Harding, John (Oral history)

British officer served with 11th Bn London Regt in GB, Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine, 1914-1917; served with 162 and 163 Machine Gun Coys, Machine Gun Corps in Palestine, 1917-1918; variously attached to staff of 54th Div and XXI Corps, 1917-1918; served with 54th Machine Gun Bn, Machine Gun Corps in Palestine and Egypt, 1918-1919; served with 12th Machine Gun Bn, Machine Gun Corps in India, 1919-1921; served with 2nd Bn, Somerset Light Infantry in India, Sudan and GB, 1921-1928; attended Staff College, Camberley, 1928-1931; served as staff officer with Headquarters, 13th Bde in GB and Germany, ca 1933-1935; served as staff officer at MOI, War Office, London, GB, c1936-1938; commanded 1st Bn, Somerset Light Infantry in India, 1939-1940; served as staff officer with General Headquarters Middle East and Headquarters, Western Desert Force in North Africa, 1940-1941; served as staff officer with HQ, XIII Corps in North Africa, 1941-1942; period as Director of Military Training in Middle East, 1942; served as Deputy Chief of Staff at GHQ Middle East, 1942; commanded 7th Armoured Div in North Africa, 1942-1943; commanded VIII Corps in GB, 1943; served as chief of staff to Alexander with 15th Army Group in Italy, 1943-1945; commanded XIII Corps in Italy, 1945; commanded Central Mediterranean Force based in Italy, 1945-1946; commanded Southern Command in GB, 1947-1949; commanded Far East Land Forces based at Singapore, 1949-1951; commanded Rhine Army and Northern Army Group, NATO in Germany and North West Europe, 1951-1952; served as Chief of Imperial General Staff, 1952-1955; Governor of Cyprus, 1955-1957

REEL 1 Background in South Petherton, Somerset and London, 1896-1914: education; work as Post Office clerk; lack of military background; night classes and promotion within Post Office. Recollections of commission into 11th Bn, London Regt at Penton Street Drill Hall, 5/1914: reasons and entrance interview; recreations; basic training; question of approach of war. REEL 2 Recollections of periods at Islington, Crowborough, White City and Hatfield, 8/1914-7/1915: cancellation of summer camp, 8/1914; basic training; training as machine gun officer at School of Musketry, Hythe; question of adequacy of training; formation of 54th Div and opinion of senior officers. Voyage aboard Aquitania to Mudros, Lemnos, Greece, 7/1918: anti submarine machine gun guards; conditions. Period at Mudros, 7/1915-8/1915: lack of briefing on Gallipoli campaign; rumours of staff's luxurious lifestyle. Recollection of period at Suvla, Gallipoli, Turkey, 8/1915: landing, 10/8/1915; food and water rations. REEL 3 Continues: terrain; night march; attack on Kidney Hill, 15/8/1915; shrapnel wound in leg, 16/8/1915; medical treatment and evacuation on hospital ship; comparison of medical treatment in First and Second World War. Convalescence in Egypt, 8/1915-10/1915. Period in Aghyl Dere sector, Anzac, 10/1915-11/1915: situation at Suvla, 8/1915; situation on rejoining unit; reconnaissance patrols. REEL 4 Continues: use of reports of difficult working relationship between Fisher and Churchill during Gallipoli campaign as warning example when working with Churchill during Second World War service; conditions of service; dysentery problem; opinion of quality of other ranks (ORs); course in bombing and catapult bombing at Mudros; story of endangering Monash during bombing practice; story illustrating rare appearance of high command in front line areas; opinion of Australian and Gurkha troops; opinion of territorial and war service divisions; evacuation and reactions, 11/1915; question of naval role and inter service liaison; military value of Gallipoli experience including realisation of importance of realistic field training. REEL 5 Continues: military value of Gallipoli experience including realisation of importance of realistic field training. Post-war membership of service associations. Aspects of warfare, 1914-1918: role of machine gun at Gallipoli and Palestine; developments in signal communication; developments in relationship between officers and ORs including story illustrating Haig's lack of empathy with ORs. Period in Egypt, 12/1915-1916: reserve role during armoured car operations against Senussi; recreations in Cairo. REEL 6 Posting to command 162 Machine Gun Coy, Machine Gun Corps at Kubri, 1916: formation of unit; role defending Suez Canal; advantages of centralising machine guns in brigade operations; background to successful application for regular commission with Somerset Light Infantry whilst remaining on detachment to MGC, 1917. Recollections of period in Egypt and Palestine, 1916-1919: march across Sinai desert; account of First Battle of Gaza, 26/3/1917-27/3/1917 including providing machine gun covering fire for 162 Bde advance, arm wound and question of artillery support bombardment; supply situation; communications; medical treatment and evacuation to Alexandria, 4/1916-5/1917. REEL 7 Continues: posting to 163rd Machine Gun Coy on return and detachment as machine gun officer for 54th Div; role in planning infantry support machine gun teams and distribution of overhead indirect fire and testing of arrangements in raid on