Interview with John Pomeroy Randle

British officer cadet trained with Officer Cadet Training Unit, British Indian Army, Bangalore, India, 3/1941-9/1941; officer served with 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt, 46th and 16th Indian Infantry Bdes, 17th Indian Infantry Div in India and Burma, 9/1941-5/1942; served with 7/10th Baluch Regt, 63rd Indian Infantry Bde, 17th Indian Infantry Div in India and Burma, 6/1942-8/1945; served with 2nd Bn Devonshire Regt, 131st Infantry Bde, 7th Armoured Div in Germany, 3/1946-5/1947; served with 1st Bn Devonshire Regt in Hong Kong, 10/1947-8/1948; staff officer served with Malaya Command in Singapore, Federation of Malaya, 8/1946-11/1949; student with Staff College, Camberley, GB, 1950; staff officer served with War Office, London, GB, 1951-1952; officer served with 1st Bn Devonshire Regt, 39th Infantry Bde in Kenya, 3/1953-5/1955; staff officer served as brigade major with 130th Infantry Bde, 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Div in GB, 9/1955-9/1957; student with Royal Naval College, Greenwich, GB, 9/1957-8/1958; served with 1st Bn Devonshire and Dorset Regt in Cyprus, 1958-1960; staff officer served as Personal Military Secretary to commander of I Corps, British Army of the Rhine in West Germany, 5/1960-8/1962; commanded 1st Bn Devonshire and Dorset Regt in GB and British Guiana, 1962-1965; staff officer served with Ministry of Defence in London, GB, 5/1965-1/1968; staff officer served with Headquarters, Army Strategic Command in GB, 1/1968-1/1971; served as Divisional Brigadier with Headquarters, Prince of Wales's Division in GB, 1/1971-9/1973; served as Brigadier Overseas Detachments, United Kingdom Land Forces in Salisbury, GB, 9/1973-9/1976

REEL 1 Background in GB, 1921-1939: family; education; interest in serving in India; training with Officer Training Corps at Berkhamstead School including map reading, tactics and instructors; anticipation of coming war, 1938; opinion of Japan; enlistment in Inns of Court Regiment. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Highland Chieftain and HMT Windsor Castle from GB to India via South Africa, 1/1940-2/1941: embarking after mustering of British Indian Army cadets at Aldershot Garrison; conditions on board HMT Highland Chieftain; ashore in Durban, South Africa; lecture aboard Windsor Castle; description of racist incident involving New Zealanders in Durban; arrival in Bombay. Recollections of training period as officer cadet with Officer Training School, Bangalore, India, 3/1941-9/1943: move to Bangalore; initial impressions of Bangalore; opinion of training. REEL 2 Continues: question of quality of officer instructors; opinion of British NCO instructors; physical training; field training; platoon and company tactics; emphasis on frontier warfare; lecture given by veterans who had served in the Middle East; reasons for joining 10th Baluch Regt. Aspects of period as officer with B Coy, 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt, 46th Indian infantry Bde, 17th Indian Infantry Div in India, 9/1941-1/1942: posting to 7/10th Bn; composition of battalion; joining battalion in Madras; mobilisation of 17th Indian Infantry Div; shortage of officers; reaction to becoming company commander; presence of experienced Indian officers in battalion; question of language difficulties; illiteracy of soldiers; conveying orders orally; mentality of Indian Other Ranks; question of leadership, politics, religion and culture of Indian troops; degree of knowledge of cultural background of troops; effects of Ramadan; character of field rations. REEL 3 Continues: health; level of training in unit; use of light machine gun; issue of Thompson Machine Gun; clothing; opinion of signals equipment; lack of divisional artillery, armour and reconnaissance elements; adaptability of British Indian Army troops; unit transport. Recollections of operations as officer with B Coy, 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt, 46th Indian Infantry Bde, 17th indian Infantry Div in Burma, 1/1942-2/1942: arrival in Rangoon and move to River Sittang, 1/1942; initial impressions of Burma; character of terrain in first positions; psychological effect on troops of quality of water; deployment on west bank of River Salween; move to Kuzeik opposite Pa-an; nature of positions at Kuzeik; lack of effective all round defence; attack by 215th Infantry Regt, Imperial Japanese Army, 11/2/1942-12/2/1942; degree of vision on moonlight nights; loss of company runner; withdrawal to main positions; character of slit trenches. REEL 4 Continues: effect of Imperial Japanese Army Air Service aircraft dive-bombing battalion; close quarter fighting as 215th Regt, Imperial Japanese Army overran positions; Imperial Japanese Army tactics; escape through Imperial Japanese Army lines during second assault; journey to regain British lines; help to cross river with 1/7th Bn Gurkha Rifles; battalion casualties; attitude towards Japanese; degree of knowledge of jungle