CHAPTER SEVEN
LATE WAR YEARS
1943 - 1945
At this time of my transfer to a different ack ack
unit, the continuous night raids in London and cities, together
with rationing on all important commodities and clothing brought
the morale of the community to a low ebb.
The public were also aware that our survival was in peril, with
the menace of the enemy U-boat packs at sea sinking our convoys.
In the first five months of 1943, the Allies lost 365 ships with
a total tonnage of 2,001,918. There were over 200 enemy
submarines at sea, twice as many as there were the year before.
But what gave hope to the country was the victory at El Alamein,
where Montgomery proved that Rommel was not invincible. There was
also the good news when the Russians captured 24,000 Germans at
saved Stalingrad in late November 1942. There was also evidence
that RAF planes, fitted with special radar sensing devices, were
meeting with such success hunting U-boats that the submarines
were afraid to surface for fear of being detected.
I had great difficulty to detect how my transfer fitted in the
overall war plan. Still, each pawn on the chess board generally
has a strategic role to play, even though in this case it may be
difficult to identify.
When I arrived at the 229(M) ack ack battery, I was
surplus to their requirements, the radar operators were all now
ATS. It took several weeks before I received my posting to an all
male battery at York. This was the 377 ack ack heavy
duty battery, located on the outskirts of York at Tang Hall. To
my dismay, we were back to bell tent accommodation, but with a
difference, we were sleeping on tent boards.
Again, being a sergeant, I became a member of the mess and made
good friends. I, being classified as an OFC operator was treated
as a tradesman, so that I was not available to the sergeant major
for guard or orderly sergeants duties. After being
introduced to the staff on duty, the orderly sergeant took me to
the tent shared by other sergeants. When settled in, I was taken
to the radar equipment where I met the OFCs.
The radar set was similar to the one I had been trained on, a GL2
set. The whole of the winter was spent under canvas and it was
generally known that the sick parade barely existed, a proof once
again that the body adapts itself to the environment. In this
case, we had a greater share of the oxygen in the air compared to
those who were in normal accommodation.
Once I had sorted out my procedure for the 48 hour leave, I had
to settle the first date I could be spared with the duty officer.
This done, I had a date to look forward to.
In my radar team, I had two men whose names were Nottingham and
Derbyshire. Both these men gave me something to remember them by.
Nottingham had a young wife, who we could not satisfy and caused
him to have depressions from time to time. He had his own
furniture business and told me that he could make use of me after
the war. I felt very flattered, since I had only known him a
matter of days. Perhaps he should have waited longer before
making this offer, for he might have finished doing what
Derbyshire did.
Every now and then I would pack up smoking, I did not want to
become a habitual smoker. When I stopped I would give all the
tobacco on me to someone. In this case, it was Derbyshire, who
went missing almost immediately. He was finally picked up at
Stockport, where he lived, which was the same home town as my
troop officer. This officer gave me a good dressing down for
bullying Derbyshire, as this, he alleged, was the cause of his
desertion. Perhaps Lieutenant Booth and OFC Derbyshire belonged
to the same Lodge! I made certain in the future that any tobacco
or cigarettes I have to give away were thrown in the dustbin.
A message was passed around the camp that one of the cooks had
had his false teeth removed from the cooks tent overnight.
There was a theory that there was a rats nest under the
cooks tent board, as this was a convenient place to help
themselves to snacks brought out of the cookhouse. There was a
plan, requiring troops to surround their tent as the tent boards
were raised. To make it easier to catch the rats everything was
removed, including the tent. Now with the troops making a
complete circle, and armed with sticks, the boards were finally
lifted. The rats habitat had now been fully exposed,
including the false teeth. The men had great fun in trying to
stop them escaping, as some did.
Tang Hall witnessed a murder just prior to the war and become
well-known because of this crime. There was no problem in being
directed here when we first arrived. Many people seemed to give a
queer grin when you mentioned Tang
Hall. One thing was for sure - the gunners who frequented the
local pub there in the evenings and returned with more money than
they took with them, were full of praise for this area!
This battery, like my previous one, could boast of having an
international footballer, Trevor Ford, who played for Wales
against other countries. One of our chief pastimes was playing
internal matches, officers and sergeants against the rest, but
this had to be stopped after a while as the men caused too many
casualties to their opponents. Another favourite pastime was
playing rugby. I only played once, and in doing so nearly had my
head wrenched off by some player who must have applied some kind
of half-nelson hold. Without doubt, there was no future in this
sport for me and, needless to say, this was the only time I took
part in this cruel sport.
