Foster, Henry (Oral history)

British private served with 2nd Bn West Yorkshire Regt in North Africa, Iraq, India and Burma, 1942-1945

REEL 1 Background in York and Ossett, GB, 1921-1939: family, education. Reasons for volunteering for army, 6/1940. Period with West Yorkshire Regt in GB, 1940-1941: basic training at York race course, summer 1940; airfield defence duties with 70th Bn; coastal defence duties with 11th Bn. Recollections of voyage from GB to Egypt via South Africa, 1/1942: conditions on board ship; opinion of cigarettes made from Rhodesian tobacco; reception by South African civilians during stop over in Cape Town; transfer to faster ship to complete journey to Port Tewfiq. Recollections of operations with 2nd Bn West Yorkshire Regt, 5th Indian Div in North Africa, 1942: drafting to unit after period of acclimatisation in Suez Canal Zone; joining unit near Tobruk; character of Tobruk defences; water rationing and diet; bathing in sea water. REEL 2 Continues: orders for unit to close gap in defences at Sidi Mufti, 4/6/1942; initial experience of action; reaction of soldier wounded in eye; issue of every man for himself order during German counter-attack at Sidi Mufti, 4/6/1942; reaction to initial experience of action; casualties caused by ammunition accident at Knightsbridge, 6/1942; retreat to El Alamein; reasons for abandoning plans to defend Fortress B; morale in reinforcement camp; return to front-line at Ruweisat Ridge; transfer from D Coy to Carrier Platoon; work of Carrier Platoon on Ruweistat Ridge; mine detection techniques; fly plague; effect of Axis bombing; replacement in line. REEL 3 Continues: Period with 2nd Bn West Yorkshire Regt in Iraq, 1942- 1943: transfer to Baghdad; internal security duties; anti-British feeling amongst Iraqis; sleeping arrangements for troops; move to Basra. Voyage from Iraq to India aboard Empire Trooper, 3/1943. Period with 2nd Bn West Yorkshire Regt in India, 1943: erection of camp in Ranchi area; use of Indian servants; sight of effects of Bengal famine during leave in Calcutta, ca 6/1943; character of jungle training. Recollections of operations with Carrier Platoon, 2nd Bn West Yorkshire Regt in Arakan, 1943-1944: capture of Maungdaw; character of terrain in coastal area; failure of trailing coat tactics. Recollections of operations with Carrier Platoon, 2nd Bn west Yorkshire Regt in Admin Box, 3/1944: arrival in 7th Indian Div's administration area; Japanese encirclement of Admin Box; effect of Japanese artillery fire. REEL 4 Continues: Japanese capture of hospital; use of supply airdrops; use of 3.7 anti-aircraft guns to counter-fire; Japanese air attacks; discovery of tinned goods by platoon; Japanese digging skills; role of carrier platoon; concern over possibility of Japanese breaking into box; relief of Admin Box. Recollections of operations with 2nd Bn West Yorkshire Regt in Imphal area, India, 1944: removal to Dimapur; drive to Kohima; reasons for missing Battle of Kohima; importance of air supply to British forces; role of unit; duties driving supplies and water; breaking of Japanese siege, 8/1944; impression made by Mountbatten during visit to troops. REEL 5 Continues: Recollections of operations with 2nd Bn West Yorkshire Regt in Burma, 1944-1945: pursuit of Japanese forces during monsoon; physical conditions on Tiddim Road; merging of unit with 4th Bn Royal West Kents Regt at Kalewa, 12/1944; conditions in reserve Kohima, Christmas, 12/1944; air training in Assam, spring 1945; encirclement of unit at Meiktila; cutting of Japanese in Pegu Yomas; transfer to 1st Bn West Yorkshire Regt, 17th Indian Div in Moulmein area; contrast between fighting Germans and Japanese.