大象传媒

Now in the centre of two enemy strongholds, it was decided what was left of the battalion should move half a mile to a deeper hollow. For observation purposes, a platoon remained in the old position. The new location though deeper was narrower and less vulnerable to enemy artillery shells. A further advantage, we could observe them but they could not see us.

While we were battling on Tanngouche, a mule pack had replenished our ammunition and compo rations. Our company also had a new cook, Titch Beaman. By providing a hot breakfast of porridge, bacon with powdered egg and tea for us after the battle, he became an instant favourite. A further surprise for the battle weary warriors was that the mule train had also brought the free weekly issue of cigarettes and cans of beer. Knowing I did not drink beer, my friend Corkie and I had an agreement. He would give me his chocolate ration in exchange for the 鈥榖lack stuff鈥� with its taste of Liffey water. It reminded him of his home.

After the horror the previous night the hot meal and, for many, the opportunity afterwards to swill it down with a can of the best established a spirit of bonhomie. At the back of our minds we knew we still had not seen the last of Tanngouche. Moments like these are precious: a bromide to banish fear.

Before sunset, what one hoped would be an easy night, it happened. A Messerschmitt swooped over our encampment. It was flying too fast to see us. Even if we had been discovered, we would still have been a difficult target for shellfire. We all had a good night鈥檚 sleep鈥�. even though we kept our boots on.

The RC padre, Rev John Hayes, came and celebrated Mass. The altar comprised of four wooden compo boxes draped with a linen cloth and reliquary. A small crucifix was placed in the centre. We clustered around as the priest began in Latin, 鈥淚n nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.鈥� My folk at home could be at Mass now. A pious thought that despite the distance, we were together in spirit.

We were reminded that next Sunday was Easter Sunday and the following days-comprised Holy Week. One thing was certain, Holy Week regardless, the battle for, Tanngouche, Hideous and the continuing fighting by the two brigades on Longstop, would go on. To some lads I paraphrased the old adage, 鈥淏etter the day. Better the deed鈥� 鈥� 鈥� Better the week. Better the deed鈥�. We could only live and hope.

Among the reinforcements that joined us were some of our former comrades. They had incurred superficial wounds during previous skirmishes or the capture of Mahdi. We were glad to see them. A further surprise was the arrival in our area of three Churchill tanks from the North Irish Horse. Their presence increased our morale tremendously. A know-all in the platoon reminded us, 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 have tanks on Mahdi, and Tanngouche is steeper鈥�. He was right. Tanngouche had a deeper gradient but our morale was too high to heed his claptrap.

In the twilight glow on April 22nd the point platoons positioned themselves on the tanks. (As we had done in the exercise a few weeks earlier) The caterpillar tracks cranked and three tanks rumbled forward. Soon Tanngouche came into view, dominating the landscape. Black, sinister, almost sneering at us, 鈥淐oming for another bashing are you?鈥� On our right flank, the sound of artillery could be heard as the battle for Longstop raged. In battle formation the tanks ploughed on. Tonight we were advancing on our objective with renewed confidence.

The battle began. The Churchill鈥檚 six pounder guns boomed into action. Captain Duddington spurred his company into action. Star shells from the enemy illuminated the night sky. Shells from their multi barrelled mortars and light armour dropped. Not even the constant rapid crossfire from the enemy could stop us now. We had taken prisoners. Thankfully our casualties were light. Then there it was. A white flag appeared, draped from a rock pinnacle. The Germans had surrendered. Tanngouche was ours. It was the dawn of a lovely day. The London Irish captured Hideous. The Irish Brigade consolidated forward of its objective. Longstop had been secured. For the 78th Divison this was its finest hour.

The capture of Hideous, Longstop and Tanngouche had smashed the enemy鈥檚 final main line of defence before Tunis. Those of us who had been in North Africa from the start of the campaign savoured the sense of euphoria. We had endured the bitter cold winter nights and the persistent rain; witnessed the death of gallant comrades and been shocked by the sight of mates agonising in bloodstained battledress from wounds in legs, arms or abdomen. The sense of victory was mentally intoxicating.

Yankee Flying Fortresses dominated the airspace as they bombed and harassed the retreating German forces. No more would we consolidate on barren mountains or hilltops bereft of habitation. Tunis, a capital city with people, cafes, shops and bars was waiting for us to liberate it from the Nazi oppressors.

Early on Saturday morning, May 8th 1943, we climbed into troop carriers and drove post-haste to Tunis. The Derbyshire Yeomanry had reached the outskirts of Tunis. By the time we arrived they had rounded up the first of the 250,000 enemy troops.

The Royal Inniskillings were the first infantry battalion to enter Tunis. The welcome we received was overwhelming. Young girls and women threw flowers and blew kisses at us. Salutations filled the air. 鈥淰ive Churchill,鈥� 鈥淰ive De Gaulle,鈥� 鈥淰ive la France鈥�. As we marched to take up positions on the perimeter of the city, we took pleasure seeing hundreds of dishevelled, dejected and defeated captured Germans being shepherd to POW camps.

While we remained in Tunis, American and British units swept on to Bizerta and Cap Bon to complete the total liberation of Tunisia. One the highlights of our time in Tunis occurred the day when, Ward, who had been taken prisoner on Tanngouche returned to our company. He had been aboard a German vessel taking allied troops to Germany. The Royal Navy intercepted ship some miles outside Bizerta. The captors became the captives.

Our victory in North Africa had one drawback. In accordance with the Geneva Convention the captured 250,000 prisoners had to be fed. In consequence for a few days we were on short rations. I wondered if the Nazi who wanted to take us prisoner on Tanngouche still said, 鈥淔ini Geneva Convention?鈥�

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