Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 4 - Part 3 of 14

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to the town hence my frequent references to leave at Beirut. That
Beirut stay was a proper holiday, fired a few shots and slept
ate and went on leave. Of course, all good things come to an
end.
Towards the end of September, the big U.S. convoys
were starting to arrive in the M.E and suddenly we pulled up
our guns and started on a 500 mile trek to Suez to strengthen
to the a/a protection of the shipping and installations. We
thought that we were going to Tobruk but when we crossed 
the Canal we went south. It took us 2 1/2 days to make the
trip, great going for such a large and heavily loaded convoy.
We slept out in the Sinai desert for 2 nights and it was cold.
Funny thing, we passed a battery of John's regiment on the
way but they told us his crowd had gone through just before.
That was bad luck but at the time I can assure you that I
thought he was going in the right direction, not us. Still, as it
turned out O.K and although we’ve had some action, the
Ack. Ack at Tobruk never had anything else and a fellow
had a fair show of getting lead poisoning if he went there.
The trip down was devoid of incident but new country kept
us interested. We were on iron rations for the trip and our
first square meal at Suez went over well. We relieved a Tommy
battery and our job was to protect the oil refineries.

11/
We didn't have long to wait for a raid, the second night we answered
the hooter at midnight and fellows came streaming from tents
everywhere. A couple of minutes and the intruders were located.
The Suez anti- aircraft system is very comprehensive and
that night we first saw it in action. At least 50 guns,
about 30 searchlights, dozens of barrage balloons all ready for 
their job. The order to fire came and I had the pleasure 
of shoving the first round up the spout of our gun. Well, a
second's suspense and then a terrific crash and a fierce
blast of wind, the whole illuminated by a glaring flash
as the guns spoke w as one and the game was on.
Gun fire could be heard in all directions and the sky
near the plane was dotted with bursts. This went on
until 4 a.m sometimes the planes within range and
next time out of range. At last, the drone of the bombers'
engines died away and the sound of battle died away. Soon
the All Clear searchlight shone and the troops trudged
wearily back for a few hours sleep. Before we next had action
we had information that a Junkers 88 had landed in the
Sea shot down by Ack. Ack fire. Well earned, too. I
was next transferred to the Command Post Office
staff to become a Predictor Operator, a job I've 

12/
been after for a long time. So I got stuck into that complex box
of tricks and am now quite a fair operator.  After staying at
the refineries for two more weeks, we moved to Ataka, on
the Red Sea, near Suez and that's where we are now. Its
a nice spot right on the beach and lying at the foot of
Mont De L'ataka, g a grim and forbidding range. We have
had several actions from there, usually of 5 hours duration.
but since the desert campaign got going, things have fizzled
right out and I expect we shall move on again soon. One of
our jobs at this spot was to man an observation post, up
the mountain and reached by a tortuous rocky by-path. As
a machine gunner I was chosen pretty early for the job and
the climb nearly killed me. I had to carry a Bren gun to
the top and our party were done when we got to the hut
at the top. We spent a night out and came down after
24 hours, grimy and sore. There war was nothing to observe
that night and doing the job later one of our chaps had
a fall and was killed. It was then cut out. Next
comes my attack of jaundice and removal to the 13th
British Hospital at Suez. I'm leaving there tomorrow
to return to the battery and that ends my story. I hope
this reaches you in due course and fills in many gaps in my
letters. All my love.  Mick.

Mrs

2 1 42

No 52 VX4B8483 Gnr M. Billings. C. Section,
5th. Aust. Hy. A/A. Battery. 2. Aust. A /A. Regt.
A.I.F. Abroad 6.21.42.

