19th May, 1940
Mrs Kenneth Penman
MAYCOT
12 COMMONSIDE
KESTON
KENT
Gnr Kenneth Penman
1440280
SEC 4 194/60 HAA
B.E.F.
No 12.
May 19th 1940
My Darling,
Things are not so good today and I feel depressed, so I’m going to try and cheer myself up by writing you a little note. I love you so, darling, and I’ve needed you so during the last few days, being a little older than most of the others, I try, when things are not going all our way, to be ultra cheerful and sometimes it’s a bit of a strain…
…I don’t know whether I’ve ever told you that part of AcAc drill consists of reporting if and when we go into action. “Height Finders ready for action,” “No. 1 gun ready for action,” etc. etc. Ted and I made them all laugh by shouting “Height Finders eager for action.”
I ache, darling, to hold you close in my arms. Sometimes, at night, I can feel you beside me. I’ve got such lovely memories of my darling soft and shapely little wife lying close beside me, nestling snugly. Someday, soon I hope, I shall be with you again. Till then, darling, I’ll worship your memory.
I’m so proud to be your,
Kenneth
19th May, 1940
German forces besiege Amiens. Rommel’s units encircle Arras, while other German troops reaching Noyelles-sur-Mer on the English Channel. German troops also capture St. Quentin, advancing further into French territory. French General Charles de Gaulle leads a counterattack at Péronne, attempting to halt the German advance. While this is happening General Maxime Weygand replaces Maurice Gamelin as Commander-in-Chief of the French armed forces.
The British complete their invasion of Iceland, establishing a strategic presence in the North Atlantic.