Land of Milk & Honey
29/11/17
My Dear People
You will have received long ago my cable telling you that I was on my way back to my unit. Well I got here a couple of days ago & found everything & everybody very satisfactory considering the trials & conditions of the recent wonderful advance. About the middle of the week I left with a big draft for Brigade and that night got to Bilah that is the place where I told you of the bombing raid some months ago. After stopping there for three days we moved out on an hours notice on Saturday night eventually arriving at Gaza & had to stay there for the night. As it was dark I had no opportunity of seeing how the enemys positions there were after being heavily bombarded. Next morning the lot of us set out carrying our kits etc & found it very hot work in the bright sunshine but our orders were to get out &
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and get this far as best we could so after going about a couple of miles we were picked up bag & baggage by motor transport waggons & came that night as far as Julius. Next morning we again set out, at least after dinner, per motor again & that night got as far as Junction Station where we again spent the night. Continuing our journey next morning we early arrived at Ramleh but after a short stop ran on a few miles further eventually picking up our Divisional transport coming on some miles by that and at this stage passing through some of the finest sights one could wish to see, for miles as far as the eye could see & beyond, beautiful rolling downs stretched on either side, speckled with fruit orchards & close to the road for miles stretch orange & olive groves. This is the country between Ramleh and Jaffa the place where our advance stopped a few miles north of a few days ago. The
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same night horses met us & we continued our journey through the famous town itself and eventually arrived at our separate units camped outside orange groves. Needless to say we have oranges in plenty for nothing. From the people we can buy brown bread & vegetables in any quantity & of water & wood there is an unlimited supply. I think the finest experience of my life has been the through getting as I did an insight into the work that has to be done behind the lines. We all speak of front line without even thinking of what goes on in the rear but to sum it up it is simply marvellous & has to be seen to be recognized to the full. It is a shame to see the beautiful rich country without its crops when at a time like this it could all be made use of to advantage. This is a very fine place but has gone to ruin to some extent through the war the
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people, the majority Jews & Syrians, tell us they have been without tea & sugar for two years. Many of the business places big & small have been closed for a considerable period. When I mention the Singer Co you will know that it as well as other big firms, even to engineering have had to be closed. The buildings are all of a decent type & all have tile roofing the streets in the better parts are all well laid out & formed also water laid on throughout. It fact had it not been for the war it could easily be called an up to date town as it is it is decidely modern. Today I have the opportunity of seeing a good deal of it as I am with a number of others doing patrol about the roads streets etc so will get a good look about. I have already had a meal & under the conditions a very good one. In a little when they get everything going again & a good supply
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of necessities along it should be quite pleasant hereabouts for a day or two’s leave instead of going to Cairo etc. The day we left Moascar we got some rain & I can tell you it did come down some. For about half an hour it came down in sheets I never in all my life saw its equal. Lucky for us we could get under cover as we had an all night journey in front of us & as it was we did get some rain & that you know in an open truck is very uncomfortable. However as we only got a little wet we did not fare so badly. While passing through the other day about half a dozen enemy planes came over & did some bombing one dropping in the place we left about a quarter of an hour earlier. Lucky for us Eh! At present there is a fair amount of artillery carrying on otherwise it is quiet enough. Well I was lucky enough to get
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my mail well up to time just before leaving also had your parcel of socks, cheese etc. as well as an Otago Witness & your Xmas cake Jeannie came along the afternoon before I left Moascar & it way very enjoyable. There is a lot of mail on the way but it may be a few days getting here but should come along soon. Now as I am going out for a ride round on duty in a little I will ring off and get ready. Hoping this reaches you direct & finds all as well as it leaves me.
Your Affect Brother
Charlie.
P.S. I met one of the Fieldings today he is in the Camel Corps & he told me that Kirkpatrick has been wounded. I believe it is in the leg & he will not go away foolish chap but it is just like him I am sorry to say thinks he is not doing enough. Ch.