English, Ian Roger (Oral history)

British officer served with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, Cyprus, Iraq, North Africa, 1940-1943; POW in Italy, 1943; officer served with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB and North West Europe, 1944; officer served with 6th Bn North Staffordshire Regiment in GB, 1944-1945; officer served with 8th and 14th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1945-1946

REEL 1 Recollections of period as officer with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 6/1940-5/1941: reception in England; condition and morale of troops; number of troops gathered at Knutsford; casualties; leave; move to Rugeley; quality of reinforcements; equipment situation on move to Chesil Beach in Dorset; relationship with civilians; accommodation; defensive positions on beach; keeping troops motivated; training and exercises; transport; difference between motorised and non-mortised infantry; improvements in equipment situation; E Coy; time with 69th Bde training carrier platoons; posted to 151 Bde Headquarters; enjoyment of time there; responsibilities; return to 8th Bn Carrier Platoon; duties on journey to Glasgow; delay and move to Liverpool; work helping Fire Brigade; morale of civilians; leisure activities and sport in Dorset; air activity; bombing of a column on exercise. REEL 2 Continues: invasion scares; Bn Commanding Officers; organisation of the Bn; weapons in Anti Aircraft Platoon; Anti Tank guns in Bn; mortars; communication equipment; make-up of Carrier Platoon; issue of khaki drill; inspections; embarkation leave. Aspects of journey aboard the Duchess of Richmond from Glasgow, GB, to Egypt, 5/1941-7/1941: embarkation; accommodation; duties onboard; convoy; disappearance of escort; plane crash; illness on ship; leisure activities; conditions; reception in Durban; time in Durban; story New Zealand troops refusal to join ship; journey to Port Tewfiq; escort of Exeter. Aspects of period in transit through Egypt, 7/1941: camp at Abyssia; first impressions of Egypt; activities undertaken at Abyssia; morale; journey to Cyprus and reason for posting. REEL 3 Continues: ships Bn travelled on; Aspects of period as officer with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Cyprus, 7/1941-11/1941: arrival in Famagusta; airfield duties at Nicosia; training rota; building of defences; story of troops drinking; punishments; morale of battalion; leisure activities; illnesses among troops; accommodation; relationship with civilians; exercises; fire demonstration; fitness of troops; sports; rank and posting to Bn Headquarters; memories of Jack Carruthers; duties at Bn Headquarters; relief from 5th Indian Div. Aspects of journey from Cyprus to Northern Iraq, 11/1941: journey to Haifa; promotion to Motor Transport Officer; condition of transport inherited from 5th Indian Div; preparation for journey; route taken on journey to Iraq; description of camps; problems with trucks; help from Royal Engineers; conditions on journey; breaks during day; petrol tins and their use for fires; rations; guarding against rifle theft. REEL 4 Continues: story of stolen rifle on return journey; opinion of reasons for theft; journey through Baghdad; time in Kirkuk; condition of roads beyond Kirkuk; memories of Major Greenwell on march. Aspects of period as officer with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Iraq, 11/1941-1/1942: arrival at Great and Little Zab Rivers; terrain; reason being in Iraq; later reinforcement; accommodation; Christmas 1941; field craft training with gazelle; rations; Fletcher's Rocket system for hot baths; organisation of supplies; mail; activities undertaken in Iraq; visits to Mosul; relationship with civilians; morale of troops; receiving news from desert; journey to desert; problems with vehicles; arrival at Gazala; loss of lorry; routine of a day in transit; final part of journey after Cairo; signs of fighting; mood of battalion. Recollections of operations with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 2/1942-6/1942: relief of 4th Indian Div positions; location in relation to Germans; condition of positions; description of Box; water rations; landscape at Gazala; birds; Stand To. REEL 5 Continues: breakfast; duties and training; transport; latrines; health of battalion; sleeping arrangements; problems from dark of night; reserve supplies; movement during day; mail; leisure time; air activity; organisation of brigade; details and role of outpost position; supporting units; medical presence; No Man's Land; reconnaissance