Wilson, Alexander David Robin Graham (Oral history)

British officer served with 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in India and Malaya, 1937-1942; escaped from Singapore. 2/1942; served as staff officer in India, 3/1942-10/1943; served as staff officer with 6th Bde 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 in Palestine, 3/1946-3/1947; served as staff officer with War Office, 4/1947- 4/1950; commanded A Coy, 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde in Korea, 8/1950-4/1951; served as Military Assistant to Field Marshal Montgomery at SHAPE, 6/1957-11/1958; served as Chief of Mission of BRIXMIS in 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, 1916-1937: family background; membership of OTC at Wellington College; character of training with OTC. Aspects of period as cadet at Royal Military College at Sandhurst, 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 Sandhurst, 1936. Aspects of period as officer with 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in GB, 1936-1937: posting to unit, 9/1936; on musketry course at Tidworth; 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 in India, 1937-1939: posting to unit, 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 of heavy lorries. REEL 3 Continues: driver training with unit; maintenance of unit vehicles; method of training soldiers for specialist trades; preparations for war with 12th Bde, 4th Indian Div, 1938; memories of 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; Ian Stewart's view of potential Japanese tactics; contact with Indian troops. Recollections of operations as officer with 2nd Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 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 Malay 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 RAF 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 OCTU at Changi; holding beach position with Australian at Mersing; reconnaissance of withdrawal positions; preparation of defensive positions; taking command of his unit; deploying to hold Causeway with Royal Marines; attempts to defend Causeway; withdrawal onto Singapore Island; attack on unit by Japanese tanks. REEL 5 Continues: attempts to block road against Japanese tanks; Japanese infantry tactics; withdrawal from engagement; re-organisation of unit at hospital; rescuing wounded after Japanese Air Force attack. Recollections of escape from Singapore to India, 2/1942: ordered to Fort Canning, Headquarters Malaya Command; sight of artillery firing inland; embarking on board HMS Durban; Japanese Air Force attacks on convoy; arrival in Sumatra; route taken from Sumatra, Dutch East Indies to Colombo, Ceylon. Recollections of period as staff officer with General Headquarters, India in India, 2/1942-3/1943: reporting to headquarters; joining training touring team speaking of his experiences in Malaya; transfer to 26th Indian Div in Calcutta; providing report on communications system in Calcutta area; river craft flotilla. REEL 6 Continues: process of inspection of East Bengal Railway; question of civil unrest in East Bengal. Recollections of period as commander of 2nd Divisional Battle School in India, 4/1943-10/1943: posting to 2nd Div at Poona, 4/1943; character of division; memories of General Grover; opinion of Chindits; character of General 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 Japanese defensive positions; character and siting of Japanese bunkers; method of locating and attacking bunkers; Japanese lack of mines and wires; experiments at battle school to destroy Japanese 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 in 2nd Div. REEL 8 Continues: accidents that occurred during exercises; teaching troops to direct artillery fire; use of range; smell of Japanese and Indian 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 Bde, 2nd Div in India, 1943-1944: 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 RAF. 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 Sir Richard Gale; deployment of two headquarters during amphibious landings; brigade command wireless net, equipment and arrangement of operations room; character of visit by Lord Louis Mountbatten; visits by other senior officers including Montagu Stopford, John Grover, Sir George Giffard, Bill Slim and Archibald Wavell. REEL 10 Continues: training in tank/infantry co-operation at Belgaum; role of tanks in destroying bunkers; opinion of 149 Regt, Royal Armoured Corps; protection of tanks at night. Recollections of operations with as brigade major with 6th Bde, 2nd Div in Kohima area, 1944: orders to move to Assam; method of planning brigade move; importance of secure Dimapur; confusion at Kohima; tactics employed by Japanese on 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 in Dimapur area; character of patrolling and screening operations; relations with Nagas and Kukis tribesmen; 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 Japanese shell-fire; attack on brigade headquarters by Japanese patrol; deployment of defence platoon; question of Japanese security; role of 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in clearing ridge in relieve Garrison Hill; Japanese use of artillery; character of 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry attack; brigade positions on Garrison Hill and Hospital Spur; conditions on Garrison Hill; Japanese tactics; British casualties