Interview with Gordon Lawrence Potts

British NCO served with 1st Bn Devonshire Regt, Malaya Command in Federation of Malaya, 1948-1950; officer served with 1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles, 29th British Infantry Bde in South Korea, 2/1951-10/1951; served with 1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles, Hong Kong Garrison in Hong Kong, 1951-1953; served with 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers attached to Kenya Police and with 7th (Uganda) Bn King's Africa Rifles in Kenya, 1953-1955; served with 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in West Germany, 1957-1959; served as Forward Air Controller with Headquarters, 3rd Commando Bde in Mediterranean, Malta, North Africa, Aden Protectorate, Singapore, Federation of Malaya and Australia, 1960-1962; served with 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in GB and Republic of Cyprus, 1963-1965; served as instructor with Royal Marine Officers School, Lympstone, Junior Leaders Regiment and Joint Warfare Establishment in GB, 1965-1975; served as Carrier-Bourne Liaison Officer aboard HMS Ark Royal GB coastal waters, Mediterranean and Caribbean, 1975-1977

REEL 1 Recollections of enlistment and training as private with 28th Training Bn, General Service Corps and as officer cadet in GB, 1946-1948: degree of family military service; reasons for volunteering for British Army; Officer Training Corps training received at school; joining training battalion in Northern Ireland; officer training received at Officer Cadet Training Unit after basic training; degree of tactical training received at Officer Cadet Training Unit; attempt to join Gordon Highlanders; move to Wessex Brigade training centre. Recollections of period as NCO with 1st Bn Devonshire Regt, Malaya Command in Federation of Malaya, 1948-1950: drafting to battalion in Singapore; initial duties with regimental police; dealing with Ceylonese Pioneer Corps personnel; relations with civilians; transfer to rifle company; size of battalion area around Kluang; opinion of equipment and rations; move from Singapore to Johore; opinion of platoon commander; duties escorting vehicles; terrain and distances covered on patrol. REEL 2 Continues: two month attachment to Ferret Force; disbandment of Ferret Force; return to unit at Labis; character of first contact including capture of female Malayan National Liberation Army insurgent; reaction to platoon commander's proposal to ambush Malayan National Liberation Army camp; character of Malayan National Liberation Army insurgents and their activities; opinion of Federation of Malaya Police; opinion of Sakai trackers; second contact with Malayan National Liberation Army insurgent; method of patrolling; field modifications of equipment; weapons used; improvement in clothing; problems with leeches; movement in jungle; technique used to improve troop's alertness; need to acquire knowledge for jungle operations; question of using wrong methods during jungle operations; move to Pahang; selection of ambush sites; scale of ambushes. REEL 3 Continues: opinion of Malayan National Liberation Army insurgents; operation to clear squatter area and discovery of Malayan National Liberation Army insurgent camp; move to Pahang on armoured train; improvement in supply of intelligence; character of armoured train; accommodation at Temerloh; presence of Char Wallah supplying tea; duties escorting survey team; question of usefulness of information gained from Malays; move to Kuala Krau; attachment of armoured cars to unit; discovery of Malayan National Liberation Army insurgent camp; character of briefings prior to operations; appearance of Malayan National Liberation Army insurgent dead; search for missing wounded soldier; discovery of Malayan National Liberation Army camp, it's character and contents; opinion of wireless sets used. REEL 4 Continues: move to Karak; incident when escorted ration truck was abandoned; nature of Malayan National Liberation Army ambushes; Malayan National Liberation Army attacks on police station; effectiveness of scheme to collect rice; move to Bentong; question of effectiveness of company patrols; return to Selarang Barracks, Changi, Singapore; conditions during eighteen month period on operations; guarding newly constructed camp; lessons learnt on operations in Malaya; re-equipping in Singapore; training cadres in jungle warfare; applying for short service commission. Aspects of period of training as officer cadet at No 164 Officer Cadet Training Unit at Eaton Hall, GB, 1950: attending No 164 Officer Cadet Training Unit at Eaton Hall and attitude to training received; preparations for platoon command; importance of leadership over command; choice of regiment. REEL 5 Continues: reaction to posting to 1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles at Ballykinlar Camp, Northern Ireland. Aspects of period as officer with 1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles, 29th British Infantry Bde in Japan, 1951: memories of Corporal 'Red' Cushing; arrival in Kure; character of training; lack of information about Korean War prior to posting; move to South Korea. Recollections of operations as officer with 1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles, 29th British Infantry Bde in South Korea, 2/1951-10/1951: initial impressions of Korea; conditions at Suwon; reception on arrival at unit; allocation to 1 Platoon; character, composition and strength of 1 Platoon; relations with platoon sergeant; digging defensive positions whilst in reserve; terrain in first positions. REEL 6 Continues: layout of defensive positions; use of slit trenches; supply of alcohol; character of advance towards River Imjin; incident of shooting of British officer by United States Army troops; move to new positions on high ground near River Imjin; crossing River Imjin; wounding of soldier by sniper; night attack by D Coy; attempt to obtain prisoner of