the Danish resistance underground, Dansk Frihedsrådet, sets up the Freedom Council as a shadow administration.

18th September 1943 - German forces from Salerno withdraw towards the line of the River Volturno, north of Naples. American forces at Salerno had suffered 3,500 casualties and the British (on the exposed left flank) 5,500. (From ‘The Second World War’ by Antony Beevor, published by Weidenfield and Nicolson 2012)

20 September 1943 - the ‘Jewish Affairs Commission’, headed by Dieter Wisliceny, arrives in Athens. In Thessaloniki the Commission had been responsible for the deportation of over 46,000 Jews, mainly to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Athenian Jews, previously under Italian Occupation, were now threatened with a similar fate. However, two thirds escaped - many with the help of Archbishop Damaskeno and other Christians who hid them and produced false baptism certificates. Even the Chief of Police in Athens, Angelos Evert, issued Jews with false ID to protect them.

60 to 70,000 Greek Jews perished in the Holocaust – more than 80% of the Jewish Greek population. (See United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.)

22nd September 1943 – six British midget submarines succeed in attacking the Tirpitz (see also St Nazaire and Brighton) in a Norwegian fiord, putting the battleship out of action until March 1944.

22nd September 1943 – Soviet forces begin to cross the heavily defended Dnepr river in central Ukraine, suffering heavy losses but ultimately succeeding in advancing their front line.

On 23rd September Mussolini proclaims his return to power with the re-establishment of a fascist government, the Repubblica Sociale Italiana in northern Italy. All Italians carrying arms in German occupied areas face the death penalty.

24th September 1943 – 5,000 Italian soldiers of the Aqui Division are massacred on the Greek Ionian island of Cephalonia when they eventually surrender to the Germans. In all, more than 10,000 Italian soldiers who chose to resist the Germans died in Greece.

25^th September 1943 – the British 8^th Army and the US 5^th Army join up a front line across Italy.

25th September 1943 – the Soviets re-take Smolensk, 200 miles west of Moscow in Russia.

27th September 1943 – in a popular uprising the people of Naples successfully drive the Germans out of the city before the Allied liberation on 1^st October. (From Chronology of World War II.)

Posted on 14 September 2013 in Army life, Family, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Music, Promotion/Demotion, Towns & Cities | Permalink

A Young Novel - 1st and 2nd September 1943

Same address

Wednesday (nearly Thursday)

My Darling Chotie,

It’s a long time since I’ve written to you at this time of night, but I find myself with two others operating a wireless for three days and nights and this being the first I thought it would give me a golden opportunity to send you a young novel – so here goes.

The remainder of the troop are out on a three days exercise and we are maintaining contact with them the whole time. The system, as it stands sounds quite fun but unfortunately we are not allowed to sleep as those on the exercise aren’t able to.

This little discrepancy is, however, compensated by the fact that I get a weekend on Saturday, so things aren’t really too bad. Diller will be home I believe so she’ll have a glorious chance to moan to her hearts content, an opportunity I know she won’t be slow to seize.

Came back from 48hr scheme yesterday, just about all in. This wireless* is murder, it’s not only the mental tiredness you get, but also chronic headaches owing to the headphones which have to be worn continually. I’ll spend the week-end in bed – lonely and cold ….

We’ve managed to scrounge some cocoa and milk, also a shave, so we have hopes of something hot soon.

Weather here is typical autumn – lots of mist and rain and last night a beautiful sunset, one of the best I’ve ever seen. The trees – hundreds of them here are just beginning to turn – though it’s early yet. It will be lovely by the time I leave – always presuming I don’t leave prematurely …

We have a pretty sound wireless officer, one of the pleasant slavedriver type who works all hours from morn ’til night and expects the whole troop to do the same…Luckily he likes his pint and consequently we always find ourselves some hundred yards from the Duke of Wellington for lunch and he always stands the troop a pint apiece. God knows how much it must cost him.

I was talking to the publican who says that the present Duke (who lives in the neighbouring estate – Stratfield Saye) is quite a pleasant bloke – Captain in the Commandos in Sicily and always goes to the pub when on leave to play darts with the farmers. Apparently he’s about 30**.

