Gibson, William Alexander (Oral history)

British NCO served with 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Berlin, Germany, 1949-1950; served with 1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles, 29th British Infantry Bde in Korea, 1951; POW in North Korea, 1951-1953

REEL 1 Background in Belfast area, 1931-1947: family; education; memories of German Air Force attacks on Belfast, 1941; public morale during bombing; children collecting shrapnel; effect of smoke pots; sight of father forming up troops to go to France, 1939. Aspects of period as lance corporal with 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in GB and Germany, 1948- 1950: background to enlistment, 1948; move to Germany, 1949; volunteering for train guard duties between West Germany and Berlin, 1949; duties guarding Nazi war criminals at Spandau Prison in Berlin, 1949; items stolen by Russians from Spandau Prison; treatment of prisoners in Spandau Prison; lack of contact with prisoners in Spandau Prison; impressions of Rudolf Hess and other prisoners. REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of operations as lance corporal on draft to 1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles, 29th British Infantry Bde in Japan and Korea, 1951: reasons for volunteering for service with 1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles in Korea; equipment issued; voyage from GB to Japan; character of training in Japan especially weapons familiarisation; patrolling in Japanese villages; move to US transit camp at Osaka; ferry journey from Japan to Korea; US Marine's opinion of Lee Enfield rifle; disembarking at Pusan; dumping of tin helmets; character of road journey from Pusan; sight of dead bodies in River Han. REEL 3 Continues: character of train journey; reaction of British troops to behaviour of US military policeman; behaviour of British troops towards Korean civilians; question of infiltration of North Korean regulars amongst refugees. Recollections of operations as NCO with 1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles, 29th British Infantry Bde during Battle of Imjin River in Korea, 4/1951: joining unit in front-line at River Imjin, 4/1951; sight of Chinese troops killed by napalm; assignment to A Coy; daily routine and night time bombardments; Chinese sniper fire; use of grenades to dissuade Chinese infiltration; start of Battle of River Imjin, 24/4/1951; use of heavy machine gun to suppress Chinese presence, 25/4/1951; capture of Chinese POW, 25/4/1951; withdrawing from positions, 25/4/1951; discovery of deserted British positions; sight of Centurion tanks firing at Chinese positions; method withdrawing; effect of bullet hitting his pack and loss of section. REEL 4 Continues: attempt to obtain lift on ambulance; wounding by mortar fragments; giving his ammunition to Bren gunner firing at Chinese mass attack; attempt to escape on Main Supply Route; technique of crossing ravine under Chinese fire; attempt to use Centurion tank for cover; sight of demobilised Centurion tanks on fire; Centurion tank method of clearing road of burning tanks; wounding by Chinese machine gunners; Chinese use of British wounded troops to protect their position; capture by Chinese; Chinese firing on heavily laden Centurion tank. Recollections of period as POW on march into North Korea, 1951: POW's burying of bayonets; question of role of unit in gaining time for defence of Seoul; initial treatment by Chinese guards; clothing worn; sight of Allied aircraft destroying disabled Centurion tanks; role checking wounded; first night's accommodation in Korean farmhouse. REEL 5 Continues: arrival of Chinese officer; fear of being shot; discovery of Chinese intentions and speech by Chinese officer; trek to Main Supply Route; sight of mass of Chinese dead in ravine; character of three day detention in dugout; character of interrogation by Chinese; composition of POW column on march north; sight of dead US POWs at side of road; character of night marches; effects of his wounds and dysentery; rations and water available on march; aircraft attack on POW column. REEL 6 Continues: problems with footwear on march; eating cattle feed; behaviour of Korean civilians towards POWs. Recollections of period as POW in Korea, 1951-1953: arrival in camp; character of camp; accommodation; character of POW rations; burial of dead POWs; reaction to being sent to hospital hut suffering from dysentery; segregation of nationalities in camp; attitude of US POWs; organisation of British section of camp; Chinese camp interpreters; initial Chinese attempts at indoctrination of POWs; reaction of POWs to Chinese indoctrination. REEL 7 Continues: character of Chinese medical facilities and his treatment for dysentery; foraging for supplies of wood; behaviour of guards on his refusal to work; solitary confinement in pit; confession for supposed crimes; reaction of POWs to his confession; character of work parties; clothing and equipment; use of makeshift razor; de-lousing procedures; characteristics of dysentery; attempts to keep huts warm in winter. REEL 8 Continues: reasons for bruising of POW's hips; issue of padded jackets; winter conditions; reasons for lack of adequate winter clothing; sight of air battles overhead; method of obtaining light for cigarettes; incident when US aircraft attacked POW; Chinese reaction to air raids and air identification; question of escaping from camp; anticipation of liberation by United Nation's forces; question of Chinese allegations of biological warfare; attempts by Chinese to improve POW conditions, winter 1951-1952; Chinese cook's method of killing pig. REEL 9 Continues: amusing incident of POW's attempt to kill cow; Chinese catering staff; visit by Red Cross and curing of his dysentery; reaction of POWs to breaking down of peace talks; reaction of Chinese to problems in US run camps in South Korea; Chinese attitude towards Americans and Geneva Convention Recollections of repatriation from POW Camp, 1953: anticipation of POWs to release from captivity; change in camp atmosphere; growing tomatoes; announcement to join repatriation party; character of truck journey southwards. REEL 10 Continues: repatriation process including escort by US military police; treatment by US personnel on repatriation; Chinese ex-POWs throwing away of clothing; debriefing of ex-POWs; move to Japan; confusion over his status; voyage from Japan to GB; suicide of POW on voyage to GB; suspicions amongst ex-POWs during voyage home; activities on return to GB; effects of POW experiences. REEL 11 Continues: reasons for leaving army. Reflections of period as POW in Korea, 1951-1953: attitude towards Communism; Chinese segregation of black and white US POWs; character of Chinese propaganda.