war; opinion of Belgian Battalion; encounter with Belgian medical officer Pat O'Leary; resupply by Universal Carrier across Ulster Crossing on River Imjin; attitude of troops to use of United States Army K-rations; supply of water and sanitary arrangements; Greek troops of Greek Expeditionary Force ablutionary habits; mobile bath units; alcohol rations; start of Chinese People's Volunteer Army attack on River Imjin; ambush of battle platoon in carriers at Ulster Crossing; redeployment in stopping position; move up road and orders to occupy Point 398; conditions during digging in on Point 398; burial of dead Chinese People's Volunteer Army troops on Point 398. REEL 7 Continues: problems with maps and map reading; lack of sightings of People's Volunteer Army armour; use of Korean porters; use of barbed wire; clearance of scrub in front of slit trenches; use of grenades; deployment of battalion during Battle of River Imjin; question of number of picks and shovels available; communications; booby-trapping gullies; dealing with Chinese People's Volunteer Army attacks on positions; reaction of troops under fire; behaviour of two reservists during action and retreat; character of Chinese People's Volunteer Army attack; method of withdrawing from positions; order of withdrawal; advise from NCO to avoid tanks; behaviour of commanding officer of C Coy; decision to push on through C Coy; NCO's clearing of house; disorganisation of withdrawal; fate of troops and porters during withdrawal. REEL 8 Continues: nature of withdrawal; move through Belgian battalion of Volunteer Corps for Korea positions onto Main Supply Route; arrival at rear echelon; battalion losses; taking over command of his company; taking up positions to block Chinese People's Volunteer Army advance; move by to Yong Dong Po; move into defensive positions south of River Han; battalion losses during year tour of operations; opinion of role of 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars; effect of combat stress on one soldier; length of time to recover unit readiness; training with American Amtracs; effects of physical exhaustion on morale during action; opinion of quality of positions held by 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regt and Greek Expeditionary Force troops; improving positions; patrolling across River Imjin. REEL 9 Continues: lack of engineering support for defences positions; purpose of patrols on River Imjin; nature of listening patrols; incident of losing patrol member; discovery of Chinese People's Volunteer Army propaganda leaflets; equipment taken on patrols; incident of patrol caught out over River Imjin; lack of Chinese People's Volunteer Army patrol activity; rest and recreational activities in Japan; posting to B Coy; memories of various unit officers; time taken to get to know new platoon; deployment of unit in advance of River Imjin; opinion of Belgian and Australian Army troops; character of positions near Samichon River; formation of 1st Commonwealth Division; incident of self-inflicted wound; patrol towards Point 179; discovery of Chinese People's Volunteer Army slit trenches on Point 179 after brief action; discovery of minor wound; terrain around Point 179. REEL 10 Continues: opening fire on Chinese People's Volunteer Army party from Point 179; sight of 1st Bn King's Own Scottish Borderers battle patrol attacking Chinese People's Volunteer Army positions; return to own lines; advance to adjust front line; move into reserve at Ujongbu; move to Pusan and leaving South Korea; support for advance to contact; deployment of platoon for advance to contact; character of 1st Bn Royal Norfolk Regt on arrival; attitude to serving in Korea; lessons learnt during service in Korean War; importance of knowing personal circumstances of troops. Aspects of period as officer with 1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles, Hong Kong Garrison in Hong Kong, 1951-1953: role as Assistant Adjutant including attending court martial; high rate of traffic accidents and venereal disease; reasons for mass brawl between battalion and 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's); aftermath of brawl; applying for regular commission; attending courses at Far Eastern Training Centre in Johore, Federation of Malaya; background to obtaining regular commission into 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in GB. REEL 11 Continues: Recollections of operations as officer with 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Kenya, 1953-1954: briefing for move with advance party to Kenya; duties on arrival in Kenya; setting up of camp at Hell's Gate; character of patrol in bush; move to Nairobi; situation in Nairobi; patrols with Kenya Police; dealing with suspected Mau Mau supporters; nature of vehicle check points; guard duties and house searches; return to Naivasha; attachment to Kenya Police at Gil Gil; character of Kenya Police Reservists; duties training recruits; tribal composition of police units. REEL 12 Continues: training of policemen; relations between Asians and Africans; problems with obtaining Asian recruits; nature of six month training programme; character of emergency; relations with police officers; contrast between British police officers who had served in Federation of Malaya and Palestine; degree of intelligence; character of Mau Mau insurgent oathing ceremonies; memories of Dr Louis Leakey and his information on Mau Mau organisation. Recollections of operations as officer with 7th (Uganda) Bn King's Africa Rifles in Kenya, 1954-1955: posting to battalion at Nanyuki; promotion to captain; effects of negotiations with Mau Mau's Waruhiu Itote 'General China' on operations; character of 'sweep' operation; killing and capture of Mau Mau insurgents; decision to sweep swamp area; platoon operation to clear caves; move to Square's Farm; operations from Square's Farm. REEL 13 Continues: Mau Mau insurgent cattle rustling; use of anti-aircraft