patrols; problems from heat; rota; details of Jock Columns; story of an 8th Bn Jock Column; reason for patrols going out less; posting to carrier platoon; start of German attack; disruption of Italian columns; story of a tank crew captured. REEL 6 Continues: story of patrol he was wounded on; seriousness of wound; evacuation to Tobruk hospital. Aspects of period of hospitalisation in North Africa, 6/1942-9/1942: staff; conditions; air activity; journey to Alexandria; description of wound; opinion of hospital; evacuation of hospital to Geneifa; treatment; time in rehabilitation camp; period in Infantry Base Depot. Recollections of operations with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 9/1942-3/1943: posted back to 2nd Bn; change of Commanding Officer; reunion 2nd Bn at Alamein as Commanding Officer of C Coy; state of Bn; forward and reserve positions held at Alamein; activity in line; reasons for situation wearing on nerves; memories of Lieutenant Hurst; story of reconnaissance in force; units alongside 8th Bn; Greek Brigade troops; liaison with Gunner Forward Observation Officer; reinforcements; examples of men with low morale; reactions of troops to battle. REEL 7 Continues: stories from training before Alamein; organisation of C Coy; split of coy during attack; use of a coy in different types of actions; role of Coy Commander in and out of action; communications; Coy weapons and transport; opinion of 68 Grenade; opinion of Thompson Sub- Machine Gun; opinions of German weapons faced; German and British mines used; methods of searching for mines; lifting mines; opinion of sapper support. REEL 8 Continues: Army Conference before Alamein; orders received for battle; briefing of troops; methods of keeping up with progress of battle; orders to move to Beachy Head; relief from Greek Bde; movement on journey to Beachy Head; arrival and digging in; details of Bde conference; plan for Operation Supercharge; position of Durham Light Infantry Bns; Bde Commanding Officer; move to Assembly Area; air activity; Bn and Coy Commanding Officers; story of commanding officer's jeep; terrain of area; German positions and British reconnaissance; postponement of attack; plan for attack; use of tracer; units in support of battalion; journey to forming-up point; troops before battle; uniform worn and equipment carried; wait at forming-up point; marking of forming-up point; organisation of C Coy during battle; problem with transport; Axis units faced; issue of rum ration; move over start line and barrage; German activity; description of barrage; reason why unlikely to walk into barrage; problems from smoke shells; crossing of minefield; start of engagement with Axis troops. REEL 9 Continues: activity of Maori Bn; German tracer; use of short halts; discovery of dead troops and taking of POWs; battle with Italian tank; arrival at German Headquarters; more POWs taken; Red Cross tent; arrival at objective; bringing 15 Platoon out of reserve; condition of troops; movement forward; met with A Coy; second phase of attack; arrival at second objective; silence after barrage; success signal; dug-in; problems with communications; reaction to situation; contact patrols; capture of POWs; arrival and destruction of British tanks; shelling of German 88's; scenes around position; firing in 88 position; destruction of Sherman tank; treatment of wounded; approach of German tanks; sending of message; RAF attack on German positions; mass German surrender to 6th Bn; morale; casualties; organisation of Bn in position; attack on 88 in transit; rations and ammunition; return of messenger with orders to withdraw; plan for withdrawal; success of withdrawal; removal of wounded; story of Captain Ian Turnbull; news of relief from New Zealand Bde; German barrage before relief. REEL 10 Continues: visit to Headquarters; eventual relief from New Zealand Bde; withdrawal back to original base; congratulations from Brigadier; lessons learned from battle; reactions after battle; opinion of Coy officers in battle; recommendation of CSM Ransome for Military Medal; award of Military Cross; other medals awarded in battalion; casualties; reorganisation; problems with reinforcements; journey from Tel El Eisa; surrender of Axis troops; Bn posted to 51st Highland Div and moved east; rainstorms affecting 8th Army pursuits; sleeping arrangements; time out of operations; leave in Alexandria; relationship with Egyptians; opinions of Brigadiers Percy and Beak; opinion that best time for training is after action; further reinforcements; training and sports; Tute exercise; problems