McLane, Martin (Oral history)

British NCO served with 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, France and Belgium, 1939-1940

REEL 1 Background as civilian and NCO in GB 1912-1939: trained as fitter and turner; effects of General Strike; decision to join army; refusal on height grounds from Tank Corps; refusal from Northumberland Fusiliers; posted for training to Durham Light Infantry; enjoyment of army life; Led Zeppelin seen during First World War; memories of father; stories of courting and marrying wife. Aspects of period as NCO with 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1939: duties as NCO instructor at Woking Barracks and gaining promotion through ranks; relationship with troops; posting as mortar platoon NCO; description of 3" mortar; mobilisation and handover of weapons to a Territorial unit. Aspects of operations as NCO with 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in France and Belgium, 5/1940-6/1940: problems with weapons in France; preparations to move into Belgium; bombing of Douai; morale in battalion; march into Belgium; promotion to platoon commander; story of reporting for duties before rejoining battalion; story of manor house occupants while looking for positions on River Dyle; destruction of bridge over Dyle; battle with Germans; creation of mortar observation point; make-up of mortar crew; firing of mortar; ranging the mortar; sound of mortar; igniting of bomb; impact of mortar; performance of himself and troops in battle; reiteration of the firing of a mortar including orders given; pride in troops; opinion of performance of platoon and activities of C Company. REEL 2 Continues: duties as NCO; scenes of battle and excitement of being at war; story of ammunition run; reason for seeing little of fighting and for receiving few orders for mortars; duties within platoon; German advance; accidental firing on a British unit; orders to withdraw; reactions to orders; reiteration of accidental firing on a British unit; story of near suicide in reaction to accident; Richard Annand's actions on River Dyle including description of a Mills bomb explosion; wounding and evacuation of Annand; return of Annand to retrieve batman; withdrawal if mortar platoon on milk cart; description of Scottish Regiment passed through; reason for using milk cart and later burial of mortar; reactions to events; march towards coast and knowledge of destination; position dug near Brussels; barrier built on road to halt tanks; description and opinion of Boyes Anti-Tank Rifle; plan for ambush of tanks; arrival of Royal Artillery; suggestion Artillery could have been 5th Columnist; withdrawal from barrier; state of troops; positions taken in Tournai; posting of platoon in reserve; search for food; shelling from approaching Germans; destruction of bridge; scout cars left across river; tiredness of troops on march; scenes of cows left behind; absence of vehicles; disappearance of A and C Companies and marching in fours; withdrawal and march over French-Belgian border; return through area occupied previous winter; state of feet; rations; eating of emergency rations; reactions during a bayonet charge; opinion of army training; discovery of C Company and their remains following a bayonet attack. REEL 3 Continues: reactions of troops in relation to the equipment situation; communication problems of artillery; communications; opinion that ill equipped for modern warfare and required automatic weapons; knowledge of event in GB; position taken in St Venant; state of battalion; position of platoon; talk with Captain Gregson; shelling of road and wounding of Gregson; arrangement of help for Captain Gregson; appointment as 2nd in command of D Company; death of Gregson; reaction to seeing Captain Gregson wounded; memories of Captain Gregson; reactions of platoon commanders to his appointment; acceptance of responsibility; reactions as 2nd in command; selection and results of a reconnaissance patrol; Stand To; approach of Germans; overrunning of company; wounding of Dave Walt and other troops; SOS signal sent up; ordered all men for himself; orders given to troops before withdrawal; movement across field; decision to leave wounded troops behind unaided; anger at machine gunners found making tea. REEL 4 Continues: acceptance of responsibility following battle; story of Fitch's death and need to carry on during battle; importance of religion among troops; opinion of padre Captain Richards; crossing of River Lys; journey through forest; arrival at prepared position and talk with Major; orders and abandonment by Major; evacuation of Walker; arrival at 2nd Battalion B Echelon; effects of a sweet cup of tea; state of battalion; formation of