It
seems strange that I should write a diary in these exciting war times
and have nothing to say about it. But to write a history of the war by a
business man is out of the question. At best it would merely be the
current rumors. Events crowd each other at such a bewildering pace that
one can not begin to keep up with them. About a month ago the British
and Americans accomplished the impossible and made a successful landing
in France and took Cherbourg, but ever since the Germans have held them
in narrow limits. During the past month the Russians on the other hand
have crowded forward breaking one German line after another, seizing
first one strong fortified point after along an eight hundred miles.
They have driven the Germans out of Russia, have entered Poland, and are
reportedly approaching Germany. The Allied forces in Italy, after
being stalled all Winter, during the past few weeks have made notable
progress, capturing Rome and driving the Germans to the Northern part of
the county. The first week the Americans took Leghorn [?] on their end
of the line. Now come news of an attempt on the life of Hitler by
members of the Army staff, which appears to have almost succeeded. The
world can only judge of it through rumors that leak out, but it seems to
indicate a serious conflict between the commanding officers of the army
and Hitler's political following. Also in the last few days there has
been a general shake up in the Japanese cabinet. This last appears to
stem from the rapid and unchecked advance toward the homeland by the
American forces.Christensen died a few months later, 5 September 1944, purportedly from a blood clot while he was sitting in his hospital bed drinking a glass of milk. We have bound photocopies of his diaries, written from 1893 to 1944, courtesy of one of his descendants.
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