Umbrella Hill; impact of arrival of Allenby and reinforcements; story illustrating antipathy between mules and camels; role at divisional headquarters during Third Battle of Gaza, 27/10/1917-7/11/1917 including story illustrating the problems of telephone security, success of plans and question of presence of German personnel amongst Turks; return to 163 MGC, 11/1917; importance of Gaza; opinion of Turkish troops; award of MC; letter and parcel contact with GB. REEL 8 Continues: advance along coast; capture of Megiddo, 9/1918; entrance into Beirut and story of drunken mess corporal; travelling on local leave, 11/1918-12/1918; providing machine gun cover for river crossing, 9/1918; staff posting as machine gun officer for XXI Corps; first awareness of Wavell; posting to command 54th Machine Gun Battalion, 1918; theft of rifle from camp at Alexandria, 1919; opinion of Palestinian Arabs; absence of large scale Jewish settlement; opinion of Egyptians. REEL 9 Continues: recites 'The Australian Soldier's Farewell to Egypt'; return to GB, 7/1919; military lessons of First World War; polo and horse racing recreations; rejection of application to be seconded to Egyptian Army, 1919. Decision to remain in army. Period with 12th Machine Gun Bn, MGC in India, 1919-1921: reaction to disbandment of unit and consequent gradual demotion to lieutenant; voyage out; initial moves; posting to Chanan and exercises for Afghanistan campaign; polo; story of inspection by brigadier; moves. Period with 2nd Bn Somerset Light Infantry in India and Sudan, 1921-1926: question of absence of private income; role as adjutant. REEL 10 Continues: doctrine of minimum force used in internal security role in support of police authorities during riots in Agra, 8/1923; nature of social life and of 'poodle faking' during local leave in Kashmir; encouragement from Brigadier Clive Wigram to apply for Staff College during posting as brigade major; study; role organising tactical exercises without troops; lifestyle; arrangements for extended leave in GB; marriage, 1927; studying and passing Staff College exam at second attempt; subsequent developments in preparation of prospective candidates for Staff College, Recollections of attending Staff College at Camberley, 1928-1930: accommodation; drag hunt activities; contemporaries; opinion of Montgomery as instructor. REEL 11 Continues: opinion of Montgomery as instructor and stories illustrating responsibilities of command and importance of communication skills; stories illustrating nature of Montgomery's character; question of Montgomery's attitude to mechanisation, c1930; opinion of O' Connor and question of effect of his POW experiences on capabilities as commander; opinion of Templar; drag hunt activities; story of teasing wife over assessment report. Period with 2nd Bn Somerset Light Infantry at Tidworth and as weapons training staff officer at Salisbury, 1930-1931: mobile infantry role; damaging effect of disputes in high command illustrated by clash between Leece and Slim during Far East campaign. 1945. REEL 12 Continues: opinion of doctrine of independent armour and necessity of balanced attack force. Period as brigade major with Headquarters, 13th Bde at Catterick Camp, 1934-1935: belief in 'lucky number' 13; fox hunting activities; lifestyle; opinion of Brigadier David Forster including his religious views, story illustrating enthusiastic attitude to tactical exercises and disadvantage of pronounced religious or political views as commanding officer. Period as British brigade with international peace keeping force during plebiscite in Saarbrucken, Saar, 1935: situation and composition of force; internal security role; story of clash between British troops and German civilians and subsequent improvement in relation ship; role supervising polling day stations; opinion of Italian and Dutch contingents; importance of politics to military commanders. REEL 13 Period at Catterick, 1935: story of encouragement on Harding's future given to wife by Major General Tom Humphreys; moves. Period as staff officer with MOI, War Office, London, ca 1936-1938: duties monitoring League of Nations disarmament negotiations; story of leaving behind secret papers after reporting to House of Commons to brief Lord Halifax on intelligence acquired on German and Italian intervention in Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939; lack of British intervention; role monitoring Italian activities in Abyssinia and Libya; question of efficiency of economic sanctions; question of involvement in politics illustrated by discussion on nature of professional integrity with Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies during conference on future deployment of Australasian forces; appointment as army representative to joint service committee to discuss limitation of aerial bombardment; opinion of Hitler's rearmament policy aims and his success in disguising them from Halifax; question of impact of joint service committee. REEL 14 Continues: appointment as secretary to re-armament committee; practical lessons in conduct of meetings; contacts and advice received from arms dealer; attending meetings of Committee of Imperial Defence; pre-eminent position of Royal Navy; value