Davies-Scourfield, Edward Grismond Beaumont (Oral history)

British officer served with 2nd Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps in GB and France, 1938-1940 including defence of Calais, 5/1940; POW in Germany, 1940-1945

REEL 1 Recollections of period at Sandhurst, 1937-1938: reasons for joining army; family background; choice of regiment; nature of training. Aspects of period with 2nd Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps in GB, 1938-1940: expectation of outbreak of war; Munich Crisis, 9/1938; reactions to outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; training; wireless communications; expectations as to first phase of war; the mobile division in Dorsetshire; absorption of reservists; state of unit and role as motorised battalion; gas warfare kit and training. REEL 2 Continues: troops' attitude to gas training; move to France; defence duties in East Anglia; journey to Southampton. Recollections of operations as officer with 2nd Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps during defence of Calais, France, 5/1940: voyage out and arrival; deployment around Calais and defence plans; French artillery support; French troops; civilians; infiltration by German snipers; withdrawal of 3rd Tank Regt and Queen Victoria's Rifles; shelling; reconnaissance by carrier section; development of German attack; naval support. REEL 3 Continues: German assault formation; use of ground; effect of small arms fire on German infantry; use of tanks; attack on out post position; German casualties; effect of anti-tank rifles; treatment of wounded; deployment of 2 pdr anti-tank guns; battalion positions; liaison between companies; role commanding platoon; German infiltration of Calais; fire control; German pressure on perimeter; progress; orders for withdrawal to canal line; German air attack; canal line positions; effects of German bombardment; reconnaissance; German attacks stopped by fire power. REEL 4 Continues: German use of leaflets to advice surrender; cease-fire; heavy artillery bombardment; night air attacks; fatigue; Stuka attacks; visit to Rifle Brigade; casualties; logistics; food; ammunition; German mortar fire; isolation of company positions; German breakthrough; attacks from rear; collapse of positions; wounded; infantry tank co-operation; assessment of British and German performance and tactics; capture and treatment as POW. REEL 5 Continues: Recollections of period as POW in Germany, 1940-1945: medical treatment; POW camp; escape; period with Polish underground; re-capture; imprisonment in Oflag IV C, Colditz; escape and re-capture; return to Colditz; liberation.