I was glad to find the interest in my dad's diaries in my V.E. Day post yesterday ( and to see the accompanying shot on PP, thank you). He and I both tried in vain to have his story published: not enough drama I guess. So to 'hijack' my 365 page for a few days is an opportunity I cannot resist:
9th MAY 1945
"I’m afraid the Russians didn’t live up to that first day, but of course they were front line troops and those who followed in their wake were looting and committing all sorts of terrible crimes. The same night, they invaded the wine cellars in the town square and all night we heard shots and shouts. Our safest place was, obviously, inside the factory! I had a sound sleep that night as I was very fatigued by the marching I had done."
"The next day, Wed 9-5-45, Bill and I ventured out down to the square. On the way, we saw a couple of S.S. who had fought to the last. One had a bullet hole in the dead centre of his forehead and I thought then the Russians don’t make mistakes with shooting. We saw signs of a small battle, one or two German vehicles were in ruins. There were Russian sentries with tommy guns on the road and the town hall had been taken over as headquarters."
"Outside the door was a Russian girl on guard with fixed bayonet and judging by the way she was grasping the rifle she knew how to use it. She had a uniform on similar to our A.T.S. but not nearly so smart."
from the WW2 diaries of
Bertram Haig Martin, Gunner 943454 - Royal Artillery - 67th Medium Regiment.
Lovely detail composition and colour Hazel, also thanks for the continuation of dads diary, posses two questions has it been published or just typed out, I'm sure the Imperial War Museum would love a copy for their Soldiers Diary Section:)
I edited and word processed all 46,000 words and have had a few copies printed for families and friends. Saved on pc and disk obviously. Attempts at publishing failed. I did find a publisher {WW2 veteran himself} but he withdrew - all too much I think. The originals are now lodged with the 2nd World War Experience Centre in Leeds and Imperial War Museum have a copy of them on microfiche. My dad, in his 60s, also did an interview for IWM in which he was able to speak about experiences, such as Dresden, which he had never been able to articulate or write about before.
Very interesting account, also that the Russians used female combatants. Great story, and so pleased the diaries are archived for future reference. Fav The dandelions also seem so appropriate in there sequence.
Lovely photo! Thank you for sharing your father's story with us. I wonder if you have tried offering it to a veterans group or historical society? I don't know what, if any, you have. I do know that it would be something the organizations here would consider a valuable gem.
You might be able to self-publish it. That's what Maggie did with her mother's diary (@maggiemae you might have some good advice for Hazel). An ebook might work to- it's sort of an electronic print on demand. The only drawback to publishing this way is that you have to do most of your own promoting.
Thank you. The V.E. day post was just yesterday in my 2nd album. More 'hijacking' to come in this album in the next few days.......
I edited and word processed all 46,000 words and have had a few copies printed for families and friends. Saved on pc and disk obviously. Attempts at publishing failed. I did find a publisher {WW2 veteran himself} but he withdrew - all too much I think. The originals are now lodged with the 2nd World War Experience Centre in Leeds and Imperial War Museum have a copy of them on microfiche. My dad, in his 60s, also did an interview for IWM in which he was able to speak about experiences, such as Dresden, which he had never been able to articulate or write about before.
And thanks for continue the dairy story of you Dad.
Nice capture of all the dandelion stages!