Flood, George Robert (Oral history)

1241251897
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
888619744
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
817840295
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
303805740
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
335689483
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
1714741998
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
297396856
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
1955096406
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
44027843
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
1121057926
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
1545744518
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
1624690386
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
1277622549
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
912254275
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
371430854
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
1285457961
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
1087536278
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
810271155
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
289898852
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

Description

Object description

British officer served with 4th Bn Royal Berkshire Regt (Princess Charlotte of Wales's), 8th Infantry Bde, 3rd Infantry Div in GB, Northern Ireland, France and Belgium, 1939-1942; served as instructor with Battle School, Llanberis in Wales and Night Fighting Wing, School of Infantry at Middleton-in-Teesdale in GB, 1942-1943; served as staff officer with Airborne Forces Development Centre at Amesbury, GB, 1943-1944; commanded A Coy, 8th Bn Parachute Regt, 3rd Parachute Bde, 6th Airborne Div in GB and North West Europe, 9/1944-5/1945; served with 1st Bn Parachute Regt, 1st Parachute Bde, 6th Airborne Div in GB and Palestine, 1945-1947; student at Staff College, Camberley in GB, 1948; served as staff officer with 8th Infantry Bde in Egypt and Transjordan, 1949-1952; served with 1st Bn Royal Berkshire Regt (Princess of Charlotte of Wales's), 2nd Infantry Bde in Canal Zone of Egypt, 1952-1953; served as instructor with Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Camberley, GB, 1953-1956; served as staff officer with Chiefs of Staff Secretariat at War Office, London, GB, 1956-1958; served with 3rd Bn Parachute Regt, 16th Independent Parachute Bde in GB, 1958-1959; commanded Parachute Regiment Depot at Maida Barracks, Aldershot, GB, 1959-1960; served as staff officer with British Military Attaché in United States of America, 1960-1962; served with Army Air Transport Development Centre at RAF Old Sarum in GB, 1962-1963; served as regimental-colonel at Regimental Headquarters, Parachute Regiment at Maida Barracks, Aldershot in GB, 1963-1965; commanded 44th Parachute Bde in GB, 1965-1968; served as Assistant Commandant of Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Camberley GB, 1968-1970; commanded Joint Air Transport Establishment at RAF Abingdon in GB, 1971-1974