of experience at War Office. Recollections of period commanding 1st Bn, SLI in Poona and Kohat, India, 1939-1940: status and rank; separation from family; reactions to outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; failure of authorities to expand Indian Army; difficulty in organising co-operation for tactical exercise; covering building of road in Waziristan; story of avoiding staff appointment in India. Period as staff officer in various capacities with General Headquarters, Middle East at Cairo, Egypt, 1940: Italian air attack on convoy in Red Sea; initial status as reserve staff; temporary posting as BGS and importance of secrecy in planning offensive in Western Desert; acting as liaison officer between O'Connor and Wilson. REEL 15 Continues: initial status as reserve staff; staff study into feasibility of attack on Italian forces in Libya through Tibesti Mountains. Period as Brigadier General Staff with Western Desert Force during operations in Western Desert, 12/1940-: background to posting; situation and planing; success of attacks on Italian camps at Battle of Sidi Barani, 12/1940-6/1941; importance of secrecy; sources of intelligence; supply problems; lessons of operations; Italian POWs; opinion of Italian troops; minimal liaison role with Wilson; inspirational role of O'Connor; advanced planning; replacement of 4th Indian Div with 6th Australian Div; capture of Bardia. REEL 16 Continues: capture of Tobruk; background to decision to send 7th Armoured Div across desert to Benghazi; question of future German intervention; communications and supply problems in desert; state of morale; capture of Benghazi, 7/2/1941; opinion of Brigadier Robert Menzies; desert terrain; question of advance direct to Tripoli and decision to establish defensive positions at Agedabia; opinion on serious weakening of divisions available in Western Desert due to diversion of forces to Greece; meeting between Wavell and Lieutenant General Sir Philip Neame at Barce; opinion of Neame, desire for return of desert experienced O'Connor and opinion of his return in advisory capacity to Neame; situation on German attack, 4/1941; ignorance of strength of Afrika Korps and abilities of Rommel. REEL 17 Continues: surprise at speed of German advance, 3/1941-4/1941; capture of O'Connor and Neame, 6/4/1941; establishment of headquarters and preparations for defence of Tobruk; successful presentation to Wavell and resulting orders to General Laverick to defend Tobruk, 4/1941; news of Wavell's forced landing at Sollum, 8/4/1941; defence arrangements; repulse of German attack by using all artillery in anti-tank role; supply role of Royal Navy; absence of civilians; question of loss of supplies during German advance; story of journey to Timini and circumstances of capture of O'Connor and Neame, 6/4/1941; move to establish Headquarters, Western Desert Force at Ma'aten Bagush; situation, 4/1941-5/1941; reasons for failure of Operation Battleaxe to relieve Tobruk, 15/6/1941-16/5/1941; opinion of superiority of German 88mm anti tank gun and tanks. REEL 18 Period as BGS under General Godwin-Austen with Headquarters XIII Corps during Operation Crusader to relieve Tobruk, 11/1941-12/1941: prior reorganisation of units and high command on formation of Eighth Army; confused nature of situation; role of XIII Corps; story of dispute with Cunningham over position of advanced HQ; low level flight by Lysander into Tobruk; success in relieving Tobruk; state of communications and necessity of sing secure signal codes; question securing intelligence from German signals and restricted dissemination of Ultra; opinion of weakness of position of Lieutenant General Neil Ritchie; dismissal of Godwin-Austen; situation, 12/1941. Period as Director of Military Training in Middle East, 1942: reasons for appointment and promotion to major general; role in establishing schools and courses. REEL 19 Continues: debate on tactics; difficulty in getting competent instructors; status of North Africa veterans; use of gerboa as 7th Armoured Div insignia; staff instructors; dispute over composition of divisions between McCreery and Auchinleck. Period as Deputy Chief of Staff for organisation, equipment and training at GHQ Middle East, 1942: question of composition of mixed armoured/infantry divisions; opinion of Dorman-Smith and question of his tactical influence on Auchinleck; effect of situation in Western Desert, c6/1942-8/1942; recognition of importance of El Alamein defensive position; state of Eighth Army morale; training role and reaction to exclusion from morning operational staff meetings; arrival of Montgomery to command Eighth Army and Alexander as prospective Commander in Chief Middle East, 13/8/1942; story of briefing Montgomery on state of units and possibility of forming mobile strike corps; story of dispute with Montgomery over lack of desert training of 44 Div and consequent lack of readiness for offensive role; emergency arrangements to equip 44th Div for desert. REEL 20 Continues: emergency arrangements to equip 44th Div for desert; confirmation of Alexander as CinC and appointment as deputy chief of staff; opinion of Alexander and comparison of his style of command with that of Montgomery; relationship