Interview with Arnold Lupton

British trooper trained with Royal Armoured Corps Regimental Depot, Bovington Camp, GB, 4/1939-9/1939; trooper served with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 3rd Armoured Bde, 1st Armoured Div in GB and France, 9/1939-8/1940; trooper served with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 7th Armoured Div, Western Desert Force in Egypt, 9/1940-1/1941; trooper and NCO served with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 7th Armoured Bde in North Africa, 1/1941-1/1942; NCO served with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 7th Armoured Bde Group in Burma, 2/1942-3/1942; served with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 7th Armoured Bde in India, Iraq, French Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Italy, 6/1942-12/1944; NCO served with Royal Armoured Corps in GB, 1945-1946

REEL 1 Background in GB, 1919-1939: family; education; employment; enlistment in Royal Armoured Corps 1939; obtaining nickname 'Harry'; further details of education and reason for move to Eastbourne; employment with Barclays Bank. Aspects of enlistment in British Army, 4/1939: reason for enlistment in British Army and attempt to join Metropolitan Police; knowledge of recruitment office; process of joining army; signs of approaching war. REEL 2 Continues: reaction of family and friends to his enlistment in British Army; journey to Bovington Camp; medical. Aspects of training as trooper with Royal Armoured Corps Regimental Depot, Bovington Camp, GB, 4/1939-9/1939: description of Bovington Camp; reception on arrival; personal items taken; initial impressions and background of fellow recruits; opinion of reasons for recruits joining Royal Armoured Corps; pay; issue of uniform; polishing of boots; fit of uniform; learning to clean equipment; pattern of training; sporting activities; daily routine; story of cricket match for University of Cambridge; cleaning and inspection of hut; story of soldier who could not march; passing out parade; nature of training squads. REEL 3 Continues: first morning in Royal Armoured Corps; weapon issued; drill; guard duties; inspection of guard; opinion of rations; meals; visits to Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI); period before being allowed of camp; visit of parents; visits out of camp; length of basic training; standard of turnout when receiving visitors; area around camp; role of passing out parade; earlier request to join Royal Tank Regiment; firing from tanks; weapons training; wait for posting; truck maintenance training; attitude of fellow troopers; details of firing on range at Lulworth; noise of and shock from firing tank guns. REEL 4 Continues: cooling of engine; composition of tank crew. Recollections of period as trooper with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 3rd Armoured Bde, 1st Armoured Div in GB, 9/1939-5/1940: posting to 2nd Royal Tank Regt at Warminster; accommodation; weather conditions; pattern of training; posting at Dunstable; start of training with tanks; stories of near accidents while learning to drive tanks; driving in winter conditions; length of time at Warminster; training received at Warminster; pattern of training at Dunstable; instructors; aversion to wireless training; steering and gears in Light Tank Mk VI; opinion of Light Tank Mk VI; entrance into and driver's vision in Light Tank Mk VI; communication with tank commander; details of A9 and A10 Cruiser Tanks received at Ringwood; description of A9 Cruiser Tank driving compartment; alternative exit from tank; use of A9 Cruiser Tank in desert; sensations whilst in action in A9 Cruiser Tank; communication; vision from A9 Cruiser Tank. REEL 5 Continues: comparison of driving positions in A9 and A10 Cruiser Tanks; performance of A9 and A10 Cruiser Tanks; types of tanks used by regiment; question of success of tanks in France; role as gunner driver; firing on the move; crew in turret; entrance and exit from turret; positions taken by crew and order of exit from tank; firing gun from tank; reception on arrival in regiment; pride in regiment; relationship with officers and tank crew; comradeship; contact with squadron leader; talk from squadron leader prior to departure for France; accommodation in Ringwood; memories of troop commander; opinion of NCOs serving with regiment. REEL 6 Continues: opinions of readiness for war; field exercises; declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; reaction to start of war with German invasion of France and the Low Countries, 10/5/1940; preparations for departure to France; reaction to news of German invasion of France and the