Darling Kay,
Having been hoofed out of the hospital two days
back, am now reposing in the bosom of the unit and after
been thoroughly purged of my jaundiced innards, feel as
light as a fairy. Such a transformation, my unsightly paunch
that cost me a mint of money to acquire is no more
and having lost my appetite some time ago I believe I've found
an elephant's cos I want to eat all the time. In his parting
speech the boss at the hospital told me to go easy on fatty
grub for a while and in obeying his injunction and satisfying
the clamor of my inner man, I'm set a problem. Well now,
I'm feeling chirpy again.  its good to be back with the lads but
I am mighty sore over missing the Xmas celebrations. They
had an extra bright time from what I hear, turkey dinner,
tons of grog and a marvellous play put on by some of the
bright boys around the place. I get back just when all is over
and from signs and portents, our stay in this area is
drawing to a close. Trekking about will be a cow as winter
has set in now and its very cold, the wind goes through you
like a knife and it's a job to keep warm. I guess the weather
back home is the opposite now and I hope you are enjoying 

2/
it. Even over there here with the flies and other curses, I prefer
the hot weather as you can wear next to nowt and swim and all
that kind of thing whereas its an ordeal to go out in the
morning and wash your face. Glad to read in your latest letters
that you are feeling fine and carrying on the good work as of yore
and that's the best line of news I get from you. If 1942 treats you
as you deserve, you will rise to greater heights and after that
maybe your war worries will be over. Stick it out, pet and
don't let yourself be browned off. I must say the Jap menace
hasn't shaken your calm so I reckon you're going to go over big
this year. Now, I've had your letters up to No 91, the last
two arriving since I wrote you in hospital thanks a heap
Sweetheart as they were a treat when it was doubtful if the
mail would get through. I got a shock to read of the tragic
sequel to the happy anticipations of George & Fay, what an
awful shame that their first-born should be lost, it would
have made them so happy. Now there's that empty feeling of
something precious lost and even after Fay is restored to health,
a scar will be left on her mind for a good while. In fact, I
was waiting to l learn from you that they had had a bairn 
and everything had panned out fine but your news made me
feel very sorry for them. When you are writing to them, give them
my condolences and w hopes that Fay will soon be fit
and well again. 

3/
I was pleased to see my letters to you are still turning up and
that you liked the dope about Cairo. Fancy the X mas cards
getting there in time, that was a surprise. At that rate,
your parcel should not be long reaching you but parcels do
perform odd things.  No more of yours or from home have
arrived but some more papers have arrived.  The Ack-Ack
paper got to you too, there was a piece chopped out before I
received it. Anyhow its only third rate tripe, chaps at N.Q who
have jobs writing such guff are lucky. The paper is just a
poor joke to us with that awful mutton-fisted hype of so-called
humor. It's so cold its hard to write coherently so if this
seems stilted or vague you'll understand the cause. Thanks
for the canteen orders, seeing it was Christmas I won't
scold you for spending your pittance on me but belatedly
will have a swig on you. We're getting American tinned
beer now, pretty dear but is beautiful beer. Your mother does
get a rotten spin, her brother passing away suddenly, her
daughter losing her babe and being very ill, her son away over
here. You might have been the problem child in your childhood
days but I bet you're third sheet-anchor now. Give her my
love and sympathy and I do wish you good folk a better
deal this year. I know Harry Due, was in the same
tent as him in Palestine for a while. Funny sort

4/
of egg. I think his a bit screwy personally from his antics but
his stationed away from here just now so don't see him now.
Funny how you run across people who know someone who knows
someone you know, isn't it? Glad to hear John is going
strong and has his old crony Sam Winter with him. I had
a letter from Sam when he was at the training camp.
The girl he used to be engaged to is engaged to a bloke in
our section, nice feller too. Glad you went over home on
Christmas day as you old clients would help Mum not to
think too much of the absent members and after all the
tradition of the family gathering and the sumptuous banquet goes
back long before the war and people who let passing p phases
upset them unduly are silly. Having a air-raid war for
instance at your back door need not give you the 'willies'
you soon learn to look after yourself and carry on with the job.
Must fix up that green envelope letter soon but am
right out of the mood today so shan't spoil it by
attempting it. Seems to be no more dope just now
old bean so will now go to luncheon of Boeuf-de
boule or some such rare delicacy. All my love,
my chunky one and may God Bless you for your
faith.
Mick

MAIL
PAR AVION
52
6.1.42

Miss. K. Clarke,
548 Barker’s Road,
East Hawthorn
Victoria Australia