You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy.
You ask, What is our aim: I can answer in one word: Victory – victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror; victory, however hard and long the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.
Foreign Office limerick (contemporary)
An elderly statesman with gout,
When asked what the war was about,
In a written reply said, “My Colleagues and I
Are doing our best to find out.”
May. Belgian collapse, withdrawal to Dunkirk, but at HGS "we must have our cricket". Air raid drill. How many can we get away? Herodotus' at Assembly.
June: An achievement never paralleled. "We shall never surrender." Glorious weather. Germans enter Paris. De Gaulle. First air raid.
July. Parachutists at Nettlebed. Spirit of Dogberry walks again. Rumours. Bombs near Caversham. Invasion expected any day. Bridgehead of freedom. Air raid duty.
August. Holiday on Dartmoor and at Exton. Battle of Britain begins. Hiding from fighters on Peak Hill. Bombs at Shiplake.
September. Evacuees. Blitz. HGS staff go to war. "Invasion imminent." Grandma keeps herself busy. Bombs at Henley. Old boy Hunt gets forgotten.
______________________________________________________________
Tuesday, May 28th, 1940, 4 o’clock
Today at 8.20 was told by Nora that the 8 o’clock English news said that M. Reynaud* was to make an important announcement at 8.30, so tuned in to into Paris. It had an identification signal made up of the Marseillaise played on chimes, which attracted Hilary’s attention. Then Reynaud spoke. He said that the Belgian army had capitulated, but whether the King had acted against the advice of his ministers or not I was not sure. After I had heard the news I was a little doubtful as to whether my French was equal to the situation, but told Miss Hunter and VI Form, then the staff at break. I went over [to house] at 10, but neither then nor at 10.30 was any announcement made. We heard the news in English at one o’clock, and my French was adequate it seems. The Minister of Information asked us to suspend judgement of the Belgian action and said he would be speaking at 9 o’clock.
Mrs Cozens and Miss Hunter understand the gravity of the news, but after lunch in the staff room Mr Owens made some remarks about the Germans being unable “to keep it up” and Mr Bryant announced from sources known only to himself that a revolution was likely to break out in France. (Added later: Source perhaps Daily Worker).
It is 19 days since we heard of the German invasion of Holland and Belgium – on Friday morning, May 10th, in the eight o’clock news. I did not come down to hear it that morning, but Nora told me, and at break none of the staff had heard it, so I was able to announce it in the common room. For the week before that we were reading and discussing the Commons debate on the withdrawal if the British from Norway and the vote on the Labour motion. Would Chamberlain resign? Then we heard on the wireless his speech saying that a new government was being formed by Churchill. We turned on in the middle of it, but I recognised his voice. It was not a good speech. When he spoke of the Nazis his voice was harsh and strained and he sounded like an irritable and bad tempered old man.
At one o’clock the Whitsun holiday was cancelled. I sent telegrams to Con at Worthing. Grandma [Diarist's mother-in-law] arrived very late. She had missed her train and Paddington was full of men being recalled from leave. During the morning Con rang up to say there was no holiday.
Before many days it was clear that Holland was finished. We heard Queen Wilhelmina speak from London, after her escape, in a very light, feminine voice, slowly but in good English. The Prime Minister, tired, occasionally hesitating for a word, but less rotund and mannered than before. Duff Cooper excellent, an agreeable surprise after his speech on St George’s Day, before he became a minister, quoting Henry V. William Shakespeare worked overtime lately!
Then the parachutists swam into our ken. At first most people thought of them as a freak. Only slowly was it clear how large a part they played in Holland and how dangerous they were.
M. Reynaud’s speech to the Senate on the mistakes and bad leadership of the French army on the Meuse came at the same time as the news of Gamelin’s* dismissal and the appointment of Weygand*. We had been so educated in the idea of an impregnable defensive line that the real significance of the salient was slow to penetrate people’s heads. On Saturday morning, May 18th, it was clear that the German armoured columns were right through and advancing rapidly across open country, the B.E.F, (British Expeditionary Force) was falling back, and a few hours later that the German spearhead was turning N. W. to the sea. Towns miles behind the “front” suddenly came into the news. Usually the wireless denied that they were in German hands, then we were told they were lightly occupied by motor cyclists, then towns further west were “denied”. Latterly, since the fall of Calais and Dunkirk, no places are given, as they may convey news to the enemy. All war correspondents are back in England and “our observers” of the B.B.C. have ceased their observations. Little news of the conditions of the French and Belgian towns after the bombing is printed in the papers, though I noticed one dispatch in The Times. Truth too terrible to be told.
Yesterday we had an air raid drill. It was not satisfactory. Three forms, about 80 children, were in the hall. They made bad use of their space and in the classrooms the staff did not follow their instructions about filling jugs with water, putting screens up, and so on. This morning we had another practice. This went better. Small children in hall very noisy. Wonder how they will react to nose outside.
Curious hearing thud of bombing in Belgian towns transmitted over record on wireless.
Mrs Cozens suggested Onward Christian Soldiers as the hymn this morning. Could not help smiling at one line, “Join our happy throng”, hardly a suitable description of Miss Hunter’s frame of mind!
Councillor Hamilton has been up to see about the Old Boys’ Cricket Match. He also wants to have Old Boys race – pointed out grass a bit long, “Crowns and thrones may totter, kingdom rise and wane” – but we must still have our cricket.
10 p.m.
“Withdrawal”, as a word, I first saw in a German communiqué issued yesterday and printed in The Times this morning; it referred to the British troops in Dunkirk on Sunday. Withdrawal of the B.E.F. was implied in Churchill’s speech to the House of Commons this afternoon. It was first mentioned by Mr Duff Cooper, Minister of Information, at 9 tonight. It will be no Gallipoli, that’s clear. Duff Cooper said this no time for recrimination – Belgians, foreseeing our evacuation of the Channel coast (if this a possible operation in face of enemy at all) and knowing their army could not be taken (off) in any case, may have decided that to cease fighting was the only course to avoid annihilation. A fortnight ago, correspondents writing of marvellous advance to aid of Belgians, clockwork precision of arrangements, excellent staff work, Bren guns at all crossroads pointing skywards as lorries flowed northward in endless streams, women decorating guns with flowers and offering beer to the troops – the withdrawal will be pieced together by historians from grimmer sources.
How many can we get away? What will be the fate of the rearguard? How many transports will be sunk? The nights are short.
(Note: on the afternoon of this day, May 28th, a general withdrawal into the bridgehead was ordered).
* REYNAUD Paul, 1878 – 1966. Ministerial posts 1920s and 1930s. From 1934 onward foresaw war with Germany and supported Lt. Col. de Gaulle’s campaign, in vain, for development of mobile armoured divisions. Was against Munich. Appointed minister of finance in November, 1938, he concentrated on rearmament expenditure. Replaced Daladier as prime minister in March 1940. Brought de Gaulle into government as under secretary for war and defence. Opposed Armistice and supported government in exile in Britain or North Africa and resigned on June 16, 1940. Made de Gaulle’s destiny when ordered him to England on June 16 to rally British government’s support. Refused to go into exile. Arrested by Vichy in September 1940, handed over to Germans in 1942 and first released in April 1945. Minister of finance again in 1948. A brilliant man, respected by Churchill, but too independent ever to be popular either before or after the war.
* GAMELIN, Maurice, 1872 – 1958, French general, appointed chief of general staff 1938, commanded French armies September 1939, May 19, 1940. DALADIER Edouard, 1884 – 1970. As prime minister in 1938 - and to March 1940 - signed the Munich accords, but when cheered on returning to Paris is said to have remarked: “Les cons! S’ils savient! (What idiots! If only they knew!). Minister of defence in Reynaud’s government, he fled to Morocco in June 1940, but returned to France again, was imprisoned and in 1943 sent to Buchenwald.
WEYGAND Maurice, 1867 – 1965. French general in WW I. Recalled to active service in August 1939 to command French forces in Middle East. Replaced Gamelin May 20, 1940, but in face of collapse of French army supported Armistice. Vichy minister of defence June – September 1940. Interned by Germans 1942 – 1945.
WEYGAND Maurice, 1867 – 1965. French general in WW I. Recalled to active service in August 1939 to command French forces in Middle East. Replaced Gamelin May 20, 1940, but in face of collapse of French army supported Armistice. Vichy minister of defence June – September 1940. Interned by Germans 1942 – 1945.
Wednesday, May 29th, 10 p.m.
No news all day. Manchester Guardian contained an account of work of demolition parties at Boulogne with Germans all round and destroyers, taking off men, firing point blank at tanks on the foreshore. Tonight we were told of destruction of one bridge left intact on the Meuse by four bombers. As all volunteered, the names were drawn from a hat. The bridge was destroyed by a low diving attack. One man survived. Then an officer from the B.E.F. spoke. He used the words “almost entirely surrounded”. The end. Leonidas and the Spartans at Thermopylae have been running through my head all day. A message from the King to Lord Gort. “Go tell the Spartans we lie here obeying their commands.”
Thursday, May 30th
Read Herodotus’ account of Thermopylae this morning at school assembly, but could not control my voice at the end. Went to last of Mozart concerts at Reading, quartet for extra viola; something to look back to in troubled times, said Sir Charles Pigott! Spent part of the afternoon with Tom Wheeler trying to take out hoppers in library so we could close shutters against glass and splinters. Finally decided to saw off ends with hacksaw.
Outspoken article by Montague in M/G. “W have to face the fact that the possibility of withdrawing the B.E.F. from its present position is small.” Why was the Arras gap not simultaneously attacked from north and south? “The answer is short and bitter. The French tried and failed; we did not even have the means at our command to make it worth while trying. We did not have enough planes… and we did not have nearly enough tanks.” Listened to reconstruction of Battle of Jutland – anniversary tomorrow – on wireless. Beatty’s famous remark reported: “There seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today, Chatfield. Turn two points nearer the enemy.” The house martins have finished their new and first nest on the house. Hilary has learnt their names.
Friday, May 31st
Saw Nora and Hilary off by the afternoon train to Exeter. Platform crowded with troops. Their train, which was punctual, preceded by troop train full of B.E.F. men tanned chocolate and some bearded. As it passed, they flung out coins to people on platform. The one I saw was a 30 centime piece marked Chambre de Commerce de Senegal. Hilary very solemn and rather frightened by hurly burly on Reading Station, but refused to take anyone’s hand.
Men are being embarked in small boats from the sand dunes by Dunkirk, wading up to their necks in the oil covered sea.