Our role in protecting York was a peaceful affair, for no serious
air attacks were experienced while we were there, up to late
January 1943. All the citys ancient walls and cathedral
remained undamaged. So now the army command had decided that we
should move to another ancient Roman town, Caerleon, close to
Newport, South Wales. The only explanation I could think of for
selecting this spot for a gunsite was to provide an outer
ack ack shield for Welsh ports such as Cardiff, along
the Severn Estuary.
This was conveniently situated for me to go on home leave by
catching a train from Newport, via Pontypool to Birmingham and
then the local train to Wolver- hampton. On the return trip there
were hordes of soldiers who would jump the train outside
Pontypool, where for some reason it always came to a temporary
halt. Soldiers were not averse to avoiding paying the full fair
when on short leave, and the train ticket could be circumvented.
My duty at Caerleon came to a temporary halt, when I was sent on
the prime radar course at Watchet, Somerset. Now I was worried
that I might suffer the same fate as I experienced in the North
East, ie returned to unit, having done no basic radar course.
Whether or not they did examine my records properly, I was much
relieved when I went through the joining up procedure.
This was an all-hutted encampment and, as most were sergeants, we
lived in sergeants mess accommodation. Deep down, not
having done the basics, I was dreading not being able to make the
grade. It was not only the disgrace of being returned that I
feared, it was the fact that one could lose the stripes if the
final test marks were below standard. This was, of course a
challenge which I took very
seriously. The course was both practical and theoretical on all
aspects of the GL2 radar set.
We had very comfortable digs, with splendid food, even oranges
were on the table. This was the first time I remember seeing them
during the war. I do not remember any social life, maybe I had
too much on my mind at night to shut off from the days
subject. It was a great comfort to learn that I had made the
grade, I was marked as BY. I never did know whether
this rating was high or low - perhaps just as well.
However, I was not averse to passing, even if I had crawled
through on my belly, as I was told, when I was first trade
tested. So now I could return to my unit with my head held high
after completing this months course.
To me, there was a much more important aspect in completing and
passing this course. It was knowing that if I set about achieving
concentration to master a subject, I could be successful.
Awaiting demob, I had plenty of time to think how I might use
this knowledge with advantage.
When I returned to my unit on 3rd March, 1944, I learned that we
would be transferring to a site near Colchester. I could not help
smiling, for here we are again going to another ancient Roman
settlement. Perhaps there, preservation was of vital importance
to our future culture. Whether or not there was any action in
Carleon, I certainly did not take part in it.
The 337 unit now took up station at a site a few miles from
Colchester at the beginning of March 1944, amidst orchards. The
site was well established, for it was hutted and had a large
parade square. Again, to try and reason the purpose of this
position seemed difficult to assess. There were rumours going
around that Hitler had a flying bomb, which could be launched
from mobile platforms along the French coast and as we were now
in Essex, it is possible that is why we were sent to defend
against these doodle bombs coming in low over the coast.
Being classified as a tradesman, I had little day to day contact
with the sergeant major, who looked very much like Mussolini. I
seldom had to address him by his full name, only by his title.
I was very careful with my money and only went out once a week on
the binge. One night, I went out with a fellow sergeant, called
Jock. He had six children and his wife had trained each one to
carry out a daily task, all were well disciplined. After we had
been out and had a few drinks, we returned to camp full of
tricks. Unfortunately, we decided to put some holly in
Mussolinis bed or cot as he preferred to call
it. Next morning in the mess, he had discovered the villains who
played around with his cot. At the table, he looked at me and
Jock and said, You two sergeants report to me at 9 am in
the centre of the square. This we did, and word got round
that we were in for a telling-off. The troops were now drifting
around the square as we approached; him waiting for us, dead
centre of the parade square. We stood to attention as he let
forth with his voice bellowing and waving his hands up and down.
That is the last time you meddle around with my cot, I do
not expect sergeants to act like schoolboys. Do you understand
what I say?
We both replied simultaneously, Yes sergeant major.
He smartly retorted loudly, Dismissed so that all
around could now ask what we had been up to. Well, boys will be
boys I suppose. I think it is a case of being more careful who
you play with.
Sadly, at home my father had become dangerously ill and I
returned home on compassionate leave. When I arrived, he barely
recognised me, he was in a semi-coma arising from bronchitis
attributed to mustard gas during the first world war. I was
unable to stay for he continued to fight for survival for many
days. He finally passed away in March.
Only a handful of people attended the funeral and I was very
touched to learn that one was the charlady from his warehouse at
the Queens Hotel, Wolverhampton. My mother received a very
nice letter from Mr Watts, the owner of the warehouse for which
my father had worked since his teenage days, amounting to almost
50 years service. My mother was now totally dependant on
Gladys looking after her. She did so until after the war ended.