Content description

REEL 1 Background in GB and Australia, 1919-1939: family; education; membership of Officer Training Corps at Lancing School; awareness of political situation in Europe; membership of Officer Training Corps at University of Reading, 1938-1939. Aspects of enlistment and training as officer cadet with Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales's) and Officer Cadet Training Unit at Farnborough in GB, 1939: volunteering for military service; basic recruit training; a royal visit; joining Officer Cadet Training Unit at Farnborough; weapons training including Boys Anti-Tank Rifle; uniform worn; pattern of training including physical training; receiving emergency commission; assessment. Recollections of period as officer with 4th Bn Royal Berkshire Regt (Princess Charlotte of Wales's), 8th Infantry Bde, 3rd Infantry Div in France, 1939-1940: journey to Lille area; accommodation; defensive positions on Gort Line; role commanding platoon. REEL 2 Continues: morale; daily routine; night training; transport; Carrier Platoon; opinion of Bren Gun Carrier; organisation of Carrier Platoon; visit by Major-General Bernard Montgomery; driving without lights and danger of icy roads; lack of contact with French Army troops; inter-battalion communication; view from forward positions; off duty activities in Lille; leave; censoring mail and discipline. Recollections of operations as officer with 4th Bn Royal Berkshire Regt (Princess Charlotte of Wales's), 8th Infantry Bde, 3rd Infantry Div in France and Belgium, 5/1940: lack of warning of German offensive; orders to advance to River Dyle in Belgium, 10/5/1940; nature of advance; taking up positions in woods near Louvain, Belgium. REEL 3 Continues: role covering withdrawal of battalion from Louvain area, Belgium; screening subsequent withdrawals and simulating noise of tanks; attack by German Air Force Junkers Ju 87 Stukas; firing of Boys Anti-Tank Rifle at German motorcyclists; platoon NCO; dangers of movement in daylight; single casualty; demolition of bridges; means of communication; rations; effects of fatigue; halt near Roubaix, France; participation in counter-attack, 24/5/1940; his wounding during counter-attack. REEL 4 Continues: casualties during counter-attack, 24/5/1940; evacuation to Regimental Aid Post at Ypres; evacuation by hospital ship to GB. Recollections of period as officer with 4th Bn Royal Berkshire Regt, (Princess Charlotte of Wales's), 8th Infantry Bde, 3rd Infantry Div in GB and Northern Ireland, 1940-1942: return to battalion; state of Carrier Platoon and morale; anti-invasion duties; relations with civilian police; expansion of Carrier Platoon; character of replacement troops; move to Northern Ireland, early 1941; accommodation; attending winter warfare training course in Iceland; relations with Icelanders; attitude towards Germans; arrival of American troops in Northern Ireland, 1/1942; abortive attempt to volunteer for airborne forces. REEL 5 Continues: reasons for volunteering for airborne forces. Aspects of period as instructor with Battle School at Llanberis, Wales and Night Fighting Wing, School of Infantry at Middleton-in-Teesdale in GB, 1942-1943; organisation of battle school; training officers; casualties; purpose and assessment; move to Night Fighting Wing, School of Infantry at Middleton-in-Teesdale; nature of course; training techniques; early night vision equipment; natural night-vision; value of night fighting. Aspects of period as staff officer with Airborne Forces Development Centre at Amesbury, GB, 1943-1944: purpose of establishment; chain of command; staff; containers; attempts to air drop Willys Jeep and use of crash pan; small arms development; attending parachute course at No 1 Parachute Training School, RAF at RAF Ringway. REEL 6 Continues: incident of Bren Gun valise fouling parachute rigging. Recollections of operations as officer commanding A Coy, 8th Bn Parachute Regt, 3rd Parachute Bde, 6th Airborne Div in GB and North West Europe, 9/1944-5/1945: posting to battalion, 9/1944; morale and reinforcements; presence of experienced NCOs; rapid move to Ardennes, Belgium, 12/1944; training and exercises; reaction in battalion to failure of Operation Market Garden; deployment on River Maas, Netherlands; reconnaissance patrolling; sight of M4 Sherman Tank knocked out by anti-tank gun; move to Roermond, Netherlands; character of 'Birmingham Highlanders' in battalion; view forward from positions; withdrawal for airborne training, 2/1945; impression of relieving American battalion; return to GB; sight of United States Army Air Force troop carrying aircraft in tight formation; training jumps; in sealed camp in East Anglia, GB, 3/1945; briefing for Operation Varsity, the crossing of the River Rhine, Germany, 3/1945. REEL 7 Continues: German opposition on drop zone during Operation Varsity, east of River Rhine, Germany, 24/3/1945; roles of parachute brigades; briefing process; artillery support for operation; uneventful flight and altitude for parachute drop; description of drop zone; company