A Story of War

Spent a day in Bushire in a gale and fog, waiting for the dhows to come off. Eventually cleared and they came out. The Americans gave a party last night and we all go into a cabin – 12 of us. Allan plays his accordion and we all sing, though only with difficulty do we find a song that both “sides” know. It’s just like being at the films to listen to these boys.

Went ashore today at Kuwait – an exceedingly clean bazaar, streets swept, very few flies. Almost a free port, only 5% duty. All the inhabitants have queer puckered eyes, as though all afflicted. We see a plane, so hop in a taxi and say “Aeroplane”. We find her landed in the desert, a ‘Vincent’, and I talk to the pilot, one Geary from Shaibah. We tell him we have been seconded from the army, and he says “Oh yes, airgunners.” Airgunners!