Description
Object description
British NCO served with 1st Bn Black Watch (Royal Highland Regt), 29th British Infantry Bde, 1st Commonwealth Div in South Korea, 6/1952-7/1953
Content description
REEL 1 Recollections of operations as NCO with 1 Platoon, A Coy, 1st Bn Black Watch (Royal Highland Regt), 29th British Infantry Bde, 1st Commonwealth Div in South Korea, 6/1952-7/1953: voyage from GB to South Korea, 5/1952; arrival at railhead, 6/1952; artillery bombardment in front line; head wound received from mortar explosion; attempt to capture Chinese People's Volunteer Army troops; move to The Hook, 11/1952; spending time out of front line; how he dealt with comrade during Chinese People's Volunteer Army attack; Chinese People's Volunteer Army artillery tactics when one British battalion replaced another; reaction to serving in Korean War; special measures to dig trenches in winter; United States Army troops' methods of trench construction and consequences; battalion casualties on taking over American constructed trenches; enlargement of bunkers by Royal Engineers.
REEL 2 Continues: individual casualties to unit; account of Chinese People's Volunteer Army ground attack on The Hook, 18/11/1952-19/11/1952; wounds received during Battle of The Hook, 18/11/1952-19/11/1952.
REEL 3 Continues: refusal to be recommended for Military Medal after the Battle of The Hook and his decision to draw lots for decoration; criticism received from superior officer for decision; hospital treatment for wounds; return to unit on light duties, 12/1952; battalion leave out of line, 1/1953; second tour on The Hook and Chinese People's Volunteer Army ground attack, 5/1953. Aspects of first action on The Hook, 18/11/1952-19/11/1952: Bren Gun tactics employed.
REEL 4 Continues: question of Chinese People's Volunteer Army troops taking drugs; nature of Chinese People's Volunteer Army mass attacks; British use of rifles and bayonets and close combat with Chinese People's Volunteer Army troops; opinion of United States Army troops; question of trauma suffered after battle; British Korean War Veterans Association's opinion of United States Army troops; nature of close combat fighting with Chinese People's Volunteer Army during Battle of The Hook, 18/11/1952-19/11/1952; opinion of Chinese People's Volunteer Army troops.
REEL 5 Continues: refraining from shooting Chinese People's Volunteer Army troops retrieving their casualties; muddy conditions, 5/1953; character of Chinese People's Volunteer Army mass attacks; attitude to turning down Military Medal; attitude to having served in Korean War; dangers to health from vermin in trenches and lung problems experienced since Korean War.