with flies and jaundice; movement in column across desert; routine of each day on journey; journey to Sidi Rezeigh; arrival; reinforcements; divisional exercise; drills to prepare for inspection by General Horrocks; Christmas 1942; exercise with tanks; visit to Gazala Box. REEL 11 Continues: advance into Tunisia; arrival in Mareth Line; training; departure of ranks left out of battle; history and description of the Mareth Line; Axis improvements to line; plan of attack; preliminary operations; plan for Division; reconnaissance patrols before attack; plan for Bde; Axis units faced; orders for 8th Bn; use of Scorpions; movement of troops; bombing of Axis positions; view from positions; knowledge of Axis strong points; plan for C Coy and platoon commanders; move from Assembly Area; Forming Up Point; attempt at sleep; hitting of Royal Engineers truck; scaling ladders; jeep no show; start of barrage; explanation of area shoots; start of advance; problems with Scorpions; communication with Scorpions; description of view of Wadi; retrieval of scaling ladders; shelling of C Coy; effect on morale; crossing of Wadi; reason for uselessness of mine detectors; casualties from firing on sappers; crossing of Anti- Tank ditch; move away from Anti-Tank ditch; change in morale; casualties; reach of objective; friendly fire as digging in; effect on Lieutenant Johnstone; report of success; consolidation of position; meeting with Major Worral. REEL 12 Continues: situation at new position the following morning; air activity; sending back of wounded and messages; problems with 20mm gun; wounding of Corporal Porter; response to forming up of Italian attack; news of Coy casualties; changes in Bn organisation; orders for second attack; success of attack; morale; troops in Coy; improvement of positions; re-supply; news from air observation; register of targets for mortars; destruction of Wadi crossing; preparations for counter attack; start of Axis attacks; positions taken by Germans; attack on C Coy position and tanks; attacks on German tanks and their withdrawal; death of runner; advance of German tanks into C Coy's position; death of Sergeant Major Ransome; refusal to surrender; communications; attack on tank; artillery barrage; signs that end close; end of communications; orders from Bn Headquarters; troops taken POW; withdrawal to Anti-Tank Ditch; new position taken up; German attacks through night; state of weapons; orders; search for other Coys; capture; story C Coy's retreat; details of capture; reactions from shell shock. REEL 13 Continues: organisation of stretcher-bearers and transport of wounded; reactions of troops to wounded; opinions of Coy's conduct during Battle of Mareth. Aspects of period as POW in North Africa, 3/1943: scenes on journey through battlefield; interview from Intelligence Officer; reunion with Sergeant Morgan; reactions to being taken POW; treatment from Germans; journey to Bizerta; time in Bizerta warehouse; concerns upon being put on ship; air activity. Aspects of period as POW in Italy, 3/1943-9/1943: arrival in Naples; journey to Capua; organisation of POWs; conditions; Red Cross parcels; entrained to Rome then Parma; arrival at POW Camp; description of camp; make-up of camp; accommodation; organisation of camp; walks out of camp; crops in area; Red Cross parcels; rations; courses; Escape Committee; story of an escape; digging of tunnels; hiding of spoil. REEL 14 Continues: memories of Camp Commandant and Adjutant; bribing of sentries; camp radio; American Journalist's news service; mail; parents discovery he was POW; Italian armistice; preparations for German attack; disappearance of guards. Aspects of period in transit through Italy, 9/1943-12/1943: parade and march from camp; split of group; news on Germans; gathering of group to move into hills; rumours and Germans close by; decision of move south-east; movement away and help from millers; crossing of road and railway; journey through Apenines; story of ill soldier; journey south; obtaining of maps; conditions on march; relationship with civilians; sleeping arrangements; Italians who could speak English; problems on journey; reactions when Italians thought they were German. REEL 15 Continues: clothing worn on march; journey through mountain pass; German trucks on road; health; relationship with group; morale on journey; examples of Italian bravery; meeting with other Allied POWs; decision to wait; stories of food made for them; signs of battle; problems from lice; communication with civilians; announcement of reward; weather; problems faced; crossing