guns for harassing fire; security duties; relations with European farmers; memories of ex-British general; setting up platoon post in abandoned house; investigation into loss cattle from boma; wildlife encountered; accidental ambush on Royal Engineers party and subsequent investigation; successful retrieval of bodies; subsequent investigation by Special Branch; ambush on Mau Mau insurgent group; disposal of prisoners of war by Mau Mau insurgents; incident when Kenya Police Reserve Air Wing North American Harvard aircraft crashed during air strikes; opinion of use of air photographs; character of maps; qualifying as tracker. REEL 14 Continues: skills obtained on tracker course; methods employed to avoid detection when tracking; patrolling including follow up patrols; question of quality of intelligence; African troops' attitude towards Mau Mau; reasons for not using vehicle patrols; relations with Kenya Police force; opinion of Special Branch; protective measures taken by farmers; question of Mau Mau insurgents' aggressive spirit; camp's defences; story of his court martial for hitting policeman at Outspan Hotel at Neyri; outcome of his court martial; nature of military service with unit in Kenya; move to Muranga; opinion of Kenya Police Reserve Air Wing; Mau Mau insurgent activity in coffee plantations; move of British battalions to Nairobi for Operation Anvil; ten day forest sweep. REEL 15 Continues: winding down of Kenyan Emergency; guarding airfield at Muranga and providing security for Europeans; lessons learnt from service in Kenya; story of Mau Mau insurgent encounter in camp. Aspects of period as officer with 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in GB, 1955-1957: attending anti-tank course at Netheravon; role as tracking instructor with Air Portable Bde at Barnard Castle; problems of discipline in unit; effects of army reductions. Recollections of period as officer with 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Berlin and West Germany, 1957-1959: role in moving families to Berlin; guard duties in Berlin; visits to Soviet Sector of Berlin; impressions of Soviets, Americans, French and Germans; battalion defence plan for Berlin; move to Wuppertal; character of exercises; degree of contact with West German civilians; question of quality of radio sets; opinion of British Army boots; reasons for volunteering as Air Ground Liaison Officer. REEL 16 Continues: Recollections of period as Forward Air Controller with Headquarters, 3rd Commando Bde in Mediterranean, Malta, North Africa, Aden Protectorate, Singapore, Federation of Malaya and Australia, 1960-1962: attending Air Support Course at Joint Warfare Establishment at Old Sarum, GB; battle test with 3rd Commando Bde in Malta; practise exercises; flights in aircraft; method of indicating targets; safety margins; perambulations of various aircraft types and minimum altitude necessary to arm bombs on descent; patrolling exercise in North Africa; secret preparations to go to Rhodesia; conditions in camp in Aden, Aden Protectorate; return to Malta; forward air controller work in Aden Protectorate; relations with Royal Air Force; live firing exercises in Singapore, Federation of Malaya; opinion of Australian Special Air Service Regiment during exercises in Australia; organisation of Royal Marines. REEL 17 Continues: reasons for declining transfer to Royal Marines. Recollections of operations as officer with 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Republic of Cyprus, 1963: return to unit in GB; commanding company in north Larnaca area; dealing with Greek Cypriot clergy; dealing with Greek and Turkish Cypriots in Agios Theodoros; opinion of United Nations' Swedish Police; dealing with Greek policeman; shooting incidents Larnaca and Agios Theodoros; dealing with threat to mail run to Dhekalia; patrols in Larnaca; transformation into Untied Nations troops; move to Limassol area; relations with civilians near Limassol; character of Greek Police; reaction of troops to being part of United Nations; stories illustrating relations with Turkish civilians; reasons why quota system did not work; relations with Irish United Nations battalion; return to GB; opinion of General Michael Carver. Aspects of period as instructor with Royal Marine Officers School, Lympstone, Junior Leaders Regiment and Joint Warfare Establishment in GB, 1965-1973: counter-insurgency training instruction given; character of training exercises. REEL 18 Continues: content of counter-insurgency course; role with Junior Leaders Regiment; opinion of calibre of junior leaders; causes of failure with Junior Leaders Regiment; posting as Forward Air Controller instructor with Joint Warfare Establishment; changes in Forward Air Controller techniques and technology; methods of marking targets; use of smoke and lasers; selection of targets by helicopter pilots; use of smoke parties; need to practise in inhabited landscape; demonstration on Salisbury Plain, GB; brief posting to Oman and flying operational flights. Recollections of period as Carrier Bourne Liaison Officer aboard HMS Ark Royal in GB coastal waters, Mediterranean and Caribbean, 1975-1977: background to posting; size of map store. REEL 19 Continues: amusing story of finding 1879 map of Denmark; composition of his unit on board; sighting of Soviet Navy submarine; production of ship's newspaper; exercises on range near Puerto Rico; shooting down of American seaplane; story of effects of accidental bombing of Aga Khan's beach at Cape Spartivento, Italy; record as Forward Air Controller; opinion of American military personnel; basic Forward Air Controller procedure same throughout North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO); character of HMS Ark Royal; prior recollection of accidentally opening fire on patrol of 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regt in South Korea, 1951; question of adjusting to civilian life and advantages of military career.