Low Countries; opinion of chances against German Army; training within regiment; learning to drive tank; posting to role of tank driver; duties of each tank crew member; maintenance of engine and tracks; repairing of tracks; accommodation; opinion of rations; sleeping arrangements; illness at Christmas 12/1939. REEL 7 Continues: activities of regiment; secrecy surrounding destination of overseas posting; embarkation leave and news of posting in France; preparation for movement abroad; journey to Southampton, including description of Ringwood Railway Station; organisation of preparations; transport of personal items; reaction of family to his posting to France; embarkation at Southampton and voyage to Cherbourg, France, 5/1940. Aspects of operations as trooper with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 3rd Armoured Bde, 1st Armoured Div in France, 5/1940-6/1940: arrival in Cherbourg; transport of troops and tanks away from Cherbourg; destination; loading of A9 Cruiser Tank; posting to B Echelon; duties with supply vehicles; cans used for water storage; vehicle driven; crew of vehicle; picking up of water; civilian vehicles used by unit; camouflage scheme of vehicles; painting of trucks; tactical markings; length of journey from Cherbourg and conditions on train; accommodation and facilities; split of regiment. REEL 8 Continues: organisation after arrival at Le Mans; proximity to A Echelon and squadrons; officers at B Echelon; journeys to A Echelon; recreational activities, including visits to Le Mans; relations with French civilians; presence of refugees on road; German Air Force attacks; impressions of battle; reliability of instructions; communications; contact with French Army; further details of relations with French civilians; realisation Germans were winning; knowledge of situation in France; withdrawal and storage of supplies; orders given for evacuation; departure from Saint-Malo and destruction of vehicles; splitting up of unit; proximity from advancing troops; other units also escaping from Saint-Malo; thoughts during voyage from Saint-Malo to Southampton, GB. Aspects of period as trooper with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 3rd Armoured Bde, 1st Armoured Div in GB, 6/1940-8/1940: reception on arrival in Southampton. REEL 9 Continues: population of ship; organisation of sending reinforcements to regiment; reception on arrival; morale; opinion of regiment's performance in France; reinforcements; tanks used by regiment; pattern of training, including live firing on coast; allocation to A9 Cruiser tank crew and training; German Army tanks' inability to fire on move; training to fire while on the move; discussion of usefulness of firing on move; receiving news of overseas posting; embarkation leave; train journey to Liverpool; reason for dockers' strike and loading of ship; division of regiment. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Duchess of Bedford from Liverpool, GB, to Egypt, 8/1940-9/1940: character of ship; reason for quick return; German Air Force raids on Liverpool; embarkation; details of convoy and route taken; allocation to QF 6 Inch Naval Gun crew; storage of ammunition; loss of naval ships to Mediterranean; stopover at and march through Cape Town, South Africa. REEL 10 Continues: Aspects of operations as trooper with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 4th Armoured Bde, 7th Armoured Div in Egypt, 9/1940-11/1941: arrival in Port Said; disembarkation and unloading of ship; issue of solar topee and inoculations; posting to Mersa Matruh; acclimatisation to desert conditions; role in tank crew. Aspects of hospitalisation in Egypt, 11/1940-1/1941: hospitalisation in Alexandria with jaundice; evacuation to Alexandria; length of stay; rations; convalescence at Cairo; physical state on arrival; reason for contracting jaundice; length of time away from unit; opinion of medical facilities and staff; events during absence; posting of unit near convalescent camp; rejoining C Sqdn at Sidi Bishr; treatment at convalescent camp; duties. