Pettigrew, Hugh Rudolf Conway (Oral history)

British child witnessed Zeppelin raid on Deal, GB, 1916; officer served with South Warziristan Scouts in India, 1937-1939; served as instructor at Officer Training School, Belgaum, India, 1940-1941; served as staff officer with 63 Indian Infantry Bde in Naga Hills, India, 1942-1943; served as instructor at Quetta Staff College, India, 1943-1944 and with Headquarters, 17th Indian Div in Burma, 1945

REEL 1 Story of father's death in Persia, 1916. Memories of Zeppelin raid on Deal, 1916. Background in GB, 1916-1930: family and education. Recollections of operations with South Warziristan Scouts on North West Frontier of India, 1937- 1938: role in armed patrol sent to find convoy attacked by Mahsuds in Shahur Tangi, 4/1937; period in fort at Splitoi; telephone conversation with picket under siege; reasons for disturbances; attitude to frontier tribes and how Mahsud discontent was handled. REEL 2 Continues: supervision of road building; attempt of Mahsud to assassinate Pettigrew because he refused to authorise road contract; incident when Indian Army nearly opened fire on unit; uniform of unit; incident when Ian Dewar was killed in skirmish with Mahsuds. Return to 2/14th Bn Punjab Regt, 1938 Period as company commander instructor at Officer Training School, Belgaum, 1940-1941: reasons for posting; question of not going with 2/4th Bn Punjab Regt in Hong Kong. Precautions crossing India during Quit India movement, 1942. Recollections of period as brigade major with 63 Indian Infantry Bde in Naga Hills, Manipur State, 8/1942-8/1943: role and duties; memories of General Lentaigne and John Masters. REEL 3 Continues: contact with Nagas, 1942-1943; influence of US Baptists on Nagas. Teaching methods at Quetta Staff College, 1943-1944. Recollections of period as staff officer with 17th Indian Div in Burma, 1/1945-12/1945: job as GSO 1 to Major General Cowan; plan to block Japanese retreat from Mandalay; reasons for resentment of 7th Indian Div against 17th Indian Div; opinion of Japanese bravery; disagreements he had with 'Punch' Cowan; witnessing battle for Meiktila; influence of caste on recruitment of Sikhs into Indian Army. REEL 4 Continues: reasons for casualties to Sikh Light Infantry during bayonet charge at Meiktila; success of Japanese 'jitter' tactics against anti-tank unit at Pyawbwe; halt to 17 Div advance on Rangoon by breaking of monsoon at Pegu; surrender of Indian National Army officer; question of loyal Indian soldiers shooting of Indian National Army personnel; story relating to VE Day; reasons for why General Cowan flew out of Rangoon after its captured. Recollections of Indian Partition in New Dehli, 1947: attempt by Sikhs to kill Muslim servants of British families; story of how he got his two Muslim servants to safety. Reasons for retirement in 1948.