… Germans trying to disappear in Mojaisk sector—complaining that the Russians are unfair—roar around on dog sledges with MGs [machine guns], and disappear before there’s time to wake up. zru zlb
My height is 5ft 10 1/2 inches and I weigh 9 stone 3lb. 1 case scarlet fever. zpa zil
Wednesday 21st
Mojaisk [70 miles west of Moscow] is in Russian hands. Hooray! Few people here know where Mojaisk is, fewer care. … zru zlb zop
Grey and clear in patches, occasional rain. I was doing works in the afternoon, carting slates from the quarry to the pigsty site [the school was going to rear a pig]. We took 6 sacks (sandbags) each—good exercise. When we got back I changed, ate Horlicks powder, wrote a bit of letter and began knitting the second glove. Settling in to the old routine. zwr zsu zcf zdw zsr
Thursday 22nd
… In M.T. I nearly finished a model destroyer to be sold in warships week for National savings. zcf zch zpg
The game was on the beach—’biff’—a ruleless rugger: not my opinion of fun being kicked in the face, hands frozen, hands and knees sandpapered. I had a nice hot bath after it, with some illegally study brewed (by Smith on a ‘stovette’) tea. … zsp zfd
I got a letter from Mommy—lonely for her. Awful lucky that Daddy does get most week-ends. I wish she was more healthy too, it would make it easier for her. … zfl
Sunday 25th
… A minesweeper patrol boat L96 was in the bay all day, steaming to and fro past an anchored merchant vessel [this was not a normal anchorage]. … zwg zgk
Chapel was in school dress … we did [not] attend the service. Instead we ate our fill, spilt tea on the floor, and filled a bath with tea leaves. … I ate very little at tea—causing comment. zrl zfd zmb