Did I tell you that Dad went up to Purley*** to see all the relations? It’s the first time he’s seen his father for about five years! Awful isn’t it? Apparently things have changed quite a bit. Gramp now looks his years – he’s about 78, which he never has done before and has slowed up considerably. Cyril (Dad’s brother) took him on a trip which included all the most dubious of London’s night clubs.

They all expect me to go up (after Brian going, of course) but I still prefer to go home, or if possible come down to see you. (I still owe you about a dozen spankings…****)

However, he did see them, they were all very pleased, and that’s that – for another five years anyhow.

Incidentally is there anything I can get you for your Birthday? I haven’t had a chance to get out for ages, and you can’t do anything on schemes. Let me know – and if there’s no chance of my getting it, I’ll send you some shekels*****.

The ATS are a better crowd than I thought, despite their being mostly Generals’ daughters. The one I had (not literally….) yesterday did all the cooking for us – and did it very well – probably because they were scared of letting us do it, as they have to eat it as well. I managed to get her a room in a farmhouse and she managed to get me half-a-dozen eggs so we had quite a happy time. She comes from Kent of course – Pett’s Wood – about a mile from Orpington†. We had several common friends. I should say friends in common – there’s a subtle difference….

I still haven’t had an FFI†† – you really must organise another meeting…See what you can do. I always get atrociously rude this time of night – at the moment I’m thinking awful things. I couldn’t even tell you…

That’s enough of this – I’d better do some wireless for an hour or two.

Well, I’ve done some morse – over an hour in fact and have just been relieved. Still feel the same. Good thing I’m not in the Bristol area.

Read Deeping’s ‘Two Black Sheep’ on the scheme and also “Fanny by Gaslight” again (Michael Sadleir) which I’ve always thought an awful lot of. It’s the finest picture of Victorian England of the last ten years and heaven knows there have been enough books on that subject! I’m sure Fanny would get the same hold on you as she has on me.

Won ten bob on a little side bet last night. Bill said it was Tchaikovsky’s ‘Casse Noisette’††† and I said it was ‘Eugen Onegin’ and Eugen Onegin it was. Just as easy as that. Wish money was always so procurable as that 10 bob.

It’s now nearly 2 oclock and we’ve got the water on the boil for some luscious cocoa! Jeez!

My two colleagues have just started to take an interest in things – now that there’s a chance of a hot drink! One is that madman I told you about from Corfe Castle – incidentally his name’s Peter Collins (happy memories?) who still intends to live on Round Island after the war††††. A genuine hermit’s life with just his wife. Notice I say just! This is where I should say “what more could a man want”… (after his pipe of course…Never mind Darling – you come second …)

The other one’s an Oxford law student, pretty nearly broke. Tennis champ of north of England. Quite a good type.

I’ve just had my COCOA(!) and, it’s good. I’ve got a lovely warm feeling in my tummy which I definitely didn’t have before.

Well, Chotie Darling I must close here as I have to go on the set again. I’ll let you know how things went on the weekend and enumerate some of Diller’s moans.

All my love, precious.

Always thinking of you.

Dicker

P.S. You should read Napolean’s letters to Marie Louise and Josephine. They’re good….

*Wireless – “not enough emphasis can be put on the importance of communication in battle situations”…Wireless operators needed high quality training “to pick up weak signals against a background of atmospherics and interference” known as ‘slush’. (From ‘Phantom at War’ by Andy & Sue Parlour, Cerberus 2003)

**The Duke of Wellington’s estate at Stratfield Saye near Basingstoke in Hampshire. The 6th Duke of Wellington, Captain of No 2 Commando, was killed in action at Salerno on 16^th September 1943.

***Purley, near Croydon, South London.

****Possibly referring to Chotie’s involvement with her officer at the Bristol camp earlier that year??

*****slang for cash. Chotie’s 20^th birthday was on 6^th September 1943.

†Dick was born in Orpington in Kent and spent his childhood there.

††the 'Free from Infection' inspection for venereal disease (presumably being used by Dick as a euphemism here).

†††Tchaikovsky’s ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ and not his opera ‘Eugene Onegin’.

††††an island in Poole Harbour.

