tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48417187181954478082024-02-20T10:24:38.842+00:00WW2: A Civilian in the Second World WarThis blog posts extracts from E J Rudsdale's diaries of life on the home front in Britain during the Second World War.
Each extract was posted exactly 70 years after it was first written, marking the 70th anniversary of the Second World War between 2009-2015.
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.comBlogger1666125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-16991535446166533292021-03-03T09:51:00.003+00:002021-03-03T10:03:35.359+00:00<p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">New Book: </span><i style="color: #2b00fe;">They Stand Beside Us - The lives of Old Colcestrians who died in the Second World War</i></span></b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW001Dds67aAnglj6SVpZZDcmF8SjEs6EHsblmI65Wvbg0QMUviGaG0PaRkoSBO1O7t_rYXTzGcR5yf8rAFur7aLulGM_CnefI4KREstLYI6MBfz22Wp6deWpwWC2CuO89Og_YkGf0FVUm/s875/TSBUsm.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="600" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW001Dds67aAnglj6SVpZZDcmF8SjEs6EHsblmI65Wvbg0QMUviGaG0PaRkoSBO1O7t_rYXTzGcR5yf8rAFur7aLulGM_CnefI4KREstLYI6MBfz22Wp6deWpwWC2CuO89Og_YkGf0FVUm/w150-h220/TSBUsm.jpeg" width="150" /></a></p><p><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I can highly recommend this recently published book, which tells the story of 73 former pupils and staff of Colchester Royal Grammar School who gave their lives during the Second World War. E.J. Rudsdale was a former CRGS student and many of the names of the fallen appear in his journals. The book is a very well researched account and a fitting memorial to those who lost their lives. The contributors are Neil Brinded, Michael Green, Laurie Holmes, Col. Richard Kemp, Peter Rowbottom and Paul Ma. Copies can be purchased from the </span><a href="https://oldcolcestrians.org/product/they-stand-beside-us/" target="_blank">Old Colcestrian Society</a><span style="color: #2b00fe;">. </span></i></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i>CP - 3rd March 2021</i></span></p>E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-10186291681855928072020-05-08T06:30:00.000+01:002020-05-08T06:30:01.678+01:00The 75th Anniversary of VE Day - 8th May 2020<span style="color: blue;"><i>Five years ago, on the 8th May 2015, the publication of E.J. Rudsdale's wartime journals on this blog, came to an end and today we mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day. Living under the restrictions imposed by lockdown for Covid-19, has given me an even greater appreciation of those who lived under the restrictions of the Second World War for six long years. The celebrations for VE Day in 1945, and the freedom that it bought to so many, would have been mingled with sadness for those who had not lived to see that day.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>I hope all of you who continue to enjoy E.J. Rudsdale's wartime journals stay well and keep safe as we look forward to the time when we can also experience freedom from restrictions again.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Wishing you well,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Catherine Pearson</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i>8th May 2020</i></span>E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-60999948423413812032020-04-24T11:44:00.005+01:002022-01-23T17:20:09.556+00:00A Play to Mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day<div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgauRVirQ9SUTWIr23nYyeDyKm98g832JgqtvsBnQRgAubhRVfR5ZCxCoi0JAJXMjYBFTktkJ8-Uctv3IOntBghCCW7EJU7IdG8Am7OQVvAXJ9NQDccTO4P646XQ9_RumAjslbHkXXJ6-f4BogyEFqCpfNKeoURgTc7GU3u7SDS-jzHZN0daQ7qZI1noQ=s170" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="170" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgauRVirQ9SUTWIr23nYyeDyKm98g832JgqtvsBnQRgAubhRVfR5ZCxCoi0JAJXMjYBFTktkJ8-Uctv3IOntBghCCW7EJU7IdG8Am7OQVvAXJ9NQDccTO4P646XQ9_RumAjslbHkXXJ6-f4BogyEFqCpfNKeoURgTc7GU3u7SDS-jzHZN0daQ7qZI1noQ" width="170" /></a></div></i></div><i><span