Object description
British NCO served with 8th Bn Sherwood Foresters in Norway, 1940
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Cresswell, GB, 1920-1939: family; employment; reasons for joining Territorial Army in 1938; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 9/1939; belief that GB was not ready for war. Recollections of operations as NCO with 8th Bn Sherwood Foresters in Norway, 1940: move to Scotland for embarkation to Norway, 4/1940; voyage from GB to Norway aboard HMS Galatea, 4/1940; loss of unit equipment; disembarkation at Aandalsnes; sight of German Air Force reconnaissance aircraft at Dombaas; German mortar bombardment; withdrawal in face of German tanks; ascent of valley side and sheltering in ski lodge with party of 1/4th Bn Leicestershire Regt; cross-country trek to Ringebu; under German machine gun fire; decision to surrender and attempt of British intelligence officers to escape. REEL 2 Continues: transfer to Oslo, Norway and onto Stettin, Germany; abuse of POWs by civilians at Stettin, Germany; despondency of POWs; separation of officers; initial impressions of German troops and their treatment of POWs; impressions of German equipment; inadequacy of his training; tendency of POWs to apportion blame; reaction to being under machine gun fire; reasons for party splitting up at Ringebu. REEL 3 Continues: intentions to travel by train at Ringebu; German Air Force attack on unit; positions taken up in face of German advance; disorganisation of command; reaction to being under German box barrage.
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