Peter Collins was the name of one of Chotie’s early admirers:

“Peter Collins, the boss’s son, home from Blundell’s, a posh school in Devon, also took a fancy to me and given the chance, we would canoodle in the store room. His mother was very kind to me and I was invited to stay at their lovely house in Talbot Woods for a weekend. Peter had won a scholarship to Blundell’s for his brilliant piano playing and taught me about classical music - a love that has stayed with me all my life.” (From ‘Chotie’s Story’. See also F.W.Collins.)

3^rd September 1943 – the Italian government, under Marshal Badoglio, signs a secret armistice with the Allies at Cassibile in Sicily. In Operation Baytown, British and Canadian forces crossed the Messina Straits unopposed, landing at Reggio de Calabrio (the tip of Italy’s toe) in an unsuccessful attempt to draw German forces away from the main landing areas further north.

Posted on 01 September 2013 in Army life, ATS, Books, Family, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Music, Promotion/Demotion, Pubs, Villages | Permalink

Quelques fleurs! - Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th August 1943

Same Address! (almost)

77 Tp HAC* Squadron

100 OCTU RHC

RMC Camberley

Surrey

Chotie Darling,

Sorry I just haven’t been able to write before but just tumbled into bed at night without having had a moment to spare.

I must begin by thanking you very much, Darling, for a very happy week-end. It was a pity it wasn’t longer – but we must always hope for better things rather than dwell on the imperfections of the moment.

However, enough of this twaddle.

(Just having an argument with Chunky about Elizabeth** as a girl’s name. He says it’s his favourite name. Actually I believe it is.)

I’m now on wireless which is just about killing me…I’m getting fed up with this place – especially after seeing you. It’s all so useless.

I’m beginning to feel that I’ll be damn glad when this show’s over. How about you? Then maybe we can get down to things as they should be got down to.

I’ve still forgot to post that letter home. You’re as bad as I am….

I seem to be writing to no purpose tonight. Think I’d better leave this until tomorrow and see if I’m feeling in a better frame of mind then.

Thursday Eve

Received your letter this afternoon. Many thanks, Darling. Glad to hear you had a safe, if premature, arrival.

Moved again today to another part of the building and am now in HAC Squadron as you will see from address overleaf.

Am now working literally all day as I have morse to do which has to be done in spare time (?). Have to do 12 words per minute to pass out which takes at least an hour a day for me to achieve - if ever.

Am still with Brian and Chunky and things are on a sane basis once again.

I’ve had my week-end cancelled – the whole troop have in fact – which has annoyed me intensely. Good thing it wasn’t last week.

Haven’t heard from Brinner – ‘spose he’s on Selection Board or somewhere.

Must close here, Darling as I have tons of work to do.

Bye,bye,precious

All my love

Dicker

PS Can’t see you for at least 12 months – cos I’ve shaved my tache off!!

*HAC stood for ‘Honourable Artillery Company’, one of the oldest military organisations in the world, having been established by charter under Henry VIII in 1537. In World War the HAC Infantry Battalion became the Officer Cadet Training Unit for the Reconnaissance Corps at Sandhurst.

**A Chalkley family name (her mother’s name, Chotie’s middle name, my middle name, etc.). If Chotie and Dick had a daughter they were going to call her Elizabeth.

On 12th August 1943 Dick changed to HAC Squadron

OCTU RHC RMC.

He was still in 77 Troop.

12^th August 1943 – heavy RAF attack on Milan. (From WW2-net Timelines.)

15th August 1943 – heavy German bombing raid on Portsmouth where Dick had been stationed from June to September 1941

17th August 1943 – Patton and his US 7^th Army enter Messina on the north-east tip of Sicily, the critical port for access to Italy. The island was now in Allied hands.

17^th August 1943 –Beginning of the Quebec Conference headed by Roosevelt, Churchill and Canada’s Prime Minister Mackenzie King. Agreement is reached that the Allies will invade Europe on a second front through France (Operation Overlord) and that a South-East Asia Command (SEAC) will be established with Lord Louis Mountbatten (Head of Britain's Combined Operations - including Dick’s Airborne unit ) as Supreme Allied Commander. Major General ‘Vinegar Joe’ Stilwell , the American Army Commander in China and Burma, would be one of his deputies.

17^th August 1943 – in the Schweinfurt-Regensburg daylight mission the US Air Force attacks Luftwaffe production factories deep inside Germany, suffering heavy losses. The targets were beyond the range of fighter escorts so the Americans had to rely on their heavily fortified ‘Flying Fortress’ bombers.