of Pescara River; joining up man and woman; time in caves; German taking of sheep from hills; story of close capture; reconnaissance in area; butchering of sheep; Italian guides; view of battle at ; start of journey toward Allied lines. REEL 16 Continues: German clearing of villages; desertion of guides; decision to travel anyway; walk away from cave; rest; journey through night; problems moving over clay hills; passing of German guard; reunion with British Army; reactions at end of journey; position arrived at. Aspects of period in transit and on leave, 12-1943-4/1944: transport and equipment at Bde Headquarters; interview; problems with lice; issue of uniform and baths; Christmas 1943; story of what happened to woman; reactions to situation; journey to Algiers; wait for convoy; journey to Liverpool; medicals; leave; visit to 8th Bn; request to War Office to be posted with 8th Bn; reasons for wanting posting. Aspects of period as officer with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 4/1944-6/1944: details of posting; state of Bn and reinforcements; problems with different fighting later in Normandy. REEL 17 Continues: attitude of Bn to coming fight; discipline problems; training undergone by Bn; communications; issue of bicycles; carrying kit on bicycles; Fabius exercise at Southampton; training in Nightingale Wood; issue of equipment; leisure activities; visit from General Eisenhower; planning within Bn; sealing of camps; briefing from Bde Intelligence Officer; Division plan for landing on Gold Beach; Bde plan; supplies; briefing for Coy; final preparations; officials at Southampton; activities during postponement; Recollections of operations as officer with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North West Europe, 6/1944-9/1944: embarkation; composition of Coy; company commanders; activities on journey; conditions; role of Coy on beach; scenes at daybreak; air photos; quiet of beach on approach; orders to get dressed. REEL 18 Continues: response to seeing Churchill at Southampton; accommodation during delay; crossing of channel; approach of beach; scenes on beach; naval and air activity; role of battalion; order to dress; problems landing; problems moving ashore; journey to Ver sur Mer and Assembly Area; rounding up of bicycles; shelling of Regimental Aid Post; move to Forward Assembly Area at Somervie to await orders; interference during march; taking up of positions outside village; hiding of bicycles; move to Bayeux-Caen road; prisoners taken by A Coy; change in battalion command; orders for capture of Tessel Brasseville; terrain; move to St Leger for advance; transport for attack and units in support; journey to St Pierre; reason village needed to be captured; German positions; German units faced; plan for attack; artillery support; reason for loss of bicycles; action on arrival in village; objectives gained; German fight; reorganisation of D Coy; digging in; Stand To; German barrage and counter attack; defeat of 17 Pln and withdrawal of 18 Pln. REEL 19 Continues: communications; description of St Pierre; problems with fighting in village; fending off of a German attack; news from C Coy; shelling; death of Captain Wheatley; wounding of Intelligence Officer; attack on A Coy and Bn Headquarters; approach of German tanks; fault with PIAT; withdrawal of tanks; reorganisation of positions; rations; scenes during night; relief of tanks; shelling of Sherwood Rangers Regiment Headquarters; opinion of Sherman tanks; information received; mortar barrage and advance of German tanks; tank fight with B Coy; casualties; takeover of Anti-Tank position; search for gun's crew; actions of Private Crawley he won Military Medal for; preparation to fire on tanks; withdrawal of tanks; repositioning of A and D Coys; problem with staying awake after action; information gathered from patrols; position established on bridge; capture of German POWs; state of POWs; order for withdrawal; reactions to order; reasons for withdrawal; 10th Div's later capture of St Pierre; withdrawal to Cachy; casualties; medals awarded to Bn; attitude of troops towards fighting Germans. REEL 20 Continues: activities during a rest; reinforcements; move to Lingevre; news of 9th Bn; positions taken; exchange of fire with Germans; attempt to let off flares; dead German found; move into Bocage country; wounding of Brigadier Walton; shelling from Germans; casualties; importance of head cover and concealment; set-up of sniper section; 231 Bde attack on Hottot; barrage on British positions; ease of stopping barrage; results of attack on