style="color: blue;">To mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, I have been inspired to write a play, entitled <b>'Forewarned is Forearmed'</b> based on E.J. Rudsdale's diary account of his experiences of serving in the Royal Observer Corps. Rudsdale, himself, wrote a play about this experience, entitled 'Fox One', the name of the ROC Post where he served, but the play is sadly lost. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="color: blue;">If you would be interested in performing the play, please <a href="mailto:catherinehellen7@gmail.com">contact me</a> for details. The play is approximately 30 minutes in length, has six characters, and is set on a Royal Observer Corps post in Essex in 1944.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: blue;">Many thanks, </span></i><i><span style="color: blue;">Catherine Pearson</span></i>E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-10561040666595651912015-05-09T07:00:00.000+01:002019-08-11T15:18:41.694+01:009th May 1945 - VE Day Celebrations<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Wednesday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Warm. Showers at
times. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The great victory parades in the
Park this morning. Hymns being
sung. Saw they came back to the
Bridge. Big crowds on the
pavements. The Town Council came, some
in a taxi and some walking, the police officers and the Mayor’s Beadle with the
mace. They all stood on the steps of the
Clarkson Memorial and a man took photos. The band stood alongside. The sun shone just after a shower, and the
band of the cadets came through the High St, with the young drum-major striding
in front, and behind him a tiny boy with a huge mastiff, as the “regimental
mascot”. Then the Home Guard, aged, fat, thin,
grey, shambling, plenty of officers. The
Civil Defence – Penny and his man in front, Jones and the heavy rescue men, ambulance men,
nurses, sea-cadets, girl cadets, Women's Voluntary Service, even fireguards in uniform (never seen
anything like this before) and curious grey uniformed girls of the Salvation Army looking
like camp followers of the Civil War.
Boys and Girls Life Brigades and tiny children in various uniforms. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As each platoon or group drew level with the Clarkson Memorial, an
officer or leader would call “Eyes Right” in ranging tones of military volume
and the Mayor solemnly lifted his cocked hat.
Incredible how many Home Guards and Civil Defence people there are in this small town.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Going through old market, met a man leading two thoroughbreds
and wheeling a bicycle. Helped him round
to Hancroft Road where he turned them out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
To Museum, finished Townsend case, which now looks very
well. Letter from Miss Peckover in answer to
mine of yesterday to say she will serve as President again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Crowds outside all the fish shops, waiting for the usual
Fenland dinner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Went to Warby’s this evening. Elm bells ringing, St George’s
flag waving on tower, flags on most of cottages. Glorious evening,
clear washed skies, one or 2 Lancasters sailing over, I suppose full of
released prisoners. The cuckoos calling,
distant cattle lowing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Saw the German camp at Waldersey, the men playing football with a big crowd, and a cottage opposite
covered with flags. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Back to Oldfield at 8.30, cuckoos still calling.
