Saturday 17th May 1940

Second day of the Khamsin. This morning the temperature at 10:30 a.m. was 99F in the shade and 110F in the sun. The temperature was probably higher still in the canteen. One sat there soaking in sweat, so that arms and hands gleamed as if polished (my pulse was a hundred as I sat there!) and then, when one stepped out into the sunshine at, presumably 110F, it seemed distinctly cooler.

However we can stand this sort of heat better now, for instead of terribly hot and dusty battle-dress slacks with gaiters and tropical shirts, we have begun to wear shirts, shorts and puttees. They look quite soldierly altogether! For walking out in the evenings, we have khaki drill tunics and slacks.