between Alexander and Montgomery; opinion of Auchinleck; recollections of Battle of Alam el Halfa, 31//8/1942, including question of responsibility for plans, success in holding back German offensive and question of failure of brigade of 44 Div used offensively; Montgomery's communication skills and effect on state of morale. Period commanding 7th Armoured Division in Western Desert, 1942-1943: reaction to appointment; staff; touring units; question of timing of El Alamein offensive; preparations for offensive; role facing 21st Panzer Div on Himeimat feature; problems in approaching over sand and minefields. REEL 21 Continues: failure of attack by Free French Bde on Himeimat and subsequent reserve role on move north, 24/10/1942-31/10/1942; pursuit role following breakthrough; supply problems; advance to into Libya, 11/1942; question of pauses in advance; nature of fighting; story of being wounded by German shell fire during action at Tarhuna, 4/1943; initial medical treatment and evacuation by air to 15th General Hospital, Cairo; state of wounds; visit from Montgomery; subsequent contacts with Montgomery; conditions of service in Western Desert including food rations, water supply, dust storms, desert sores, avoidance of amphetamine tablets and state of health; casualty evacuation arrangements. REEL 22 Period in GB, 7/1943-10/1943: question of position in War Office; specialist medical treatment for arm at Wingfield Morris Hospital, Oxford; passing fir and reversion of rank back to colonel; possibility of posting as umpire for divisional exercises. Period as commander of VIII Corps in GB, 1943: reaction to posting; plans for exercise to simulate conditions on active service. Period as Chief of Staff to Alexander with 15th Army Group at Taranto, Italy, 12/1943-1944: news of appointment; flight out and reaction to first news of Anzio plans; attending Anzio planning conference with Eisenhower, Alexander, Cunningham and Coningham; story illustrating Eisenhower's diplomatic manner; nature of concern over Anzio plans; separation between operational and administrative staff; meetings with Leece, Clark, Wilson and Churchill; nature of continued concern over Anzio plans; Churchill's support for Anzio plans; role establishing tactical HQ in Caserta Palace, Caserta; role of Allied forces in Italy in pinning down German forces from transfer to North West Europe, consequent attacks on German defensive positions of Gustav Line and importance of Mount Cassino; belief German troops occupied Mount Cassino monastery; failure of attacks on Mount Cassino. REEL 23 Continues: role assisted by staff officers in preparing appreciation for Operation Diadem to capture Rome; necessity for air superiority; necessity for build up of infantry divisions for offensive and logistical difficulties; nature of plans; Alexander and Eisenhower's success in overcoming problems of commanding mixed nationality forces; Churchill's attitude to co-operation between Allies; opinion of Churchill illustrated by stories of his visit to HQ at Sienna; reaction to telegrams received direct from Churchill bypassing Wilson; efforts to reinforce Anzio force and question of replacing General Lucas; difficulties of Anzio operations and success of German holding operations. REEL 24 Continues: opinion of Anzio operations; stories illustrating Alexander's command methods including resolving dispute over reinforcement of 2nd Tactical Air Force with elements of Desert Air Force and dismissing opposition to reorganisation of guards units after casualties, authorisation of bombing offensive to relieve pressure on Anzio beachhead; stories illustrating Alexander's character; situation on visits to Anzio beachhead; story of Alexander's fieldcraft skills as infantryman whilst approaching observation post under fire; plans and success of Operation Diadem in breaching Gustav Line; opinion of General Anders and account of his subsequent negotiations with Harold Macmillan during attempts to secure post-war future of Polish Corps, 1945. REEL 25 Continues: question of role of breakout from Anzio in Operation Diadem to endanger German withdrawal from Gustav Line and effects of Clark's alternative decision to capture Rome; inter-Allied tension and disputes between Leese and Clark over boundary between Fifth and Eighth Armies in Rome area; effect of withdrawal of mountain warfare skills of Free French Corps and German success in establishing Gothic Line; ; question of desire for all-British Army; success of Operation Diadem and question of contribution to success of Overlord; move of HQ to Lake Bolsena; visit of George VI including accommodation, knighthood ceremony, presentation for plans for attack on Gothic Line and photo opportunity; relationship with Italian civilians; reaction to receiving DSO and bars; Allied attempts to preserve art treasures and historic buildings where possible without loss of life. REEL 26 Continues: recollections of visit of Marshal Tito including stories illustrating attitudes towards Tito and Yugoslav partisans, discussions between Alexander and Tito on co-operation with Yugoslav partisans and future of Trieste, Alexander's perception of Tito as military not political leader and subsequent implications