Down Elm Rd, chestnuts full of gigantic candles, cuckoos, wood pigeons and rooks cawing ceaselessly. Crowds coming out
of the town from the “celebrations”.<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
*****</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Seventy years after the end of the Second World War, this is the last diary entry for E.J. Rudsdale's wartime blog. I would like to sincerely thank all of you who have followed the blog over nearly six years and particularly those who have contributed comments and insights, which have enhanced the blog and my knowledge of this period considerably. </i></span><i style="color: blue;"> Special thanks to regular contributors Mike, (who has given us such useful information on monetary values from the time), Jane and Robin.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<i style="color: blue;"><br /></i><span style="color: blue;"><i>The publication of the blog has enabled E.J. Rudsdale's journals to reach a worldwide audience and has allowed greater detail from his diaries to be published beyond that which it was possible to include in the book, 'E.J. Rudsdale's Journals of Wartime Colchester'.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: blue;"><i>The blog has made many connections for people researching their Essex family history in this period and it has been a joy to receive details of your stories and research in this regard.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: blue;"><i>I hope to publish E.J. Rudsdale's peacetime journals for Colchester from 1920 to 1939 and for Wisbech from 1945 to 1951 in the future and details will be published on this website at a future date.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: blue;"><i>Thank you again for your loyal support and kind encouragement. It has been a great pleasure to share E.J. Rudsdale's experiences of the Second World War with you.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: blue;"><i>With best wishes, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>Catherine Pearson</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: blue;"><i>9th May 2015</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<b>Afterword: E.J. Rudsdale after the Second World War</b></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;">
E.J. Rudsdale continued to serve as Curator and Librarian at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Wisbech</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place> up to the late 1940s. His father, John Rudsdale, died in 1946. Rudsdale, himself, never married. In 1949, Rudsdale was appointed Consultant Archaeologist at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Scarborough</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place> for nine months but was hampered by poor health and subsequently resumed his post at Wisbech. Throughout the rest of his life, Rudsdale continued to maintain his journal on a regular basis. He also kept in close contact with events in <st1:place w:st="on">Colchester</st1:place> through friends such as Hervey Benham and Harold Poulter. (Poulter continued to live at Hollytrees Museum until his death in 1962). Rudsdale published articles on the history of <st1:place w:st="on">Colchester</st1:place> in the <i>Essex Review</i> in the post-war years and became a founder member of the Friends of Colchester Museums in 1949. In November 1951, he underwent an emergency operation for appendicitis but died of kidney failure on 14 November 1951, at the early age of 41. His journals were later bequeathed to Essex Record Office. The inscription on his tombstone in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Wisbech</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Cemetery</st1:placetype></st1:place> states: ‘He studied and preserved antiquities’. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;">
Shocked by the news of his death, his friends in <st1:place w:st="on">Colchester</st1:place> raised sufficient funds for a museum display case to be purchased in his memory and his name is commemorated in the naming of a road, <st1:street w:st="on">Rudsdale Way</st1:street>, in the Prettygate district of the town. Rudsdale, himself, however, had more modest ideas of a memorial. Lying ill with bronchitis in 1949, he re-wrote his will and, with thoughts of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Colchester</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>, stated that after his debts had been settled:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: start;">
'Any residue to Colchester Corporation with the request that they shall place a small tablet in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Castle</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Tower</st1:placetype></st1:place>, as follows:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: center;">
In Memory</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: center;">
Of</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: center;">
E.J. Rudsdale, 1910-19??</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: center;">
Who loved <st1:place w:st="on">Colchester</st1:place></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: center;">
Here he liked to stand on a</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: center;">
Summer afternoon'</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;">
It is hoped that his wishes for such a memorial may one day be realised.</div>
</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-79994538088577606232015-05-08T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-08T07:00:03.664+01:008th May 1945 - VE Day<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Tuesday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Nightmare about 5am, of sirens blowing in Colchester. I was cycling along Magdalen St and turned up
Military Rd just as they began.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Breakfast at 9, a bright sunny morning, the sound of
Walsoken bells on the breeze. The old
sweep, Wiseman, came by whistling his interminable hymn – </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
'Now praise we all our God</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
With heart and hand and voices – '</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
over and over again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The woman next door was hanging out flags, and Mrs. Burnett was
busy spring cleaning the dining room.
Flags all down Norwich Rd, milk and papers being delivered, and a British Liberation Army man
just come on leave, carrying his pack, and shouting to a woman “I’ll be glad to get
my boots off.” Norfolk St a mass of
flags. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Museum open, and Miss Thompson not
quite sure whether the war was over of not.
Several people came in, and Edwards turned up at 10.30 and stayed until
nearly 12. Began to take the cover off the Townsend case, and did a
little in the Library. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Announcer van
going round the streets saying there would be services at 4 o’clock today, and
that the King will speak tonight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This afternoon quite a number came in, including four Women's Land Army girls. One, who came from Newcastle, said in the course of conversation that she had always believed that Wales was an island. I mentioned Dorothy L. Sayers book, 'The Nine Tailors' [which is set in the Fens], but none
had even heard of her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The church bells began to ring shortly after 3, first single
bells, then peels, then great clashing chords.
