29 Jun 1944, R. E. Jones Wartime diary

Fine, hot day. Aired bedding or what is left of it.

Rec. RC letter from Mother 9-2-43. Seems Marj hadn’t written to her at all.

Japs made special search of lorry.

Churchill made known British casualties for first 4 yrs. of war. 158,741 killed, 78,204 missing. 159,219 wounded, 270,995 ps. of war. 109,101 civilian and 30,314 merchant marine casualties. Allies advancing on all fronts still. Russians now N. of Tali in Finnland & E. of Polotysk in W.Russia. Tilly area in France being extended by us & progress N. made in Italy. Burma not mentioned today & Pacific only slightly touched on.

Black-out ordered again, also an order prohibiting the collection of salt-water by people who go to the beach. (Salt (rough stuff) is 90sen ½lb & has to last us at least 12 days. People have been collecting quantities of salt water in bottles etc. for cooking purposes & now the lousy rats even stop that)

With Steve pm.

Russians have one million men on a 400 km. front & surrounded between 50 & 70,000 Germans around the Vitebsk area.