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15 October 2014
WW2 - People's War

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From 13 to 19 years old

by Researcher 237389

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Contributed by听
Researcher 237389
People in story:听
Jack Westcott
Location of story:听
The World
Background to story:听
Army
Article ID:听
A5782935
Contributed on:听
17 September 2005

I was 13 years old at the begining of the WW2 and thought it was an adveture. For a few months nothing happened except that Russia attacked Finland and both Germany and Britain promised Aid (how strange) later Germany Invaded Belgium which was unfair as we expected them to attack the Mangino Line to France. The result was British were always on the wrong foot and led to the retreat to Dunkirk. Thousands of Troops were evacuated back to Britain But ALL THE EQUIPMENT was left.The demoralised troops were accomodated in tents in public parks in tents.
From there Britain was Under Siege, first the fighter airfields were attaked then the Radar Towers (very hard to destroy) and when there was no sign that the defenders were hampered the Civillian population in the main cities.The RAF fought back galantly downing more than the Germans downed them and 大象传媒 reported 100+ on some days in actual fact less than half was nearier the true number, but it was enough to deter them from the planned invasion.
from there it became a hard slog with U-boats trying to starve Britain of the essential food and armaments provided by the Americans.
At the end of !941 Japan entered the conflict by attempting to destroy Americas Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbour and only by luck the Aircraft Carriers were on the high seas and escaped the debacle.
In the meantime I managed to survive the Air-raids on Bristol and at 18 I was called-up for the Army and was drafted into the Royal Signals after initial training in Rifle Grenade and other Armaments. On my first day of Radio training at Catterick the Allies invaded France everyone was pleased as although we had beaten the Germans in the Mediteranean we knew that Germany could only be beaten by the Invasion of the Continent of Europe.
It was a war of attrition but the mainly British and American Troops gradually wore the Germans down until April 1945 when the Russian troops met the Allies in Germany.
At Easter 1945 I found myself with hundreds of others on the Strathmore on the way to India on the first leg to Fight the Japs.
I was first posted to Old Delhi in the Red Fort and after a few Months training went to Bombay to await the Invasion of Malaya.
At the beginning of August we heard the rumour that a super bomb had been dropped on Japan by the Americans. After another Atom Bomb was dropped the Japanese Government Surrendered.
Many condemed America for in "Inhuman Act" but in the light of the suicidal defence by the Japs it was the only way to stop the slaughter of 1000's of Allies including me.
We embarked on the Worcester ship a short time after to land on Morib Beach near K.L. where I witnessed the Surrender in the Victoria School in K.L.
It had been 6 long years and I was happy to be spared when so many had perished.
Jack Westcott

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