Description
Object description
British officer served with Frontier Bn, Sudan Defence Force, Gideon Force in Sudan and Ethiopia, 1940-1941
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of training as officer with Sudan Defence Force in Sudan, 1939-1940: civilian employment in Sudan from 1930; basic training at Khartoum; the Sudan Defence Force armoured car section; tactical instruction; his call-up for military service; how Bren Gun was modified for hot weather conditions. Aspects of period as officer with Frontier Bn, Sudan Defence Force in Sudan, 1940: joining battalion at Gedareff; character of recruits; company strength, organisation and command structure; Sudanese officers and NCOs; language; training recruits; arms; camel transport; live firing and fire and movement exercises.
REEL 2 Continues: length of working day; troops' rations and recreational activities; discipline; destruction of Royal Air Force Gloster Gladiators; crash of Italian Air Force bomber; move to Er Rosieres. Recollections of officer with Frontier Bn, Sudan Defence Force, Gideon Force in Ethiopia, 1941: advance to Belaya; movement rate determined by pace of camels; formation on march; plans to build airstrip at Belaya; character of Lieutenant-Colonel Orde Wingate; opinion of Colonel Hugh Boustead; contrast between Orde Wingate and Hugh Boustead's method of command.
REEL 3 Continues: preparation of track up escarpment; terrain and climate on plateau; clothing worn; how Sudanese disliked mountain climate; water supply; attitude of locals; pro-Italian Ethiopians; character of local inhabitants and Shifta; effective co-operation from forces of Ras Kassa; Sudanese attitude towards Ethiopians; night attacks on positions; plan to ambush withdrawing Italian forces; attack on Italian force.
REEL 4 Continues: nature of Italian advance and decision to withdraw; Italian use of demolitions; night skirmish and pursuit of Italians down main road; action against Italian forces on 'The Panhandle'; surrender of Italian forces and disarming of native levies; march to Addis Ababa; Emperor Haile Selassie review of prisoners of war; nature of skirmishes against Italian forces; attending dinner with Emperor Haile Selassie; opinion of Emperor Haile Selassie; character of Addis Ababa.
REEL 5 Continues: Aspects of period as officer with Frontier Bn, Sudan Defence Force in Sudan, 1941: return to Sudan; internal security duties at Massawa; scuttled ships in harbour; guarding Italian prisoners of war; march to Asmara. Aspects of period as officer with Frontier Bn, Sudan Defence Force in Sudan and Ethiopia, 1940-1941: importance of infantry in mountainous terrain; casualties and their treatment; communications; accommodation in field; problems with ration supply; alcohol supply.