A memoir written by Cliff Watson divided into 20 chapters.
The Earliest Years.
Born in Barnoldswick, then in Yorkshire, now in Lancashire in 1922. His father ran a wireless business until 1926. He describes his years at schools and a move to…
Article 1. Headlines: German troops occupy Vichy France, armistice agreement at end, Hitler's message to Pétain, defence against imminent allied attack. German forces enter unoccupied France to defend against allied attack. Article2. Headlines;…
Article. Headlines: recapture of Tobruk, Sollum and Bardia also occupied by eighth army, troop-carriers filled with Germans shot down in sea mentions six large aircraft shot down flying north from Tunisa, pace of pursuit 130 miles in two days. Sketch…
Article 1. Headlines: Geraud leads French fight in Tunisia, allies racing to his support, paratroops in vanguard, British first army advances. general Giraud who escaped from Vichy France is reported to be leading French garrison fighting German…
Article 1. Headlines: parachute troops deep in Tunisia, clearing the way for first army, Mekili occupied by General Montgomery's forces, axis takes to open desert, Article 2. Headlines: German defeat in central Caucasus, many tanks abandoned,…
Article 1. Headlines: Sir S Cripps leaves the war cabinet, now minister of aircraft production, promotion for Mr H Morrison, Mr Eden to lead House of Commons, Col Stanley colonial secretary. Notes appointments by the King. Article 2. Headlines:…
Article 1. Headlines: the viceroy's term, Lord Linlithgow caries on, another six months, a record period. Concerns Lord Linlithgow remaining viceroy to India. Article 2. Headlines: Darlan a danger to allies, general Catroux's attack, non…
Article 1. Headlines: Rommel's army cut in two, armoured forces trapped, heavy casualties in efforts to break out, constant allied air attacks. Article 2. Headlines: Darlan answers questions, French navy to join allies, desire for unity. Mentions…
Article headlines: eighth army's new victory, 500 guns blast hole in Akarit defences, infantry's overwhelming assault, junction with American forces. Cutting headlines: eighth army in close pursuit, nearly 10,000 prisoners taken, northern attack…
Article 1. Headlines: Kairouan and Sousse occupied, eighth army pressing on through minefields, unflagging air offensive, no respite for retreating enemy. Article 2. Headlines: signs of German internal crisis, but hard military task is probably still…
Article 1. The Times headlines: Tunis and Bizerta captured, official announcement of allied victory, relentless bombing by allied aircraft. Article 2. The Observer headlines: Fleeing Germans chased towards Cape Bon, British tanks aim to cut line of…
Cutting 1. Headlines: 50,000 prisoners taken in Tunisia, three German divisional commanders, Luftwaffe withdrawn from battle, resistance breaking up. Cutting 2. Headlines: Cape Bon peninsular blockaded, intense activity by the navy, aircraft attack…
Cutting 1. Headlines: final axis collapse in Tunisia, all organised resistance at an end, mounting total of prisoners now 150,000, von Arnim captured. Cutting 2. Headlines: a great victory acclaimed, the King's congratulations to General Eisenhower,…
From aunt Dorothy writes that she is delighted to know he is safe and well and recounts her activities over Christmas. Speculates about fruit in his location and compares it to prices at home. Hopes he will be released soon.
From auntie Gladys and written by cousin Eileen. Relieved that he was safe and well. Writes of her and family activities and news as well. Mentions visit to Edinburgh while on leave and comments that grandfather is looking old.
From auntie Gladys and cousin Eileen. Happy that he is safe and well. Writes of families daily activities and news including recent educational success and remarks that that John is in the air force.
Writing from Tunisia that he is perfectly well as are the others. He is keeping letter simple in order not to write anything that may prevent the letter being delivered. Mentions the current climate and availability of grapes, figs, olives and…
Hopes that they had received his first letter telling them he was well and interned at Le Kef. Writes of his daily activities and that there is plenty of English reading material available. Recalls his fathers recent birthday and send greetings.…
Writes that he was pleased to get a letter from Red Cross at Geneva informing him that his name had been forwarded to the prisoner of war information bureau in London and that they would inform his parents of his address. Mentions he has written…
Mentions he is allowed two letters a month and hopes his previous ones have arrived. Hopes they are keeping well. Reports he is well and has not lost any weight. Mentions current weather and that they are quite high up. Writes of various clothes he…
Writes he is doing well and has been sunbathing and comments on the weather. Mentions he has sent a number of letters via the Red Cross but has had no acknowledgement that they had been forwarded to them. Asks that they cable him via the American…