In the foreword of a book 'From The Gazala Line To Behind The Lines - Wartime memories of John Cowtan, written by the American author of 'Miracle at St Anna", James McBride writes: That last comment did make me chuckle and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Best, Steve.
Probably true . Also , confirms one of the few things my Dad said about his war experiences - he was in the RN in the Med. during the Italian campaign. About discipline in the various forces. I won't give details so as not to offend .
Canadian soldiers also seem to have a universal admiration for the Gurkhas. Some comments from Tom Baker on his experience. I had the pleasure of spending 10 days with Tom in 2007 on a Normandy battlefield tour. The Gurkhas - Beautiful Soldiers - Video Gallery - Veterans Affairs Canada Tom in 1943
My dad, when I could coax him to talk about his war experiences, used to tell the tale about being in forward positions, in a foxhole, at night. He knew the Gurkhas used to "go out" in the dark looking for the enemy. Once or twice he felt something lightly touch his tin helmet and then nothing but quiet. He was told that the Gurkhas were looking for German helmets and if found the kukri came out and did its business..
Ram Ram! At Divisional HQs in the former BAOR, the duties of SO3 G1 were usually undertaken by a retired officer, many of whom had served in WW2. One I knew had an office wall decorated with 40 or so original copies of wartime military signals featuring content that reflected degrees of tongue in cheek humour, irony or similar. One I remember was from a Gurkha battalion to its Brigade HQ, which went like this: SITREP. QUIET NIGHT. FOUR PATROLS MOUNTED. ONE CONTACT SECTOR BAKER; THREE ENEMY KILLED ONE PRISONER. NIL OWN CASUALTIES. NIL AMMUNITION EXPENDED// Another was from an Australian Brigade HQ to its component units: FROM DIVISIONAL DAA&QMG. HENCEFORTH, QUOTE F*** ALL UNQUOTE IS NOT TO BE USED TO EXPRESS A NIL RETURN// I wish I’d made photocopies. Has anyone got anything similar?