during post-war repatriations, role of Fitzroy-Maclean and opinion of Tito and partisans; stories illustrating Alexander's attitude during visit by Russian delegations; story of Tito's attitude to Yugoslav women partisans; situation ca 9/1944-12/1944. Period as commander of XIII Corps, ca 10/1944-1945: role advancing on left flank of Eight Army during attack on Gothic Line; story illustrating Polish character during visit to Anders at HQ, Polish Corps; plan for 2 division assault across River Po illustrating relationship with Freyburg; advance to Trieste; concern over relationship with Yugoslav partisans; negotiations and establishment of Morgan Line; problems policing area and relationship with Yugoslav partisans. REEL 27 Continues: reactions to German surrender in Italy and continued problems over future of Venezia Guilia area; importance of providing for welfare of troops; ceremonial parades to impress Yugoslav partisans; negotiations with General Drapsin; recreations and vocational course organised for troops; story of getting Profumo to demonstrate severity of winter conditions during visit from Richard Stokes MP to Apennine area, 12/1944; state of morale; inter-service co-operation; question of lack of landing craft for seaborne landings to outflank German defensive positions; question of use and value of Ultra intelligence including importance of corroboration and discretion in using information; importance of secrecy and security. REEL 28 Aspects of campaign in Western Desert, 1940-1943: leave arrangements and question of effect of lack of GB leave on morale; concerts; office lorry; use of caravan accommodation by senior commanders. Aspects of campaign in Italy, 1943-1945: relationship with Italian civilians; irregular role of French Goum troops; absence of contacts with Mafia; treatment of freed Allied POWs; opinion of Rommel and Kesselring; effect of Hitler's operational interference on German High Command; Ultra summaries; success in opposing possible Balkan campaign during conference with Alexander, Alanbrooke and Churchill in Naples; question of political rather than military motives for Balkan campaign. REEL 29 Continues: reasons for opposing Balkan campaign. Recollections of period in command of XIII Corps and Central Mediterranean Force, 1945-1947: question of wartime agreement with Tito over control of Trieste; situation on meeting Yugoslav partisans in Trieste area, 5/1945; negotiations with General Drapsin; absence of ethnic considerations in establishment of Morgan Line; problems with servicemen accidentally crossing Morgan Line; awareness of political dimensions of situation; policing arrangements and role of Colonel Al Bowman; relationship with Drapsin; joint recreational arrangements; question of inter-racial rioting; conflicting national aspirations for Trieste; recollections of war crimes trials of Kesselring, Mackenson and Maeltzer at Venice, 1947, including question of commuting sentences, nature of German massacre of Italian partisans at Ardientine Caves and consequent delayed return to GB, 1947. REEL 30 Continues: value of experience and growing understanding of politicians' perspective; reactions to use of atomic bomb and prior hint from Smuts, 8/1945; return to GB, 1947. Recollections of period commanding Southern Command with HQ at Wilton House, Tidworth, 1947-1949: role reorganising army; opposition to Montgomery's policy of civilianisation of service life; campaign to rebuild Territorial Army and story of support from Slim in dispute with Secretary of State for War Manny Shinwell over inadvertently publicised warning of danger of militant communism; opinion of Shinwell; opinion of National Service scheme and role of commander in instilling sense of purpose in troops; interest in weapons development; importance of inter-service co-operation; global strategic situation and question of threat of Communism importance of skill levels to morale. Recollections of period commanding Far East Land Forces with HQ at Singapore, 1949-1951: flying out early due to injury to Ritchie; prior briefing. REEL 31 Continues: role as member of British Defence Co-ordination Committee; review of British responsibilities and overall situation in Malaya, Borneo, Brunei and Hong Kong. Recollections of response to Malayan Emergency, 1949-1951: situation, 1949; British troops lack of jungle training; question of protecting European personnel on rubber plantations and tin mines; ineffectiveness of security forces against Communist guerrillas backed by Chinese civilians; measures to develop efficient police force; establishing jungle training centre; formation of state security committees; role in urging greater operational urgency and inter-service co-operation; introduction of Ferret armoured cars and improvised personnel carriers from lorries; use of helicopters to evacuate wounded; developing role of helicopters in anti-guerrilla operations encouraged by results of training exercise with Southern Command; co-operation with French in Indo-China to prevent Communist infiltration; question of defence of Hong Kong. REEL 32 Continues: role in appointment of Sir Harold Briggs to direct all aspects of anti-guerrilla operations; nature of Briggs' plans