On 17^th and 18^th August 1943 in Operation Hydra over 1,000 RAF night bombers attack Peenemunde on the Baltic Coast, where the V-2 rocket (the world’s first long range ballistic missile) was in development. V-2 production was subsequently moved to the underground Mittelwerk factory near Nordhausen in central Germany, which used forced labour from Mittelbau-Dora (part of Buchenwald concentration camp). The Luftwaffe Chief of Staff, Hans Jeschonnek, commited suicide on 18^th August, having mistakenly ordered gun defences to fire on German planes when the use of 'window' by RAF Mosquito bombers effectively feinted an attack on Berlin. Hitler had also blamed him for the destruction of Hamburg in July

18^th August 1943 – advancing Soviet forces north of Kursk liberate Briansk, south-west of Moscow.

19^th August 1943 – in the secret Quebec Agreement Britain, the United States and Canada agree to share atomic energy research, which, in 1945, led to the production of the atomic bomb.

Posted on 11 August 2013 in Army life, Family, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Photos, Promotion/Demotion, Towns & Cities | Permalink

Swimming - 31st July 1943

By the end of July 1943 Chotie’s Royal Artillery Anti-Aircraft unit

had moved back to the Bristol area, this time to the north of the city

- her address was

W/242328 Pte Chalkley

O’s FC ATS ‘B’ Tp

462 Hy (M) RA AA

Cribbs Causeway

Nr Henbury

Bristol.

Letter written on Saturday 31st July 1943:

Same Address

Saturday

My Darling Chotie,

Sorry, this will have to be in pencil but Chunky has pinched our only table and chair and is very inauspiciously writing to his wife.

Received your two letters, for which many thanks. I was surprised to see you are once again in the Bristol area. If you remember, Eric was convalescent at Westbury for some months. At any rate you’re a little nearer home, which I suppose is something, if not very much.

As regards next week-end I’m afraid I won’t be able to get down before Saturday Evening, as our leave doesn’t start until the afternoon, and it’s a fair journey.

I shall have to leave again on Monday afternoon as we change squadrons on that day and I’ll have about six months accumulation of kit to move to the New Buildings, which are some half mile or so.

Been swimming all the afternoon at the ‘Blue Pool’, the nearest baths (apart from the college baths) and am now beginning to get brown. I’m already pretty browned off as they’re chucking out Recce cadets right and left as the corps is already too full. The trouble is that in most cases they’re not even giving infantry commissions! So I’ll probably be RtU’d* in the near future.

These things run in cycles – one minute they’re clamouring for officers and the next they’re full up.

Read Linklater’s short stories entitled “God likes them plain”, which are very good. Haven’t had time to read anything else. Heard from Diller (still browned off) but haven’t heard from Brinner, needless to say.

Swam in an inter-squadron competition and managed to win my event the net result being we won the whole show easily. Rather funny really, and that’s the first swimming event I’ve been in. On the 28^th** too! Hell of a fluke – the other 3 were U.S.***

I’ll close here Darling, as I’ve exhausted my mediocre letter-writing talents.

All my love, Darling

(until Saturday)

Dicker

*RTU – Returned to Unit

**Dick’s 22^nd birthday on 28^th July.

***Slang for useless?

Dick's future comrades in 61st Reconnaissance Regiment were still in the Chilterns:

“Every Saturday morning we had a 10 mile run/march/route march after which we could go out. I sometimes went down to London, Tring or Berkhamsted to see a film. We did troop exercises on the Common and Ashridge Golf Course.” (Extracts from ‘My War Years’ by John Eric Postles ISO used by kind permission of the author.)

This photo of B Squadron's Assault Troop, including Anthony Rampling, was taken in August 1943 (Tony is third from the left at the back):

Eric Brewer joined the Assault Troop soon after this photo was taken and continued to fight in the Assault Troop until December 1944.

1^st August 1943 – Japan proclaims an independent State of Burma, led by Ba Maw. He declares war on Britain and United States while Aung San, head of the Burma Defence Army, begins negotiations with the communist and socialist parties. By November 1943 Aung San is making plans with the British to turn his forces against the Japanese occupants. (From Chronology of World War II and Wikipedia.)

