Jones, Henry Frank Harding (Oral history)

British officer served with 2nd Bn, Essex Regt in GB and North West Europe 1939-1940; evacuated form Dunkirk 5/1940

REEl 1 Family and educational background. Reporting to join 2nd Bn, Essex Regt at Warley Barracks, 3/9/1939: reaction to outbreak of war; pre-war visits to Nazi Germany. Journey to France, 16/9/1939. Recollections of service in France, 9/1939-5/1940: unit's attitude to war; period on guard duty at Brest docks including deliberate breaking of cases by dockers and arrest of Welsh seaman; construction of anti-tank obstacle at Pont-a-Marcq; living conditions of other ranks <ORs>. REEL 2 Continues: censorship of letters; road construction duties at Meurchin; compensation for French farmers; theft of gun by soldier; availability of leave; contact with Polish miners; absence of French men from civilian life. Operations in Belgium, 4/1940: problems driving at night during move to Brussels area; construction of defensive line near Brussels; impressive conduct of Guards unit during retreat; search for platoon in Brussels; accident to boy bicyclist; withdrawal to east. REEL 3 Recollections of retreat to Dunkirk, 5/1940: shellfire at Ninove; inaccuracy of maps; Dornier attack; blowing of canal bridges and skirmish with Germans at Meurchin; courage of French gunners and armoured troops; pathetic state of refugees; interruption of army supplies; action at L'Epinette; exhaustion of troops during march. Recollections of evacuation from Dunkirk, 5/1940: scene; provision of meal for troops. REEL 4 Continues: organisation of embarkation; Channel crossing on Whitehall; reception at Dover. Various aspects of operations in North West Europe, 5/1940: problems because of lack of radio; fifth columnists; Belgian civilian attitudes; morale of British troops; return of selected cadre to GB; opinion of German troops' performance.