At night this week big convoys of Canadians being moved from Aldershot by the Oxford-Henley road all night. Big khaki charabancs, tanks and guns. Met the head coming down from Nettlebed, the long line of dimmed lights and silent movement of huge vehicles with men invisible – eerie and impressive.
Saturday, June 1st
Intended to go by train from Reading to Oxford to meeting of War Agricultural Committee about schoolboys and harvesting, but troop trains still coming through; first trains cancelled, second train too late for me to have got there in time. Some troops shouting and singing, others silent. On A.R.P. (Air Raid Precaution) duty 5 – 9. Heard that Lord Gort had returned.
Sunday, June 2nd
Lovely day. The possibility that was small on Wednesday has happened. Tonight Eden broadcast, told us that four fifths of B.E.F. had got away. The straits must have been an extraordinary sight – boats of all kinds, even to barges and fire floats, were used, the air was full of aircraft – “like flies” – and the smoke pall around Dunkirk is 20 miles long and a mile high and the sea full of soot and oil. A good deal of distant gunfire this morning.
Timothy (Phyllis) Auty* turned up this morning. She is training part time for nursing. She had an offer to take children to Canada, but felt she could not leave. Has had difficult with convoys driving from London. Says all roundabouts on arterial roads fitted with machinegun emplacements. Story of six parachutists in France seen slowly descending. “This is my cup of tea”, and man getting out a cigarette and pausing to light it, then taking his time shot the six one after the other before they reached ground. Pleasant story of huge guardsman walking down street with a baby under each arm. Lull in bombing made him realize they were crying. “Stop your row, you little blighters,” he said severely.
Dunkirk will become part of history – to extricate by sea a great army in face of the enemy’s artillery on open beaches is an achievement never paralleled and never to be forgotten. The Germans put the French captured at as few as 26,000…. The losses of equipment of all sorts very serious.
By next Sunday Italy will have entered the war, to judge by today’s newspapers.
*AUTY Phyllis 1911 - 1998 (nickname Timothy). Yorkshire-born journalist and academic. Given first teaching job after gaining history degree at St Hilda’s, Oxford, at Henley Grammar School in 1934 and remained friend of the Barnes family until her death. Became Reader in the history of the South Slavs at School of Slavonic Studies, London University; biographer of Marshall Tito. Later became professor of history at Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada. With the exception of her years in Canada, she lived in Henley from 1954 until her death.
Monday, June 3rd
9.30 p.m. The Admiralty has just issued a communiqué describing the evacuation of the B.E.F. from Dunkirk – the greatest operation ever undertaken by the Royal Navy. There were 200 warships covering the withdrawal and 600 craft of all kinds engaged in the ferrying. The losses in all categories were given. One cross channel steamer turned hospital ship was bombed and sunk today, another reached port. Our faith in ourselves has been renewed by Dunkirk.
One detail I feel could only have been invented by a supremely great novelist. At the ports along with the wounded, the dead and the dying were dogs, setters, spaniels, sheepdogs and mongrels. They had been abandoned in the in the ruins of Dunkirk and had fled to the human companionship of the crowded beaches. Terrified by the noise and shellfire and the sense of death, they had boarded the ships and swam out to the nearer boats. There they stood waiting for the R.S.P.C.A. man to take them to be destroyed. Most stood quiet, but some were shell shocked, cowering into corners and trembling.
Heard from Nora today, train two hours late on Friday, but Hilary a good traveller. Place full of soldiers and many wounded sent to Exeter. Molly’s doctor operating all Thursday night.
As Timothy Auty said on Sunday, this is like the kind of dream you get after eating too much lobster.
The evacuation of the school children coincided with the movement of troops from the ports, so trains of boys and girls alternated with trains of battle-stained soldiers.
Interesting that you can call this a supreme moment in the history of Europe or a lobster begotten nightmare. For some reason the lines of Rupert Brooke, “God has matched with this hour” came into me head – what has lobster got to do with Rupert Brooke?
Tuesday, June 4th
The Prime Minister’s speech on news this evening. 335,000 men evacuated. The sacrifice of the garrisons of Calais and Boulogne (only 30 unwounded men got out of Calais) made possible the defence of Dunkirk by giving time for the water to pass the sluices. A miracle of delivery, but not the attributes of victory. – 1,000 guns, all our transport, and all our armoured vehicles lost and 30 000 casualties. There was one victory, in the air; the R.A.F. decisively defeated the enemy’s air force. It is time to say that the civilization of Western Europe, when the armies had been thrown into confusion, was defended by a few thousand airmen. We had suffered a colossal military disaster and another blow would be struck almost at once.
Before the Belgian capitulation the Prime Minister warned the country to expect hard and heavy tidings. Tonight he said at the time he thought perhaps 20,000 or 30,000 men might be got off and the remainder might be stunned into surrender. A miracle of deliverance indeed. A great speech, a great leader.
Churchill in House of Commons, June 4: Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous states have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall fight to defend our islands, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight in the street, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender; and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and liberation of the old.
Wednesday, June 5th
At dawn today the second great battle of the war began, a battle aimed at the total destruction of France and the armies of France. It is hard to realize that it is our fate and our lives too that are at stake, for our attention has been so concentrated on Dunkirk and the fate of our own army. “All the world watches breathlessly the development of this battle, because the battle of June 1940 will decide its fate, as Hitler has said, perhaps for centuries.” Reynaud.
Sunday, June 9th
The last week has been glorious June weather, getting hotter until today when the thunderstorms began. Yesterday did four hours of A.R.P. duty with a man who told me the whole of his family history and his medical symptoms in great detail. It was extraordinarily hot and very difficult to maintain even a poor show of polite attention or interest.
The French defences against the armoured divisions are much improved, but the scale of the attack and the weight of men thrown into the battle, which extends from the Channel coast to the Argonne, is forcing them back at some points. The struggle has continued for five days without stopping and is reaching a climax. Two night raids on East and South of England. The moon will be full later in the month and then we may expect more.
Monday, June 10th
At 4.40 this afternoon Italy declared war on Great Britain and France. [Nine o’clock] news prefaced by speech by Minister of Information. Accused Italian government of treachery and cowardice; stabbing France in the back while fighting desperately for her life. The decision of one bad man upon whom the curse of Garibaldi on any Italian who made war on England would rest. An alliance with the barbarians. The Italians have never won a victory without assistance except against the Abyssinians armed with bows and arrows. Italy no hope of victory. Our blockade strengthened by her declaration of war.
News of evacuation of British and French troops from Norway. Obviously no time for side shows. Every man needed on the western front and the defence of France. Tanks today on outskirts of Rouen and furious fighting on the Aisne near Rethel and in front of Soissons. In the evacuation from Norway the aircraft carrier Glorious was lost.
Saw the moon last night, bigger tonight, feeling that serious air raids on England may start next week. London children to be evacuated on Thursday.
Nora and Hilary back from Exeter today. Nora said M. of Information’s speech over confident – sounded like bravado.
Tuesday, June 11th
Lines above crooked owing to writing in semi-darkness to avoid putting up black out curtains! Mussolini bombed Malta, but our raids on Armara and Libya caught him napping. No news from western front, except crossing of Seine mentioned. No news is bad news. An unexplained pall of smoke hung over Paris till midday.
Tonight Ernest Bevin spoke – no h’s, no final g’s, Mussolini etc pronounced anyhow, tremendous as tremenjus, but a language the majority of the country understands.
André Maurois gave a most moving broadcast. He spoke in a very Gallic English and you felt France herself was speaking. “C’est la France, qui parle,” as Joffre said to French in 1914. We must send men. A badly equipped man now was worth so much more than better equipped men later. The spirit of Dunkirk. We have achieved the impossible. We must achieve the impossible again. He spoke not of 1941 but of the next two months.
Paris evacuated by embassies and government departments. No newspapers, presses ceased this morning. A large number of Parisians left by road and rail (Added later: and made troop movements impossible!).
Wednesday, June 12th
The pall of smoke seems to have been a smokescreen under cover of which the Germans crossed the lower Seine. The front at Reims holds to the east but not to the west of the town. Churchill again to France to see M. Reynaud. Genoa and Turin raided from England.
Friday, June 14th
Have just tuned into Radio Paris – music. This morning the Germans entered Paris. Troops halted last night in outer suburbs on orders not to enter until the French had retired. Paris declared an open city. All houses and shops shut. Not a soul to be seen in the street. Except unarmed police and civil guards. My mind goes back to a picture in a history book of the Germans piling arms in Paris in 1870. 1870 has come again! Will 1918 and 1919 also come again?
News of more British troops landing in France. The supply scandal – worse than the Crimea – fills the pages of the New Statesman. Bitterness against the Conservative yes men and their Chamberlains, Simons and Kinglsey Woods increasing. At last ordinary people are becoming dimly conscious of the truth (or some of it) about our rulers since 1931. The mills of God grind slowly, very slowly, one feels, in this case.
A little Austrian girl of 11 left the school today to go to America. “Rats leaving the sinking ship!” was Miss Hunter’s comment. Asked Dolphin, the head boy, about his brother in the R.E.s [Royal Engineers]. His unit was last heard of in Brussels. No news of anyone since.
We should have had 1,500,000 men in France. Today we cannot equip 500,000 and the 23 to 28 year groups still walking about the streets of England. Poor France! The French remarks about the late government quite unprintable, one imagines. And the gibes about fighting to the last Frenchman have come true.
Took off the first honey today.
The Queen has just finished a short broadcast in French to the women of France. Before she spoke, the chief of the French broadcasting system recalled her visit to Paris in 1938, the Champs Elysée, Versailles, la Bagatelle. I thought of Con’s and my lunch under the trees of la Bagatelle and the lily ponds and gardens of 1938 and felt close to tears.
Saturday, June 15th
Went up to London and spent day with Con. Saw Pinocchio, Disney coloured film, and much enjoyed it, but even in cinema difficult to forget. Not many dishes at Lyons.
Sunday, June 16th
French in a very bad way. Soon, if not already, all troops in Eastern France in a bag. Our own troops apparently in Normandy. French cabinet meeting all day in Bordeaux, but no communiqué in 9 o’clock news. Will France make a separate peace or continue to struggle in Empire and at sea?
Con’s view that people get governments they deserve and if we, a democracy, like to have a government of Chamberlains, Simons and Hoares, and the French of Daladiers, Lavals* and Bonnets*, we don’t deserve to survive. Also remarked that the new world may be difficult for the middle aged, but Hilary, not remembering the other, won’t miss it. Wonder if so.