fighting tactics; reforming of battalion into two companies; crossing Sittang Bridge; under fire from Pagoda Hill; supporting 4/12th Bn Frontier Force Regt; question of strength of defensive positions on River Sittang; Japanese tactics; degree of knowledge of tactical situation. REEL 5 Continues: blowing of the Sittang Bridge; aiding troops swimming River Sittang; sight of 2nd Bn Duke of Wellington (West Riding) moving up and falling back; question of collaboration of Burmese with Japanese forces; degree of knowledge Burma and Burmese; question of morale of British Indian Army troops especially Pathans and Punjabis; a case of desertion; contrast in temperament of Pathans and Punjabis; situation at Pegu; effect of Imperial Japanese Army Air Force pattern bombing at Pegu; loss of transport at Sittang Bridge. Aspects of operations as officer with 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt, 16th Indian Infantry Bde, 17th Indian Infantry Bde in Burma, 2/1942-5/1942: amusing story of official looting in Rangoon; question of lack of shortages during retreat; evacuation to field ambulance unit with septic leg; conditions on board hospital ship on River Irrawaddy; train to Mandalay; return to battalion. REEL 6 Continues: meeting with senior British officers; commanding Dogra Coy; characteristics of Dogras; memories of Brigadier who blew Sittang Bridge; character of marches towards Imphal, India via River Chindwin; role collecting stragglers; loss of sleeper; lack of information about position of Imperial Japanese Army; condition of Indian refugees; reaction to ending of retreat at Imphal, 5/1942. Recollections of period as officer with 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt, 63rd Indian Infantry Bde, 17th Indian Infantry Div in India, 6/1942-8/1943: reorganisation of unit and appointment to adjutant; physical condition of troops on Ledo Road; change of role of unit to a reconnaissance battalion at Ranchi; training troop to ride horses and look after mules; tactical and communication problems; mixing of companies; question of usefulness of concept of reconnaissance battalions; problems with horses and mules in action; degree of intelligence Japanese obtained from Burmese; move to Imphal, 1/1943. REEL 7 Continues: continuing training in Shillong; inspection by Field Marshall Archibald Wavell at Ranchi; re-organisation of 17th Indian Infantry Div as light division; role as adjutant; court martial of deserters and reading death sentence of Pathan havildar to battalion; importance of theatrical behaviour during court martial procedures; encouragement of sport; administrative burden of caring for animals; origin of horses and mules; maintenance of battalion Willys Jeeps; recreational activities for troops and officers; sight of survivors of First Chindit Expedition. Recollections of operations as officer with 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt, 63rd Indian Infantry Bde, 17th Indian Infantry Div in India and Burma, 1/1943-12/1944: move into Chin Hills; complications of night marches; difficulty of loading mules onto trains and boats; contracting jaundice; rates of movement; bivouac halts on march. REEL 8 Continues: character of march from Shillong to Dimapur; movement by vehicle from Dimapur to Imphal, India; road controls; method of returning to battalion on Tiddim Road, India; orders to leave horses on Tiddim Road, India; attachment of section of Ordnance QF 25 Pounder Field Guns; patrolling River Manipur, India; terrain on Tiddim Road, India; amusing story of relations with Chin tribesmen; character of Chin village; positions on Points 6052 and 7231; patrolling; use of Willys Jeeps and mules; organisation of battalion headquarters; start of Imperial Japanese Army offensive; use of artillery to defend A Coy; relations with artillery gunners. REEL 9 Continues: use of registered Defensive Fires zones; choice of unit positions; lack of anticipation of Imperial Japanese Army offensive; work as adjutant; daily routine; description of summary court martial; memories of commanding officer; visit by psychiatrists; night-time duties; nature of discipline in British Indian Army; problems with water supply; state of health; gradual increase in contacts with Imperial Japanese Army troops, 1/1944; fire at brigade headquarters' mess. REEL 10 Continues: supplementing rations; distribution of rum; celebrations of religious festivals; degree of knowledge of Imperial Japanese forces; Imperial Japanese Army casualties during attack on A Coy; A Coy casualties; Imperial Japanese Army officer killed with machine gun; disposal of Imperial Japanese Army dead; withdrawal towards Imphal, India; character of Tiddim, Burma; importance of relations with staff officer; citations for award of decorations; importance of decorations to British Indian Army troops; joining Tonforce at Tonzang, Burma; prior recollection of use of horses; Imperial Japanese Army attack on Richmond Position at Tonzang, Burma; attack by 3rd Bn Indian National Army, 