Interview with Alexander David Robin Graham Wilson

British officer cadet with Royal Military College Sandhurst, GB, 1936; officer served with 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) in GB, 1936; served with 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) on North West Frontier of India, 1/1937-7/1939; served with 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), 12th Indian Infantry Bde in Malaya, 8/1939-2/1942; escaped from Singapore, Malaya to Ceylon via Sumatra, Dutch East Indies, 2/1942; served as staff officer in India, 3/1942-10/1943; served as staff officer with General Headquarters India in Dehli, India, 2/1942-3/1943; commanded 2nd Divisional Battle School in India, 4/1943-10/1943; staff officer served as brigade major with 6th Infantry Bde, 2nd Infantry Div in India and Burma, 10/1943-10/1944; student at Staff College, Camberley, GB, 1/1945-7/1945; served as staff officer with Allied Forces Western Pacific in Philippines, 8/1945-12/1945; served with 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 6th Airlanding Bde, 6th Airborne Div in Palestine, 3/1946-3/1947; served as staff officer with War Office, London, GB, 4/1947-4/1950; commanded A Coy, 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde in Korea, 8/1950-4/1951; served as Military Assistant to Field Marshal Montgomery at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Paris, France, 6/1957-11/1958; served as Chief of Mission of British Commanders'-in-Chief Mission to Soviet Forces in Germany, (BRIXMIS) in West Berlin, Germany, 8/1965-8/1967; served as Commonwealth Representative with Military Armistice Commission at Panmunjom in Korea, 4/1968-7/1970

REEL 1 Background in GB, 1916-1936: family background; membership of Officer Training Corps at Wellington College, Crowthorne; nature of training with Officer Training Corps. Aspects of period as cadet at Royal Military College Sandhurst, Camberley, GB, 1936: emphasis on turnout and drill; start of mechanisation and question of role of cavalry; studying light engineering; degree of expectation of future war; political inclinations of cadets including attitudes towards Fascists and Communists; influence of instructors; choice of regiment; leaving Royal Military College Sandhurst, 1936. Aspects of period as officer with 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) in GB, 1936: posting to battalion, 9/1936; on musketry course at Tidworth Camp; special course for young officers including learning highland dances and piping; character of NCOs and other rank. Recollections of operations as officer with 2nd Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) on North West Frontier, India, 1/1937-7/1939: posting to battalion, 1/1937; previous experience of India; effect of having a badly tied pugaree; degree of responsibility; establishing rapport with troops. REEL 2 Continues: state of unit's health and physical fitness; appointment as intelligence officer; move to Waziristan; role of NCOs as platoon commanders; duties as intelligence officer; picqueting hills on supply route; lack of contact with insurgents; character of Maralle Camp including sniping at night; occupying Coronation Hill to stop Wazir grazing animals; setting up of Coronation Camp; lack of counter-attack by Wazirs; character of operations against Wazirs; training course on Vickers Machine Gun, 7/1937; conversion of unit to machine gun battalion, 1938; driving and maintenance course on heavy lorries. REEL 3 Continues: driver training with battalion; maintenance of battalion vehicles; method of training soldiers for specialist trades; preparations for war with 12th Indian Infantry Bde, 4th Indian Infantry Div, 1938; memories of Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Stewart including his effect on training; question of anticipation of war against Japan; setting up NCO's training course; jungle training; question of quality of officers; Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Stewart's view of potential Imperial Japanese Army tactics; contact with British Indian Army troops. Recollections of operations as officer with 2nd Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), 12th Indian Infantry Bde in Malaya, 8/1939-2/1942: question of state of preparedness of unit for move to Malaya; voyage from India to Singapore; role of unit during wartime at Mersing; internal security threat in Singapore; character of relations between military and civil power; opinion of Malayan Police; political atmosphere in India and Singapore. REEL 4 Continues: terrain in Johore State; character of beaches in Malaya; construction of road block positions; lack of information on jungle warfare; question of effect of Royal Air Force intervention in pre-war defense plans; experiences during administrative exercise; problems with defending roads; strength of road blocks; use of artillery support; problems with creating fields of fire in rubber plantations; length of warning of Japanese invasion; on attachment to Australian Officer Cadet Training Unit at Changi; holding beach position with Australian forces at Mersing; reconnaissance of withdrawal positions; preparation of defensive positions; taking command of his unit; deploying to hold The Causeway with Royal Marines; attempts to defend The Causeway; withdrawal onto Singapore Island; attack on battalion by Imperial Japanese Army tanks. REEL 5 Continues: attempts to block road against Imperial Japanese Army tanks; Imperial