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Duchess of Bedford from Liverpool, GB, to Port Said, Egypt, 8/1940-9/1940: refuelling at Freetown, Sierra Leone and Cape Town, South Africa; accommodation and conditions on board troopship; ship's crew; activities during voyage; Crossing the Line ceremony. Recollections of operations as trooper and NCO with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 7th Armoured Bde in North Africa, 1/1941-1/1942: issue of khaki dress; opinion and destruction of solar topee; description of desert terrain; details of khaki dress; opinion of British Army boots; wildlife in desert and sleeping arrangements; description of desert boots; headgear and clothes worn; return to tank crew; tanks in battalion; training; plan for attack into Libya. REEL 11 Continues: morale in unit; Deutsches Afrika Korps arrival in North Africa, 21/2/1941; desert life in a tank crew including rations, description of cooker issued and desert sores; canteen; selection of cooks; pudding made from biscuits; water ration; description of local wind the Khamsin; mirages; cooking of meals and tea; early morning firing on Deutsches Afrika Korps' positions; uses and description of petrol cans; issuing of supplies to tank crews; importance and censorship of mail; parcels sent from home. REEL 12 Continues: problems with monotony of rations and further details of rations received; supply of water to tanks; decision to relieve Tobruk, Libya; approach and sighting of Deutsches Afrika Korps tanks; position taken; Deutsches Afrika Korps attack on tank; wounding of tank commander; positions taken by himself and Trooper Charles Gibbs; evacuation and death of tank commander, including description of shell hitting tank; medical treatment received for wounds; awaiting tank commander; damage to tank from shell; need to carry on in damaged tank; opinion of Ordnance QF 2 Pounder Tank Gun; mystery of tank that fired on them; return to action and details of skirmishes; impressions of action as gunner; story of rice pudding tin; effects of successful shots; attacks on Deutsches Afrika Korps patrols; story of escape from a tank; treatment of escaping Deutsches Afrika Korps crews; view available to gunner; reactions during battles. REEL 13 Continues: fear of tank setting on fire; experience gained from battle; nature of thoughts and conversation between actions; tank crews' coping with strain; teamwork within tank crew; movement between crews; weeding out of troops who were not team players; comradeship amongst crew members; driver he was often paired with; leave in Egypt; out of bounds areas; fights in clubs; alcohol available; unit canteen near Mersa Matruh; camouflage of tanks; swimming in sea; further details of tank camouflage. REEL 14 Continues: departure from rear area; further details of camouflage on tank; differences between Operations Crusader and Battleaxe; scenes and events during night before battle; rainfall and method of keeping dry; flowers in desert; problems with ground conditions; position taken on top of escarpment and success of shots fired; destruction of tank track; abandonment of tank and return to lines; Eighth Army equipment situation; further details of evacuation; collection of replacement tank; return to front; aircraft previously destroyed on airfield; items carried away from tank; earlier repairing of tracks during a battle; loss of boot heel; reaction during Operation Crusader; awareness of Eighth Army's size; air activity; laager defences; confidence during tank actions. REEL 15 Continues: movement of Deutsches Afrika Korps tanks; ammunition fired; tanks operated in during Operation Crusader; similarities between A13 Cruiser Mk IV Tank and A15 Cruiser Mk VI Crusader Tank; units operated with; morale and activities following creation of composite battalion; withdrawal to Sidi Bishr, Egypt, 12/1941; conditions in camp; move to Suez Canal area, Egypt, 12/1941; issue and opinion of American manufactured M3 Stuart Tank; receiving news of posting to Far East; conditions during winter; loading of tanks for transport; effect on morale of regimental casualties during Operation Crusader, 11/1941-12/1941; arrival of reinforcements; characteristics of M3 Stuart Tank including problems with engine and provision of fire fighting equipment; gunnery practice; communications; composition of M3 Stuart Tank crew; firing on move practice; ammunition; use of M3 Stuart Tank in desert terrain; differences with tracks; movement and speed of M3 Stuart Tank; receiving news of posting in Far East; painting of tanks; inoculations. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Ascania from Suez, Egypt, to Rangoon, Burma, 1/2/1942-21/2/1942: stopover in Colombo, Ceylon; transportation of vehicles; character of troopship; sleeping arrangements. REEL 16 Continues: diversion to Rangoon, Burma on Fall of Singapore, Malaya, 15/2/1942. Recollections of operations as NCO with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 7th Armoured Bde Group in Burma, 2/1942-3/1942: arrival and disembarkation in Rangoon; proximity of Imperial Japanese Army troops; rations and items loaded into tanks; unloading of vehicles at Rangoon; receiving of orders; navigation; movement out of Rangoon and organisation of unit; cleaning of tank guns; composition of regiment in Burma; first action against Imperial Japanese Army at Waw; medical evacuation of driver from Burma; wounding from Imperial Japanese Army artillery fire; loss of tank and damage to replacement; lasting effects of wounds; medical treatment of wounds; night spent in hospital including Imperial Japanese Army Air Service raid; earlier sleeping arrangements in rubber plantation and termites eating through groundsheet; precautions taken against mosquitoes; evacuation of wounded after attack on tank; duties at A Echelon prior to hospitalisation; cholera inoculation. Aspects of hospitalisation in Burma and India, 3/1942-6/1942: hospitalisation in Pegu, Burma; voyage from Pegu to Mandalay on hospital ship and state of city on arrival; description of hospital ship and staff; treatment received. REEL 17 Continues: hospitalisation in Mandalay, Burma; train journey to Maymyo, Burma; accommodation; period in Shwebo, Burma; flight in Douglas Dakota aircraft from Shwebo, Burma to Calcutta, India; train journey to Poona, India; medical treatment received; train journey to Deolali, India; opinion of camp; issue of pay; accommodation in Calcutta, India; visits into Calcutta, India; receiving news of regiment's location; train journey to Dhond, India. Aspects of period as NCO with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 7th Armoured Bde in India, 6/1942-9/1942: report from Calcutta of his having gone Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL); description of camp at Dhond; reinforcements; civil order duties; arrival of new tanks. Recollections of hospitalisation in Burma and India, 3/1942-6/1942: further details of hospitalisation in Mandalay, Burma, including accommodation and sleeping arrangements; medical arrangements in Mandalay, Burma; conditions on train journey to Shwebo, Burma; organisation of airfield at Shwebo, Burma; physical state during flight in Douglas Dakota aircraft from Shwebo, Burma to Calcutta, India; journey through Calcutta, India to railway station; hospital in Poona, India; recovery from infection; lasting effects of injuries; presence of unit member at Poona, India; daily routine; visits to Women's Institute; opinion of reason for move out of Poona, India; camp at Deolali, India; description and opinion of Deolali, India. REEL 18 Continues: recreational activities; opinion of reason for being accommodated at Calcutta Racecourse, India; sleeping arrangements; boredom of period and visits into Calcutta, India; visiting friends of father; impressions of Calcutta, India; entertainments; period spent at Calcutta Racecourse, India, including military occupants, supply of meals and dealing with kite hawks; organisation at Calcutta Racecourse, India and decision to make own way to unit. Aspects of period as NCO with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 7th Armoured Bde in India, 6/1942-9/1942: return to unit at Dhond; description of Dhond; recreational activities; camp life at Dhond, including sleeping arrangements and presence of wildlife in huts; description of monsoons; activities of regiment at Dhond; visit from Duke of Gloucester; routine, including arrival of vehicles; civil order duties. REEL 19 Continues: reason for civil disorder and attitude of troops to situation; return to squadron and troop; leave in Simla, including witnessing Quit India Movement actions against mountain railway; character of Simla; arrival of tanks; move to Bombay; accommodation; description of M3 Lee Tank; visit to friend of father in Bombay and story of being saluted by Corps of Military Police; voyage from Bombay to Basra, Iraq, 9/1942. Recollections of period as NCO with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 7th Armoured Bde in Iraq, French Syria and Lebanon, 9/1942-9/1943: climate; posting to Baghdad, Iraq; role in Iraq; location of camp; conditions following rain; characteristics of M3 Grant Tank; posting of squadron to Kirkuk, Iraq; role delivering squadron mail, including overnight stops at RAF Habbaniya. REEL 20 Continues: story of children in desert; visit to cinema; description of Kirkuk, Iraq; story of near garrotted tank commander in Kirkuk, Iraq; opinion of posting to Kirkuk, Iraqu; sporting activities; story of dog playing football; invasion training; problems with heat in camp near Basra, Iraq; organisation of camp at Baghdad, Iraq; need for care against theft; role in M3 Grant Tank crew; problems with 75mm Tank Gun, including storage of ammunition and communications with tank commander; opinion of M3 Grant Tank and sights on 75mm Tank Gun; driver and tank commander positions; problems