Description
In this remarkable memoir, we are transported back to the tumultuous days of World War II, tracing the journey of an unsung hero among thousands — B.A. Jones, a young man conscripted into the Army in 1939, who found himself swept into the currents of war, serving with dedication in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) until 1946.
Though not an officer of high rank nor a soldier on the front lines, Jones nonetheless bore witness to the drama and danger of war in his roles as a motorcycle dispatch rider and lorry driver. Over 6½ years, he traversed the landscapes of Europe and the Middle East, his journey echoing the larger movements of history.
In 1939, as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), Jones was stationed in France during the eerie calm of the ‘Phoney War’. This deceptive lull shattered with the German invasion of 1940, forcing the BEF into a desperate retreat culminating in the chaos of Dunkirk. Amidst this, young Private Jones was one of the fortunate few to escape, despite the harrowing experience of his ship being strafed by German aircraft, leaving indelible images of survival and loss.
Briefly back in England, his respite was short-lived. Soon, he was dispatched to the Middle East — an odyssey that would span three years with 364 GT Company, part of the Eigth Army under the command of General Bernard Montgomery. Often under enemy fire, Jones drove countless miles across the vast, unforgiving desert, transporting men and vital supplies through Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Iraq, suffering injury and illness along the way.
As the Allied campaign in the Middle East reached its victorious conclusion, 364 GT returned to the UK in 1944, readying themselves for the pivotal D-Day landings. On 6th June, they stormed ‘Gold’ beach, their subsequent mission pivotal as they ferried supplies from the ingenious Mulberry ‘B’ harbour, a feat of engineering brilliance assembled off Normandy's coast.
The courageous drivers of 364 GT continued their critical work as the Allied forces pressed through France. For Jones, the war’s end came in Dieppe, where his service concluded in 1946.
This engaging narrative offers a deeply personal glimpse into the whirlwind of World War II, shedding light on the quiet yet profound contributions of those who served valiantly behind the scenes.
Details
Publisher - Woodfield Publishing Ltd
Language - English
Perfect Bound
Contributors
By author
B. A. Jones
Published Date - 1994-12-01
ISBN - 9781873203286
Dimensions - 23.4 x 15.6 x 1 cm
Page Count - 178
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