Description
Object description
British civilian student in Vienna, Austria, 1937-1938; officer served with Allied Military Liaison Mission to Greece in Greece, 1944-1945
Content description
REEL 1 Recollections of period as officer with Allied Military Liaison Mission to Greece in Greece, 1944-1945: question of who was to assume political control of Greece; contingency plans for provision of transport facilities on re-occupation; belief that Greeks were starving; decision that Allied Military Liaison Mission to Greece headquarters should be transferred from Egypt to Italy, summer 1944; impressions of convoy during crossing from Taranto, Italy to Pireus, Greece, 10/1944; reception on arrival in Athens; standard of living for middle classes in Athens; first indication of political tension, 10/1944; plethora of food in Athens; circulation of British sovereigns in Athens.
REEL 2 Continues: degree of hostility in Athens to return of Greek Sacred Band, 11/1944; Greek interest in politics; outbreak of fighting in Athens, 12/1944; attempt of National Liberation Front (EAM)/Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS) to drive British out of Athens; treatment of Royal Air Force captives by National Liberation Front (EAM); influence of British newspaper reports; flying in of British troops from Italy; character of fighting in Athens, 12/1944; situation in Salonika; appearance of National Liberation Front (EAM)/Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS) fighters; lack of co-ordination amongst insurgents.
REEL 3 Continues: Greek attitude towards security battalions; civilian attitude towards political power struggle; deployment of fresh British troops; neutral attitude of Americans; re-establishment of regular government in south of country; damage caused by Germans during withdrawal; his work as secretary of commission to investigate rehabilitation of Greek transport; Greek failure to maintain transport facilities; further description of start of fighting in Athens, 12/1944; relations between urban and rural populations; memories of General Ronald Scobie. Recollections of period as student in Vienna, Austria, 1937-1938: background to going to Austria, 1937.
REEL 4 Continues: political tensions in Vienna, early 1938; reaction of populace to German entry into Vienna, 3/1938; manifestations of anti-Semitism; impressions of German forces; contact with two German soldiers; rumours circulating in Vienna at time of German takeover; source of strength of Austrian Nazis; economically depressed state of Vienna; political attitude of fellow students.
REEL 5 Continues: dislike of 'Prussian' mentality in Vienna; reputation of British and opinion of French and Italians amongst population.