I'm interested in seeing photographs/newspaper articles of the victory parade, given its importance there must be loads out there, but there's surprisingly few pieces I can find. Anyone got any good sources? VICTORY MARCH IN TUNIS - British Pathe From reading the Grenadier war diaries, it seemed things were going well until the Tankers turned up and smoked the generals off the saluting stand with their exhaust... that and the fact that the corps of drums started doing the much faster rifle march when the Guards were on, putting everyone out of step.
The Axis retreat and the Tunisian campaign 1942 - 1943: Scots Guards march past during the Victory Parade in Tunis. Men of the RAF Regiment march past the saluting dais in the Allied Victory Parade in Tunis 25-pdr guns and 'Quad' artillery tractors parade through Tunis, 20 May 1943.
Ah!....................... that wonderful Victory march !!! I first arrived in North Africa on April 13th 1943 but didn't join my unit (The 49th LAA) until the 22nd of May. On the 17th June, the King, George VI, flew to Tunisia to inspect the 78 Div and my unit proudly marched in front of him through the streets of Tunis. As a comparitive newcomer it was deemed appropriate that I, and the other re-inforcements, should guard the vehicle park to ensure that the local citizens didn't make off with sundry parts, including all the tyres. When we were being given our instructions as to the exact perimiters of the sentry beat it was also pointed out to us that we should be keeping a close eye on the latrines. When I queried this last point it was explained to me that it was common practice for the local gentry to steal the by-product of bodily functions which were in great demand for spreading on the nearby fields. To this day I can proudly claim, that whilst my comrades-in-arms marched in triumph through the streets of Tunis I guarded a pile of sxxxt ! Ron
Za They also serve who..." Hitherto unpublished poem found in a slit trench somewhere in Tunisia The British soldier proudly can say "I did my bit" From booting out the Jerries to guarding piles of sxxt ! Ron
From reading the Grenadier war diaries, it seemed things were going well until the Tankers turned up and smoked the generals off the saluting stand with their exhaust... Hi, having been aboard "Bangor" directly opposite to the reviewing stand during the whole march by, I have no recollection that this is true. An extract from my narrative, with a photograph, is relevant. See Page 22 Best wishes to one and all for the holiday season. Gerry
I like this bit Gerry. We had much fun wowing the Mademoiselles by showing them the two, not yet removed, 30mm shells protruding from the side of Bangor, "Le char Churchill tres formidable!"
Hi, having been aboard "Bangor" directly opposite to the reviewing stand during the whole march by, I have no recollection that this is true. Hi Gerry; I just finished viewing the Movitone film footage of the parade and there are two videos featuring the tanks... I think there's a longshot of the churchills in them. In regards to my comment re: the dust, its from a quote I have dated a few days after the March. I believe its a Grenadier Guard officer (I have no name other than stewart, so it may also be a 1st Guards or Coldstream officer); the grenadiers leading the parade? "A tremendous number of troops marches past, 9 abreast, and I think the spectators were suitably impressed. The Tanks put on their party manners, as they always do on ceremonial occasions. They entirely destroyed the only decent road left in Tunis, and had an involuntary halt exactly opposite the saluting base, where they enveloped Generals Eisenhower and Alexander in dense clouds of carbon mon-oxide, and pretty well cleared the platform..." No Disprespect to the Tankies meant on my part... I just think the author didn't like Tanks very much.
I believe its a Grenadier Guard officer (I have no name other than stewart, so it may also be a 1st Guards or Coldstream officer) Perhaps Stewart Brown, CO of 2 CG from Feb - Oct 43 CWGC :: Casualty Details I believe you posted about him previously.
The Tanks put on their party manners, as they always do on ceremonial occasions. They entirely destroyed the only decent road left in Tunis, and had an involuntary halt exactly opposite the saluting base, where they enveloped Generals Eisenhower and Alexander in dense clouds of carbon mon-oxide, and pretty well cleared the platform..." No Disprespect to the Tankies meant on my part... I just think the author didn't like Tanks very much. The end of the British Pathe film shows that the tanks did not stop nor the clearing of the platform. As for destroying the road ???? No disrespect felt by anyone - methinks the author must have had a nose full of dust. Gerry
A few shots available from the Australian War Memorial website, not much help but added just for curiosity's sake: TP1 - Tunis, North Africa. 1943-05-20. General Dwight Eisenhower (left), Commander-in-Chief of the Allied forces in North Africa, with French General Giraud at the Africa Victory Parade TP2 - Tunis, North Africa. 1943-05-20. General Harold Alexander with Lieutenant General Sir Kenneth Anderson, commander of the British First Army, being driven to the saluting base at the victory parade to celebrate Allied victory in North Africa TP3 - French Renault Char D1 Infantry Tanks (Medium) participating in a parade of Allied forces through the streets to commemorate the successful conclusion of the conquest of Tunisia
Try these for colour! Allied troops during Victory Day parade in Tunis, Tunisia during World War II. Allied troops march past a reviewing stand during Victory Day parade in Tunis, Tunisia during World War II.
TP4 - Tunis, Tunisia. c. 7 May 1943. Residents lined the streets to welcome the entry into the town of the victorious Allied troops (I notice that the two girls in the middle are showing what they think of the Aussie troops, whereas the girls either side of them are giving the Victory salute) TP5 - Tunis, Tunisia. c. 7 May 1943. Residents lined the streets to welcome the entry into the town of the victorious Allied troops and apparently they have a 7 minute Movietone movie covering the parade: F00739 - 1. Moresby medley 2. Last dramatic scenes in epic of North Africa. (News From Home No. 44) Extracts from News From Home No. 44. 1. (1 min 50 sec) A Cinesound item on the brighter side of Moresby is shown in this item about life in general in the islands (See also F01818 for unedited Department of Information footage). ( 2. (6 min 12 sec) The culmination of the victorious advance of the Allies after the fleeing Rommel in the desert. Shows Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery, British and American troops, scenes in Bizerte and Tunis, the triumphant march through Tunis and the tumultuous welcome by the people (Movietone)
Perhaps Stewart Brown, CO of 2 CG from Feb - Oct 43 CWGC :: Casualty Details I believe you posted about him previously. I think its more likely to be Brigadier Stewart Foster of the 1st Guards Brigade. People have made that mistake before... too many stewarts... The end of the British Pathe film shows that the tanks did not stop nor the clearing of the platform. As for destroying the road ???? No disrespect felt by anyone - methinks the author must have had a nose full of dust. Gerry I'm not sure it was all the tanks that he is talking about choking the generals out... although you have to agree that 50-100 tanks on a single 1943 Tunisian road probably wouldn't do it any good. More likely one of the french or american things rather then a good old churchill ;-)
I think its more likely to be Brigadier Stewart Foster of the 1st Guards Brigade. People have made that mistake before... too many stewarts... Glad you already had someone in mind.
Glad you already had someone in mind. To be honest I'm not sure; I'm just going off memory from the first page which I seem to have deleted. After a breif scan I can't make out many churchills in the parade, just these...
