. . . increasing rumours of the opening of the so-called Second Front, the invasion direct of occupied territory . . . . The information was murmured over the counter at the end furthest away from the others. All right, such information must be kept under one's hat in case it falls into unfriendly hands but I can't help thinking that, if it were broadcast, what a wave of enthusiasm it would rouse in the poor suffering public--what a boost to morale."
"29 May 1944
Of greater national importance is that we are presently under the shadow of the so-called Second Front (actually, this will be the third or fourth front) by which is meant the invasion from these islands of the continent. Although dead secret, much seeps through, how the Americans have been pouring tanks, guns, and equipment into this country, how the respective armies have been given different objectives . . . . Much of it is rumour but at least it has given the office old soldiers a great deal to talk about.
A grim kind of exhaltation is in full flood. I daresay the actual sailings will not be dramatic because (they were) dispersed over days and over the north European coastline."
"7 June 1944
The sailings were dramatic but when news of them came they did not appear to be so. While cycling through the quiet streets yesterday . . . I found it difficult to believe that not two hundred miles away blood and thunder is in progress."
"12 June 1944
That word 'invasion' only touches the surface of the mind. We don't really think about it, I suppose because it's been on our lips these last eighteen months--'When is the Second Front taking place?' and so on. We won't ever understand what must have been the long-distance planning, the decisions of detail that had to be made, the final assembling, co-ordination of forces, the order to go. And in man-made things details are always going wrong, failing, or being lost. And in a huge enterprise like this! Even to describe it, supposing I were omniscient, wouldn't convey a hundredth part. Words are so limited . . . ."
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Beardmore, George, "Civilians at War: Journals 1938-1946," (London: John Murray Ltd., 1984), p. 153-161.
Copyright Victoria Knowles and Anthea Meadows (heirs).
