大象传媒

We were a mile or so behind a thousand guns which our 3 tonners were supplying with about 1,000 rounds each. The Battle of Alamein started on the 23rd October through to the 4th November - let battle commence!

On the 28th one of our fitters started repairing a petrol tank too quickly and put a blow lamp on it to repair a hole and he got blown up and I got caught in the blast and was knocked several yards. We got him to hospital and fortunately he recovered and returned to us a month later. 1st November saw me as near death as it is possible to be. Jerry was trying to knock our workshop out and the dive bombers came in with the sun behind them so we could not see them. This Stuka with two guns blazing came down on three of us who all dived to the same ridge for cover. I knew I had been hit and momentarily I was sure I was dead. On seeing the blood pouring out of my right arm I realised I was still alive but unfortunately the two lads either side of me were both dead. The spray of the bullets killed the one on my left, lucky me in the middle only got one to the arm and the other poor devil got the full blast. I never worried again after that - I just prayed that if it was my turn it would be quick.

In the meantime our lorries were belting backwards and forwards day and night keeping the guns supplied. Then we had broken through the EI Alamein Line were moving up a few miles every day to stay in touch with the action. Horrible sights of dead bodies and tanks with people who had been trying to clamber out after an armour piercing shell had swished round inside. All black bodies, half burnt. I am afraid this was real war, no give or take.

This story has been added to the People鈥檚 War site by Melita Dennett on behalf of William Alford, who understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

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