Bridge in the evening with Jeffrey and Derrick. Papers arrived from England from the family, which were most acceptable.
Monday, 8 December
Japan today declared war on USA and Great Britain, by attacking Pearl Harbor by air, and other American islands in the Pacific! There are also reports that landings have been made on the Malayan coast, and Singapore was raided. The Japs are reported to have sunk one American battleship and one destroyer. Russia is still counterattacking at Vladivostok. Not much news from the desert.
This was a more momentous day than Stanley realized. Because of the Tripartite Pact between Germany, Italy and Japan, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor led Germany to declare war on the United States, bringing America into the war not just in the Far East but in the West too. December 8 was also the day Tobruk began to be properly relieved after its long nine-month siege. At one point, General Freyberg, commanding the New Zealand Division, had thought he would have to pull back and leave Tobruk to its fate, but Rommel’s situation was now more parlous than he had realized after the ill-judged ‘dash for the wire’ and 18 days’ hard fighting. Consequently, on 7 December, he pulled back to Gazala, to the west of Tobruk.
Meanwhile in Russia, the Red Army was counter-attacking from the edge of Moscow. The Germans had got to within reach of the capital, but the bitter winter conditions, overextended lines of supply, and desperate defence by the Russians had ensured their goal had evaded them.
Tuesday, 9 December
During the morning I attended a court-martial of which I was president. It was the first that I have attended. Fortunately I had John Semken as a member: he is a solicitor in private life, and was a great help. James Hanburg from the Greys was the other member. It all went off very well. We convicted the accused, but I felt very sorry for him, and consider that he should never have been court-martialled. Pat Allistan prosecuted and Hitchin defended. I thought his defence was poor.
In the evening we had an ENSA concert, which I thought very good. The brigadier (Constance) came to dinner and to the show. A Christmas present arrived from Mummy in the shape of a Dunhill pipe and a shaving brush. I had my usual early-morning ride.
John Semken had received his commission in April 1940, and was then sent on a signals course while he waited to be sent to join the Regiment in Palestine. During the Rangers’ time in Crete and Tobruk, John had been training Palestinian Arabs and Jews and had then rejoined the Regiment as signals officer.
Wednesday, 10 December
Bad news today. We have lost two capital ships off Singapore, one our newest, the Prince of Wales, and the Repulse. The Japs sank them by aerial torpedo. A nasty crack after three days’ war with the Japs. The CO also told us the battleship Barham had been sunk in the Mediterranean. Apparently the navy received orders direct from England to deal with the convoy bringing reinforcements to Rommel in the Western Desert. This they did very effectively, sinking every single ship, but it cost us the Barham. I have an idea that Bungy Christopherson was on her.
The Russians claim the initiative along the whole of the front, and I believe that they have it. No fresh news from the desert. To me the end of this war seems to be just as far away as ever.
Bungy Christopherson was a cousin, but he was not among those killed on the Barham, Admiral Cunningham’s old flagship.
Thursday, 11 December
General Cunningham has got the sack from the Western Desert, and a fellow called Ritchie has taken his place. The latter is very junior. Flash, our colonel, knew about this when he was in Cairo. Apparently Cunningham completely lost his nerve when the German column broke through into Egypt. He has flown back to England with the name of Jones.
I had an air-graph from Pat, number 14 and dated 16 November: the last letter I had from her was number 7. Outside the family, I look forward to her letters more than any others. I wish that she wrote more. I sometimes wonder whether I shall ever see her again. I shall read her letter through again before going to bed.
The new Eighth Army commander had been a major general and Auchinleck’s deputy in Cairo before being hastily promoted to lieutenant general and sent to take command at the front. An undoubtedly very able staff officer, he had, however, little experience of command in the field. His appointment, when he had never commanded either a brigade or a division, let alone a corps, was a surprising choice, to say the least.
Saturday, 13 December
B Squadron, under Pat McCraith, made some ‘Molotov Cocktails’, which they threw and caused a very good explosion. I took our gunners to see the demonstration.
I asked Stuart Thompson to give a lecture on the American attitude to the war, which was very good, and following this Kurt Gottlieb gave a lecture to both A and B Squadrons on the present war situation, with special regard to Japan’s entry into the war. That, too, was very good. Kurt has certainly got a very good brain, and is an excellent IO, especially as he speaks German, French, Italian and English. He is an Austrian and a Jew, and joined the Regiment as a trooper. Flash Kellett got him in.
Thursday, 18 December
This morning we had an intensive lecture from John Todd, colonel of the Greys who are brigaded with us. He went down to the desert as a ‘recorder’ for this latest campaign against the Hun, which is still going on. It’s not often that one gets a first-hand lecture on a battle that is still in progress. Some things that he said were none too pleasant, especially about the 50mm and 75mm guns, the latter of which penetrates our general tanks. At one point out of 50 general tanks, only two were left.
Reports on the American M3, which we are to get, are good, especially from a mechanical point of view. Their speed and lack of mechanical defects were excellent. The defects we already know about. The Hun recovery tank organization was absolutely excellent.
