DeptName
Documents

IDNO
1292

OtherNumber
87/13/1

ItemName
Private Papers of C C M Millis

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Interesting ms diary, August 1915 and August - December 1917, covering his service as a Corporal in the 2nd County of London Yeomanry (Westminster Dragoons) (5th Mounted Brigade, 2nd Mounted Division until December 1915, then 6th Mounted Brigade, Western Frontier Force from April 1916) vividly describing his journey from Cairo, via Lemnos, to Gallipoli, action and life around him at Suvla Bay, especially the operations at Chocolate Hill (August 1915), his journey in 1917 from Egypt to Palestine (designated XX Corps Cavalry Regiment), the landscape and local people, his horse and reliance on it, the Battle and capture of Beersheba, an encounter with some Arab villagers in the desert, his service as mounted orderly to General Sir Reginald Wingate, High Commissioner of Egypt, the problems of lack of water and the perils of life in the desert environment, the entry into Hebron (December 1917) and preparations for the attack on Jerusalem; together with miscellaneous newspaper cuttings and a medal ribbon.

MakerName
Millis

Forenames
C C M

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
1447

OtherNumber
87/22/1

ItemName
Private Papers of C H Williams, C H

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Photocopy of an interesting ts memoir (54pp), written in 1920, concerning his service as a Captain in the 1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry (231st Brigade, 74th Division) commanding No 5 Light Car Patrol from 1916 - 1919 and describing the life, people, topography of, and conditions in the deserts of North West Egypt and Libya, the work of the light car patrols, various political and military dealings with and against factions of the Senussi, life in the Italian garrison town of Benghazi, the Bedouin and their characteristics and the Egyptian riots of 1919.

MakerName
Williams, C H

Forenames
C H

Honours
MC

Style
Captain

RelatedIWMItems
For further details of items relating to this collection see the file of Major F R Harding-Newman (87/18/1).

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
15/11/2007 05:50:04

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
2026

OtherNumber
91/32/1

ItemName
Private Papers of R F Whitticase

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
13 ms letters and a ts transcription of one letter (27pp) written between 2 January and 11 March 1991 whilst serving as a Lieutenant with the REME (attached 16/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers, 1st Armoured Division) on Operation 'Granby' in the Persian Gulf, containing useful descriptions of desert conditions, his own duties, his thoughts on the developing conflict with Iraq, Iraqi deserters (letter of 27 January), the 'unbelievable' destruction he witnessed in Kuwait City, and battlefield souvenirs taken by Coalition forces (including a T55 tank).

MakerName
Whitticase

Forenames
R F

Style
Captain

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
2681

OtherNumber
94/26/1

ItemName
Private Papers of T Pilbeam

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
4 ms air mail letters (8pp) written home to his aunt and uncle, January - March 1991, from the Gulf while serving as a Corporal with the 7th Armoured Brigade Workshop describing his experiences during Operation 'Granby', including conditions in the desert of Saudi Arabia, his duties in his mobile workshop maintaining and fixing vehicles, operational movements and preparations, listening to the radio and reading the SANDY TIMES, his appreciation of the support and kindness of his family and the British public who provided parcels and news of the outside world, the tedium of waiting for operations to begin, seeing a SCUD Missile being destroyed by a PATRIOT Missile, while commenting on the high morale of the troops and political events and the rapid advance through Iraq to Kuwait, including the surrender of two Iraqi soldiers who started crying with joy. Also included are a letter (1p) from his wife, January 1991, describing the transportation of British troops from Hanover Airport to the Gulf, and a letter (4pp) from his father, March 1991, concerning the Gulf War and its effects.

MakerName
Pilbeam

Forenames
T

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
3113

OtherNumber
95/15/1 & Con Shelf

ItemName
Private Papers of D J Carnegie

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Well-written ms diary (381pp), May 1940 - September 1942, and photocopy of a ts illustrated memoir (104pp, written ca 1978) recording the army service of a Kenyan settler in East Africa and Madagascar, ?September 1939 - ?1943, including training in the ranks with the Kenya Regiment in Uganda, ?September 1939 - ?1940; transfer to the East Africa Reconnaissance Squadron (later the Kenya Armoured Car Regiment) training in Kenya until May 1940; defending the Northern Frontier District, Kenya, May 1940 - January 1941; advancing into Italian and British Somaliland, January - March 1941, and Abyssinia, March - June 1941; patrolling in Kenya and the Danakil Desert, Eritrea, 1941 - 1942; training on tanks in Cairo, Egypt, 1942, and at OCTU, Njoro, Kenya, 1942; service as an officer with 1/3rd King's African Rifles, July - September 1942, and as an official cameraman seconded to GSI(P) and attached to No 5 Commando during the invasion of Madagascar, September - December 1942; his discharge owing to an allergy to Atabrin, an anti-malarial drug; his trenchant opinions on events, relations between officers and other ranks, poor equipment, the Italian Army, and the regular army; and mentioning General Sir William Platt, Major Generals H E de R Weatherall and Orde Wingate. Also included are an annotated copy (148pp) of 'The Abyssinian Campaign' by the Ministry of Information (HMSO, 1942), and miscellaneous papers (53pp) relating to his service in East Africa including his Reconnaissance Report and papers (10pp) relating to the rescue of an SAAF aircrew, June 1940; 7 ms sketches (7pp) of bombing by Italian bombers, duck shooting in Eritrea, and "The Adventures of Reggie The Rekkie"; 8 annotated Italian postcards (16pp); a postcard (2pp) of HMS ALBATROSS; and 4 photographs of Italian soldiers and No 3 Troop EARS, Garissa.

MakerName
Carnegie

Forenames
D J

Style
Lieutenant

RelatedIWMItems
See DCAR

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
5659

OtherNumber
96/50/1 & PP/MCR/245

ItemName
Private Papers of R L Crimp

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Ts transcript (555pp) of a detailed, well-written diary, June 1941 - August 1945, recording his service as an NCO with the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade and, from March 1945, the 10th Battalion Rifle Brigade, initially as a signaller in Egypt, North Africa and Palestine (July 1941 - April 1944) but then in Italy during the Allied advance (May 1944 - May 1945) and finally as an interpreter in Austria (May - August 1945), including useful descriptions of his initial voyage out, the Battle of Sidi Rezegh (November 1941), the capture of Benghazi (December 1941), Battles of El Alamein (October - November 1942) and the Mareth Line (March 1943), 'desert weariness' and the lifestyle of a Desert Rat, the qualities of a Cockney soldier, the desertion of a comrade, the evacuation of another for loss of nerve and a court martial for 'circumventing the censor', the streetlife, brothels and tourist attractions of Cairo, Jerusalem and Bethlehem, inspections by HM King George VI and Field Marshal Montgomery, low morale resulting from disallowance of leave, criticisms of the film 'Desert Victory' and both German and British propaganda, visits to Rome and Florence on leave, a comparison of the types of warfare in which he participated, his fraternisation with Italian and Austrian girls despite the official Allied ruling against it, and an example of ill discipline among British soldiers in the British Zone of Austria.

MakerName
Crimp

Forenames
R L

RelatedIWMItems
The first volume of the diary was published in an edited form as THE DIARY OF A DESERT RAT (Leo Cooper Ltd, 1971)

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
6802

OtherNumber
97/26/1

ItemName
Private Papers of S & B George

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Photocopies (circa 100pp) of transcribed ts letters written by two brothers during the First World War, covering the period February 1915 - August 1918, both of whom were initially serving in the 1st Dorset Yeomanry in Egypt, one then remaining with the regiment as part of the Imperial Camel Corps (EEF) in Egypt and Palestine, the other transferring to the RGA on the Western Front in late 1916; the majority of letters are characterised by their observations of life in the Egyptian desert and on the Western Front, and of the Arabs they encounter, with interesting comments on the transportation of horses and mules by sea and their use in operations against Senussi tribesmen, and the later use of camels; together with a ts transcription (2pp) of a letter dated July 1916 written by a Canadian soldier to the brothers' sister, containing a poignant description of British soldiers' graves at an unknown location on the Western Front.

MakerName
George

Forenames
S & B

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
8091

OtherNumber
99/16/1

ItemName
Private Papers of A F Flatow

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Ms account with diagrams (155pp, written May - June 1943) and ts transcription (62pp) describing his service as a squadron commander in the 45th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment (Leeds Rifles) (24th Armoured Brigade, 10th Armoured Division) in Egypt and North Africa, July 1942 - March 1943, covering his disembarkation and training in the Suez Canal Zone (July - October 1942), moving up to and training in the Western Desert (October 1942), the preparation for and operations during the Battle of El Alamein (October - November 1942), his evacuation to hospital with jaundice and recovery in No 64 General Hospital at Alexandria and No 92 General Hospital, El Qatara in Sinai (November 1942 - February 1943), before rejoining the remnants of his unit (February - March 1943) and returning home (March - June 1943), commenting in particular on horrific battlefield scenes, living conditions in the desert, his equipment, the Sherman tank and an inspiring visit by Winston Churchill (August 1942).

MakerName
Flatow

Forenames
A F

Honours
TD

Style
Major

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
11178

OtherNumber
Con Shelf & 02/16/1

ItemName
Private Papers of E B Hinde

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Ms diary (536pp), together with an edited ts transcription (76pp), recording his service as Medical Officer with the 1/2nd East Anglian Field Ambulance (54th Division) EEF in Egypt and Palestine, March 1916 - May 1918, including as part of a Mobile Medical Unit of the Desert Mobile Column (July - October 1916), describing his involvement in the advance across Sinai (January - March 1917) and capture of Jerusalem (December 1917) and including interesting references to his duties, conditions in the desert, his relations with Army Chaplains, recreational activities such as concerts and football matches, Christmas celebrations, a visit by the Prince of Wales (April 1916), the casualties sustained after the 3rd Battle of Gaza (November 1917), and sightseeing visits to Cairo, Gaza, Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Also held with the collection are two AB153s containing carbon copy field notes and messages including some relating to gas casualties; three programmes for concerts and divisional sports events; ms report (3pp plus map) by the OC 1/2nd East Anglian Field Ambulance on operations carried out on 26/27 March 1917; ms/ts nominal roll for the 1/2nd EAFA (1p); a Platoon Roll Book; two 1917 Christmas cards from Palestine; and a few printed army instructions.

MakerName
Hinde

Forenames
E B

Style
Major

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
10259

ProductionDate
25/Jul/1988

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
tank, US: Grant 'Monty'
award, British: Military Medal

IndexPeople
Fraser, James Marshal Ralston xxx
Montgomery, Bernard L
Postern, John

IndexPlaces
GB, England
EG
EG & El Alamein
LY
LY & Knightsbridge Box
LY & Sidi Rezegh

IndexUnits
GB.A & Royal Tank Regt 6
GB.A & Army 8, Headquarters General, Troop, Tank Protection

ShortSummary
British NCO served with 6th Royal Tank Regt and 8th Army General Headquarters, Tank Protection Troop in North Africa, 1941-1942

FullSummary
REEL 1 Recollections of period as NCO tank driver with General Montgomery's personal tank 'Monty', 8th Army General Headquarters, Tank Protection Troop in Egypt, 1942: wounding in Knightsbridge Box, 6/1942; selection as Montgomery's tank driver; briefing by John Postern, Montgomery's ADC; character of Montgomery's command tank; initial impressions of Montgomery; reaction to Montgomery's confidence; opinion of Generals Claude Auckinleck and Archibald Wavell; story of method by which Montgomery acquired his trademark black beret; fate of Fraser's beret; naming of tank; Montgomery's technique of establishing contact with troops.
REEL 2 Continues: Montgomery's treatment of officers; lack of reaction from officers to treatment by Montgomery; style of leadership prior to Montgomery's arrival; Montgomery's behaviour on first night of El Alamein; Montgomery's policy of giving information to troops; Montgomery's breaking down of class system; Montgomery's behaviour as caring commander.
REEL 3 Continues: Montgomery's common touch; character of Montgomery's behaviour to troops and individuals; question of how Montgomery's achievements matched up to his words; importance of El Alamein to outcome of Desert War; Montgomery's behaviour to his tank protection crew; effect of Montgomery's flamboyance; duties with Montgomery.
REEL 4 Continues: Reflections on service with General Montgomery: subsequent history of 'Monty' tank; question of what he personally owes to Montgomery; post-war contact with Montgomery; memories of the eve of El Alamein, 1942. Story of winning Military Medal at Sidi Rezegh, 22/11/1941.
REEL 5 Continues: Story of winning Military Medal at Sidi Rezegh, 22/11/1941.

ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1939-1945: North Africa, 1940-1943

Duration
150

NumberOfParts
5

OtherFormats
Full : 56pp

MakerName
Fraser, James Marshal Ralston

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedIWMItems
Photos (1940s, 2000s) in file
See interview with Kennedy 19089

RelatedSoundFile
Fraser-landwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
25 June 2007

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
10403

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexPeople
Sell, Harry xxx
Redman, <Brigadier>
Churchill, <Brigadier>
Straller, <Oberst>
Nicholls, <Brigadier>
Mahone, <Sergeant>
Dimbleby, Richard
Miller, <Colonel>
Straller, <Oberst>
Sterling, David
Montgomery, Bernard L

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Whitley Bay, Durham
GB, England & Gateshead, Durham <
GB, England & Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northd <Gosforth>
GB, England & Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northd <Newcastle Modern School>
GB, England & Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northd <St Georges Drill Hall>
GB, England & Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northd <Fenham Barracks>
GB, England & Knutsford, Cheshire <Camp>
GB, England & Maiden Newton, Dorset <Wraxall Manor>
GB, England & Tiverton, Devon
GB, England & Camberley, Surrey <Royal Military Academy>
GB, England & Chipping Norton, Oxon
GB, England & Southampton, Hants
FR
FR & Cherbourg
FR & Frenais sur Sauf
FR & Lille sector, Nord
FR & La Bassee sector, Pas-de-Calais
FR & Hulloch sector, Pas-de-Calais
FR & Vimy Ridge, Nord
FR & Petit Vimy, Nord
FR & Vimy Sector, Nord
FR & Arras area, Nord
FR & Ecurie, Nord
FR & Dunkirk, Nord
FR & Dunkirk, Nord <Harbour>
FR & Dunkirk, Nord <Beach>
FR & Dunkirk, Nord <Mole>
FR & Cherbourg
FR & Cherbourg
BE
BE & Gramont
BE & Bullescamp, West Flanders <Chateau>
IT
IT & Prescara
IT & Prescara <POW Camp PG 21>
DE
DE & Moravia
DE & Mooseberg <POW Camp>
DE & Maurich Trubau <POW Camp>
DE & Brunswick <POW Camp>
DE & Brunswick area
EG
EG & Cairo
EG & Port Tewfik
EG & El Tehag
EG & El Quassasim
EG & Gazala area
EG & Gazala box
EG & Mersa Matruh
EG & Fuka sector
SA
SA & Durban
LY
PN
PN & Haifa
CY
CY & Nicosia
IQ
IQ & Kirkuk
IQ & Habbaniyah
IQ & Baghdad

IndexUnits
GB.A & Durham Light Infantry
GB.A & Durham Light Infantry, Bn 6
GB.A & Durham Light Infantry, Bn 9
GB.A & Durham Light Infantry, Bn 12
GB.A & Durham Light Infantry, Bn 8
GB.A & Northumberland Fusiliers, Bn, 6
GB.A & Northumberland Fusiliers, Depot, Fenham Barracks
GB.A & Academy, Royal Military, Camberley
GB.A & Auxiliary Territorial Service
GB.A & National Defence Companies
GB.A & Div, 50
GB.A & Div, Indian, 5
GB.A & Div, 50 <Headquarters>
GB.A & Bde, 150
GB.A & Bde, 151
GB.A & Bde, 151 <Headquarters>
GB.A & Barracks, Fenham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
GB.A & Drill Hall, St George's, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
GB.A & Drill Hall, Burt Terrace, Gateshead
GB.A & Camp, Knutsford
GB.N & Ship, Duchess of Richmond
GB.N & Ship, Georgic
DE.N & Ship, Bismark
IT.A & POW Camp, PG 21 Prescara
DE.A & POW Camp, Mooseberg
DE.A & POW Camp, Maurich Trubau
DE.A & POW Camp, Brunswick
IN.A & Div 5
GB.O & School, Newcastle Modern
GB.O & Company, Royal Insurance

ShortSummary
British officer served with 9th Bn, Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1932-1939; served with Headquarters, 1st Bde in North West Europe, GB, Iraq and Egypt, 1939-1942; served with 8th Bn, Durham Light Infantry in North Africa; POW in Italy and Germany. 1942-1945.

