Sell, Harold Sydney (Oral history)

British private served with 6th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers in GB, 1926-1933; officer served with 9th Bn, Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1932-1939; served with Headquarters, 1st Bde in North West Europe, GB, Iraq and Egypt, 1939-1942; served with 8th Bn, Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 1942; POW in Italy and Germany, 1942-1945

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Whitley Bay and Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, GB, 1910-1939: family military connections; social circumstances; education; relationship with soldiers billeted in home; recites military training rhyme; food rationing: view of Zeppelin being shot down: Armistice celebrations, 11/11/1918; Boy Scouts activities including camps, training and question of relevance to subsequent military service; education as day boy at Newcastle Modern School, 1919-1926, including syllabus, sports and Officers Training Corps activities; work at Royal Insurance Company, ca 1926-1939, including expectation that employees would join territorials and duties. Recollections of recruitment and training with A Coy, 6th Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers at St George's Drill Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1926-1933: background to recruitment into potential officers' platoon, 7/1926. REEL 2 Continues: nature of drill nights; drill; route marches and care of feet; sporting activities; personal hygiene lectures; rifle, Lewis gun, Vickers machine gun, bayonet and hand grenade training, gas mask training; liaison training with artillery; table and tactical training; signals training; first aid training: courses and temporary attachment to regular training squads at Northumberland Fusiliers Depot, Fenham Barracks, Newcastle; promotion to lance corporal and question of acceptance of higher rate of pay; origins of other ranks; role of officers; relationship with NCOs; pride in unit; role on promotion to sergeant and relationship with other ranks; background to application for commission and vetting procedure; attending course at Royal Military Academy, Camberley, 1933. REEL 3 Recollections of commission and training with B Coy, 9th Bn, Durham Light Infantry at Burt Terrace Drill Hall, Gateshead, 1933-1939: choice of unit; reception; relationship with other ranks; administrative duties; summer camps; reaction to change of unit; role as signal officer; role as transport officer; opinion of lorries and Bren gun carriers; driving training; instructional lectures; nature of officers' mess: question of using light infantry pace: employer's sympathetic attitude to territorial service; awareness of approach of war; opinion of Bren gun, Boyes anti-tank rifle, 2" mortars and rifle grenades; accelerated recruitment, 1938; role as assistant adjutant; formation of 12th Bn, Durham Light Infantry, 1939. Recollections of mobilisation procedure, 8/1939-9/1939: role following early mobilisation with key party, 8/1939; assisting in mobilisation of ATS and National Defence Companies. REEL 4 Continues: assisting in mobilisation of NDCs and ATCs, 8/1939; successful mobilisation of unit, 1/9/1939. Recollections of period at Chipping Norton, 10/1939-1/1940: issue of vehicles, equipment and stores; problems with issue of pay books; comparison of peacetime and wartime training; motor transport as motorised unit and training priorities as transport officer. Recollections of role and duties on posting as transport officer of 151 Brigade, 50th Division, 12/1939: opinion of Brigadier Churchill and his style of command; composition of headquarters staff; role in preparing, issuing and checking implementation of transport logistics orders via brigade radio net; additional role assisting logging information on battle board and brigade diary; review of roles of staff officers. REEL 5 Continues: role of liaison officers: role of 'R' and '0' groups in issuing of brigade orders; question of checking implementation of brigade orders; liaison with divisional staff and structure of command; question of ability to change orders on personal responsibility. Organisation of move via Southampton to Cherbourg, France, 1/1940: warning orders; packing drill; preparation and issue of movement orders: problems posed by blackout: embarkation leave; practical lectures from First World War veteran officer; reception