Читать книгу We Were Young and at War: The first-hand story of young lives lived and lost in World War Two - Sarah Wallis - Страница 54

Dear Trudie,

The best news yet, I am in the Home Guard. I’ve had three rifle drills up to now and I do my first duty from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, three hours duty, the rest asleep on the floor ready for action. What we want is not to shoot the Bosche but to bayonet him. That which the Germans don’t like, cold steel. The General in command said our motto shall be:’Kill the Bosche’ and shoot to kill. Done a fine bit of work today, cleaned 20 rifles with Dad. No so bad, eh? Our house is simply littered with field dressings, supplies of uniforms, steel helmets, ammunition and I don’t know what.

You have a sensible choice of your ideal man. Most girls have soft ideas such as having a chap with his hair parted in the centre.

By jingo I’m looking forward to receiving the record of your voice. If it’s unbreakable you can send it at once, can’t you?

The Royal Air Force are distinctly puzzled. For years they have had no rivalry—met no serious competitors in matters of the fair sex. But now the Poles. No one quite knows what it is about the Poles. The girls are not very helpful about it. They just make silly cooing noises and go all goofy when you ask them. ‘Ooh! They’re too wonderful!’ is all you get. It is all very mysterious and galling for the Don Juans of the RAF. Also it’s impossible to tell a Pole who had just pinched your girl what you think of him. It is a waste of words, and you cannot very well hit a brave ally over a little thing like that.

Last night and the night before we were in the dugout but no bombs were dropped. A week ago three bombs were dropped 2 miles away. All three failed to explode.

I read some more articles about the Americans who think we are starving. They have offered to send food here. Do not believe it we have plenty. I am eating more than ever.

I am going to stay in bed if they come over tonight and get up if the bombs begin to fall.

Why are you not asking me questions? I’ve run dry because I’ve no questions to answer!

Questions:

What is your attitude to the idea of compulsory military training?

Are you doing any sunbathing?

How do you wear your hair?

Hoping you’re okay and having a fine time.

Yours,

Brian

Before the German troops could cross the Channel, the Luftwaffe needed to establish air superiority. Herbert was now stationed on the northern coast of France, near Calais, as 11 August, the date set for the Luftwaffe to intensify its daylight raids on Britain, drew closer.