Japanese Army infantry tactics; withdrawal from engagement; reorganisation of unit at hospital; rescuing wounded after Imperial Japanese Army Air Service attack. Recollections of escape from Singapore, Malaya to India via Dutch East Indies and Ceylon, 2/1942: ordered to Fort Canning, Headquarters Malaya Command; sight of artillery firing inland; embarking on board HMS Durban; Imperial Japanese Army Air Service attacks on convoy; arrival in Sumatra, Dutch East Indies; route taken from Sumatra, Dutch East Indies to Colombo, Ceylon. Recollections of period as staff officer with General Headquarters India in Dehli, India, 2/1942-3/1943: reporting to headquarters; joining training touring team speaking of his experiences in Malaya; transfer to 26th Indian Infantry Div. REEL 6 Continues: process of inspection of East Bengal Railway; question of civil unrest in East Bengal. Recollections of period commanding of 2nd Divisional Battle School in India, 4/1943-10/1943: posting to 2nd Infantry Div at Poona, 4/1943; character of division; memories of General Grover; opinion of Chindits; character of General John Grover; role commanding battle school; basic skills needed for jungle warfare; co-operation with Calcutta Scottish's raid on Goa; battalion and brigade exercises; health hazards; precautions against malaria; memories of General Claude Auchinleck; move to Ahmednagar; use of study periods. REEL 7 Continues: problems with radio communications; selection of suitable locations for aerials; degree of knowledge about Imperial Japanese Army defensive positions; description and siting of Imperial Japanese Army bunkers; method of locating and attacking bunkers; Imperial Japanese Army's lack of mines and wires; experiments at battle school to destroy Imperial Japanese Army bunkers; opinion of use of flame-throwers; training courses for all ranks; night-time jungle training; psychological preparation for troops; provision of Japanese 'enemy' at battle school; characteristics of regiments serving in 2nd Infantry Div. REEL 8 Continues: accidents that occurred during exercises; teaching personnel to direct artillery fire; use of range; smell of Imperial Japanese Army and British Indian Army troops; value of senses in jungle; safety margin for artillery barrage; seminars and workshops for senior officers; level of knowledge of Japanese forces; amphibious assault exercises; inter-service co- operation; tactical problems with landings; question of future of division after cancellation of amphibious operation; importance of briefings. Aspects of period as brigade major with 6th Infantry Bde, 2nd Infantry Div in India, 10/1943-4/1944: brigade exercises near Bombay; planning considerations; co-ordination with Royal Navy; conduct of conferences at brigade and divisional level; degree of co-operation with other services; relations with Royal Air Force. REEL 9 Continues: organisation of two headquarters in amphibious assault brigade; duties as brigade major; memories of Brigadiers John Shapland and Bill Smith; question of talents and qualities of a good commander; memories of Major-General Sir Richard Gale; deployment of two headquarters during amphibious landings; brigade command wireless net, equipment and arrangement of operations room; nature of visit by Lord Louis Mountbatten; visits by other senior officers including Generals Montagu Stopford, John Grover, Sir George Giffard, William Slim and Field Marshal Archibald Wavell. REEL 10 Continues: training in tank/infantry co-operation at Belgaum; role of tanks in destroying bunkers; opinion of 149th Regt, Royal Armoured Corps; protection of tanks at night. Recollections of operations with as brigade major with 6th Infantry Bde, 2nd Infantry Div at Kohima, India, 4/1944-6/1944: orders to move to Assam; method of planning brigade move; importance of securing Dimapur; confusion at Kohima; tactics employed by Imperial Japanese Army during advance to Kohima; role at Dimapur; degree of knowledge of situation in Kohima; importance of Dimapur; work of brigade advance party; method protecting railway line; terrain around Dimapur; patrolling and screening operations; relations with Nagas and Kukis hill peoples; role of Nagas; deployment of pickets; location of brigade headquarters. REEL 11 Continues: move to Kohima, 14/4/1944; relief of Garrison Hill; character of positions and brigade dug out; movement of brigade up Dimapur-Kohima road; arrival at Kohima under Imperial Japanese Army artillery fire; attack on brigade headquarters by Imperial Japanese Army patrol; deployment of defence platoon; question of Imperial Japanese Army security; role of 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in clearing ridge in relieve Garrison Hill; Imperial Japanese Army use of artillery; character of 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry attack; brigade positions on Garrison Hill and Hospital Spur; conditions on Garrison Hill; Imperial Japanese Army tactics; British forces' casualties on Garrison Hill; limitations on command and control; technique of detecting Imperial Japanese Army grenades; methods of supplying Garrison Hill; Royal Air Force close support; importance of regimental pride and survival instinct; evacuation of wounded; building track to make access for tank support. REEL 12 Continues: problems of terrain; breaking through to units at Kohima; treatment of Imperial Japanese Army prisoners of war; positions on Punjab Ridge; use of integrated fire plan for artillery