From the 222 Armoured Squadron Royal Engineers diary from May 1945 VE Day. Granda as to be involved he liked a drink
Not from a war diary, but still made me smile so I thought I'd post this up. It's from a report dated 30.11.39 in CAB63/112 detailing intelligence gathered by the British on the trade negotiations between USSR and Germany after the Soviet-German pact of August 1939. It doesn't sound like the German trade delegation were having a great time! Regards Tom
From WO 171/410, a short extract, that is after some information on weapons being used by 21 Panzer Division (with a nod to Ian T for his leg work at Kew)... 3 Br Inf Div Int Summary No. 14 Based on infm received to 2200 hrs 20 Jun... FD HYGIENE A wise soldier was asked how he got on for washing. He replied: "One day I wash down as far as possible, the next day I wash up as far as possible and on the third day I wash possible."
18th August Florence B.C 446 Bty and I.O. visited FT's at the Ponti Rossi (br across MUGNONE) saw two unattended Jeeps belonging to Sappers. The owners were sniped while lifting mines and booby traps from the crater which was once a bridge. To rescue these trucks the KDG's recce vehicle blazed away with a besa and swung its 2pdr into action. I.O. said: He will fire his 2pdr. B.C. 446 said: They are not allowed to fire 2 (BANG!). O.C 238 Fd Coy and another officer mounted onto the rear of this recce car, drove down to the Jeeps and under extensive covering fire drove back with the Jeeps in reverse at a great rate. At least 200 civilians witnessed this party and cheered the actors.
No.2 Commando War Diary October 1941 Fights between Commandos and Polish troops based in Perth. The last sentence is a gem.
14th May 1944 Anzio 266 Bty showered with propaganda. The much sought after type known as "American Sergeant with girl" (See Lt Beadle's poem. Appx) Strangely, the poem has been removed There was an alternative Leaflet not quite as popular. See attached (From A History of the 67th Field Regt 1939-46)
I remember one war diary, sadly I cannot remember the Regt, other than it was Anti-Aircraft, which during 1940 contained a comment to the effect “afternoon tea was interrupted by an air raid”. That pesky Luftwaffe, no consideration for tradition.
I found this naughty remark about the girth of Reichsmarschall Goering in the 10 Corps Intelligence Summary of 29 September 1943: Signed by a Captain J Clark on behalf of the Brigadier General Staff. Perhaps an indication that the crisis at Salerno was over as there hasn't been much other humour on show in the summaries. Regards Tom
Found this in the Newsletter of 35 Wing RAF during the campaign in NW Europe (from AIR 26/54): The "editor" of the newsletters produced a light read which combines much humour with useful information on the recce ops that the Wing was conducting for 1st Canadian Army at this interesting period. Regards Tom
Some where in my collection I have a post card dating from around 1910 showing a regimental mule out in India, with the name Betty Swallocks. I will see if I can locate it.