Description
Object description
British trooper served with Kenya Independent Sqdn in Kenya, 1940; served with 1st East African Armoured Car Regt in Kenya, Italian Somaliland, Ethiopia and French Somaliland, 1940-1942
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of enlistment with Kenya Regiment in Kenya, 1940: expectations of coming war from 1937; joining Colonial Administrative Service in Nyasaland; background to volunteering for service with Kenya Regiment, 6/1940; basic training. Aspects of period as trooper with Kenya Independent Sqdn in Kenya, 1940: background to transfer to unit; prior experience of riding; mule riding; uniform and equipment; order for unit to disband; commanding officer's advice on acquiring stores and interrogation; cavalry drill; field exercises; accommodation.
REEL 2 Continues: rations and water supply; messing; commanding officer's plans for seaborne raiding force; volunteering for East African Reconnaissance Sqdn. Recollections of operations as NCO with 1st East African Armoured Car Regt in Kenya and Italian Somaliland, 1940-1941: background to transfer to unit; character of unit's armoured cars; attachment to 24th (Gold Coast) Infantry Bde for raid on El Wak in Italian Somaliland; descriptions of armoured cars; opinion of Italian intentions; transporting Gold Coast troops on night patrols; limited vision in armoured cars; protection afforded from small arms fire during action; night driving.
REEL 3 Continues: formations for manoeuvre; second raid on El Wak, Italian Somaliland, 12/1940; air activity; rations and water in the field; fuel supply; issue of Marmon-Herrington Armoured Cars; preparations for advance; advance into Italian Somaliland, 2/1941; crossing River Juba and attack on Jilib; armoured cars disabled by mines on airfield at Jilib; formation used for attack at Jilib; effects of mine on armoured car; Italian prisoners of war in Jilib.
REEL 4 Continues: advance to River Juba. Aspects of operations as NCO with 1st East African Armoured Car Regt in Ethiopia, 1941: move into Ethiopian Hills; plan to attack on Italian positions; conduct of attacks; two armoured cars hit by Italian artillery fire; effects of shell-fire on third armoured car; casualties during action; attempt to dig graves under-fire; Light Aid Detachment; character of unit personnel; move to Dire Dawa; impressions of Addis Ababa; use of Italian grenades. Aspects of operations as NCO with 1st East African Armoured Car Regt in French Somaliland, 1941: blockading Djibouti; observation patrols; promotion; training on Bren Gun; encounter with tribesmen at waterhole.
REEL 5 Continues: playing cards and reading for recreation; measures to save water; importance of washing feet, hands and face; health; latrines; ammunition explosion at Asab; end of blockade, 1942. Aspects of period as officer with East African Artillery in Kenya, 1942: attending Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU); transfer to artillery; training duties; role as personal assistant to colonel; recall to Colonial Administrative Service, 11/1942.