1st August 1943 - American bombers attack the Ploesti oilfields of Romania from North Africa in Operation Tidal Wave but suffer devastating losses. The Germans had broken their codes and were ready for them. (From ‘The Second World War’ by Antony Beevor, published by Weidenfield and Nicolson 2012)

2^nd August 1943 – more than 300 prisoners escape from the Treblinka extermination camp in Poland in a break out organised by the Jewish inmates - although two thirds were eventually captured and killed. The bodies of the thousands who had been gassed or shot at Treblinka were being exhumed from the mass graves and burnt, removing the evidence of genocide. Deportation of Jews from the ghettos to Treblinka had ceased in May 1943 and the camp was to be dismantled. All the remaining prisoners in the camp were killed. (From United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and WW2-net Timelines.)

2^nd August 1943 – a Japanese destroyer in the Solomon Islands rams a US Torpedo boat, which catches fire. The commander, J F Kennedy dives in to rescues his crew from the burning oil. Abandoning ship after 12 hours clinging to the upturned hull he helps them reach the isolated Plum Pudding Island and then Olasana Island, which has coconuts but no water. On 8^th August they were found and rescued with the assistance of local islanders who were coast watchers and a message written on coconut shell. JFK kept the shell on his desk in the Oval Office when he became President of the Unites States.

3^rd August 1943 – the Russians launch Operation Rumyantsev, a vast offensive south of Kursk taking Belgorad on 5^th August. North of Kursk Soviet forces reclaim Orel, following the German retreat. (From ‘The Second World War’ by Antony Beevor, published by Weidenfield and Nicolson 2012)

5^th August 1943 – US troops at last take the airfield of Munda on New Georgia, in the Solomon Islands, from the Japanese.

6^th August 1943 – American destroyers in the Solomon Islands sink 3 Japanese destroyers carrying 900 troops in a night-time ambush.

6^th August 1943 – German troops pour into Italy as Italian and German government leaders meet near Venice.

Posted on 31 July 2013 in Army life, ATS, Books, Family, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Meetings with Chotie, Promotion/Demotion, Sport, The Recce Men, Towns & Cities | Permalink

Guido Benetti - Tuesday 20th July 1943

Dick at Pagham?

Same Address

Tuesday 20^th July

My Darling Chotie,

I’ve got the afternoon off so here goes.

Had quite a pleasant leave though very quiet.

Went over to see Guido at Brighton on Wednesday last, on spec. as he wasn’t expecting me. He’s got a lovely flat on the front at Hove, beautifully furnished – the dining room in old English oak, nearly black*, and the drawing room in Japanese stuff, similar to Dr Barker’s place at Parkstone. He’s got about a thousand records of opera of all types. We played one after the other for about seven hours altogether.

His niece was there – about seventeen – wearing mauve and old lace, and looking for all the world like Lucrezia Borgia**. She’s at an art school in Brighton – does dress-designing or something. She’s been staying with Eva Turner** for the past year and now lives with Guido.

Had lunch and tea with them and some pukka Italian Vermouth which I hadn’t seen for years.

I had intended staying the night in Brighton but thought that anything after Guido’s place would savour too much of the anti-climax so caught the next train home.

Brinner turned up without notice on Saturday afternoon, and stayed for 36 hrs. He’s at present waiting for OCTU Board.

Had a letter from Diller with yours. Fed up as usual as I expect you’ve heard from Mary****. She’s trying to get a transfer somewhere else I believe. What a hope!

Had a swim in the Lagoon***** on Saturday. Not too bad at all – quite warm.

How do you like the old homestead! Sort of Georgian-Renaissance – pseudo-Greek style! I bought half a doz. photos of the place but unhappily had to get them “artistically – hand-coloured”!

How’s life in Devon? Hope the weather improves – it’s hell in the west otherwise.

When are you coming further East? I’m on long weekend Friday Eve to Monday night on the weekend of the 7^th August. If you can manage anything, I could get to Poole OK.

Let me know, any how,

All my love,

Dicker

*oak wood goes dark brown and then black with age.

**an infamous beauty (described as having heavy blonde hair which fell past her knees, a beautiful complexion, hazel eyes which changed colour, a full, high bosom, and a natural grace which made her appear to "walk on air"). Her father, Rodrigo, became Pope Alexander VI in 1492 and the notorious family were suspected of many crimes including simony, incest and murder.

