D +209 Monday 1.1.45
Usual routine. Visited M.O. this evening. Still freezing: roads very bad... Some heavy drinking here last evening. Several family relations turned up, and they joined in with the S.S.M.'s Whisky and Beer. By midnight, several were drunk - viz SSM, SQMS, and at least two of the relations, including the "Gremlin". (In a letter home RTG describes the "Gremlin" as a cousin of his host. No explanation for the name.)
Heard the radio at midnight - including a few phrases of Hitler's broadcast - and the Solemn Melody: Lovely to hear such music after the row of the evening.
Low flying enemy plane over the tanks this morning - FW.190. Usual flying bombs about every half hour. Several of the darned things passed by last evening and exploded in the Liège area. We may move tomorrow - but imagine this will depend upon the roads. No mail again today - last letter from Jess Xmas Eve..... According to the Q, we are no longer with 34TK. BR. but attached to 51HD. Presume we are now on our own as a battn. Another invitation for this evening - this time to the house of the cousin - the Gremlin.
D +210 Tuesday 2.1.45
Very cold again this morning - roads impassable for tanks: definite that we cannot move under these conditions. Plenty of our aircraft during the morning, but NO flying bombs!! Commenced to snow lunch time, quite heavily. Tank crews working on the roads this afternoon, sprinkling dirt to make them safer for pedestrians.
Fairly quiet "party" last evening, altho' there was some drinking. Gremlin rather subdued: his orgy of the previous night responsible. Our meal consisted of huge chunks of apple tart and coffee. Bit of a problem handling the tart as no plates were provided. Tom Hamnett entertained as usual with card tricks.
Later. Had a visit this afternoon from a batch of "Scotties" (51 HD infantry) to inspect the tanks. Quite a cheerful and enthusiastic lot of lads. Received some free home comforts viz pr. of gloves, scarf, woollen stockings (for gum-boots). Very useful, especially the latter. Also received some ciggys from "British Commonwealth Society of Peru", Patriotic Fund Lima, Peru -!
Still no mail - no mail!
D +211 Wednesday 3.1.45
Usual routine. Nothing to report. Much snow today: must have been a heavy fall during the night. Still no mail.
D +212 Thursday 4.1.45
Usual routine - first parade 9.0am, work on vehicles for about an hour. Received pr. of gum boots today - very useful, especially in this deep snow. Spending most of my time reading.
D +213 Friday 5.1.45
Usual routine. Visit to M.O.'s 2.30 for inoculation. Mail arrived today - Eight letters from Jess!!
D +214 Saturday 6.1.45
Am too sore and stiff for work. Remained indoors all day. Major departed on leave this a.m. Another letter from Jess. Still very cold - the countryside is white with a 3" carpet of snow. Flying bombs still very frequent - some landing uncomfortably close.
D +215 Sunday 7.1.45
Little to report. Still cold and icy. Dance this evening.