Jones, Edwin Thomas (Oral history)

British NCO served with 4th Bn King's Shropshire Light Infantry in GB and North West Europe, 1943-1945

REEL 1 Background in Hereford, 1923-1942: family; education; German Air Force attacks on Hereford. Enlistment and training with King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 1942: enlistment, 1/1942; journey to Copthorne Barracks, Shrewsbury; basic training; reasons for turning down offer to become instructor; signals course. Period with 4th Bn King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 159 Bde, 11th Armoured Div in GB, 1942-1943: joining unit at West Tofts; transfer to 7 Platoon, A Coy, early 1943; training with tanks; life in Breckland, 1942-1943; sealing off of Breckland Battle Area; billeting and training in Hornsea area; Combined Operations training at Inverary c4/1944; concentrating in Aldershot, 6/1944; cancelling of regimental day, 6/6/1944; move to Haywards Heath. Recollections of operations as NCO with 7 Platoon, A Coy, 4th Bn King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 159 Bde, 11th Armoured Div in Normandy, 6/1944-8/1944: disembarking from Rhinos at Aubin-sur-Mer, 13/6/1944; attempt to capture Hill 112 during Operation Epsom; character of shelling at Hill 112; forward observation officer's organisation of Allied fire at Hill 112. REEL 2 Continues: German sniper's technique; sacking of officers in brigade; narrow escape whilst shaving; use of carrying parties and 'dumpers'; initial rations on arrival in Normandy; attitude towards German troops; state and behaviour of German POWs; casualties in reserve; method of bathing; start of Operation Goodwood; attempts to negotiate railway embankment; character of Operation Goodwood; casualties in cornfields during operation; clearing Bourgebus Ridge; German artillery observers use of church; accident with petrol can; discovery of live naval shell; morale of unit after Operation Goodwood; move to Caumont-St Lo area; start of Operation Bluecoat were he was left out of battle; loss of best friend Donald Watkins. REEL 3 Continues: capture of St Martin; casualties from German mortar fire at Pont de Vire; role of 11th Armoured Div in Falaise Gap; sight of destruction in Falaise Gap. Recollections operations as NCO with 7 Platoon, A Coy, 4th Bn King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 159 Bde, 11th Armoured Div in North West Europe, 1944-1945: crossing River Seine at Vernon; attitude of British troops to French Resistance treatment of female collaborators; character of advance to Antwerp, 9/1944; reception in Antwerp; action in Antwerp park, 9/1944; capture of German general and locking POWs in lion cage; crossing Albert Canal; escape from encirclement on Albert Canal; role of unit during Operation Market Garden. REEL 4 Continues: blowing up of ferry house on River Maas; sniping at Germans at Lottum on River Maas; Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1944; capture of Voelon; patrolling on River Maas; discovery of Dutch family in hiding; move to Griedtsveen; further patrolling work in Peel country; German ambush in Peel Country; high water table, 11/1944; capture of Amerika, 11/1944; capture of Udem; supporting 3rd Div at Overloon, 10/1944; narrow escape from being shot in back at Smakt; training with Comet tanks; crossing River Rhine, 3/1945; leave in GB, 3/1945. REEL 5 Continues: problems in transit on returning to unit; German aircraft attacks in River Elbe area; Comet tank attack on railway engine; comparison between Comet and Sherman tanks; discovery of body of German girl killed by Russian troops; behaviour of Russian troops in Bad Oldesloe area; end of war at Flensburg. Aspects of Occupation of Germany, 1945-1946: problem of controlling Displaced Persons in Flensburg and Cleves areas; lack of effectiveness of non- fraternisation order; blowing up of ship in Flensburg harbour. Nature of Normandy campaign. Attitude to having served with 4th Bn King's Shropshire Light Infantry in Second World War. Aspects of operations as NCO with 7 Platoon, A Coy, 4th Bn King's Shropshire Light Infantry in Asten, Netherlands, 9/1944: character of fighting in Asten-Sommeren area; house clearing; rescue of rabbit; halting of German counter-attack.