a road blockade; organisation of the battalion's remnants; movement along road and search on farm for food; story of wait for remnants of battalion and news they had been picked up by truck; scenes of the withdrawal to Dunkirk; reactions to news of evacuation; ordering of troops and padre onto lorries; start of walk to Dunkirk; reiteration of scenes of the withdrawal to Dunkirk; opinion that war was not over and thoughts for troops; opinion that equal to Germans and could defeat them; story of troops looking for him; scenes of burning lorries and horses; naval gun in Popperinge; destruction of lorries; hunt for food; reactions to destruction of army equipment; opinion of French tanks; volume of traffic on roads; crossing of canals outside Dunkirk; collapse on beach; search for food; test of puncture proof tyres and anger of French fireman whose truck it was; reactions of troops in beach; meeting on hill for organisation of parties to be evacuated; arrival of officer looking for 2nd Division troops; orders from officer; reaction to officer's orders; handover to Cameron Highlanders; reactions of soldiers to situation; orders from officer at Popperinge; gathering of weapons and infantrymen for stand. REEL 5 Continues: step-up to become company commander; attitude of officers and himself to situation; orders to return to beach; reunion with platoon runner; report to Brigade Headquarters; orders to hold last line of bridges; talk given to platoon; truck shown and disappearance of senior NCOs; arrival on bridge and setting up of defences; description and use of 25lb gun present; setting up of igniter set; blockade built on bridge; troops coming through position; scenes on beach; approach of French and British officers and disconnection of igniter set; news of mutiny from non-Durham Light Infantry troops; explanation of orders on bridge; method of dealing with mutineers; reaction of troops; memories of Durham Light Infantry troops present; opinion of mutineering troops; arrival of officer to take command and orders given; withdrawal from bridge; description of mole; news given on mole and shelling of pier; description of troops hit by shell; opinion that would not kill wounded comrade; reactions to news of sunken ships; tea given by ambulances; wounded troops killed from air in ambulances; breaching of guns; boarding of boat including equipment taken onboard; near bombing of boat. Aspects of period as NCO with 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, from 6/1940: arrival in Dover; reception in port; boarding of train; letter written home; arrival in bell tent; Netherhole band; collection of guns by Canadian officer; opinion of Navy's performance at Dunkirk; casualties from evacuation; RAF involvement in Battle of France; troops reactions to RAF; opinion of government. REEL 6 Continues: leave and morale of civilians; morale of troops; opinion of Winston Churchill; memories of listening to We will fight them on the beaches speech; opinion of why some troops turned to drink; role on return to GB and posting in Bridlington; orders to take positions on Hamilton Hill; description of prepared positions; new positions dug; reprimands for digging new positions and for manning prepared positions; pill boxes built on hill; story of troops getting drunk on duty and men killed on Hamilton Hill; police investigation and disappearance of Hope; story of code given for free telephone calls in Bridlington; reception in pubs for Dunkirk veterans; opinions of officers and changes to chain of command; invasion scare at Carnaby; reiteration of troops reaction to RAF's absence at Dunkirk; reiteration of threats made to mutineers and reactions of mutineers. REEL 7 Continues: Aspects of operations as NCO with 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in France and Belgium, 5/1940-6/1940: positions taken by Durham Light Infantry at River Dyle and targets; actions of Richard Annand; reactions of himself and troops to shooting at people for first time; reactions to orders for withdrawal; improvised hand signals given to platoon; reason for using hand signals; reactions to decisions of officer to send supplies back; reactions to going into war; scenes at Dunkirk upon arrival; shelter taken in dunes; orders to rendezvous to be put in groups; boats on sea; ordering into groups for evacuation; call for 2nd Division troops; threats from officers and reaction to them; gathering of troops and weapons to form company; search for food; request for help from officers; difficulties digging positions; withdrawal to beach; arrival of platoon runner; reports to brigade headquarters; orders to take positions on final bridge; reactions to seeing bodies and boats in sea.