including development of protected villages for Chinese workers; establishment of interrogation centre and importance of improving intelligence system; relationship with European and Chinese plantation managers; opinion of contribution of Gurkhas; opinion of standards of National Servicemen and question of necessary length of service; opinion of Malcolm Macdonald as chair of BDCC; efforts to recruit Chinese personnel for police force; opinion of Chinese nationalism and effects of establishment of Communist Chinese Peoples' Republic, 1949; role in appointment to Templer as High Commissioner; situation, 1951. Recollections of period commanding Far East Land Forces with HQ at Singapore, 1949-1951: conference on situation of South East Asia in Singapore including efforts to resolve dispute with General de Tassigny over perceived snub to French policy of regional responsibility in Indo-China and subsequent formation of South East Treaty Organisation. REEL 33 Recollections of response to Korean War, 1950-1951: question of size of initial British contingent; success in reversing decision to remove troops colonial allowance during service in Korea; global strategic importance of war; importance of unified US command system over force; question of Chinese or Russian involvement; fear of escalation of war; opinion of MacArthur and brief meeting during visit to British contingent; logistical problems; situation during visit to Korea and attitude to MacArthur's plans; measures to secure defence of Hong Kong. Period commanding Rhine Army and Northern Army Group, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, 1951-1952: reactions to appointment; opinion of divisional commanders; background to rebuilding West German Army as part of NATO forces; beginning move of HQ from Bad Oeynhausen to Amsterdam; NATO conference on defensive strategy in North West Europe. REEL 34 Continues: NATO conference on defensive strategy including decision to personally present defensive plan, absence of nuclear weapons perspective and nature of problems encountered; negotiations with General Hasselman and difficulty in getting agreement of Dutch and Belgian government to forward deployment of Dutch divisions; difficulties in securing weapons and equipment standardisation in NATO forces in contrast to Warsaw Pact due to competing national interests; opinion of importance of NATO and defensive nature of overall strategy; question of change in perceived enemy from Germany to Soviet Union and attitude of French; question of European Army; initial importance of retaining British command of NAG; secret negotiations with West German staff to discuss rebuilding West German Army as part of NATO forces. REEL 35 Continues: background to relaxation of non-fraternisation orders initially for officers; relationship with Allied Control Commission; question of West German re-armament; wife's role in organising visits and assistance to displaced persons' camps; absence of repatriation; building married quarters for troops; situation during visit to Berlin; opinion of Attlee; stories illustrating Secretary of State for War John Strachey's character during visit to Singapore. Recollections of period as Chief of Imperial General Staff, 1952-1955: story of meeting with Attlee immediately prior to appointment; opinion of Robertson; replacement by Templer with Rhine Army; opinion of Eden. REEL 36 Continues: reactions to appointment and review of problems faced; visit to Kenya and action to apply lessons of Malayan Emergency; move of Middle East HQ from Canal Zone to Cyprus and story of Secretary of State for War Anthony Head's dispute with Churchill over provision of married quarters; eventual success of arguments in Defence Committee for development of role of helicopters; meeting with Australian and New Zealand Chiefs of Staff to discuss question of deployment of their forces in event of war; story of Nasser's refusal to co-operate during negotiations with Harding and Eden in attempt to establish Baghdad Pact during visit to Cairo, 1/1955; debate with US officials over question of seeking confrontation with Chinese during meeting of Council of SEATO at Bangkok, 1/1955; failure to establish joint US and British policy in Middle East; situation in Far East and question of failure of SEATO. REEL 37 gradual incorporation of West Germany into NATO; representation at Geneva Convention; arrangements for Chiefs of Staffs Committee including establishment of position Chief of Defence Staff and importance of direct access to Prime Minister; attending meetings of Defence Committee; story of successfully defending minimum period of National Service in meeting of Cabinet; story of Harding first guessing intention to appoint him as governor of Cyprus; story of dispute with Churchill over transport arrangements during operations to reinforce threatened outpost in Southern Arabia during meeting of Defence Committee; Coronation procession of Elizabeth II, 1952; story of presentation of Field Marshal's baton; status and pay as field marshal; advising Foreign Secretary Harold MacMillan to appoint strong governor for Cyprus, 7/1955. REEL 38 Continues: nuclear situation and acceptance of US superiority; view of Anglo-Jordanian