objective; formation of company on move forward; lack of casualties; capture of objective; joining 6th Airborne Div's reconnaissance force; first day of action, 24/3/1945; nature of advance eastwards; German opposition, 3/1945; encounter with German 88mm Guns; arrival at Dortmund-Ems Canal, Germany; requisitioning of food with German civilians. REEL 8 Continues: attitude of German civilians; rations; transport; composition of company headquarters; casualties during advance; German Air Force attack at Ratlingen, Germany; use of company snipers and runner; colour sergeant and staff; company second in command; command on move; platoon advance to contact; battalion support weapons; types of attacks used; nature of fighting in Minden, Germany, 4/1945; behaviour of German Army troops and their wish to surrender to British troops; advance to Wismar, Germany, 5/1945; impressions of Soviet Army troops; dealing with Displaced Persons; reaction to end of war in Europe, 8/5/1945; personal reconnaissance with brigadier; German civilians; VE Day celebrations, Germany, 8/5/1945. REEL 9 Continues: return to GB. Recollections of operations as officer with 1st Bn Parachute Regt, 1st Parachute Bde, 6th Airborne Div in GB and Palestine, 1945-1947: posting to battalion, 6/1945; expectation of service in Far East; reaction to dropping of atomic bombs on Japan, 8/1945; question of marriage; disbandment of 1st Air Landing Bde; quality of battalion; move to Palestine, 3/1946; internal security role and nature of operations; lack of direct attacks on battalion; co-operation with Palestine Police Force; incident of decapitation of battalion NCO; where troops' sympathies lay; dealing with illegal immigrant ship beached near Gaza; conditions in Galilee District, Palestine; staff training in Haifa. Aspects of period as officer with 4th Bn Parachute Regt in GB, 1947-1948: six month posting to battalion; attending company commanders' course at School of Infantry, Warminster; character of battalion. REEL 10 Continues: Aspects of period as student at Staff College, Camberley in GB, 1948: posting to Staff College, Camberley; subjects covered; method of instruction; concentration on brigade level operations; geographical range of areas studied; use of syndicates; overseas students; lectures and essays; Tactical Exercises Without Troops (TEWTS); opinion of instruction; assessment; presence of commandant; further details of syllabus; opinion of workload; advantage of staff college training. REEL 11 Continues: Recollections of period as brigade-major with 8th Infantry Bde in Egypt and Transjordan, 1949-1952: posting to brigade in Egypt, 1949; composition of brigade; plan for use of 'Jock Column'; condition of brigade vehicles; character of brigadiers; mobilisation tasks of brigade; plan to send reconnaissance party to Iraq; impressions of Egypt; political atmosphere in Egypt; move to Aqaba, Transjordan; brigade reinforcements for 'O' Force at Aqaba, Transjordan; threat from Israeli Defence Force to Arab Legion; degree of intelligence available; situation on Transjordan/Israel border; arrival of Royal Marine Commando reinforcements; command liaison with Royal Navy. REEL 12 Continues: plans for naval support; dealing with heat; layout of positions and defences; sight of troops of Israeli Defence Force at Eilat, Israel; lack on incidents of a serious nature; resupply arrangements; air activity; main duties; composition of staff at brigade headquarters; role of staff; character of Brigadier Douglas Greenacre and his style of command; method of giving orders. REEL 13 Continues: verbal orders for mechanised operations in Canal Zone, Egypt; tactical headquarters in field; return to Canal Zone, Egypt from Transjordan; organisation of brigade in Egypt including armoured car regiments; opinion of tanks of Royal Tank Regt and Royal Horse Artillery vehicles; orders for mobilisation task; memories of Abrogation Crisis, 1952 including operation with 16th Indepedent Parachute Bde; exercise with Egyptian Army; Egyptian sabotage and sniping in Canal Zone, Egypt; evacuation of service families. Aspects of period as officer with 1st Bn Royal Berkshire Regt, 2nd Infantry Bde in Canal Zone of Egypt, 1952-1953: posting to battalion as company commander; social life; training. REEL 14 Continues: battalion personnel; night training; accommodation; return to GB aboard troopship. Recollections of period as instructor with Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Camberley, GB, 1953-1956: posting to academy as company instructor; length of course; organisation of intakes and companies; societies and academic departments; origins of cadets; physical training and emphasis on drill; NCO instructors; specialist wings; degree of outdoor work and exercises; cadet government; living conditions for staff; commandants; company dinners; powers of company commander. REEL 15 Continues: role as Wessex Brigade representative; criteria for selection of officers; character of recruits; opinion of General Miles Dempsey. Recollections of period as staff officer with