Description
Object description
British gunner served with 3rd Field Regt and 28th Field Regt, Royal Artillery in India, 1938-1940; served with 28th Field Regt, Royal Artillery, 5th Indian Infantry Div in Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia, 1940-1941
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Artillery in India, 1936-1938: family tradition of military service in India; military training at school; enlistment in Royal Artillery; basic training with Royal Artillery at Lucknow; signalling course; degree of awareness of political situation in Europe; attitude of troops to political events; awareness of Axis military threat. Aspects of period as signaller with 3rd Field Regt, Royal Artillery in India, 1938-1940: reaction to outbreak of Second World War; regimental guns. Aspects of period as gunner with 28th Field Regt, Royal Artillery in India, 1940: transfer to unit; settling into regiment.
REEL 2 Continues: regimental guns; gun detachment; comparison between Ordnance QF 18 Pounder Field Gun and Ordnance QF 25 Pounder Field Gun; effect of pneumatic tyres on balance of Ordnance QF 18 Pounder Field Gun; character of shells; opinion of Ordnance QF 4.5 Howitzer; further details of shells; duties as gun layer; rate of fire; motor transport; signalling equipment and medical services; threat of scorpions; water supply and use of purification tablets; morale and discipline; reaction to posting to Sudan. Recollections of operations as gunner with 28th Field Regt, Royal Artillery, 5th Indian Infantry Div in Sudan, 1940-1941: voyage from India to Sudan.
REEL 3 Continues: Italian Air Force high level attack on convoy; initial impressions of Port Sudan; train journey to camp; description of camp in desert; camp life and visits to local village; rations; exercises and time taken to deploy; move to camp on River Atbarah; burying fuel and ammunition supplies; character of River Atbara; behaviour of Cypriots serving with Royal Army Service Corps; relations with Sudanese Defence Forces; move to Kassala, 10/1940; artillery shoot at Kassala and Italian response.
REEL 4 Continues: withdrawal during Italian barrage; encounter with Skinners' Horse; character of terrain on Sudan/Eritrean border; measures taken to deceive Italians about strength; sight of Italians being supplied by air; effects of shortage of ammunition; evacuation of positions; degree to which gun pits used; Italian Air Force attacks; mail; speed of movement in desert; vehicles used by 1st Duke of York's Own Skinners Horse; supply in the field; move to Mechi Wells.
REEL 5 Continues: position and activities at Mechi Wells; supply of fresh milk; character of local Sudanese shepherds; patrolling in bush; bombardment of Kassala; problems with gun recoil system; effects of bombardment of Kassala; conditions in Kassala after Italian evacuation; opinion of Italian defensive fieldworks; effects of intense bombardment; exchange of regiment's Ordnance QF 18 Pounder Field Guns for Ordnance QF 25 Pounder Field Guns; ease of Ordnance QF 25 Pounder Field Gun to traverse and tow; range and rate of fire of Ordnance QF 25 Pounder Field Gun.
REEL 6 Continues: preparation for barrage; effects of 25 Pounder artillery shell; rest and recreation in Khartoum; move to Gedaref; hospitalisation for throat infection in Military Hospital in Omdurman; convalescence period in Omdurman; ward inspections. Recollections of operations as gunner with 28th Field Regt, Royal Artillery, 5th Indian Infantry Div in Eritrea, 1941: rejoining regiment at Tessenei, 2/1941; training in mountain warfare; firing of guns at Keren; use of range tables; deployment of regiment; terrain and visibility.
REEL 7 Continues: reasons for failure of infantry attacks at Keren; supply problems; means to conserve ammunition; organisation of Night Defensive Fire; communications; organisation of artillery shoots; Italian counter fire; ammunition supply; rate of fire and noise of barrage; effects of barrage on equipment; logistical problems; tobacco ration; food rations; disruption of dinner by stand to; sleeping in open; fly problem.
REEL 8 Continues: advance to Keren; sight of Italian dead; looting in Keren; capture of Italian field cashiers; sight of columns of Italian prisoners of war and their attitude; description of gun position in difficult terrain at Adi Tekelezan; obstacles and further sight of Italian prisoners of war; firing on Italian cavalry charge; move to Asmara; victory parade in Asmara; billeting in Asmara; Italian civil population; provision of brothels; entertainment and shopping; shortage of food in Asmara; maintenance work on guns.
REEL 9 Continues: lack of reading material; mail; move to Massawa; repairs to guns; personal administration; heat at Massawa; latrines. Recollections of operations as gunner with 28th Field Regt, Royal Artillery, 5th Indian Infantry Div in Ethiopia, 1941: engagement at Amba Alagi; Italian defences at the pass; support for infantry attacks; effect of terrain on operations; murder of Italian envoys by Ethiopians and Duke of Aosta's proposals; Italian surrender; use of artillery; advance to Gondar; use of harassing fire against Italian positions; under Italian fire.
REEL 10 Continues: effect of medium guns firing; establishment of observation post and how it was looted by Italians; rest periods; appearance of Ethiopian Patriots and their discontent over not being payed; move to Massawa, Eritrea; character of Massawa, Eritrea; time taken to recovery from campaign; reflections on East African campaign.