Hottot; German defensive fire; casualties; German position at Chateau de Cordeillan; B Coy's destruction of tank; promotion to Major; reinforcements including some from Canloan scheme; terrain in the Bocage; accommodation; weapons used in terrain; use of PIAT; 3" Mortars; air photos; problems from dead cows; civilian population; Stand To; rations; activities during day; make-up of different types of patrols; German mortaring; mail; evening activities and Bn Patrol Officer; discovery of mines and booby traps; casualties; opinion of troops during time in Bocage; Montgomery's overall plan of attack; time in rest area. REEL 21 Continues: rest camp near Arromanche; relationship with civilians; effect on morale of being in a static situation; examples of senior NCOs gaining battle fatigue; opinion that there is a limit on how much a man can take; position of battalion near Tilly-sur-Seulles; when rejoined; death of Padre Father Nesbitt; failure of A Coy attack; move to Laty; German units faced; attempts to worsen morale of foreign nationals in line; deserters; propaganda shells and Psychological Warfare Unit; hour truce for deserters to approach; bread; withdrawal of Germans and D Coy led advance; action at Urville; casualties from mines; relief from 59th Div; reaction to relief; visit from General Horrocks; journey to Aunay sur Odon; air activity; problems created by bombing; order for attack south of Mont Pincon; results of fighting elsewhere; plan of attack on Conde sur Noireau; Coy Commanders; view from Mont Pincon; delay in attack; problems from shelling; move through Plessey; time at start line; plan for advance; start of barrage. REEL 22 Continues: start of advance; casualties in C Coy; casualties in D Coy; taking of first German positions; mood of troops; opinion of co-operation with 13/18 Hussars; communication with tanks; attack on Battalion Headquarters; arrival at objective; support from tanks; relief from 69th Bde; opinion of attack's success; POWs taken and quality of troops faced; posting of carrier platoon to 9th Bde; time in rest area and reinforcements; congratulations from General Horrocks; plan for advance on Seine; dispatch of advance parties; route of advance; scenes on route; clearing of forests; accommodation and party on day's pause at Boerthe; treatment of collaborators; help received from Resistance; plaque presented to town; approach to and crossing of River Seine; time on bridge at Amiens; return to Périgny; bridges blown up; description of Périgny; crossing of river and shooting at Germans; arrival of armoured cars; visit to Wassy; advance; reformation of C Coy; liberation of Brussels; celebrations of civilians; time in Gondecourt; plan for capture of SS troops in Lille; supplies; events upon move into Brussels. REEL 23 Continues: opinion of German artillery and infantry; comparison with British artillery; use of air and tank support; duties in Brussels; relationship with civilians; orders to move away from Brussels; increasing German resistance; orders to make bridgehead near Gheel; plan of attack; A Coy's assault; A Coy casualties; D Coy's advance; casualties and reach of objective; extension of bridgehead; arrival of carriers; dug-in and start of work; attack from German tank; completion of bridge; prisoners taken; casualties; German counter attack; German counter attack to knock out bridge; overall casualties; advance of Div Recce Regt; extension of bridgehead by 6th Bn; move to Willars; details of 6th and 9th Bn movement; move to Dornboom; details of action at Dornboom; successful German counter attack; search for 18 Pln; mist at dawn; German withdrawal and destruction of a German self-propelled gun. REEL 24 Continues: relief of 6th Bn; wounding; summary of rest of action at Gheel; journey to GB for treatment at Burntwood Hospital in Lichfield. Aspects of period as officer with various units in GB from 9/1944: leave; posting with 6th Bn North Staffordshire Regiment; reinforcement of Guards Coy at Chequers; attitude of troops; posted back to 8th Bn; retraining of RASC troops at Keighley; VE Day; move to Harrogate; make-up of Bde; Guard of Honour for Montgomery in Huddersfield; Christmas 1945; start of demobilisation; Bn put into suspended animation; posting to 14th Bn in Blandford; release leave; process of release; demobilisation in York; discussion of action at Gheel; memories of Company Sergeant Major Brown; memories of other NCOs in Normandy; memories of officers in Normandy; quality of reinforcements; writing of book on the 8th Bn; funding and printing of book; 8th Bn after the war.