Treaty; question of US intervening in China in support of Nationalist China during meeting of SEATO at Bangkok, 1/1955; awareness of Foreign Office defections to Soviet Union. Recollections of period as Governor of Cyprus, 9/1955-11/1957: rejection of being defined as military governor; review of political situation and story of advising Foreign Secretary Harold MacMillan to appoint strong governor for Cyprus, 7/1955; nature of EOKA operations, 9/1955; strategic significance of Cyprus; prior anticipation of retirement, 1955; story of successfully defending minimum period of National Service in meeting of Cabinet; story of Harding first guessing intention to appoint him as governor of Cyprus and subsequent acceptance of position. REEL 39 Continues: objectives of defeating EOKA and establishing agreement with Greek community without losing British strategic control of Cyprus; value of military experience; responsibility to Colonial Secretary with right of direct access to Prime Minister; prior briefing; background to appointment of civil servant George Sinclair as Deputy Governor; importance of assuming immediate responsibility on arrival; responsibility for law and order; attitudes of Greek Cypriots community towards union of Cyprus and Greece; review of Turkish, Maronite, Armenian and British Cypriot communities; question of degree of geographical, religious and educational integration between Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities; role of Archbishop Makarios and General Grivas in establishing EOKA; commencement of EOKA guerrilla campaign, 4/1955. REEL 40 Continues: EOKA attacks on police, 4/1955; question of relationship between Makarios and Grivas; attitude of Greek Cypriot Communist Party (AKEL); nature of Greek Cypriot community; continuing efforts to secure water supplies; visits to villages; nature of Turkish Cypriot community and their political opposition to unification with Greece; reception on arrival at Nicosia airport; political meetings; ineffective nature of security services and consequent introduction of basic security measures; composition of Cypriot police force; account of negotiations with Makarios including outlining strategic necessity of British control of Cyprus, compromises offered including future self determination, decision to break off negotiations after session with Foreign Secretary Lennox Boyd, decision to seek military defeat of EOKA, failed intervention of Francis Noel-Baker MP and innovation of such direct negotiations. REEL 41 Continues: account of negotiations with Makarios including his initial approaches, opinion of Makarios, warning of dangers posed by AKEL, Makarios' political sophistication and status as Greek Orthodox archbishop within Greek Cypriot community and question of Makarios' personal ambitions; meetings with local assemblies and failure of attempt to secure support of John Clerides; attitude to Grivas; relationship between Makarios and Grivas; background to decision to deport Makarios; appointment and role of George Baker as Chief of Staff; deportation of Makarios to Seychelles and reactions of Greek Cypriot community; patrols and listening posts to create effective intelligence network necessitating large occupation force; inter-service co-operation. REEL 42 Continues: RAF provision of helicopters; increasing effectiveness of Royal Navy patrols off Cyprus; personal helicopter; enthusiasm for developing military utilisation of helicopters; value of Malayan Emergency experience in efforts to develop integrated security forces; security committee briefings; radio broadcasts; role of public relations officers; confidential briefings with press correspondents; dispute with Lord Beaverbrook over dismissal of Daily Express reporter for not reporting story originating with EOKA; opinion of pro-Greek Cypriot view of 'Times of Cyprus'; Greek attitude to British; question of relationship with media; question of use of restrictive powers over journalists; Greek bias of English press. REEL 43 Continues: confidence in support of British government; assessment of EOKA's need to rebuild and consequent opportunity for negotiations following their announcement of ceasefire, 3/1956;; slow nature of peace negotiations with EOKA during ceasefire and disruptive effect of Barbara Castle's motion to grant Cyprus self-determination at Labour Party Conference, 8/1956; effects of preparations for Suez operations; opinion skilful politician would be needed as next governor to carry through negotiations with EOKA; realisation of lack of alternative leader within Greek Cypriot community to Makarios; reasons for proscribing AKEL; efforts to develop Cypriot economy and infra-structure and question of reaction of Greek Cypriot community; nature of EOKA guerrilla operations carried out by groups operating in Mountains and towns with development of counter-measures based on improved sources of intelligence; capture and trial of Nicos Sampson; background to decision to commute death penalty passed on Sampson to life imprisonment. REEL 44 Continues: opinion of Sampson's character and his subsequent career; opinion of Grivas; opinion of rise of fanatical terrorists; question of EOKA assassination attempts; story of bomb placed by