***Eva Turner was a famous English soprano of the inter-war years.

****Chotie’s best friend Mary Dakin was also a close friend of Diller, Dick’s sister.

*****Pagham lagoon.

See letters of 3rd September and 25th February for Guido Benetti.

22nd July 1942 – the US 7th Army takes Palermo, capital of Sicily while British forces are ‘bogged down’ around Mount Etna.

24th July 1943 – the RAF bomb Hamburg in Operation Gomorrah, the beginning of the Battle of Hamburg. More than 700 planes are deployed and this is the first use of the “window” tactic developed following the Bruneval Raid (releasing strips of metal foil to confuse the German radar), reducing Allied plane losses that night to 12. Raids continued for a week and by 3rd August the intense heavy bombing, and the firestorm of 27^th July (when the heat from the fires generated its own wind, blasting flames through the city), had killed 40-50,000 people.

24th July 1943 – a US air crew crash lands in neutral Sweden and is granted refuge. This precedent is extended to nearly 1,000 Allied air crew during the rest of the war. (From WW2-net Timelines.)

25th July 1943 – Following a vote by the Italian Fascist Grand Council for the King of Italy, Vittorio Emmanuele III, to take over command of all Italian forces from Mussolini, ‘Il Duce’ is arrested and the fascist regime in Italy ended. Marshal Badoglio is appointed head of Italy. Although Badoglio promised that the Italians would continue the war German troops seize the Brenner Pass and key installations in northern Italy as a precaution.

Eric Postles of 61st Recce remembers July 1943:

“On 28^th July, Harry Parr, who was in 59 Division Recce regiment, was killed on an exercise in Kent when his heavy armoured car turned over and he was crushed by the gun. I was given leave to attend his funeral in Burscough and a number of members of 59 Recce also attended. It was one of the biggest attended funerals that I have ever been to – very sad.” (Extracts from ‘My War Years’ by John Eric Postles ISO used by kind permission of the author.)

29^th July 1943 – in Britain Bevin announces that women up to age 50 must register at the Labour Exchange for war work. In 1943 almost 90% of single women and 80% of married women were employed in essential work for the war effort but were paid significantly less than men. (From BBC Women at War and Wikipedia.)

Posted on 20 July 2013 in Army life, Family, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Music, Photos, Poole, Promotion/Demotion, Towns & Cities | Permalink | Comments (0)

Registered Letter - Friday 11th June 1943

As before

Friday

My Darling Chotie,

I’m afraid this will have to be a very short effort, as I’m Troop Leader this week and haven’t a moment of my own.

I’ve been working up till midnight all the week and have all the worry of getting the admin. side done for the trip to Wales*. We go at 4am Sunday! Reveille’s at 3!

I’m enclosing a troop photo we had taken the first day we arrived.

It’s pretty bloody. If you can’t find me, let me know and I’ll give you the details of where I’m sitting.

I’m also enclosing a quid which will help things along a little. I hope ….

I’ll try to get this letter registered tomorrow afternoon – if I get it off.

Received your letter today. Glad to hear you’re getting on as well as can be expected. Must close here Darling.

All my love

Dicker

Will write again just as soon as I can.

*Dick appears to have been at battle camp in Snowdonia for a week from Sunday 13^th to Saturday 19^th June.

Group photo with badges covered - possibly the Officer Cadet photo sent in this letter? Dick is third from the left in the front.

11^th June 1943 – bombardment of Sicily begins in preparation for Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Europe from the south. However, airfields in Greece, Sardinia and northern Italy are also targeted as part of an elaborate deception that included 'Operation Mincemeat' (the planting of a dead body carrying ‘secret plans’ to convince the Germans that the Allies would invade through Greece and Sardinia).

11^th June 1943 – Heinrich Himmler, the Reich Commissioner for the Consolidation of German Nationhood, orders the liquidation of all Polish ghettos by decree. This is extended to the Soviet Union on 21^st June. (From Holocaust Research Project.)

17^th June 1943 – Eric Brewer, later of 61^st Recce’s B Squadron and diary recorder of their activities (see this blog and ‘Beaten Paths are Safest’ by Ron Howard, Brewin Books 2004), was enlisted. Extracts from his letters have also been published on this blog by kind permission of Derek Brewer and his family.

