大象传媒

Jack was a pre-war Territorial Soldier and an old school friend of mine, but unlike myself he went on an early posting to the middle east and became one of 'Wavell's 30 thousand' and an 8th Army Veteran.
This story concerns an episode in Jack's war in France after the "Breakout from Normandy" at the end of August 1944, a time of the chase of the German Forces who were in retreat in France. A chase which came to a stop in Holland in September, referred to by the old desert Veterans as a SWAN, a phase used from their fighting days in the desert.
Obviously in a retreat of this quantity some of the German Troops could be excused for thinking it was pointless carrying on and were often prepared to surrender.
This is how Jack took his own share of P.O.Ws. Jack's tank was in a column which had come to a halt for a rest period for both tanks and crews (a chance for a quick brew). Now Jack had the time to answer the call of nature, this being a serious job requiring the use of a spade. So having taken the spade and an old newspaper from the tool box went off to find a suitable place to relieve himself. This was hedgerow in front of a small spinney. He had made a suitable size hole which he thought would do for the job, when he had the feeling he wasn't alone.
The first thing that comes to your mind is DANGER a tingle at the back of your neck and an attempt to look around without moving your head combined with "what to do next?"
This situation was resolved when Jack suddenly came face to face through the bushes with a face that had a coal-shuttle helmet on it! Jack thought "Christ I've only got a spade" but suddenly the Jerry pushed through the bushs saying "Kapitulate" (surrender). Indicating to the German to go towards the tanks, Jack was about to follow behind him when the German called out and 29 other Germans came through the bushes to surrender.
Having got over the shock, Jack very proudly marched his P.O.Ws up to the tanks but it wasn't until later that he had realised that he had forgotten what he had gone there for in the first place!
Jack and myself were demoblised together at Northampton Drill Hall in January 1946 Group 25. This was one of the many stories he told me in later years.
Reg, your Vet

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