Greek Cypriot servant in Harding's bed at Government House, Nicosia, including mistake made in setting detonator, discovery of bomb and its subsequent detonation; increase in personal security measures; nature of EOKA guerrilla operations; question of effectiveness of EOKA intimidation or infiltration of Greek Cypriots within Government House staff, police and civil service including question of motivation of servant who planted bomb in bed; difficulty in identifying EOKA sympathisers and consequent policy of non-fraternisation with Greek Cypriot population; question of nationalistic political indoctrination in Greek Cypriot schools. REEL 45 Continues: efforts to control nationalistic political indoctrination in Greek Cypriot schools; reorganisation of security forces including formation of UK Cyprus Police Unit staffed by British police, formation of mobile Turkish police force and reinforcement and specialist training of troops; background to declaration of State of Emergency including securing right of arrest and detention of EOKA suspects without trial and mandatory death penalties for possession of arms; opposition to possible imposition of martial law; power to commute death penalties and process of consideration; reaction to nickname 'Hangman Harding'; executions by prison service; process of considering appeals for commutation of death sentences; effect of funerals of EOKA personnel; British military funerals; introduction of flogging of juvenile offenders; question of imposition of curfews on communities. REEL 46 Continues: question of imposition of collective fines on communities; importance of consistency of approach and minimal force doctrine in internal security policy; question of imposition of collective fines on communities; question of establishing 'balance of fear' between EOKA and security forces; question of arrest and detention of EOKA suspects without trial; question of deportations and refusal of entry to people considered to be security risk; question of use of rough handling and torture during capture and interrogation of EOKA suspects; question of use of security forces search powers; question of cordoning off areas; personal approach to severity of internal security measures required; story illustrating determination to be impartial between Greek and Turkish communities. REEL 47 Continues: relationship with Cypriot press; failed attempt to get support of Archbishop of Canterbury Fisher against Makarios; failed efforts to get support of Eisenhower and Greek Government against EOKA; critical approach of media in GB; briefing meetings with Labour Party leaders and their support for Cypriot self determination; use of rewards and amnesties for informers; use of British judges including role of Chief Justice Shaw and accusations of bias; suitability of terrain for guerrilla operations; lack of personal involvement in internal security operations; quality of intelligence available to Grivas; effect of discovery of Grivas diary; opinion of training, conduct and morale of British troops. REEL 48 Continues: role of national servicemen including taking over as Government House domestic servants following assassination attempt; failure of initial EOKA ceasefire; assessment of EOKA's need to rebuild and consequent opportunity for negotiations following their announcement of ceasefire, 3/1956; background to reduction in strategic importance of Cyprus following abrogation of Anglo-Jordanian Treaty and consequent opportunity for negotiated settlement ceding independence in return for establishment of British air bases; question of motivation for Nasser's refusal to co-operate during negotiations with Harding and Eden in attempt to establish Baghdad Pact during visit to Cairo, 1/1955; opinion of Suez operations and question of impact of ill health on Eden's judgement; effect of Suez operation on internal security operations; question of necessity of securing US support for operations of global significance; opinion of Foreign Office appreciation of Suez crisis; question of Nasser's nationalist motivations. REEL 49 Continues: rejection of by Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities of plan for Cypriot constitution produced by Lord Radcliffe; GB visits to meet government ministers; question of government restraints on freedom of action; communication with GB; question of storage of signal codes; background to decision to recommend release of Makarios from Seychelles to Greece; situation on leaving Cyprus, 11/1957; nature of lifestyle and wife's activities visiting welfare institutions; question of selection of Hugh Foot as replacement governor; send off on return to GB, 11/1957; briefing Foot and opinion of policy he adopted in Cyprus. Post-service career: financial position; securing positions in commerce and industry. REEL 50 Continues: securing positions in commerce and industry; initial continuation of personal police protection; overall assessment of period as governor of Cyprus; comparison of Cyprus and Northern Ireland situation; question of qualities needed to take high command; award of baronage including selection of title 'Harding of Petherton', problem over chosen Christian name and question of attendance at House of Lords.