Description
Object description
British officer served with 3/2nd Bn Punjab Regt, 29th Indian Infantry Bde, 5th Indian Infantry Div in India, Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia, 1940-1941
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of period as officer with 3/2nd Bn Punjab Regt in India, 1933-1940: reasons for joining Indian Army on commissioning, 1933; choice of Punjab Regt; pattern of service in India prior to 1939; guard duties at internment camp for Germans, 1939; reaction to outbreak of Second World War, 9/1939; reaction of troops' to outbreak of Second World War, 9/1939; degree to which Axis powers seen as threat; mobilisation and formation of brigade at Secunderabad; mechanisation of unit; training in camouflage against air attack; degree of tactical training; relations between battalions; hearing news of war in Europe; absorption of reserve officers. Aspects of voyage from India to Sudan, 1940: embarkation for Sudan.
REEL 2 Continues: Italian Air Force attack in Red Sea; troops' reaction to voyage. Aspects of period as officer with 3/2nd Bn Punjab Regt, 29th Indian Infantry Bde, 5th Indian Infantry Div in Sudan, 1940-1941: move from Port Sudan to Gebeit; training; terrain; accommodation; climate; civilian population; Royal Air Force stations; arrival of mortars; adjusting to new equipment and unfamiliar terrain; preparations to meet potential Italian advance; roles of Bren Gun Carriers; Italian Air Force activity. Recollections of operations as officer with 3rd/2nd Punjab Regt, 29th Indian Infantry Bde, 5th Indian Infantry Div in Eritrea, 1941: move forward to Kassala; initial contact with Italian forces.
REEL 3 Continues: removal of Italian rearguard; assault of Italian position repulsed by counter-attack; quality of Eritrean troops; Italian fieldworks; first experience of being under shellfire; battalion advance to contact; planning for attack; reconnaissance; formation for attack; support weapons; overrunning of forward positions; counter-attack by Italian forces; withdrawal and casualties; effect of failed attack on troops' morale; Italian withdrawal; water supply; climate.
REEL 4 Continues: character of advance to Barentu; detachment to block road to Barentu; in ambush position and use of Sudan Defence Force armoured cars; temporary stalemate at Barentu and reasons for Italian night withdrawal; approach towards Keren and reasons for being pulled back; plan of attack on Keren; strength of Italian positions at Keren; assembling in Happy Valley at Keren; how Allied artillery drew Italian artillery fire; training for mountain fighting; state of health and medical services; plan for final attack; character of Fort Dologorodoc.
REEL 5 Continues: capture of Fort Dologorodoc; briefing and reconnaissance for attack on Mount Zeban; wounding during attack and counter attack at Mount Zeban; medical evacuation to Sudan; nature of action at Mount Zeban; difficulties of command and control in action; location of battalion headquarters; casualties; noise of battalion; duties of adjutant in action; security of headquarters and support weapons; artillery support at Mount Zeban; battalion planning; General William Platt's plan; return to battalion after Battle of Keren; opinion of Italian shelling at Adi Tekelezan and receiving minor wound; advance of 2nd Bn West Yorkshire Regt (Prince of Wales's Own) under fire; clearing battlefield; supply.
REEL 6 Continues: Aspects of operations as officer with 3rd/2nd Punjab Regt, 29th Indian Infantry Bde, 5th Indian Infantry Div in Ethiopia, 1941: terrain during advance to Amba Alagi; reconnaissance expedition with commanding officer; plan for and execution of attack on features 'Whaleback' and 'Elephant'; how attack was stopped; attack on feature 'Middle Hill'; prisoners of war taken; violations of the white flag; opinion of Italian troops; arrangements for surrender; behaviour of Italian officers; journey to Massawa, Eritrea; sight of Ethiopian Patriots; observation on East African campaign.