*LAVAL Pierre, 1883 – 1945. Minister almost continuously 1925-1936, three times prime minister 1931-32, Time magazine Man of the Year 1931, minister for foreign affairs 1934-36. Excluded from government by Popular Front and successor governments, he developed strong anti-communist and authoritarian opinions and saw his chance for a come back and revenge with Vichy. Became head of Vichy government and most dedicated collaborator with Nazi regime. Declared in speech in 1942 that he hoped the Germans would win the war. Tried, condemned to death and executed in 1945.
BONNET, Georges, 1889 – 1973, French politician, minister of foreign affairs 1938 – 39, supported Munich and architect of Franco-German non-aggression pact signed in December 1938. Supported Vichy regime.
Monday, June 17th
On us, as the P.M. said tonight, has fallen the honour of upholding, unaided and alone, the defence of civilization. France has given up! Pétain, through Spain, has asked the Germans for terms and ordered the French armies to cease fighting. Reynaud, who presumably wanted to fight on, has resigned. Hit and Muss are to confer on the terms to be offered. The latter has certainly done a lot for victory!
Everyone is asking what will happen to the French navy. Churchill spoke at nine. He spoke without any of his usual rotundity, about three or four sentences, the whole thing lasting barely a couple of minutes.
Tuesday, June 18th
Professor Desseignet over from Peppard to take French oral examinations. Could speak of nothing but the news. “What that men could do we have done. Men cannot fight against machines. I have lived in England too long to realize what is happening in France. No one in England can realize. Half the population of France crowded into the S. W. No food, no milk for the children, no shelter. The army without ammunition, empty guns and rifles. What can they do? Fight on? How can they? We have done our share. We have mobilized men up to 45. In England 23s and 25s have not been called up. In France they are dead. 40 million against 90 million in Germany and 45 million in Italy. How can we go on? My mother of 75 has twice seen the Germans in her town, will see them again today. They will take everything from our pictures in the Louvre to our cattle – everything.”
He on the other hand sometimes seemed to think the government should have left France and refused to negotiate – in fact carried out Reynaud’s policy.
Old Pétain won’t get any better terms because he is a friend of Franco’s and a soldier. Already the German press is saying that they were kept waiting for an armistice in 1918, and so will the French be. Churchill to speak in three minutes. He sounded in fine form in the House this p.m.
Friday, June 21st
Second raid over S. Wales last night; eastern coastal towns Wednesday night. Full moon. No news of terms to French, but plenipotentiaries are to go to Compiègne, as the Germans did in 1918. Bad sign.
On Tuesday Churchill repeated House of Commons speech almost word for word on wireless. Sounded slightly tired or bottled. Probably former explanation true.
Saturday, June 22nd
Letter from Desseignet ending up Vive la France. Surveyor came over yesterday. The committee, having done nothing whatever about A.R.P. is now in a panic and says all windows must be wired. As most of windows are heavy stone mullion and will have to be drilled one foot apart, this will take a very long time. Wire and wood is now difficult to get too. They seem to envisage daylight raids with no warning. No daylight raids so far, and what is warning system for anyway.
Terms presented to French at Compiègne. Hitler sitting in the seat of Foch, but no news of content. Sleeping car carted from Invalides to Compiègne.
“I join with you is asking why criticism of retention of persons of proved incompetence in high and responsible positions is said in some quarters to be a mere recrimination about the past.” Letter from J. M. Keynes in the New Statesman.
Sunday, June 23rd
French have signed terms but still don’t know what they are. Next move, I hope, repudiation of terms by navy and eastern armies, colonies etc. Winston expresses surprise at signature of such terms, so suppose he knows what they are!
Rain at last, a real soaker. Bottled 50lb of honey yesterday.
Ernest Bevin, broadcasting last night, came without second page of his script (query, the fifth column!) but after some audible whispering went on in middle of sentence on third page! H’s sometimes in, sometimes not, but Itler definitely Itler.
9 o’clock. Armistice terms just announced. “France” to be that part south of the Loire, the rest to be occupied (at French expense), army to be disbanded, navy interned, all western seaboard at disposal of Germans for attack on this country. That scoundrel Laval has joined French government. Colonies in North and Central Africa, Madagascar, Syria, West Indies all for continued resistance. Reynaud’s second at the French War Office, General de Gaulle, to broadcast at 10. Wish we could get Reynaud out. Blum* supposed to be under arrest in Paris, poor devil. Remarked tonight that we should find peace dull after this fracas. Nora not responsive.
A national committee set up in England and recognized by His Majesty as the representatives of France, headed by de Gaulle.
Mr Kennedy, U.S.A. ambassador, appeals for funds from American Red Lions for greatest fortress in history (Added later: Kennedy thought we could not survive. “I thought my daffodils were yellow till I met Mr Kennedy,” some one said).
*BLUM, Léon, 1872 – 1950. Socialist politician, leader of Popular Front reform government of 1936-37. Out of office again, his attitude to Munich was ambiguous, but he soon after turned firmly anti-fascist and strongly supported rearmament programme of 1938-1939. One of few deputies who refused to support appointment of Pétain with full powers on July 10, 1940. Handed over to Germans by Laval in 1943, he was detained under relatively humane conditions until 1945. His brother died in Auschwitz.
Tuesday, June 25th
First air aid warning at 1.15. Let Hilary sleep on. All clear went at 3.30. By then it was nearly daylight. The lodgers* did not hear the warning, but about 10 minutes after the all clear came in to tell us there was a warning! Two lots of aeroplanes went over, but no gunfire or explosions. Earlier in the evening one of our own bombers went over and was picked up by our searchlights – a most lovely sight as the beam held it like some huge silver mayfly.
Spent all day fixing half inch wire on classrooms but stone mullions difficult to drill. However, have done four classrooms.
Fate of French fleet still very obscure and recriminations starting between London and Bordeaux government of Pétain. Can hardly suppose that French ships with us at Alexandria will simply steam away to surrender. Defeatist element in French government very strong when Reynaud still there apparently.
Although German government gives guarantees not to use the French fleet against us, possibly to save face of Pétain government, it can denounce armistice terms at any time for non-fulfilment. Article called the The Riddle of the French Capitulation in M/G. General agreement that capitulation was betrayal of the French people by small clique of soldiers and politicians who were hoping to get better terms than they have. The First Lord of the Admiralty and the First Sea Lord went to Bordeaux in person, but failed to get the Pétain government to issue an order for the fleet to sail to British ports. Some funny business there. Nora says future historians occupied with this in future. I say my diary will appear (in footnote). N suggests I get a steel box for it!
*Mr and Mrs Alp and son Peter, aged 4 or 5, evacuees from London.
Wednesday, June 26th
Summoned to Oxford to meet emergency committee of L.E.A. [Local Education Authority]. Went by bus. Turned out to be a row about pacifists at Banbury County School. Asked if I had any at Henley. Apparently one man had been run in at Bow Street on some sort of test case. Added later: Hatched up by that old horror Sir C. Ashford].
Went to tea with Tom and Hester Armstrong. Tom rather doubtful how we can win the war and takes gloomy view of working class morale. Says all dons are trying to send their children to America, especially as they fear food shortage.
British government told Reynaud that they would not hold France to her agreement not to make a separate peace provided the French ships were put in British ports (Added later: The U.S. had no Atlantic fleet at this time, so relied on the British and French fleets for defence of Atlantic).
News tonight of raids on enemy coast by landing parties but places not revealed. One air raid last night at 11.15 and widespread raids. Bombs heard in Oxford by Tom and Hester. Noise of aeroplanes here but could not tell whether they were German or not. Tom thinks Germans will go through Spain, wipe out Gibraltar and fight in N. Africa.
Saturday, June 29th
Went to get petrol, the last 2 gallons for June, yesterday, but none at usual garage. Told only two pumps in Henley on outskirts of town. Reasons for this suggested were 1) easy guarding from parachutists 2) danger from fire if petrol kept in town. Latter seems more likely.
All news of raids on enemy coast stopped. Sounds as if the meagre information given on Wednesday was a mistake.
More coming out about semi-fascist character of Pétain government. France, like all the rest of Hitler’s victims, betrayed from within. High command rotten, and once Meuse defensive lines breached, finished.
Are the air raids so far merely a rehearsal for gigantic air blitz? Hitler supposed to be collecting transports. Wonder if Ireland next on the list.
Sunday, June 30th
Yesterday afternoon W.E.A. lectures on lawn on Novel and Food in Wartime. Only about 20 people as against 60 last year. Young man who lectured on novel very defeatist and full of rumours. Among others, 150 M.P.s for peace negotiations and, unless locked up by some coup d’etat on Churchill’s part, will engineer his overthrow. Sam Hoare sent to Madrid for purpose of using Franco as peace intermediary. German invasion inevitable, nothing can prevent it, will seize ports and pour men into the country etc. All our guns lost at Dunkirk, nothing to oppose them with etc. Spread an atmosphere of gloom among intellectuals. Myself rather shocked at complete lack of hope or faith in anything. Beaten before you start attitude is n. b. g. Hitler has only won success against nations already divided against themselves. Young man left wing – left wing defeatism due to distrust of “capitalist” government and equivocal position of Russia, plus hatred of war, especially for “capitalism”.
Timothy Auty says Hitler sent for Moses to find out how to dry up the Channel for chosen people to pass over. Food lecturer from Eton talked about living on dried grasses, so equally cheerful in his way!
Chamberlain broadcast tonight to say cabinet united, no thought of peace, fight until victorious or go down in ruin. Germany even now preparing invasion and air raids up to date only a foretaste of things to come. Transmitted to America to counter Nazi propaganda.
(Added in 1976: The first discussion of Mussolini’s price for negotiating a truce with Hitler took place in the cabinet on May 28th, the day this Diary begins. Halifax plan rejected. On June 30th Chamberlain denied any discussion in cabinet because of a rumour (which lecturer had got hold of) that Chamberlain and Halifax were trying to oust Churchill and negotiate peace. Note refers to Cabinet Papers opened in 1971).
J. B. Priestley on Two Ton Annie “Kindness, humour, courage are mighty sustaining things” – “Yes, a good people” – “The last defence of liberal civilization” – “All that we ask is for more and more commands to the garrison and then signing on in the streets.” [Ed: Who or what Two Ton Annie was has defeated my research, but presumably an entertainer].
Monday, July 1st
Listening to B.B.C. French news bulletin last night heard that all the rumours our lecturer was disseminating came from the German wireless! Curious hearing them all over again, even to the specific number of M.P.s. “It only shows how careful one should be, Mrs Thomas.” George Dunn, who was head boy two years ago, came to lunch – a policeman in Tooting. Finds it very dull and is not allowed to join the army or the air force. (Added later: Joined Navy later and landed in Normandy on D Day)
Tuned in tonight to Radio Paris, but the Tour Eiffel spouting German. Mind went back to 1937 and the Paris exhibition, the crowds at night waiting for the illuminations and the fountains playing in the basins above the Seine.