at Cherbourg. Period at Frenais -sur-Sauf, France, 1/1940-2/1940: role of advance parties; billets; relationship with French civilians; conduct of British troops; organisation; training during move to Lille, 2/1940-3/1940. Period in Lille sector, France, 4/1940-5/1940: opinions of possible nature of fighting; construction of defensive positions. REEL 6 Continues: construction of defensive positions; training; introduction of French anti-tank guns, 1940; relationship between regular officers and territorial troops; opinion of Brigadier Churchill; status as territorials; night training and carrot diet. Recollections of advance to Grammont, Belgium, 10/5/1940: German attack; issue of movement orders; German air attacks; reactions to German shellfire; reactions to first casualty during German air attack; duties. Period at Grammont, 10/5/1940-18/5/1940: situation reports; retreat of Belgian Army through positions; Belgian civilian refugees; reaction to German air attacks on Belgian refugees question of providing assistance. Forced march to Vimy sector, Arras area, 18/5/1940-21/5/1940: news of German breakthrough; organisation of march; effects of fatigue and attempts to minimise impact on Brigadier Churchill. REEL 7 Continues: abstention from drinking on active service; transport difficulties exacerbated by refugees; use of checkpoints; effects of fatigue; situation in La Bassee Canal sector. Account of counter-attack by 151 Brigade in Arras area, 21/5/1940-22/5/1940: initial dispositions on Vimy Ridge; review of plans for attack in co-operation with tanks; role as brigade transport officer during attack; review of progress of attack by 6th, 8th and 9th Bns, Durham Light Infantry, 21/5/1940; procedure for processing of German POWs; question of conduct of Colonel Miller with regard to his unauthorised retreat with 6th Bn, Durham Light Infantry from Vimy Ridge; role as transport officer during withdrawal to defensive positions on Vimy Ridge, 22/5/1940; German dive bomb attacks; situation; role during evacuation of Vimy Ridge, 23/5/1940. REEL 8 Continues: story of being inadvertently left behind on evacuation of Vimy Ridge, 23/5/1940; collecting stragglers and rejoining unit; confused situation; absence of German pursuit. Recollections of retreat to Dunkirk, 23/5/1940-1/6/1940: reactions to first casualty during German air attack; rearguard role of 151 Bridade; question of German fifth columnists and paratroopers; attitude of French civilians; attempts to minimise impact of fatigue on Brigadier Churchill; effects of fatigue; role as transport officer illustrated by evacuation of 9th Bn, Durham Light Infantry from Bullescamp Chateau, 3/6/1940; role of Royal Engineers in demolition of bridges; destruction of vehicles, equipment and stores; question of conduct of other ranks and officers; water supply; situation on beaches at Dunkirk; minor wounds in arm and lower back; evacuation from mole in Dunkirk harbour, 2/6/1940; role in checking everyone was evacuated; difficulties in re-equipment following evacuation; comparison of British and German anti-tank weapons. REEL 9 Continues: comparison of British and German anti-tank weapons and tanks; question of German air superiority; evacuation. Background to unauthorised withdrawal of Colonel Miller and remnants of 6th Bn, Durham Light Infantry from Vimy sector, 23/5/1940: arrival of Miller at advanced brigade headquarters at Ecurie; briefing on situation; preparations for retreat to Vimy Ridge positions and role of battalion transport officer; exhausted state of 6th Bn, Durham Light Infantry remnants on move to rear brigade Headquarters at Petit Vimy; unauthorised withdrawal to Hulloch and La Bassee sector; German bombing raid and consequent dispersal of remnants of 6th Bn, Durham Light Infantry; Miller's exhausted state on rejoining brigade headquarters and evacuation as casualty; subsequent inquiry into events and end of Miller's active service career; effects of exhaustion. REEL 10 Continues: Question of performance of 151 Brigade during North West Europe campaign, 5/1940-6/1940: prior state of morale and training; role of Brigadier Churchill; impact of Arras counter-attack. Initial period in GB, 6/1940: lack of medical treatment for minor wounds until treated at hospital during leave; state of brigade on collection at Knutsford Camp. Recollections of period at Wraxall Manor, Maiden Newton, 6/1940-11/1940: re-equipment and new