Finch, Frank (Oral history)

British private served with 1st Bn Suffolk Regt in North West Europe and Palestine, 1944-1946

REEL 1 Background in Beccles, 1922-1941: family; education; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; German Air Force attack on Beccles. Enlistment and training with Suffolk Regt in GB, 1941-1944: call-up, 11/12/1941; basic training at Bury St Edmunds; posting to 1st Bn Suffolk Regt at Beaconsfield; invasion training in Scotland and Isle of Wight; marriage during embarkation leave; beach defence work in Newport; in transit camp at Wanstead Flats; role as bren gunner with Carrier Platoon. Recollections of operations as private with Carrier Platoon, S Coy, 1st Bn Suffolk Regt in Normandy, D-Day, 6/6/1944: sight of dead airborne troops in sea; character of beach landing; sight of German POWs; noise of shelling and bombing; move inland; briefing received from NCO prior to landing. Recollections of operations with 1st Bn Suffolk Regt in North West Europe, 1944-1945: in action near Caen; hiding from German patrol under bridge; capture of German POWs at Falaise Gap; reception at Fleurs; capture of Bremen. REEL 2 Continues: German surrender in Bremen; attitude of German civilians in Bremen; opinion of German troops; sight of carnage at Banaville and Sanaville; damage to his Bren Carrier in Normandy; casualties from German multi-barrelled mortar; attitude towards German multi-barrelled mortars; danger of mines; role of French Resistance; narrow escape on patrol in Netherlands; relations with Dutch civilians; minor wound he received. Period as private with 1st Bn Suffolk Regt in Palestine, 1945-1946: dealing with Jewish refugees at Haifa; attitude of civilians towards British troops. Attitude to having served with Suffolk Regt in Second World War. Pre- vocational course prior to demobilisation. Psychological effect of military service in Second World War.