Diary extracts for May 1943
[unknown date]:
It's full of fireworks, bombs cropping in the water and whatnot. I had a very curious sensation when I was doing this because I always remembered - it may seem rather far-fetched - the opera ‘The Magic Flute’ of Mozart in which the hero has to go through fire and water before he’s allowed to see his bride. And this effect, a sort of architectural feeling of fire and water, and only very much in the distance can you see anything happening on the land in Dieppe.
3rd May 1943:
Press Cuttings about the RA show
The Times thinks Dieppe highly romanticized. The Observer (Osbert Lancaster) thinks it would gain in impressiveness if it was half the size and a steel engraving. Some engraving!
4th May 1943:
Planning Great North African Convoy. (30x50)
Only £5 in hand . . .
5th May 1943:
The six two month old pullets arrived and got them into their quarters safely.
11th May 1943:
In the afternoon a landing craft of perhaps 2.000 tons did some rehearsals on Weymouth beach. Looking like a huge Bruegel whale disgorging vehicles. I have not seen one of such size before. MTBs and GBs buzzing about flaunting their plumes.
12th May 1943:
All organized resistance has ceased in Tunisia
a truly remarkable and astonishing campaign
17th May 1943:
Attack by the RAF on 2 large dams in Germany
17th May 1943:
making decisions over a 2nd version of the North African Convoy
18th May 1943:
Father in a difficult mood, something between a bear and a spoilt child. It must be very trying for Mother.