10th May, 1940
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
[Censor stamp with crown showing “PASSED BY CENSOR No. 621”]
[Field Post Office postmark]
Mrs KENNETH PENMAN
MAYCOT
12 COMMONSIDE
KESTON
KENT
No 8
Gnr Penman 1440280
Sec 4 194/60 HAA.
B.E.F.
May 10th 1940.
My Darling
Thank you so much for your letter, I’m afraid this is going to be a record short one but I know you will forgive me, I have had very little opportunity during the last few days and today none at all, isnt it grand to think that things are starting at last? We have not moved darling and are all very safe, you will appreciate that that’s about all I can say about things. I expect for a little while my letters will be very short but I’ll try and make them numerous lest you worry about me.
Night night my very ownest
yours adoringly
Kenneth
10th May, 1940
- 9th April, 1940—Germany initiates Operation Weserübung, invading Denmark and Norway to secure strategic positions and resources.
- 10th April, 1940—The First Battle of Narvik occurs as British destroyers engage German naval forces in Norway, resulting in losses on both sides.
- 13th April, 1940—The Second Battle of Narvik takes place, with the Royal Navy sinking eight German destroyers, securing control over the port.
- 14th April, 1940—Allied forces, including British, French, and Polish troops, commence landings at Namsos and Harstad in Norway to counter German advances.
- 19th April, 1940—The Battle of Dombås concludes, with Norwegian forces successfully delaying German paratrooper operations in central Norway.
- 27th April, 1940—British forces land at Åndalsnes and Namsos in Norway, aiming to recapture Trondheim from German control.
- 28th April, 1940—The British War Cabinet decides to evacuate Allied troops from Namsos and Åndalsnes due to strong German resistance and logistical challenges.
- 3rd May, 1940—Allied forces complete the evacuation of Namsos, marking a strategic withdrawal from central Norway. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Campaign#Allied_withdrawal]