Airborne Assault MuseumAPPENDIX 5. DETACHMENT, ATTACHED TO 5th BATTN.
Subject: Narrative Reports.
Report on Plane No 74. Serial I.
Jumpmaster: Capt. E. Morrison.
PARATROOPERS.
Capt. Morrison, RAMC, and eight Other Ranks (Medical Orderlies): Capt. Brown, ADC; Capt. Reid (Padre) 5th Btn and batman; four Other Ranks (Provost).
JOURNEY.
All ranks behaved admirably, one OR sick, but not to cause any worry.
JUMP.
Approximately 0510 hrs, 15 August 44. All ranks jumped. No verbal 20 minute order given by crew. Green light came less than five (5) seconds after red.
CONTAINERS.
I saw these going down and later found them on the ground intact, but had to abandon contents owing to distance from correct R.V.
R.V.
Hit the deck at a point roughly 5 miles N.E. of FAYENCE, map ref (5256 FAYENCE). Contacted Major. Blackwood 5th Btn with Allied planes overhead bombing a nearby village, we put up yellow smoke and this helped to get a lot of the lads together.
We R.V’d in a farmhouse where the French inhabitants were very helpful. There were Partisans (French) in the area, all well armed.
Collecting a party of roughly thirty men we set off with the aim to reach the area of Bde HQ. I had myself and four Medical Orderlies, carrying between us three medical packs and one stretcher bundle.
D-Day.
Marched towards Fayence aiming to by-pass same on way South. Sniped several time, but without incident. One French Partisan was accidentally wounded by comrade, but his wounds were trivial.
We entered the village of Tourettes where I left Pte. Cowin, RAMC (Suffering from synovitis Right wrist and Right knee) with a Frenchman Mr. Roure.
While in this village a Frenchman informed me that there was a wounded British soldier in the vicinity. I went out with a party of four and found an American and major. Dudgeon, 2 i/c, 5th Btn, the latter suffering from grenade wounds Right thigh and Left calf. I had him brought to the village and carried into the town of Fayence and put in bed in the civilian hospital there under the care of Dr. Talent. This was approx. 1000 hrs. We proceeded due South in three parties, Recce; HQ; and Rear Parties. Progress was of necessity fairly slow because reconnaissance was very necessary.
Approx. 1700 hrs D-Day a German convoy was interrupted and the ensuing battle lasted approx. 90 minutes. The allies suffered no casualties. Enemy lost two (2) dead (bullet wounds), three (3) severely wounded and one officer and four OR’s were taken prisoner. The severely wounded (a) G.S.W. head (bullet); (b) G.S.W. (bullets) penetrating Right knee and with compound fracture of Right Tibia and Fibia and (c) G.S.W. buttock. These were attended by me, wounds dressed, limbs splinted, morphia administered and all left with a French farmer and a commandeered car (German) left at the Frenchman’s disposal, to take the wounded to hospital.
Proceeding south at 1830 hrs we caught up with a Company [Battalion] of American paratroops (approx. 750 men) and proceeded as before keeping to the main roads. We reached heavily wooded mountain area and rested from 2400 D. hrs until 0500 D+1. Proceeding South on D+1, we collected three more prisoners on the way near Bagnols. There were a lot of minor foot casualties, so Pte. Gilkison was detailed to bring up the rear of the convoy [column] and give first-aid to these. The fore part of the convoy [column] carried on and reported at 1200 hrs on D+1 at Bde HQ. The Rear Party ran across a German convoy and Pte. Gilkison remained behind with the wounded, to arrive at Bde on D+2.
Capt Brown? NOTE: rest of line unreadable.
(sheet two)
with Padre Reid, 5th Btn to arrive at Bde on the night of D+1.
I reported to S.M.O. with three Medical Orderlies at 1200 hrs at Bde HQ on D+1 and was detailed for duty at R.A.P. 5th Btn, where I have been working ever since.
Two of my Orderlies (Pte’s. Evans and Hindson) took part in an assault by ‘B’ Coy on the night of D+2 where the situation was sticky; the Allies losing four (4) O.R’s dead and the evening [enemy] a much larger number.
19/8/44.
(Signed) Capt. E. Morrison. RAMC.