4/1944; battalion casualties at Richmond Position, Tonzang, Burma; Imperial Japanese Army roadblocks. REEL 11 Continues: terrain at Tonzang, Burma; patrolling and use of mountain guns; redeployment after loss of Richmond Position, Tonzang, Burma; Imperial Japanese Army tactics; conduct of withdrawal; disbandment of Tonforce; forced marches to Imphal, India; limitations of machine guns in Chin Hills, Burma; Imperial Japanese Army infiltration tactics and use of road blocks; conduct of forced marches; reorganisation of battalion on arrival at Imphal, India; loss of horses and mules; creation of Lukriforce; Imperial Japanese Army attack on Red Hill, Imphal, India, 21/5/1944; terrain on Red Hill, Imphal, India; direction of Imperial Japanese Army attack; unsuccessful attack on Imperial Japanese Army positions on Red Hill, Imphal, India; opinion of Imperial Japanese Army commander on Red Hill, Imphal, India; nature of Imperial Japanese Army positions at Red Hill, Imphal, India. REEL 12 Continues: Imperial Japanese Army withdrawal from Red Hill, Imphal, India, 29/5/1944; 63rd Indian Infantry Bde move to Silchar Track, India; refusal of commanding officer to attack on strong Imperial Japanese Army positions; nature of terrain on Silchar Track, India; his control of fire support; character of battalion headquarters; supporting artillery; casualties to friendly fire; nature of positions; sight of Gurkha troops' counter-attack; nature of fighting on Silchar Track, India; Imperial Japanese Army use of flame-throwers; Imperial Japanese Army style of attack; opinion of Imperial Japanese Army artillery and mortars; use of artillery against Imperial Japanese Army troops; method of clearing Imperial Japanese Army trenches; lack of casualty replacements; casualties amongst 1/4th (Prince of Wales' Own) Bn Gurkha Rifles' officers; question of survival being a matter of luck; method of dressing as ordinary soldier; morale; role in holding ground. REEL 13 Continues: problems of Imperial Japanese Army communications; commanding rifle company during attack on Imperial Japanese Army gun positions; distance to objective; location for fighting patrols; subhadar conducting of ambush on Imperial Japanese Army position; use of 'jitter' patrol; Imperial Japanese Army abandoning of gun positions; relations between Dogras and Pathans; effect of monsoon conditions on rations, health and equipment; measures taken to protect weapons; question of importance of mail amongst British Indian Army troops; lack of leave; question of reputation of East African troops; withdrawal to Imphal, India; move to Ranchi, India; leave in Delhi and Assam, India; attending tactical course; organising unit tactical course; importance of using scouts. REEL 14 Continues: training in patrol techniques and signaling in action; use of field signs; question of British Indian Army troops adaptability to military life; duration of tactical courses; method of training unit; handling Pathan troops; use of jungle ranges; emphasis on NCO training; absorption of recruits. Recollections of operations as officer with 7/10th Baluch Regt, 63rd Indian Infantry Bde, 17th Indian Infantry Div in Burma, 1/1945-8/1945: motorisation of unit at Imphal, India; debussing and harbouring drills; motorised movement south through Kabaw Valley into central Burma; joining Indian armoured brigade; problems of communication with armour. REEL 15 Continues: blowing up in minefield; question of operating with tanks; degree of integration with armoured element of brigade; role of unit during capture of Meiktila; sight of Imperial Japanese Army field hospital on fire at Meiktila; function of company sweeps; tanks used against Japanese bunkers; infantry co- operation with tanks; character of Japanese defensive positions at Red House, Meiktila; use of artillery and mortar support; function of company sweeps; character of motorised road movement; accidental firing on unit by British Army troops; orders not to harm Burmese; surprising Imperial Japanese Army with Burmese girls; use of phosphorous grenades against bunkers; character and layout of Meiktila; reaction to conditions in Imperial Japanese Army field hospital; capture of Meiktila; patrolling; attack on Japanese goods train; advance south to Point 500, Pyawbwe. REEL 16 Continues: nature of actions around Meiktila, 3/1945; degree of Imperial Japanese Army opposition; effectiveness of air resupply; occasion when he was put under arrest for theft of parachute; innovations he applied to his defensive positions; Imperial Japanese Army approach to field of fire; use of punjis; occasion when he was deafened by Imperial Japanese Army anti-tank mine, 3/1945; use of booby-traps; action against Imperial Japanese Army at Point 900; reaction to killing of one hundred and twenty Imperial Japanese Army troops; nature of attack at Point 900; attitude of armoured personnel; formation of unit for attack on Point 900; use of bodyguard; composition of company; role of company officer; arrival of new Indian