18^th June 1943 – ‘Radar’ (Radio Detection and Ranging) becomes the official term for ‘Radiolocation’. (From WW2-net Timelines.)

18^th June 1943 – Chotie visited the dentist at 71 MDN for the removal of a loose filling.

See Dental Treatment Card – 18/6/43 71 MDN

20th June 1943 – RAF begin ‘shuttle bombing’ – planes leave England to bomb Germany then reload in North Africa to bomb Italy on return to England. (From WW2-net Timelines.)

21st June 1943 – Jean Moulin and other key members of the Conseil National de la Résistance captured at Lyons, leading to many arrests in the French underground networks.

21st June 1943 - beginning of Operation Animals, an organised campaign of sabotage in Greece to deceive the Germans that they intend to invade there.

Posted on 11 June 2013 in Army life, History, Letters from Dick, Photos, Promotion/Demotion, The Recce Men | Permalink | Comments (0)

Brian and Chunky - Tuesday 1st? June

5731671 Officer Cadet Williams RK

77 Troop ‘B’ Sqdn

100 (Sandhurst) Octu RAC

R.M.C. Camberley

Surrey

Tuesday

Thanks very much for your letter and photo*. It’s quite good don’t you think? I’ve got a God awful photo of my troop taken the first day we had here. (Actually I haven’t yet got one – it’s on the way). We had one taken at Blackdown and that was so horrible that everyone refused to buy one. I paid for mine and am still hoping to get my money back….

I’ll send you one of the Sandhurst ones when they arrive.

I’m writing this during a Gas lecture under pretence of writing notes so I have to keep stopping and pretending to look interested. I don’t think I’m kidding this bloke, though.

Well, how do you like Plymouth**? You appear to have struck it lucky in getting such frequent changes of location. I always seemed to stick for months in really horrible places. Brinner had ten mths at Basingstoke and I can’t think of much worse than that. Mind you move Eastwards next time. Somewhere about Lilliput*** would be rather handy or even Chi or somewhere like that.

(It’s a murderous job trying to write on one knee watching the lecturer with one eye and trying to appear reasonably attentive.)

I get quite a nice time here on Sundays as all O/D’s**** draw cycles to go to church in Camberley. Needless to say no one goes to church. For my part, I repair to a certain YOCH I wot of and there drink gallons of tea (no sugar ….), smoke a pipe or two, and read ‘Country Life’ ‘Tatler’ and ‘Field’ until about noon when I lazily mount the crate and trundle back to my present abode at approx... 2mph. However, we make up for it during the week, especially in PT which consists of pretty bloody runs of about 3-4 miles over obstacle courses in battle order. Quite fun when you get used to it. I shall have to use pencil from here as I’ve run out of ink.

Life here, however, is quite pleasant on the whole though I hope to get transferred to an Infantry OCTU before I finish here. Recce’s all right but I prefer the old infantry.

Diller as you know I expect went to Leicester for initial training. I bet it’s shaking her. I went to Leicester once from Branksome***** if you remember but wasn’t impressed. Good huntin’ country.

Read Rose Macaulay’s ‘And no man’s wit’, also Noel Langley’s 'There’s a porpoise close behind us’ (re-read).

Plenty of swimming here, nearly every day in fact – I’ve got quite brown (-ed off…)

I’m supposed to be going home this wk-end for a few hrs. Only wish I could get to Plymouth but it’s really too much. I could have made Bristol I think. However you may move this way soon.

I was slung on a charge last week! Late on parade – but spun the Sqdn Cmdr a yarn and got admonishment – cushy. I’ll never make it again though, at any rate not with the same bloke – a Grenadier Gds major. All the officers here are either Grenadier Irish or Welsh Gds. No Scots or Coldstreams.

It’s now Tuesday evening and as I have a few minutes before dinner I’ll round this letter off. We're on parade again at 9 o’clock for a night march….

It’s been alternate sun and rain here all today, which is a good thing, for this place gets pretty dusty, also the rain helps to fill the swimming-pool.

The library here contains the Encyclopedia Britannica and Oxford so I’m quite happy to spend a few weeks there every now and then.