Large numbers of parents registering children for shipment to the Colonies. Asked Nora if we should send Hilary if of age to go, but no decided answer. Grand for some parents: divorced widow with three children trying to get them to New Zealand!
Three Hurricane fighters tonight chasing and diving in the sky, lovely to watch in the slanting rays of the sun as light and graceful almost as swifts.
Tom Wheeler, the caretaker, has been round to destroy a wasps nest under the floor of the dining room, says two parachutists found at Nettlebed and all the people on road being stopped. Evidently collected this at pub, so made a few remarks about how undesirable it was to repeat unfounded rumours (Diarist’s note: See Peter Fleming, Invasion, P. 91).
Tuesday, July 2nd
Boy from Nettlebed, who had helped to ring church bells to denote parachute landing, arrived at school this morning. Mrs Cozens’ husband up all night looking for them with L.D.V. [Local Defence Volunteers] – alleged to be wearing flannel trousers! Not much other news. Lord Haw Haw says today is to be the Day. Quiet so far. Major Cozens says the main trouble is to prevent the L.D.V., many of whom have never handled a rifle before, shooting themselves or each other.
Wednesday, July 3rd
Fresh crop of rumours today (Diarist’s note: Both false). Clifford met a naval petty officer from Portsmouth who told him French battle cruiser Dunkerque lying next to his ship there and Strasbourg in Plymouth. Hope this true. Another staff said an airman told him 100 bombs dropped on Benson Aerodrome – Make it 500 while you’re about it, I said. A parent said 11 parachutists at Nettlebed and two captured. Very dirty, he said: so I should think they have arrested a tramp. Conclusive evidence apparently a wrist watch with a compass on the back. Search light very active last night, then crumps, but whether German bombs don’t know.
Thursday, July 4th
Crumps apparently bombs on G.W.R. [Great Western Railway] at Thatcham, near Newbury. Something came down at or near Caversham at 5.30 yesterday afternoon.
Amusing account of parachutists by local air raid controller who was at Checkendon. On way home at five stopped by agitated woman who said parachutists were dropping and she must get to Peppard. He took her to Peppard and then went home. Here village in an uproar. Man working a tractor in a field saw (or thought he saw) a parachute come down. Probably a wisp of hay blown by the wind. A German aeroplane, (this apparently authentic) did fly over the district during the afternoon. About this time a man speaking with a foreign accent and covered with bits of hay walked into the Post Office and asked for a cup of tea. Woman asked him to wait and rang up the police. Meanwhile man had made off on bicycle. Pursued by locals off the road and finally captured in a wood. In meantime police had summoned military, who arrived in the form of 25 Canadian sergeants on motorbikes and had a collision on village green. A practice fight by British fighters was going on at high altitude and this mistaken by cheering villagers as the end of parachutists’ planes. L.D.V. called out, but net result one L.D.V. shot in the bottom. Captured man under police pressure admitted he was a parachutist and said had a companion who weighed 155 pounds. A grand story, felt that the immortal spirits of Dogberry and Verges are abroad in England again.
Grim news tonight of destruction of French fleet at Oran by British battleships. Churchill clearly expects invasion any day.
Saturday, July 6th
An excellent speech by Attlee tonight. Invasion expected. Holding the bridgehead of freedom. Besides the fortress of this island, the fortress of the soul. Fifth columnists better called traitors. Glad to hear him say only a small fraction of alien refugees of this kidney, for too much stupid and ill consideration of Home Office against men and women who have lost everything in the fight against Hitler and the Nazis and whose help we need.
Sunday, July 7th
Rather depressed today, but whether gut, which is troublesome, close thundery weather or imminence of blitzkrieg cannot decide. Had note from Con saying that evacuation from school at Worthing may take place anytime. Meanwhile tired out with school examinations. What a time to have them anyway. Golly! Headmistresses!
See that it is only two weeks, not two months, since French signed armistice. Yet people saying why is Hitler so slow to start invasion of British Isles!… P.M. is reported to be inspecting defences in East Anglia.
French Chamber and Senate summoned to Vichy to accept new constitution this week by Pétain and Laval. Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité said to be due for removal.
Monday, July 8th
Slept at Town Hall last night. Control room in basement. A large room with tables, maps and six telephones and iron bedstead and blankets. Men’s public lavatory next door, which flushes at regular intervals through the night. The other telephonist on duty, a colonel, slept in room up passage. Phone bell rang in his room also. First alarm went at 11.40, a preliminary “yellow” warning on which various people have to be notified by telephone. It was followed about ten minutes later by “white”, i.e., all clear. However, as two women were summoned by messenger, it was not possible to stop them coming up. Went back to bed in trousers, shirt and sweater; at 3 o’clock bell went to notify us Oxford had received yellow; a few minutes later Oxford rang again to say “white”. A system of internal communication between us and Oxford. Rather a nuisance and not really necessary. No more alarms and slept to eight o’clock, when came back for breakfast. Colonel, in command of battalion in last war, explained he could sleep at any time in any conditions and wake up at once. Very necessary to be able to withstand long strain, but have not gift, so no good as prime minister!
The fascist elements are still gaining ground in the French government. These men have for the past five years represented the policy of the Continental bloc of France, Italy and Germany and have support on the right. France has given an appearance of unity, but never since the riots and shooting in the Place de la Concorde of February 1934 has she been united. The defeat in the field played into their hands. They could also count of the support of men like Bonnet on the left. Faced with the dilemma of Laval’s time – England or Italy – the majority of Frenchmen preferred England, but that did not alter the fact that the anti-British party was still there. Bonnet is now saying that if it hadn’t been for Chamberlain’s interference, Germany would have been given a free hand with the Czechs (to whom France was bound) at Munich. In fact Englishman have always thought of France as republican, democratic, determined to defend herself to the end, our great ally. This, it seems, was the wish being father to the thought. France was divided and disunited.
Lord Woolton, the food minister, has just announced in his rather bogus accent, which always irritates me with its becoming gentility, that tea is to be rationed to 2 oz a week and margarine as well as butter. Restaurants and hotels are to cut meals drastically. Sorry we did not get some decent tea at the beginning of the war, but rebuked by Nora for wishing to hoard!
Friday, July 12th
Went collecting caterpillars on the cabbage with a gang of boys on Tuesday and got a lot. A good year for caterpillars! Yesterday an air battle over the Channel which was much to our advantage. Bombers escorted by fighters made an attack on a convoy, but 23 Germans were shot down.
Len Hayes with his five little boys brought form for free milk to sign. “If I wait long enough perhaps they’ll give me a cow” was his comment [Ed: Mr and Mrs Hayes had four children, Nancy, Raymond, Brian and Gordon, and when this entry was written they had two evacuee children living with them as well).
Sunday, July 14th
Still waiting for the attack to start. Observer thinks it will take form of air attacks on ports with all the weight of aircraft Germany has. P.M. to broadcast tonight, so it looks as though Der Tag near. Road blocking proceeding, concrete drums about, very decent m/g post just up the road to Peppard. Caversham Bridge at Reading reduced to one way traffic by big concrete blocks built into the bridge, but nothing on Henley Bridge as far as can be seen.
Lectured to the W.I. [Women’s Institute] at Greys Court on beekeeping on Thursday and apparently much appreciated. Talk took place in front of a ruin turned into a lecture room.
Monday, July 15th
Did not hear much of P.M.’s speech last night as yellow warning came through soon after he had started. He spoke of 1942 – 1942 struck cold on his listeners’ hearts. Otherwise a good night at the Town Hall, a fine session with the ex-acting governor of Borneo, alias the Controller, privately christened the Raspberry Blancmange, wobbly, popeyed, and wheezing, on the intimate life of the natives of those parts, progressing through fornication, adultery and incest, enlivened by randy anecdotes, which I feel would be out of place in such a historic document as this diary!
A letter from Phyllis Auty. “I’d forgotten how spacious life used to be” – we shall indeed have forgotten by 1942. But Nelson over two years never left the Victory off Toulon. Reading his life now, also Neville Henderson’s account of his time as ambassador in Berlin. Something unpleasant about the man, but can’t make out what. Raises question again, could we have fought at Munich?
Tuesday, July 16th*
Waiting to hear what powers will decide about summer holiday. Curious feeling abroad that because some people have no holidays, therefore no one ought to have any or enjoy themselves. Betty Fairthorne [art mistress] said today, never did hold with the argument that you ought to eat rice pudding because some people were hungry and would be glad of it! Certainly think dullness no help to victory or anything else. Elementary schools to get a fortnight in two weeks with a “vacation term” in between. Wonder what civil servant (or committee man) thought up “vacation term”. Have suggested it would be far better to prolong the term into August than to have this bastard vacation term.
Old headmaster, Mr Valpy, turned up this morning to look over school. Had left Walmer because of raids and gunfire and returned to Henley. A very moral man - always feel at a disadvantage with moral people, shades of Uncle Sam [Diarist’s formidable high church uncle, Rector of Shillingford, Exeter, in Diarist’s childhood) – but apparently combined this with bullying, beating, and sarcasm. Feel a meeting between Mr Valpy and the Raspberry Blancmange would be fun! Expressed disappointment that his text, Aim High, had been removed. Found on enquiry that this was a piece of paper pinned up in the entrance hall. “Influence” a wonderful thing, said Mr Valpy. His text influenced a boy who became a chaplain in the Navy and he used it to put boys on joining on the “right road”, so “influence” spread. Fortunately he did not stay long, though, on Miss Hunter’s advice, I showed him the mixed common room.
Tonight on the wireless a play about the discovery of the principle of the magnetic mine, Hitler’s “secret weapon”, last November. We had Hitler’s speech at Danzig, the sinking of the Simon Bolivar, the coast guards’ spotting of the parachute coming down on the shallow water of Shoeburyness on a moonlight night, the discovery of the mine, the arrival of experts from HMS Vernon, the undoing of the detonators with non-magnetic tools by the naval men. It was interesting, but as most people necessarily knew that the mine did not and would not explode, it was rather lacking in suspense. The names of the officers and men, and the decorations they received, were read out at the end.
A Lincolnshire vicar was sent to gaol for four weeks for ringing his church bells yesterday. A bit excessive I should think. I expect he did it to spite the bishop, from whom he had apparently received a letter asking him not to!
Shipping losses were heavy last week due to increased submarine and air activity and, of course, the possession of the French coast as a base.