on Garrison Hill; limitations on command and control; technique of detecting Japanese grenades; methods of supplying Garrison Hill; RAF close support; importance of regimental pride and survival instinct; evacuation of wounded; building track to make access for tank. REEL 12 Continues: problems of terrain; breaking through to units at Kohima; treatment of Japanese POWs; positions on Punjab Ridge; use of integrated fireplan 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 Picquet with Naga porters; attack by Berkshire Regt; cave system dug by Japanese; 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 Berkshires; establishing that Japanese positions had been abandoned; importance of re-capturing Naga Village; advance on road towards Imphal; character of Japanese roadblocks on Kohima-Imphal road; technique for clearing roadblocks; artillery support; state of Japanese troops; meeting with General William Slim; question of importance of road communications; impact of scrub typhus; physical condition of Japanese troops; return to Milestone 82; introduction of mule transport; use of gunners as infantry; state of health; memories of 'Cam' Nicholson. Aspects of period as student at Staff College, Camberley, 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; 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 POWs; political situation in Far East, 1945; special measures in Indonesia; difficulties of re-uniting POWs with their families; problem of employing former POWs from Europe in Phillipines. Recollections of operations as second in command of 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Palestine, 3/1946-3/1947: views of former members of Jewish Bde; situation in Palestine; briefing on arrival; cordon and search operations; briefing on arrival with unit; character of unit; attitude of other ranks; mutinies in Canal Zone; former disciplinary problems with paratroopers posted to unit. 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 Hospice de Notre Dame; Jewish insurgent's attack on Hospice de Notre Dame; question of quality of Palestine Police; formation of Police battalions; degree of knowledge of Jewish insurgent organisations; reaction to dealing with Jewish refugees; attitude of troops towards Jews after bombing of King David Hotel. 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 POWs; 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 unit robbed clergyman; handing over of battalion. Aspects of period as staff officer with War Office in London, 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 Servicemen; grading of recruits and shortage of C pluses; character 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, 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde in Korea, 1950-1951: background to posting to battalion and journey to Korea; disorder at Headquarters 8th Army in Taegu; problems finding unit; question of US Air Force's attacks on British troop on Hill 282; tactical situation; lack of artillery support; orders to attack; lack of war experience in unit; question of US force's reluctance to dominate hill features; initial positions on River Naktong; use of Korean Police attached to 1st Bn Middlesex Regt; site of North Korean tank ferry; character of company positions. REEL 18 Continues: terrain; fate of patrol; North Korean attack on machine gun position; opinion of North Korean troops; procedures employed by US artillery; effect of North Korean artillery; use of Korean porters; opinion of South Korean troops; adjustment of positions; performance of communications; technique of withdrawal; degree of information available for advance northwards; crossing River Naktong; attack and capture of Point 148; sight of attack by B and C Coys; North Korean infiltration of positions on Point 148. REEL 19 Continues: misdirection of US aircraft and their attack on B and C Coys; US airforce attack on his Support Coy; withdrawal to rest area; opinion of 3rd Bn Royal Australian Regt; reliance on US artillery, engineers and transport; sources of information; attitude of troops to potential conflict with Chinese; working with US tank battalion; encountering road block on route towards Sariwon; technique of capturing roadblock; visit by US general; encounter with North Korean troops in Sariwon; passing through Pyongyang to relieve US 187th Airborne Regt; opinion of 50th Indian Parachute Field Ambulance; medical evacuation; availability of water. REEL 20 Continues: advance north of Pyongyang; clearing snipers; contact with US 187th Airborne Regt; burning down of village during clearing operation; assembling north of village; opinion of US paratroopers; crossing River Chongchon and advance to Chongju; North Korean tanks in ambush positions; character of air strikes; method of employing air support; atmosphere in Taechong; rumours of Chinese intervention; withdrawal southwards; positions at Pakchong; brigade deployment; strength of US troops at Pakchong; Chinese attack on Pakchong; liaison with US troops. REEL 21 Continues: start of Chinese attack, 5/11/1950; orders to clear Chinese roadblock, 5/11/1950; sight of Chinese attacking US artillery, 5/11/1950; Chinese tactics; method of stopping Chinese attack; unit casualties; Chinese attempt exploit their gains, 5/11/1950; Chinese uniforms and equipment; opinion of Chinese troops; disappearance of Chinese and advance northwards; Thanksgiving