During various battles in this enormous desert, the most amazing situations arose, especially when Rommel made his diversion thrust with two columns. On one occasion, a Hun recovery lorry drove into a Corps HQ leaguering area. On another, while Todd was attached to a certain divisional HQ, they came under shellfire, just as Cunningham arrived by aeroplane. They actually got onto the aeroplane in which he had come but fortunately it managed to get into the air with him in it. They decided to move their position 20 miles southeast, and when they halted they found two German trucks had tacked on in the rear, thinking they were a German column.
On another occasion one of our liaison officers drove into a German leaguer area by mistake and, on realizing (fortunately it was dark), took off his hat and asked for a fill of petrol, which he got! After saying, ‘Dankeschön,’ he made off!
It was quite the most outstanding lecture that I have heard.
Wednesday, 24 December
In the evening I took all my sergeants to dinner at the Edan Hotel, Nathaniya. The squadron officers also came, and I asked Stephen Mitchell, Bill Kepner, who was a Sergeant in A Squadron, and Derrick Warwick who was an officer in A Squadron for a long time. It was a great success, and great fun. We had soup, fish, turkey and plum pudding, and beer and whisky to drink. It cost me about £20, which consumed practically all my back pay.
Thursday, 25 December
Christmas Day again. Two years ago I spent it at Lindsay Lodge, Sunningdale, Surrey, with the family, Ann and Pat. How extraordinary that I have not seen them for all that time. Well, I wonder where we shall be next Christmas Day.
Sunday, 28 December
My squadron has now been given four tanks. I have made up Ronnie Hepton’s troop, and have given the other troop to Squadron HQ and put my own personal crew in it.
Tuesday, 30 December
I am wearing an old shooting coat while I am writing this diary. I have just looked at the date and found that I bought it eight years ago from Billings & Edmonds.
Wednesday, 31 December
So ends 1941, and one can’t help wondering what 1942 has in store for us. I heard today that John Wrangham and Sergeant Harper, both from the Tank Corps and who were att
ached to us as instructors for a few months, are casualties. Wrangham is reported missing, and Sergeant Harper killed. They were grand fellows, and excellent instructors.
Stephen, John Walters, Bob Brothero, Andy Lang and a few other officers drank in the New Year with the sergeants in their mess. RSM Cassidy was in formidable form, and we had an exceedingly good party, which finished about 1.30 a.m.
One of Keith Douglas’s sketches, given to Stanley.
PART II
FROM ALAMEIN TO TUNIS
January 1942–May 1943
8
Tank Training
Stanley training in Haifa, January 1942.
1941 HAD ENDED with the British back across Cyrenaica, having recaptured Benghazi on Christmas Day. While things might have been looking up in North Africa, however, the new war in the Far East was going disastrously. The Japanese had followed up their attack on Pearl Harbor with major strikes against British territories in Burma and the American-held Philippines. The Wake Islands and Guam had also fallen and Borneo had been invaded, while over Britain’s key port of Hong Kong, the Japanese flag now fluttered.
However, the first formal conference between British and American chiefs of staff had taken place in Washington. At the Arcadia Conference, the Allied war leaders had agreed to a ‘Germany first’ strategy. Despite the rampage of Japanese troops in the Far East, the priority of the war effort would be directed against Germany and ridding the world of Nazism.
Thursday, 1 January 1942
The colonel gave a most excellent talk to the Regiment during the morning, reviewing the whole war up to the present date, at the same time bringing in a certain amount of religion. He can speak exceedingly well. He finished up with some lines of Kipling, ‘What stands if Freedom fall? Who dies if England live?’
After lunch John, Stephen and I had a conference with the CO about crew commanders training as a result of our brigade course. We then took a tank out, and tried out some crew drill, crew control and fire orders. Unless some kind of communication is established between crew commanders and drivers, conditions in the tanks will be chaotic. Mike Laycock’s brother Bob, in charge of the Commandos, and reported missing, has now turned up again.
Friday, 2 January
The weather is quite frightful. It has rained constantly for the last two weeks and has turned incredibly cold with a wind almost gale force. Last night, it was so strong every officer’s tent was blown down, except for three including the colonel’s. We all moved into the mess – in fact there was a constant stream of officers coming into the mess with bits of bedding from 11 o’clock until 5 in the morning.
Squadron leaders’ (from the brigade) course under the brigadier finished this afternoon. To my mind, it really has been most useful.
In the evening, saw a most excellent film called All This and Heaven Too.
Saturday, 3 January
The weather still grows colder. What must it be like in Russia? Badia has been taken and we have released 1000 prisoners. Manila has been captured by the Japs, and the position in the Philippines looks serious. It’s essential that we hang on to Singapore.
So much damage was done to the bell tents in the gale the other evening, the officers have had to make shift in the best places they can. I have gone to my squadron office. Rather cramped but comfortable. I went for a good run this afternoon and felt much better for it.
At the moment I have five tanks in my squadron. One complete troop under Ronnie Hepton and I have our own tank, which I have placed under Sergeant Leinster.
My own crew is Lance Corporal Rush, Lance Corporal Dean and Trooper Brewster, my driver.
