大象传媒

On Tuesday 8th May 1945, I was ordered to take command of the evening guard at the South African Armoured Division Base workshop in Rome. The South African Army had taken over the Breda machine gun factory and turned it into a repair centre for tanks which had been disabled in battle. All newly made tanks were destined for the second front and as a consequence we had to work at full stretch for over a year. The South Africans were generous to their troops wand when the announcement of peace was declared they threw open the bar in the workshop canteen and both beer and wine were free!

The members of the guard not on duty asked if they might slip across the road to the canteen and have a free drink. Although this was strictly against army regulations, I felt bound to bend the rules and I allowed the men to drink until the next guard was due to be mounted at around 10pm.

The 鈥楬airy Backs鈥� as the South Africans were known duly reported back at 10pm, but sadly, they were completely intoxicated and hardly able to stand. They fell on their beds in a drunken stupor. Two men however commenced to quarrel, this rapidly turned into a fight and the larger of the two men鈥檚 seized his advantage and bit off part of the others ear. I succeeded in securing the dismantled ear which I hurriedly wrapped in a field dressing. I then did my best to bandage the head of the man who had lost part of his right ear. As I was unable to leave the guard room, I contacted the orderly officer who came to assist me. He too was quite intoxicated and I wondered if he would reach the base hospital safely as his staff car zigzagged down the road.

One hour later I returned by this time more sober. The private solider, with his head firmly bandaged was also more contrite. I expected to be placed on a charge and ordered to be Court Marshalled. By good fortune helped by the knowledge that his own state of intoxication would be made public, the Captain patted me on the shoulder and said 鈥淪ergeant, forget that this ever happened鈥�. Understandably I gave a sign of relief and I spent the whole of the evening on my own, keeping guard.

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Jim Salveson on behalf of its author Eric Atkinson and has been added to the site with his / her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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