2 PARA Bugle Calls At Arnhem

[Mark Hone]

I keep reading about Digby Tatham-Warter controlling his company by bugle calls during the advance to Arnhem. Does anyone know exactly which calls he used? By the way I know that 2nd Battalion weren't actually called 2 Para at the time.

[airborne medic]

Hiya Mark,
Long time no speak.....can I suggest looking on page 145 (I'm using the 1994 hardback version) of the Middlebrook Arnhem book.....comment from DTW 'The calls were much the same as those used in Sir John Moore's light Division in the Peninsula War.'
He was ex Ox and Bucks LI if I recall correctly......wonder what happened to the bugles?
The hunting horn used by Frost survived of course.....

[52nd Airborne]

Originally Posted by airborne medic

He was ex Ox and Bucks LI if I recall correctly.....

Yes, he was. DTW left the Ox & Bucks sometime between July & August 1943 to join the Parachute Regiment. It's also worth noting that he was very good friends with Major John Howard (of Pegasus bridge fame). It seems as though DTW talked Howard into applying for the Parachute course and If Howard hadn't had his car crash then I'm sure the two would of been reunited in the Parrachute Regiment.

[52nd Airborne]

Originally Posted by Mark Hone

I keep reading about Digby Tatham-Warter controlling his company by bugle calls during the advance to Arnhem. Does anyone know exactly which calls he used?

The use of the bugle was an DTW idea and apparently he over saw the training/teaching of the bugle. As for what calls were used, I would hazard a guess at: 1. Assembly, 2. The Advance.

Thinking more about this, I reckon that he may of had other ex-Light Infantry soldiers in his company who were accustom to the bugle, making it easier to teach the other members of his company the bugle calls.