I returned to the Colchester gun site. A short time after that,
on the 6th June, the invasion of Europe was launched from many
bases on the south coast, attacking the Cherbourg coast line. All
our thoughts were for the brave allied forces taking part.
On the 12th June, the first V1 flying bomb had been launched and
landed in England. This is what the ack ack command
had been expecting and had plans to create a diver belt from East
Grinstead to Maidstone. This was put into operation and involved
370 heavy guns and 576 - 40 mm equipment. The flying bomb carried
a ton of explosive in its warhead, flew over 200 miles an hour at
a height between 1,000 and 2,000 feet, with a range to reach most
towns and cities in the south of England. It could also be
launched from another aircraft. Nowhere was free from the threat
of this weapon. Now, the diabolical aspect of this weapon was
that when the engine switched off according to the setting, it
would go quiet for a few seconds, and then you would have the
explosion. The thing would come down whether you hit it or not.
I am told that the flying bomb that had hit the Guards
chapel had been deflected by a gun fired at it. It was important
that the ack ack should not fire at these flying
bombs in built up areas. It seemed that Colchester was being
spared from these attacks.
If we ever had a warning and had to man the equipment, we always
said to the sergeant major to leave the doors open, so that the
missile could enter one door and go out the other. On this day,
the warning was for real. This doodle bomb had gone out of
control and was going round in circles. The difficulty generally
in firing at these bombs was that the height was too low for the
heavy guns to fire at it and the light guns could not reach them.
In this case, the flying bomb was so low, the radar set could not
pick it up. I remember it coming over the hedge. It was so very
low, you could feel the vibration of the jet engine. There was
nothing we could do, and I suppose we thought it would be better
if it cleared off somewhere else, which it did. When we returned
to the hut, the sergeant major was trying to clean himself up.
When he heard this doodle bomb coming, he threw himself down on
some muddy ground, so he told us.
Here we were, insulated by apple trees all around us, against the
horrors of war elsewhere. As the apple harvesting season was
approaching, our attention was taken on how best this could be
done. Ad hoc scrumping raids were out. It was agreed that each
night, at dusk, a leader would take a party of volunteers without
hats to harvest the fruit. To enhance the project, a load of
packing cases from an adjacent american airfield were delivered
to us. These were made of hardboard and proved ideal for making
boxes to carry the produce to take home to my wife on short
leave. To complete the scheme, it was necessary to have
management involved, that meant of course, the sergeant major and
other officers. It was thought that the best way to do this was
to hand them a box of goodies as they went off on their leave.
All this was done, although the implication of some of the
management proved difficult.
Now some defaulter, who did not abide by the rules, took an army
cap. This, as you may well imagine, got left behind. The next day
the police arrived and
demanded to search the camp. This the duty officer refused to
allow until they produced a search warrant. Meanwhile on the
radar set, carrying out maintenance, the OFCs received by
phone that the police were here.
There was a mass exodus from the set to return to the huts where
boxes could be seen everywhere. The hut floorboards were raised
and it looked in no time, that there had never been any boxes
anywhere. The police eventually arrived again and the search
proceeded with no charges being made. Now, when you have a box
made up to take with you, you must take it. The trip home was
successful. When the culprit was located who took his hat with
him, a private court martial was carried out on him.
Early September, we were given a sharp reminder that elsewhere
battles were being fought in other parts of the war. In the sky,
huge formations of planes were towing gliders on their way to the
continent. We later learned that they were part of an airborne
assault force to take Arnhem. This was Montgomerys gamble
to help speed the advancing Allied force, now fighting on German
soil, to take Berlin before the Russians. Unfortunately, the
advancing troops were unable to reach the airborne forces before
they were killed or taken prisoner. This failure was mainly due
to an armoured German division being refitted out in and around
Arnhem. This lost battle became legendary, known as the
Bridge Too Far.
My special sergeant friend, Jock, told me that we were going to
an Isle of Dogs and wanted me to put a wager on that
this was not true. Quite frankly, I was not aware that there was
such a place as the Isle of Dogs until someone in the
mess told me. This being in the Dockland of the River Thames
suggested that at last we were to play an active role in the
defence of London. This move took place in September 1944, at the
start of the arrival of the V2 rockets. These missiles could
reach a height of 300,000 feet with a range of 140,000 yards.