The service at 4 was well attended, big crowds going through the Square,
women dressed in their best. Some people
stood round the West doorway and I could hear the hymn “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past.” After the service the bells began again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
To my surprise and delight Sisson walked in, on his way from King's Lynn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-19825399279422809372015-05-07T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-07T07:00:06.911+01:007th May 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Monday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Heard a cuckoo this morning about
6. Busy day. Committee meeting at 11.30, only six members
came, with dear old Guy Pearson in the chair.
I presented the 109<sup>th</sup> Annual Report, which was accepted. Among the gifts was the metal cannister which
contained the bombs dropped on 17<sup> </sup>March. The ARP people apparently don't want this, so
we’ve taken it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The meeting then adjourned at
precisely 12 noon to the Library, when 5 more members arrived. <i>Not a
single subscriber turned up!</i> Edwards
assured me that this was quite in order.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We then did the whole thing all
over again, and elected the Officers and Committee. Miss Peckover was made President once more,
although it is hardly likely that she will ever again attend a meeting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Then they made a presentation to
poor old Edwards – a cheque for £25, as a token of their regard for his 22
years service. The old fellow was most
moved, while I sat gazing down the corridors of time at 1967. Meeting ended quarter to one. This is really farcical, and next year we
must make some sort of arrangement to have it at a more convenient time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And now it is nearly midnight,
and the war is over. All day there was
an air of expectancy, with the press yelling “any moment now”. Then at last the announcement came on the
radio at 8 p.m. – tomorrow and Wednesday are to be holidays, all shops
shut. The Swifts were very pleased. There is a total German surrender to all the
allies, but the Russian attitude is still not clear. By this evening there were flags all over the
streets, people standing in little groups, people carrying flags, (even quite
small Jacks on sticks cost 10/-). Went
into Porper’s bookshop, and a woman came in and said “I think I’ll buy a book –
just to celebrate.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And so ends this long and
disastrous war, and I find myself alive and well, with a home and my books
intact. But amidst all the rejoicings
there must indeed inevitably be sadness – what will the poor firewatchers do
now? What can take the place of those
happy hours in the Control Room and Report Centre?</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-16363518055627910812015-05-06T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-06T07:00:00.497+01:006th May 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Sunday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Went to Elm in the afternoon, and
saw Warby. Then to the “Limes” for
tea. Mrs. Coulter very happy about the
imminent “peace”, but still a little nervous that even now the Germans may
think up some trick or other. Hundreds
of heavy bombers going out as I came home.
Did some writing and to bed at midnight.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-61926161605293348582015-05-05T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-05T07:00:10.585+01:005th May 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Saturday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Still no news of “peace”, but an
air of expectancy in the Market, with everybody anxiously buying in stocks of
food as if for a siege rather than to celebrate a victory. Saw Jones, Deputy Surveyor, who mentioned
that the Ministry of Home Security had sent out a circular regarding the
recruiting of volunteers for a <i>permanent</i>
Civil Defence. There was no practice
siren today.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-16494284459552616302015-05-04T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-04T07:00:05.410+01:004th May 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Friday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Cold and sunny. Work on the Annual
Report. ARP still packing, but Penny
cannot give any date when they are likely to be clear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
At 11 there was news of a big
German surrender in the North, yet tonight the bombers still stream out in the
dark. They may be taking out food,
perhaps.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Going home through the Park this
evening, saw a group of Italians standing by the gate laughing and
chattering. A little wizened man walking towards me looked at them and said “Look at the bastards! There’ll be some trouble here, when our boys
get back from the 8<sup>th</sup> Army!
You see if there isn't! They’ll
cut the buggers’ throats for ‘em!” but the Italians kept on laughing and
talking, quite unaware that the funny little man a few yards away wished
to encompass their violent deaths.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-4679681446253003032015-05-03T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-03T07:00:07.457+01:003rd May 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Thursday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Bitterly cold, and rain at times,
very overcast and dark. Edwards came,
looking worse than ever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Finished all the notices for the
meeting, and Girling came in with the balance sheet, which is a poor piece of
work and shows a very unhealthy position.
