Interview with Eric Simpson

British officer served with Combined Operations in GB, 10/1942-3/1944; served with 9th (LBV) Flotilla in GB and English Channel during Normandy Landings, 3/1944-6/1944; served aboard LST 3010 in Far East, 7/1945-4/1946

REEL 1 Background in Rothwell, GB, 1924-1939: family; education; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939. Aspects of enlistment and training as officer with Royal Navy in GB, 1942: joining Royal Navy Youth Entry Scheme, 4/1942; call-up to Royal Navy, 9/1942; basic training at HMS Ganges, Shotley; volunteering for Combined Operations, 1942; training at HMS Lochailort including accommodation; drafting for service with Landing Barge Vehicle (LBV); acquisition of 'officer like qualities'; training at HMS Manatee, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight; training at Dartmouth and Salcombe, 4/1943; accident when United States Army colonel disembarked from Landing Barge Vehicle (LBV); landing practise under fire; nature of Exercise Jantzen; handling Landing Barge Vehicle (LBV); crewing of Landing Barge Vehicle (LBV), use of civilians as coxswains and accommodation on board; formation of Landing Barge Vehicle (LBV) flotillas at Salcombe; move from Salcombe to Exmouth. REEL 2 Continues: training from Exmouth; abortive role in Exercise Tiger in which American forces attacked by German Navy at Slapton Sands, 4/1944; concealment by authorities of Exercise Tiger disaster. Recollections of operations as officer with 9th (LBV) Flotilla in English Channel during landings in Normandy, France, 6/1944: preparations for D-Day, 5/6/1944; request by trawler captain to retrieve chart, 6/6/1944; delivery of cargo to Omaha Beach; ferrying vehicles to Omaha Beach, 6/1944; sight of dead United States Army troops in sea, 6/1944; experiences during the Great Storm, 19/6/1944-20/6/1944; medical treatment for injuries sustained during the Great Storm, 19/6/1944-20/6/1944; foraging for American K rations; types of landing barges in service; further sight of dead United States Army troops in sea. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Navy in GB, 1944-1945: attitude to having to attend Royal Marine commando course, 7/1944-8/1944; attending Royal Navy General Service Course at HMS King Alfred III at Lancing College; taking command of LST 360 at Greenock; standing by boat being built in Belfast, Northern Ireland; contrast in living conditions aboard Landing Ship Tank (LST) compared with Landing Barge Vehicle (LBV). REEL 3 Continues: VE Day celebrations at Roseneath, 8/5/1945. Recollections of period as officer aboard LST 3010 in Far East, 7/1945-4/1946: abortive voyage from GB to Gibraltar and return for repairs; plans to take part in Operation Zipper; memories of Lord Louis Mountbatten; landing at Point Dickson, Malaya, 1945; ferrying troops of 7th Indian Infantry Div to Malaya; handling of Indian troops of British Indian Army on board; Indonesians' use of fire ships in Surabaya, Java, Dutch East Indies, 1946; problems of ration supply in Dutch East Indies; nature of climate in Far East; role transporting Royal Navy personnel from Saigon, French Indochina, 1946; return to GB, 4/1946; attitude to having served in Royal Navy in Second World War; period with Royal Naval Reserve in GB, 1950s-1960s.