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Born the youngest son amongst several brothers and sisters, Harold lived with his family in the West End of Leicester, in the Ridley Street / Latimer Road/ Hinckley Road area.

Volunteering,and after training, he soon found himself part of the European Expedition Force Based with the French and Belgium Forces, defending from the Blitzkrieg Tactics of the rapidly advancing German Army and Airforce.

The loud deafening screams of the Dive Bombing Stukas that flew down upon what they thought were hidden camouflaged positions. These Stukas would strafe with heavy calibre cannon bullets then at the last moment, for pin-point accuracy they would drop the bomb load that they carried. Many comrades were blown to smithereens, vehicles burst into flames and anyone caught under these vehicles sheltering from the onslaught would also burst into flames.

Some would run screaming, only to run straight into other strafing aircraft. Explosions would be bursting all around them. Men falling, swearing and diving for better cover.

Most would stand at their positions resolutely. Using machine guns and ordinary Lee — Enfield Rifles, firing back at the marauding swarms that fell from the sky.
Determined resistance was the only thing that possibly saved many lives during this dark period.

Then, as if that was not enough the German Artillery would open fire immediately after or sometimes before the air attack upon the Allied positions to leave large smouldering craters of open soil where men, vehicles and equipment once stood. Where there were trees and bush’s now were just burning embers and black smoking poles.

Pieces of roasting members of the human body lay scattered amongst the grass and trenches. Even the surviving soldiers would be suffering from shock, fatigue and suffering the effects from the sounds and blast’s.
The wounded had to be quickly taken care of to avoid further deaths. Many would valiantly re-man their positions with bandages wrapped around their head, leg, arm and body wounds.

After this preliminary softening up of the Allied Lines the German Armour and Mobile Artillery would advance against the Allied Positions supported by the very well trained, fresh Stormtroopers. Well orchestrated and co-ordinated soldiery. These soldiers would incorporate mortars, machine guns, grenades and even flame throwers.

Bit by bloody bit the Allied Forces were pushed back, outflanked then forced to take up holding positions once again.
Once again to suffer the same organised procedure from the advancing German Forces. Some individuals and units were chosen to delay the enemy advance by blowing up bridges. Laying ambush’s and mines. Digging in for stubborn Suicide defences. Anything that would give valuable time; Days, Hours, Minutes and even Seconds were valuable.

Even 1 second delayed might prevent another casualty. And it very often did. Acts of Valour and Courage were common place, many never to be recorded.
For if they were recorded, many thousands of Victoria Cross Medals would have to be awarded, and many posthumously.

Just like many thousands of withdrawing Allied Forces, Harold found himself on the Beaches of Dunkirk alongside his surviving comrades.
Battleships and tiny launches lay off the coast, ready to take on board as many of the beleaguered troops as possible.

This story was submitted to the “Peoples War Site by Rod Aldwinckle of the CSV Action Desk on behalf of Harold Aldwinckle and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the terms and conditions of the site.

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