Sunday 25th May 1941

Last night's news was not too good. In a naval engagement off Greenland, HMS Hood was destroyed (blown up, apparently) with heavy loss of life. Battle cruiser Hood, once known as the finest fighting capital ship in the world. Secondly, the Jerry parachute troops who landed in Crete a few days ago are still there. Fighting is getting more intense. Our troops have hardly any air support and are being heavily attacked. The Navy is doing fine work there, mopping-up barge-loads of Jerry troops, which are approaching the island in swarms.

In Iraq and at Sollum (and Tobruk) operations continue. The last stand of the Essex Horse. Sabres at the alert position!