Gabbitas, Victor (Oral history)

British NCO served as fitter with 7th Royal Tank Regt, Western Desert Force, Tobruk Garrison and 32nd Army Tank Bde in North Africa, 1940-1942; officer served with Light Aid Detachment attached to 11th Hussars in North Africa, 1942-1943

REEL 1 Recollections of operations as fitter with 7th Royal Tank Regt, Western Desert Force in North Africa, 1940-1941: arrival in Middle East, 8/1940; opinion of Matilda Mk II Tank; quality of Italian equipment; comparison between Italian tanks and Matilda Mk II Tank; initial method employed by Italian to attack Matilda Mk II Tank; contrast between morale of British and Italian troops; reaction to arrival of Afrika Korps, 1/1941; threat of German 88mm gun; casualty caused by Italian anti-tank rifle; question of why British 3.7 Inch Anti-Aircraft Gun was not used as anti-tank weapon. REEL 2 Continues: role of light tanks in desert; morale of 7th Armoured Division after Greek campaign; contact with home; wireless procedures. Aspects of operations as fitter with 7th Royal Tank Regt, Tobruk Garrison, Libya, 1941: attitude to participation Siege of Tobruk, Libya, 1941; supply of rations by Royal Navy to Tobruk garrison; state of health of garrison; making ‘bully beef’ pie; morale during siege. Aspects of operations as fitter with 7th Royal Tank Regt, 32nd Army Tank Bde in North Africa, 1942: moving tanks in desert terrain. REEL 3 Continues: question of whether Quattera Depression could be used to outflank British forces; role of fitter; problems with tanks; opinion of 25 Pounder Gun; character of Matilda Mk II Tank; character of Stuart ‘Honey’ Light Tank; fear of being hit in tanks; character of Sherman and Grant tanks; adapting to repair tanks. Aspects of period as officer with Light Aid Detachment attached to 11th Hussars in North Africa, 1942-1943: use of compasses on armoured cars; importance of trusting compasses. REEL 4 Continues: how cavalrymen adapted well to desert; problems judging distance in desert with mirages; opinion of Generals Archibald Wavell and Claude Auckinleck; effects of arrival of General Bernard Montgomery in desert, 1942; security measures taken in desert; prior recollection of operating tanks in desert; suitability of desert for warfare.