22nd October 1943

Friday

Fine day.  Another raid on London last night, but we are assured that it is “negligible”.  Sisson told me last night that everybody in London is making a lot of fuss about these continual raids, as they have now had a week of disturbed nights.  Feeling of quiet depression, a succession of dull dark winters stretching away in the distance.

Molly Blomfield phoned this morning, about a letter to the National Buildings Record.  Her voice sounded dreadful.  Poulter went to her brother's funeral this afternoon at Lexden. 

Got away at quarter to 6, clouds coming up, and rain began just as I got to the cottage.  Found the radio was almost dead, usually a sign of a raid, and before 7 heard the most tremendous gunfire I have ever heard.  It went on in a continuous rumbling roar in the west, obviously London direction.  The clouds were low, and there was heavy rain.  I have never seen an attack in such weather.  It sounded like a very big raid indeed.  One or two planes came over going out, and the Harwich guns fired at them.

The row went on for quite 40 minutes, but there was no sound of bombs falling in the District.  About 9 the wireless came on again and nothing more occurred.  Sat writing and reading until nearly two when the sky was clear, with a crescent moon, but no planes were about.  I hope nothing very serious has happened in London.