commanding officer; duration of attack at Point 900; behaviour of battalion troops during attack; physical condition of Imperial Japanese Army soldiers. REEL 17 Continues: unit casualties; degree of knowledge about Japanese forces' morale; 17th Indian Infantry Div's move into reserve; taking lead from 5th Indian Infantry Div; character of advance; importance of taking Rangoon before monsoon; character of attack on hill at Pegu; battalion casualties; Imperial Japanese Army positions; method of breaking up Imperial Japanese Army counter-attack; Imperial Japanese Army use of tanks; method of communicating with artillery and calling for defensive fire; problems with Imperial Japanese Army mortar fire; advance against Imperial Japanese Army positions; effect of Japanese forces' blowing bridge over River Pegu; start of monsoon; deployment of 17th Indian Infantry Div to block escape of Japanese forces' from Arakan; treatment of Japanese prisoner of war taken at Pegu; physical condition of Japanese forces' retreating from Arakan; reasons for Imperial Japanese Army diversionary attacks; attitude of Burmese towards Japanese; experiment with elephant transport and experimental mortars. REEL 18 Continues: reaction to long period of service in Burma; move to lower reaches of River Sittang; attitude towards orders for aggressive patrolling and potential assault crossing of River Sittang; reaction to news of use of atomic bombs on Japan, 8/1945; memories of VJ Day. Aspects of period as officer with 7/10th Baluch Regt, 63rd Indian Infantry Bde, 17th Indian Infantry Div in Burma, 8/1945: accommodation in Buddhist monastery; surrender of 18th Infantry Div, Imperial Japanese Army; decision on treatment of Japanese prisoners of war; instructions on disarmament of 18th Infantry Div, Imperial Japanese Army including surrender of swords; use of Japanese prisoners of war for fatigue duties; fraternisation with Imperial Japanese Army officers; behaviour of Japanese prisoners of war; Gurkha guest night and ceremony at Pa-An; evolution of battalion during Burma Campaign. REEL 19 Continues: importance of air support and air transport; prior recollection use of close air support at Meiktila; limitations of air support; opinion of Chindit operations. Aspects of operations with 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt against Dacoits in Burma, 1945-1946: character of Dacoits; ambush on his platoon and capture of shotgun; bayonet charge on Dacoits caught robbing bus; Gurkha use of Q bus against Dacoits; Burma Police treatment of captured Dacoits; escape of Dacoit leader Na Mo; patrolling against Dacoit activity; reconstruction of civil administration; role as acting district officer; Imperial Japanese Army reatment of Dacoits; relations with village headman; British Indian Army troops attitude to operations against Dacoits; number and organisation of Dacoits; Dacoit weapons. Aspects of return to GB and period as officer with 2nd Bn Devonshire Regt, 131st Infantry Bde, 7th Armoured Div in Germany, 3/1946-5/1947: gazetting into Devonshire Regiment; question of being overdue for repatriation; choice of regiment. REEL 20 Continues: impressions of GB, 1945; posting to battalion at Lüneburg, Germany; adjusting to serving with British Army troops; contrast in serving with British Indian Army and British Army troops; regional origin of unit; effects of demobilisation, 1946; condition of German civilians; black market; relations between British Army troops and German female civilians; role defending German former prisoner of war camp commandant; guard duties and border patrols; effect of orders to stop fraternisation and black market activities. Aspects of period as officer with 1st Bn Devonshire Regt in Hong Kong, 10/1947-8/1948: posting to New Territories in Hong Kong; reaction to possibility of deployment to Shanghai, China; question of threat to Hong Kong; training of National Service conscripts; training areas; lack of civil unrest and relations with Chinese. REEL 21 Continues: internal security situation. Aspects of period as staff officer with Malaya Command in Federation of Malaya, 8/1948-11/1949: setting up of Far East Land Forces Training Centre at Johore Bahru; role as staff officer; daily routine and character of administration work; subjects studied for staff college; duty officer at Headquarters, Malaya Command during Yangtse Incident, 1949; character of operations room; lack of jungle training in Federation of Malaya, pre-1948; emphasis on jungle survival; role of Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Walker; role of Gurkha officers in jungle training. REEL 22 Continues: Aspects of period as student at Staff College, Camberley, GB, 1950: syllabus; question of tactical concepts being based on Second World War; character of General Staff Science Course; battlefield tour; tri-service aspects of course; methods of instruction; basing enemy on Soviet forces. Aspects of period as staff officer with War Office, London, GB, 1951-1952: quartermaster