page 41 — May 1940

Tuesday 21^st

News a little better, the Germans have been checked and the Allies are attacking from opposite sides of the German-occupied bulge trying to cut them off. This is called the Battle of the Bulge. The German objective is the channel ports, as in the last war. … zlb

In the afternoon [in cricket] I only made six, being out by a pretty good catch by Hammond. I did quite a nice catch at cover point. … zsp

Wednesday 22^nd

News pretty bad, the Germans have got Arras and Amiens. Not far from the coast. Actually Amiens was recaptured later by French troops. The Germans are doing too well all the same. zlb

My Supermarine Spitfire and Farlen’s Messerschmidt M.E.109 [construction kits] came today, they are wizard. … zmd

Thursday 23^rd

Not much more news except we are a little more Nazified, i.e. the Govt has complete power. Had double art, I made a lousy mess out of oil-paint. … zpn zat zpl

Friday 24^th

Another nice day. I expect that we’ll be bathing soon. … zwr

The news is pretty grim, they are pretty near Calais, and doing rather too well—actually at present being held back, but will it last? I hope so. … zlb zem