Sunday, May 7th., Comarques, Thorpe-le-Soken.
Reading Marcel Dupont's "La Campagne" this evening and last night. There is no genius in it, but it gives a plain notice of what war is, and some things are moving. Curious sensation lying in bed reading, with a nightingale singing furiously across the road, horses and motors passing at intervals, and the thought that exactly similar scenes might be occurring here at any time as in France. This house might be a ruined chateau, and our furniture might be defiled by German officers. I find it hard to actually make myself believe it could happen. What would I do? Hasty retreat? Defend my property? Co-operate? Who can tell!
Anyhow, the theory of the War Office is that an invasion could happen. A period of extreme vigilance is now on. It is a pity here that at new moon high water is at midnight. If high water was at 6 a.m. at new moon the periods of vigilance would be fewer if there were any at all. One night out of three our lieutenants have to spend at the telephone in the Orderly Room - 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. The defensive works are being increased all along the coast.
Co-incidentally in a way I was reading some of Hardy's short stories the other night in bed. The invasion scare then was of Napoleon. I enjoyed his story which conjectured a secret night-time visit by Boney himself to Dorset to 'spy-out' the land. There is much anxiety about 'spies' here. Also enjoyed "The Fiddler of the Reels", which is beautifully constructed, rather erotic in parts, and could have been written by no-one else.
Showing posts with label Marcel DuPont. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marcel DuPont. Show all posts
Monday, 7 May 2018
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
War work
Monday, May 8th., Comarques, Thorpe-le-Soken.
Reading Marcel Dupont's "La Campagne" last night and night before. There is no genius in it. (40th. Edition), but it gives a plain notion of what war is, and some things are moving. Curious sensation lying in bed reading this, nightingale singing violently across the road, and horses and motors passing at intervals, and the thought that exactly similar scenes might be occurring here at any time, and that this house might be a ruined chateau and that our furniture might be defiled by German officers. At any rate according to the theory of the War Office.
A period of extreme vigilance now on. It is a pity here that at new moon high water is at midnight. If high water was at 6 a.m. at new moon the periods of vigilance would be fewer if there were any at all. One night out of three our Lieutenants have to spend at the telephone in the orderly room - 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. The military are all on fire preparing for an invasion. The first serious defences against an invasion are now being made. I have no belief in it myself, but the civilian part of the organisation falls on me as War Office representative for over 30 parishes, including about 15 miles of coast. I feel sure that if the Germans did manage to land events for a few days would be in a high degree disconcerting. Among other trifles for which I have the chief responsibility is a War-Fair at Islington Market - with 1,500 stalls, 6,000 helpers; the biggest thing of the kind ever organised.
The war may end sooner than some people think. My view is that the Eastern Front is the danger point. I never have believed in the Russians and still don't. I should say that the Germans will next try an offensive on the Eastern Front, & if it is at all successful the war may be prolonged. If it isn't there is a chance of a German cave-in.
I am also writing a play, and writing (official) articles for America about British affairs. Still, we shall open a sort of tennis season on Saturday next, w.p.
Reading Marcel Dupont's "La Campagne" last night and night before. There is no genius in it. (40th. Edition), but it gives a plain notion of what war is, and some things are moving. Curious sensation lying in bed reading this, nightingale singing violently across the road, and horses and motors passing at intervals, and the thought that exactly similar scenes might be occurring here at any time, and that this house might be a ruined chateau and that our furniture might be defiled by German officers. At any rate according to the theory of the War Office.
A period of extreme vigilance now on. It is a pity here that at new moon high water is at midnight. If high water was at 6 a.m. at new moon the periods of vigilance would be fewer if there were any at all. One night out of three our Lieutenants have to spend at the telephone in the orderly room - 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. The military are all on fire preparing for an invasion. The first serious defences against an invasion are now being made. I have no belief in it myself, but the civilian part of the organisation falls on me as War Office representative for over 30 parishes, including about 15 miles of coast. I feel sure that if the Germans did manage to land events for a few days would be in a high degree disconcerting. Among other trifles for which I have the chief responsibility is a War-Fair at Islington Market - with 1,500 stalls, 6,000 helpers; the biggest thing of the kind ever organised.
The war may end sooner than some people think. My view is that the Eastern Front is the danger point. I never have believed in the Russians and still don't. I should say that the Germans will next try an offensive on the Eastern Front, & if it is at all successful the war may be prolonged. If it isn't there is a chance of a German cave-in.
I am also writing a play, and writing (official) articles for America about British affairs. Still, we shall open a sort of tennis season on Saturday next, w.p.
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