Interview with Joseph Russell Fishbourne

British officer served with 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) in India, 1939-1940; served as staff officer with 3rd Indian Motor Bde in North Africa, 1941; prisoner of war in Campo PG 41 Montalbo and Campo PG 35 Certosa di Padula, Italy, 1941-1943; escaped to Switzerland, 1943; organised ex-prisoner of war welfare in Switzerland, 1943; served with 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) in Burma, 1945; served with Control Commission for Germany in Berlin, Germany, 1950-1952; staff officer served with 1st Commonwealth Div in South Korea, 1953

REEL 1 Recollections of background in India and GB, 1909- 1929: family circumstances; education; father's military service in First World War. Recollections of period with 5th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers in GB, Jamaica and Egypt, 1929-1936: nature of soldiering in British Army, 1929-1936; clash between troops and civilians in Kingston, Jamaica; equipment in Egypt, 1933-1936; how General Weir persuaded him to transfer to 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards). Recollections of period as officer with 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) in India, 1937-1940: scouting role of regiment at Sialkot,1938-1939; lack of impact of Second World War on India, 1940; attending Staff College, Quetta. Recollections of period as staff officer with 3rd Indian Motor Bde in North Africa, 1941: problems caused by lack of training of Indian drivers; long distance officer patrols, 5/1941; how brigade was ordered to hold Mechili,Libya. REEL 2 Continues: escape of his echelon to Tobruk, Libya; capture at Tobruk, Libya, 4/1941. Aspects of period as prisoner of war in Derna, Libya and Italy, 1941-1943: period in camp at Derna, Libya; behaviour of Italian captors; conditions on sea voyage to Italy; captivity in Campo PG 41 Montalbo and Campo PG 35 Certosa di Padula; question of escape from Italian camps; German take over of camp, 9/1943. Recollections of escape from Italy to Switzerland, 1943: escape from train taking prisoners of war to Germany near Verona, Italy; period of evasion in Italy; his Royal Naval companion; trek towards Switzerland; arrival in Switzerland. REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of period organising welfare for ex-prisoners of war in Switzerland, 1943-1944 including leaving to re-join war, 1944. Aspects of period as officer with 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) in Burma, 1945: re- joining regiment at Magwe; return to India. Aspects of period with Allied Control Commission for Germany in Berlin, Germany, 1950-1952: attitude to role; corrupt practices; relations with German civilians. Aspects of period as staff officer with 1st Commonwealth Div in South Korea, 1953: state of returning prisoners of war from North Korea; role and duties.