Whicker's War

Discussion in 'Books, Films, TV, Radio' started by Owen, Apr 9, 2008.

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  1. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I know it came out a few years ago but started to re-read this yesterday.
    Very intertaining.
    Just ordered the DVD too.
    I thought I'd look up his photos on IWM site.
    There's 20 by Photographer Whicker.

    IWM Collections Online: Search Photographs Archive

    Search in this box that says "photographer" on that page.
    Some great images there.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    Owen, Apr 9, 2008
    #1
  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    von Poop, Apr 9, 2008
    #2
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    One Gerry Chester might know, on pages 31 & 32 Alan Whicker describes being at Longstop Hill with a Churchill unit. See one of his photos.
    The CO of that unit , un-named, was going to put Whicker & the cine cameraman Sgt Radford in for "gongs" but the next day the CO was killed.
    Any idea what unit they were with and who the CO was?
     
    Owen, Apr 9, 2008
    #3
  4. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    These look good and the book certainly looks like it might be worthwhile. Everytime I see Alan Whicker I keep thinking of the Monty Python sketch "Whickers Island"!!! . His programmes were brilliant too.
     
    Gerard, Apr 9, 2008
    #4
  5. Gerry Chester

    Gerry Chester WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    One Gerry Chester might know, on pages 31 & 32 Alan Whicker describes being at Longstop Hill with a Churchill unit. See one of his photos.
    The CO of that unit , un-named, was going to put Whicker & the cine cameraman Sgt Radford in for "gongs" but the next day the CO was killed.
    Any idea what unit they were with and who the CO was?
    Hi Owen,

    Killed was Lt. Colonel McNabb, C.O. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Major J.M.Anderson, who took over command, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his part in the action. The North Irish Horse was in support.

    Just placed an order for Alan Whicker's book. Thanks for the posting.

    Cheers, Gerry
     
    Gerry Chester, Apr 9, 2008
    #5
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Gerry,
    So Alan Whicker got it slighty wrong then?
    As he was saying it was the tank units CO.
    This is one of his photos.
    [​IMG]
    A Churchill tank in the Medjez-el-Bab area, 23-25 April 1943.
    Photographer: Whicker (Lt)
    No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit

    McNabb's entry on CWGC is from that date.
    CWGC :: Casualty Details

    Thanks for your help from one who was there.
     
    Owen, Apr 9, 2008
    #6
  7. Gerry Chester

    Gerry Chester WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    So Alan Whicker got it slighty wrong then?
    As he was saying it was the tank units CO.

    Owen,

    The battle for Longstop Hill cost the lives of three chaps (when their Churchill was struck by lightning) our CO was not one of them. Lt. Col (later Major-General Sir) David Dawnay, was recognised as the foremost authority on Churchill tank deployment. He left the NIH, just before we sailed to Italy, to take command of 21st Tank Brigade.

    It was the performance of Churchills in Tunisia that resulted in the ordered cancellation of further production of the tanks to be reversed - much to the PM's satisfaction!

    Cheers, Gerry
     
    Gerry Chester, Apr 9, 2008
    #7
  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I loved this quote from page 109.
    sapper will like it too.
    It refers to the Americans putting signs up on all their bridges, liberated villages , etc etc

    On one mountain road where as usual the Germans had blown every bridge , the first replacement had a large sign saying proudly,

    'You are Crossing this Bridge by Courtesy of the Fifth Army Enigneers who Built it in
    3 Days 14 Hours and 26 Minutes!'

    At the next blown river-crossing the familiar British Bailey bridge had a small notice:

    'This Bridge was built by the REs in 9 Hours and 42 Minutes'

    Underneath in brackets and small print :

    ('There is nothing unusual about this bridge.')

    Well I thought it was funny. :)
     
    Owen, Apr 10, 2008
    #8
    dbf likes this.
  9. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    Owen It was funny mate! :D
     
    Gerard, Apr 10, 2008
    #9
  10. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    DVD arrived today.
    Had a quick look at the extra footage.
    It's Alan in his study with his Army Photo album talking us through some images for 23 minutes, which appear in the book too.
    The album is huge, about 2 inches thick and looks about 18 by 12 inches with every page crammed full of photos .
    I'd love to have a flick through that album.
     
    Owen, Apr 16, 2008
    #10
  11. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    For those of you that have seen the series & read the book, you'll remember his friend Harry Rignold who was wounded at Salerno & later died.
    Here's his CWGC entry & MC citation.
    CWGC :: Casualty Details

    Name:RIGNOLD, HARRY WILLIAM
    Initials:H W
    Nationality:United Kingdom
    Rank:Captain
    Regiment/Service:General List
    Date of Death:12/09/1943
    Service No:98582
    Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference:VII. D. 14.
    Cemetery:BONE WAR CEMETERY, ANNABA

    Name Rignold, Harry W
    Rank: Temporary Captain
    Service No: P/98582
    Regiment: No 2 Army Field Photo Section First Army, General List
    Theatre of Combat or Operation: North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia)
    Award: Military Cross
    Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 23 September 1943
     

    Attached Files:

    Owen, Sep 26, 2010
    #11
  12. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Owen - The Lt.Col McNabb of the Agile and Sufferin Highlanders had been Chief of Staff to General Ken Anderson of the 1st Army but when Kasserine happened and Alex flew up from Cairo to inspect, he didn't think too highly of Mc Nabb and thus McNabb reverted to his old regiment and was killed leading the charge up Longstop - and as Gerry reminds us Anderson took over and was awared the VC but unfortunately was killed later at Termoli.....
    Cheers
     
    Tom Canning, Sep 26, 2010
    #12
  13. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    von Poop, Jul 12, 2013
    #13
  14. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    Sad news
    Alan Whicker CBE
    RIP
     
    4jonboy, Jul 12, 2013
    #14
  15. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    :poppy: RIP Alan Whicker :poppy:
     
    Buteman, Jul 12, 2013
    #15
  16. Bernard85

    Bernard85 WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    good day ramacal.yesterday 02:24pm.ijoin you in wishing alan whicker.R.I.P.he was a fine entertainer.regards bernard85
     
    Bernard85, Jul 13, 2013
    #16
  17. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Alan Whicker was one of the very few who stayed on in Italy after ROME fell and continued to tell it like it was - with some humour - which endeared him to thousands and some of his escapades kept many of us sane

    Alan Whicker RIP
     
    Tom Canning, Jul 13, 2013
    #17
  18. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Alan Whicker had a few things to say about one American general (whose name currently escapes me...!!), who, conquered Rome all by himself in a jeep and then conducted a victory "briefing" with his field commanders at the Capitoline. One of his given names was Wayne (not Marion), I think.
     
    bexley84, Jul 13, 2013
    #18
  19. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Richard

    Alan Whicker had more than a few things to say about that particular US general especially when it was known that any British or Canadian who tried to get into Rome would be shot - but he didn't get away with that one as he had banned ALL Canadians from entering Naples.......and we were banned from landing on the isle of Capri but that was Gracie Field's Italian husband.....the Canadians used humour as they had a really large sign made on the entry to one town that " This is a Canadian Town " Didn't last long though...

    Cheers
     
    Tom Canning, Jul 13, 2013
    #19
  20. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    A couple of years ago Alan Whicker returned to Italy and presented a documentary on the BBC.of his experiences in the campaign.

    Interesting documentary and delivered to his usual branded standard.

    A reporter always worth watching....doubt anybody could imitate his casual and factual style of de.livery
     
    Harry Ree, Jul 13, 2013
    #20
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