WORLD WAR II:

The manuscript diaries of Captain (later Major) CUTHBERT JOHN BELL (1905-1967), 116211, R.A.S.C. in the Western Desert, Italian and Syrian campaigns.

Bell joined up in 1940 and left the army in 1950.  The diaries covering the years 1940–1951, lacking the diary for 1942 and for 1948/9.  The diary for 1940 being a small pocket diary;  1941 a small 4to notebook (96-pages);  1943 an 8vo desk diary;  1944-5 written in a 4to cash book (242-pages); 1946 a folio government issue notebook (55-pages);  1947 an 8vo pocket diary;  & 1950-51 in a 4to government issue notebook (110-pages).  Fully written up, ca. 150,000 words of which ca. 90,000 wartime.  Together with over 100 photographs, military and civilian subjects; mostly snapshots, including some of his lady companions, a few larger including military groups, one mounted on card of ‘51 Military Prison & Detention Barrack, M.E.L.F.’ in which Bell is identified. 

From a brief reading these would appear to be typical entries:

May 5th 1941:  “Down to Tobruk  with Macpherson, Withnall and the Quartermaster …. never arrived as D.R. ordered me back to camp immediately.  Left Toby (dog) at Y.M.C.A. as Major ordered all dogs to be shot.  Returning to Camp ordered to take 20 men & N.C.O.S. to OC town guard.  Rushed off feet, got caught in air raid.  Eventually got men to various posts allotted by Capt. Morris ……….”

May 6th:  “Up early standing to. Everything quiet … terrific sandstorm.  Got all gear and … returned to Tobruk …… "

May 7th:  “Sandstorm over and nice day.  An exciting day! ... found three bombs dropped along the escarpment.  Watched big air raid on Tobruck, another big raid on town during afternoon which watched from B.S.O. with Barker of Y.M.C.A. Enemy sank the naval vessel in the harbour.  Believe they lost several planes – hope so.  Visited all my posts except one or two and had a busy day …… this place OK except for flies, mosquitoes and air raids.  Lots of rumours – all good. Little truth I’m afraid. 141st day in desert.”

July 1st  1941:  “… 2 ships came in during the early hours, of course the enemy saw them and the expected dive bombing attack began at 1 o’clock. Some forty planes came over and the raid lasted ¼ hour. Gunter fired 19 rounds from my rifle.  I was in the officer’s mess.  Heard later they missed ships and caused little damage.  This offset by a bombardment of the docks.  Cpl Matthews seriously injured by a shell and Withnall slightly hurt.  Very busy in the evening with detail.  Just before writing this another plane over and dropped a stick in the harbour.  The ships brought stores and I hear 200 tons of ammo.”

July 2nd:  “Comparatively quiet day compared to yesterday.  No dive bombers. Shelling continued during early hours, one man injured.  Dock work stopped.  Some heavy bombs fell during evening and quite an amount of gun fire going on …… Had onions, chipped potatoes and celery for dinner – great luxuries….”  At the end of July he goes on a short leave to Cairo where he:  “Visited  Rosette’s paid £3 for Tanya. Very very nice” and makes a number of other visits for the same purpose.  At the end of several year’s entries he gives a brief resume of the year, e.g.

Dec. 31^st 1943:  “This year has been an extremely happy one.  3 months Damascus,  5 Tahag, and 4 Syracuse.  The last four under Major Roberts especially good.  Girls – No trouble …”

Dec. 31^st 1944:  “Inspected a big palace as likely place for officer’s mess.  In flat opposite our mess found most attractive girl.  Went back in evening and after a long chat 2 hours decided to take flat next door belonging to Fascist on understanding girl should be my mistress.  This signed & sealed …… Went to New Year’s Eve party at Italian family – hopeless!  Thought of new girl all night and very excited about her. This year is noteworthy for my promotion to Major on January 16th.  Move of Company from Syracuse to Naples and of course initial formation of company in January.  Kept Wonderful health throughout year.  Girls – Luchia, Violeta, Romana Syracuse, Lia & Louisa Naples.  Ist experience of l-king – marvellous.”

Dec. 31st 1945:  “The year has been important for the following.  Leave to England (1st time in 4½ years, May & June.  End of war while in England.  2. Posted from OC RASC … to OC 43 RAC, Perugia & Assisi ….  3. Disbandment  of 43 RAC which is taking place at moment of writing. Women, Eva Tiglia Naples … Margareta & Ida Perugia.  Working hard in office nearly all day.  Over to Perugia evening had Ida – not very satisfactory …”

The diary for 1943 commences on 28th March, Bell explaining on the first page:  “On account of an unfortunate accident near the sea shore some 5 miles west of Tobruk in Cyrenaica my pocket diary was burnt to ashes.  Thus I am compelled to keep this unwieldy record.  So far this year I have lived in the Desert.  My unit left Abbasia on December 17th 1940 arrived at Merza Matruh on the 18th after staying at that location for nearly a month, during which time I led a convoy of 18 loaded wagons to F.S.09 near Fort Capuzzo, we received orders to move to Bardia ……… Now we are encamped 4 miles from Tobruk along the Bardia road ……”

Quote Item No. 1076
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