Evans, Donald Ferguson (Oral history)

British officer served with Royal Engineers in GB, 1942-1943; served with Bengal Sappers and Miners in India, 1943; served with 506 Field Coy, Royal Engineers, 2nd Div in Burma, 1944-1945

REEL 1 Background in Manchester and Gorleston, GB, 1921- 1939: family and education. Reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939. Recollection of period as civilian in Great Yarmouth, GB, 1939-1942: character of German Air Force raids; sight of German Dornier Do 17 bomber attacking ships on River Yare; role with rescue squad; civilian reaction to German Air Force bombing; types of civilian shelters employed; incident when brick shelter collapsed; lack of travel; training as civil engineer. Period with Royal Engineers in GB, 1942-1943: enlistment in Royal Engineers, 1942; living conditions in Kitchener Barracks, Chatham, 1942; treatment at pre OCTU, Wrotham; move to OCTU, Newark; period at Llanberis battle school, winter 1942- 1943; Class 9 flexible bridging work; technique for laying mines; training in disciplinary matters. REEL 2 Continues: handling soldiers; contrast between wet and dry bridging; meaning of term 'pontoon'; Ingles bridges; attitude to different types of engineering work he was learning. Voyage from GB to India aboard Multan, 1943. Period as officer with Bengal Sappers and Miners in India, 1943: arrival at Bombay and initial impressions of India; explanation of term 'Doolali tap'; move to Roorki to join unit; mess life at Roorkee; contrast between Indian and British troops; question of submerging of communal differences in Indian rmy; reaction to posting to 2nd Div at Comilla; action in aid of civil power at Hardwar. REEL 3 Continues: tactics employed to disperse mob. Recollections of operations with 506 Field Coy, Royal Engineers, 2nd Div in Burma, 1944-1945: composition of unit; role as 'recce' officer; Japanese mining techniques; initial sapper work in Pink Gin-Shwebo (Pyingaing) area, 1944; use of armoured car and preference for using jeeps; problems encountered crossing River Irrawaddy near Ava; 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry capture of train carrying Japanese engineer stores at Kyaukse; withdrawal of 2nd Div into India, 1945; return to Burma; communications work in Prome area; engineering work in Arakan Yomas to allow 82 West African Div to cross into Irrawaddy Valley, summer 1945; problems with equipment in Arakan Yomas. Recollections of train journey from Calcutta to Bombay, 1945. REEL 4 Continues: Aspects of service with Royal Engineers in Burma and Singapore, 1945-1946: landing of 6 Bde in Singapore, 31/12/1945; reaction to Japanese surrender, 8/1945; story of damage done to telegraph poles on Prome road, 8/1945; handling Japanese POWs in Singapore, 1946. Attitude towards Japanese troops during Second World War and afterwards. Attitude to having served with Royal Engineers. Question of accounting for equipment in Royal Engineers.