So Dickie has bathed in the sea and liked it. Good. Was it very cold ? Never very brave about cold water I am now even more apprehensive than ever about bathing in Northern waters after the easy warmth of the seas around here. However, a chance would be a fine thing. And Japan will surrender if she can have her hoodwinking Son of Heaven. It seems to me we should take no terms at all. But they will decide who know best. The great relief; when the news is final, will be that there need be no more killing. The Atomic bomb is too Wellsian and Vernian to be pleasant; They should keep the last one to destroy the plant and the inventors and workmen ! And never must we tell Russia how its made ! I am amazed at Russia’s cynicism in “declaring war” when it was over – as they must have known, so that she could take great dollops of China. If she’d come in, or given us bases, two years ago it would have made sense. However. . . .

                     I have not written for three evenings and I am sorry. On the first evening, after a heavy day, wherein I went to Taranto and back for reinforcements, I heard that 1021 had arrived so I sought out Peter and found him at the Club and naturally spent the evening with him. The next evening I had arranged to cart Marina and Alberto her husband to Gioia and did so and stayed the night and last night Jimmy and Peter, Allan and I dined to celebrate our reunion at the club, went to a very low café Allan knew of in Old Bari and then to Cliff’s Mess for eggs and bacon and fun, and so late to bed. In the days I’ve been much occupied, settling down in these new billets; grooming new British NCOs and generally doing a lot.

                        I am very wonderfully served by my immediate subordinates, Hardee my CSM who I hope will get a commission, my young but enthusiastic and very bright Quarterbloke from Yorkshire, little blue-eyed Lofts in the Orderly Room; stolid and patient Staff-sergeant Roberts from Wales and my sergeants. Without the luck of a rather wondrous team we’d never have pulled this dispiritied team of pathetic and lost arabs squatting behind their barbed wire two months ago into the present gay; very orderly; very smart and hard working unit. Its grand to see them. I think they are going to move en bloc home soon, not in disgrace but honourably to be released. Whether I take them or not remains to be seen. Better go on using the Group address in case.

                        People are being so nice about this Mention and little notes flutter in. They seem far off, those days with the Fifth Army, though its only twelve months ago. No more war, but words, is a great thought.

                        Yes; I’ll move South when you wish. The sooner the better because to wait until we can buy a property might maroon us in the Midlands too, long. Not, I feel, Romsey though. Somewhat over emphasised Thirlby influence, not that it isn’t a fine one, but I want it to be an Ussish influence. Wiltshire ? Too flat ? Not Sussex, its too Bloomsbury I think and Christopher Frish. But so long as you will come along; and Candy, and Dickie if he will be friends, I’ll be happy anywhere.

                        The Post – sea – is a bit naughty. I sent two kilos of almonds ages and ages ago, and a tin of sweets to you and to Christopher and they still haven’t arrived. And you ordered my Cotton tobacco about two months ago and not an ounce has arrived, and I’ve used up the Gold Block. And the Parker was sent back long long ago. Very odd: the air post is so good, Postie must be a bad sailor.

                        Lanave, on whom I popped in this evening on my way back from Area, had made two excellent enlargments of you from the negatives and is eager to begin, but he is holding his palette at my request until the promised new pictures come. He’s very keen. So am I.

                        I still cannot really believe that we have a flourishing son at home, this is a case when seeing is believing. Ronnie has just come in from the ship and says we have accepted their terms, and I suppose having a Son of Heaven isn’t much harm. Not a very  successful son he wasn’t. I don’t think this will have any immediate effect on the getting of us home, our own reactions to it all ! !

                        Now for a cooling shower and so to bed. My love and write as often as you can. Oh dear.

                        Bless Dickie, the Italian in his letter was rather childish, and doesn’t signify much. Bless the boy.