August 3rd 1940

Saturday August 3rd (Eleven months of war!)

I do not like this lull and I shall be glad when tomorrow is safely over with Hitler’s crazed imagination, and the already melodramatic performance in the forest of Compiègne*.

I can think of no day that would so appeal to him as suitable for an attack as August 4th – the anniversary of our declaration of war in 1914**. There have been other funny little indications that I do not like the look of: the PM’s declaration from No 10 this evening; Duff Cooper*** speaking after the news, Noel Coward in America**** reported in the papers as having said Hitler may attack this weekend - which makes one think that it may have been a current topic in America, but just not reported here.

The failure of Mrs Wise’s passports***** to turn up as promised.

Odd behaviour noted in the ineffable Hun. He dropped leaflets of Hitler’s speech!

I may be starting at shadows – I sincerely hope I am. Time will show and I hope I will not be afraid.

If this “gain-giving” is true – well, God be with us for we stand in the last ditch.

* The signing of the armistice by Nazi officials and the Third French Republic on 22nd June 1940. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armistice_of_22_June_1940
** More information at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_declaration_of_war_upon_Germany_(1914)
*** 1st Viscount Norwich and Minister of Information https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duff_Cooper
**** Noel Coward worked for British intelligence during the war. One of his duties was to use his celebrity to persuade Americans to support the British war effort. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No%C3%ABl_Coward#Second_World_War
***** Mrs Wise is Lorna's Aunt Eve's mother, and mother-in-law of Lorna's Uncle Arnold (one of her father Albert's younger brothers). Aunt Eve and Uncle Arnold have featured in the war diary before: on 10th May 1940.