| Description | Diary recording the events of the war including:
Accuracy and detail of media reports - particularly in newspapers and on the radio
Government issue news leaflets
Public interest/knowledge about military campaigns
Public response to the arrival of refugees and soliders
Treatment of Italians after Italy joined the war
Movements of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and Home Guard (referred to as the LDV)
French surrender
Air raids prior to, and during, the Blitz including how they are reported in the media, air raid warnings, the impact on the population and morale
Orwell's own health, financial situation and application for war work
Death of Italo Balbo
Comparisons to Orwell's time in Spain Internal
Domestic and foreign politics, particularly in Russia and USA
From September onwards, daily entries focus on the events and impact of the Blitz
The entire diary is marked up for publication, with large sections not to be included. Some edited sections have an annotation with the reason as to why the section of text was not to be included. Large sections of the descriptions of air raids, including Orwell's views are marked for being edited from a published text.
Typescript 109 ff; loose. manuscript version is at ORWELL/E/4 |