Having now arrived at this new site, close to the City of London,
it was assumed that we would be playing a more active ack
ack role. This was not the case for being in a congested
area of East London and having the City close to our rear, we
were forbidden to fire at the flying bomb. On the south side of
the Thames, it was possible to go through a tunnel and visit the
Greenwich Museum and Observatory. Whilst standing to, we saw
several V1s fly over our heads towards the City, being
chased by fighters.
Gladys bravely came to stay the night in this city under
continuous attacks from both V1s and V2s, during my
short leave period. More V1s came over
during the night. When I heard the familiar sound, its jet
engine, I became really scared. It is strange how defenceless one
can feel, after normally having guns with you when an enemy
target is approaching. I told Gladys to dive under the bed, and
she replied, You coward. The jet engine noise,
sounding like a 2-stroke petrol engine suddenly cut out. I
yelled, Get under the bed! Before Gladys had done
this, we heard the loud explosion. It had missed us - that was
all that mattered to us. Since then, I have always regarded
Gladys as a much braver person than myself, and sadly this was to
be shown in later years before she passed away. Another instance
of her toughness was shown when having teeth filled without
injections.
On one occasion, when standing to during an air raid warning, a
lot of debris fell around. It was alleged that a V2 rocket had
burned itself out in flight.
Again, our stay was of a short duration, perhaps after all we
should be employed in the diver belt. No, this was not to be the
case, for we were scheduled to be stationed at Walthamstow, North
East London. This was a well-established hutted encampment, again
in a built-up area. This was early 1945, when Germany was being
beaten in all theatres of war, including on the Russian front,
where fighting was taking place on Germanys borders.
At our new site, when I was operating the radar GL2 set, a mighty
big blimp was being picked up on the time base. This blimp was
moving very fast towards our site, ie the range was reducing.
Now, it is said that the bomb that hits you, you never have time
to hear. If this blimp had continued to reduce its range, I would
not be typing my memoirs now. This was a V2 rocket with a shallow
trajectory instead of the normal steep one. It came within about
3,000 yards when the crossing point had been reached and the
range increased until we heard the explosion some distance away.
This was a very important V2 rocket radar detection, for the
scientists had yet to find the answer to this weapon. This was
one of the few radar pick-ups of the V2. The radar equipment now
was regarded as experimental, being used for trial purposes as
well as operational.
Soon, on the 8th May 1945, at one minute past midnight, the end
of World War II against Germany was officially declared. Hitler
had committed suicide with his mistress earlier on the 30th
April. There was much rejoicing, but this was restrained for
there was still fighting in the Far East against Japan. Italy had
surrendered way back on the 7th September, 1943. This, then, was
the end of the ack ack role and we were to receive
separate marching orders for pre- demobilisation stations, for
which mine was transfer to the 459 ack ack battery,
Dorney Common, Eton Wick, Windsor. Nature has a way of replacing
itself. In losing my father in 1944, I was presented with a son
on the 9th April, 1945. Of course, it did not happen on its own,
I helped in some way, as did the midwife. I was in New Cross
Hospital when Gladys was in labour and I am told she was on the
slab when I heard the midwifes loud voice,
Concentrate on what you are about! Glad Im not
a woman.
Thankfully there were no complications preventing Gladys and baby
Harrys return after the normal stay after birth, being one
or two weeks. We had Edna, Gladys sister, to thank in
looking after my mother during this period. She was now a member
of the ATS in the ack ack.
The most hated war restriction was the blackout. It is said that
at one period more people lost their lives due to accidents in
the blackouts than there were victims caused by the air raids.
The blackout was the first restriction to go, and the most
popular decision. Food, clothing, petrol, all were restricted
quite some time after the cessation of hostilities and it was not
until the last one to go, sugar, during September 1953, that
rationing came to an end.
I doubt if there could have been a better setting for a
demobilisation station than this one at Dorney Common. This
ack ack site, situated to the rear of Eton College
was nestled amongst the lush green common of Dorney and the banks
of the River Thames. Here, the quietness allowed you to think
about the past, but more importantly - the future. We were, of
course, some of the lucky ones, to have survived the perils of
this war which was still continuing against Japan in the Far
East. On the first morning, the officer in charge made it quite
clear that there would be no marching drill on the square. All
those who could find work locally would be given help with
transport. Those left over would take part in recreational
activities, combined with giving help on the farms locally. It
was my brief to take charge of these men and have organised
sports activities. I was able to have the use of a cricket pitch
at Home Park, Windsor. I was able to arrange fixtures with local
cricket clubs; there was plenty of talent available in the
non-working squad.
