Description
Object description
British officer served with Royal Sussex Regt in GB, France and Middle East, 1939-1944; served with Special Operations Executive in Italy and Far East, 1944-1945
Content description
REEL 1 Period at Royal Military College, Sandhurst in GB, 1937-1939. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Sussex Regiment in GB, France and Middle East, 1939-1944: joining of Royal Sussex Regiment at Devonport; posting in Belfast; mobilisation and outbreak of war; posting to Amiens; air raids; retreat including story of driving train; action against German Army; voyage across English Channel; arrival at Southampton; details of unit; coastal defence duties in Norfolk; posting abroad; journey through Mediterranean; period in Middle East; background to joining Special Operations Executive. Aspects of period as officer with Special Operations Executive in Italy, 1944-1945: period in Cairo; journey to Taranto; earlier plan for mission in Greece; parachute training in Brindisi; explosives training; accommodation in Monopoli; briefing for mission; learning of Italian language; make-up of mission team; story of parachute drop; link-up with Partisans; area operated in; role of mission; problems among Partisans.
REEL 2 Continues: reason for move of operations; memories of Bill Tilman and Paul Breacher; details of Nino Nanetti; story of German attack, 1/1945; living conditions; accommodation; relationship with civilians and Partisans; activities of Partisans; departure from northern Italy; memories and activities of colleagues; notification of posting to Far East; leave in GB and memories of Frank and Palmer Thompson; story of flight to Rangoon including story of meeting Mountbatten in Ceylon.
REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of period as officer with Special Operations Executive in Far East, 1945: posting in Rangoon; cancellation of mission; posting with Publicity Department in Bangkok; details of work including events during time in Thailand; demobilisation and return to GB; winter 1947 and decision to return to regiment; posting in Trieste; reunion with Partisans.