Description
Object description
British private and NCO served with 1st Bn Kings Yorkshire Light Infantry, 15th Infantry Bde in France and Norway, 1939-1940
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of period as private with 1st Bn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in GB and France, 1939-1940: background to enlistment in British Army, 1938; joining battalion; reaction to outbreak of Second World War, 9/1939; move to France, 9/1939; rumours in unit; strength of platoon; opinion of Bren Gun and Boys Anti-Tank Rifle; relations with NCOs; discipline; use of sheepskin coats in Norwegian campaign; physical fitness and morale, spring 1940; state of mind during action and waiting prior to attack; importance of rations. Recollections of operations as NCO with 1st Bn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 15th Infantry Bde in Norway, 1940: preparations for move to Norway; journey to Scotland; question of lack of proper preparations.
REEL 2 Continues: importance of personal weapon; voyage from GB to Norway aboard HMS Sheffield; landing at Andalsnes and march to Dombås, 23/4/1940; initial impressions of Norway; by vehicle to Kvam; deployment in Kvam area; question of ambush being sprung too soon; nature of terrain at Kvam; company and platoon positions; question of being outgunned and outnumbered by Germans; fields of fire; escape from Germans through floor of house; duration of fighting and sight of Germans running to take positions; withdrawal and rejoining company; German firepower and spotting them during attack.
REEL 3 Continues: instinct in action to go to ground under fire; shooting whilst under fire; nature of German fire; decision to withdraw; rejoining company in valley bottom; taking up position behind stone wall; lack of orders; vision obscured by smoke; withdrawal and entraining; effect of destruction of railway line by German Air Force; conditions on march to Åndalsnes; attitude of troops to retreat and officers; sight of Norwegian troops; rations on march; question of feeling cold; presence of snow.
REEL 4 Continues: state of Åndalsnes on arrival; embarkation on destroyer and voyage to Scapa Flow, GB; transfer to liner for voyage to mainland GB; assembling and refitting at Galashiels, GB; recovery period from physical effects of campaign; absorption of replacements and attitude towards them; question of cowardice; lessons learnt from war.