drafts; organisation of staff and changes in personnel; posting as deputy quartermaster-general and review of role in supply, discipline and inquiries; defensive principles behind establishment of coastal defence positions and question of response to German tactics; method of choosing sites for defensive positions. REEL 11 Period of training in Tiverton area, 11/1940-2/1941: opinion of Montgomery; exercises designed to improve standards of fitness and stamina; role assisting civilian authorities following German air raids; coastal defences; reinforcement drafts. Voyage aboard Duchess of Richmond to Port Tewfiq, Egypt, 5/1941-7/1941: question of destination; shipboard routine; German and Vichy French air raids; news of hunt for Bismarck; relationship with South African civilians at Durban, South Africa; problems with caste and religious beliefs of Indian troops; opinion of Australian troops; Italian bombing attack on Georgic at Port Tewfik; disembarkation procedure. Period at El Tehag and El Quassasim camps, 7/1941: desert marching technique; acclimatisation to desert conditions; use of sun compass; hourly vehicle maintenance checks; guard patrols to prevent stealing by Egyptian civilians. REEL 12 Recollections of period at Nicosia, Cyprus, 7/1941-11/1941: background to flight with brigade advanced party to plan defensive positions and subsequent justification of plans; relationship with Cypriot civilians; opinion of Brigadier Redman; soldiers' drinking habits. Recollections of acting with brigade advanced party to Kirkuk area, Iraq, 11/1941: briefing on strategic situation: problems encountered in exchanging equipment and stores with 5th Indian Division at Haifa, Palestine; role; situation at Habbaniyah and occasional Iraqi sniping on tent; attitude of Iraqi civilians; Baghdad staging camp guarded by Gurkhas. Recollections of period at Kirkuk, 11/1941-1/1942: situation; efforts to counter cold weather conditions; opinion of Brigadier Nicholls. REEL 13 Continues: recreations and story of visit to cinema; negotiations over defensive positions on religious burial grounds; supplementing food rations; duck mascot of 8th Bn, Durham Light Infantry; state of unit morale; role with brigade advanced party during journey to Gazala, Egypt, 1/1942. Recollections of conditions of service and lifestyle in Gazala box, 2/1942-6/1942: nature of defensive positions; patrols and listening posts; stone sangars; nature of dugouts and trenches; daily routine and nature of staff duties; role and organisation of 'jock columns'; food rations and cooking arrangements; issue of ascorbic acid tablets. REEL 14 Continues: water supply and use of filtered water for washing; latrines; attitude to Cairo based staff; fly problem; desert faunae; desert sores; question of dysentery; effects of climate; officers' mess; posting following failure of 'Ross Column' to command D Coy, 8th Bn, Durham Light Infantry, 4/1942; successful reorganisation of company; reactions to posting; recollections of various officers and NCOs including Sergeant Mahone; participation in 'jock columns'. Recollection of operations following German offensive, 5/1942-1942: successful German attack on 150 Brigade; German tactics; isolated situation of Gazala box; briefing and plans for breakout. REEL 15 Continues: briefing and plans for breakout; success of D Company in establishing bridgehead for rest of 151 Brigade; confusion over movements of 9th Bn, Durham Light Infantry; breakout; casualties during journey with remnants of D Company back to Mersa Matruh; BBC recording made by Richard Dimbleby on role in breakout. Recollections of period in defensive positions on Mersa Matruh escarpment, 6/1942: state of unit; reasons for necessity of Gazala breakout; precautions against German air attacks; situation; story of raising alarm of German night tank movements; view of German tank and infantry attack on 9th Bn, Durham Light Infantry, 27/6/1942 including success in directing artillery support fire and resistance offered by anti-tank gun teams of 9th Bn, Durham Light Infantry; breakout through area formerly occupied by 9th Bn, Durham Light Infantry; orders to return and re-occupy positions on escarpment, 28/6/1942. REEL 16 Continues: nature of fighting and improvised use of new 6lb anti-tank guns; situation; effects of fatigue; second breakout and retreat to Fukah lines, 28/6/1942-29/6/1942. Recollections of German attack on defensive