FullSummary
REEL 1 Recollections of background in Whitley Bay and Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1910-1939: family military connections; social circumstances; education; relationship with soldiers billeted in home; recites military training rhyme; food rationing: view of Zeppelin being shot down: Armistice celebrations, 11/11/1918; Boy Scouts activities including camps, training and question of relevance to subsequent military service; education as day boy at Newcastle Modern School, ca 1919-1926, including syllabus, sports and Officers Training Corps activities; work at Royal Insurance Company, ca 1926-1939, including expectation that employees would join territorials and duties. Recollections of recruitment and training with A Coy, 6th Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers at St George's Drill Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1926-1933: background to recruitment into potential officers platoon, 7/1926.
REEL 2 Continues: nature of drill nights; drill; route marches and care of feet; sporting activities; personal hygiene lectures; rifle, Lewis gun, Vickers machine gun, bayonet and hand grenade training, gas mask training; liaison training with artillery; and table and tactical training; signals training; first aid training: courses and temporary attachment to regular training squads at NF Depot, Fenham Barracks, Newcastle; promotion to lance corporal and question of acceptance of higher rate of pay; origins of ORs; role of officers; relationship with NCOs; pride in unit; role on promotion to sergeant and relationship with ORs; background to application for commission and vetting procedure; attending course at Royal Military Academy, Camberley, 1933.
REEL 3 Recollections of commission and training with B Coy, 9th Bn, DLI at Burt Terrace Drill Hall, Gateshead, 1933-1939: choice of unit; reception; relationship with ORs; administrative duties; summer camps; reaction to change of unit; role as signal officer; role as transport officer; opinion of lorries and Bren gun carriers; driving training; instructional lectures; nature of officers' mess: question of using light infantry pace: employer's sympathetic attitude to territorial service; awareness of approach of war; opinion of Bren gun, Boyes anti-tank rifle, 2" mortars and rifle grenades; accelerated recruitment, 1938; role as assistant adjutant; formation of 12th Bn, DLI, 1939. Recollections of mobilisation procedure, 8/1939-9/1939: role following early mobilisation with key party, 8/1939; assisting in mobilisation of ATS and National Defence Companies.
REEL 4 Continues: assisting in mobilisation of NDCs and ATCs, 8/1939; successful mobilisation of unit, 1/9/1939. Recollections of period at Chipping Norton, 10/1939-1/1940: issue of vehicles, equipment and stores; problems with issue of pay books; comparison of peacetime and wartime training; MT as motorised unit and training priorities as transport officer. Recollections of role and duties on posting as transport officer of 151 Bde, 50th Div, 12/1939: opinion of Brigadier Churchill and his style of command; composition of headquarters staff; role in preparing, issuing and checking implementation of transport logistics orders via brigade radio net; additional role assisting logging information on battle board and brigade diary; review of roles of staff officers.
REEL 5 Continues: role of liaison officers: role of 'R' and '0' groups in issuing of brigade orders; question of checking implementation of brigade orders; liaison with divisional staff and structure of command; question of ability to change orders on personal responsibility. Organisation of move via Southampton to Cherbourg, France, 1/1940: warning orders; packing drill; preparation and issue of movement orders: problems posed by blackout: embarkation leave; practical lectures from First World War veteran officer; reception at Cherbourg. Period at Frenais sur Sauf, 1/1940-2/1940: role of advance parties; billets; relationship with French civilians; conduct of British troops; organisation; training during move to Lille, 2/1940-3/19140. Period in Lille sector, 43/1940-5/1940: opinions of possible nature of fighting; construction of defensive positions.
REEL 6 Continues construction of defensive positions; training; introduction of French anti-tank guns. ca 1940; relationship between regular officers and territorial troops; opinion of Brigadier Churchill; status as territorials; night training and carrot diet. Recollections of advance to Grammont, Belgium, 10/5/1940: German attack; issue of movement orders; German air attacks; reactions to German shellfire; reactions to first casualty during German air attack; duties. Period at Grammont, ca 10/5/1940-18/5/1940: situation reports; retreat of Belgian Army through positions; Belgian civilian refugees; reaction to German air attacks on Belgian refugees question of providing assistance. Forced march to Vimy sector, Arras area, 18/5/1940-21/5/1940: news of German breakthrough; organisation of march; effects of fatigue and attempts to minimise impact on Brigadier Churchill.
REEL 7 Continues: abstention from drinking on active service; transport difficulties exacerbated by refugees; use of checkpoints; effects of fatigue; situation in La Bassee Canal sector. Account of counter-attack by 151 Bde in Arras area, 21/5/1940-22/5/1940: initial dispositions on Vimy Ridge; review of plans for attack in co-operation with tanks; role as brigade transport officer during attack; review of progress of attack by 6th, 8th and 9th Bns, DLI, 21/5/1940; procedure for processing of German POWs; question of conduct of Colonel Miller with regard to his unauthorised retreat with 6th Bn, DLI from Vimy Ridge; role as transport officer during withdrawal to defensive positions on Vimy Ridge, 22/5/1940; German dive bomb attacks; situation; role during evacuation of Vimy Ridge, 23/5/1940.
REEL 8 Continues: story of being inadvertently left behind on evacuation of Vimy Ridge, 23/5/1940; collecting stragglers and rejoining unit; confused situation; absence of German pursuit. Recollections of retreat to Dunkirk, 23/5/1940-1/6/1940: reactions to first casualty during German air attack; rearguard role of 151 Bde; question of German fifth columnists and paratroopers; attitude of French civilians; attempts to minimise impact of fatigue on Brigadier Churchill; effects of fatigue; role as transport officer illustrated by evacuation of 9th Bn, DLI from Bullescamp Chateau, 3/6/1940; role of Royal Engineers in demolition of bridges; destruction of vehicles, equipment and stores; question of conduct of ORs and officers; water supply; situation on beaches at Dunkirk; minor wounds in arm and lower back; evacuation from mole in Dunkirk harbour, 2/6/1940; role in checking everyone was evacuated; difficulties in re-equipment following evacuation; comparison of British and German anti-tank weapons.
REEL 9 Continues: comparison of British and German anti-tank weapons and tanks; question of German air superiority; evacuation. Background to unauthorised withdrawal of Colonel Miller and remnants of 6th Bn, DLI from Vimy sector, 23/5/1940: arrival of Miller at advanced brigade headquarters at Ecurie; briefing on situation; preparations for retreat to Vimy Ridge positions and role of battalion transport officer; exhausted state of 6th Bn, DLI remnants on move to rear brigade HQ at Petit Vimy; unauthorised withdrawal to Hulloch and La Bassee sector; German bombing raid and consequent dispersal of remnants of 6th Bn, DLI; Miller's exhausted state on rejoining brigade headquarters and evacuation as casualty; subsequent inquiry into events and end of Miller's active service career; effects of exhaustion.
REEL 10 Question of performance of 151 Bde during North West Europe campaign, 5/1940-6/1940: prior state of morale and training; role of Brigadier Churchill; impact of Arras counter-attack. Initial period in GB, 6/1940: lack of medical treatment for minor wounds until treated at hospital during leave; state of brigade on collection at Knutsford Camp. Recollections of period at Wraxall Manor, Maiden Newton, 6/1940-11/1940: re-equipment and new drafts; organisation of staff and changes in personnel; posting as deputy quartermaster-general and review of role in supply, discipline and inquiries; defensive principles behind establishment of coastal defence positions and question of response to German tactics; method of choosing sites for defensive positions.
REEL 11 Period of training in Tiverton area, 11/1940-2/1941: opinion of Montgomery; exercises designed to improve standards of fitness and stamina; role assisting civilian authorities following German air raids; coastal defences; reinforcement drafts. Voyage aboard Duchess of Richmond to Port Tewfiq, Egypt, 5/1941-7/1941: question of destination; shipboard routine; German and Vichy French air raids; news of hunt for Bismarck; relationship with South African civilians at Durban, South Africa; problems with caste and religious beliefs of Indian troops; opinion of Australian troops; Italian bombing attack on Georgic at Port Tewfik; disembarkation procedure. Period at El Tehag and El Quassasim camps, 7/1941: desert marching technique; acclimatisation to desert conditions; use of sun compass; hourly vehicle maintenance checks; guard patrols to prevent stealing by Egyptian civilians.
REEL 12 Recollections of period at Nicosia, Cyprus, 7/1941-11/1941: background to flight with brigade advanced party to plan defensive positions and subsequent justification of plans; relationship with Cypriot civilians; opinion of Brigadier Redman; soldiers' drinking habits. Recollections of acting with brigade advanced party to Kirkuk area, Iraq, 11/1941: briefing on strategic situation: problems encountered in exchanging equipment and stores with 5th Indian Div at Haifa, Palestine; role; situation at Habbaniyah and occasional Iraqi sniping on tent; attitude of Iraqi civilians; Baghdad staging camp guarded by Gurkhas. Recollections of period at Kirkuk, 11/1941-1/1942: situation; efforts to counter cold weather conditions; opinion of Brigadier Nicholls.
REEL 13 Continues: recreations and story of visit to cinema; negotiations over defensive positions on religious burial grounds; supplementing food rations; duck mascot of 8th Bn, DLI; state of unit morale; role with brigade advanced party during journey to Gazala, Egypt, 1/1942. Recollections of conditions of service and lifestyle in Gazala box, 2/1942-6/1942: nature of defensive positions; patrols and listening posts; stone sangars; nature of dugouts and trenches; daily routine and nature of staff duties; role and organisation of 'jock columns'; food rations and cooking arrangements; issue of ascorbic acid tablets.
REEL 14 Continues: water supply and use of filtered water for washing; latrines; attitude to Cairo based staff; fly problem; desert faunae; desert sores; question of dysentery; effects of climate; officers' mess; posting following failure of 'Ross Column' to command D Coy, 8th Bn, DLI, 4/1942; successful reorganisation of company; reactions to posting; recollections of various officers and NCOs including Sergeant Mahone; participation in 'jock columns'. Recollection of operations following German offensive, 5/1942-1942: successful German attack on 150 Bde; German tactics; isolated situation of Gazala box; briefing and plans for breakout.
REEL 15 Continues: briefing and plans for breakout; success of D Coy in establishing bridgehead for rest of 151 Bde; confusion over movements of 9th Bn, DLI; breakout; casualties during journey with remnants of D Coy back to Mersa Matruh; BBC recording made by Richard Dimbleby on role in breakout. Recollections of period in defensive positions on Mersa Matruh escarpment, 6/1942: state of unit; reasons for necessity of Gazala breakout; precautions against German air attacks; situation; story of raising alarm of German night tank movements; view of German tank and infantry attack on 9th Bn, DLI, 27/6/1942 including success in directing artillery support fire and resistance offered by anti-tank gun teams of 9th Bn, DLI; breakout through area formerly occupied by 9th Bn, DLI; orders to return and re-occupy positions on escarpment, 28/6/1942.
REEL 16 Continues: nature of fighting and improvised use of new 6pdr anti-tank guns; situation; effects of fatigue; second breakout and retreat to Fuka lines, 28/6/1942-29/6/1942. Recollections of German attack on defensive positions in front of Fuka minefield, 29/6/1942: method of using sticky bombs against tanks; capture by Germans whilst knocked unconscious. Recollections of situation on surrender of Italians at POW Camp PG 21, Prescara, Italy, ca 9/1943: departure of Italian troops and situation; arrival of 1st German Parachute Div; initial treatment and movements. Recollections of escape and subsequent recapture in Northern Italy, ca 9/1943: escape during confusion caused by Allied air raid on Bolzano; increasing German domination of Italy; travelling method; betrayal and recapture; Gestapo interrogation methods and response; treatment from German guards; movements following recapture. Recollections of conditions, daily routine and lifestyle in Mooseberg POW Camp, Bavaria, Germany, 1943-1944: reception; hut accommodation; latrines; morning routine; food.
REEL 17 Continues: improvisations to improve conditions including use of tin cans and makeshift water heater; question of German guards entering huts; hiding places in huts; exercise and keeping warm; mixed nationality of POWs; working parties; role of French POWs in administration of camp; treatment of Russian POWs; visiting French compound in role as liaison officer and nature of their intelligence gathering activities; organisation of British POWs; liaison role in collecting and disseminating information; work of escape committee; learning from practical experience of French POWs; question of treatment by German guards and rescue of Russian POW who had been beaten; methods of keeping warm.
REEL 18 Move to Maurich Trubau, Moravia, ca 1944: prior warning and briefing by French POWs; search by Gestapo unit; noting information of military value during train journey. Recollections of period in Maurich Trubau POW Camp, Moravia, ca 1944: situation as officers' camp; appointment as commanding officer of company of British ORs acting as orderlies: British organisation; opinion of German troops and camp guards; opinion of Captain David Sterling; story of disrupting camp and surrounding area by feigning symptoms of typhus amongst POWs; tunnel digging activities and German reprisals; mass organisation behind individual escape attempts; Red Cross parcels; food; relationship with fellow POWs; cases of insanity; question of recreations; camp concert parties; cell structure of POW organisation; role of British OR orderlies and their collection of information whilst cleaning camp offices.
REEL 19 Continues: use of radio and method of disseminating news bulletins; success in bribing Polish civilian camp worker and some German guards; difficult role of senior British officer in liaising with German camp commandant; question of success of escape attempts; impact of Churchill's speeches and news of Russian advance. Move by train to Brunswick POW Camp, ca 1944: preparations; escort by SS troops; story of starting fire to sabotage power cable; food; story of threatening German commandant Oberst Straller; success in removing hand cuffs and subsequent German reaction. Recollections of period in Brunswick POW Camp, ca 1944-1945: theft of German BMW motorcycle and its conversion into electrical generator for radio by British ORs; excavation of radio room; accommodation in ex-Luftwaffe barracks; shortage of food and water; debriefing of new POWs and detection of POW planted by Germans.
REEL 20 Continues: monitoring and treatment of POW planted by Germans; question of other cases of POW informers; view of effects of Allied massed bombing raids during visit with burial party to Brunswick area including POW casualties, reaction to civilian mass graves and question of effects of bomb blast; news of assassination attempt on Hitler; state of German morale; news on radio of D Day invasion, 6/6/1944; preparations for breakout; visit from official from German Civil Service; situation; delaying tactics to prevent planned move; liberation by US troops. Period following liberation in Brunswick area, ca 5/1945: foraging for food: chaotic situation; assisting inexperienced US anti-tank gun detachment; question of belief of German troops that the Allies would Germans in attacking Soviet Union. Journey back to GB, ca 5/1945. Post-war carer: success in securing prosecution of Oberst Straller; review of territorial service with 8th Bn, DLI and with 151 Brigade, 1945-1968; failure of efforts to secure prosecution of Italian war criminal.

ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1939-1945: Durham Light Infantry
Military Operations, 1939-1945: North Africa, 1940-1943

Duration
600

NumberOfParts
20

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Sell, Harold

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
Sell-landwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
10689

ProductionDate
2/May/1989

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexPeople
Jones, Frederick C xxx

IndexPlaces
GB, England
EG
EG & Port Said
EG & El Alamein
LY
TN
IT
IT & Brindisi

IndexUnits
GB.A & Rifle Brigade, Bn 7
GB.A & London Regt, Bn 5

ShortSummary
British NCO served with 7th Bn Rifle Brigade in North Africa and Italy, 1942-1945

FullSummary
REEL 1 Aspects of family and educational background. Aspects of life, 1938-1939: joining TA, 1st Bn London Rifle Brigade, 1938; call up, 1939; waiting to go overseas. Aspects of journey to Egypt by ship. Recollections of period with 7th Rifle Brigade, North Africa: arrival at Port Said, 6/1942; camouflaging vehicles; living conditions in desert; flies; food rations.
REEL 2 Continues: hospitalisation with dysentery; attitude towards Egyptian civilians; sight and sound of Alamein barrage; story of how he was burnt in petrol accident, Tunisia, 1943; visit by Montgomery, 1942; death of comrade; sight of Italian POWs, 1942; stealing German jerricans; arrival of new Colonel, Douglas Darling; attitude towards US troops in Tunisia; uniform. Recollections of period with 7th Rifle Brigade, Italy: return to regt after burns treatment, autumn, 1943; story of encounter between Tiger tank and water carrier.
REEL 3 Continues: relations with Italian civilians; attitude of civilians towards British troops; attitude towards Gurkhas. Aspects of demobilisation, post-war. Further recollections of period with London Rifle Brigade, 1939.

ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1939-1945: North Africa, 1940-1943
Military Operations, 1939-1945: Italy, 1943-1945

Duration
90

NumberOfParts
3

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Jones, Frederick Curtis

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
Jones-landwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
12572

ProductionDate
May/1992

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexPeople
McGregor, John D xxx

IndexPlaces
GB, England
EG
EG & El Alamein
LY
LY & Tripoli
TN
TN & Sfax
IT
IT & Sicily

ShortSummary
British officer served with 5th Bn Black Watch in North Africa and Sicily, 1942-1943

FullSummary
REEL 1 Aspects of joining Army and training. Recollections of period with 5th Bn Black Watch, North Africa, 1942-1943: impressions of Egypt; acclimatising to desert; living conditions in desert; training for advance at El Halam box; use of white tape to guide troops in desert; morale in 8th Army; atmosphere in 51st Div; visit to troops by Montgomery; foreign divisions working with them; visit to troops by Montgomery; attitude of Australians towards British over fall of Tobruk; duties as regt IO; work of reconnaissance patrols.
REEL 2 Continues: work of reconnaissance patrols; treatment of Italian and German POWs; gleaning information from POWs; preparations for battle of El Alamein, autumn 1942; water ration; equipment; assembling for Alamein battle, 23/Oct/1942; attitude towards going into battle; entry into no mans land, 20.00; barrage at 21.40; beginnings of advance with creeping barrage; reaction to coming under German fire; situation in battalion.
REEL 3 Continues: achieving battalion objectives; consolidating position; carrying out attack on Stirling ridge, 25/10/1942; suffering sniper fire on Stirling ridge; break through at Alamein, 1/11/1942; casualties in battalion; reaction to Allied victory at Alamein; RAF support at Alamein; death of company piper in action at Alamein; composition and traditions of Highland Regts; attitude towards participating in battle of El Alamein; putting on a Pantomime, El Agheila, 12/1942.
REEL 4 Continues: commanding officer of 5th Black Watch; advance towards Tripoli; entry into Tripoli, 25/1/1943; accommodation in Governor's palace; story he was told about Churchill's visit to Tripoli; continuing advance; attack on Mareth Line; 'friendly fire' incident on Mareth Line; strength of German positions at Wadi Akarit; use of mules; attitude towards Gurkhas.
REEL 5 Continues: contact with French Foreign Legion, Tunisia; living conditions in Tunisia; question of deserters. Recollections of period with 5th Bn Black Watch, Sicily: weather conditions during landings; advance inland to Pashino; passing through Italian roadblock; strength of German position at Vizzini; assistance from US soldiers in attack on Germans at Vizzini; entering Vizzini; attack on Sfero.
REEL 6 Continues: lack of contact with US troops. Aspects of period training 10th Indian Div, Italy, autumn 1943.

ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1939-1945: North Africa, 1940-1943
Military Operations, 1939-1945 : Italy, 1943-1945

Duration
180

NumberOfParts
6

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
McGregor, John David

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Female

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
McGregor-landwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
13859

ProductionDate
10/Mar/1993

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexPeople
Cordery, Thomas Arthur xxx
MacIntrye, Hugh
Churchill, Winston

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Southampton, Hants
GB, England & Shaftesbury, Dorset
GB, England & Hyde Park, London
GB, England & Hackney Marshes, London
GB, England & Ash Vale, Hants
GB, Scotland
GB, Scotland & Gorbals
NO
NO & Harstad
NO & Skaanland
NO & Narvik
ZA
ZA & Cape Town
EG
EG & Port Tewfik
EG
EG & Mersa Matruh
EG & Alexandria
EG & Cairo
LY
LY & Sollum
LY & Derna
LY & Barce
LY & Benghazi
LY & Tobruk
LY & Tripoli
TN
TN & Sfax
TN & Gabes
TN & Tunis
GR
GR & Athens
IT
IT & Naples

IndexUnits
GB.A & Royal Artillery, Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt, 51
GB.A & General Headquarters, Printing Press
GB.A & Army 8, Headquarters
GB.A & Intelligence Corps, Field Security, Section 263
GB.A & Intelligence Corps, Field Security, Section 259
GB.A & Intelligence Corps, Field Security, Section 20
AU.A & General Hospital 4
GB.A & Camp, Beni Yusef, Egypt
PL.O & Ship, Batory
GB.N & Curlew
GB.O & Ship, Lancastria
GB.O & Ship, Andes
GB.N & Jervis
GB.F & RAF Merryfield
GB.F & RAF Membury
GB.O & Conference, Mena House, Cairo
IT.O & Opera House, Naples

ShortSummary
British NCO served with 51st (County of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in Norway, 1940 and North Africa, 1941-1942; served with 263 Section, Field Security, Intelligence Corps, Headquarters 8th Army in North Africa, 1943; served with 259 Section, Field Security, Intelligence Corps in Egypt, 1943-1944; served with 20 Section Field Security, Intelligence Corps in Greece, 1944-1945

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Southampton and Shaftesbury, 1916-1938: family; education; employment. Period with 51st (County of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in GB, 1938-1939: background to joining Territorial Army, 1938; father's insistence that he should not join infantry; equipment used by unit; firing camp at Watchet; mobilisation, 23/8/1939. Aspects of period with 51st (County of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in GB, 1939-1940: gun site on Hackney Marshes, 9/1939; expectations of German Air Force attacks, 9/1939; move to Hyde Park; IRA bomb incident in Park Lane doorway, late 1939; move to gun site at Hurlingham, 1940; notice to move to Finland, early 1940; opinion of commanding officer Hugh MacIntyre and his role at Ash Vale; arrival of militiamen. Recollections of operations as bombardier with 51st (County of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in Norway, 1940: voyage from GB to Norway aboard Batory, 13/5/1940; move by coaster from Harstad to Skaanland; role of unit north of Narvik, 5/1940-6/1940; loss of HMS Curlew; destruction of unit equipment before evacuation, 6/1940.
REEL 2 Continues: memories of evacuation from Harstad, 6/1940; return to GB aboard HMT Lancastria, 6/1940; state of morale after Norwegian campaign. Aspects of voyage from GB to Egypt, 8/1940-9/1941: preparations for move to Middle East, summer 1940; reception from civilians in Gorbals, 8/1940; embarking on board HMT Andes; character of voyage to Port Tewfik including reception in Cape Town. Aspects of period as bombardier with 51st (County of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in Egypt, 1940-1941: in transit camp at Beni Yusef Camp, 9/1940; distribution of unit batteries; spell as military police in Port Said brothel area; Christmas celebrations at Beni Yusef Camp, 25/12/1940; training in three drills; sight of 2nd Bn Scots Guards marching out of Beni Yusef Camp. Recollections of operations as bombardier with 51st (County of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in North Africa, 1/1941-3/1942: move to Mersa Matruh, 1/1941; move into Libya, 1941.
REEL 3 Continues: sighting of gunsite overlooking Sollum; Italian Air Force raids on Sollum; sight of masses of Italian POWs; move through Tobruk to Derna, 2/1941; advance to Barce then Benghazi; German Air Force attacks on Royal Navy, 2/1941; question of effect of rumours. Recollections of operations as bombardier with 51st (County of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery during Siege of Tobruk, 4/1941-8/1941: return to Tobruk, early 3/1941; method of preparing gunsite in desert; Australian troops' addiction to Two Up in Tobruk, 3/1941; realisation that Tobruk was surrounded; use of barrages over Tobruk harbour; in action against Axis Air Forces, 4/1941; character of German Air Force attack on his Don Site, 27/4/1941.
REEL 4 Continues: reaction to air raid on his site, 27/4/1941; brief evacuation to 4th Australian General Hospital; his return to gunsite; use of dummy gunsites to divert German Air Force; reasons for returning to gunsite as gunner; water allowance and method of keeping clean; uniform worn; infestation of fleas; character of haircuts; Naafi supplies; attitude of troops talking to war correspondents; climatic problems; evacuation by HMS Jervis and period of convalescence in Alexandria, 8/1941-9/1941. Period with 51st (County of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in Egypt, 1941-1942: re-joining unit in Canal Zone after period with Royal Artillery Depot, 12/1941; on gunsite near Alexandria. Aspects of period with General Headquarters Printing Press in Cairo, 1942: posting to unit, 3/1942.
REEL 5 Continues: character of 'Ash Wednesday', 6/1942; drilling and rifle range work; applying for commission; attempts to join special forces; acceptance for course for Field Security, Intelligence Corps; amusing story of hospitalisation for football injury with battle casualties. Recollections of period as NCO with 263 Section, Field Security, Intelligence Corps, Headquarters 8th Army in North Africa, 1943: background to posting to unit; problems of joining unit in Tripoli, 23/1/1943; security raids in Tripoli after liberation; duties as security guard at Montgomery's conference for 1st and 8th Armies story of Lord Alanbrooke reporting staff officer for speaking on open line, 2/1943; duties in Tripoli; wish of section to be away from headquarters.
REEL 6 Continues: security raids in Gabes, spring 1943; move to Sfax c5/1943; damage caused to Sfax by US Air Force; obtaining nominal rolls of Axis casualties and personnel in Gabes and Sfax; leave in Tunis, summer 1943; sight of executed Arabs at Sfax; reasons for leaving unit; character of journey from Sfax to Cairo. Recollections of period as NCO with 259 Section, Intelligence Corps in Cairo, 1943-1944: joining unit in Cairo; languages used in unit; security work in Cairo including breaking diamond smuggling ring to Bulgaria and attempts to catch agents of Jewish groups; keeping watch on Communist Party of Great Britain activists; role escorting Special Operations Executive operatives to Sudan.
REEL 7 Continues: handling Special Operations Executive operatives in Cairo; arrest of Greek Government in Exile's War Minister; looking after Chetniks, 1943; responsibility for Chiang Kai-shek's security, 1944; security for Mena House Conference, 1944; memories of Winston Churchill; cashing in on expenses during Mena House Conference; orders to turn backs when Roosevelt visited conference. Recollections of period as NCO with 20 Section, Intelligence Corps in Greece, 1944-1945: voyage to Athens, 9/1944; guarding mistress of SS chief in Athens; willingness of Europeans to denounce personal enemies to security police; initial disturbances at start of Greek Civil War, late 1944; leaving Greece, early 1945.
REEL 8 Continues: Aspects of journey from Greece to GB, 1945: period in transit camp in Naples, 1/1945; visits to Naples Opera House; duties on board ship; arrival in GB. Aspects of period as NCO with Intelligence Corps in GB, 1945: role examining security of German POW camps; ingenuity of German POWs; behaviour of German POWs towards his section; role processing former POWs from the Far East at RAF Membury and RAF Merryfield; demobilisation, 12/1945.

ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1939-1945: North Africa, 1940-1943

Duration
240

NumberOfParts
8

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Cordery, Thomas Arthur

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
Cordery-landwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
14728

ProductionDate
1994

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
music : Lady in Blue <Composed and played by Ken Giles>
music : Island Rhapsody <Composed and played by Ken Giles>

IndexPeople
Giles, Kenneth xxx
Tickle, David
Norris (Captain)
Lewis-Jones A
Dobson, Eric
Birkin, Ivor
Smith (Gunner)
Montgomery, Bernard L
Churchill, Winston L S
Martin, James
Swinton, Albert
Harper, Harold
Swift, Paddy
Winters (Gunner)
Stansfield (Colonel)
Oswald, Marshall St John
Foulds, Robert L
The Nark (Ken Giles)
Holt (Gunner)
Rabbitts (Gunner)

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
GB, England & London <Stockwell>
GB, England & London <Brixton>
GB, England & London, Streatham
GB, England & Bromley, Kent
GB, England & Larkhill, Wilts <School of Artillery, Royal Artillery>
GB, England & Watford, Herts
GB, England & Boscombe Down, Wilts <RAF Station>
GB, England & Liverpool, Lancs
GB, England & Felixstowe, Suffolk
GB, England & Brighton, Sussex
GB, England & Hunstanton <Range>
GB, England & Baildon, Yorks
GB, England & Ilkley Moor, Yorks
GB, England & Dudsbury, Dorset <Camp>
GB, England & London <Tilbury Docks>
GB, England & Littlehampton, Sussex
GB, England & York, Yorks
SZ
SZ & Durban
EI, English Channel
EG
EG & Port Tewfik
EG & Almaza <Royal Artillery Base Depot>
EG & Cairo
EG & Cairo <Detention Centre, Citadel Barracks>
EG & Cairo <Citadel Barracks>
EG & El Alamein area
EG & El Alamein area <Observation post, Nuts>
EG & Quattara Depression
EG & Mena <Camp>
EG & El Kantara
PI
LY
LY & Benghazi
LY & Tripoli
TN
TN & Medenine
TN & Mareth
TN & Matmata Mountains
TN & Gabes
TN & Wadi Akarit
TN & Cheriba
TN & Sfax
TN & Sousse
MT
IT, Sicily
IT, Sicily & Chentaripa
IT, Sicily & Messina
IT, Sicily & Pesterino
IT, Sicily & Palermo
DZ
DZ & Forest of Ferdinand
FR
FR & Demouville, Calvados
FR & Caen area, Calvados
FR & Quesnay Woods, Calvados
FR & Pas-de-Calais
FR & Paris, Seine
FR & Biarritz, Basses Pyrenees
FR & Biarritz, Basses Pyrenees <American University>
FR & Biarritz, Basses Pyrenees <Hotel du Palais>
BE
BE & Leopold Canal
BE & Ghent
BE & South Beveland
BE & Eclue
BE & Brussels
BE & Brussels <Hospital>
NL
NL & Maasbury
NL & Sittard
NL & Gennep
NL & Winterswjk
DE
DE & Rhine, River
DE & Gescher
DE & Cosfeldt sector
DE & Munster area
DE & Rhede area
DE & Krefeld <Barracks>
DE & Bockum

IndexUnits
GB.A & Yeomanry, Nottinghamshire Hussars, South
GB.A & Royal Artillery & School of Artillery, Larkhill
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Base Depot, Almaza, Egypt
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 7, Bty 107, Troop A
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 7, Bty 107, Troop B
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 107, Bty 425, Troop B
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 107, Headquarters
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 107, Bty 425, Headquarters <Office>
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 16
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Bty 2/11
GB.A & Barracks, Citadel, Cairo, Egypt
GB.A & Barracks, Krefeld, Germany
GB.A & Military Detention Centre, Citadel Barracks, Cairo, Egypt
GB.A & Camp, Mena, Egypt
GB.A & Camp, Dudsbury
GB.A & Range, Hunstanton
GB.F & Base, RAF Boscombe Down
GB.N & Ship, Volandam
GB.N & Ship, Franconia
GB.O & Air Raid Precautions Unit, Stockwell, London
GB.O & Government & Ministry, Health <National Health Service>
GB.O & Regimental Association, South Notts Hussars
FR.O & University, American, Biarritz
US.O & University, American, Biarritz, France

IndexConcepts
anti war

ShortSummary
British NCO served with 107 Bty, <South Notts Hussars> 7th Medium Regt, Royal Artillery in North Africa, Sicily and GB, 1942-1944; served with 425 Bty, 426 Bty and Headquarters, 107th Medium Regt, <SNH> RA in GB and North West Europe, 1944-1946; attended American University at Biarritz, France; served with various RA units in Germany, 1946

