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So how easy was it for British & Canadian soldiers to keep clean and healthy in Normandy?
Couldn't be too hard, right? /1
#WW2 #SWW #History
Couldn't be too hard, right? /1
#WW2 #SWW #History
You're an front line infantryman in a two man covered slit trench. Maybe 100m from the enemy
From dawn to dusk you're hunched underground, making the best of things in a covered trench 6' long, 3' deep and 2 1/2' wide or so.
With your mate crammed in there with you. /2
From dawn to dusk you're hunched underground, making the best of things in a covered trench 6' long, 3' deep and 2 1/2' wide or so.
With your mate crammed in there with you. /2
You know you're under constant observation by enemy observers and marksmen, who scan the ground looking to punish any foolish or unlucky opportunity target.
They may not get you, but their rounds may well kill or maim your friends. /3
They may not get you, but their rounds may well kill or maim your friends. /3
Night offers a modicum of respite.
In darkness fresh, hot grub is bought up in large thermos flasks from the cooks in B Echelon. It's good hearty stuff.
The problem is the closer you are to the enemy, the more likely it'll be delayed or obliterated by an errant 155mm shell. /4
In darkness fresh, hot grub is bought up in large thermos flasks from the cooks in B Echelon. It's good hearty stuff.
The problem is the closer you are to the enemy, the more likely it'll be delayed or obliterated by an errant 155mm shell. /4
You can always tuck into food from your compo crates, which is fine, or 24 hour ration pack... or the famed emergency ration in a sticky spot.
The latter is really nice.
Chocolate laced with amphetamine or high dose of caffeine.
Yum. /5
The latter is really nice.
Chocolate laced with amphetamine or high dose of caffeine.
Yum. /5
In a quiet moment you fill your mess tin with nice hot scran, supper time.
A few others sense it's time to feast.
The millions upon millions of bloated bluebottles.
They land on the living, the dead, cattle, the rotten. The food. /6
A few others sense it's time to feast.
The millions upon millions of bloated bluebottles.
They land on the living, the dead, cattle, the rotten. The food. /6
There air is alive with insects, absolutely stinking with a sickly smell of omnipresent death and rampant decomposition.
You waft away the first load, but eventually... well... feel rather like King Canute.
You tuck in. /7
You waft away the first load, but eventually... well... feel rather like King Canute.
You tuck in. /7
After a while your stomach starts to rumble.
You've got it.
"Compo Tummy"
"Beachhead Bully"
"Compo Sickness"
Or just, "The Shits."
Diahorrea is endemic in Normandy. But only 0.17% of those afflicted require serious medical intervention.
Almost everyone has it. /8
You've got it.
"Compo Tummy"
"Beachhead Bully"
"Compo Sickness"
Or just, "The Shits."
Diahorrea is endemic in Normandy. But only 0.17% of those afflicted require serious medical intervention.
Almost everyone has it. /8
What do you do?
By night you may risk it to relieve yourself in a small hole near the trench.
By day... either go in a sludgy, disgusting mini-latrine in your trench, or discreetly risk it and crawl out, but there are snipers.
Or crap in your helmet and sling out the mess. /9
By night you may risk it to relieve yourself in a small hole near the trench.
By day... either go in a sludgy, disgusting mini-latrine in your trench, or discreetly risk it and crawl out, but there are snipers.
Or crap in your helmet and sling out the mess. /9
Either way, you've only got a handful of 'Army Form Blank' with which to clean up.
Slang for the coarse sheets of army loo roll. /10
Slang for the coarse sheets of army loo roll. /10
In such a situation cleanliness is paramount.
You prioritise washing and shaving.
You may not have much control over anything else, but can still try to look your best, even as your battledress gets steadily ingrained with dirt and crusted with sweat. /11
You prioritise washing and shaving.
You may not have much control over anything else, but can still try to look your best, even as your battledress gets steadily ingrained with dirt and crusted with sweat. /11
Gently decanting a small amount of water into your helmet, or a makeshift sink from a small hole with a groundsheet or raincape stuffed in so you can start to freshen up a bit.
Everything stinks.
You feel a bit better mind. /12
Everything stinks.
You feel a bit better mind. /12
All this just relies on Perkins bringing up the jerry cans filled with water, not petrol.
Resupply is done at night under the cover of darkness, as the enemy probably can't see you.
It's hard for him to tell the two apart, as they're similar.
You may also go thirsty. /13
Resupply is done at night under the cover of darkness, as the enemy probably can't see you.
It's hard for him to tell the two apart, as they're similar.
You may also go thirsty. /13
After a week or so you hear you are assigned 24 or 48 hours' LOB, "Left out of Battle".
You are relieved and go to the rear, able to get some good proper kip - having maybe wrangled two to four hours at best.
Just a mile back, it's a world of difference. /14
You are relieved and go to the rear, able to get some good proper kip - having maybe wrangled two to four hours at best.
Just a mile back, it's a world of difference. /14
Rest is encouraged.
As is hygiene and basic maint.
Hot grub from canteens, the cook house, NAAFI wagons or some other enterprise, such as Salvation Army, is just absolutely plentiful.
You can see and chat with your mates, send letters back, read post from home. /15
As is hygiene and basic maint.
Hot grub from canteens, the cook house, NAAFI wagons or some other enterprise, such as Salvation Army, is just absolutely plentiful.
You can see and chat with your mates, send letters back, read post from home. /15
Each division has a Mobile Bath and Laundry Unit.
You take full advantage.
Hot, if occasionally temperamental showers, blast the dirt off as you prat about a bit.
Everyone looks and feels like shit.
Everyone took the piss out of MBLU in training, less so now. /16
You take full advantage.
Hot, if occasionally temperamental showers, blast the dirt off as you prat about a bit.
Everyone looks and feels like shit.
Everyone took the piss out of MBLU in training, less so now. /16
You hand your grimy, dirty, potentially lice-ridden battledress in to be cleaned.
You get a fresh set back.
It wasn't your trusty set.
You've got sewing to be doing.
You look like a rookie. /17
You get a fresh set back.
It wasn't your trusty set.
You've got sewing to be doing.
You look like a rookie. /17
Maybe even find time to catch a show by the Divisional Concert Party or a movie.
A-listers were about, but George Formby the most dedicated and most often kicking about at ENSA gigs, or doing his own thing down some random lane or in a ramshackle barn. /18
A-listers were about, but George Formby the most dedicated and most often kicking about at ENSA gigs, or doing his own thing down some random lane or in a ramshackle barn. /18
You catch sight of some other soldiers looking like absolute shit, looking 'warry' with stubble, chatting up local lasses.
You can tell from their attitude, demeanour and insignia they're support troops who don't get near the sharp end. /19
You can tell from their attitude, demeanour and insignia they're support troops who don't get near the sharp end. /19
You've only got so long left, so you cram as many important things in, picking up post or sending letters home.
The lifeline to your loved ones.
Make the most of it.
As after all, soon enough you'll be back at the front, probably in the same 6' x 3' x 2 1/2' slit. /thread
The lifeline to your loved ones.
Make the most of it.
As after all, soon enough you'll be back at the front, probably in the same 6' x 3' x 2 1/2' slit. /thread
