17th May, 1940
[Envelope:]
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
[Censor stamp: “PASSED BY CENSOR No. 621”]
[Field Post Office postmark: “FIELD POST OFFICE 20 MY 40”]
MRS KENNETH PENMAN
MAYCOT
12 COMMONSIDE
KESTON
KENT
No 11
Gnr Penman 1440280
Sec 4 194/60 HAA
B.E.F.
May 17 1940
Darling one
Good morning, its a lovely sunny one here, I’ve got such heaps of things to tell you about but they are all I’m afraid taboo, I feel much more cheerful this morning, principally I think because we seem to be holding the Boche, and also having been on guard the night before last I’ve had some sleep. Sleep these days is more important than food. During the hours of darkness approx 9.30 to 3.30 is all we get, and last night the poor lads were called out [CENSORED] times, and although they woke me up each time I just turned cosily over and dreamed some more about you darling and being with and loving you again, loving you closely and quietly. I do so long to be quiet with you again, I’ve never realised before, I think, how lovely silence can be, and being with you the loveliest thing of all.
Je vous aime a la folie!
Kenneth
17th May, 1940
German forces capture Belgian capital, Brussels, as part of their rapid advance through the Low Countries.
Colonel Charles de Gaulle leads the 4th Armoured Division in a counterattack at Montcornet, France, achieving initial success but is ultimately forced to retreat due to lack of support.
The British Expeditionary Force withdraws to the Scheldt River line in Belgium, aiming to consolidate defensive positions against the German advance.
The Dutch government in exile arrives in London, following the surrender of the Netherlands to German forces.
The Luftwaffe conducts air raids on Rouen and other targets in northern France, aiming to disrupt French communications and logistics.