D +87 Friday 1.9.44
September! Already the evenings & mornings are much colder - particularly the latter. Getting up is something of a problem. No rain last night, & quite fine today, but cooler than of late.
We have done quite well for food lately... thank to the lads scrounging food from people in Pont Audemer. Fortunately, there is much garden produce just now. We have had a few eggs... & plenty of tomatoes. Also lettuce, onions, potatoes. This morning we had tinned bacon, with fried egg & tomatoes for breakfast. Cigarettes are in great demand by local civvies. They were allowed 40 per month by the Germans. Our fellows are using them for bartering. Pestell brought back a full bottle of cognac the other day... genuine stuff... And a bottle of "vin rouge" last night. There seems to be little shortage of wine & spirits here - but maybe present supplies have been kept hidden from the Germans since 1940.
Children seem to delight in visiting this harbour. There must be a couple of dozen here just now. They seem to enjoy fooling with the tank crews. Their language is impossible to follow: they talk too quickly. Rather amusing to watch an argument between a little girl of say eight years with one of our fellows - both speaking their own language.
Latest information is that we are going to move about 30 or 40 miles to join up with the rest of our new brigade. But where? & when? Judging by the radio news, the enemy must be a long way from us now... unless there is a strong pocket at Le Havre. Last night's news announced a 65 mile thrust from the Seine to Amiens in 48 hrs by members of the 2nd Army. And today, the Canadians are nearing Dieppe. Americans 5 miles from Belgium! Can't help wondering what our next role will be. Present pace is certainly too fast for us. Maybe we will have to do some "mopping up".
Heard today that Geary is now in England... in Preston! Leyshon(?) has returned: he remained at Bayeux hospital: self inflicted hand-wound. Mail now coming through OK from Jess....
How long since I heard artillery? Must be days. Remarkably peaceful here. We don't see many aircraft either.... There has been some speculation about Burma! Even rumours that we will be re-fitted & sent out there!
Later. We are moving in the morning... depart 6.40a.m. Destination a forest, about 30 miles distant... further up the Seine. Apparently, bridging is impracticable here as the river is tidal, so we are moving inland to cross. Believe we may be used for assault on Le Havre... if it doesn't fall meanwhile.
We have orders to carry out a "salute" to our late brigadier en route tomorrow. He will be standing at a certain point on the route, & as each tank passes the turret will be traversed & gun dipped. A typical piece of army baloney this, but it may look very effective.
Presume there will be some farewells in Pont Audemer this evening. Some of the inhabitants have been very kind to our lads. Issue of vitamin tablets today.