*Day on which Hitler issued order to prepare for invasion of England
Saturday, July 20th
Another of Hitler’s “last and final offers”, accompanied by threats and abuse of Churchill. Stand by for the invasion.
Bit by bit the scandal of the refugees is coming out. Friendly Germans and Italians, prominent anti-fascists, shipped off to America in the Avandora Star by the War Office and then drowned. Casualty lists refused. All and sundry interned, whatever their antecedents and treatment. Later taken out of hands of the Home Office. A typical piece of official stupidity. How can we expect to start a revolution in Europe if that is how we go on?
Papers contain many reportings to police of remarks alleged to be defeatist, and some accounts of heavy sentences. Other magistrates seem to be more sensible in dismissing cases. Soon we shall be afraid to open our mouths in case we are denounced by some busybody. Music hall on wireless tonight. “Cheer up. Everything’s going to be lousy”.
Wednesday, July 24th
Assurances that C class aliens will have their cases properly investigated and many will be released. “Silent column” (to discourage talk) disowned by P.M. in House, or, as he put it, to be allowed to pass into “innocuous desuetude”. Also sentences passed by magistrate’s courts on people who said silly things. “The government has no desire to make crimes out of silly vapourings best dealt with on the spot by the more robust members of the company.” P.M. again!! Nora’s Aunt Nelly at Eastbourne robust enough. Says armed trawlers off pier give her a thrill and recalls being taken to out to see Northern Lights at time when Paris was besieged in 1870. (Diarist’s note: The old lady was blown up by a bomb in a daylight raid on Eastbourne in 1943)
Friday, July 26th
Broke up today for summer holidays – read them part of Funeral Speech and had Jerusalem instead of God Save. Some girls wanted to do land work, but hardly enough at present for boys.
Great activity of German air force in Channel against our convoys and big claims made of many ships sunk.
Some grounds for believing German talk of invasion a plan to keep us occupied and sap our morale, as was the case with all the talk at the beginning of the war of laying London in ruins. Everyone expected intensive air raids within a few hours of the declaration of war, but all a part of the “war of nerves”. Is invasion threat of same order? Daily Telegraph had an article on main pages on Thursday saying Nazis were divided on the issue, Goering, Keitel and Goebels against it, Ribbentrop for*. Heard from sister of air pilot that tremendous damage done in Hamburg and Ruhr, but bombing Hamburg like flying into Hell. Patrol hours also very long, sometimes nearly 24 hours with very little rest.
The sandbags at the Town Hall, which have been there since September, have now rotted, are being replaced by hollow concrete cubes.
*Diarist notes: The admirals were against. They only mustered four destroyers and one heavy ship. The RN had 14 capital ships, 5 carriers, 16 heavy and 46 light cruisers, 180 destroyers and 54 submarines.
Tuesday, July 30th
Big raid on Dover Harbour yesterday, but 21 shot down to two of our fighters lost. Foreign affairs debate today in secret.
Heard from Mrs Peach today of a woman of 50 living in Paris who bicycled on a man’s racing bicycle to Bordeaux to catch a boat to England. Her husband, an Englishman, had returned at the beginning of the war. She stayed on till her neighbours brought her the bicycle and advised her to leave. They gave her a pair of breeches and food – bread, cheese and grapefruit. She arrived in England after a week on the boat, a septic ulcer on her leg, her hands permanently bent from braking, and bruised black and blue with throwing herself down to escape gunning and bombing. She had one puncture!
Ginger Lane in Air Ministry wrote tonight: “A serious and reliable source at Belgrade has just reported that the Germans did not exterminate dogs of the Reich without reason. The largest and most active specimens were rounded up and infected with rabies. They will shortly be dropped by parachute on this country in order to bite the British dog, who will bite his master. Nor will retaliation be possible, as there will no longer be any free dogs left in Germany to be infected!!”
Wednesday, Aug 1st
Went down to caravan on Dartmoor with Molly, Ruth Brown and Cookie Pinley. Pitched by stream between Pizwell and Runnage farms.
Thursday, Aug 2nd
One disadvantage of moving for holidays in wartime is the difficulty of getting food. Spent part of the morning in Moreton Hampstead to cope with this. Occasional German aeroplane crossing at night on way to S. Wales and distant gunfire in the afternoon. Spent afternoon picking whortleberries.
Saturday, Aug 3rd
Went over to Postbridge by car and walked back via Bellever. Came past house of eccentric naval commander, who lives by himself almost entirely surrounded by a plantation of young firs. Wonder what he does all day, as no garden apart from a few bushes of rhododendron. On Thursday night we met him going off for duty at L.D.V. He had put on his uniform, but had carefully covered it up with a raincoat, and wore a soft hat. He said it was 45 years since he had had his first uniform, and now he had to start all over again. He seemed a nervous sort of man and looked ill – wonder if he is T.B. and has chosen a life on the moor for this reason. Funny how anything out of the ordinary attracts curiosity of a vulgar kind – has perfect right to plant a screen of fir trees and live behind it if he wants, but immediately would like to find out how he lives [Ed: see diary for August, 1948, for further news].
Have reached conclusion that Robinson Crusoe a funny man because he had nothing to do but fuss about his hut, goats etc. Remade bed in different way today to my great satisfaction. Lovely light over moor last night, but today mist that threatens to turn to drizzle.
Sunday, Aug 4th
A lovely day though a bit humid at first. Walked to Dartmeet over the moor and back along the river to Bellever. Had lunch by the Dart and tea at Badger’s Holt. Cookie caught a salmon by the tail in the salmon pool below Dartmeet when they were bathing. No news, no papers. Came back exceedingly hungry and at a huge supper.
Monday, Aug 5th
Picking whortleberries p.m. Up to farm to see Molly and Ruth milk at tea time.
Tuesday, Aug 6th
Windy this morning but sunny. Found a tick on my leg. A lot of aeroplanes over last night. Walked to Warren House Inn, but David, the black poodle, got stung by monks’ bees at Vitifer Mine and was sick
Wednesday, Aug 7th
Father came to Postbridge on chara trip with provisions, but as chara late had gone off to pick whortleberries in an excellent spot near Bellever, where we picked a basin full in 30 minutes.
Thursday, Aug 8th
Walked to Cranmere Pool. In cloud during the morning, but cleared later in the afternoon. Had considerable difficulty finding it. Strain in my leg noticeable 'opping from 'ummock to 'ummock in the peat bog, but moor very dry. Second time I have been there. First time with Con, Molly and Tiger from Belstone in 1937. Lost my summer hat. Took 1 hour 50 minutes to get back to Postbridge.
Big air battle* yesterday, but only news verbal report of Mrs Coaker at Runnage Farm of wireless, as papers will not come till afternoon. Heavy burst of firing on way down from Cranmere and artillery practice going over at Oakhampton range and red flag flying. Planes over last night as usual.
*The beginning of the Battle of Britain.
Friday, Aug 9th
Set out in the afternoon for the Vitifer Mine, where we climbed up a gully to find the raven’s nest. Then over the heather to the Warren House Inn, where he had tea and ate the cake we brought with us. Then on to find the stone circle called the Grey Whethers. The light was poor, the clouds thick, low and threatening and the wind rising to a gale. We saw it first at a distance standing high on a flat col at the head of the valley. It was an eerie and impressive sight. The distance magnified the size of the stones and the purpose inherent in the circle, plotted and regular, contrasted vividly with the unbroken and irregular sweep of the moor. One felt in the presence of something remote, fantastic and evil. When we eventually reached it, the spell it cast was broken, though it seemed wild and lonely enough, for the distance had magnified the size of the stones and they no longer showed black against the dun of the moor.
Saturday, Aug 10th
A wild night. Tent billowing and struggling in the gale kept me awake and tent threatened to develop a rent along the ridge pole. In the afternoon walked to Bellever Tor and Laughter Tor. Picked whortleberries and back by Bellever Bridge. Wind fell rather and put bed other way in tent away from tear.
Sunday, Aug 11th
Heard yesterday that last Wednesday night a raid on Exeter and six bombs were dropped on St Thomas district beyond the Exe. Many windows and doors blown in, but only two people injured. Some or all of bombs were of screaming variety – i.e., had a little whistle on the fins to make them shriek as they fell. Tent much more comfortable last night with little or no rain. Very strong cold wind this a.m.
Started off to find Duck’s Pool. First went to Princeton, where our appearance – I was wearing Cookie’s red school sou’ wester, shorts and three days whiskers – aroused some suspicion. but where we were directed by a milkman to Fox Mines. There we left the car and obtained further information. Crossed the mire by a causeway, went over Fox Tor till we found the cutting in the peat marked by a post with a pony’s skull attached. Here we ate our lunch and watched the barrage balloons over Plymouth. We went too far down the valley, but left the other three and struck back to the ridge. I was fairly close to the pool when they returned with definite information from some other walkers further down the valley. We got back fairly late and very hungry.
Monday*, Aug 12th
Colllected whortleberries in morning, packed up in p.m. and returned (to Exton) for tea. Moor lovely; the distant views with cloud shadows and different appearances at all times of day and night delightful;
*Goering's Eagle Day - first day of all out air attack.
*Goering's Eagle Day - first day of all out air attack.
Tuesday, Aug 13th
Went to Budleigh for lunch. Barbed wire all along beach, machinegun emplacements to command gap between cliffs with crossfire and many road barricades made of concrete pipes set on end and filled with cement. Access to beach by gap in wire at cliff end and river end. Came back to Exton for tea in time for an air raid warning on camp siren, which, however, only lasted half an hour and no bombs dropped in neighbourhood. Main raid on Southampton.
Wednesday, Aug 14th
Bicycled to Exmouth this afternoon. Here conditions were much the same as at Budleigh, except that there were some heavy guns, carefully camouflaged and concealed, on far end of front, commanding the channel to the estuary. At Budleigh only about 40 people on our end of the beach. At Exmouth a good many, but chiefly, I think, local as it was early closing day.
The air fight along the south coast, which started on Sunday, continued yesterday. The Germans employed fully 500 planes. The losses on Sunday were 65, Monday 62, yesterday 78 (a record so far). It is believed that these raids are intended to find out whether German superiority in the air, a necessary condition for a successful invasion, could be obtained. On the results of this limited experiment a decision whether or not to throw in the whole weight of the German air power in an attempt to obtain local air superiority will be taken. Without it, invasion is not a practical proposition. Our own losses yesterday were 1 to 6 and a good proportion of pilots escaped safely from their damaged machines.
