El Alamein memoir - Wilf Shaw

It's the 70th anniversary of El Alamein next month, 23 October, and I thought I'd remind people of a memory given to me by an old veteran Wilf Shaw of the Green Howards.

You can read more of Wilf's story at Fighting Through - From Dunkirk to Hamburg - War Diary and autobiography of Bill Cheall - WW2, Dunkirk, D-Day memoir and war diary but meantime read this engaging extract about the fighting ...

"My feelings, bearing in mind what had happened previously at Gazala and in the most appropriate phrase I can think of, were "fatalistic resignation". I just couldn't see how I was going to get through it without serious injury or worse, which I didn't, but, thank God, I didn't lose a limb. I am not ashamed to say I was scared as hell, I was part of a section of 8 or 9 who advanced towards dug-in Italians with Bredas, no more than 40 or 50 yards away. They opened up as we advanced and hit most of us, I hit the deck and jammed the rim of my steel helmet into the ground, it was an action that surely saved my life because a bullet smashed straight into it, it broke through the steel and dropped on the inside of the camouflage net which covered my helmet. I was on the right extremity of the advancing section, the lad on my left had been hit around his mouth and neck and was in a bit of a state. I can still remember his name, it was either Diggle or Dibble, I found out later that he didn't die from his injuries."

Paul

 

Just remembered I promised to write a review of your book, but I forgot! Apologies, will get hold of a copy again and re-read it and post a review before the anniversary.

 

Paul,

Wilf was an extremely lucky man to survive the incident.

Regards
Tom

 

Thanks for that!

 

Hi Paul
I have been in contact with Wilf over the past month.

Such a lovely man, we keep exchanging e-mails and he keeps telling me what he has been doing and sometimes tells me funny stories of his earlier life before and after the war. He is still fit and well, gets out every day walking and doing his shopping and is an avid reader.
I'm so pleased he got in touch with me.

Lesley

 

Hi Lesley - yes, we've spoken before about Wilf. It was him who just reminded me about the anniversary of alamein. It's his birthday 6 Feb - he will be 93 bless him.
Paul

 

Paul

Wilf was not alone in being scared - most of us were !
Cheers

 

I copied some excellent files (especially the maps) today on the Alamein and Gazala battles in the CAB 44 series.

I must get a copy of your book for the BEF content

 

He was a very Lucky man to have lived after the war I’m just wondering if Wilf new my great uncle private George Leslie Myers 4392231 he served with the Green Howard’s 6Bn he was also in El Alamein best regards Julie

 

Wilf died last year

 

Hello Julie

Wilf wrote down a list of names of men he knew or met and unfortunately your great uncle's name is not on the list, sorry.
Indices names - War diary, WW2 soldier, World War 1939, war book, story

Lesley

 

Thanks Lesley I did have a look earlier on I couldn’t see it thank you anyway

 

I know I never new him but I have read the feeds he was a great guy god bless