Chiefs of Staff Secretariat at War Office in London, GB, 1956-1958: method of taking minutes; own speciality being Middle East; other members of secretariat; frequency and duration of meetings; conduct of meetings; memories of Sir William Dixon; role of secretary; chiefs of staff; opinion of 1958 cuts; issues relating to Baghdad Pact; attending North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) military committee; use of Cabinet War Rooms during Suez Crisis, 1956; change in plan for Operation Musketeer; visits from politicians; elements of Operation Musketeer; rooms used in Cabinet War Rooms in London during Suez Crisis, 1956. REEL 16 Continues: members of war room staff; map making and security; Joint Planning Staff and Joint Intelligence Committee; communications; impact of defence cuts and ensuing arguments, 1958. Recollections of period as officer with 3rd Bn Parachute Regt, 16th Independent Parachute Bde in GB, 1958-1959: joining battalion; changes in battalion after Suez operations; changes in parachute techniques since service in Second World War; comparison in rifles carried; role as second in command; parachute training locations and types of aircraft used; use of platforms for heavy equipment; anti-tank weapons; recruit parachute training. REEL 17 Continues: introduction of double door jumps; fate of drop outs; volunteer nature of recruits; plan for airborne drop on Beirut, Lebanon, 1958; preparation of loading tables; memories of Brigadier Thomas Pearson. Aspects of period commanding Parachute Regiment Depot at Maida Barracks, Aldershot, GB, 1959-1960: attitude to posting; pattern of recruit training; quality of recruits; source of officers; changes in exercises. Recollections of period as staff officer with British Military Attaché in United States of America, 1960-1962: posting to Washington DC; opinion of pentonic division system; reversion to triangular system; American use of company groups; American developments in army aviation; United States Army helicopters. REEL 18 Continues: attending exercise in Washington State; character of United States Army Airborne Divisions; opinion of American airborne equipment and parachuting techniques; scale of exercises. Aspects of period as officer with Army Air Transport Development Centre at RAF Old Sarum in GB, 1962-1963: Halo trials; experiments with air dropping; difficulties with standardisation. Aspects of period as regimental-colonel at Regimental Headquarters, Parachute Regiment, Maida Barracks at Aldershot in GB, 1963-1965: duties and activities; headquarters staff; expansion of Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team; regimental overseas commitments; refresher parachute training; visits to battalions. REEL 19 Continues: Aspects of period commanding 44th Parachute Bde in GB, 1965-1968: state of brigade; management of amalgamations of Territorial Army battalions; artillery and engineer elements of brigade; operational role of brigade; quality of Territorial Army volunteers; proposed operational role; parachute training exercises; exercise against Special Air Service; arrival of Lockheed C-130 Hercules. Aspects of period as Assistant Commandant of Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Camberley in GB, 1968-1970: role and responsibilities; concentration on all arms company training; adventure and overseas training; intakes and syllabus; character of Director of Studies. Aspects of period commanding Joint Air Transport Establishment at RAF Abingdon in GB, 1971-1974: heavy drop techniques; helicopters used; officer selection; improvement of tasks; presence of officers not interested in branch of service.

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: 1990 to the present day (production), Second World War (content), Second World War (association), 1945-1989 (association)
Creator: IWM (Production company)
de Lee, Nigel (recorder)
Flood, George Robert (interviewee/speaker)
Production date: 1995
Dimensions: whole: Duration 570, Number Of Items 19
Catalogue number: 16736

Object associations

Our collections information

We have over 1.7 million object records online, and we are adding to this all the time. Our records are never finished. Sometimes we discover new information that changes what we know about an object, such as who made it or used it. Sometimes we change how an object is interpreted. We sometimes make mistakes in our spelling, transcription or categorisation, or miss information out of our records.

Read more about our collections and the information we hold. Developing our collections information

If you have concerns about the language in this record, or you have information to improve it, please share your feedback.

We receive a lot of comments and can't respond to each one, but we do read them all and will respond where we can.

Flood, George Robert (Oral history)

Description

Object description

Content description

Object Details

Object associations

Associated people and organisations

Associated places

Associated subjects

Associated themes

Our collections information