Description
Object description
British private served with 1st Bn Gordon Highlanders in GB and Germany, 1946-1950; NCO served with 5 Platoon, B Coy, 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde in North and South Korea, 8/1950-4/1951
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Richmond upon Thames, GB, 1927-1939: family; education. Aspects of period as civilian in Richmond-on-Thames, GB, 1940-1945: role as Air Raid Precautions messenger; collecting shrapnel after air raids; work on emergency repairs of bombed buildings; degree of bombing in Richmond upon Thames; use of shelters; public morale during German Air Force attacks; attitude towards German Air Force. Aspects of period as private and NCO with 1st Bn Gordon Highlanders in GB and Germany, 1946-1950: volunteering for military service, 1946; basic training at Fort William; experience of being English in Scottish regiment; volunteering for 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlander (Princess Louise's) draft to South Korea, 6/1950. Recollections of operations as NCO with 5 Platoon, B Coy, 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) , 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde in South and North Korea, 8/1950-4/1951: arrival in Pusan, 1950; initial impressions of Pusan; reception on joining unit in Taegu; allocation to role as Bren Gun operator; move to Kumchon; contact with North Korean forces; witnessing use of napalm on North Korean positions; inadequacy of kit.
REEL 2 Continues: need for unit to re-equip on arrival at Kimpo Airfield; problems of coping with hilly terrain; method of resting during night sentry duty; question of strain of active service; composition of 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde; American use of brigade as spearhead; preference for British method of fighting in contrast to American methods; push north to Sariwon; destruction of lorryload of North Korean troops in Sariwon; how North Korean troops mistook unit for Soviet Army personnel; nature of North Korean opposition in Sariwon area; destruction of Pyongyang; need for new boots; incident when American troops were caught in sleeping bags by North Korean patrol, near Cheongju; need for rest during advance north; use of Korean porters and question of whether they could be trusted; problems of distinguishing Korean troops from civilians.
REEL 3 Continues: initial sight of Chinese troops; methods of retreat to Pakchon; unit casualties on bridge at Pakchon; orders to make a stand at Pakchon, 5/11/1950; accidental shooting of Captain John Penman; Chinese attack on unit at Pakchon, 5/11/1950; state of feet during withdrawal from Pakchon; problems of digging into permafrost; attempts to keep warm on Frostbite Ridge; problems of firing weapons with gloves on; problems of keeping clean in field; story of how Chinese patrol interrupted his attempt to get clean, 2/1951; guard duties at Headquaters, United States X Corps Inchon, 12/1950; nature of march to Frostbite Ridge, 1/1951; occupation of slit trenches in minefield, 1/1951; casualties to unit and US Engineers in minefield.
REEL 4 Continues: infestation of rats; medical aid for Turkish casualties near Al Jolson Bridge; contrast in Turkish attitude towards British and American troops; comparison of American and British rations; clearing start line for Australian battalion, late 3/1951; return of unit to Hong Kong by sea aboard USS Montrose, 4/1951; impression made by Al Jolson during concert for troops; delousing and deworming of unit in Hong Kong, 4/1951; nature of North Korean and Chinese tactics; tendency of North Korean soldiers to feign death; question of degree of fighting different companies engaged in; occasion when he fell into cesspit; physical conditions of troops.
REEL 5 Continues: obtaining of whiskey from American troops by Company Quarter Master Sergeant 'Fixer' Smith; incident when patrol forgot the password; weather conditions; dental treatment; songs sung on march.