大象传媒

"This story was submitted to the People's War site by Mr Andy Milner of Suffolk Libraries on behalf of Mr Alan Morgan and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions."

Greece - 3rd March to 9th October 1945
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"Right lads, I want some volunteers. A Greek bigwig has been threatened by the ELAS and has been taken to the officers mess for protection. Some of you will be going over to guard the villa."

Then to me:-
"You will be one of them. The rest of the lads have seen more than enough action and you have some catching up to do."

This was my first day with 1238 Field Company Royal Engineers, and the Sergeant Major had come to pick some men for the job. I had flown from Italy the previous day in the bomb racks of a Liberator bomber as a lone reinforcement for the Company. As a teenager, I was a lot younger than the rest, who had all been in North Africa before coming to Greece.

The ELAS had formed the Greek resistance but had become rebels wishing to take over the running of the country from the rightful government.

In due course, a corporal and three of us sappers were installed in the Greek villa, guarding it in the way we knew best ... by playing cards round the kitchen table!

"What do you think you are playing at? You are supposed to be guarding this place, yet I was able to come in without you knowing."

The Sergeant Major had returned!

I was then positioned in the doorway with a Bren gun. We three sappers were detailed into two watches of two on and four hours off. Before leaving, he gave me specific instructions:

"If anyone attempts to approach, shoot them ... and shoot to kill. I want no nonsense of 'who goes there?' If you challenge them they will dive into the undergrowth and you won't know which direction they are coming from."

I made myself comfortable behind the machine gun and took stock of my position. From the doorway I had a good view along the drive which was as wide as a single car and about 100 yards in length. Either side was lined with dense shrubs, probably rhododendrons. It was a bright day when I took up my position, but night falls quickly in the Mediterranean region and quite soon it was pitch black with no moon.

As I was beginning to think my two hours must be up, a vehicle drew up across the entrance to the drive and turned its headlights off, leaving just the sidelights on. The driver and passenger got out, walked to the back of the vehicle, and took out a good-sized container which they began to carry between them up the drive. I could just make out their movements silhouetted against the side lights.

"EXPLOSIVES!! They are going to blow up the villa", I thought. I tried to line them up in the sights of the machine gun, but by now it was so dark that I could not see the end of the barrel, let alone the sights.

"I'm going to have to kill two men. But suppose I miss? Suppose I hit just one and the other escapes into the shrubbery? He will be able to get round behind me."

I had never thought about having to kill people. I had been trained to clear minefields, or build bridges under fire. But to kill somebody?

"I wonder who they are. Are they teenagers like me? Are they seasoned warriors? Have THEY killed anyone before?"

They gradually came nearer and nearer. I broke into a cold sweat. I could feel the sweat tricking between my shoulder blades.

"I wonder if this gun is loaded with tracer? If so, I'll be able to see where the shots are going."

They were 20 yards away.

"I'll have to let them come a bit closer."

15 yards.

"Must do it soon. Hell! I can't do it. I wish they'd look more aggressive."

10 yards. I'm trembling like a leaf.

It's now or never.

"Right lads. Emergency over. We've brought you your supper."

It's the Sergeant Major again. I collapse over the gun. In my panic I hadn't even released the safety catch!

Over the following months I got to know 'Pony' Moor quite well. He was a territorial soldier; a father figure; far too nice to be a Sergeant Major, and with a tendency to exaggerate. I never told him how close I came to shooting him.

To read more of Alan's adventures in Greece, please click on to the item entitled "1238 Field Company Royal Engineers"

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