Grants from Borough and County will be our only hope. Must work on this. Don't like W.R. Girling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Out after tea delivering
notices. The sun was a hazy golden ball
behind high thin clouds, and two or three old men and old women were standing
by the churchyard railings at the end of Norfolk Street, where they always
stand, gossiping in harsh voices.
Had to go along <st1:street w:st="on">Harecroft
Road</st1:street>, past the circus, but no sign of the gypsy
and the Pekinese.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The ARP men in the basement all
day, definitely moving. Almost
impossible to believe.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-18472678302982792552015-05-02T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-02T16:06:08.494+01:002nd May 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Wednesday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Cold but sunny. In the papers that Civil Defence Corps
“stands down” today. It was true – Penny
was below, packing up papers. Went to <st1:street w:st="on">Barton Rd</st1:street> and
demanded the return of our table. Penny
asked me to leave the chairs down below a <i>little</i>
longer, otherwise they would have nothing to sit on!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Saw a circus moving into the
field in <st1:street w:st="on">Harecroft Road</st1:street>. A motor van had stuck, and by the side of it
stood a very pretty dark gypsy girl holding a can of petrol in one hand and a
Pekinese in the other, while a lame man fitted a funnel to the tank.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Old Edwards came in for nearly 2
hours, quite preventing me from working on the stuff for the Annual Meeting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Rain began this afternoon. Tonight bombers were going out <i>en masse</i>, perhaps carrying food for the
Dutch. The 9 o’clock news tonight
reported a general surrender in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region>,
capitulation of an army of over a million men. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Soon after 10 tonight Jones,
Deputy Surveyor called, and was talking about “peace celebrations”. Apparently there are rifts in the lute –
the schools are not going to any parades, and some sections of the Civil
Defence won’t go either because they loathe the Controller, Ollard. All people want to do is to forget about the
whole affair.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Air raid alarms are now
ended. How very, very strange that
is. So the alarm on 26 March really <i>was</i> the last.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Colchester Gazette came
today. Poor old Smith is dead, at
87. What a farrier he was, and what a
man for the hackneys! Wrote to Hilda
tonight.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-8451463584007912062015-05-01T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-02T16:09:11.841+01:001st May 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Tuesday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Cold, with bitter wind. Had a fire in the office. Miss Thompson furious. Dealt with an accumulation of letters and
sent out the notices for the Annual Meeting.
Papers full of gloating accounts (with photographs) of the murder of
Mussolini and his woman.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sub-Committee, Levers, old
Edwards, and Wolton, to consider whether surplus fiction ought to be offered to
the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Library</st1:placename></st1:place>.
Decided more or less “no”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Wrote to Ann, and suggested going
in June, cannot manage to get away this month.
Wrote to Cyril Fox about the Mithraeum iron shackles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After tea went down to the
Vicarage paddock. The trench has cut
through the mound near the S. boundary of the field, and reveals that there
is a large dyke on the other side.