and mortars; distance between forward positions; use of tank on Garrison Hill; liaison between infantry and artillery; halting of tanks on Dimapur-Kohima road; attack on Kuki Picquet, 6/5/1944; supplying 1st Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers on Kuki Piquet with Naga porters; attack by 1st Bn Royal Berkshire Regt; cave system dug by Imperial Japanese Army; flight in Air Observation Post aircraft beyond Aradura Spur; question of psychological casualties; taking control of brigade. REEL 13 Continues: inability to visit 1st Bn Royal Berkshire Regt; establishing that Imperial Japanese Army positions had been abandoned; importance of recapturing Naga Village; advance on road towards Imphal; Imperial Japanese Army roadblocks on Kohima-Imphal road; technique for clearing roadblocks; artillery support; state of Imperial Japanese Army troops; meeting with General William Slim; question of importance of road communications; impact of scrub typhus; physical condition of Imperial Japanese Army troops; return to Milestone 82; introduction of mule transport; use of gunners as infantry; state of health; memories of Major-General Cameron Nicholson. Aspects of period as student at Staff College, Camberley, GB, 1/1945-7/1945: impressions of GB on return; character of syllabus; number of students who had served in Burma; methods of instruction; question of directing staff having less experience than students; practical exercises. REEL 14 Continues: reaction to news of atomic bomb being dropped on Japan, 8/1945; posting to Ceylon and attitude towards staff officers. Aspects of period as staff officer with Allied Forces Western Pacific in Philippines, 8/1945-12/1945: posting to Manilla; role of organising repatriation of former prisoners of war; political situation in Far East, 1945; special measures in Dutch East Indies; difficulties of reuniting prisoners of war with their families; problem of employing former prisoners of war from Europe in Philippines. Recollections of operations as second in command of 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), 6th Airlanding Bde, 6th Airborne Div in Palestine, 3/1946-3/1947: view of former members of Jewish Brigade; situation in Palestine; briefing on arrival; cordon and search operations; briefing on arrival with battalion; character of battalion; attitude of Other Ranks; mutinies in Canal Zone, Egypt; disciplinary problems with former paratroopers posted to battalion. REEL 15 Continues: training disrupted by demobilisation; organising training programme; procedure for cordon and search operations; search of Jewish religious school; attitude of troops to cordon and search operations; arrest of entire Jewish Agency; curfews in Jerusalem; character of ambushes; patrolling on Jericho Road; controlling rioting in Jerusalem; use of Syrian Orphanage and Notre Dame de France Hospice, Jerusalem; Jewish insurgent's attack on Notre Dame de France Hospice, Jerusalem; question of quality of Palestine Police Force; formation of Palestine Police Force battalions; degree of knowledge of Jewish insurgent organisations; reaction to dealing with Jewish refugees; attitude of troops towards Jewish civilians after bombing by Irgun Zvai Leum of King David Hotel, Jerusalem, 22/7/1946. REEL 16 Continues: memories of Seyid Bey Idrissi; question of effects of media on military operations; relations with press in Palestine; attitude to removal of commanding officer; change in policy towards press; field training in Egypt; use of German prisoners of war; use of map room and model in war room at Hospice de Notre Dame; use of staff car; personnel in war room; character of intelligence gathered; incident when soldiers from battalion robbed clergyman; handing over of battalion. Aspects of period as staff officer with War Office in London, GB, 4/1947-7/1950: staff duties; character of infantry and weapons' training. REEL 17 Continues: introduction of self-loading rifle; manning and training programmes; question of quality of National Service conscripts; grading of recruits and shortage of C pluses; nature of staff work; degree of information on developments in Far East; political situation in Japan. Recollections of operations as officer commanding A Coy, 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde in South and North Korea, 8/1950-4/1951: background to posting to battalion and journey to South Korea; disorder at Headquarters, United States Eighth Army in Taegu, South Korea; problems finding battalion; question of United States Air Force's attacks on British forces on Hill 282; tactical situation; lack of artillery support; orders to attack; lack of war experience in unit; question of American force's reluctance to dominate hill features; initial positions on River Naktong, South Korea; use of Korean Police attached to 1st Bn Middlesex Regt (Duke of Cambridge's Own); site of North Korean People's Army tank ferry; character of company positions. REEL 18 Continues: terrain; fate of patrol; North Korean People's Army attack on machine gun position; opinion of North Korean People's Army troops; procedures employed by United States Artillery; effect of North Korean People's Army artillery; use of Korean porters; opinion of Republic of South Korean (ROK) troops; adjustment of positions; performance of communications; technique of withdrawal; degree of information available for advance northwards; crossing River Naktong, South Korea; attack and capture of Point 148, South