Randle, John Pomeroy (Oral history)

British officer cadet served with Indian Army in India, 1941; officer served with 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt in India and Burma, 1941-1946; served with 2nd and 1st Bns Devonshire Regt in Germany, Hong Kong and Singapore, Malaya, 1946-1948; served staff officer in Singapore, Malaya and GB, 1948-1952; served with 1st Bn Devonshire Regt in Kenya, 1953-1955; served as staff officer with 130 Bde, 43rd Div in GB, 1955-1958; served with 1st Bn Devon and Dorset Regt in Cyprus, 1958-1959; served as staff officer with 1st British Corps in Germany, 1960-1962; commanded 1st Bn Devon and Dorset Regt in GB and British Guiana, 1962-1965; served as staff officer in GB, 1965-1976

REEL 1 Background in GB, 1921-1939: family; education; interest in serving in India; training with OTC at Berkhamstead School including map reading, tactics and instructors; anticipation of coming war, 1938; views on Japan; enlistment with Inns of Court Regt. Aspects of voyage from GB to India via South Africa aboard Highland Chieftain and Windsor Castle, 1940-1941: embarking after mustering of Indian Army cadets at Aldershot; conditions on board Highland Chieftain; ashore in Durban; lecture aboard Windsor Castle; description of racist incident involving New Zealanders in Durban; arrival in Bombay. Recollections of training period as Indian Army cadet in India, 1941: 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 from veterans from Middle East; reasons for joining 10th Baluch Regt. Aspects of period as officer with B Coy, 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt in India, 1941-1942: posting to 7th Battalion; composition of unit; joining unit in Madras; moblisation of 17th Indian Div; shortage of officers; reaction to becoming company commander; experienced Indian officers; question of language difficulties; illiteracy of soldiers; conveying orders orally; mentality of Indian troops; 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 guns; clothing; opinion of signals equipment; lack of divisional artillery, armour and reconnaissance elements; adaptability of Indian troops; unit transport. Recollections of operations as officer with B Coy, 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt, 46 Bde, 17th Division at Kuseik in Burma, 1942: arrival in Rangoon and move to River Sittang; 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 Japanese 215 Regt; degree of vision on moonlight nights; loss of company runner; withdrawal to main positions; character of slit trenches. REEL 4 Continues: effect of Japanese dive bombing of unit; close quarter fighting as Japanese overran positions; Japanese tactics; escape through Japanese lines during second assault; journey to regain British lines; help to cross river with 1/7th Gurkha Rifles; unit casualties; attitude towards Japanese; degree of knowledge of jungle fighting tactics; re-forming of unit into two companies. Recollections of operations as officer with 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt at River Sittang, Burma, 1942: crossing railway bridge; under-fire from Pagoda Hill; supporting 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's moving up and falling back; question of collaboration of Burmese with Japanese; degree of knowledge Burma and Burmese; question of morale of Indian troops especially Pathans and Punjabis; a case of desertion; contrast in temperament of Pathans and Punjabis. Recollections of operations as officer with 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt during retreat from Burma, 1943: situation at Pegu; effect of Japanese pattern bombing at Pegu; loss of transport at Sittang Bridge; 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 unit. 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 via River Chindwin; role collecting stragglers; loss of sleeper; lack of information about position of Japanese; condition of Indian refugees; reaction to ending of retreat at Imphal. Recollections of period as officer with 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt in India, 1942-1943: 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, early 1943. REEL 7 Continues: continuing training in Shillong; inspection by Field Marshall Wavell at Ranchi; re-organisation of 17th Indian Div as light division; role as adjutant; court martial of deserters and reading death sentence 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 jeeps; recreation for troops and officers; sight of survivors of First Chindit Expedition. Recollections of operations as officer with 7/10th Bn Baluch Regt in Chin Hills, Burma, 1943-1944: 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; road controls; method of returning to unit on Tiddim Road; orders to leave horses on Tiddim Road; attachment of section of 25 Pounders; patrolling Manipur River; terrain on Tiddim Road; amusing story of relations with Chin tribesmen; character of Chin village; positions on Points 6052 and 7231; patrolling; use of jeeps and mules; organisation of battalion headquarters; start of Japanese 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 Japanese offensive; work as adjutant; daily routine; description of summary court martial; memories of commanding officer; visit by psychiatrists; nighttime duties; nature of discipline in Indian Army; problems with water supply; state of health; gradual increase in contacts with Japanese, early 1944; fire at brigade headquarters' mess. REEL 10 Continues: supplementing rations; distribution of rum; celebrations of religious festivals; degree of knowledge of Japanese; Japanese casualties during attack on A Coy; A Coy casualties; Japanese