Curle, Alexander Tancred (Oral history)

British officer in Gordon Highlanders seconded to King's African Rifles in Kenya 1923-1929; acting Vice-Consul in Colonial Service in British Somaliland and Abyssinia 1930-1940; recalled to Force HQ during East African Campaign 1940-1942 and adviser to Ethiopian Government 1942-1946

REEL 1 Background to secondment to 3rd Battalion, King's African Rifles and journey out to Gobwen, Kenya, 1923. Accommodation. Colony of old African soldiers. Internal security role and aspects of lifestyle. Illustrations of Somali characteristics. Tribal recruiting policy. African troops' differing response to training. African troops' uniform and problems with boots. Weaponry. African troops' rations. REEL 2 Methods of supplying African troops' rations. Station defences at Mandera. Discipline. Illustrations of health problems at Mandera and Gobwen. African troops' families. African troops' recreations. Acquiring intelligence during visits to local tribes and illustration of information network. African NCOs: selection; varying qualities of Sudanese and Somalis; responsibilities. Procedure on pitching camp during patrol. Water supplies. Messenger communications. Illustration of initiative necessary in isolated outstations. REEL 3 Dispute with quartermaster. Outstation lifestyle: building own accommodation; food; servants. Story of pursuing brigands on patrol. Visitors to Mandera. Frontier clash with Italians. Prevention of raids. Rarity of British outstation families. Indian community. Financial arrangements. Return to GB and confusion over medical status, 1929. Transfer to Colonial Service and posting as acting vice-consul to Jigjiga, Abyssinia, 1930. Recollection of European community. Difficulties with local governors. Extension of Italian influence. REEL 4 Early Abyssinian pilots. Conditions in Aybssinian prisons whilst vice-consul at Harrar, 1932. Surveying in British Somaliland. Duties on British Somaliland Abyssinian Boundary Commission, 1933-34: purpose; hobbies; negotiations on French, Abyssinian and Italian borders; French intimidation; study of trains-border grazing rights in Ogaden province, Aybssinia resulting in Italian attack on Abyssinian Commission at Walwal, Abyssinia, 1934. Information concerning Italian invasion of Aybssinia and effect of air attacks whilst political officer of Somaliland Camel Corps, 1935. Local medicine. British fears and Mussolini's rejection of 'corridor' access to Zeila. Reception of Abyssinian refugees. Contacts with arms dealers. REEL 5 Indian refugees. Postings as district commissioner in Tanganyika, 1937. Stamping out brigandage. Value of KAR experience and methods in establishing authority. Contacts with missionaries. Examples of Italian Abyssinian development projects. Recall to KAR and aspects of forming new unit, 1939. Refusal to spy in Abyssinia. Posting as forward intelligence officer at Hargeisia, British Somaliland, 1940: duties; evacuation on Italian invasion. Local steamship captains. Posting to raise force of Abyssinian irregulars, 1940: recruitment; training. Story of Estonian adventurer. REEL 6 Continues story of Estonian adventurer. Irregulars' role on north frontier of Kenya. Successful skirmish. Operations with South African brigade: strained relationship; Boer medals; capture of Moyale. Operations with British brigade: better relationship; capture of Soroppa and Neghelli. Expansion of force: unrewarded gallantry of elderly recruit; efforts to maintain mobility. Accidental shooting of South African pilot. Curle's decorations. Posting to external affairs department Addis Ababa, Abyssinia, 1941: duties; anecdotes. Posting to raise irregulars on coast of East Africa, 1942: dispute between two officers; eccentric defence plan; training. REEL 7 Amusing anecdotes: embarrassment of officious intelligence officer; dispute over sandals. Posting as provincial advisor to Abyssinian government, 1942. Stories illustrating duties and character of country: banquets; visiting villages. Opinion of Abyssinian administration: taxation system; problems originating in Addis Ababa university; Emperor's gradual isolation