Wednesday, 7 January
General Martell, inspector general of the RAC, came and visited the unit with the divisional general and our brigadier: I was directing a sand table scheme between A Squadron and C Squadron. He watched for a time, and then Flash Kellett, our colonel said, ‘Would you like to come and see the tanks?’ to which he replied, ‘I would rather watch this rather exciting battle for a time!’ I am glad that he went when he did as the battle was becoming rather complicated to direct. As a result of his visit, I gather that a delivery of American tanks will not be quite so quick as we anticipated, as America rather wants most of the tanks she is making. That is one of the reasons why Churchill went to America.
I moved from my office back into a tent again. Jack Whiting returned from hospital, and Sam Garrett from a gunnery course, so I am getting some officers back again.
Monday, 12 January
Spent the day arranging all the training for the coming week as tomorrow I leave with Lawrence Biddle, Kurt Gottlieb, and Harry Fulton of Brigade for a week’s skiing in Syria about which I am very thrilled. Roger Nelthorpe, my second-in-command, will be in command of the squadron in my absence. Letters from Anne Christopherson and Ursula Barclay – both ATS.
Tuesday, 13 January
Lawrence Biddle, Kurt Gottlieb and I left for a week’s skiing in the Hebron Mountains. Harry Fulton, the staff captain, made up the fourth. We left camp at six in the morning in a staff car, which we managed to wangle, and picked up Harry at Brigade HQ. We had lunch at Beirut where we hired skis and boots. Actually I couldn’t find a pair large enough so I had to buy a pair. I might sell them again. We arrived at our destination, Les Cèdres, at about 5 in the evening, after a rather tiring and hair-raising journey. Never have I been on such a precipitous road. We had the greatest difficulty in getting up the last few miles, as only with difficulty were they able to keep the road free from snow. Last week they were completely cut off owing to a very heavy fall – about eight feet. Outside the hotel there are four cars, completely covered, over which they have been skiing.
Les Cèdres consists of two hotels: Les Cèdres Hotel, which has been taken over by the Australians for the purpose of running a skiing school for the army. The chief instructor is Jimmy Riddle. The other hotel is Mon Repos where we are staying. The place is very crowded, and the four of us have to share one room, which is distinctly a bore, as Kurt Gottlieb is hopelessly untidy, and his bottles alone almost cover the room. There are about 20 other officers in the hotel, including Figanes and Cazatte from the Greys and John Cunliffe-Lister and two other officers from the Staffordshire Yeomanry, so the 8th Armoured Brigade is well represented plus the staff captain. We had the greatest difficulty in turning the staff car round on the narrow road, which had only just been cleared of snow and in the end we had to get about 20 Arabs to lift the front of the car and turn it round bodily!
Wednesday, 14–Tuesday, 20 January
We all had the most enjoyable time skiing during the holiday. I have never enjoyed myself more, or felt better since leaving England. We have skied every single day, including one day when the visibility was so bad that we had to go out on a compass bearing! Every day we have climbed for two or three hours and skied down on excellent runs. We climbed up as far as 10,000 feet, and looked down on Baalbek on the other side. That run was called ‘Sans Soners’ and probably the best run of the lot. In the evening we played a certain amount of bridge and retired to bed early each night.
Friday, 23 January
The news from the Far East is not good. The Japs have got within 60 miles of Singapore, and not far off Rangoon. Our advance light forces have withdrawn 60 miles eastwards. It looks as if Rommel is getting some kind of supplies. The Russians are still doing excellent work along the whole front.
A wonderful mail today, letters from the family, Pat, Bridget, Dycie[?]. Training as usual. Went to garrison cinema in the evening.
Allied fortunes in the Far East were certainly going from bad to worse. Kuala Lumpur had fallen on 12 January, while Japanese troops were also pressing into Burma. Fierce battles continued to rage in the Philippines and Borneo, and Australian New Guinea had been overrun. Meanwhile, in North Africa, Rommel had once again acted without consulting either his Italian allies or Field Marshal Kesselring, his theatre superior, and had launched a new offensive to reclaim Cyrenaica on
21 January. The following day, the German and Italian forces under his command had been formed into the Panzer Armee Afrika.
That day, the Italian General Cavallero, with Field Marshal Kesselring, had flown to see Rommel to ask him to stop this latest offensive, believing he had not given himself enough time to rebuild strength and fearing an overextension of his lines of supply once more. Rommel, however, was determined to keep going, encouraged by the first day of battle in which Mersa Brega had easily fallen. Although Cavallero refused to allow Italian troops to take further part, Rommel decided to push on with his Deutsches Afrika Korps.
Saturday, 24 January
The divisional general was to have inspected us on Monday but owing to illness it has been postponed.
While I was away I heard that a certain major from the 5th Tanks was attached to us. One evening he and certain other officers from the mess took a staff car under false pretences and went to Tel Aviv. This major got so tight that he was not capable of getting on parade the next morning. The CO put him under open arrest and packed him back to his regiment. He had to take a personal note from our brigadier who is from the Tank Corps back to his CO.
An Englishman at War Page 23