Description
Object description
British officer served with 2nd Field Coy, King George V's Bengal Sappers and Miners, Indian Army Corps of Engineers, 5th Indian Infantry Div in India, Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia, 1940-1941
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of period as volunteer with Engineer Section, Auxiliary Force (India) in India, 1937-1939: reasons for joining Auxiliary Force (India); duties with searchlight unit at Calcutta; anticipation of coming war; activities on mobilisation, 9/1939. Aspects of period as officer cadet at Officer Cadet Training Unit at Bangalore, India, 1940: selection for officer training; syllabus and instruction; importance of regimental history. Aspects of period as officer with 2nd Field Coy, Bengal Sappers and Miners, 5th Indian Infantry Div in India, 1940: posting to field company; training recruits; motor transport training; strength and organisation of company; contrast in temperaments of Moslem, Sikh and Hindus personnel; relations within unit; vehicles and equipment.
REEL 2 Continues: bridging equipment; company weapons and communications; morale; duties as section commander; size and composition of section; style of command of section; planning and use of 'O' groups. Recollections of operations as officer with 2nd Field Coy, King George V's Bengal Sappers and Miners, Indian Army Corps of Engineers, 5th Indian Infantry Div in Sudan, 1940-1941: voyage from India to Sudan including Italian Air Force attack on convoy; arrival at Port Sudan; impressions of Sudan and Sudanese; camouflaging camps against air attack and Italian Air Force activity; water supply work and reconnaissance of known fords on River Atbara
REEL 3 Continues: crossing River Atbara; camp and rations; water supply; use of tankers; driving on cotton soil and grading roads; working routine; recreation. Recollections of operations as officer with 2nd Field Coy, King George V's Bengal Sappers and Miners, Indian Army Corps of Engineers, 5th Indian Infantry Div in Eritrea, 1941: advance into Eritrea; move by road; clearing road blocks; road repairs; employment of Italian prisoners of war; types of Italian mines used and clearance techniques; Italian positions at Barentu; attempt to outflank Italian positions at Keren; approach to Keren; construction of mule tracks; casualties; Italian road block in gorge; logistical problems.
REEL 4 Continues: Indian troops' attack on Pinnacle, Keren; medical evacuation to Gebeit, Sudan with fever; state of health and treatment of wounds; leave in Khartoum, Sudan; rejoining unit at Asmara; character of Asmara; state of company. Aspects of operations as officer with 2nd Field Coy, King George V's Bengal Sappers and Miners, Indian Army Corps of Engineers, 5th Indian Infantry Div in Ethiopia, 1941: advance towards Amba Alagi; impressions of Ethiopians; attachment to Fletcher Force; terrain and climate; Italian positions; road repairs after Italian surrender; use of Italian prisoners of war; victory parade; withdrawal via Massawa, Eritrea; air activity during campaign.