大象传媒

I was called up - Ex Service Cavalry man - and they said we were to go to Palestine. Some hope. Myself and my mates from India were put on the train to Portsmouth. When we got out we were lined up with our kitbags. After being counted we were told to take our boots off and put pumps on. We were then marched to the gangplank and marched inside the boat. We finished up in a big area. There were tables with lamps and four chairs, a big dance floor and a big stage. Then the Sarge said 鈥渟ix men for spud peeling, you, you and four more down the steps to the kitchen鈥�. It was just like the tele - big stoves and a big cover; all the cooks wore big white hats. In the kitchen there were two big baths filled with spuds and a knife each. That was the job. One of us went to get tea. Later we sailed off.
There was a swimming tank on the deck, but it was freezing.
We started off in a convoy, there were quite a lot of boats. We walked round the boat and noticed that all the boats did half turns, then turned back again. They said it was just in case of submarines. We went left half a turn, but the boat behind was massive. We all dashed round the other side and it hit us. It was panic stations. No one was allowed in lifeboats. As we were safe they closed the doors to keep the water out, so all was okay. They all sailed on and left us with a destroyer going round us. We were told we were to go to Malta where there was a dry dock - we got there okay. But the dent in the front of the boat was bad. We had to wait for a new boat, and low and behold it was a troop ship and off we went to Palestine and the Suez Canal.
Off the boat - lined up - Officer said: 鈥渢his half to the Royals and the other to the Scot Greys鈥�. Not being very fond of the bagpipes we joined the Royals - horses and all, then we were told we were getting armoured cars - and we did. The armoured plating was not much, all it would stop was a 303 - that is what we finished up with. So off we went to North Africa against guess who - Field Marshall Rommel and his Tiger Tanks with his 96 guns.
Once we met with them all we could do was to turn tail and scarper, then we had to round his line and shoot his supplies coming up from Benghazi. I was in the right hand car when we ran into fire. One or two missed us then I was hit - shell through the radiator. I was the last one out, the others had been picked up. I ran till I could run no more~ then I saw a jeep coming towards me. An Officer got out and told me to put down my arms - I hadn't got any. He came in a jeep and picked me up. He was a German Officer - spoke English well and took me back to his Sarge. He had 3 tiger tanks, guns and a caravan. He took me to the caravan. The door opened and there was Field Marshall Rommell. He looked at my pay book and sent us away. I got into a lorry. Already in there were 2 tank men, a Sergeant and Trooper. Their tank had been knocked out. They took us to Benghazi and then onto Italy. I was there for 2 years, then onto Germany for another 2 years. We were the first P.O. W's. and the camps were new. All had double beds, one on top of the other and a small gangway in between, 8 planks of wood crossways and a palliass filled with straw for a mattress. Every month the mattress was changed as it was all broken up. It was emptied and refilled with new straw.
We had our photos taken with a number with it. They said the Red Cross would send them home - which they did. We didn't believe them
The camp we were in was not very big - about 200. One German Officer (small) was in charge and about 4 other Officers. We were marched way, the small German Officer in front with 4 German Officers with him. When we got to the factory, - high walls all round, 2 gates posts, no gate and a small Watchman's hut, we all went in side. We could hear tank and guns in the distance - quite close. The Officer went into the middle of the road waving a white hanky. The officer in the hut came out and shot him, then jumped over the back wall to escape. A small American tank came and it was sent after them. We heard the machine guns blasting, then they came back to tell us they had all been shot - so that was the end of that.
For a full day we were locked up in a big factory - but we could hear the tanks and guns firing. As the day went on we were set free and went to the nearest village and told to wait for the Red Cross. All the shops (not many) had been broken into - the one was a shoe shop and the road was filled
with shoes - all sorts, but they were all left foot no right foot - so no good at all.
We gathered in the square and were told which house or building to go to. We were all split up. I was one of 6 and went to a farm building with animals outside. We stood on the pavement. Tanks, guns, lorries and all were driven by dark drivers. We were told not to get on the road as they would not STOP. After they had all gone we were told we would be picked up and taken to the Aerodrome to be sent back to England. At the Aerodrome, as they unloaded petrol, guns, ammunition we took their place. There were two long benches, on each side - they were American Flyers to take us back. Then all the usual questions - where are the parachutes and sick bags - none at all, but there was a bucket for each side - everyone was sick and you hung on to the bucket. We were told we would land at Le Havre, France for the night and continue back to England in the morning. We landed at Le Havre and it was covered in large tents, we were lined up to go inside. They were Americans and there was all the food we had dreamed about and as much as you wanted! Of course we gobbled it down, and went back for more. On the other side of the tents were custard, jelly and ice cream and everything you could think of. After all we had been half starved fore a long time, so we all got stuck in. Greedy Buggers.
There were 6 of us in each tent. We were woken up at 6.00am and loaded in the planes. Everyone was sick, and once you got the bucket you hung onto it.
We flew just over the water and were all sick again. We landed at RAF Brize Norton. W were squirted all over with powder as we were all lousy and I mean lousy. All our clothes were put in a heap - everything had to be burnt. We went under showers with something in it to kill the bugs and lice, out the other end and issued with vests, pants, army jacket, trousers, socks and boots. The RAF was waiting to feed us - what a let down - tea and cakes. We were not sent to the Barracks till in the morning where we were given furlough passes - I think it was for 3 weeks - but I am not sure.
My brother had his tank knocked out and was injured, but had got over it, so mom was pleased and thankful we had come home safe and sound.

{This story was submitted to the People's War site by Wolverhampton Libraries on behalf of Albert Potts and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions]

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