page 162 — April 1942

Still, there’s nought to be done but work hard for the final victory not of the British Empire, but of Communism—a fight for a new, real civilisation, without our present systems, where selfish exploitation with its resultant poverty walks hand in hand with mealy mouthed expressions of Christianity. The church is a useful shield and a wondrous refuge for the hypocritical self-righteous ones! zpn zrl

[See note]

Wednesday 15^th

… I spent 11-12.30 sorting the village’s waste paper [part of the wartime scrap-collecting campaign]—a revolting job. Mommy and I stood in a small room 2ft deep in paper—dirty or clean, mixed with filthy rags. OOF! … zhk zfl

Saturday 18^th

Last night bombs were dropped at a place in the S. of England. Damage was slight, but there were some casualties, including some people killed. One enemy aircraft was destroyed. We heard the bombs, and the whole house shook—under 8 miles I should say. … zar