D +178 Friday 1.12.44
Had a good sleep last night: my cold doesn't seem to be improving though. Another rainless morning, but dull and cloudy. I suppose we must be grateful for having had two fine days for our journey here. Believe we are moving out some time this afternoon - crossing the Maas bridge at Maastricht about midnight. Some work on the vehicle this morning.
Later. Moving 10.15pm: - bridge 3am. - Fortunately it is fine - with bright moon, but rather cold. Ensa concert this evening: Umpteen tins of M and V (meat and veg.) and concentrated soup for supper: family joined in: they seemed to enjoy it-
D +179 Saturday 2.12.44
Moved out 10.30 last night. My cold not so good, so travelled as passenger - John Oakley commanding. Beautifully fine night: bright moonlight, rather cold, but little wind. Nothing spectacular en route: saw several flying bombs - fiery tails easily visible in darkness. Their launching sites cannot be far away....
Maas river wider than expected - it seemed almost as wide as Thames in London. Road bridge a mass of tangled wreckage, but engineers have built a fine pontoon bridge - we crossed just about 3am. Fair amount of wreckage and bomb damage by bridge, but saw little other damage in outskirts of Maastricht. Eventually harboured 6.30am - on highway amidst civvy houses. Surprising number of people seemed already out of bed, and we soon had civvy billets - thanks to Slade, just beside tank.
No official breakfast laid on - but had snack at billets - and then bed. Five of us in front bedroom - two large beds, self and Pedder in one - Slade Ward and Crick in the other. Slept until 12 noon - and then a meal. Saw M.O. after lunch: have to remain in bed. Wet afternoon - very miserable. We are being treated here as members of the family and with much kindness. Spent this evening in the sitting room with the family - warm and cosy. Slade out at dance with daughter.
This house is on high ground - perhaps 2 or 3 hundred feet above surrounding country. It is the first high ground I have seen in Holland. From the rear windows - looking across the town (Brunssum) with its coal mines etc, the German frontier is clearly visible 2 or 3 Kms away.
Am not certain of location of actual front line, but have heard distant gunfire during the day. To bed fairly early - don't feel so good.
D +180 Sunday 3.12.44
Am having my meals in the house - Slade is acting as my waiter. Bed collapsed this am just after we were called - Hell of a din - Must have been Pedder's weight. Another wet day. Parade 8.30 for whole squadron - except sick -! To M.O.'s again 10.0am. Ordered back to bed. Eric Ward heard of father's sudden death: hope he gets leave.
D +181 Monday 4.12.44
Breakfast in bed: feel a bit screwy. M.O. called about noon: ordered to remain in bed tomorrow. Beastly day: raining, windy and cold. Am thankful to be indoors. Rest of sqdn. working on vehicles - for about an hour each morning -! Spent most of day in bed.
Up at tea time - much to the disgust of our hostess. Her attentions are really embarrassing: tea or coffee every hour: two bowls of soup etc: whisky last evening: "you sick" she keeps reminding me. Three former lodgers arrived this evening - 4/7, a Sherman outfit: (4th/7th Dragoon Guards, equipped with American Sherman tanks.) hell of a crowd in the house. They departed 10 o'clock. Not much peace for writing, but wrote short note to Jess. Recd. two letters from J.