celebrations; capture of Chinese POW and his subsequent escape; Chinese fieldcraft and tactics; atmosphere at US 9th Corp Headquarters, Kunu-ri, 11/1950; British cold weather clothing. REEL 22 Continues: rations; opinion of Turkish troops; withdrawal from Kunu-ri; deployment on tactical march; question of presence of Chinese during withdrawal; sight of retreating US troops; memories of Task Force Harris; crossing frozen river; duration of operation with Task Force Harris; orders to move south via Pyongyang; amusing story of being mistaken for Turks; positions at Uijongbu; refitting and recreation at Uijongbu; death of General Walker and arrival of General Ridgeway; start of Chinese offensive, 1/1/1951; halting Chinese attacks on South Koreans north of Seoul; night-time withdrawal into Seoul; blowing of bridges in Seoul. REEL 23 Continues: defensive positions in Seoul; use of long range patrols; method of operating in Korea; advance northwards; use and character of Korean porters; use of sleeping bags; method of advancing up ridges and spurs; character of Chinese defensive positions on hills; Chinese use of mortars and medium artillery, mines and booby traps; importance of artillery support; character of air support; behaviour of Chinese when attacked; arrival of Canadian Princess Patricia's Light Infantry; rate of advance c2/1951-3/1951; problems with resupply especially water; unit casualties; end of advance; leave in Japan; delaying of return to GB by Chinese attack at Kapyong; handing over to 1st Bn King's Own Scottish Borderers. REEL 24 Continues: Recollections of period as Military Assistant to Field Marshal Montgomery at SHAPE, 6/1957-11/1958: background to his appointment; interview with Montgomery; role of Montgomery as Deputy Supreme Commander; composition of staff; question of qualities needed to get along with Montgomery; Montgomery's opinion of Lord Louis Mountbatten; amusing encounter with Frankie Festing; Montgomery's dispute with Anthony Eden over Suez; basing of staff in Paris; Montgomery's daily routine; amusing encounter between Montgomery and Admiral de Lattre de Tassigny; character of annual strategic exercise. REEL 25 Continues: level of intelligence available; NATO strategic planning in Europe; NATO strengths and weaknesses; role of NATO ground forces; limitations of airforces; expectations of Russian offensive; degree of intelligence of Warsaw Pact forces; visit with Montgomery to meet Tito in Yugoslavia; memories of Tito; Montgomery's opinion of Italian troops; Montgomery's relationship with Swisterland and Scandinavia; Montgomery's opinion of West German forces; Germans' attitude towards use of tactical nuclear weapons; Montgomery's opinion of US forces staff work; Montgomery's relations with French forces; relations between Montgomery and de Latte de Tassigny; US predominance with NATO; Greco- Turkish relations within SHAPE. REEL 26 Continues: Montgomery's visits to the Pope and Vicar General of the Jesuits; visit to Salazar in Portugal; Montgomery's approach to training; question of doctrine and disputes about weapons; Montgomery attitude towards politics and unwillingness to compromise; effect of working for Montgomery; aspects of Montgomery's personality and character. Recollections of period as Chief of Mission with BRIXMIS in Berlin, Germany, 8/1965-8/1967: background to formation of mission; evolution and development of mission into intelligence field; RAF approach to intelligence gathering; composition of mission; method of operating in small teams; vehicles used; debriefing after operations. REEL 27 Continues: French mode of operation; life of Russian troops in East Germany; observation of East Germany forces; behaviour of East German secret police; fatalities amongst Allied missions; dealings with Soviet External Relations Bureau; reporting to British Army of the Rhine; relations with British Berlin Garrison; entertaining Shan Hackett; importance of locating missile sites; interest in rubbish tips; mission base in Potsdam; Russian 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 Russian 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 Volkspolizei; contact with East German civilians; no contact with intelligence agents; US and French mission's attitudes and procedures; pooling of information amongst missions; qualities needed by mission officers; sighting of new Russian equipment; atmosphere in Berlin; story of Russian aircraft ditched in Lake Havel; consequences of border incidents on River Elbe; question of lessons learnt from BRIXMIS and opinion of Russians. REEL 29 Continues: Recollections of period as Commonwealth Representative to Military Armistice Commission in Korea, 4/1968-7/1970: briefing in London; increase in tension between North and South Korea; British attitude towards Korea; situation in Korea, 1968; diplomatic protocol in Seoul; commercial interests in 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 US troops in Korea; concern over US nuclear capabilities in 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; US 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 General Bonesteele; US command structure; United Nations involvement in Korea; commercial activities of Thai contingent; character of visit to US battalion in Demilitarised Zone; lack of major invasion scares; attitude of North Koreans. Adjusting to civilian life after military service.