大象传媒

This is a small part taken from the book written by my uncle Bob.
"Part of our duties as mine clearance was to take charge of a gap in the minefields to allow exit and entry of patrols. This was a one-man duty of 24 hours that came around every two weeks. Everyone was pleased to get it over with as you were alone with the nearest friend about half a mile back. You have phone contact but it always seemed a long 24 hours. One evening at stand-to after doint my spell at the "gap", a few of us were talking amongst ourselves regarding how our water ration was being wasted in making tea. It was so heavily chlorinated it was impossible to drink. We opted to get a Corporal to ask for the water to be given out instead as we used to dose it with Andrews Liver Salts and it went down well then. What we didn't realise that all our discussions or arguments had been overheard by the CSM and the QSM. The next morning I was surprised to be called out by the CSM and told to report to the Company office dugout. I was marched in to face the Company Commander and just about fainted when the charge was read out - all sorts of things tantamount to inciting mutiny in the field, a court martial offence! The following morning I was greeted by my "friend" CSM Wood, told to get my kit together and go on outpost duty again. My protests that I had only just done duty two days ago, were brushed aside with another threat of failing to obey an order and further dire consequences. There was nothing to be done about it so off I went.
After and hour or two watching a huge Mark IV Jerry tank patrolling back and forth to the entrance of the valley, I was amazed to see a convoy of trucks drop off at least 200 infantry just a few hundred yards in front of my post. A frantic phone call told me all was under control as they were about to shell the enemy with a barrage of 25 pounders and mortars. So this kept me entertained until dark.
Come daybreak I was told to lift the mines in the gap and to go out with the patrol to round up the prisoners we hoped were going to surrender after the heavy barrage. Down came a bren-carrier, an armoured car and a 15cwt lorry, into which I climbed. We had no sooner cleared the minefield, than up and out of a fold in the ground, rose at least 150 Italian soldiers who formed up in good order and advanced towards us.Guiiding them through the gap, we just pointed to the rear and off they went.After salvaging an anti-tank gun and a couple of shell-shocked Italians, we headed back. After all the excitement I was left at my lonely outpost to await mu relief at midday. Noon came and went with no sign of anyone. It was peaceful enough until late afternoon when five enemy fighters tried a shooting exercise at low level. I could see the pilots clearly, but clearer still was the row of flames from the wings and I was the only thing in sight apart from an old Italian gun, with a pile of ammunition that we hadn't a clue how to use. After each plane had a turn at firing at me they formed up as a unit and the five, side by side, roared down this little valley with guns blazing. How so many bullets could miss me, I'll never know. Nsot a scratch did I getm so I surely must have had a Guardian Angel looking after me.My 24 hours rations had long ago been eaten and I was starting to get worried. The phone link with the outpost had long gone dead.Leaving everything but my rifle and ammunition, I picked up the line and trudged off to investigate. Lo and behold, I arrived at a deserted and empty outpost and felt as if I had been abandoned on a desert island. To leave my post could be another disaster for me if by some chance, my particular gap was still needed. The outpost was a slightly elevated pimple on the flat desert and there I stood, a lonely figure, peering into the falling dusk."

This is just one part of the story of survival that I was brought up on, but only heard the full story when Uncle Bob wrote his book for all of his family.

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