Nothing but late 17C sherds thrown up so far, a few meat-bones. The mound is very fragmentary, and seems to
run more or less parallel with the field boundary without any signs of returns.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Tonight called at the
Swifts’. Mr and Mrs Jewson were
there. He was in civilian clothes and
looked very well. Said that all prison
camps had secret radios (there were three in his) which were dismantled and the
parts carried by numbers of men when the camps were moved. On these radios instructions were received
from “secret sources”, he said, but did not seem very willing to say what the
instructions were. Nothing, we hope,
against the Geneva Convention.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Listening to the radio tonight at
10.30, there came the sudden news that Hitler is dead. So both the leaders are gone, two men in
large part responsible for the most appalling misery known in the world. Hitler is thought to have
committed suicide, but the facts are still obscure. At 11p.m. came the news that Admiral Donitz
at <st1:city w:st="on">Flensburg</st1:city>
has declared himself “Fuhrer”.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-5270497110875049672015-04-30T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-02T16:06:45.187+01:0030th April 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Monday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
During the night, dreamt of trees
covered with snow, and that I was standing on a leaded roof, looking at the
scene. Amazed to wake up and find that
there <i>was</i> snow, falling thick and
heavy, driven by a strong N.W. wind, a most extraordinary sight. What could be the meaning of the dream? Could I in some way have been “projected”
onto the roof during the night?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Had a hurried breakfast arranged
to send cycle off by train, and caught bus to <st1:place w:st="on">Colchester</st1:place>. Snow was still falling fast, and people in <st1:street w:st="on">Dedham Street</st1:street>
battled against the blizzard. Got to <st1:place w:st="on">Colchester</st1:place>
at 9, still snowing. Went straight home
– Father, taking a look at the weather, refused to get up, but Miss Payne lit the
fire and he did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Left at 10.30, and went up the
road to the War Agricultural Committee office. <st1:place w:st="on">Maidstone</st1:place> very pleased to see me, and soon had me hard at
it settling queries of one sort or another.
The old place is quite changed now that Captain Folkard is no longer there. Strange to think that A G Wright lived in
this house.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Had lunch with Diana then to the
Library to see “Essex Review” back volumes and to the Holly Trees. Poulter still on the theme: “It’s a pity you ever
left – what a fool you were!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sun came out at lunch time, and
the snow vanished as mysteriously as it came.
Looked in at the theatre to see Di again, had tea with her and caught
5.25. A huge ambulance train was in the
bay at the back of the up platform, the upside approach blocked by police, with
buses, ambulances and lorries standing about.
This is the only ambulance train I have seen during this war, but I can
remember them arriving at St. Botolph’s Station more than 25 years ago, and the
wounded men, often caked in Flanders mud, going up to the hospitals in open
private cars, amidst the cheers of the large crowds which always used to
gather.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Snowball was on the train as far
as <st1:place w:st="on">Ipswich</st1:place>.
A good many Americans got on at Bury. March at 8.30, and at last Wisbech at quarter to
10.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-82639911629798860482015-04-29T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-02T16:07:03.399+01:0029th April 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Sunday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Cold, but sunny. A late breakfast while <st1:place w:st="on">Dedham</st1:place> took itself to church. Left at 12, had a cup of tea and a sandwich
at Gunhill Café and went slowly to Boxted.
Called on the Roses’, who seemed glad to see me. Stayed to tea, and then took the old track
over the watermeadows to Higham, in the hope that Jacquie might be at the
cottage, but alas she was not. They have
moved back to either <st1:city w:st="on">Portsmouth</st1:city> or <st1:place w:st="on">Southampton</st1:place>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Back to <st1:city w:st="on">Dedham</st1:city>, and spent a delightful evening in
talk and idle chatter – idle, but very pleasant.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-2253366470443323492015-04-28T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-02T16:10:14.177+01:0028th April 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Saturday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Up early, fine and cold, and got
into <st1:place w:st="on">Colchester</st1:place> by 9.30. Went straight to 66 Winnock Road, and found Father very
well. Stayed over an hour –
then went to Holly Trees and saw Poulter, who had no particular news. Went on to Essex County Standard office, saw dear Mary Ralling and
had a talk with Hervey Benham. Lunch at Last’s
with Diana. Home again in the afternoon
and stayed there to tea. The old man in
great form.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Left at 7, and cycled out to <st1:place w:st="on">Dedham</st1:place>, Long talk with Marjorie Sisson about Bourne Mill. Hard to saw what can be done.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-1341783690134894952015-04-27T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-02T16:07:18.083+01:0027th April 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Friday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Fine but cold. Left on 11.10 for <st1:place w:st="on">Cambridge</st1:place>.
