大象传媒

On Sunday 21 January 1945, I took part in an engagement to seize a heavily defended German village - WALDFEUGHT. The attack was launched in the early morning and lasted for some time, but eventually the strong resistance was overcome, and we took up strategic positions. I was in command of a Section in a large house, which had a good field of fire, and was on a main road. Sentries were posted, and we awaited further orders.

The day and afternoon wore on. There was no contact from our Company or Battalion Headquarters. We knew only what we had successfully achieved, and that we were under orders to hold the position until new instructions were received.

No food or ammunition reached us and in the afternoon the Germans started a heavy artillery bombardment, which we presumed was the preliminary to an attack to retake the village. Shells began to fall in our vicinity, and several struck the house in which we were entrenched destroying the roof and some of the top rooms. It became necessary to withdraw to the cellar of the house. I checked on our weapons and ammunition, and realised that we could only hold out for a limited time. Had we been too extravagant with the amount of ammunition that we had expended during our successful operation? I placed a Bren gunner at the top of the cellar steps, and ordered him to keep alert and watch for any signs of enemy activity. The remainder of us occupied the cellar. After a time, the Bren gunner called out to me to come to the top of the cellar steps, as he had noticed activity on the main road.

There appeared to be infantry who were supported by a large tank. I asked him, if he had been able to identify any markings on the tank, which was still some distance away. I was rather shocked by his reply, "There seems to be black crosses on the side of the tank" he said. "Black crosses - those are 'SWASTIKAS" I replied. It was a German tank.

The tank was stopping at each house, and making sure that they were not occupied by British troops. I recalled the Bren gunner. Shortly after, a shell smashed the top of the cellar. I realised it would only be a short time before the German tank gunner lowered the trajectory of his gun, and that the next shell would land in the cellar amongst us.

What should be done? There was no time for a Debate. No time for Discussion. Only time for "A LIFE OR DEATH DECISION". Only one person empowered to take it - MYSELF.

There were only two options - we could dash up the cellar stairs with all guns blazing. We would be heroes - probably dead ones. The other option was to surrender. I decided to surrender- in the hope that I could save the lives of my comrades, and see them safely home to their families. We laid our weapons on the floor, and with hands upon our heads, we walked up the narrow stairway and emerged into the open air, where the German tank was awaiting us. The accompanying infantry surrounded us and marched us to a side street to join many other British soldiers, who had been captured previously. This was a fairly dangerous situation, as we could hear the sound of nearby firing from time to time, which indicated that some British troops were still resisting. Finally, we were marched to another village some distance in the rear, where we were confined in a large cellar, which suffered heavy bombardment - this time from British artillery. The accuracy of the bombardment caused apprehension amongst the German guards, and we were ordered to race up to the top of the cellar. As a crowd of prisoners and guards attempted to achieve this, a shell exploded amongst them. I landed back in the cellar with a crushing load of bodies above me. When we sorted ourselves out, I realised that one of the bodies on the cellar floor was that of one of my young men - he was only 19 years of age. He was English, and had been posted to us as a reinforcement, to replace earlier losses.

He was mortally wounded. I later heard that he died in hospital.

(NOTE) Each year on the 21st. of January, I visit the National War Memorial - The Shrine in Edinburgh Castle. I read his name in the K.O.S.B. Book of Remembrance. The one man I failed to protect and care for and return safely to his family.

Closing the Book, I stand in silence for a short time to honour his memory.

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