role; problems with HM Treasury in providing winter clothing for Korean War. Recollections of operations as adjutant with 1st Bn Devonshire Regt, 39th Infantry Bde in Kenya, 3/1953-5/1955: rejoining unit as adjutant at Colchester Garrison, GB, 1953; preparations for move to Kenya; condition of battalion; opinion of National Service conscripts; problems of altitude on initial deployment at Molo; deployment in Aberdare Mountains and Gilgil. REEL 23 Continues: degree of knowledge of unit's role; evolution of rules of engagement; patrolling and use of informers; co-operation with Kenya Police and civil administration; use of operational committees; use of defended base areas; use of Kikuyu Home Guard; problems of language; basis for Mau Mau support; use of trackers in Aberdare Mountains; strength of patrols; opinion of Kenya Police; system of paid informers; activities of Mau Mau insurgents; Mau Mau ambush on platoon; capture of Mau Mau 'general'; attitude towards Kikuyu people and behaviour of white settlers; lack of discussion with Other Ranks about situation; visits by politicians; character of terrain; hazards with animals especially rhinos; reasons for unit casualties; air resupply by Kenya Police Air Wing Reserve. REEL 24 Continues: lessons learnt in Kenya; importance of political base for operations; value to NCOs of operational counter-insurgency experience. Aspects of period as staff officer with 130th Infantry Bde, 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Div in GB, 9/1955-9/1957: return to GB; attending company commander's course at Warminster; lack of development of tactical ideas between 1945-1955; emphasis on fighting in Europe; role as brigade major with 130th Infantry Bde; importance of having wartime experienced headquarters staff; relations with brigade commander; method of handling west country soldiers; relations with territorial officers; behaviour of territorial volunteers; 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Div exercise with simulation of nuclear explosion; weapons and equipment; transport; weapons skills; turnover of personnel; attitude of employers; sources of recruits. REEL 25 Continues: stability in doctrine and training; character of exercises including telephone battles; organisation of battalion headquarters in field; restrictions on digging; mobile exercises; equipment of operations room in field; arrangements of maps. Aspects of period as student with Royal Naval College, Greenwich, GB, 9/1957-8/1958: comparison between courses at Greenwich and Camberley; organisation of course; question of collaboration amongst students; syllabus; Royal Navy officers' attitude towards British Army officers; use of library and visits to naval establishment; emphasis on direction of warfare; attitude of Royal Navy officers to staff work; attitude to attending course. Recollections of operations as company commander with 1st Bn Devon and Dorset Regt in Cyprus, 1958-1960: attitude towards amalgamation of regiments; disposal of surplus officers. REEL 26 Continues: problems with regimental regalia; initial role commanding headquarters company; move to support company which acted as rifle company; role with advanced party; relations with 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's); character of operational area; demographic structure; search and cordon operations; effect of political developments; tour for NCOs of ambush sight; briefings on arrival; character of West Larnaca District Committee; effects of patrolling; character of patrols; embargo on night operations; use of tracker killer dog after ambush on 1st Bn Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regt; National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA) attempt to ambush his Landrover; lack of patrol contacts with National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA); nature of searches; degree of intelligence available; local protection of detached platoons. REEL 27 Continues: recreations for troops; question of availability of alcohol; threat of boredom; degree of knowledge of intervention operations; reverting to peace time soldiering; accommodation; restoration of skills in handling support weapons; forced march across Cyprus; behaviour of National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA) towards women; importance of good administration; ambush drills. Aspects of period as Personal Military Secretary to commander of I Corps, British Army of the Rhine in West Germany, 5/1960-8/1962: background to posting after attending General Staff Science Course at Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham; role with I Corps; duties; character of Exercise Spearpoint. REEL 28 Continues: activities of Soviet Military Mission; plans combat potential Soviet invasion of West Germany; estimate of Soviet capabilities; opinion of I Corps, Belgian Army; development of nuclear tactics; importance of Soviet bridging capabilities; effect of nuclear weapons on principles of operations; mobility of