大象传媒

Private |John William Collins 6399349, regular soldier when the war started, I signed up when I was 17. 1st Battalion the Royal Sussex Regiment which was attached to 4th Indian Division and the 8th Army during the desert campaigns.

First Campaign - I served under General Waverley in the first desert campaign where we were not able to get much further than Benghazi. The enemy forces were too powerful and forced us back to Egypt. During the withdrawal we were under constant attack from Messerschmit fighter aircraft and Stuka dive bombers. Thank goodness that their range was limited. If our trucks broke down or were hit by enemy fire, we destroyed the vehicles before jumping on any following transport so that we could get back to our lines.

Second campaign - The second campaign was just like the first although this time we managed to progress 90 miles past Benghazi. We were still no match for the Germans who were heavily equipped with tanks and artillery. Superior forces drove us back to Egypt again.

Third campaign - Arriving at the Alamein barrage area was awe inspiring. It was early evening and the gun batteries were blasting non stop, the noise was deafening and they produced so much heat and fumes. From left to right, as far as the eye could see were lines of artillery drawn up in three rows - forward, light; cenre, medium; back, heavy.

Each brigade was allocated an area in preparation for its battle the next day. The Company Commander gave the briefing. The intelligence was that we would be attacking an area that was lightly defended. We loaded up in 3 ton lorries on bench seats, 25 to a truck. You knew them all, friends and mates. But as the transport moved forward there was no talking. No-one was looking forward to this. The infantry soldier's personal feelings and emotions don't change. You are constantly expecting to be wounded at best or killed outright at worst. I have seen so many times the horrific effect of anti-personnel mines, you are ever fearful. The faces showed the anxiety - will we ever see our loved ones again? Will we make it through to tomorrow? When the transport came to a halt everyone gets off and forms up in lines roughly 3-4 feet apart between each soldier. The transport move back out of range to be safeguarded either to take you forward again or withdrawal, depending on the outcome of the battle.

The intelligence that the area was lightly defended was wrong. Casualties going forward to attack the enemy trenches were extremely heavy. They defended with light artillery, heavy machine gun and rifles; the fire was intense. Two hundred yards from the trenches we encountered barbed wire and the area was mined. Our unit was pinned down, we were sitting ducks. We knew what would follow, a mortar box barrage, absolutely lethal for pinned down troops, covering 15-20 square yards a time. There was little we could do in reply only intermittent rifle and bren gun fire, the odd mortar. By the time our tanks arrived the casualties were extremely high.

Tanks give you cover, can overcome barbed wire and mines and we were able to take command of the trench and the captured enemy.

Then you can be picked for burial duty. Some moved back to dig large areas. The rest worked in pairs. Pick up a dead comrade, place him in a blanket with their identity disc showing name and number. Later placed in a communal grave. A rough cross and names and total number buried. The Graves Commission later took all particulars for future reference.

This was only the start of a long and successful campaign. From Alamein to Tunis we were continually being reinforced to maintain full strength replacing hundreds of young men killed or wounded.

Discharge - When I got back to the UK I suffered a breakdown, spending a couple of months at Mill Hill Hospital. After discharge I was referred to a tribunal to assess my suitability to continue in the army as a regular soldier. I was considered "unfit for further service". A small pension and back to civvy street.

I was one of the lucky ones to survive the war. Despite battle after battle, year after year I had a charmed life, no wounds, not a scratch, no illness; but it took its toll mentally. Thankfully, I have a good wife, three children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memories - But I don't forget. Even after 60 odd years you can't forget. I still remember the constant killings.

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