Thursday*, Aug 15th
Intensive air raids on S. E. resumed today and Croydon Airport attacked. Went into Exeter on bicycles to visit cinema. Molly and Cookie to see Pinocchio, which I had seen in London, and myself to The Grapes of Wrath, a grim story of evicted sharecroppers from Oklahoma moving in rickety old auto to California, only to fall victims to graft and exploitation there as well. After we started back heard German aeroplanes high up and noticed man on Ebford Hill staring skyward. Had suspicion that a raid might be in progress. Arrived home to find Maud and Father sitting under stairs, as warning had been sounded 15 minutes before, but we had never heard it. All clear went shortly afterwards.
This time last year I was in hospital, but looking forward to bath and use of lavatory seat again with great anticipation! Doctor assumed this was because anxious to get out of hospital before war started. It did – early in September.
*Diarist notes: The original date for Operation Sea Lion, Hitler’s invasion plan for England.
Friday, Aug 16th
Woken at 3.30 a.m. by heavy explosions. A curious lull, which I remember in the last war, followed, punctuated by barking of dogs. Two more salvoes were dropped at intervals and flashes in the sky could be seen. The broken drone of the raiders could be heard very clearly before the last bombs fell, and also, more distant, afterwards. Father was much upset by shock and complained at sharp pains in his throat. I stayed in bed, but he got up Cookie and the maid and they stayed under the stairs until I heard, very far away, an all clear siren and told them. The bombs fell at Heavitree, about 5 miles away, it appears, and there were no casualties.
A terrific day in the air yesterday. A thousand planes attacked our coasts from Newcastle to Plymouth and 160 were destroyed. We lost 27 fighters, but of these 8 pilots are safe.
We bicycled to Budleigh today. One warning when we were on the Common, so we sat under a hedge. Another must have gone when we having lunch on the beach, but we only heard the all clear. No deck chairs, no bathing huts, no rafts or floats, no tea huts. Only the bare shingle and the bands of barbed wire and a handful of people to keep alive the memories of 1921-39.
Maud just came in to say raiders reached S.W. suburbs of London today and dropped bombs. Some casualties.
Saturday, Aug 17th
No alarms last night although I half expected it as German aeroplanes were about as early as 10.30 p.m. The night later became misty and there was ground fog this morning, which cleared later to a glorious summer day. Bicycled over to Ladram Bay. The small gully leading up from the beach had been blocked by brushwood and a fallen tree. There was however no other obstacle on the beach and it had a pre-war air. There were tents, deck chairs and floats you could hire. The stones grew very hot in the sun and the tide came in vary warm over them, so I bathed and went on a float. Six fighters flew over in formation during the afternoon, otherwise there was no sign of war. About 150 people came down on the beach and as the pre-war notice to say “Bathing forbidden except from tents” was still up, we went to the further end.
All quiet on the nine o-clock news today. Pray German air force licking its wounds. Enemy alleges that Big Ben struck 13 at 1 a.m. last night owing to the vibration from the Croydon raid. This, we are told, is a bad omen for the British Empire.
Duff Cooper broadcast tonight. Not very good, but said this was the week Hitler was to dictate peace to Gt. Britain. So far all he had achieved was heavy losses in the air. Foretold the march of the fighter pilots in the victory procession and said that many would instead of cheering fall on their knees in thanksgiving for this comparatively small band of young men upon whom are safety in the air depends.
The A.A. batteries have also come in for some well-deserved congratulation. V.C. awarded tonight to bomber pilot who came down to 180 ft in a lane of searchlights to bomb Dortmund-Ems Canal and brought his damaged machine and its crew safely back to England.
Remarked to Molly this the best day of the holiday so far.
August 18th
492 raiders destroyed in six days – another 60 or so today, when there were further raids on South London. Our policy of quality in men and machines as against numbers is bearing fruit. The designer of the Supermarine Spitfire, which first flew in 1926, is dead now, but the designer of the Hawker Hurricane is very much alive and very pleased, one imagines, with his work. Both machines came into service in 1938, the Spitfire at 367 m.p.h., the Hurricane, which is bigger, 335 m.p.h., both firing 9,600 rounds a minute.
Monday, August 19th
141, not 60, number of enemy aircraft destroyed yesterday. Apparently quiet today. According to wireless today, crowds of sightseers in bombed areas cause of much confusion and delay.
Tuesday, August 20th
Walked over to Budleigh from Exmouth and came back by bus and train. An attack made on Newton Abbot about tea time and some houses demolished and people killed. The two enemy bombers were shot down. About 8.30 p.m. two fighters came low over the camp circling and rolling just over the treetops. This was apparently to celebrate victory and let the officers in the camp know of it.
P.M.’s review of war in Commons – confident and resolute. “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Leasing of bases in Newfoundland and West Indies to U.S.A. Of famine in Europe: We will arrange for the entry of food into any port when this port has been wholly cleared of Germans for us and generally regained its freedom.” “Hitler is now sprawled over Europe. Our offensive springs are being slowly compressed and we must resolutely prepare ourselves for the campaigns of 1941 and 1942 – for three years are not a long time in our short precious lives. They are nothing in the history of a nation…. The right to guide the course of world history is the noblest prize, a prize of victory. We cannot survey the landscape, or even imagine what its condition will be, when that longed for morning comes.”
Wednesday, Aug 21st
Distant explosions about four o’clock. Broadcast by Air Minister tonight. Can’t say we haven’t been warned. Told German force of heavy bombers almost intact and given an invasion warning!
Looked over Molly’s photograph albums today. Pictures of Spain, Holland, France Italy and holidays spent there. How remote a world it seems today.
Friday, Aug 23rd
Explosions on Wednesday were bombs on aerodrome at Hamilton Cyst. Fell in a field and killed some soldiers. Heard from Nora today the bombs fell in Wimbledon near her mother and burst a water main. Reading All Passion Spent. Hope old age (if any) quieter and more peaceful than that of Father and Mother-in-law!
Saturday, Aug 24th
Paddled at Exmouth in morning. To Pinocchio with M [Ed: M] in evening. A lovely starry night coming back from cinema. Air raid warning about 1 o’clock. Did not last long.
Sunday, Aug 25th
To Ladram Bay in the morning, arrived about 11.45. After lunch got round to Chiselbury by wading. While out on the rocks heard what sounded like distant m/g fire. After tea walked up to Peak Hill. Sitting at highest point on the hill…. when siren started wailing in Sidmouth. Deep purple clouds made a continuous canopy over the sea, but fairly high. Felt that if a raid developed we would be in grandstand seats. After a little heard the noise of engines and saw aeroplanes coming in from the sea. One came directly over the sea towards us, so we crawled into the bracken, where we were quite invisible. They were, however, our own fighters returning to Honiton Clyst. Later I saw in the paper that in the battle before tea about 130 enemy planes reached the Dorset coast and one of the fiercest battles of the war near Portland took place. 43 were destroyed. Another attack came about an hour and a half later and some of the enemy were chased to the French coast. When the all clear went we walked over to Sidmouth, where we got an excellent fish supper, and by bus back to Exeter. We had not been in long when the siren went. However, after a bit we went to bed. It was a long warning and much happened in that time!
Monday, Aug 26th
In Exeter with M during morning (Added later: Here we met Father at funeral in Cathedral. Introduced him to M. I never saw him again in good health). Caught 1.55 to Paddington. It was half an hour late, but managed to catch 6.13 to Henley.
Tuesday, Aug 27th
At 12.30 woken by bombs falling in Shiplake. No warning. Got up and listened at Hilary’s door, but he did not wake. Nora up in London for night.
Friday, Aug 30th
Extracted honey all day. A record crop I think.
Saturday, Sept 1st
Mr Brown [Mr and Mrs Brown lived at Assenden, with three daughters, Alison, M and Helen] presented me with a 3 gallon petrol coupon expiring today, so I decided to visit Con at Rickmansworth. Petrol ration 5 gallons a month at 1s 11½d a gallon. Arrived in middle of air raid warning, the second that morning, to be followed by three others. The last began about 5.30, just as I was starting for home. I waited to seven for all clear, then decided to go anyway. Never heard all clear at all.
We spent the day on the edge of a wood in the shadow of green larches. From time to time we saw flights of aircraft thousands of feet up, looking like little silver midges in the brilliant sunlight. Once saw something that looked like an air battle, but couldn’t be sure. Con was very sleepy as had spent most of the night in a dugout in the garden. Bombs had fallen near a few nights before, a mile or so. They get all the London area warnings, unlike Henley, and the atmosphere is quite different from here, full of L.D.V. men, assembly posts and so on. Con has been spending her holiday in Sussex, where dogfights over the Downs were daily occurrence, and had seen a Spitfire after having been brought down.
This week the Germans have copied our policy of night raiding, but have given up the massed daylight raids of few weeks ago and using diverging attacks on aerodromes instead. Their aim is believed to be the dispersal and damaging of our air force, with less cost to them, while they prepare fresh large scale attacks. At night the aircraft come singly or in small groups and fly very high.
Tuesday, Sept 3rd
Anniversary of declaration of war on Germany by Britain and France. Poland defeated by end of month, while French sat behind Maginot Line. This followed by long winter of inactivity, though on November 30th Finland invaded by Russia. Then a lull to the second week of April, when Germany invaded Denmark and Norway. The muddle and fumbling of the Chamberlain gang became glaringly obvious and only just in time Churchill became prime minister and Labour joined the government. At the same time, on May 10th, the great German attack on Holland and Belgium began. Six days later the French were defeated on the Meuse; by June 17th Pétain asked for peace terms. On August 8th the mass raids on Britain began. The war at home still marked by evacuees* in the house, the increase in numbers in the school, and the double shift system with the evacuated Central School, and at the end the calling up of the young men.
* From a later memoir by the Diarist. The first week of September brought the evacuees from West London to Henley. Nora was helping to billet them and brought home to our house of five bedrooms a schoolmaster and wife, the wife’s mother and a child of four. Mrs Alp, early nicknamed Bloody Florence, was a greedy and lazy bitch, quite content to have her meals got for her and her shopping done by Nora. I was not. Our back room was turned into a kitchen for Mrs A., equipped with an oil cooker. The W.C. downstairs made a convenient scullery. The Alps had our dining room and we lived in the sitting room. Mrs A remarked at breakfast on the first morning that she had come for two months. She stayed for over two years. For us she was indeed one of the horrors of the war!
(Added later: Saturday, Sept 7th.
This evening the code word Cromwell was sent out to the army, signifying “invasion imminent”).
Sunday, Sept 8th
Hilary’s birthday. Marred for Nora by big air attack on dock area of London, beginning yesterday afternoon and going on for most of the night – the night bombers being guided by fires started by evening raids. This attack the kind of thing we imagined would happen within a few hours of war a year ago and for which we have been preparing for so long…. Have just come down from the flat roof where watching searchlights groping in the low cloud and listening to the hum of engines and the distant thud of bomb salvoes. Air raid warning as I write.
