Travel diary of a British soldier during World War II, describing his visit to Jerusalem on the 14th to 23rd of May 1943. English.
In the diary, the soldier, whose name is not mentioned, describes his whereabouts during a vacation to which he refers as a 'sick' leave. He recalls his wanderings around the city, his daily activities and his visits to important sites in the city and its vicinity. He notes his wonderment at the city being totally shut down on Sabbath and also refers to the progress of the campaign against Germany. The diary is accompanied by 11 photographs and postcards as well as several illustrations and sketches by the writer, some on the leaves of the diary and others on separate leaves attached to it. Among other things, the writer of the diary drew the front of the hostel in which he was staying, the Christ Church hostel, the view seen from it, the front of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, an Ashkenazi Jew in traditional attire, and more. A British military censorship stamp appears on the cover.
The diary describes only some of the days of the visit. At its end, the writer refers to a second part (which is not enclosed here).
20 leaves, 24X30.5 cm. Good condition. Missing photographs and postcards. Blemishes and stains.