Description:

LIFE DURING THE BLITZ
A fine archive of letters by "Anna", a British farmer residing in Sellindge, Kent, during the Blitz, 1940-1942, each penned to Eleanor Wignall in Doyleston, Pa. The archive comprises approx. seven lengthy and highly detailed letters about the German bombing of England, rationing, and other aspects of the war. In very small part: [Sept. 6, 1940] "...Slews of Jerries have come in & the siren has gone. About 70 bombers with quite a hundred messer's. It is a very awesome sight I can assure you to see those bombers come in over the farm from the marsh like this, just a long straight line. One feels it would be easy to take a pot shot at them...At first they used to send bombers in formations of 7 or 17...The marsh side of my house...is the fighting zone. East side...defence zone. The latter puts up terrific barrage - words cannot describe it...I saw the shell bursts [sic] in the sky...they meet the defence guns better [censor has cut word out] & on way to Thames Estuary...One boy came down was shot by a Messer pilot as he was sailing down so defenseless, it is impossible for them to help themselves...Another was riddled with bullets...it was heartbreaking to watch...Yesterday my windows seem to go all day as they blew up the bridges over the canal down in [excised] & on marsh..., and much more. Anna continues on Oct. 23, 1940: "...It did not seem possible that life could go on pretty much as usual regardless of vast hordes of planes assaulting us at intervals...It says much for our Air Force lads & much, very much, for those brave people who sustained the onslaught. Our pretty little Hythe [?] and towns in immediate vicinity have had much bombing lately the result or proof should I say of the failure of Hitler's minions...; [Dec. 4, 1940] "...Just heard old Haw Haw on the 7:40 news. According to him we are absolutely finished. If so why does he work himself up...His blase manner should accompany such news not hysteria....Still I do believe we are having a hard fight. Our industrial towns have a ? one night each week of bombing and only the fact that they have expected such nocturnal visits has saved this dear Isle from being wiped off the map...but the Turn of the Tide has come. Roosevelt sitting another term has been a very big gain for Democracy...In the land of Dictator's opponents usually go to concentration camps...By Grace of God our little Island is still British much to Hitler's Chagrin...". Much more content! Very good condition.

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September 27, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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