Heartening news of agreement with U.S.A. on joint defence board with Canada, lease of bases for 99 years and transfer of 50 destroyers. America now our “non-belligerent” ally.
An excellent broadcast by J. B. Priestley on the citizen soldier, not tucked away in a corner, but becomes a historic personage! Did perhaps in last war! Or perhaps not!
Paper now at an end. Wonder if I can get any more.
Tuesday, Sept 10th
Bombs again tonight at about 11 o’clock and fairly near. Air raid attacks on London continuing by day and night. Henley filling up with refugees.
Wednesday, Sept 11th
Speech by P.M. at six o’clock. Told of concentrations of merchant vessels and self-propelled barges, stores, ships and troops on coast from Norway to Bordeaux. Invasion likely in next few weeks on England, Scotland and Ireland, or all at once. German warfare aimed at wearing down our fighter squadrons and discouraging our aerodromes preparatory to invasion. The air attacks on London now become quite indiscriminate, aiming at spreading terror and panic, again as a preliminary to invasion.
Man for English job has not turned up. Telegrams and letters all very slow and no guarantee of delivery in course of day. Perhaps he may appear tomorrow. Mr Alp’s mother turned up instead. Full of stories of how last night’s raids on London worst so far. Nora is in deep gloom. She now hears no news on B.B.C. because too bad. However, this is not borne out by 9 o’clock bulletin. Damage widespread but casualties small. 400 killed on Monday night, many of them homeless people in a school building, which received direct hit and collapsed. But so far only about 20 known from last night.
Much zooming backwards and forwards after bomb salvo last night. Each time, when awake, lay in bed and expected another packet, but only the one. Hilary did not wake up, nor, apparently, did Tiger [fox terrier]. So far bombing chiefly characterized by vibration like the slamming of a great door, whereas from last war remember it chiefly as a colossal noise, probably because nearer.
Much made of bomb which went off against wall of Buckingham Palace and smashed glass of King’s window, but, as said to Hilary, P.M. more important than King. However, as Nora says, “King says you must do so and so”, to this remark of mine regarded by him as in nature of a joke.
Architect turned up today to see about air raid shelters at school. Told him I hoped they would be ready for peace celebrations. To be brick and concrete, but apparently concrete very difficult to obtain. Don’t wonder, as army using so much concrete on fortifications.
Bryant went off today. As expert on surveying, they put him in the chemical warfare section at Andover. Owens, chemistry master, still here, so think his and Bryant’s papers may have been changed round!
(Added later: Bryant killed in Germany in 1945, only member of school staff to be killed in the war).
Thursday, Sept 12th
Woken up by bombs last night at about three o’clock. Heard this morning that they fell over at the Suttons Seed trial ground near Reading. Term began today, started with prayers followed by air raid drill! Read Psalm 91.5, Terror that flieth by night, at prayers as seemed very appropriate, but wonder what Terror that flew by night really was. Not presumably a Junker 88.
Raids on London last might met by greatly reinforced A.A. barrage and (say the papers) new methods of prediction (i.e., forecasting the flight of aeroplane in relation to shells). Believe guns moved to London from all over England. Anyway never hear any about here, but instead the German planes zooming round followed by searchlight beams, then the thud of bombs. Henley full of evacuees as a result of London raids. Heard of man paying £2 – 10s a week for bed under the stairs.
Miss Luce, domestic science mistress, spent night in London tube, and very glad when they were let out next morning and found all the windows in the house where she was staying were broken. Miss Sheehan, from Liverpool, said Customs House found missing one morning. Miss Hunter, outside Derby, heard screaming bombs within ¼ of a mile; very terrifying as they make you think they are going to hit you.
Friday, Sept 13th
“This wicked man, this repository and embodiment of many forms of soul destroying hatreds, this monstrous product of former wrongs and shame, has now decided to break our island race by a process of indiscriminate slaughter and destruction.” W.S.C’s speech
Today Buckingham Palace bombed by five bombers and fire bombs scattered on Downing Street – even one on House of Lords.
‘Owling ‘Orace went off again at 9.30 while writing this. A programme on wireless tonight on Free France – French songs too much for my emotions so switched off….
A good talk on air raids by John Langdon Davies. Been in Barcelona, Finland, France and London, so plenty of experience. Reliance of Nazis on noise, counter by our own noise – the barrage. “Wasn’t it lovely!”, a woman said to him.
My new master, Mr Brophy*, adjutant of Wargrave L.D.V., has got an American machine gun recently. Tells me that church bells to be rung if more than 25 parachutists descend.
Telephone communications with London subject to “indefinite delay”. Telegrams hardly quicker than letters would normally take. Papers very late.
[Author and journalist, 1899 – 1965, father of novelist Brigid Brophy, 1929 – 1995]
Saturday, Sept 14th
Various schools of thought on invasion. Some say next week for sure – flat bottomed barges to go into shallow water where destroyers can’t follow them, seizure of deep sea port by isolating it in a kind of aerial box barrage – this essential. London to be terrorized, so that refugees will hamper troops, just as in France. Others think November fogs and long winter nights more likely. Others again think attempt will be postponed, but threat will immobilize men who could be used in the Near East, where the real blow will fall. French fleet of four modern cruisers and destroyers reported to have passed the Straits [of Gibraltar] steaming west. Making for Channel? No! Dakar.
Heard today that last Sunday morning all local fire engines massed in Broad St, Reading, and despatched on telephone instructions to various parts of London. Know that only amateur fire quenchers in Henley. Tom says that last night the barrage seen like a ring of fire over London. Not visible from our house owing to beech avenue. Warning last night from 8.30 to 2.30 a.m., but no bombs.
(Added later: German staff’s final plan for invasion between Folkestone and Worthing issued on Sept 14).
Sunday, Sept 15th
Another day of intense warfare*. Two big attempts to reach London and more bombing of Buckingham Palace, but 165 German planes down – the engine of one fell in the forecourt of Victoria Station. The attacks came from the S.E. and up the Thames estuary. One short raid warning in the afternoon, otherwise quiet here.
As Priestley said tonight, we are in the middle of a real, terrific honest to god battle, one of the supreme battles for human freedom. As civilians, it is hell, but for a soldier’s life in battle it is not too bad, meals pretty regular and wounded receiving rapid attention. He mentioned the sight of a London bus flattened like a child’s toy against the second story of a block of flats. London is bearing the brunt of the battle for freedom, just as Paris, now temporarily out of action, has done in the past.
Nora feels she’s out of it – has much more affection for London as London than I have, and feels as I should at the bombing of Oxford. Got a telephone call through to Wimbledon today. Grandma now sleeping on the ground floor and seems to be bearing up well.
*Added later: “One of the decisive battles of the war, and like Waterloo it was on a Sunday” – W.S.C.).
Monday, Sept 16th
Distant bombs at night. Yesterday the greatest air victory in the Battle of Britain to date. Swarms of bombers and fighters approached London, 185 were destroyed, 170 by our fighters, with loss of 21 fighters and 12 pilots safe. The P.M. has sent a message of congratulation to Fighter Command.
The largest bomb of the war to be dropped on England fell in Deans Yard near St Paul’s. It penetrated 27 feet into the ground, but failed to explode. A squad of the bomb disposal unit under Lt. Davies dug down to it, first dealing with a burst gas main that overcame some of them. The bomb had been highly polished by its passage through the air and earth and was extremely slippery. Special tackle had to be devised to raise it. It was lifted out and put on two lorries in tandem. It was driven at high speed by Lt. Davies to Hackney Marshes through streets cleared of their inhabitants by police and there exploded. It blew an enormous crater in the marsh, so that had it exploded in Deans Yard it would have brought St Paul’s Cathedral to the ground. A lucky escape for the cathedral – and for Lt. Davies.
Letter from Con this morning. On her way to Sussex last week she was so thrilled by the air fighting that she reproached herself for forgetting the destruction caused to human life by the bombers. She recalled a remark of mine as we strolled by the Thames at the time of Munich about going to look for the last time at the doomed city. Have always felt a bit like a visitor to Pompeii. At Pulborough from half past eight at night the air is thick with German planes on their way to London.
Nora remarked tonight that the requisites for successful invasion are lacking, which were as she put it, 1) destruction of the field army at Dunkirk, 2) air supremacy, 3) command of the sea. The P.M. in his message said that the great victory of yesterday was won without draining our reserves of machines or pilots. He also mentioned the part played by French, Polish and Czechoslovak pilots. Incredible to think that these battles may take place at 30,000 feet, higher than Everest, and men who bail out fall tens of thousands of feet before their parachutes open, the force of the air tearing at their clothes and feeling, as one airman put it, as if a wing of a plane had hit you.
Large numbers of the population less disciplined than 2B [12-year-olds]. Though warned that crashed aeroplanes are dangerous, when one came down they rushed in crowds to collect souvenirs, bombs went off and many souvenir hunters killed.
Tuesday, Sept 17th
Talking to Mrs Brophy today on difficulties of evacuating schools. In early days private schools were evacuated to the country, but after a few weeks parents took their children back to London. If the schools were able to move back, they have now lost all their children for the second time.
Although the A.R.P. services have done well in the war on London, the care of homeless people from the poor districts seems to have been badly mismanaged. “Rest centres” were allocated beforehand, but they were intended to be clearing centres passing the homeless on. Instead many people were kept there for a week and more days without any hot meals or cooking facilities or adequate washing accommodation..… Though many of the badly hit borough authorities have acted with great decision and vigour, they have been too poor, and their resources and powers too limited, to deal with the problem. When there are hundreds of private motor cars to be had, the homeless have been moved in corporation dust carts!
The West End has been hit. Regent Street and Piccadilly were bombed. Apparently people from the east migrate there at night and wait outside for the shelters to open on an air raid warning. They bring with them blankets and bedding. Some of the Tubes have been kept open and people allowed to stay down there all night, although the government repeatedly declared before that that no one would allowed to shelter there.
Today have written two statements, the first on behalf of Lev Horovitz, boy in 5th Form, a Jewish refugee from Frankfurt, hoping to save him from internment, the second for David Ansell, a pacifist [who later married Betty Fairthorne, art mistress], testifying to my belief in the sincerity of his views on non-resistance. He will submit this to a tribunal for adjudication on conscientious objectors. Careful to point out that I did not hold with his views. No need for him to go before a tribunal at present as he is a civil servant in a reserved occupation, but determined on martyrdom of some kind!
