大象传媒

This story has been added to the People's War website by大象传媒 Radio Leeds on behalf of the contributor with her permission. For six years, I served as a teleprinter operator in the Royal Corps of Signals (War Office Signals) and in 1943 was sent to a Midlands city as the non-commissioned officer in charge of the teleprinter station dealing with all the secret messages for the RAOC and REME records. The teleprinter was the safest means of transmission.
In January 1944 I was then given the added responsibilty of all those for the US 82nd Airborne Division which had just moved into, and around the city. This was prior to D Day, throughout that invasion and for some time after the landings. The 82nd, together with their 101st Airborne Division were 'dropped' in France the night preceding the main invasion at the base of the Contentin Peninsular to destroy enemy gunposts in the way of the landing forces. Therefore, we must have received the very first communique from there. These were always very lengthy and full of map references detailling every move, advance and retreat. That first day the 82nd casualties totalled 1259. My most vivid memory was not only the thrilling news of the landings, but also sadly, the innumerable lists of casualties received for all ROAC, REME and the 82nds personnel which filtered through with the thousands of others dealing with that historic event.
Our call sign was 'RAOCREC' which would appear on all our messages and my initials (PGDS) would be on all those I personally sent and received. My own role was quite insignificant but, at least I had a small part in it.
Signal offices never closed so we worked in three squads, (A, B and C) when work was continuous no matter what day or event might be taking place, including, of course air raids, etc. Besides operating the machines we also took turns in all the other siganl office duties which included operating telephone and teleprinter switchboards, attending to dispatch riders, in and out, handing them arms and ammunition, etc., entering and checking all messages, in and out, scheduling their best means of transmission, etc. The squads and duties were as follows:

08.00-13.00
Day 1 A
Day 2 C
Day 3 B

13.00- 17.00
1 B
2 A
3 C

17.00- 22.30
1 C
2 B
3 A

22.30-08.00
1 B
2 A
3 C

The 82nd featured in three films. In 'D Day, 6th June' the part of general Jim Gavin, their commanding officer, was played by Robert Ryan, in 'A Bridge Too Far,' and 'The Longest Day' Ryan O'Neal took the role.
We met, conversed and danced with many of the allies, but were wary of the 'rougher' types, however we found most of them friendly and courteous.
I was a guest at the American Embassy in London on August 11th, 2003.

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