大象传媒

THIS IS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO MY MAIN STORY, www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/A3878760 AND RECORDS THE EXPERIENCE OF FIRST CASUALTIES IN ALGERIA, NORTH AFRICA.

We recovered from our seven-mile march to Cap Matifou and spent a week awaiting the arrival of our guns and transport. Another ship had carried them, which was a relief; a cargo of shells and explosives in the rough Atlantic would have disturbed our sleep!

Preparations complete, we set out in convoy to join the 1st Army engaged in the east towards Tunisia. The reader may be familiar with the terrain in that part of North Africa. The foothills of the Atlas Mountains lead to small valleys towards the coast. Night arrived, and our convoy crept forward. Someone said, "These can't be front-line positions, it's too bloody quiet." Guns and ammunition were left in one valley, excess transport, personnel, wireless operators, cooks, etc., moved on in the darkness. We came to a halt. "Everybody out," whispered the sergeant, "the Germans are over those hills, so no noise." We were convinced that British Infantry were close at hand, but their forces were thinly dispersed over the hills, and the nearest, (Lancashire Fusiliers) were engaged elsewhere.

At daybreak, a "look-out" reported that a German patrol had moved during the night and they later appeared on the skyline. "Spandau" machine-gun fire started and our lads took cover behind vehicles, returning fire with rifles, although we only had a small quantity of ammunition available. We were thankful to see a platoon of Lancashire Fusiliers arrive.

An officer led them up the hill with Bren-guns and mortars, they were experienced troops and soon had the area cleared. British infantry have no equal in situations like that, they pressed on out of sight. It was our baptism of fire - two men had been hit in the legs, but the Lancashire Fusiliers certainly saved our "bacon!"

In the weeks that followed, the "AFRIKA KORPS" were slowly pushed back by British and United States forces into Tunisia. Our Battery suffered casualties when a gun exploded as they were preparing to fire. A faulty fuse was suspected. Two men died and others were wounded. It brought the true horror of war to our young lives. One lad from Staffordshire was about twenty, another, a Scottish chap, a bit older.

In my next episode we build up ammunition for the last bombardment near Tunis. British and American Infantry advance under shellfire to give the final knock-out to the Germans in North Africa.

The "AFRIKA KORPS" safely in P.O.W. cages, the troops enjoyed a well-earned rest, although a "Gunners versus Signallers, Drivers, and others" football match, under the hot African sun, was anything but "restful!"

Scottish troops of 51st Highland Division from "Monty's" 8th Army soon prepared to land in Sicily. Our "heavy" guns were destined for Salerno, beaches south of Naples.

The "Hampshires" led the assault and suffered casualties, as POOR BLOODY INFANTRY DO.

J.H. 24.12.2002

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.