Korea; sight of attack by B and C Coys; North Korean People's Army infiltration of positions on Point 148, South Korea. REEL 19 Continues: misdirection of United States Air Force aircraft and their attack on B and C Coys; United States Air Force accidental attack on support company; withdrawal to rest area; opinion of 3rd Bn Royal Australian Regt; reliance on United States Army artillery, engineers and transport; sources of information; attitude of troops to potential conflict with Chinese People's Volunteer Army; working with United States Army tank battalion; encountering road block on route towards Sariwon, North Korea; technique of capturing roadblock; visit by United States Army general; encounter with North Korean People's Army troops in Sariwon, North Korea; passing through Pyongyang, North Korea to relieve 187th Airborne Regt, United States Army; opinion of 50th Indian Parachute Field Ambulance; medical evacuation; availability of water. REEL 20 Continues: advance north of Pyongyang, North Korea; clearing snipers; contact with 187th Airborne Regt, United States Army; burning down of village during clearing operation; assembling north of village; opinion of American airborne troops; crossing River Chongchon and advance to Chongju, North Korea; North Korean People's Army tanks in ambush positions; character of United States Air Force air strikes; method of employing air support; atmosphere in Taechon, North Korea; rumours of Chinese intervention in war; withdrawal southwards; positions at Pakchong, North Korea; brigade deployment; strength of United States Army troops at Pakchong, North Korea; Chinese People's Volunteer Army attack on Pakchong, North Korea; liaison with United States Army troops. REEL 21 Continues: start of Chinese People's Volunteer Army attack, 5/11/1950; orders to clear Chinese People's Volunteer Army roadblock, 5/11/1950; sight of Chinese People's Volunteer Army attacking United States Artillery units, 5/11/1950; Chinese People's Volunteer Army tactics; method of stopping Chinese People's Volunteer Army attack; battalion casualties; Chinese People's Volunteer Army attempt exploit their gains, 5/11/1950; Chinese People's Volunteer Army uniforms and equipment; opinion of Chinese People's Volunteer Army troops; disappearance of Chinese People's Volunteer Army and advance northwards; Thanksgiving Day celebrations, 23/11/1950; capture of Chinese People's Volunteer Army prisoner of war and his subsequent escape; Chinese People's Volunteer Army fieldcraft and tactics; atmosphere at Headquarters IX Corps, United States Army at Kunu-ri, North Korea, 11/1950; British forces' cold weather clothing. REEL 22 Continues: rations; opinion of Turkish Army troops; withdrawal from Kunu-ri, North Korea; deployment on tactical march; question of presence of Chinese People's Volunteer Army during withdrawal; sight of retreating United States Army troops; memories of Task Force Harris; crossing frozen river; duration of operation with Task Force Harris; orders to move south via Pyongyang, North Korea; amusing story of being mistaken for Turkish Army troops; positions at Ujongbu, South Korea; refitting and recreational activities at Ujongbu, South Korea; death of General Walton Walker and arrival of General Matthew Ridgway, 12/1950; start of Chinese People's Volunteer Army offensive, 1/1/1951; halting Chinese People's Volunteer Army attacks on Republic of South Korean (ROK) troops north of Seoul, South Koea; night-time withdrawal into Seoul, South Korea; blowing of bridges in Seoul, South Korea. REEL 23 Continues: defensive positions in Seoul; use of long range patrols; method of operating in Korean War; advance northwards; use and character of Korean porters; use of sleeping bags; method of advancing up ridges and spurs; nature of Chinese People's Volunteer Army defensive positions on hills; Chinese People's Volunteer Army use of mortars and medium artillery, mines and booby-traps; importance of artillery support; character of air support; behaviour of Chinese People's Volunteer Army when attacked; arrival of Canadian 1st Bn Princess Patricia's Light Infantry; rate of advance, 2/1951-3/1951; problems with resupply especially water; battalion casualties; end of advance; leave in Japan; delaying of return to GB by Chinese People's Volunteer Army's attack at Kapyong, South Korea; handing over to 1st Bn King's Own Scottish Borderers. REEL 24 Continues: Recollections of period as Military Assistant to Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Paris, France, 6/1957-11/1958: background to his appointment; interview with Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery; role of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery as Deputy Supreme Commander; composition of staff; question of qualities needed to get along with Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery; Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's opinion of Lord Louis Mountbatten; amusing encounter with General Francis Festing; Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's dispute with Prime Minister Anthony Eden over Suez Crisis, 1956; basing of staff in Paris; Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's daily routine; amusing encounter between Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and Admiral de Lattre de Tassigny; character of annual strategic exercise. REEL 25 Continues: level of intelligence available; North Atlantic Treaty Organisation strategic planning