War news at this time was full of incident: On January 1st the Germans began a surprise offensive (Operation Nordwind) in northern Alsace.
Also on this date 46 American B-29 bombers based near Calcutta, India attacked a railroad bridge near Bangkok, Thailand and other targets in the area and the Japanese increasingly used kamikaze tactics against the US naval forces nearby.
On the 3rd the Allies took the offensive east of the Bulge but they failed to close the pincers (which might have surrounded large numbers of Germans) with Patton’s tanks.
On the 5th the German offensive Nordwind crossed the border into Alsace and the Japanese retreated across the Irrawaddy River in Burma with General Slim’s troops in pursuit.
The 6th January January saw American B-29s bomb Tokyo again and on the 7th Germans, as part of the plan to retake Strasbourg, broke out of the “Colmar Pocket”, a bridgehead on the Rhine, and headed east. On the 8th the battle of Strasbourg was underway, with Americans in defence of their recent acquisition.
On the 11th the first convoy moved on the Ledo (or “Stilwell”) road in northern Burma, linking India and China and on the 13th the East Prussian Offensive began. The 14th January saw British forces clear the Roer Triangle during Operation Blackcock. Hitler was now firmly ensconced in the bunker in Berlin with his companion Eva Braun.
On the 17th January it was announced officially that the Battle of the Bulge was at an end.
69 LAA Reg RA
w/s section REME
S.E.A.C.
19th January 1945
My Darling Janie,
I’ve just arrived back in camp after a marvellous holiday. My, when I came to say goodbye it was nearly as bad as leaving home, particularly as I know fairly certainly that I shall not see them for two years and never again see the bungalow that has been the scene of so much of my happiness during this exile. Then Nathalie kissed me (which really made it worse) but I wouldn’t have had her do anything different. She did the same on my arrival. Jack was there both times of course which just shows you how sweet she is, if you needed any convincing.
Anyway, I digress somewhat. All the above occurred at 10am yesterday since when I have driven 370 miles on my own, arriving at camp 4.45 this morning. So you see sweetheart I haven’t slept since I left and I’m a bit tired but those lovely Xmas gifts and grand letters demand immediate answers so here I am my sweet.
Yes darling, all the contents of the parcels were in good condition. The photos were wizard. Say, who is Anthony intending to hit in the group photo? Goodness, how that kid alters and grows. I met that kid the same age as Anthony at Mary James’ birthday party. I told him about my little boy and he stood against the door so that I could measure him. This lad was half an inch taller than Anthony’s 5th birthday specifications so I imagine they must be almost the same so of course I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
I am also very impressed with the extremely smartly dressed young lady standing next to the vicar. Forgive me for saying so sweetheart but it looks as though Bond Street had walked into Selfridges (the rest of the group). By the way that crack is between ourselves (all right, all right).
Thank you sweet for all those useful bits and things so needed and yet to me virtually unobtainable. It was beautifully wrapped up and was more dear to me as you had done the decorations yourself. The book I shall start on as soon as I get to bed.
Please forget that letter when I was blue and worried but I simply could not understand why having received your Christmas parcel from me you should forget to make any mention of it, even thank you. Forget it sweet, only it was rather depressing to me.
Nathalie was also asking if Anthony has ever received those fur lined slippers she sent him in one of my parcels? I told her yes of course and apologised for not mentioning it before but really I can’t remember you ever mentioning them.
Yes, Diana wrote to me three times around Xmas and had me worried so I spent the weekend there. As you know my fears that she was having another ‘attack’ were groundless thank goodness so the beautiful Diana will fade out of my life, a thing I thought she’d done ages ago.
Diana Franklin, daughter of one of the tea plantation owners.
Now I must turn in sweetheart or I shall go to sleep right here. So, till I sleep with you again darling all my love is yours and Anthony’s.
God bless you both darling and bring me safely home to you.
And I’m your own,
Johnnie xxxx
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