Kershaw, David (Oral history)

British NCO served with L Detachment Special Air Service Bde in North Africa, 1941-1942; served with 1st Special Air Service Regt in North Africa, 1942-1943; served with 2nd Special Air Service Regt in North Africa and Italy, 1943 and British officer served as padre with 1st Special Air Service Regt in GB and North West Europe, 1944-1945

REEL 1 [Kershaw] Background to joining Special Air Service in North Africa, 1941: periods with Cheshire Regiment and Grenadier Guards; period in GB with No 8 Commando including training; voyage to North Africa; cancellation of task; organisation of No 8 Commandos; disbandment; posting to Infantry Base Depot at Geneifa; visit of David Stirling and volunteering for Special Air Service. Aspects of period as NCO with L Detachment Special Air Service Bde and 1st Special Air Service Regt in North Africa and Italy, 1941-1943: setting-up of camp at Kabrit; parachute training including jumps from moving vehicle; pattern of training including accident during training parachute jumps; involvement of Commandos on Crete; details of Commando raids; reaction to cancellations of raids; story of first Special Air Service airdrop; problems on landing; regrouping of stick; journey back to lines including medical treatment received and shelter taken. REEL 2 Continues: rendezvous with Long Range Desert Group; losses to unit; details of two rendezvous'; medical treatment; return to Kabrit; posting to Jalo Oasis; vehicles in unit; details of raids with "Jock" Lewes; rum ration; organisation of raids; details of small arms course in Palestine; knowledge of German and Italian language and weapons; story of losing jeeps and journey back to unit; usual running of raid; plan for raid at Benghazi; details of raid. REEL 3 Continues: story of journey to Kufra including pass through Jalo Oasis; story of first jeep raid; memories of David Stirling and "Paddy" Maynes; fluctuations in rank; memories of troops; recruitment of new force. Aspects of operations as NCO with 2nd Special Air Service Regt in North Africa and Italy, 1943: refusal of commission; story of flight to Sicily; parachute training given to new recruits; details of Special Air Service involvement in Sicily; story of raid on radar station; summary of Sicily raids; train journey from Bizerte to Algiers including Christmas 1943. REEL 4 Continues: background of troops; discipline, camp and routine at Kabrit; leisure activities. [Bennett] leisure activities including traps built for flies. [McCluskey] Aspects of period as chaplain with 1st Special Air Service Regt in GB, 1944-1945: joining of Special Air Service including training; reason for volunteering for airborne forces; parachute training; arrival with unit in Scotland; first impressions of troops; accommodation; exercises; wait for airdrop at Fairford. Aspects of operations as chaplain with 1st Special Air Service Regt in North West Europe, 1944: parachute drop into France including area dropped into; initial activities; activities of Special Air Service in France; advance into Low Countries and Germany; use of jeeps issued; posting to C Squadron; return from France to GB; make-up of 1st Special Air Service Regiment; story of B Squadron members shot by Gestapo; carrying out of duties; methods of keeping activities secret; relationship with French civilians. [Kershaw] Aspects of period as NCO with Special Air Service in North Africa, 1941-1943: clothing worn in desert.