with engine; driving tanks; maintenance of M3 Grant Tank, including access to engine. REEL 21 Continues: driving of M3 Grant Tank; story of journey from Baghdad, Iraq to Cairo, Egypt via Damascus, French Syria to attend tank course; characteristics of M4 Sherman Tanks learned on tank course; return to Baghdad, Iraq; regiment's posting to French Syria and journey; period spent in Homs and Aleppo, French Syria; brigade role in French Syria; posting to Baalbek, Lebanon; arrival and characteristics of M4 Sherman Tank; training; promotion to sergeant and posting with Headquarters Sqdn; details of M4 Sherman Tank engine; use of M4 Sherman Tank in battle; opinion and description of M4 Sherman Tanks; storage of ammunition; sighting and firing of gun; machine guns; story of smouldering ammunition; use of machine gun in training; movement of main gun; opinion of M4 Sherman Tank. REEL 22 Continues: firing whilst on move; promotion to sergeant and additional duties; reaction to promotion; reason for move to Headquarters Sqdn on promotion to sergeant; role with Headquarters Sqdn; problems obtaining commission; application made for a commission; story of letter instructing War Office Selection Board to fail him; reaction to not being allowed to obtain commission; details of War Office Selection Board course; failure of course; approach to course after discovering he would not pass; reaction of comrades to his attending War Office Selection Board; opinion of regiment's officers. REEL 23 Continues: reception from and relations with fellow sergeants; difficulties with role as sergeant; discipline; standard of turnout; relationship between officers and Other Ranks; relationship between old and new officers; characters in regiment; navigation; story of cookhouse explosion. Aspects of period as NCO with 2nd Royal Tank Regt, 7th Armoured Bde in Egypt, 9/1943-5/1944: journey to Suez, 9/1943; exercises; guard duties at prisoner of war camp; leave in Alexandria. REEL 24 Continues: Egyptian civilian attitude to war; invasion training and waterproofing of tanks; live firing exercises; story of shots accidentally landing on B Echelon; loading of ships at Suez. Aspects of operations as NCO with 2nd Royal Tank Regt in Italy, 5/1944-12/1944: voyage from Suez, Egypt to Taranto, 5/1944; disembarkation at Taranto; journey to front; summary of period in Italy; opinion of Italy; mining of grape vines; further details of voyage from Suez, Egypt to Taranto, 5/1944; reaction to returning to war zone; memories of commanding officer; details of actions involved with; use of guns; training with infantry and camouflaging of tanks; learning to fight on Italian terrain; role in tank crew. REEL 25 Continues: duties purchasing fresh rations; story of pet turkey; receiving and acting on orders during operations; engaging by troop or squadron; clearance of points; German use of tank turrets as anti-tank guns; story of visit to Rome and demotion to corporal; opinion and details of new role; currency used; bartering with civilians; rations bought for unit; problems Italian civilians had selling produce; problems with rain. REEL 26 Continues: vehicle used when buying rations; attitude of Italian civilians to situation including impressions gained on pre-war visit to Italy; move of regiment to Porto Recanati and duties; departure from unit for Python leave; stay in Naples; voyage to GB and details of regiment band; explanation of Python; leave in Stockport; meeting of wife and marriage; arrival at Gourock; weather; length of leave; further details of voyage including movement of boat in water; medical downgrading; time on reserve and opinion of downgrading. Aspects of period as NCO with Royal Armoured Corps in GB, 1945-1946: duties at Newmarket; medical; description of Chippenham Park Camp; snowfall in May; surrounding area; closing stages of war. REEL 27 Continues: reaction of family to medical downgrading; honeymoon; offer of work from father and study undertaken; recreational activities at Newmarket; availability of rations; cook's use of pilchards; sports and training; length of stay at Newmarket; methods of travelling home for leave; weekend leaves; process of demobilisation at Ashton-under-Lyne; initial pension; items kept; loss of items in Rome, Italy when arrested; reason for arrest; story of first visit home to Stockport; opinion of demobilisation suit, gratuity and tax vouchers. Post-war life and employment: home; employment in textile industry; opinion of qualities gained from military service and how that helped with civilian employment. REEL 28 Continues: further details of employment; keeping in touch with wartime comrades.