29th Jan 1942 Rommel attacks and takes Benghazi. The Allies retreat to Gazala. 26th May 1942 Rommel attacks at Gazala, Tobruk is captured on 21st June and the Allies retreat to El Alamein. Attached is the typical telegram sent back by soldiers after a major battle to let the family know that everything is OK.
From the Jules Dorrian Story Jules Dorrian, 5LAA Bty and five other Gunners managed to escape from Rommels troops and were posted to 6LAA Battery. 1942 was the year I escaped from Tobruk. That Friday on the 20th June we watched all the heavy guns and tanks going down the coast road in the direction of El Alamein. There we were sitting on the wee Bofors 2 pounder on top of a wadi. I said to Captain J Gibson, “There is something wrong here, leaving us here with all the heavy stuff and tanks heading away”. But it was Rommel and his Afrika Korps coming down from Benghazi. The hospital ship left from Tobruk harbour that Day. My friend McGinn was on board. The next morning at 6am everything was let loose on us. The shells were going over our heads into the harbour. All we had for breakfast were two sling peaches and a cup of tea. Joe Arnott came along and told us about the first deaths at our position. Captain Gibson, Sgt Davidson, Davy McClinton and an English lad attached to us were killed in their gun pit at the NAAFI bulk stores. Lt. Craig from Newry ordered Sgt McFadden to send me over to take charge of Sgt Davidson’s gun. The Sgt disagreed and told Lance Sgt Anderson from S. Ireland to go instead. L/Sgt Anderson jumped into a 3 ton lorry driven by Freddy Steels and drove straight into German captivity. At that stage Lt Craig said it was everybody for them selves. First, we knocked down the sand bags from the top of the gun pit and started firing at the advancing Germans. They broke through in an 8cwt Bug van and waved a black and white flag for us to surrender. At that stage I was suffering with concussion from the bomb blasts. Lt Craig, Sgt McFadden and Joe Arnott left us and it was everyone for themselves. Our position was on the perimeter and only an overhead blast would have caught us because we were in a gully. I told the three gunners with me to stay together and make for the harbour. We reached the jetty next to a landing craft. It was a desperate sight to see. The Navy boys were getting blown out of the water wholesale. After 60 years the sights I witnessed still give me bother.
Hello, I was asked if I knew anything about obtaining a copy of this book. Does anyone have any ideas?
Copies appear to be around: Tobruk - Gazala Wladyslaw Choma Tobruk - Gazala - Choma - SBSK 3 DSK - 1944 PSZ/Z - 8462322687 - oficjalne archiwum Allegro