Went to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Archaeology</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place>, where all is
still in confusion. Went to the <st1:street w:st="on">Mill Lane</st1:street> rooms to
hear Sir Cyril Fox talk on the wonderful finds in Llyn Cenig, Yuys Fon, which
he did very well indeed. The amount of
material recovered is amazing, and the condition of the iron work is so good
that it is almost impossible to realise its true age. Afterwards had the chance to talk to him for
a few minutes about the slave chains in the Mithraeum, of which he had no note
or record. He seemed very well and full
of energy. Did not like to ask after
Iorwerth Peate, in view of what had happened at Am. Gen. in these recent years. <span style="color: blue;"><i>Dr Iorwerth Peate, a Curator at the National Museum of Wales had been dismissed from his post by Sir Cyril Fox for registering as a conscientious objector but was reinstated by the Museum's Board of Governors.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Left Cambridge on the 5.12, got
to <st1:place w:st="on">Colchester</st1:place> just after 7.30. Cycled out by way of Boxted to <st1:place w:st="on">Dedham</st1:place>. Great activity on the aerodrome. Full moon tonight. Sisson made me very welcome, had supper and
went to bed at 11, after the most delightful chatter.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-86289650674740319822015-04-26T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-02T16:07:30.966+01:0026th April 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Thursday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Fine and cool. Spent all day in the Library. Edwards in for an hour this afternoon. At 5, saw four undertaker’s men taking a
coffin into the church through the West door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In the town today saw Mrs Jewson
walking with her husband, now back from the German prison camp.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Churchill firmly announces the
last of the rockets. Hope he is right
for once. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Phoned to Sissons' this evening,
and arranged to go there tomorrow night.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-36912261828998180722015-04-25T07:00:00.000+01:002015-05-02T16:07:50.210+01:0025th April 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Wednesday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Beautiful day, slight frost
early. Confused tormenting dreams. Spent morning in the Library, and the nprepared draft of report for the Annual Meeting next month. This afternoon Mrs Munday sent £3.3 for
Edwards’ testimonial, bringing total to just over £20 – not quite £1 for each
year he has been here!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This evening went to the sewer
excavation in the Vicarage paddock. At
the W. end there is a burst layer, with bricks, stoneware sherds, oysters, and
fragments of stone, apparently late 17<sup>th</sup> century.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The foreman of the job told me
that he was in the Suffolks at Meanee Barracks in 1904, and remembered the
murder of Maude Lewis. He also
remembered the great “invasion” manoeuvres, and saw von Kluck and his staff
there. He sleeps in the wooden hut on
the site, because beds are impossible to find in Wisbech. His wife had been bombed and buried in <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>, and he had had
“three fine sons” killed in the war. In
the air-raid a picture of Jesus was unharmed.
This impressed him enormously.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Very bad ‘plane crash near Bury St Edmund’s
yesterday morning. Glorious moon
tonight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This evening a wonderful
Hogarthian scene in Norfolk Street – a girl of about 15, half undressed, was
standing in a doorway screaming filthy obscenities at two Yankees who were
retreating hurriedly, while an elder sister tried to pull her back.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-24094764109025119062015-04-24T07:00:00.000+01:002015-04-24T07:00:09.402+01:0024th April 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Tuesday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Cold but fine. A little frost last night, and the fruit
people are beginning to worry. The
blossom is so early this year that late frosts will be very bad. Worked hard in the Library all day, made
myself feel quite ill. Wrote to
Father. Endless trouble all day with children coming into the Museum.
Old Edwards called looking very bad.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This evening went to cinema and
saw “Horse Sense”, very well done and most enjoyable. Talking to Miss Brewer very late, which I much
enjoy, but Bennison sat us out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Heard a heavy distant explosion as I came home at 10 o’clock. </div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-15084362358085015222015-04-23T07:00:00.000+01:002015-04-23T07:00:12.736+01:0023rd April 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Monday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Cold but sunny. ‘Planes flying low over the town all day,
making a hideous noise. Had a request
from the Librarian of Bedford College for permission to study the MSS in the
Town Library. Got them out and checked
them. They are all in very bad
condition, and need a lot of repair.
