Description
Object description
British NCO served with 2nd Bn Royal Norfolk Regt, 4th Infantry Bde, 2nd Infantry Div in India and Burma, 6/1942-8/1945
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of enlistment and training with British Army in GB, 1939-1942: reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; question of relations between British Army recruits and status of a black man in military. Aspects of period as NCO with 2nd Bn Royal Norfolk Regt, 4th Infantry Bde, 2nd Infantry Div in India, 6/1942-4/1944: nature of civil disturbances, 1942; attitude to service in India; preparations and training for move into Burma; question of degree of preparedness for campaign in Burma. Recollections of operations as NCO with Carrier Platoon, Headquarters Coy, 2nd Bn Royal Norfolk Regt, 4th Infantry Bde, 2nd Infantry Div at Kohima, India, 4/1944-5/1944: flight into Dimapur, 4/1944; situation in Kohima, 4/1944; taking up positions as Milestone 81 on Dimapur Kohima Road; organisation of patrols.
REEL 2 Continues: direction finding in jungle; terrain around Kohima; insect pests and leeches; character of diet; state of troop's health and morale; opinion of Nagas; clearing of GPT Ridge; use of carrier platoon; attacking Japanese bunkers on GPT Ridge where Captain John Randle won Victoria Cross; character of fighting on GPT Ridge, 5/1944; possessions of Imperial Japanese Army dead; opinion of Imperial Japanese Army weapons; question of danger of Japanese breakthrough to India.
REEL 3 Continues: wounding by sniper, 8/5/1944; evacuation of wounded; medical treatment for wounds and refusal to be transferred to different unit. Recollections of operations with 2nd Bn Royal Norfolk Regt, 4th Infantry Bde, 2nd Infantry Div in Burma, 1944-1945: move as rear troops into central Burma; summer 1944; crossing River Chindwin, 12/1944; morale of unit; opinion of General William Slim and Lord Louis Mountbatten; move onto Burmese central plains; character of rations and effect of eating American rations; reaction of Burmese villagers to arrival of British troops; character of fighting in central Burma, early 1945; crossing River Irrawaddy; linking up with IV Corps; reaction to atomic bombs being dropped on Japan, 8/1945; opinion of equipment of troops arriving from Europe, summer 1945; sight of Japanese prisoners of war; condition of Imperial Japanese Army troops during campaign.
REEL 4 Continues: reasons for award of Military Medal; question of necessity of Burma Campaign.