I contacted all the local market gardeners and farmers, to
enquire whether they could use army personnel. In theory, any
money earned should be paid directly
odd case where nothing was going to be paid, I kind of withdrew
the offer of labour. I felt I was a Workers Union official.
I started up a swimming party, using the local indoor baths or
the River Thames, if the weather was suitable enough. It was
essential that those like me, waiting for their demob to come up,
be kept as active as possible. Killing time is not generally a
favourite pastime, there is a danger that idleness can give way
to mischief.
My officer in command, on sending for me, passed a letter from
army southern command. This letter was inviting our 459 ack
ack unit to take part in an army athletic meeting, to be
held at Southampton Sports Centre, at the end of August. There
was a good response to the notice asking for names to be
submitted. This was always subject to their demob notice not
arriving before this event.
On the 6th August the first atom bomb was used, laying waste to
Hiroshima, Japan. On the 15th August, Japan surrendered
unconditionally to the Allies.
This camp was very remote from the horrors of war, indeed, not
until after the war were the British public given details of the
extent of the network of concentration camps across Europe. These
camps had satellite camps of slave labour, of which 15 main camps
near main cities controlled more than 900 in 1945. Big firms,
such as Krupps and IG Farben negotiated with the SS, paying some
small fee for each slave. This fee was returned after the slave
was of no further use. When this happened, the slave was usually
cremated. From a research carried out, it has been estimated that
out of 8 million slaves, only half a million survived at the end
of the war with Germany. So here we are, with our minds dwelling
on what was around, that is, when not thinking of our ticket to
civvy street.
Each day we would see an occasional Eton boy, dressed in their
traditional black jacket and tails and stiff white collar, with
head bowed, obviously deeply in thought. Our presence did not
seem to make an impact on them, as they would wend their way
passed the camp towards the river, returning to their college via
Windsor. In a good many cases, I suppose, they are doing what
their fathers had done before them and what had been taking place
for generations in their family. It is a traditional requirement
in some wealthy families and among the aristocracy, that places
are reserved at Eton before the child is born. This is, of
course, preserving our class system by making the child dress in
a superior outfit.
In August, I took the athletic team to Southampton Sports Centre.
Many had been training hard for this event. I was particularly
interested in the facilities that this centre offered. There were
different levels for various activities, apart from the running
tracks. Above all, here was a sports centre that the people of
Southampton had, through their city council, provided to enhance
their sporting talents. When I returned to Dorney Common, I
produced a report and signed
myself as Nomad.
Apart from going on short leave, as frequently as possible, the
was now dragging as Christmas approached. This is when I lay on
my bed trying to make sense of my life. The war and the army had
given me self-confidence that was lacking at the start. Having
completed an advanced radar course, I felt that I could get down
to some serious studies. I was of the opinion that an engineering
qualification was worth attaining, for I felt I had a calling in
this direction. I had torpedoed my production controllers
post with the Ever Ready firm, and although I knew they had an
obligation to take me back, I was prepared to start a fresh
career. My mind was fairly made up as to what I would say when
the time came for me to seek re-employment with them.
An unknown factor I had to bear in mind, concerned Gladys
situation at home. With Harry of the age to be weaned, together
with looking after mothers need, would she be able to cope,
especially as I could be out all day, when attending evening
college? I had a card up my sleeve, for I had saved £500 from my
war service. Should I have to move from home, I had enough
capital to put down a deposit for our own home.
The trial of major war criminals at Nuremberg commenced on the
20th November, 1945. This trial went on with the likes of Göring
and his mob for many months, and received maximum publicity.
On the 25th November, I had reached the grown-up age of 30. I
felt that the best part of my life would be over. Now, of course,
I realised I would be facing the future in civvy street, not
alone, but with a wife and child to support.
This section terminates with World War II coming to a close, with
millions giving their lives and health, so that we who remain may
enjoy the freedom which has been won for us. We can never repay
them, all we can do is devote our lives
in the service of others. For me, who served with the BEF in
France, I have my Maker to thank for steering me to freedom
without ever experiencing the horrors of war, or indeed, ever
seeing one casualty, as so many civilians and servicemen
did for long periods.
Now that the Good Lord has brought me safely through so far, he
is looking down on me to see how many times he has come to my
rescue in Civvy Street.
Forward | ||
Introduction | ||
1/1 | 1915-1929 | |
1/2 | 1930-1932 | |
1/3 | 1932-1935 | |
1/4 | 1935-1939 | |
1/5 | 1939-1940 | |
1/6 | 1940-1943 | |
1/7 | 1943-1945 | this page |
1946-1997 | to follow | |
Home Page | ||
© 1998 Alan Rayment
Last revised: February 28, 1998.