Etches, William Whitson (Oral history)

British officer served with 3 Commando during Lofoten and Vaagso raids in Norway, 1941 and St Nazaire raid in France, 1942; POW in Germany, 1942-1945. Commanded 3rd Bn Nigeria Regt with United Nations forces in Congo, 1961-1963

REEL 1 Background in GB, 1921-1939: family; education. Recollections of operations with 3 Commando in GB and during Lofoten and Vaagso raids in Norway, 1940-1941: background to volunteering for commandos, 1940; training in Plymouth area; selection for Lofoten raid, spring 1941; accidental dropping of phosphorus flare by RAF into landing craft during Vaagso raid, 12/1941; demolition work he did on Vaagso raid; German POWs taken; removal of Norwegian civilians during Vaagso raid; slight wounding during Vaagso raid. Recollections of operations as officer with 3rd Commando during 'Operation Chariot' St Nazaire raid in France, 3/1942: preparations for raid at docks in Rosyth and Southampton, early 1942; embarking at Falmouth; composition of raiding force. REEL 2 Continues: objective of St Nazaire raid; question of chances of personnel returning from raid; arrangement of personnel on deck of HMS Campbeltown; his wounding on deck of HMS Campbeltown; role during operation; Colonel Charles Newman's plan to escape from docks; his capture in cellar with Charles Newman; character of his wounds; treatment for wounds at La Baule and Rennes. Recollections of period as POW in Germany, 1942 1945: arrival at Marlag und Milag Nord; imprisonment at Oflag IX AH, Spangenberg from 7/1942; treatment at POW hospital at Bad Obermaasfeld; attempts of Germans to march POWs to Bavaria; liberation by US troops, 1945; flight to GB via Paris. REEL 3 Continues: procedure for handling POWs at Chesham, 5/1945; danger from SS and Hitler Youth in Germany, 1945; dependence of POWs on Red Cross parcels and disruption to their supply. Recollections of commanding 3rd Bn Queen's Own, Nigerian Regt with United Nations in Congo, 1961-1963: posting to unit in Congo; role preventing release of popular leader by mob, 1962; orders to intervene in chaotic situation in north Katanga at Kongolo, 9/1962; problems crossing River Congo against Katangese opposition; question of absurdity of orders from United Nations headquarters in New York; taking surrender of Katangese, 1/1963; calibre of Nigerian soldiers; drug and voodoo problems among his troops.