infantry; matters concerning selections and promotion of officers; problems with officers; memories of General Charles Jones attitudes; character of confidential reports; relations with brigadiers; reaction to soldiers' brawl in Sennelager; appointment of General Kenneth Darling; living conditions; lack of contact with German civilians and social life. Aspects of period as commanding 1st Bn Devonshire and Dorset Regt in GB, 1962-1964: background to posting to command unit in Plymouth. REEL 29 Continues: company on detached duty in Benghazi, Libya; visits to company in Libya including attending desert warfare exercise; attachment of Gurkha company to battalion; exercises with Royal Danish Army in Denmark; opinion of Danish Army troops; demands of hospitality duties and protocol; move to Northern Ireland; situation in Northern Ireland. Recollections of operations commanding 1st Bn Devonshire and Dorset Regt in British Guiana, 1964-1965: rapid move to British Guiana; situation in British Guiana, 1964; communal violence; deployment of unit; basing of unit at Georgetown and reinforcement by Royal Artillery personnel; operations in support of police; reasons for patrolling; role training home guard units; targets of violence by civil population; Communist influence in rice growing areas; attack on unit driver. REEL 30 Continues: driver's shooting of two insurgents; investigation into incident; relations with police; rotation of platoons; combating boredom and low morale; memories of Herbert 'H' Jones; quality of platoon commanders; role in devising operational policy; use of helicopters to visit unit and police; lack of civil unrest; problems of deploying to Georgetown; risk of venereal disease and problems with chaplain over issue of condoms; use of regimental police; reasons for court martial cases; lack of health problems; soldier bitten by vampire bat; relations with 1st Bn Buffs (Royal East Kent Regt); troops relations with women; situation on departure; supervision of General Elections; control of political meetings; award of Order of British Empire (OBE); return to GB. Aspects of period as staff officer with Ministry of Defence in London, GB, 5/1965-1/1968: handing over battalion and posting to Military Secrectary's Department; conduct of selection boards; introduction of grading system and promotion zones; use of confidential reports and preliminary boards; coloured list system; method of recommendation and decisions; serving on Women's Royal Army Corps Board; behaviour of Chaplain's Board. Aspects of period as staff officer with Headquarters, Army Strategic Command in GB, 1/1968-1/1971: reduction of old regional commands and establishment of command; role in charge of training; plans for deployment of brigades; training requirements; setting up of Northern Ireland Training and Advisory Team; process of training including requirement for crowd control; personal role and duties. REEL 32 Continues: search for new training areas; exercises in Africa and Caribbean; effects of constraints on training in GB and West Germany; political atmosphere during reconnaissance of Ethiopia; system of liaison with overseas military authorities; arrangements for exercises in Iceland; liaison with United States Army and United States Marine Corps; relations with Icelanders; origins of plan to use Iceland; exercises in Norway for training in winter warfare; relations with Norwegian forces; use of battlefield tours; battlefield tours to Tunisia and Italy; organisation of tours including use of veterans; role of battlefield tours in training junior officers; handling German military veterans; liaison with Tunisians. REEL 33 Continues: importance of reconnaissance of battlefield tours; changes after he left posting; amphibious training in Northern Ireland; question of fashionable nature of amphibious training; choice of site for landings. Aspects of period as Divisional Brigadier with Headquarters, Prince of Wales's Division in GB, 1/1971-9/1973: posting and duties as Divisional Brigadier; reorganisation of infantry brigades; liaison with Military Secretary Department; reasons for visits to battalions; dealing with regimental commanding officers; consequences of planned amalgamation; mobilisation roles; role as garrison commander; degree of threats from terrorism; recruitment area for division. REEL 34 Continues: centres for basic training; reasons for closure of depot in Exeter; syllabus controlled by Ministry of Defence; issue of Welsh language pamphlets. Aspects of period as Brigadier Overseas Detachments, United Kingdom Land Forces in Salisbury, GB, 9/1973-9/1976: responsibilities for Overseas Detachments; use of training teams; problems with Chieftain Tank engines; problems with Treasury over air travel; problems encountered with training team; dealing with HM Treasury over financial matters; reaction to non-selection as major-general; becoming regimental secretary on retirement; reasons for abolishing of post of Brigadier Overseas Detachments; reflections on career.