Mr Alp very anxious to find out at what time all clear went last night (it went at 1.30 a.m.) because if it does not go till after midnight, school starts an hour later. Reason: loss of sleep of teachers and children. Teachers more likely to lose sleep keeping awake to hear if they are going to be late in the morning.
Saturday, Sept 21st
Extract from letter from Grandma in Wimbledon written a week ago. “The gunfire has been very heavy and loud. It’s now going on. When the music of the all clear goes, everyone rushes out to do some shopping and I go to get a breath of fresh air and freedom. There are cars, lorries, buses, trams, provision carts, bicycles and prams all going at top speed to make up for time lost, shops crowded with folk who want to be served quickly and a general bustle to get home before the next one… During the raids in the daytime I polish furniture and turn out cupboards etc etc, as one cannot possibly do anything restful.”
Timothy Auty looked in one day. She is still in London, but says the barrage is so terrific that one night she could only walk up and down and wring her hands.
Dreadful muddle in East End coming out in papers. Evacuating buses went to wrong rendezvous in the wrong district. (Evacuees) spent one extra night in rickety school. (Buses) came again next day, but as air raid warning official decided to abandon attempt, another extra night in school, which bombed again and many of these homeless people, whose only wish was to get out of doomed area, were killed. Heard from Con that child of 12 lost father, mother, grandmother, uncle and two sisters. East End clergy apparently splendid, but lack of coordination and departmentalism (Home Office, Ministry of Health) did their work. Insufficient blankets, no food supplies, no beds or bedding. Mothers crouching on all fours over their babies to protect them from glass in dangerous and unprepared buildings. Others sheltering under railway arches.
Visited the communists [Mr and Mrs Peto, Reading] on Thursday. They seem to think bombing of East End a good thing, as brings their precious revolution one stage nearer. (They are) very pleased that term “refugees” being used as well as "evacuees".
Tuesday, Sept 24th
Raiding on London goes on steadily each night, but sporadic and less intensive than the blitzkrieg of the opening days. On our part, tremendous raids on invasion ports of Antwerp, Dunkirk, Ostend, Calais and Boulogne. Difficult to estimate the effects of our bombing on Germany. The Times says the northern neutrals in Sweden report that civilian population very discouraged by another winter of war and army fed up with failure to reach a decision this summer. Also populations of Hamburg, Bremen and Ruhr very discontented. Heard report from R.A.F. pilot that very little left of Ruhr and people evacuated westward into France to avoid spreading truth about the devastation of Germany itself.
Have decided to give up the Manchester Guardian for the present, as it arrives days late, and take The Times instead, but don’t like it much and it is 1d dearer than Telegraph. Petrol again gone up and is now 2s 0½d a gallon.
The King gave a good speech yesterday from his dugout under Buckingham Palace. Able to say his home has been bombed. Wonder Nazis haven’t said we did it ourselves for propaganda purposes!
An encouraging speech from the economist J. M. Keynes, telling us that so far we are not showing symptoms of inflation.
Just written this when loud bomb explosion and drone of aircraft. Wonder when they will blow the siren! Did for a moment think that it might be a time bomb going off, but don’t think it could have been. Generally when bombs are dropped they come as a salvo of four of five; this was a single one by its sounds.
Keynes on German rationing; “As a method of organizing acute scarcity nothing can be more efficient than this. The elaboration of a system for preventing individuals from doing or getting what they want appears to be a task particularly suited to the Prussian genius.”
Some funny business is taking place at Dakar, where de Gaulle’s free Frenchmen have landed under cover of British warships.
Wednesday, Sept 25th
No papers today, which may be the result of last night’s raids. People sleeping regularly in Tube stations; 3,000 at Piccadilly. One man and wife from Elephant & Castle, whose home had been destroyed, had slept on Piccadilly for eleven nights. Another young wife and baby had been sleeping at Oxford Circus for eight nights. “It is nice and quiet. We don’t hear the bombs drop and we don’t notice the trains.”
Famous last words: “This side of the street is perfectly safe, old boy.”
Did not realize till other day that flying time of fighter aircraft is little over an hour, so advance bases essential. Biggin Hill so badly bombed that although still used by us we blew up the hangars, then left alone.
Saturday, Sept 28th
Ate some stinking fish on Thursday in restaurant in Reading, because too weak to send it back, and very ill yesterday afternoon with shivers and temperature. Had our nearest air raid so far on Thursday night at 5.30 a.m. Parachute flares were dropped and then we heard the bombs whistling down. Was asleep at the time, but rushed into Hilary’s room. He was sitting up in bed and said, “What’s that? I don’t like it!.” Nora took him into her room and he fell asleep again. The bombs fell mainly in the woods on the other side of the river and one in the grounds of Fawley Court. On Friday we had our first air raid during school hours. It lasted about half an hour and everything went smoothly. No bombs were dropped. A quiet night last night and very glad as felt so poorly. This morning N’s mother rang up to say all top windows blown out by bomb that fell in park on other side of the street. The lodgers’ flat’s windows also blown in.
Timothy Auty looked in for tea. Been sleeping in basement flat in Notting Hill on lilo that has a slow puncture. Very fed up with war, though looked well. She says what did we talk about in peacetime. Now in London no one can talk about anything except raids and bombs and swap casualty stories. Tried hard not to talk about our bombs here, but presently Timothy swapped some stories of the Tube subway blown up at Marble Arch and first aid stretcher bearers sorting out the bits. Says damage in West End, apart from John Lewis, which looks like Alcazar, not very noticeable, and bought new coat in Selfridges, which had had some damage done to it.
According to the papers. East End sentiment much upset by burial in shrouds, as no coffins available. Suppose cremation not favoured either, as seems obvious solution.
Have a seismographic door in sitting room which registers slightest bomb vibration. Just gone off, at 8.40 p.m.
Yesterday there were two big daylight raids on London and one on Bristol. – 134 German planes were destroyed and 34 fighters, but 14 pilots safe. The thing now in London is to have roof spotters, and until they report danger imminent, things do not close down after siren, or “alert”, as we are told to call it, goes.
Persistent rumours that invasion attempt has been made and failed disastrously. Some think on Southern Ireland, but Timothy Auty full of story of 40,000 Germans drowned trying to land on Hayling Island. May be of the same order as story that Henley Bridge blown up.
At intervals the door rattles and in the east the barrage rumbles. These seem symbols of evil walking in the darkness.
Sunday, Sept 29th
Today Mr Alp, the lodger, started off very early to collect his furniture from his Chelsea flat, which had the windows blown out last Wednesday. He was back by dinnertime and started bringing in easy chairs. This looks like a permanent occupation, I thought. Nora reminded me how Bloody Florence remarked when they arrived in September, 1939, “We shall only be here for a fortnight, and I replied, “More likely two years”, but if two, why not four?
Story of air raid warden in London who saw some lights coming from a bedroom window and said, “You’ve got a chink in your bedroom.” “Oh, no,” she replied, “He’s a Japanese gentleman.”
Miss Barnes and her mother came in this morning. Her mother now conducts evacuation parties, as the school is occupied by the homeless from Silvertown. They have free meals and are just living there; though billets have been found for them, they refuse to move out, and no one will take responsibility for shifting them out. Apparently in Leyton or thereabouts they dropped a bomb on or near a gasometer, whereat the authorities as a precaution opened the valves and let all the gas out. When later they refilled the mains they did not flush them properly and they all exploded. The roads were just as though a big jig saw puzzle had been messed up, so now no gas in the area and any kind of oil cooker is worth its weight in gold.
Miss Barnes’s school at Pinner spends most of its time in trenches, but decided that school certificate work must go on, so now she shouts down one end of the shelter and some one else bawls at the other. Educational methods of 1940 AD.
Timothy to tea this p.m. Asked if we were going to have inoculations as thinks it probable that the dirt and overcrowding in London Tubes and shelters will produce epidemics. Says she never saw anything like the filth and destitution of the refugees in the Underground at Liverpool Street, even in pre-war Poland.
If epidemics do start, they will have to release doctors from the army. In fact the army might do more than it is doing – e.g. in A.R.P. work in London. When there were no meals for the homeless in London, why didn’t army cooks come in, as in Ohio Valley floods in U.S.A.?
Long discussion after tea on fear and its connection with physical weaknesses, what people fear and so on. Timothy feels less afraid when below ground; once there she can sleep and read. Discussion also on noise and how it varies in a very unaccountable way. Timothy up for a breath of fresh air when a bomb fell near next block of flats, tremendous vibration, but no deafness as a result of explosion.
Heard that old boy, Hunt, had become a kind of “forgotten man”. Drafted from officer producing unit with eight others and then lost track of by authorities. All the rest got their commissions except Hunt and these eight. When brought to the notice of the War Office, offered commission in Indian Army. This they refused, so are now driving lorries, neither privates nor officers. Once you become unstuck in army, it is difficult to get back again, and I dare say they will drive lorries, neither officers nor men, for the duration.
(Added later: Hunt wounded at Anzio, married a German and became British consul in Germany).
Monday, Sept 30th
Charabancs in some parts of London are running 2s 6d trips out of the city to “safe” areas where you can sleep – in the charabanc.
A warning at teatime. Saw some fighters diving very high up for a few seconds, then they were gone. Hardly visible to the naked eye. Tried to put through a call to Malvern, but told two to four hour delay.
Went for a walk up the valley after tea and got some spindle. Reflected that though our civilization has produced the horrors of indiscriminate bombing, the days in which we live bring a heightened appreciation of those unbought pleasures which remain to us. Perhaps in peace we shall find them higher still. I hope so.
Today is the anniversary of Munich. I thought of the other anniversaries, Hitler becomes Chancellor, the Reichstag fire, the murders of June, all when we were at Leicester; the newsboy on a Saturday morning at Oxford with the contents bill announcing the occupation of the Rhineland. And Munich, when as Churchill said, “Everything was thrown away, with its false hopes and deluded crowds cheering peace in our time.” How low England sank and what a terrible price we are paying for the old men’s cowardice, double dealing and folly. The fatuous belief that Mussolini, Hitler and Franco could be bought, the betrayal of the League, of Abyssinia and Republican Spain, of China, of all the liberal ideas for which England’s policy once stood. “Ay. In the catalogue ye go for men.”
Notice I have used the words “contents bill.” The shortage of paper today long ago produced their disappearance. In their place the news agents use blackboards and chalk. This gives them an opportunity for displaying their wit, but they don’t always attain accurate sum.
War is a fascinating subject. Despite the dubious morality of using violence to achieve personal or political aims. It remains that conflict has been used to do just that throughout recorded history.
ReplyDeleteYour article is very well done, a good read.