page 153 — February 1942

Then I had a hot bath and read ‘Gone with the Wind’—what a lovely book—the only trouble being that no other novel will be so satisfying to read. zbn

Debate at 8.15—’This house looks forward with dismay, distrust to conditions in post war England’. Candler moved—rather useless to look forward with dismay I think—rather hope about communism coming at last. Opposing (4^th) was an army officer, who gave a hate talk. Lots of horrible speeches—Mullins on hope because of our glorious Throne—Ugh!! I began to whistle ‘God save the king’. I had not the courage to speak, and anyhow both sides were awful. I voted against; the motion was lost 63-24. … zdb zpn

[See note]

Tuesday 24^th

… cleaned my uniform … The parade was awful—simple foot and arms drill, bloody cold. Otherwise nout. zmc zct

Good news—The Russians have cut the Vyazma-Smolensk road. Timor, battle bad, Bali bad. Soon Australia        ? zru zwg zlb

Saturday 28^th

… News. Big parachute and commando raid on France—Radio location station wrecked. … success for MacArthur (American) in Luzon (Philippines). Burma lull, battle of Bali etc. has inflicted sizeable naval losses on Japs. zwg zlb znb