positions in front of Fukah minefield, 29/6/1942: method of using sticky bombs against tanks; capture by Germans whilst knocked unconscious. Recollections of situation on surrender of Italians at POW Camp PG 21, Prescara, Italy, 9/1943: departure of Italian troops and situation; arrival of 1st German Parachute Division; initial treatment and movements. Recollections of escape and subsequent recapture in Northern Italy, 9/1943: escape during confusion caused by Allied air raid on Bolzano; increasing German domination of Italy; travelling method; betrayal and recapture; Gestapo interrogation methods and response; treatment from German guards; movements following recapture. Recollections of conditions, daily routine and lifestyle in Moosberg POW Camp, Bavaria, Germany, 1943-1944: reception; hut accommodation; latrines; morning routine; food. REEL 17 Continues: improvisations to improve conditions including use of tin cans and makeshift water heater; question of German guards entering huts; hiding places in huts; exercise and keeping warm; mixed nationality of POWs; working parties; role of French POWs in administration of camp; treatment of Russian POWs; visiting French compound in role as liaison officer and nature of their intelligence gathering activities; organisation of British POWs; liaison role in collecting and disseminating information; work of escape committee; learning from practical experience of French POWs; question of treatment by German guards and rescue of Russian POW who had been beaten; methods of keeping warm. REEL 18 Continues: Move to Maurich Trubau, Moravia, 1944: prior warning and briefing by French POWs; search by Gestapo unit; noting information of military value during train journey. Recollections of period in Maurich Trubau POW Camp, Moravia, 1944: situation as officers' camp; appointment as commanding officer of company of British other ranks acting as orderlies: British organisation; opinion of German troops and camp guards; opinion of Captain David Sterling; story of disrupting camp and surrounding area by feigning symptoms of typhus amongst POWs; tunnel digging activities and German reprisals; mass organisation behind individual escape attempts; Red Cross parcels; food; relationship with fellow POWs; cases of insanity; question of recreations; camp concert parties; cell structure of POW organisation; role of British other rank orderlies and their collection of information whilst cleaning camp offices. REEL 19 Continues: use of radio and method of disseminating news bulletins; success in bribing Polish civilian camp worker and some German guards; difficult role of senior British officer in liaising with German camp commandant; question of success of escape attempts; impact of Churchill's speeches and news of Russian advance. Move by train to Brunswick POW Camp, ca 1944: preparations; escort by SS troops; story of starting fire to sabotage power cable; food; story of threatening German commandant Oberst Straller; success in removing hand cuffs and subsequent German reaction. Recollections of period in Brunswick POW Camp, 1944-1945: theft of German BMW motorcycle and its conversion into electrical generator for radio by British other ranks; excavation of radio room; accommodation in ex-Luftwaffe barracks; shortage of food and water; debriefing of new POWs and detection of POW planted by Germans. REEL 20 Continues: monitoring and treatment of POW planted by Germans; question of other cases of POW informers; view of effects of Allied massed bombing raids during visit with burial party to Brunswick area including POW casualties, reaction to civilian mass graves and question of effects of bomb blast; news of assassination attempt on Hitler; state of German morale; news on radio of D-Day invasion, 6/6/1944; preparations for breakout; visit from official from German Civil Service; situation; delaying tactics to prevent planned move; liberation by US troops. Period following liberation in Brunswick area, ca 5/1945: foraging for food: chaotic situation; assisting inexperienced US anti-tank gun detachment; question of belief of German troops that the Allies would Germans in attacking Soviet Union. Journey back to GB, 5/1945. Post-war carer: success in securing prosecution of Oberst Straller; review of territorial service with 8th Bn, Durham Light Infantry and with 151 Brigade, 1945-1968; failure of efforts to secure prosecution of Italian war criminal.