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Great Yarmouth area, 1915-1936: father's death, 1917; education; visits to aunt in Paris, France; rheumatic fever and effect on mathematical progress; musical education and doubts over possibility of career as concert pianist; interest in linguistics; private music education, 1928-1931; work as opticians apprentice, 1933-1936; ending musical education; hobbies; mother's death, 1933; marriage, 1936. Period in London, ca 1936-1941: work at various opticians; question of approach of war; signs of wife's long-term heart problems; reaction to outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; feelings of conscientious objection to war.
REEL 2 Continues: delayed conscription due to optician examinations, 1941; duties as fire watcher in Stockwell area including effects of direct bomb hit on neighbour's house and role in alerting ARP warden; effects of landmine dropped near Brixton opticians; blackout precautions; delays and air attacks on rail services between Brixton and Bromley; personal morale and erosion of conscientious objection to war; fear of being maimed during war service, 1941-1945; lack of impact of food rationing as man; question of fatigue; successful application to tribunal to delay conscription to pass optician's examination, 6/1941. Conscription, 6/1941: medical; initial posting to searchlight unit.
REEL 3 Continues: cancellation of initial posting. Period at School of Artillery, Larkhill, 6/1941-1/1942: reactions; mathematical training; selecting pure survey specialisation; lectures; practical map reading, orienteering and theodolite exercises; drill and rifle training; guard duty and preparing kit for inspection; relationship with ORs and example of Welsh nationalism; activities playing piano in canteen and with dance orchestra; ability to give improvised classical recitals.
REEL 4 Continues: passing trade test as 3rd Class surveyor; news of disappearance of aunt in Paris. Period with holding unit at Watford, 1/1942-2/1942. Attending course in use of Tetley Fan system of interpretation of aerial photography at RAF Boscombe Down, ca 12/1941. Journey aboard HMT Volandam to Port Tewfik, Egypt, 2/1942-4/1942: seasickness; submarine warnings; awareness of apartheid during visit ashore at Durban, South Africa. Period re-classified as gunner at Royal Artillery Base Depot, Almaza, ca 4/1942-7/1942: first impressions of Egypt during journey from Port Tewfik; reaction to change in status; use of term 'bluey' for Western Desert; dysentery caused by overnight temperature changes.
REEL 5 Continues: ignorance of gunnery; fatigues; reactions to change in status; relationship with NCOs; system of artillery ranks; period acting as guard at Military Detention Centre, Citadel Barracks, Cairo, including reason for volunteering, 24 hour shifts, prisoners' punishment fatigues, relationship with prisoners and recreational visits around Cairo. Initial period on posting as gunner to A Troop, 107 Bty, <South Notts Hussars> 7th Medium Regt, RA at RABD, Almaza, ca 7/1942: 5.5in guns; state of unit; accident whilst acting as rammer during gun drill with Sergeant David Tickle; posting as specialist gun position officer's assistant; training as specialist gunner including method of using director to place guns on zero lines.
REEL 6 Continues: training as specialist gunner including method of using director to place guns on zero lines, daily checks of zero lines, method of using artillery board to work out range and angle of fire from guns to nominated target, corrections made from RAF meteorological telegrams, corrections made to get all divisional guns on common zero line in accordance with divisional calculations, tannoy system and duties as command post officer's assistant; opinion of various NCOs and officers. Move via Mena Camp to El Alamein area, 7/1942. Recollection of conditions of service and lifestyle during period in coastal positions at El Alamein, 7/1942-10/1942: personal morale; digging gun position command post; chameleon pet; preparation of counter battery firing co-ordinates lists; command post personnel and equipment.
REEL 7 Continues: question of mathematical aids; sleeping on ground and problem with spider crabs when sleeping in slit trench; reaction to sleeping near German grave; use of megaphone when tannoy broke down; initial inexperience of unit; attending specialist gunner course at RABD, Almaza; posting as battery command post officer's assistant; opinion of various officers including Captain Norris and Major Lewis-Jones; sandstorm during reconnaissance patrol with Lieutenant Dobson into Quattara Depression area; food and water rations; sea bathing and informal truce with bathing German troops; washing clothes in petrol; latrines; fly problem; desert sores; uniform worn; effects of heat; command post duties; development of 'stonk' technique of concentrated fire.
REEL 8 Continues: air burst ranging technique; visit to 'Nuts' observation post; fly whisks; use of compass to get approximate zero line when firing from forward positions; reconnaissance patrol into Quattara Depression area; method of covering windscreens to prevent them flashing; German shell fire; Gunner Smith; return to A Troop gun position command post duties. Recollections of offensive at El Alamein and subsequent advance through Libya and Tunisia, 10/1942-4/1943: opening bombardment, 22/10/1942; state of German POWs; role at command post in receiving fire orders from OP; preparation of gun programme; question of fatigue; relationship with ORs, NCOs and officers; territorial nature of unit and wearing SNH cap badge.
REEL 9 Continues: reaction to crossing battlefield, 5/11/1942; effects of rain; advance, 11/1942; question of travel sickness; story of getting lost in desert and walking into minefield; attack of jaundice and special diet on evacuation to hospital at El Kantara, 11/1942-12/1942; periods in convalescent camps in Palestine, 12/1942; period at RABD, Almaza; return by sea to Benghazi; rejoining unit near Tripoli, ca 2/1943; promotion to lance bombardier on posting as OP specialist assistant with Captain Ivor Birkin, B Troop, 107 Bty, 7th Medium Regt; duties as orderly lance bombardier. REEL 10 Continues: mounting guard parade as orderly lance bombardier in front of Churchill and Montgomery; relationship with ORs; role as OP officer's assistant including composition of OP party, setting up OP, method of identifying co-ordinates of target, moral attitude to war and sending fire orders and corrections to gun position; mobile role of medium artillery; role of OP team when at gun positions; story of isolation on troop traffic control duty illustrating unfamiliarity with regimental truck insignia whilst moving into positions near Medenine, ca 5/3/1943; reconnaissance patrol ahead of B Troop to discover route round German positions at Mareth through Matmata Mountains to Gabes, ca 25/3/1943-27/3/1943; German 88mm shelling at Wadi Akarit, ca 6/4/1943.
REEL 11 Continues: reaction to arrival of Major James Martin; opinion of Captain Ivor Birkin and question of sharing duties with him as his assistant at OP; OP signals communications; care needed in using binoculars; care taken in accurately transmitting fire orders back to gun position; relationship with Birkin; acting as interpreter in French with Tunisian civilians; opinion of German troops. Recollections of period at Cheriba, 4/1943-6/1943: Birkin's driving; camp; role as troop clerk; account of writing, construction of stage, producing and performing play, 'Death in Daventry Square'; giving educational lectures.
REEL 12 Continues: giving educational lectures; question of playing piano; using pre-war experiences as basis for lectures including childhood pranks in France and membership of expedition up Amazon, ca 1936; problem with Arab civilians stealing from camp, negotiating with Arab chief over punishment of those caught and searching Arab houses for stolen goods; question of anonymous letter about unit's treatment of Arabs and chairing subsequent troop debate; attitude to racism; story of meeting homesick US soldier during visit to Sfax; drinking habits; opinion of SNH band.
REEL 13 Continues: story of wearing Birkin's uniform to organise dance with Tunisian civilians in Sfax; background to membership of expedition up Amazon, ca 1936; question of writing good conduct reference for local Arab chief. Move to Sousse, 6/1943; varied troops in transit camp; skill of drivers in loading guns on to tank landing craft; crossing to Malta. Recollections of period at Malta, 6/1943-7/1943: waterproofing equipment; swimming practice; playing piano in cafes; concealing sun burn; loading of tank landing craft. Recollections of operations in Sicily, Italy, 7/1943-8/1943: landing; posting as GPO assistant; story of getting drunk whilst visiting gun teams.
REEL 14 Continues: nature of terrain; duties as GPO assistant; story of breaking down and directing traffic in dusty area; anti-malaria precautions and problem with mosquitoes; reaction to sight of dead civilians at Chentaripa; traffic problems approaching Messina. Recollections of period at Pesterino, 8/1943-10/1943: gun positions; lecture in triangulation using director; damage to buildings whilst firing in support of landing in Italy, 3/9/1943.
REEL 15 Continues: story of accidentally firing guns on wrong bearing; playing church organ; relationship with Sergeant Albert Swinton; billets and rest room; playing piano at band concerts; writing farce; composition and performance of piano piece for B Troop, 'Island Rhapsody'; period of local leave in Palermo with Harold Harper including unusual beef steaks, dispute with US officer and impromptu piano recital with Italian opera singer; story of buying fake gin for officers; drinking marsala wine.
REEL 16 Continues: story of compulsory shooting of Gunner Paddy Swift's dog due to imminent embarkation for GB, his reaction and subsequent desertion on leave in GB; production and editing with Gunner Winters of B Troop newsletter, 'The Acorn'; initiation into motor transport, 'Black Gang'; examples of contents of 'The Acorn'; reasons for rejecting opportunities of becoming officer or brigade surveyor; send off. Period at Forest of Ferdinand, Algeria, 11/1942: wet conditions; tents; relationship with Colonel Stansfield and his St Crispin's Day speech prior to Battle of Mareth, 1943.
REEL 17 Continues: mobile bath unit. Voyage aboard Franconia to Liverpool, 12/1943: story of earlier close escape from drowning in Sicily; changing currency to sterling; train journey to Felixstowe. Recollections of period at Felixstowe, 12/1943-3/1944: billets; reception from son during leave period at Stockwell, 12/1943-1/1944; calibration of 5.5" guns at Hunstanton range; recreations and piano recital; question of proposals to reform 107th Regt. Period with B Troop, 425 Bty, 107th Regt, <South Notts Hussars> Medium Regt, RA at Brighton, 3/1944-4/1944: relationship with personnel from 16th Medium Regt, RA.
REEL 18 Continues: living in lodgings with family; setting guns out during training exercises. Period at Baildon, 4/1944-6/1944: question of breaking secrecy concerning movements by moving family into lodgings; success in securing exact accuracy in accordance with divisional survey readings during training exercises on Ilkley Moor; parade in Nottingham and pride in unit; relationships with various officers, NCOs and ORs; duties as troop clerk. Period at Dudsbury Camp, 6/1944-7/1944: church service; personal morale. Period at Tilbury Docks, London, 7/1944.
REEL 19 Aspects of operations in North West Europe, 7/1944-5/1945: Channel crossing and landing; reactions of French civilians; story illustrating differing reactions to German shelling of Demouville gun positions, 7/1944; accidental bombing of positions by Allied aircraft and intervention of OP aircraft at Quesnay Woods, 14/8/1944; situation, frequent movements and working out counter-battery lists; state of Caen on capture, 7/1944; composition rations; capture and escape of Colonel Marshall St John Oswald; decision not to visit Paris.
REEL 20 Continues: move into Pas de Calais area, 9/1944; relationship with French civilians; rumours of Fifth Columnists; eating roast pig; daily routine duties as gun position officer's assistant; opinion of Captain Bob Foulds; move into Belgium, 10/1944; relationship with Belgian civilians; effects of wet and cold weather; crossing Leopold Canal; move to South Beveland area; wet and cold conditions; move to Eclue area; playing piano in restaurant during visits to Ghent; visits to Brussels.
REEL 21 Continues: casualty from premature misfire; move into Netherlands, 11/1944; wet and cold conditions; reports of two gunners blown up in minefield in Maasbury sector; fear of anti-personnel mines when setting up director to put guns on zero line; V1 bombs; shelling from railway gun on swimming pool positions at Sittard, 12/1944; attack of Reynaud's circulatory disease due to cold weather; temporary light duties at 425 Bty office; Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1944; difficulty digging gunpits; attack of Reynaud's circulatory disease after snowball fight and medical checks at Brussels Hospital.
REEL 22 Continues: medical checks at Brussels Hospital; reports of accidental bombing by Allied aircraft at Gennep, 6/2/1945; improving weather; view of crossing of Rhine; advance into Germany, 3/1945; question of non-fraternisation rule; finding German band instruments; convent billets; cancelling fire orders which would have shelled US occupied area, 5/1945. Recollections of period at Gescher and in Cosfeldt sector, 5/1945-1/1946: billets; reactions to news of end of war, 5/1945; promotion to lance sergeant and duties in 425 Bty office; leave with family living in Baildon, GB.
REEL 23 Continues: duties in 425 Bty office; disposal of waste food; organising and typical acts at joint concert parties at Russian and Polish POW camp; question of escaped Russian POWs; piano rehearsals in local hall; relationship with German civilians; shooting game to supplement food rations; comedy concert party acts of Gunners Holt and Rabbits.
REEL 24 Continues: dances; treatment of Sergeant David Tickle's fibrositis; rest centre at Winterswjk; leave rotas; sporting activities; examples of role as 'The Nark' writing gossip column for regimental magazine 'The Oak Leaves'; story of accident with Sergeant Major Albert Swinton's jeep; sergeants' mess including drinking habits and visits to and from officers' mess; question of post-war career; reaction to disbandment of unit; application to take Chinese interpreter's course.
REEL 25 Continues: application to be guest student at American University at Biarritz, France; Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1945. Recollections of attending American University, Biarritz, ca 1/1946-3/1946: meeting fellow British students during period at transit camp in Paris during journey to Biarritz; search for French aunt; accommodation at Hotel du Palais; blackmarket activities; review of musical theory courses and lecturers.
REEL 26 Continues: daily routine; US attitude to rank; piano recital in hotel; plays and films; orchestration exercise; recreations; relationship with Americans and various nationalities of students; journey to Krefeld Barracks, Germany and news of disbandment of unit. Posting to artillery units in Rhede area, ca 4/1946: journey; role in charge of battery office; supervising troops' conduct at night club; German servant in sergeants' mess; role dealing with documentation of SNH demobilisation. Posting to 2/11 Medium Bty, RA at Bockum, ca 4/1946-6/1946: responsibility for displaced persons' camps; stories of searching huts in DPC. REEL 27 Continues: stories of searching huts in DPC; question of treatment of inmates of DPCs; playing at dances; question of Giles' accent; demobilisation party and subsequent hangover. Journey back and demobilisation at York, GB, 6/1946. Post-war career, 1946-1986: return to Baildon; application for teaching training course; question of effects of war; return to work as optician in Streatham, London, 1946; difficulty in finding accommodation; effects of introduction of National Health Service, 1947; move to optician's practice in Littlehampton, 1950.
REEL 28 Continues: question of effect of war service on relationship with son; wife's declining health and death, 1954; return to work at opticians in Great Yarmouth, 1955; remarriage, 1956; reasons for abandoning music, 1956; return to work at opticians at Littlehampton, 1956; regaining interest in music, 1986; contacts with SNH Association.
REEL 29 Explanation of musical structure of own composition, 'Island Rhapsody'. Giles performing 'Island Rhapsody' on piano. Sings and plays main refrain from own composition, 'Lady in Blue' on piano. Giles performing 'Lady in Blue' on piano.

ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1939-1945: South Notts Hussars
Military Operations, 1939-1945: North Africa, 1940-1943

Duration
860

NumberOfParts
29

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Giles, Kenneth

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
014728S01.mp3
Giles-landwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
25 June 2007

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
16706

ProductionDate
1995

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
film: Desert Victory

IndexPeople
Elliott, David xxx
Hitler, Adolf
Chamberlain, Neville
Gort, John
Hughes, Glyn
Glyn Hughes, Hugh L
Birkin, Gerry
Birkin, Ivor
Bennett, Charles W
Daniells, Robert B T
Peachment, Donald
Rickards, C J
Smith, Alan A
Sinclair, Ian
Foulds, Robert L
Westlake, Charles
Lewis Jones, <Major>
Elton, <Colonel>
Gloucester, Duke of
Montgomery, Bernard L
Harper, Harold
Alexander (General)
Giles, Ken
Wood, Miles
Martin, James
Stansfield, <Colonel>
Gibson, Leonard
Oswald, St John, <Colonel>
Ward, Jimmy

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Bramley, Surrey <Whipley Manor>
GB, England & Cranleigh, Surrey <School>
GB, England & London
GB, England & London <Silvertown Docks>
GB, England & London <Tilbury>
GB, England & London <Barnet>
GB, England & London <Thatched Barn Roadhouse>
GB, England & London <Duke of York Barracks>
GB, England & Dover, Kent
GB, England & Brighton, Sussex
GB, England & Guildford, Surrey
GB, England & Macclesfield, Cheshire <Tytherington Hall>
GB, England & Hale, Lancs
GB, England & Suffolk
GB, England & Nottingham, Notts
GB, England & Liverpool, Lancs
GB, England & Baildon, Lancs
GB, England & Essex
GB, England & Bradwell on Sea, Essex
GB, England & Felixstowe, Essex
GB, England & Felixstowe, Essex <Felix Hotel>
GB, England & Catterick <Camp>
GB, England & Hale, Lancs
GB, England & Dudsbury <Camp> Dorset
GB, Wales & Glanusk Park, Brecon
GB, Wales & Rhyl
GB, Scotland & Dunblane, Perth
GB, Scotland & Callander, Perth <Military Hospital>
EI & English Channel
FR
FR & Lille area, Nord
FR & Halluin, Nord
FR & Dunkirk, Nord
FR & Boulogne, Pas-de-Calais
FR & Boulogne, Pas-de-Calais <V2 rocket site>
FR & Calais, Pas-de-Calais
FR & Calais, Pas-de-Calais <V3 gun emplacement>
FR & Lens, Pas-de-Calais
FR & Arras area, Pas-de-Calais
FR & Vimy Ridge, Pas-de-Calais
FR & Arromanches, Normandy <Mulberry Harbour>
FR & Caen, Normandy
FR & Demouville, Normandy
FR & Mondeville, Normandy
FR & Falaise sector, Normandy
FR & Quesnay Woods, Normandy
FR & Paris, Seine
NO
BE
BE & Berchen St Laurant
BE & Leopold Canal sector
BE & Canal du Nord
BE & Ghent
BE & Sittard
BE & Geleen
BE & Breskins
NL
NL & Scheldt Estuary
NL & South Beveland
NL & Xanten
NL & Njimegen area
E
DE & Ramsdorf area
DE & Cosfe,dt sector
DE & Gesher
DE & Bulden
DE & Bulden <Schloss Bulden>
DE & River Rhine
DE & Dusseldorf
SL
SL & Freetown
SA
SA & Durban
EG
EG & Bene Yusef
EG & Cairo
EG & Cairo <Pyramids>
EG & Almaza <Royal Artillery Base Depot>
EG & Mena <Camp>
EG & El Alamein area
EG & El Alamein area <Coastal sector>
EG & El Alamein area <Observation Post, Nuts>
EG & El Alamein area <Observation Post, Orange>
EG & Quattara Depression
LY
LY & Gazala area
LY & Gazala area <Knightsbridge>
LY & Gazala area <Cauldron>
LY & Tripoli area
LY & Tripoli
TN
TN & Medenine
TN & Medenine <Edinburgh Castle>
TN & Tunis
TN & Sfax
TN & Cheriba
TN & Matmata Mountains
TN & Gebbes
PL
PL & Haifa
MT
MT & St Paul's Bay
IT & Sicily
IT & Sicily & Rigalbutto
IT & Sicily & Riposto
IT & Sicily & Pestonina
IT & Sicily & Mount Etna
DZ
DZ & Constantine
DZ & Algiers
DZ & Forest of Ferdinanand <Camp>

IndexUnits
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Regt 55, Bty 439, Troop F
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Reserve Field Regt 2
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Regt 107, Bty 425
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Regt 107, Bty 426
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Regt 107, Bty 520
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Regt 107, Regimental Headquarters
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 7, Bty 107, Headquarters
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 7, Bty 107, Troop A
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 7, Bty 107, Troop B
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 7, Bty 27/28
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 107, Bty 425, Troop A
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 107, Bty 425, Troop B
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 107, Bty 426
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 107, Headquarters
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Medium Regt 16
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Field Regt 81, Bty 324
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Army Group Royal Artillery, 9
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Training Regt, Field, 3
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Base Depot, Almaza, Egypt
GB.A & Royal Army Medical Corps & Field Ambulance 141, Coy B
GB.A & Royal Army Medical Corps & Hospital, Callander
GB.A & Cameronian Highlanders, Bn 6
GB.A & Barracks, Duke of York, London
GB.A & Officers Cadet Training Regt & Bn 123
GB.A & Army, 8
GB.A & Army, 1
GB.A & Div 5
GB.A & Div 51
GB.A & Bde, Armoured, 22
GB.A & Bde, 154
GB.A & Royal Artillery & Benevolent Fund
GB.A & Camp, Mena, Egypt
GB.A & Camp, Forest of Ferdinand, Algeria
GB.A & Camp, Catterick
GB.A & Camp, Dudsbury
GB.A & Yeomanry, Nottinghamshire Hussars, South
GB.A & Yeomanry, Glamorganshire
GB.A & Yeomanry, Devon
GB.A & Grenadier Guards
GB.N & Ship, Worcester
GB.N & Ship, Strathaird
GB.N & Ship, New Amsterdam
GB.N & Convoy W2 16
GB.O & School, Cranleigh
GB.O & Toc H
GB.O & Regimental Assoc & South Nottinghamshire Hussars
GB.O & Thatched Barn Roadhouse, Barnet
US.A & Field Artillery Bde, 61

ShortSummary
British stretcher bearer served with 141st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps in GB, France and Belgium, 1939-1940. Present at evacuation of Dunkirk 1940. Served as officer with 107th Regt, <South Notts Hussars> Royal Artillery in North Africa 1942; served with 107 Bty, <SNH> 7th Medium Regt, Royal Artillery in North Africa, Sicily and Britain 1942-1944; served with 425 Bty, 426 Bty and Headquarters, 107th Medium Regt, <SNH> Royal Artillery in GB and North West Europe, 1944-1946

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background at Whipley Manor, Bramley and London, 1919-1939: education at Cranleigh School, 1932-1936; work as office boy with timber import firm in London, 1937-1939; activities with boys' club; story of drinking party and subsequent punishment at Cranleigh School, 1936; activities with Toc H. Recruitment and training as stretcher bearer with B Coy, 141st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps at Duke of York Barracks, London, 4/1939-9/1939: reasons and question of pacifist principles and pre-war approval of Hitler; relationship with ORs and NCOs; problems caused by height <6ft 6in>; first aid training; attending camp. Mobilisation and initial periods at Duke of York Barracks and Thatched Barn Roadhouse, Barnet, 1/9/1939-10/11/1939: reactions; payments made by firm during war service; transport; story of hearing Chamberlain broadcast, 3/9/1939.
REEL 2 Continues: story of hearing Chamberlain broadcast and first air raid alarm, 3/9/1939; training; attempts by some women to entrap soldiers into marriage; attending post mortem; reactions to speech by senior medical staff officer. Journey out to join 5th Div in Lille area, France, 11/1939. Recollections of period in Lille area, 11/1939-5/1940: reaction to religious soldiers; story of visiting estaminet; code developed to breech censorship restrictions; duty as sanitary orderlies; front line first aid post at Halluin; nature of frontier defences; false alarm of posting to Finland; story of soldier's arrest for accidental desertion whilst on leave.
REEL 3 Continues: conditions of service; training; musical band; story of visiting brothels in Lille; passing nursing orderly examination; relationship with ORs, NCOs and officers; stories of inspection by Gort; question of posting to Norway; period in chateau; duties as water cart orderly; reaction to end of 'Phoney War'. Recollections of advance into Belgium, retreat to Dunkirk and evacuation to GB, 5/1940: ignorance of situation; setting up field dressing station at Berchen St Laurant, Belgium, 16/5/1940; attack by German aircraft; joining retreat with Belgian units and refugees; rumours of parachutists; story of temporarily getting separated from unit when driver fell asleep.
REEL 4 Continues: treatment of casualties and impromptu amputation of arm; Belgian refugees; red cross signs removed to prevent German air attack; move to Lens; birthday parcel, 21/5/1940; milking cows; giving medical treatment to cows hurt in bombing raid; view of soldiers who had looted NAAFI; move to Vimy Ridge; reaction to 1914-1918 memorials; German air raid; story of medical treatment of French colonial soldier illustrating effects of shock; food rations; move to Dunkirk; disabling and abandoning vehicles, 29/5/1940; equipment carried; opinion of RAF; meeting Grenadier Guards; moving into trenches in woods north of Dunkirk; arrival of Colonel Glyn Hughes.
REEL 5 Continues: period in woods, 29/5/1940-31/5/1940. Recollection of evacuation from Dunkirk, 31/5/1940-1/6/1940: move to beach; situation; move south along beach into Dunkirk; German shell fire; separation from unit; queue on concrete slipway; view provided by parachute flares; casualties caused by bombs in queue and decision not to respond; running along pier; boarding HMS Worcester over deck of another ship; bomb attack on leaving Dunkirk; ignorance of strategic situation; arrival at Dover, 1/6/1940; meeting friend whilst passing through Guildford during train and lorry journey to Glanusk Park, Wales. Recollection of period at Glanusk Park, 6/1940: reception from civilians; reason for abandoning pacifist principles.
REEL 6 Continues: ignorance of location of unit. Recollections of period at Dunblane, Scotland, 6/1940-12/1940: situation on rejoining unit; training; story illustrating relationship with NCOs; leaves at Whipley Manor including effects of Blitz in London, anti-invasion precautions and local Home Guard activities; periods attached for training at Callander Military Hospital; church bells invasion warning; relationship with woman evacuee and story of subsequently meeting wife, 1945; background to application for commission in Royal Artillery. Period at Tytherington Hall, Macclesfield, 12/1940: relationship with local civilians. Period with 3rd Field Training Regt, RA at Hale, 12/1940: story of air raid; relationship with ex-members of 141st FA; movements of 5th Div, 1939-1945; training.
REEL 7 Recollections of period with 123rd Bn, Officers' Cadet Training Regt, RA at Bourlon Lines, Catterick Camp, ca 1/1941-6/1941: reaction to Elliott's height; donation to RA Benevolent Fund; relationship with cadets; conditions of service; question of being returned to unit; lectures; miniature range; giving lecture; question of personal confidence; visit by Duke of Gloucester; infantry training exercise; accident riding motorcycle during exercise; 25pdrs; recreations; passing out. Aspects of period with F Troop, 439 Bty, 55th Field Regt, <Devon Yeomanry> RA in Suffolk and Essex, ca 7/1941-1/1942: reception; reason for volunteering for Middle East posting; scaffolding observation post tower at Bradwell on Sea. Temporary posting to 2nd Reserve Field Regt at Nottingham, 1/1942-2/1942: difficulties with Other Ranks.
REEL 8 Continues: effects of shortage of coal; prior kitting out as officer including uniform, map case and bed; recreations; situation on leaving for overseas posting. Voyage aboard HMT Strathaird with Convoy W2 16 to Durban, South Africa, ca 2/1942-3/1942: reactions to presence of female personnel; officers' food; conditions for ORs; recreations; visit to Freetown Harbour, Sierra Leone, including visits from African civilians in canoes and story of amusing incident during lifeboat exercise. Period at Durban, ca 3/1942: singing of opera singer on arrival; hospitality of South Africans; rickshaws. Voyage aboard New Amsterdam to Egypt, 4/1942: absence of escort; insect infestation; khaki drill uniform.
REEL 9 Period at Royal Artillery Base Depot, Almaza, 4/1942: relationship with Egyptian civilians including question of stealing and derivation of term 'wogs'; diahorea; ignorance of posting; visits to Cairo. Posting to 520 Bty, 107th Regt, <South Notts Hussars> RA at Bene Yusef 4/1942: nature of reception; opinion of Major Gerry Birkin; bivouac tent; officers' mess; use of compass to avoid getting lost at night; opinion of Captain Charles Bennett; mess food rations; field service adaptations to uniform; SNH cap badge; visits to Pyramids; fly whisks; visits to Cairo; camera. Period of training during move up to Gazala area, Libya, 4/1942-5/1942: question of deployment of 25pdrs in 22nd Armoured Bde box; pennant identification system; impressions of desert manoeuvres; Morris PU trucks and use of sand channels; water rations; method of brewing tea; latrines; nature of desert warfare.
REEL 10 Continues: use of ammunition boxes for kit; vehicle camouflage; role of officer's servant/driver; driving in desert; sandstorm; fly problem; background to attending senior officers' anti-aircraft course at Haifa, Palestine, 5/1942; rejoining unit in Knightsbridge sector, Gazala area, ca 4/6/1942. Recollections of Knightsbridge action, 4/6/1942-6/6/1942: news of prior destruction of 520 Bty, 27/5/1942; loss of kit; role carrying messages as relief officer accompanying supply column from regimental headquarters to gun positions in Cauldron sector, 4/6/1942-5/6/1942; situation; absence of role as relief officer; personal morale; journey back to RHQ with supply column, 5/6/1942-6/6/1942, including signs of encircling German units and near escape from German minefield.
REEL 11 Continues: news of destruction of unit on arrival of Brigadier Bob Daniell; Daniell's story of his escape; arrival of other survivors from battle; singing to raise morale. Move to RABD, Almaza, 6/1942: continued 25pdr gun drill; question of disbandment as reinforcements to other units; opinion of Daniell. Recollections of period at RABD, Almaza and Mena Camp, 6/1942-7/1942: state of morale; opinion of Lieutenants C J Rickards and Alan Smith; role of newly arrived Major A Lewis-Jones; re-equipment, calibration and training with 5.5in guns; desert sores; state of morale; news of posting as 107 Bty to 7th Medium Regt, RA; nature of relationship with Lewis Jones; situation in Cairo. Recollections of period with Headquarters, 107 Bty, <SNH> 7th Medium Regt, RA in coastal sector in El Alamein area, 7/1942-10/1942: situation; gun positions and battery command post.
REEL 12 Continues: periods at Orange and Nuts observation posts including necessity of concealment, contact with Australian troops and fly problem; relationship as officer with servant Donald Peachment; food rations; state of health; centipede and mosquito problems opinion of Lieutenants Charles Westlake, Ian Sinclair and Bob Foulds; special gun drill ordered by Lewis Jones for all ranks; meaning of 'stop' executive order; move south towards Quattara Depression to counter German offensive, 8/1942, including situation, coming under artillery fire whilst accompanying Lewis Jones with lorried infantry patrol, helping evacuate wounded in armoured car and personal morale; posting as assistant gun position officer to A Troop, 8/1942; view of RAF bombing raids.
REEL 13 Continues: RAF bombing raid and view of crew bailing out; preparations for El Alamein offensive including opinion of Montgomery, digging forward gun positions, view of shooting down of Italian reconnaissance aircraft behind lines during trip to Cairo, opinion of Colonel Elton. Recollections of Battle of Alamein, 21/10/1942-5/11/1942: preliminary bombardment; presence of 51st Div; use of Bofors guns firing tracer to guide infantry; continuous nature of firing and question of fatigue; rum ration; situation and effects of rain on transport, 5/11/1942; move into former Italian lines; state of battlefield; use of searchlights to guide infantry; Australian signs; agreement not to fire on swimming parties. Period at Fuka airfield, 11/1942: recallibration of guns; officers' mess; question of relationship with 27/28 Bty and original 7th Medium Regt personnel; relationship with Colonel Elton.
REEL 14 Continues: Elton's innovative gunnery techniques. Recollections of advance to Tripoli, : passing through Knightsbridge battle area; role supporting 154 Bde, 51st Div; question of news from Eastern Front; Italian commemorative arch; posting as gun position officer with B Troop; opinion of various officers and NCOs including Ivor Birkin, Bob Foulds and Harold Harper; competition with First Army over progress; nature of German rearguard actions; Stuka attack and slight facial wound; problem with haemorrhoids and fear of being evacuated from unit; relationship with Lewis-Jones; leaving desert area; reception on arrival in Tripoli area. Period in Tripoli area, 1943: lice problem; water supply; story of briefing by Montgomery of all officers in cinema.
REEL 15 Continues: story of inspection by Churchill, Alexander and Montgomery; opinion of Bombardier Ken Giles and question of promotion for NCOs; formal amalgamation with 7th Medium Regt and reaction to orders to remove SNH cap badges; opinion of Colonel Miles Wood; story of close escape from German force whilst evacuating wounded in armoured car following move towards Quattara Depression, 8/1942. Account of Battle of Medenine, 5/3/1943: gun positions behind Edinburgh Castle; taking up OP position and situation; German attack; opening fire on German trucks; ammunition shortage; conversation with infantry officer; opening fire on German tanks across wadi; ammunition shortage; telephone lines cut by German shell fire; coming under tank fire; methods of aiming; personal morale; passing fire orders via OP assistant to gun position officer Bob Foulds.
REEL 16 Continues: importance of training; reaction to award of MC and question of role of Lewis-Jones; trip forward to see results of fire; opinion of Major James Martin. Recollections of advance on Tunis, 3/1943-4/1943: difficulties during move through Matmata Mountains; story of OP surprised by Gurkha; role in selecting gun positions in Gebbes sector; death of Sergeant McCall from booby trap; reception at Sfax. Rest period at Cheriba, 4/1943: raid on Arab village to recover stolen property and discovery of revolver; story of rescuing gunner suspected of rape from local Arab civilians; punishment of looting; recreations; view of film 'Desert Victory'. Recollections of advance on Tunis, 3/1943-4/1943: story of meeting retreating US First Army unit; Roman amphitheatre; South African assistance in sending parcels home. Recollections of period at Malta, 1943: prior rumours of Far East posting.
REEL 17 Continues: prior purchases from officers' shop lorry; billets at St Paul's Bay; swimming training; keenness of Maltese civilians to marry British soldiers; waterproofing vehicles; successful trial loading of Landing Ship Tanks; story of inspection parade and briefing by Montgomery illustrating his informal approach. Recollections of operations in Sicily, 7/1943: crossing in LST and unopposed landing; move inland with Canadian Div; accidental attack by Allied aircraft; reception from Sicilian civilians; problems finding gun positions due to nature of terrain; situation; story of getting lost near Rigalbutto; reputation as 'lucky officer'; view of Sicilian civilian corpses at Rigalbutto; composition rations supplemented by foraging; visiting friends at 141st Field Ambulance, RAMC during rest period at Riposto.
REEL 18 Continues: Royal Navy support bombardment; approach to Mount Etna; receiving MC. Recollections of period at Pistonina, 8/1943; selecting gun positions; firing barrage across Straits of Messina in support of landing; repairing damage to roof caused by gunfire; relationship with Sicilian civilians; view of landing; opinion of Sergeant Major Harold Harper; establishing rest camp; Montgomery parade; question of returning to GB. Recollections of attending gunnery course at artillery range near Constantine, Algeria, ca 1943: background to taking pick up truck and Driver Don Peachment aboard ship; visiting French girlfriend in Tunis; drive to Algeria; use of Peachment and truck to take officers into Constantine; reaction to orders to send Peachment back to unit; news unit was returning to GB; move to transit camp near Algiers whilst awaiting opportunity to rejoin unit.
REEL 19 Continues: rejoining unit in Forest of Ferdinand Camp; state of unit morale; interview with Colonel Stansfield. Voyage back to Liverpool, reception and train journey to Felixstowe, 12/1943. Recollections of period at Felixstowe, 12/1943-3/1944: special leave; drinking in Felix Hotel and social contacts with naval officers; leave at Whipley Manor. Posting as gun position officer to B Troop, 425 Bty on formation of 107 Medium Regt from unification of 107 Bty, 7th Medium Regt with ??? Bty of 16th Medium Regt at Brighton, 1944: reactions; mixing of personnel; story illustrating reaction to GB conditions of service; question of use of Bren gun carriers; reaction to being part of invasion force; personal tent; decision to end enga'ement to fiancee.
REEL 20 Period at Baildon, 1944: initial slowness of former 16th Medium Regt personnel in getting into actio.; parade in Nottingham;. Period at Dudsbury Camp, 6/1944-7/1944: effects of D Day, 6/6/1944; story of meeting senior officer's wife at officers' club; view of preparations for D Day; signs of dissent at lack of leave in 7th Armoured Div. Move to Silvertown Docks, Tilbury, 7/1944: visit by party of officers to West End; embarkation. Recollections of operations in France, 7/1944-9/1944: Channel crossing ; problem in disembarkation consequent la.ding at Mulberry Harbour, Aromanches; preference of half-tracks to Bren carriers for forward observation duties and consequent ruse to replace them; role as command post officer in establishi.g gun positions; situation; move through Caen; damage to office2s' mess by German shellfire at Demouville.
REEL 21 Continues: issue of earplugs; mosquito problem; special supplies carried; move to Mondeville; heavy firing 0rogramme; personal morale; reconnaissance of forward gun position in Quesnay Wood sector and view of accidental bombing of Canadian and Polish forces by Allied bombers, 14/8/1944; story of temporary capture of Colonel Oswald; German POWs in Falaise area; (orse corpses; Tiger tank; story of contact with German field ambulance unit whilst searching fo2 souvenirs; salvaging of German`vehicle for personal use; promotion to captain and posting to c/mmand A Troop, 425 Bty; opinion of officers and NCOs; vehicles.
REEL 22 Continues: reception from French civilians; story of un/fficial leave in Paris, 9/1945. Operations in Channel Ports are!, 9/1944: view of Allied bombing and subsequent successful attack on Boulogne; photographing German POWs in Boulogne; visiting V2 site; story illustrating different approaches of British and erman officers; story of surviving running over mine in half track during approach to Calais, setting up OP on hill, opening fi2e on German cross Channel guns !nd subsequent visit to gun emplacements; craters from Allied bo-bing and lack of effect on gun emplacements; visit to V3 gun emplacement near Calais; move towards Belgium; slit trenches by road; story of visit to French civilian woman friend in estamine4 in Halluin.
REEL 23 Continues: story of visit to French civilian woman friend in estaminet in Halluin and discovery she had h!ir shaven off as collaborators. Operations in Leopold Canal area, Belgium, 1944: Light Aid Detachment success in salvaging mined half-track; fleece lined jacket; Weasel amphibious tracked vehicle; problems at gun positions immediately behind Canadian lines; local leave in Ghent; reception from Belgian civilians. Operations in Scheldt Estuary area, 1944: situation; difficulty in manoeuvring guns in mud during attack on Breskin pocket. Account of acting as forward observation officer for 9th Army Group Royal Artillery during amphibious assault by 52nd Div on Amber Beach, South Beveland, 26/10/1944: prior briefing; use of Buffalo to carry Weasel.
REEL 24 Continues: delay due to difficulty in loading Weasel aboard Buffalo; I!n Sinclair's use of DD Tank; role supporting 6th Bn, Cameronian`Highlanders; rum ration; personal morale; difficulties in crossing Scheldt in Buffalo including hitting sandbanks, accidental diversion to Green Beach, coming under machine gun fire, delayed ,anding at Amber Beach, removing stakes on beach, unloading Weasel and crossing sea wall; flooded area; driving along perimeter road and rejoining 6th CH; move inland; German rearguard action in village; borrowing rifle to shoot at Germans; attitude to Germans; success in bringing down creeping barrage to cover infantry attack on defended village; shells dropping short.
REEL 25 Continues: effect of shells dropping short and decision use of executive order 'stop'; reporting to Martin at Bde headquarters; opinion of Lance Bombardier Jimmy Ward; close escape from mortar shell and death of Ward; rejoining unit; personal morale; muddy conditions during period at Breskins supporting subsequent invasion of Walcheren, 1944. Aspects of operations in Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, 1944-1945: crossing of Canal du Nord; danger from anti-personnel mine; fleece lined jacket; billets at Sittard and stories illustrating relationship with Dutch civilians; shell fire from German railway gun; withdrawal to Geleen during German Ardennes offensive and reaction of Dutch civilians; Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1944.
REEL 26 Continues: effects of cold weather; accident in half-track during move; attending gunnery course at Rhyl, 2/1945; rejoining unit; crossing of Rhine from gun positions at Xanten, 1945 including counter-battery role, parachute drop, gliders, forced landing of aircraft, crossing on pontoon bridge, moving forward and situation; coming under fire from British 25pdr guns; background to receiving bar to Military Cross <MC>; reactions of German civilians; move to support Canadians in Njimegan area, 4/1945; attack of gingivitis; orders to avoid unnecessary damage to Dutch buildings; shortage of ammunition; reception from Dutch civilians; move to Ramsdorf area and role as military authority over German civilians, 5/1945.
REEL 27 Recollections of period at Gescher, Cosfeldt sector, Ramsdorf area, 5/1945-2/1946: situation; posting as battery captain; non-fraternisation rules; establishing relationship with village burgomaster using his daughter as interpreter; curfew arrangements; VE Day celebrations with bonfire; administration of POW and Displaced Persons Camps including preliminary visits, receiving clothing and cigars supplies for camps and decision to issue some to SNH personnel whilst collecting clothing from German civilians for use in camps; problems with attacks by camp inmates on German civilians.
REEL 28 Continues: reaction of German civilians to compulsory viewing of Belsen concentration camp film; attacks on Burgomaster for alleged former Nazi sympathies; officers' mess dinner for Russian POW officers; attending concert performance in Russian POW camp; question of non-fraternisation rule; patrols to confiscate Nazi memorabilia, weapons and cameras; dismissal of Burgomaster for alleged former Nazi sympathies; recreations including swimming pool and preparing cricket pitch; demobilisation system; decision to take up civilian career as farmer and authorities rejection of appeal for early demobilisation.
REEL 29 Continues: background to forced repatriation of Russian POWs; relaxation of non-fraternisation ban; question of posting to Far East; involvement in blackmarket activities and story of trip to Moselle area to exchange cigarettes for wine; move of officers' mess to Schloss Bulden; exchanging cigarettes for antique weapons; mass deer hunt to boost German civilian food supplies; game hunting party; patrol to investigate false report of dead body by road; decision to take up civilian career as farmer; family reaction to Elliott's relationship with German woman; maintenance of battery routine; posting as battery commander with 426 Bty; exchange visit with 61st Field Artillery Bde, US Army in Bavaria.
REEL 30 Continues: recreations and lack of duties during exchange visit with 61st Field Artillery Bde, US Army in Bavaria; reactions to disbandment of unit, 2/1945; demobilisation parties. Posting as Battery Commander with 324 Bty, 81st Field Regt, <Glamorganshire Yeomanry> RA at Dusseldorf, 2/1946-4/1946: poor state of unit; role guarding railway marshalling yards; decision not to marry German woman. Demobilisation, 4/1946. Post-war career in farming. Question of physical and mental effects of war. Importance of SNH Regimental Association.

ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1939-1945: South Notts Hussars
Military Operations, 1939-1945: North Africa, 1940-1943

Duration
880

NumberOfParts
30

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Elliott, David Scotchford

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedIWMItems
Photographs (list in file)

RelatedSoundFile
Elliot-landwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
25 June 2007

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
18259

ProductionDate
8/Feb/1999

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, German: Junkers Ju87 Stuka
carrier, British: Bren-gun

IndexPeople
Gallantree, Ernest Arthur Price xxx

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Hull, Yorks
GB, England & Walton, Yorks
GB, England & Wakefield, Yorks
GB, England & Tadcaster, Yorks
GB, England & River Humber
GB, England & North Coates, Lincs
GB, England & Caister, Lincs
GB, England & Regent's Park, London
GB, England & Aylesbury, Bucks
GB, Scotland
GB, Scotland & Loch Fyne
GB, Scotland & Glasgow
FR
FR & Bache
FR & Metz
FR & Dunkirk
BE
BE & Louvain
EG
EG & Canal Zone
LY
LY & Knightsbridge Box
LY & Gazala Gallop
LY & Tobruk
LY & El Adem
LY & Derna
LY & Benghazi
IT
IT & Laterina
IT & Florence
IT & Rapalle
DE
DE & Katowice
DE & Landschut
CS
CS & Prague
CS & Bohemia

IndexUnits
GB.A & Coldstream Guards, Bn 2
GB.A & Coldstream Guards, Bn 3, Platoon Carrier
IT.O & POW Camp, PG 82, Laterina
DE.O & POW Camp, Stalag 7 A, Moosburg
GB.A & Guards Depot, Caterham
GB.A & Tatoo, Aldershot
GB.O & Castle, Windsor
GB.O & Palace, Buckingham
FR.A & Defensive Line, Maginot
FR.O & Ship, Louis Pasteur
GB.O & Prime Minister's Residence, Chequers

ShortSummary
British NCO served with 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards in GB, France and Belgium, 1936-1941; served with 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards in North Africa, 1942; POW in North Africa, Italy and Germany, 1942-1945

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Hull, 1918-1936: family; education; employment; early interest in army. Enlistment and training at Guards Depot, Caterham in GB, 1936: reasons for joining guards; basic training; drilling; accommodation in barracks; physical training. Reaction to declaration of Second World War, 9/1939. Recollections of period as guardsman with Coldstream Guards in GB, 1936-1939: attitude towards ceremonial work; requirement of guardsmen to box; drill for fixing bayonets.
REEL 2 Continues: punishment for mistake during bayonet drill at Windsor Castle; importance of correct turn-out; importance of cleaning equipment to maintain discipline; attitude to display in ceremonial duties; guards at Buckingham Palace, late 1930s; method of controlling guards' drill movement outside Buckingham Palace; relations with public outside palace; degree of interest in guards from Royal Family; nicknames of various Guards regiments; participation with Aldershot Tatoo, 1939.
REEL 3 Continues: manifestation of rivalry between Coldstream Guards and Gordon Highlanders at Aldershot Tattoo. Recollections of period as guardsman with 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards in France, 1939-1940: move to France, 9/1939; billeting at Bache; method of constructing slit trenches; recreation and relaxation; period in outposts on Maginot Line near Metz; patrolling in front of Maginot Line; involvement in farm work. Recollections of operations as guardsman with 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards in Belgium and France, 5/1940: initial contact with Germans at Louvain; unit casualties; retreat and sight of civilian casualties; orders to retreat to Dunkirk; character of arrival in Dunkirk; waiting on beach at Dunkirk; embarkation on ship at Dunkirk mole.
REEL 4 Continues: use of Lewis gun against German Air Force during voyage from Dunkirk to GB. Aspects of period as NCO with 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards in GB, 1940- 1942: re-grouping of unit at Walton near Wakefield; reception on return from Dunkirk; re-equipping at Tadcaster; coastal defense duties south of River Humber, 1940; German aircraft attack at North Coates, 1940; apprehension over tobacco barrels in sea; sight of bombing of Hull from Caister winter 1940-1941; training at Loch Fyne; amphibious training at Loch Fyne; effect of hospitalisation in Glasgow; period with holding battalion at Regent's Park, London; guard duties at Chequers.
REEL 5 Continues: reasons for volunteering for overseas service. Voyage from GB to Egypt via South Africa, 1942: conditions on board; reception in Cape Town; Africans diving for coins; arrival in Canal Zone, Egypt. Recollections of operations as NCO with Carrier Platoon, 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards in Knightsbridge Box, 1942: sleeping in desert; entry into Knightsbridge Box; character of fighting in box; his work with carrier platoon protecting artillery observers; British and German use of spotter aircraft; drawbacks of riveted tanks; occasion when carriers made a quick return to box.
REEL 6 Continues: crossing minefield unscathed; effect of Junkers Ju 87 Stuka attacks; question of waste of ammunition fired on box; his attitude to prospect of being blinded; narrow escapes from shell-fire and machine gun fire in box; method of cooking in North Africa, 1942 and in France, 1940; rations; slight wounding; extrication from box, 6/1942. Aspects of operations as NCO with Carrier Platoon, 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards in North Africa, 6/1942: destruction of his carrier on Gazala Gallop; reaching Tobruk.
REEL 7 Continues: sight of dummy anti-aircraft guns at El Adem; attempts to defend El Adem. Aspects of period as POW in North Africa, 6/1942- 10/1942: capture by German tank crew at El Adem, 6/1942; opinion of Victory V cigarettes; conditions in POW cage; suffering from black outs; transfer from to Benghazi via Derna; behaviour of Libyan guards; conditions on board ship on voyage from Benghazi to Brindisi, c10/1942. Recollections of period as POW in PG 82 POW Camp, Laterina, Italy, 1942-1943: arrival and tented accommodation, winter 1942-1943.
REEL 8 Continues: conditions during winter, 1942-1943; building huts; de-lousing; rations; behaviour of Italian guards; method of filling time; categories of POWs receiving extra rations; arrival of Red Cross clothing ; description of Red Cross parcels; method of obtaining wood for fuel; solitary confinement for taking wood; bartering for food amongst POWs; treatment of POWs who stole from fellow POWs; singing POW song about PG 82; walking around perimeter; state of POWs Christmas, 1942.
REEL 9 Continues: description of POW handicraft skills; farm work; attitude of Italian guards to outcome of Second World War; memories of Italian guard Aldo; problems with bed bugs. Aspects of escape and period evading capture in Italy autumn 1943: escape from captivity, 9/1943; refuge in Rapalle; method of charcoal production; building hut in hills; working with civilians during wine harvest.
REEL 10 Continues: life in hut in hills; recapture and removal to Florence; return to camp PG 82 at Laterina. Recollections of period as POW at Stalag 7 A, Moosberg, 1944: train journey to camp; international soccer matches and other recreations; detailing to work parties; construction work at hydro electric power station site; attempt of British POWs to sabotage concrete mixing; threats that he would join punishment squad.
REEL 11 Continues: continuation of sabotage despite threats of punishment; physical condition of Russian labourers; contents of Canadian Red Cross parcels; scavenging by Russian labourers; POW entertainments; POW boxing tournament; bartering Red Cross supplies with civilians; smuggling fresh food into camp; behaviour of guards. Recollections of period as POW in Germany, 1944-1945: sight of bombed marshalling yards; female labourers used by Germans; reaction to potential of US Air Force attacks; transfer to military hospital at Katowice; sight of German casualties from Eastern Front, winter 1944-1945; march westwards, early 1945.
REEL 12 Continues: rations available on march; death of Russian POWs from exposure on march; arrival in the Prague area of Czechoslovakia; escape attempt and recapture in Bohemia; fear of cannibalism by starving Russians c3/1945; physical condition on arrival at Landschut; US aircraft attacks on train carrying POW; return to Stalag 7 A, Moosburg; sight of Allied air armadas. Aspects of liberation and return to GB, 1945: liberation by US troops; reaction to liberation.
REEL 13 Continues: bartering sugar for cigarettes with US troops; flight to GB; processing of POWs in GB; awaiting demobilisation in Aylesbury; recovery from POW experiences. Attitude to having served with Coldstream Guards in Second World War. Attitude towards Germans and spirit in which war was fought in North Africa. Witnessing US troops rioting in Hull c1942

ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1939-1945: France And The Low Countries, 1939-1940

Duration
385

NumberOfParts
13

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Gallantree, Ernest Arthur Price

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
018259S01.mp3
Gallantree-landwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
20950

ProductionDate
12/Dec/2000

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
tank, British: Infantry Mark II Matilda
tank, British: Light Tank Mark VIC
machine gun, British: Besa 15mm

IndexPeople
Vaux, Peter Alfred Lincoln xxx
Montgomery, Bernard L
Horrocks, Brian

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & East Grinstead, Sussex
GB, England & Tweseldown, Hants
GB, England & Liverpool, Lancs
AC
EG
EG & Cairo
EG & Canal Zone
EG & Mersa Matruh
EG & Alexandria
EG & Alam Halfa
EG & El Alamein
EG & Alexandria
LY
LY & Sollum
LY & Halfaya Pass
LY & Fort Capuzzo
LY & Sidi Rezegh
PI
PI & Haifa
IT
IT & Coriano Ridge
IT & Taranto
IT & Bracciano
IT & Rome
IT & San Marino

IndexUnits
GB.A & Royal Tank Regt 4, Sqdn Headquarters, Troop
Reconnaissance
GB.A & Army Tank Bde, 1
GB.A & General Headquarters, Cairo, Branch Armoured
Fighting Vehicles
GB.A & Staff College, Haifa, Palestine
GB.A & Armoured Div 7, Headquarters
GB.A & Armoured Bde 23
GB.A & Armoured Bde 7, Headquarters
GB.A & Corps 13, Headquarters
GB.A & Operation Battleaxe
GB.A & Operation Crusader
GB.O & Home Guard
GB.O & Ship, City of London
BE.O & Ship, Elizabethville
DE.N & Admiral Hipper
DE.A & Defensive Line, Gothic

IndexConcepts
Medical Services

ShortSummary
British officer served with 4th Royal Tank Regt in GB and North Africa, 1940-1941; served as staff officer with Headquarters, 7th Armoured Division, 10/1941-9/1942, with Headquarters, 13th Corps in North Africa, 9/1942-12/1942; served as staff officer with General Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, 1943; student at Haifa Staff College in Haifa, Palestine, 1943-1944; served as brigade-major with 7th Armoured Bde in Italy, 1944

FullSummary
REEL 1 Recollections of period as officer with Reconnaissance Troop, Headquarters Squadron, 4th Royal Tank Regt in GB, 1940-1941: reassembling of unit with Matilda Mark 2 tanks at Tweseldown, 6/1940; billeting in East Grinstead area; railway transportation for tanks; integration of drafts to unit; anti- invasion exercises; defence tactics practised; effect of Matilda tank crossing railway; use of Light Tank Mark 6 C for reconnaissance; methods of navigating and communicating; reconnaissance and recognition training; method of observing potential targets; use of sketches; method of containing German invasion.
REEL 2 Continues: degree of intelligence about potential German invasion; establishment of 1st Army Tank Bde; training with Home Guard; occasion when Home Guard dug up civilian's garden. Recollections of voyage from GB to Egypt aboard City of London, 1940-1941: embarking at Liverpool, 12/1940; rations available to officers and men; loss of cookhouse on deck during Atlantic storm; casualties during collision with Elizabethville; scattering of convoy after sighting of Admiral Hipper, 25/12/1940; breakdown of ship; lack of defensive armament aboard City of London; layout of convoy; training and duties as assistant adjutant; methods of relaxation; relations with New Zealand artillery personnel; memories of bumboatmen in Freetown; discipline aboard including court martial.
REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of period as officer with 4th Royal Tank Regt in Egypt, 1941: initial impressions of Egypt, 2/1941; kitting out with Middle Eastern kit; fitness training; situation in Mediterranean, early 1941; sources of information; intelligence briefings at General Headquarters, Cairo; methods of navigating in desert using compasses; tactics employed; recreational facilities in Canal Zone; problems with flies; state of unit's health; character of rations and water supply; desert sores and jaundice; degree of knowledge of Italian and German forces; effects of Axis air superiority; tank tactics prior to arrival of Germans; state of unit's tanks on arrival; entraining for Mersa Matruh. Recollections of operations as officer with Reconnaissance Troop, Headquarters Sqdn, 4th Royal Tank Regt in North Africa, 1941: degree of warning on impending action.
REEL 4 Continues: assembling near Mersa Matruh; leading regiment through sandstorm; unit deployment; observing German tanks from wadi; camouflaging vehicles; orders to attack Halfaya Pass and Sollum; sight of unit attack; observing German tanks moving on the horizon; contact with Senussi; formation of C Sqdn during attack; start line; line of infantry advance; effectiveness of German anti-tank weapons against Matildas; character of tank stowage; German equipment captured; impressions of German POWs; capture of Fort Capuzzo; loss of unit tank to German anti-tank fire; sight of unlaid mines at Halfaya Pass; unit casualties; lack of protective headgear worn in action.
REEL 5 Continues: role of German tanks near Fort Capuzzo; withdrawal of Coldstream Guards at Fort Capuzzo; reasons for not entering fort; effects of German 50mm Anti-Tank gun on Matildas; effects of sand on tank guns; defect in 15mm Besa machine gun; living in crews; daily routine; cooking arrangements and rations; bartering with Arabs; water supply; personal hygiene; water discipline; effect of heat inside tanks; clothing and footwear worn; effects of shortage of sleep; deployment in leaguers overnight.
REEL 6 Continues: usual location of line of observation; question of tactical bounds; use of Bren Gun Carriers; German reoccupation of Fort Capuzzo and Halfaya Pass; withdrawal under-fire at Halfaya Pass. Recollections of Operation Battleaxe with Reconnaissance Troop, Headquarters Sqdn, 4th Royal Tank Regt in North Africa, 6/1941: reforming of unit; character of attack on defences of Halfaya Pass; destruction of C Sqdn by German artillery; unit casualties in minefield; capture of German anti-tank mines; effect of German anti-tank screen on A Sqdn; reinforcing of A Sqdn with B Sqdn; his reconnaissance role during battle; limited vision on battlefield; lack of artillery support; attack on Fort Capuzzo area; strength of unit during operation; role of German anti-tank guns at Halfaya Pass; experiences of unit squadron in East Africa.
REEL 7 Continues: rates of tank breakdown; orders to withdraw; use of petrol and anti-tank mines to destroy broken down tanks under German shell-fire; story of German tank which followed his tank and its aftermath; question of British strength during Operation Battleaxe; opinion of General Archibald Wavell; impact on morale of failure of operation; briefing procedure for Operation Battleaxe; unit objectives during operation; commanding officer's style of briefing; his own troop briefing and extent of soldier's curiosity; leave in Alexandria; rotation of crews. Recollections of period as staff officer with Headquarters, 7th Armoured Div in North Africa, 10/1941-9/1942: joining headquarters near Mersa Matruh, 10/1941; character of headquarters; use of armoured command vehicles; role monitoring battle and locating Axis formations; communications.
REEL 8 Continues: line parties at divisional headquarters; communications with brigade headquarters; messing facilities; use of map boards including security measures; overrunning of headquarters during Battle of Gazala, 5/1942; escape from German armoured cars; documents destroyed during Battle of Gazala; method of keeping war diaries; signal logs; radio watch during night; drill for action in event of attack on headquarters; character of withdrawal during Battle of Gazala, 5/1942; disguising of Armoured Command Vehicles as soft skin lorries; security measures in leaguer; air defence measures; making contact with corp headquarters and his role commanding division; escape of General Messenry and his staff; divisional, corp and brigade communication problems.
REEL 9 Continues: role as divisional intelligence officer during Operation Crusader, 9/1941; character of German's counter attack; story of capture of German POW; importance of information gained from POWs; tricking German staff officer into giving information; handling Italian POWs; efforts to take POWs before El Alamein; German officer tricked into identifying his unit; sources of intelligence and intelligence summaries; information gained from Ultra; role updating Axis Order of Battle; intercepting wireless transmissions; producing appreciations from German point of view; concern about myth of Rommel; German use of tanks and anti-tank screens; use of RAF tactical reconnaissance; relations with RAF; field security section; evening order groups; assessment of Axis casualties; value of reports from brigade headquarters.
REEL 10 Continues: situation reports; procedures for armoured car reconnaissance; question of overall quality of intelligence picture; problems caused by highly mobile armoured operations; visit to New Zealanders near Sidi Rezegh; daily routine including pre-dawn move, use of morse, importance of negative reports, increased activity towards evening and procedure for evening orders; length of day; personal staff; character of maps used; use of dummy map to deceive Germans at Alam Halfa; night movements; use of despatch riders; role of Field Security Section; capture and interrogation of Arab spy; use of Arab spies; degree of liaison with Long Range Desert Group and Special Air Service. Recollections of operations as staff officer with Headquarters, 13th Corps in North Africa, 9/1942-12/1942: reasons for posting.
REEL 11 Continues: intelligence prior to Battle of El Alamein; use of sandtable model for briefing to corps by General Montgomery; General Brian Horrock's demand for after dinner entertainment; capture of German paratrooper, Major Burkhardt after El Alamein; problems for non-motorised Italian troops after El Alamein; information gleaned from Major Burkhardt and recovery of specialist equipment; attempt to use German recoilless rifle; quality of information received from POWs; procedures for interrogating POWs; accommodation at corps headquarters; daily routine at headquarters; opinion of General Brian Horrocks; quality of intelligence during Battle of El Alamein.
REEL 12 Continues: contracting jaundice. Aspects of period as staff officer with Armoured Fighting Vehicles Branch, General Headquarters, Middle East Forces in Cairo, 1943: duties training reinforcements and equipment; changes in tactics; daily routine and accommodation; personnel in branch; requests from GB; recreation in Cairo; recovery from jaundice. Period as student at Haifa Staff College in Palestine, 1943-1944: methods of instruction; character of students; occasion when he misplaced his identity card; lack of serious threat from insurgents; visits to Syria and Lebanon; opinion of course. Recollections of operations as brigade major with 7th Armoured Bde in Italy, 3/1944-9/1944: joining unit c3/1944; composition of brigade; character of brigade commander; reasons for sacking of brigade commander during attack on Coriano Ridge on Gothic Line.
REEL 13 Continues: aftermath of action at Coriano Ridge; prior recollections of Greek Brigade's mutiny in Alexandria prior to move to Italy including cause of mutiny and ending of mutiny; organisation of brigade headquarters; strength of independent brigade; role as brigade- major; brigade commander's style of command; character of morning prayers; tactical headquarters; landing at Taranto; taking over tanks from 23rd Armoured Bde; terrain and weather on arrival in front-line; condition of roads; living conditions; contact with Italian civilians.
REEL 14 Continues: role of independent brigade; attitude to detaching regiments to other brigades; effects of terrain on operations; effects of demolition of bridges and mines; German use of armour and anti-tank weapons; river crossings and bridging operations; essential to complete bridges overnight; move to Bracciano; training with Duplex Drive tanks and amphibious vehicles; movement across Italian peninsula; written and verbal orders; exercises for breakthrough; communication problems; brigade nets; logistic arrangements; use of infantry in half tracks; air support; nature of the 'bomb line'; lack of German Air Force activity; character of German artillery fire; occasion when tactical headquarters was badly shelled; attempts of spot German observation posts; artillery support from self propelled guns.
REEL 15 Continues: use of divisional and corps artillery; story of reconnaissance troop of 2nd Royal Tank Regt contact with US troops during capture of Rome, 6/1944; troop's nickname for brigadier; quality of intelligence; security measures; crowded nature of radio airwaves; problems of operating radios in Italy; use of liaison officer and personal visits to units; German morale; condition of German POWs; wounding by German shell-fire near San Marino; medical treatment received for wounds in San Marino; condition of his wounded driver; medical treatment at Advanced Dressing Station; death of wounded German POW during night; character of German POWs; method of moving armour through mountains; role of Churchill tanks in mountains.

ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1939-1945: North Africa, 1940-1943

NumberOfParts
15

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Vaux, Peter Alfred Lincoln

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
020950S01.mp3
Vaux-landwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
25 June 2007

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
18560

ProductionDate
26/Oct/1998

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
carrier, British: Bren gun
carrier, British: Carden Loyd

IndexPeople
Simpson, Harry xxx
Oliver, <Colonel>
Murphy, Pete
Myers, <Captain>
Gardner, George

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Leeds, Yorks
GB, England & Dover, Kent
GB, England & Liverpool, Lancs
GB, England & Southwold, Suffolk
GB, England & Bishop Stortford, Essex
GB, Scotland
GB, Scotland & Perth
GB, Scotland & Callendar
GB, Scotland & Shetland Isles
EG
EG & El Alamein
EG & Fuqa
LY
LY & Agheila
LY & Tripoli
LY & Wadi Zigaou
LY & Medenine
LY & Wadi Akarit
LY & Mersa Brega
LY & Takruna
LY & Roumana Ridge
MT
MT & Valetta
IT, Sicily
IT, Sicily & Pachino
IT, Sicily & Noto
IT, Sicily & Sferro
IT, Sicily & Francoponte
IT, Sicily & Gerbini
IT, Sicily & Messina
IT, Sicily & Catania
FR
FR & Normandy
FR & Bois de Bavant
FR & Colombelles
FR & Ranville
FR & Cagny
FR & Garcelles
FR & St Pierre
FR & River Seine
FR & St Valery
FR & Rouen
FR & Amiens
BE
BE & Ardennes
BE & Brussels
NL
NL & Elst
NL & s'Hertogenbosch
NL & Nijmegen
DE
DE & Reichswald Forest
DE & Heckens
DE & Goch
DE & River Rhine
DE & Kivitt
DE & Meckelstedt
DE & Iserdorf

IndexUnits
GB.A & Black Watch, Bn 7, Platoon Carrier
GB.A & Black Watch, Bn 1
GB.A & Black Watch, Bn 5
GB.A & Div 51
GB.A & Div 50
GB.A & Armoured Div, Guards
GB.A & Camp, Piper's Wood

IndexConcepts
Medical Services

ShortSummary
British NCO served with 7th Bn Black Watch in GB, North Africa, Sicily and North West Europe, 1939-1945

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Leeds, 1921-1939: family; education; employment. Aspects of enlistment and training with Black Watch in GB, 1939: enlistment in Leeds, 1/5/1939; basic training in Perth; attachment to 1st Bn Black Watch to complete basic training at Dover. Aspects of period as private with 7th Bn Black Watch in GB, 1940-1942: joining unit at Callendar; reformation of 51st Highland Div; defence duties in Shetland. Voyage from GB to Egypt via South Africa, 1942. Recollections of operations as sergeant with Carrier Platoon, 7th Bn Black Watch. 51st Highland Div in North Africa, 1942-1943: his duties; positions in M Box on Alamein line, 9/1942; rations and method of keeping clean; use of Bren gun carriers; support role of Bren gun carriers during Battle of El Alamein, 10/1942; aid given to wounded during battle.
REEL 2 Continues: abuse screamed at Scottish troops by wounded Italian, 10/1942; unit casualties killed by Axis booby-trap; his premonition of wounding followed by wounding in head by sniper, 11/1942; hospital treatment for head wound; return to unit at Fuqa c12/1942; encounter with Scotsman in French Foreign Legionnaire in NAFFI queue at El Adem, 12/1942; loss of Bren gun carrier at Agheila, 1/1943.
REEL 3 Continues: contracting jaundice and problems of getting suitable rations; eagerness to return to his unit; witnessing pilfering of best rations by line of communications troops, early 1943; re-joining unit at Tripoli and promotion to company sergeant-major with A Coy; forced march from Tripoli to Medenine; orders to deceive Axis forces at Medenine, 3/1943; sight of 50 Div casualties at Wadi Zigaou, 27/3/1943; advance to Mersa Brega and request to revert to his old rank in carrier platoon; his work with carrier platoon at Wadi Akarit, 6/4/1943.
REEL 4 Continues: opinion of Colonel Oliver; heroic action carried out by Pete Murphy at Roumana Ridge; withdrawal of Axis forces from Roumana Ridge; advance to Takruna; character of reinforcements; move to Algeria and end of campaign; preparations for invasion of Sicily in Algeria. Aspects of period as sergeant with carrier platoon, 7th Bn Black Watch in Malta, 6/1943: move to Malta; sight of war damage in Valetta; acquisition of army blankets for sale to priest. Recollections of operations as sergeant with 7th Black Watch in Sicily, 7/1943: voyage from Malta to Sicily; role manning ship's anti-aircraft gun during landing at Pachino.
REEL 5 Continues: capture of Italian anti-aircraft gun by Captain Myers; advance to Noto; threat from German Air Force at Noto; liberation of Italian bus at Francoponte; distribution of flour to Italian civilians; preparations for attack at Sferro; result of attack at Sferro; Sergeant 'Tug' Wilson's narrow escape after he was run over by Bren carrier during German shelling; capture of airfield at Gerbini; amusing encounter with pig during reconnaissance patrol at Gerbini.
REEL 6 Continues: results of reconnaissance patrol at Gerbini; wiping out of German patrol and treatment of survivor; reprimand he received for trying to protect wounded German POW from shellfire; German use of dog for ranging artillery; pursuit of German rearguard; loss of company sergeant-major to German shellfire; end of campaign at Messina; patrol at Messina; move to Catania and rumour of return to GB. Aspects of period as sergeant with 7th Bn Black Watch in GB, 1943-1944: return to Liverpool; Liverpool dockers method of pilfering goods being unloaded; stationing of unit at Piper's Wood Camp; re-equipping with Carden Lloyd Carriers, 1943; Christmas leave, 12/1943; start of intensive training after 12/1943; sight of RAF jet being tested, early 1944.
REEL 7 Continues: breaking his foot in motorcycle accident near Southwold; recuperation from injury; prohibition on military hospital patients using public house in Bishop Stortford; encounter with Italian POWs; discharge and move to holding unit; keenness to rejoin his unit, 6/6/1944. Recollections of operations as sergeant with Carrier Platoon, 7th Bn Black Watch, 51st Highland Div in Normandy, 6/1944-8/1944: re-joining unit at Bois de Bavant; casualties in Bois de Bavant; plan for attack at Colombelles; role of his carrier platoon in planned attack on Colombelles; German counter-attack and use of multi-barrelled mortars; aiding wounded Gordon Highlander; withdrawal of his carrier platoon back to Ranville.
REEL 8 Continues: sight of 5th Bn Black Watch casualties; question of reasons for failure of attack at Colombelles; taking over from Guards Armoured Div at Cagny; anxiety over loss of his map case; attack on Garcelles; US Air Force accidental bombing of Canadian gun line; exchange of machine gunfire with German troops during advance to St Pierre; narrow escape from German machine gunfire; use of tank machine gun to suppress German fire from house.
REEL 9 Continues: Recollections of operations as sergeant with carrier platoon, 7th Bn Black Watch, 51st Highland Div in North West Europe, 1944- 1945: return to St Valery, 8/1944; reconnaissance to check crossings on River Seine at Rouen; sight of abandoned vehicles on banks of River Seine; his attempt to round up Russian POWs who had served with German Army in Rouen; positions taken up in Dunkirk area; arrangements for armistice with Germans at Dunkirk, 9/1944; German treatment of deserters at Dunkirk; story of rabbits setting off trip flares in Belgium; V2 attacks on Antwerp; move to Elst; rapid move to the Ardennes, 12/1944; problems with icy weather in Ardennes and use of Weasels; narrow escape from minefield.
REEL 10 Continues: wounding in chest during attack on s'Hertogenbosch; hospitalisation in Brussels; his joke with wounded German that he would receive transfusion of Jewish blood; attitude of wounded SS man at Brussels; recuperation at Amiens; refusal of doctor to allow him to return to unit; return to unit and B Coy in Reichswald Forest, 2/1945; effect of deserter with self inflicted wound on unit casualties; minor wounding in foot in Reichswald Forest; orders to attack position not captured by Seaforth Highlanders; artillery support in Reichswald Forest; character of German defensive positions in Reichswald Forest, 2/1945.
REEL 11 Continues: dealing with German defences at Heckens, 2/1945; retaliation against Germans for shooting a unit member in the back at Heckens, 2/1945; crossing river in Buffaloes under Allied shellfire; finding wounded German at farmhouse; capture of German officer; attack on Goch; unit casualties at Goch; foraging in Goch; feeding of terrified civilian and her children; minor wound he reiceved in his shoulder from Allied shellfire.
REEL 12 Continues: preparations for crossing of River Rhine in Netherlands, 3/1945; assault crossing of River Rhine; capture of Kivitt, 3/1945; narrow escape from German Panzerfaust hit at Kivitt; attack on Empel, 25/3/1945; loss of comrade George Gardner at Empel; use of sniper rifle.
REEL 13 Continues: advance to Dinxerbo; advance towards Meckelstedt, early 5/1945; narrow escape prior to ceasefire, 4/5/1945; capture of two German deserters at Meckelstedt; providing guard of honour for German delegation; opinion of General Horrocks; return to peacetime soldiering at Iserdorf, 5/1945; discovery of area for storing V2 parts; posting to 1st Bn Black Watch, 1946; capture of Ribbentrop and Himmler.

ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1939-1945: North Africa, 1940-1943

Duration
390

NumberOfParts
13

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Simpson, Harry

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
018560S01.mp3
Simpson-landwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Exhibits

IDNO
UNI 236

ItemName
Tropical Sun Helmet, German Army, Afrika Korps

ObjectType
headdress

IndexPeople
none

IndexUnits
DE.A & Afrika Korps

FullSummary
German Army tropical headdress originated with German troops sent to North Africa in 1941. However the wearing of these tropical sun helmets proved impractical and their use was short-lived. German troops took to wearing a simplified version and the forerunner of the Einheitsfeldmutze or light-weight field cap which was known as the Deutsches Afrikakorps Feldmutze or German Africa Corps field cap in brown cotton twill.

ProductionCompany
J H S

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35

URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits

FormatDescription
cork helmet covered in dark khaki or brown cotton drill material. The helmet has a leather chin strap. the brim is narrow at the front and much wider at the back. Fitted on the right side of the helmet is a silver plastic shield in the German National colours of black, white (plain silver) and red. On the left side a silver plastic shield on which is displayed a Wehrmacht Eagle in dull silver on a black painted background. The initials J H S are stamped inside the headband.

Access
Access by prior appointment

DeptName
Exhibits

IDNO
ORD 134

ProductionDate
1942

ItemName
25 pdr QF Mk II

IndexPlaces
Ruweisat Ridge, North Africa

IndexUnits
GB.A & 11 Field Regiment RA

FullSummary
The idea of combining the dual role of gun and howitzer arose in 1918, and was developed between the two World Wars. A pilot model was built in 1930, the first 25-pounder appeared in 1935 and the final stages of development were hastened by the outbreak of the Second World War. Initial production was slow, but by 1945, over 12,000 had been manufactured.
The 25-pounder was probably the most outstanding field artillery piece used by British and Commonwealth forces in the Second World War, being durable, easy to operate and versatile. The Army's basic close support artillery weapon, it doubled as an anti-tank gun in the North African Campaign, and was also employed in jungle, airborne and mountain roles.
The 25-pounder remained the standard British divisional field gun until 1967, but the type saw service in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, in the Middle East in 1973 and was still in widespread use in the mid-1970s.
This example, a Mark II Gun on a Mark I Carriage, served with the 11th Field Regiment in North Africa. On 2 July 1942, it helped to halt a major German advance at Ruweisat Ridge, where the Regiment suffered nearly 25% casualties.

ProductionCompany
RGF & LNER

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35

URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits

DeptName
Exhibits

IDNO
MUN 3318

ItemName
S.Mi.35 (Sprengen Mine 1935) (S-Mine & Schrapnellmine 35) anti-personnel mine

ObjectType
mine

IndexUnits
German Army (Third Reich)

IndexHistPeriod
Second World War

FullSummary
The Sprengen Mine 1935, also known as the 'S-Mine' or 'Schrapnellmine 35', was a German Second World War anti-personnel device, that could be activated by direct pressure on the igniter in the top, or by a pull on one or more tripwires attached to pull igniters. It could also be fired electrically.

RelatedImageFile
MUN_003318.jpg

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

UncatTransferDate
08/05/2008 05:50:26

URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits

FormatDescription
the mine comprises an outer steel canister, with an inner steel cylinder that is surrounded by 350 steel balls.
When activated, a small explosive charge would eject the inner cylinder from its canister several feet above the ground, before the main charge detonated, causing the steel balls to be dispersed in all directions, with an effective range of about 150-200 yards.
This particular example has a pressure igniter, and has a diameter of 10cm, and an overall height of 23cm.

Access
On display at IWM London

Theme
German Army 1939-1945

CoLStatus
Published

DigitalAsset
Y

IWMImageOwned
Y

DeptName
Exhibits

IDNO
COM 703

ProductionDate
1989

ItemName
Electronic Equipment, Magellan Global Positioning System NAV 1000 Mtm Receiver, American

ObjectType
navigational instrument

IndexPlaces
Iraq/Saudi Arabia

IndexUnits
GB. A & British Army

FullSummary
The GPS provides almost perfect navigational accuracy. It uses a system of pre-positioned orbiting satellites. Each satellite has an extremely accurate 'atomic clock' and a low powered transmitter that broadcasts specially coded time signals and status messages on specific radio frequencies. By correlating the signals from at least four satellites the computer in a small GPS receiver can determine location, altitude, speed and time with great accuracy. Combat units using the GPS can achieve both superlative navigational accuracy and precisely coordinate and synchronise their movements.

ProductionCompany
Magellan Systems Corporation. (Monrovia, California, USA)

RelatedIWMItems
COM 702 & COM 704

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35

URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits

FormatDescription
Electronic Equipment, Magellan Global Positioning
System NAV 1000 Mtm Receiver, American

Access
On display at IWM Duxford

DeptName
Exhibits

IDNO
FEQ 390

ItemName
location sign, Tobrucca

ObjectType
sign

IndexPlaces
Tobruk, Libya

FullSummary
Rectangular wooden backing board from Tobruk with the letters T O C C A screwed to the face. A caption was added centrally in gap between letters - 'These five bomb scarred letters formed part of the name TOBRUCCA at the beginning of the quotation from Gabriele D'Annunzio at the Sea Gate of Tobruk. They were removed by a British Officer in May 1942 and given to the Museum.'

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare

UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35

URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits

FormatDescription
rectangular wooden backing board with letters screwed to face, caption added centrally in gap between letters.

Access
On display at IWM London

DeptName
Film

IDNO
CVN 307

ProductionDate
6/3/1943

ItemName
DESERT VICTORY [Main]

IndexObjects
armour, United States - tank: M4 Sherman & [British]
ceremonies, British - display: military parade
combat, British
delegations, British national - political: Churchill visits desert troops
operations, British military - sortie: patrol
propaganda, British - inflammatory: anti-Rommel
propaganda, British - inspirational
prisoners of war, German - surrender
strategy, British: Western Desert

IndexPeople
Alexander, Harold R L G
Churchill, Winston L S
Montgomery, Bernard L
Rommel, Erwin

IndexPlaces
Egypt & El Alamein
Libya & Tobruk

IndexUnits
GB.A & Army 8
GB.F
DE.A

ShortSummary
Film of the battle of El Alamein.

FullSummary
Desperate situation following fall of Tobruk. 8th Army conducts a fighting retreat of 400 miles, deliberately falling back on El Alamein, a naturally strong defensive line. Imminent battle approaches in importance the Battle of Britain. German advance halted. Churchill visits troops bringing new commanders and promise of reinforcements. Montgomery: a modern Cromwell. British and US war production. Lines of supply described. Further German attacks defeated. 8th Army receives Shermans. Rommel's supplies disrupted by air attack. Alexander speaks on the value of training and physical fitness. Disposition of German and Allied forces. Value of joint planning. Montgomery ensures that every soldier understands his role in the coming offensive. Opening barrage. Detailed description of the battle and British breakthrough. Afrika Korps "utterly broken and possessed of no thought but flight". Rommel abandons Italians. Allied pursuit - 1400 miles in 80 days, a "feat unparalleled in military history". Naval role in supplying advancing troops. Italian Empire has been extinguished. Film ends with a triumphant military parade in Tripoli. Film deliberately degrades Rommel's military reputation, and emphasises Allied strength - featuring a wide variety of military equipment - and the remorseless pursuit - advancing armour, strafing runs, columns of prisoners, etc.

ContextDescription
Credits: film editor Richard Best is credited as Sergeant Dickie Best.

Duration
60 mins

Format
P 1/35/A

Colour
B&W

Sound
comopt

NumberOfParts
6

Dimensions
5443 ft

ProductionSponsor
Ministry of Information

ProductionCompany
Army Film and Photographic Unit
RAF Film Production Unit

ProductionTeam
Boulting, Roy: director
Macdonald, David: producer
Boulting, Roy: supervising film editor
Best, Richard: film editor
Jenkins, Patric M: assistant director
Hodson, J L: commentary written
Alwyn, William: music composer
London Symphony Orchestra: music performer
Hudson, Daphne: assistant film editor
Anderson, G: librarian
White, A: negative cutter
Field, D P: (chief) sound recordist
Handford, Peter: assistant sound recordist
Croll, George: boom operator

ProductionCast
Wincott, Geoffrey: commentary spoken
Genn, Leo: commentary spoken
Owen, Frank: commentary spoken
Holmes, J B: commentary spoken

ProductionCountry
GB

Language
English

LanguageMainTitles
English

LanguageSubtitles
None

OtherReferences
COI file - shotlist, script, music cue sheet, shot-by-shot analysis

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
DesertWarfare
MechanisationBlitzkrieg

UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 09:20:43

URLEncodedDeptName
Film

Access
IWM