Interview with John Adair Johnson

British NCO served with No 44 (Royal Marine) Commando in GB, India and Arakan, Burma, 12/1943-8/1945

REEL 1 Background in Liverpool, GB, 1923-1939: family; education; employment. Aspects of period as civilian in Liverpool, 1939-1942: reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; duties as messenger with Air Raid Precautions during German Air Force bombing campaign; occasion when he saved St Anthony's Church from burning down; role he had in saving local public house and St Athanasius from burning down; effect of German Air Force bomb on air raid shelter in Walton; public morale and black market; attitude towards German Air Force aircrew. Aspects of enlistment as marine in Royal Marines in GB, 1942: how state of feet effected his marching ability; attempt to becoming wireless operator/air gunner in Royal Air Force; volunteering for Royal Marines. Recollections of training as marine with Royal Marines in GB, 1942-1943: training at Lympstone; posting to 3rd Bn Royal Marines; transfer to commandos; reception at Spean Bridge; arrival at Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry, 7/9/1943; coping with commando course at Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry, 7/9/1943-2/10/1943; promotion to sergeant; death of Corporal Arthur Dooley in mortar accident, 19/9/1943; running the Dark Mile at Achnacarry. REEL 2 Continues: post-war visits to Achnacarry; attending unveiling of Commando Memorial at Lochaber near Spean Bridge. Aspects of period as NCO with No 44 (Royal Marine) Commando, 3rd Special Service Bde in GB, 1943: move with advance party to Hythe; billeting arrangements in Hythe; story of reception in Hythe; amusing story of comrade's night-time escapades; journey to Liverpool, 11/1943; story of attempt to see his newly married wife in Liverpool. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Reina Del Pacifico from GB to India, 11/1943-12/1944: nature of rations. REEL 3 Continues: relations between British Army personnel and Royal Marine commandos; sleeping arrangements for female passengers; amusing story of comrades revelation to female passengers; boxing match; German Air Force glider bomb attack on convoy in Mediterranean. Aspects of period as NCO with No 44 (Royal Marine) Commando, 3rd Special Service Bde in India, 1943-1944: arrival in Bombay, 12/1943; move to Kedgaon, 12/1943; Christmas celebrations at Kedgaon, 25/12/1943; vulture hunt in which holy tank was defiled; use of charwallahs; Indian method of extracting corns; strike-breaking duties in Bombay; obtaining pay from HMS Braganza; relations between commandos and civilians in Poona. REEL 4 Continues: leave in Saidapet near Madras, 8/1944; assault against rickshaw puller; Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) entertainments at Karakavalasa; reception of new commanding officer at Karakavalasa; Marine Officer Attendant system operated in Royal Marines; celebrations of VJ Day, 15/8/1945. Aspects of liberation of Hong Kong, 1945: discovery of Persian carpets and how he disposed of them; contact with elderly internee; acquiring comforts; memories of footballer Lee Wai Tong. REEL 5 Continues: Recollections of operations as NCO with No 44 (Royal Marine) Commando, 3rd Special Service Bde and 3rd Commando Bde in Arakan, Burma, 3/1944-3/1945: move to Arakan; landing on St Martin's Island, India at mouth of River Naf, 11/3/1944; use of American constructed Eureka Boat; attack on Alethangyaw, 11/3/1944-13/3/1944; wounding of Major John Macafee and mortal wounding of Second Lieutenant James MacKinnon at Alethangyaw, 11/3/1944; shooting of defecating Imperial Japanese Army soldier; Captain St John Hamlin's ability to navigate in jungle; death of NCO from Japanese grenade; opinion of American K-rations; plan for operation to land on Myebon Peninsula; consuming Royal Navy rum; use of United States Army Air Force North American B-25 Mitchell for air cover; problems of landing at Myebon, 12/1/1945; memories of Captain Kenneth Parish during landings at Myebon, 12/1/1945; description of Imperial Japanese Army bunkers; capture of Imperial Japanese Army heavy mortar; digging in on Hill 170 at Kangaw, 29/1/1945; Imperial Japanese Army use of air-bursts at Hill 170, 31/1/1945. REEL 6 Continues: narrow escape from Imperial Japanese Army bullet on Hill 170, 31/1/1945; question of chances of survival on Hill 170, 31/1/1945; nature of Imperial Japanese Army attack on Hill 170, 31/1/1945; death of Corporal Peter Kirby, 23/1/1945; attempt of marine to obtain compassionate leave and his subsequent fate; accidental killing of marines and subsequent destruction of their graves; holding positions at Nahkaungdo ('No-Can-Do'), 21/3/1944; use of sampans; memories of Bill Gibson; story of capsizing of sampans and drowning of marine; contact with troops from 81st (West African) Infantry Div; going ashore at Akyab Island; Imperial Japanese Army Air Service aircraft attack on Akyab; starting to smoke on twenty first birthday. REEL 7 Continues: visit of United States Army Air Force at Akyab Island; opinion of Lady Edwina Mountbatten; attitude to having served with Royal Marines in Burma during Second World War; medical effects of service in Burma.