Peel, George (Oral history)

British officer served with No.3 Commando during Vaagso Raid, Norway, 27/Dec/1941.

REEL 1: Aspects of training with No. 3 Commando in GB, 1941: story of volunteering for commandoes; interview in Bristol; posted to Largs, Scotland; billets; description of service with 3-inch anti-aircraft battery at Avonmouth; reason for volunteering for raids on French coast; description of commando training including assault courses, rock climbing and unarmed combat; story of 55 mile route march; use of soap to prevent blisters on feet; comparison of commandoes with regular army; attitude to being Returned to Unit; story about wearing tie; opinion of CO Durnford-Slater and reaction to post-war suicide. REEL 2 Continues: opinion of ex-convicts serving with commandoes; attitude to wearing green beret; discipline and punishments including Returned to Unit; daily routine and training schedule; opinion of facilities at Largs; story of finding civilian billets with Miss Hunter; pride in being commando; relations with local civilians in Largs; further description of climbing training and using commando knife; attitude to killing; patriotism and fear of German invasion; father’s service in First World War; attitude to fear; story about No. 9 Commando prior to Vaagso Raid; relations between commando units; opinion of Jack Churchill; question of commandoes attracting eccentric characters; opinion of training methods; relations between ranks; importance of using own initiative; attitude to raids being cancelled at short notice; reason for initial rank of trooper. REEL 3 Continues: promotion and commission as lieutenant; description of preparations for Vaagso Raid; entrained to Rosyth; description of voyage aboard HMS Kenya to Norway. Aspects of operations with No.3 Commando during Vaagso Raid, Norway, 27/Dec/1941: reasons for raid and objectives; opinion of conditions aboard commando boats; issued with cocoa and rum; description of landing under smoke screen; story of British bomber accidentally dropping phosphorus bomb on landing craft; problem of German fire from shore; reaction to death of Cpt Giles; story of entering deserted house full of Christmas presents and food; story of taking silver case containing pages from New Testament; story of helping badly wounded commando to safety; religious beliefs and attitude to fear; description of town and location of German forces; role of HMS Kenya in firing on German artillery positions; question of Germans being prepared for raid; size of German garrison; reaction to being under fire for first time and death of CO; description of moving from house to house; story of stabbing German officer concealed behind door; story of carrying badly wounded friend Jimmy back to boat for medical treatment; description of voyage back to Scotland and reception on arrival in Largs; Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. REEL 4 Continues: casualties sustained during raid; further comments on stabbing German officer and attitude to using knife to kill; question of luck; casualties in own Troop and replacements; reflections on raid; story of leave in Bristol; opinion of combined operations; further comments on accidental dropping of phosphorous bomb on landing craft; further description of climbing training.