officer killed with machine gun; disposal of Japanese dead; withdrawal towards Imphal; character of Tiddim; importance of relations with staff officer; citations for award of decorations; importance of decorations to Indian troops; joining Tonforce at Tonzang; prior recollection of use of horses; Japanese attack on Richmond position at Tonzang; character of attack by Indian National Army; unit casualties at Richmond; Japanese roadblocks. REEL 11 Continues: terrain at Tonzang; patrolling and use of mountain guns; redeployment after loss of Richmond positions; Japanese tactics; conduct of withdrawal; disbandment of Tonforce; forced marches to Imphal; limitations of machine guns in Chin Hills; Japanese infiltration tactics and use of road blocks; conduct of forced marches. Recollections of operations as adjutant with 7/10th Baluch Regt in Imphal area, 1944: re-organisation on arrival at Imphal; loss of horses and mules; creation of Lukriforce; Japanese attack on Red Hill; terrain on Red Hill; direction of Japanese attack; unsuccessful attack on Japanese positions on Red Hill; opinion of Japanese commander on Red Hill; character of Japanese positions. REEL 12 Continues: Japanese withdrawal from Red Hill; move to 63 Bde to Silchar Track; refusal of commanding officer to attack on strong Japanese positions; character of terrain on Silchar Track; his control of fire support; character of battalion headquarters; supporting artillery; casualties to friendly fire; character of positions; sight of Gurkha counter attack; nature of fighting on Silchar Track; Japanese use of flame-throwers; Japanese style of attack; opinion of Japanese artillery and mortars; use of artillery against Japanese; method of clearing Japanese trenches; lack of casualty replacements; casualties amongst 1/4th Gurkha Rifles' officers; question of survival being a matter of luck; method of dressing as soldier; morale; role in holding ground. REEL 13 Continues: problems of Japanese communications; commanding rifle company during attack on Japanese gun positions; distance to objective; location for fighting patrols; Subhadar conducting of ambush on Japanese position; use of jittering patrol; Japanese 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 Indian troops; lack of leave; question of reputation of East African troops; withdrawal to Imphal. Aspects of period as officer with 7/10th Baluch Regt in India, 1944: move to Ranchi; leave in Dehli and Assam; 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 Indian troops adaptability to army 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 in Burma, 1/1945-8/1945: motorisation of unit at Imphal; 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 Japanese 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 troops; orders not to harm Burmese; surprising Japanese with Burmese girls; use of phosphorous grenades against bunkers; character and layout of Meiktila; reaction to conditions in Japanese field hospital; capture of Meiktila; patrolling; attack on Japanese goods train; advance south to Point 500. REEL 16 Continues: character of actions around Meiktila, 3/1945; degree of Japanese opposition; effectiveness of air resupply; occasion when he was put under arrest for theft of parachute; innovations he applied to his defensive positions; Japanese approach to field of fire; use of punjis; occasion when he was deafened by Japanese anti-tank mine; use of booby traps; action against Japanese at Point 900; reaction to killing of one hundred and twenty Japanese; character 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 troops during attack; physical condition of Japanese soldiers. REEL 17 Continues: unit casualties; degree of knowledge about Japanese morale; 17th Indian Div in reserve; taking lead from 5th Indian Div; character of advance; importance of taking Rangoon before monsoon; character of attack on hill at Pegu; unit casualties; Japanese positions; method of breaking up Japanese counter-attack; Japanese use of tanks; method of communicating with artillery and calling for defensive fire; problems with Japanese mortar fire; character of advance against Japanese positions; effect of Japanese blowing bridge over River Pegu; start of monsoon at Nongebin; deployment of 17th Indian Div to block escape of Japanese from Arakan; treatment of Japanese POW taken at Pegu; physical condition of Japanese from Arakan; reasons for Japanese 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; memories of VJ Day. Aspects of period with 7/10th Baluch Regt in Burma, 1945: accommodation in Buddhist monastery; surrender of Japanese 18th Div; decision on treatment of Japanese POWs; instructions on disarmament of division including surrender of swords; use of Japanese POWs for fatigues; fraternisation with Japanese officers; behaviour of Japanese POWs; Gurkha guest night and ceremony at Pa-An. Reflections of service in Burma Campaign, 1942-1945: evolution of battalion during Burma campaign. REEL 19 Continues: importance of air support and air transport; 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; Japanese treatment of Dacoits; relations with village headman; Indian troops attitude to operations against Dacoits; number and organisation of Dacoits; Dacoit weapons. Aspects of return to GB and transfer 2nd Bn Devonshire Regt in Germany, 3/1946-5/1947: gazetting into Devonshire Regt; overdue for repatriation; choice of regiment. REEL 20 Continues: impressions of GB, 1945; posting to unit at Luneberg, Germany; adjusting to serving with British troops; contrast in serving with Indian and British troops; regional origin of unit; effects of demobilisation, 1946; condition of