in Europe; North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's strengths and weaknesses; role of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ground forces; limitations of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation air forces; expectations of Soviet offensive; degree of intelligence of Warsaw Pact forces; visit with Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery to meet Premier Josip Tito in Yugoslavia; memories of Josip Tito; Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's opinion of Italian forces; Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's relationship with Switzerland and Scandinavia; Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's opinion of West German forces; Germans' attitude towards use of tactical nuclear weapons; Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's opinion of American forces staff work; Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's relations with French forces; relations between Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and de Latte de Tassigny; American predominance within North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; Greek/Turkish relations within Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). REEL 26 Continues: Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's visits to the Pope Pius XII and Vicar General of the Jesuits; visit to President Antonio de Oliveria Salazar in Portugal; Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's approach to training; question of doctrine and disputes about weapons; Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery attitude towards politics and unwillingness to compromise; effect of working for Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery; aspects of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's personality and character. Recollections of period as Chief of Mission with British Commanders'-in-Chief Mission to Soviet Forces in Germany, (BRIXMIS) in West Berlin, Germany, 8/1965-8/1967: background to formation of mission; evolution and development of mission into intelligence field; Royal Air Force approach to intelligence gathering; composition of mission; method of operating in small teams; vehicles used; debriefing after operations. REEL 27 Continues: French Military Liaison Mission's mode of operation; life of Soviet Army troops in East Germany; observation of East Germany forces; behaviour of East German Ministry of Security (Stasi) personnel; fatalities amongst Allied missions; dealings with Soviet External Relations Bureau; reporting to British Army of the Rhine; relations with British Berlin Garrison; entertaining Major-General John Hackett; importance of locating missile sites; interest in rubbish tips; mission base in Potsdam, East Berlin; Soviet notice of Temporary Restricted Areas; number of tour teams and frequency of tours; disadvantage of touring in twos; officer's responsibility for photographs; role of town clerk and drivers; character of maps; character of tour kits; type of cameras used; method of communication within East Germany; treatment on detention; character of Soviet Army traffic regulators. REEL 28 Continues: occasion when his car was chased by armoured personnel carrier; character of Permanent Restricted Areas and Temporary Restricted Areas; method of evading surveillance by German People's Police; contact with East German civilians; no contact with intelligence agents; United States Military Liaison Mission and French Military Liaison Mission attitudes and procedures; pooling of information amongst missions; qualities needed by mission officers; sighting of new Soviet Army equipment; atmosphere in West Berlin; story of Russian aircraft ditched in Lake Havel, West Berlin; consequences of border incidents on River Elbe, West Germany; question of lessons learnt from British Commanders'-in-Chief Mission to Soviet Forces in Germany, (BRIXMIS) and opinion of Soviets. REEL 29 Continues: Recollections of period as Commonwealth Representative to Military Armistice Commission in South Korea, 4/1968-7/1970: briefing in London, GB; increase in tension between North and South Korea; British attitude towards Korea; situation in North and South Korea, 1968; diplomatic protocol in Seoul; commercial interests in South Korea; political situation in South Korea; role of Kim Il Sung in North Korea; contrast in South Korean forces between 1950 and 1968; characteristics of Koreans; behaviour of United States Army troops in South Korea; concern over American nuclear capabilities in South Korea; duties of British contingent; contact with Turkish contingent and Ethiopian officers; first meeting at Panmunjom; atmosphere after Pueblo Affair; procedure at meetings; support staff; role of Chinese representatives. REEL 30 Continues: language used during meetings; repercussions of South Korean raid on North Korea; American handling of North Korean raid on South Korea; defection of North Korean raiders; relations with Neutral powers including incident at Pyongyang Opera House; patrols in Demilitarised Zone; marking and terrain of Demilitarised Zone; memories of American General Charles Bonesteel; United States military command structure; United Nations involvement in Korea; commercial activities of Thai contingent; character of visit to United States Army battalion in Demilitarised Zone; lack of major invasion scares; attitude of North Koreans. Adjusting to civilian life after military service.