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Private J. D. Caves: The Long Journey Home

15 July 1942 B Coy 24th Bn. N.Z.E.F Middle East Forces

15 July 1942 B Coy 24th Bn. N.Z.E.F Middle East Forces

My Own Darling,

It was marvellous darling getting a letter from you and Mum up the desert quite unexpectedly. I don't know how many times I read it through sitting in a dug-out with Jerry [Germans] popping a few occasional shells over.

Dusty, Dave and I had leave together and got into town [Alexandria] by truck at 10:30am. I described Alex [Alexandria] by winter after leave last Xmas but Alex now in the summer is indeed a beautiful city. The blue calm and clear crystal sea lapping at the promenades of the waterfront while cool breezes usually find there way through the streets bringing the salty air to waft away the odours abounding in other oriental towns. The squares and gardens full of palms and flowers and in the evening the whole population of Alex appear to stroll along the seafront. It is a wealthy city and the streets hold many powerful and expensive cars of American and continental brands. The first thing we did in town was to have some poached eggs with bread, jam and tea which we thoroughly enjoyed not having had bread for over three weeks. After a haircut and a little shopping we went down to the waterfront to a very nice restaurant for dinner. I had soup and spaghetti. They cook and serve it in Italian style and I wish you could have seen me struggling page 54with the stuff and twisting the fork around.

The desert is certainly hot now darling and the flies carry away your meal before you can eat it. It's Hell in action in the desert now. Rommel's army must be very done-up now. They'll probably have a gigantic push this week - fail - and be chased nearly home again. It's a hellish business this war darling but I'm hoping and praying for a safe return to you.

Although the time seems to drag on and on, there is yet a long life ahead together and worth planning and striving for and one would be silly to let despair and monotony spoil things.

Jean, I'd like you to know that I have been true to my love for you. Often the example of ones I thought (and still think) well off, the proximity of death in pending action and sheer anger and boredom with fate have sorely tempted me to forget you and the future for a few hours' wild oblivion. I take no credit for refraining Darling. It is the memory of your dear clear loving eyes and unselfish giving that is keeping me safe for you.

From my letters you may think that I have been drinking rather a lot, but can you imagine this country? Really I'm a moderate drinker for our life and hate getting really drunk. Twice I've done so in Egypt and that is long ago now. I know you did not mean to lecture me dear but I gathered that you really do not understand beer taking the place say of water or tea in N.Z. Most water here is insipid and chlorinated and would have worse effect on one's stomach more than light beer if drank as one must drink in the heat.

This last letter must have been written as Denis was going in to battle at the Second Battle of Ruweisat Ridge. He was clearly aware of the danger to his life, but it would hardly have occurred to him that he would be captured.

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