German civilians; black market; relations between British troops and German female civilians; role defending German POW camp commandant; guard duties and border patrols; effect of orders to stop fraternisation and black market activities. Aspects of period as company commander of Support Coy, 1st Bn Devonshire Regt and staff officer in Hong Kong and Singapore, 10/1947-11/1949: posting to New Territories in Hong Kong; reaction to possibility of deployment to Shanghai; question of threat to Hong Kong; training of National Servicemen; training areas; lack of civil unrest and relations with Chinese. REEL 21 Continues: internal security situation; setting up of Jungle Warfare Training Centre; role as staff officer; daily routine and character of administration work; subjects studied for staff college; duty officer at General Headquarters during Yangtse Incident, 1949; character of GHQ operations room; lack of jungle training in Malaya, pre 1948; emphasis on jungle survival; role of Walter Walker; role of Gurkha officers in jungle training. REEL 22 Continues: Aspects of period as student at Staff College, Camberley, 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 Russian forces. Aspects of period as staff officer with War Office, 1951-1952: quartermaster role; problems with Treasury in providing winter clothing for Korea. Recollections of operations as adjutant with 1st Bn Devonshire Regt in Kenya, 3/1953-5/1955: re-joining unit as adjutant at Colchester, 1953; preapartions for move to Kenya; condition of battalion; opinion of National Servicemen; 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 Police Force 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 Aberdares; strength of patrols; opinion of Kenya Police; system of paid informers; activities of Mau Mau; Mau Mau ambush on platoon; capture of Mau Mau general; attitude towards Kikuyu and behavior 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 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 130 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 Divisional 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 Naval Staff College, Greenwich, 9/1957-8/1958: comparison between courses at Greenwich and Camberley; organisation of course; question of collaboration amongst students; syllabus; naval officers attitude towards army officers; use of library and visits to naval establishment; emphasis on direction of warfare; attitude of naval officers to staff work; attitude to course. Recollections of operations as company commander with 1st Bn Devon and Dorset Regt in Cyprus, 1958-1960: attitude towards amalgamation; disposal of surplus officers. REEL 26 Continues: problems with regimental regalia; initial role commanding Headquarter Company; move to Support Company which acted as rifle company; role with advanced party; relations with 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; 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 killerdog after ambush on 1st Bn Royal West Kent Regt; EOKA attempt to ambush his Landrover; lack of patrol contacts with EOKA; character 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 EOKA towards women; importance of good administration; ambush drills. Aspects of period as Personal Military Secretary to commander of 1st British Corps in Germany, 5/1960-8/1962: background to posting after attending General Staff Science Course at Shrivenham; role with 1st British Corps; duties; character of Exercise Spearpoint. REEL 28 Continues: activities of Soviet Military Mission; plans combat Russian invasion; estimate of Russian capabilities; opinion of Belgian Corps; development of nuclear tactics; importance of Russian 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 'Splosh' 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 officer of 1st Bn Devon and Dorset Regt in GB, 1962-1964: background to posting to command unit in Plymouth. REEL 29 Continues: company on detached duty in Benghazi; visits to company in Libya including attending desert warfare exercise; attachment of Gurkha company to unit; exercises with Danish Army in Denmark; opinion of Danish troops; demands of hospitality duties and protocol; move to Northern Ireland; situation in Northern Ireland. Recollections of operations as commanding officer with 1st Bn Devon 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; 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 VD and problems with padre 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; troops relations with women; situation on departure; supervision of General Elections; control of political meetings; award of Order of British Empire; return to GB. Aspects of period as staff officer with Ministry of Defence in 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; served on WRAC board; behaviour of Chaplain's board. Aspects of period as staff officer with Headquarters, Army Strategic Command, 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 Germany; political atmosphere during reconnaissance of Ethiopia; system of liaison with overseas military authorities; arrangements for exercises in Iceland; liaison with US Army and Marine Corps; relations with Icelanders; origins of plan to use Iceland; exercises in Norway for training in winter warfare; relations with Norwegians; 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 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 Div 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. Aspects of period as Brigadier Overseas Detachments, United Kingdom Land Forces in Salisbury, 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 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 his career.