Our troop officer goes by the name of Brixey – Battle-mad Brixey – who’s really very decent and very cushy. The Guards Officers here nearly all wear long puttees, the old style, that is with service dress slacks. Very comic appearance until you get used to it.

I’m afraid this letter’s rambling on in my usual inimitable style (?) ….

(I’ve put your photo on my chest, furniture not anatomical – looks very good).

I’m very lucky in having Brian & Chunky as room-mates as we never seem to fight although we argue incessantly of course. Chunky being a Londoner hates the country period houses, beer, smoking, in fact all the luxuries of life. Brian being Irish and a pianist in the bargain is often moody and sometimes says hardly a word all day. He’s over six feet, about fourteen stone and will make a brilliant soldier. Plans to stay in the army after this show.

Chunky’s married but being ultra-modern has no children. Brian says he’s going to get married on his next leave. I believe I told you he was a ham before joining-up, and was a Captain in the IRA for two years. Nice people…..

Warrant Officers here call us Sir and we call them Sir so everyone’s happy. Occasionally the Sqdn Cmdr or someone dines with the troop which means about an hour and a half in the mess making conversation over really horrible coffee. Happily I smoke and get rid of the coffee to Brian who eats like a horse.

Well, Darling I’ll close here as I’ll have to post this before Dinner and the stunt tonight.

Hope to see you soon, Chotie Darling

All my love

Dicker

PS. Sorry half is in pencil but no-one has any ink at the moment I want it.

*See group photo of ATS from Bristol .

**This letter was addressed to:

W/242328

Pte Chalkley B.E.

ATS OFC ‘B’ Tp,

462 Hy (M) AA Bty RA

c/o GPO.

Millbrook

NR Plymouth

so Chotie’s unit must have moved to the Plymouth area. Millbrook is actually in Cornwall, on the western side of the Tamar estuary but defences here would have guarded the entrance to the Plymouth docks. Unfortunately there is no date visible on the envelope for this letter so the date is only guessed at in the context of the other letters. If I am right about 1^st June the move seems remarkably prescient since on 14th June Plymouth citizens had ‘one of their liveliest half-hour’s’ of the war in a heavy raid, which dropped between 70 and 80 high explosive bombs of between 250 and 1,000 kg. (From Plymouth Data. See also the National Archives.)

According to Phyllis M Rowe and Ivan Rabey on June 14^th “Hundreds of incendiary bombs fell on Saltash” (just north of Millbrook). “Torpoint suffered the effects of a blast from a direct hit on the Devonport Dockyard and phosphorous bombs fell on Mount Edgcumbe Park” (located on Rame Head near Millbrook).

(From “When Bombs Fell” "When Bombs Fell" contributed by Cornwall Action Community Service on the BBC People’s War website.

'WW2 People's War’ is an online archive of wartime memories contributed by members of the public and gathered by the BBC. The archive can be found at bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar.)

***a little village by the Harbour in Poole.

****Officers of the Day or Officer Developers?

*****Dick was stationed in Branksome from September 1941. See To Branksome.

3^rd June 1943 – de Gaulle establishes the Comité Français de Libération National as a ‘government in waiting’ (for the liberation of France).

4^th June 1943 – death of General Sikorski, head of the Polish government in exile and several other Polish leaders in a plane crash after take-off from Gibraltar. Sabotage has been suspected and there are various conspiracy theories. (From WW2-net Timelines.)

10^th June 1943 – the Pointblank Directive sets out a co-ordinated approach to Allied bombing in Europe with the Americans flying precision bombing missions by day and the RAF undertaking saturation bombing by night, mainly against German cities. (From Chronology of World War II and WW2-net Timelines.)

At last the Admiralty replace Naval Cipher 3 , which had been decrypted by the Germans in March 1942. Although the Germans were able to read 80% of the messages in Naval Cipher 3 only 10% were decrypted in time to take action. Still this had had a devastating effect on Atlantic shipping.

Posted on 01 June 2013 in Army life, ATS, Books, Family, Friends & acquaintances, History, Letters from Dick, Photos, Promotion/Demotion, Sport, Towns & Cities | Permalink | Comments (0)

Officers and Gentlemen - letter posted Saturday 22nd May 1943

ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE

CAMBERLEY, SURREY