Worked in the Library all the afternoon and evening, checked and listed
the Dickens’ first editions, and discovered Moore’s “Life of Byron” with an
inscription from Moore to Sam Rogers, inside which is a copy of the pamphlet
written by Lady Noel Byron in reply, with her autograph. Must tell Margaret Sherry. Worked until 9.30.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On Saturday
afternoon some Coastal Command aircraft, quite by accident, intercepted 18
German torpedo bombers 150 miles off the Scots coast, and brought down 9.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-1976678064683497162015-04-22T07:00:00.000+01:002015-04-22T07:00:01.283+01:0022nd April 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Sunday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Cold and blustery. Cycled to Elm this afternoon. Went to tea at the “Limes”, met a young man
named Henderson, a musician. Cycled home
by the light of a cold brilliant moon.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-58838072407352507882015-04-21T07:00:00.000+01:002015-04-21T07:00:06.611+01:0021st April 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Saturday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Cold and blustery. Heard ‘planes going out early and a lot more
after breakfast. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Essex County Standard came by the second post, and
has reports of two cases of raids on bogus “clubs” to stop illicit
drinking. In one case the “stoolpigeon”
was an American army captain, who went in with two police-women. This is quite a new departure in dirty
tricks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
At lunch-time young Mrs. Jewson
called at the Swifts’, and said she was expecting to hear any moment that her
husband had been flown home from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region>.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-49877249690862793552015-04-20T07:00:00.000+01:002015-04-20T07:00:07.281+01:0020th April 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Friday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The weather still fine, hot and
summery, a wonderful spring. A little
cloud came up this afternoon. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
All black-out restrictions are to be lifted next week, except for a 10
mile belt round the coast, where lights might help submarines to take a bearing
or to shell a town. (There is a rumour
going round that a sub: shelled <st1:place w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:place>
recently). In “event of a raid” lights
are to be extinguished, but as gas-lamps can't be turned off, (as we know full
well here after last month’s experience) there seems little point in such an
order.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Cooler towards the evening and a
heavy shower at 7, then about 10.30 a tremendous thunderstorm for an hour and a
half. Spent the time talking to Dorothy
Brewer about my “Fox One” manuscript. She seemed to
like it and thought it had a good chance for publication.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-41191194135956633722015-04-19T07:00:00.000+01:002015-04-19T07:00:07.907+01:0019th April 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Thursday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Fine and warm. Very odd thing – an auction sale in the
Market Place of the furniture and fittings from <st1:place w:st="on">Jackson</st1:place>’s old office. Amongst them were sold several dozen
deed-boxes, with the names of old Fen families and estates painted on
them. One had belonged to the Revd.
Caliphronas of West Walton, the Greek who was a friend of Chauncey Hare Townshend,
and another had the name of Ald. Girling’s father. There is quite a lot of chatter about this,
as it was felt to be rather indecent to expose private boxes, even through
empty, to a public sale. People have of course
no idea of the way in which the firm had treated the contents of those boxes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Spent most of the day sorting and
listing the MSS and other material which we recovered on Monday.</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4841718718195447808.post-65531396474669526672015-04-18T07:00:00.000+01:002015-04-18T07:00:01.760+01:0018th April 1945<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Wednesday</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yet another fine hot day. Press hard put to find a reason for the
postponement of Churchill’s “end of the war”.
It seems (reading between the lines) that two or three factors have been
overlooked, viz:</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Germans</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Americans</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->3)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Russians</div>
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<br /></div>
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All the papers make a great deal
about the air manoeuvres over <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>
last night, or rather couple of nights.
First the Americans spent several hours flying bombers over the city,
very low, then the RAF came over “in force”, dropping flares. Apparently everybody was much alarmed, and
there have been some curious references to the affairs in Parliament. This morning, between 11 and 12, about a
hundred Forts and Liberators circled at 4000 feet or so, S.W. of the town. Are these “demonstrations”? If so, whom are they directed against?</div>
E J Rudsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11884606063821044751noreply@blogger.com0