大象传媒

鈥淎LLIED CO-OPERATION鈥�

by

Isadore Pear

In June 1940, I was a new recruit in the West Yorkshire Regiment, Fulford Barracks in York. For no reason I could think of, I, along with the three other Jewish boys in the unit, was ordered to report to Company Office. To our knowledge, none of us were guilty of any misdemeanour and although we were always aware of anti-semitism, we were curious but not apprehensive as to the reason for the summons.

On presenting ourselves, our Company Commander explained that, following the strategic withdrawal of our forces at Dunkirk (his description of that event), there were allied foreign units on our shores and there were difficulties with regard to adequate communication with them. One such unit was a remnant of the Czech Army embodying a large number of Jews temporarily housed at Church Fenton. It was mistakenly assumed that the Polish language would provide a common linguistic denominator between them and a nearby body of Polish troops. In the event, they spoke only Czech and nothing else.

鈥淧erhaps, being Jewish, you may be able to converse with them?鈥� suggested the C.O. somewhat embarrassed at having to mention the word 鈥淛ewish鈥�. We tentatively assured him that if they spoke Yiddish, which was highly probable, there would be no problem as it was the common language of European Jewry.

鈥淩ighty-oh!鈥� he replied 鈥淲e鈥檒l give it a go!鈥� We were transported to Church Fenton immediately and spent a wonderful time settling in the Czech troops during which time they gave us an in-depth insight into the military debacle in Europe. This 鈥榟oneymoon鈥� period lasted for four days after which they were posted down south and we were returned to our basic weapon training 鈥� albeit without weapons 鈥� and square bashing!

4542565
Company Sergeant Major Pear, I,
Warrant Officer II

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