Description

Letter from Gunner H. Henry Kassman to his mother, from within a file of his correspondence between 1941-1943 compiled by his daughter in 2010. File’s contents are primarily typed letters and other correspondence, occasionally reproduced (often in addition to the typed version), and also include photographs, diary entries from Kenneth Rankin’s book Top-Hats in Tobruk, some other written materials, and some explanatory material. For further information, please see the folder summary. For all posts about this collection, please click on the “H. Henry Kassman” tag in this post.

Page 11: Contextual title at the top: “23^rd January : The Allies capture Tobruk”. A letter from Kassman to his mother, discussing the fall of Benghazi and the defeat of the Italians there, saying that he as “heard first hand, from the Australian and other troops from the front, how hundreds of [Italian soldiers] lay down their arms at the very sight of our men, while prisoners are left to find the prison camp by themselves.” Kassman adds that it would doubtless have been much harder to win had the Germans been in Libya.

The rest of the letter discusses (in brief) Kassman’s recent birthday party (on January 26th), written publications being sent to him, and a brief comparison of food availability in London versus in Egypt (where he was stationed until recently).

Kassman also describes a visit to a location he is still forbidden to name, where he saw a Mrs. Hirschsohn, who cabled his mother about their visit. He says the entire convoy was very warmly received in this location, and hosted for meals and taken out to explore the town.

Kassman’s address at the top includes his rank of Gunner and what is presumably his serial number. The censor’s initial and surname are also present at the bottom (G. Townsend).

One page typed. Dated February 8, 1941.

1.-Gunner-HH-Kassman-1-6.1941-43.pdf