British WW2 Paratrooper Talks About Combat in Italy and Greece

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[@Lexington125]

I’m sitting in hospital now next to a Mr James Conway ,5th Scottish parachute brigade , now aged 95, absolute gentlemen and you know what , it’s worth being in hospital just to speak to him, last night he told me about the Italy campaign , the Palestine etc etc I won’t forget this ever as I love history and this gentlemen is complete class , the finest of men.

[@TimNelson]

Bloody fantastic Brits. We yanks love and respect the old boys like this great man.

[@stayawayfromthewoke3412]

Its a shame the younger generation dont

[@jackdelaney6633]

Thanks for that we Brits love n respect your doughboys to.

[@Triumph2024.]

Nothing but love, respect and gratitude from the U.S.A.

[@VileCAESARB]

@@stayawayfromthewoke3412 I'm 38 and have immense respect for this man, if called upon, man of us would do our duty. Don't make that mistake, Britain is all broken.

[@chestnutsev7]

@@stayawayfromthewoke3412 Yes I noticed in my town 3 people with poppies on and I was one of them.

[@xand321]

That is my Uncle Alec.😀 A proper lad.🤓

[@mickeyp5122]

What a guy you must be very proud. God bless him !!

[@geraldjensen9399]

Is he in Liverpool still?

[@SRN1850AN]

We owe so much to this generation

[@theonlyantony]

i have watched a lot o' these accounts, by ex-servicemen, of WWII, and this is my absolute favourite. A twinkle in his eye that would dazzle Sirius. Love the bit about making his sergeant 'comfortable!' H ha! Crystal clear memories. Eye-opening on Greek Communists. A rich experience. Thanks, Alec!

[@mikehawk6683]

Tell em I said you’ve got balls of steel

[@nicholasvalentine2428]

For 96 he's on the ball. God Bless him and all like him here and across the pond in America.

[@RememberWW2]

and in all the Allied Countries! Please follow for more!

[@nicholasvalentine2428]

@@RememberWW2 Yes, I mustn't forget all the Canadians, Ozzies, South Africans, NZs, Indians etc.

[@Will_i_am725]

God bless you Uncle Alec. Plan was to stay alive. So dark he couldn't see his hand. Thank God he survived that horrible mining incident losing 200 men. It would have been a nice swim. Could hear people swimming in front of him then they stopped... very sad. Wow... dropped off at Taranto then he started a 200 mile walk. Thank you for your service and keeping our countries safe. Thank you sir for telling your story. You are sharp as a tack and have excellent recall. God bless you.

[@Woody2962]

This story is so close to my heart. My Uncle who was a member of the Paras (Liverpool Scottish and 2nd Independent) told me of the time he was landing at Taranto and witnessed the ship hitting a mine. His name was William Woodward, born Sept 12 1921 deceased aged 92 2015.

[@markstanley6467]

Hello Woody. My Uncle also fought with 4 Para (2 Independent Para Brigade) and was involved in the operations which Alec narrates here. My uncle was from Liverpool too. I am researching his war and have been looking at some Pathe films on line from Greece. Do you know which battalion your uncle served with? The brigade had three battalions 4, 5, 6 Para. Mark

[@Woody2962]

mark stanley hi Mark my Uncle was in 4th Battalion C Company. He arrived in North Africa in the summer of 1943 and started training in readiness for the invasion of Sicily but was stood down at the last minute and then they were diverted to Taranto in September. He told me was one of the first to hit the beach expecting holy hell to break loose and not a shot was fired! His company then made their way up to Foggia and then on to the Battle of Sangro River which he told me was a ‘bloody’ mess and the India Company were slaughtered. By this time the 8th Army 1st Airbourne has been withdrawn leaving his 2nd Independant to be attached to the New Zealand command. Shortly after this battle while trying to make way to Montecasino he was seriously wounded and that was the end of his war. Hope this helps. His name William James Woodward attached to the Liverpool Scottish Brigade prior to joining the paras. Jeff

[@markstanley6467]

@@Woody2962 Hi Woody. My Uncle the same! I have quite a lot of stuff relating to his service. I am in Liverpool, are you?

[@dick_richards]

God Bless you Both

[@Woody2962]

@@markstanley6467 sorry Mark I missed this. I’m not an avid KZbinr except for DIY! I am from Liverpool originally but now live in Scotland. I was recently sent the war diaries of the 4th battalion from the Italian campaign. Happy to forward them to you.

[@montycasper4300]

More Brits please. The War Museum has done a good job recording the stories of veterans, but soon they'll be gone.

[@meakzo4194]

I could listen to his man all day, watched this video 5 times, would love to hear more of them war poems

[@RememberWW2]

Please subscribe for more

[@dick_richards]

He is AMAZIN

[@sparkletoo2]

It's hard to take in. I'm a fit and healthy 50yr old, strong for my age. I have a black belt in judo. I know guys who are in their 40s, 30 and 20s who are tough. Strong, fit guys who can hold their own in most situations... Afraid of almost nothing. What all of us forget and find hard to take in, is that gentlemen like this - were THE REAL DEAL. The British para, the Red Berets were the best and the baddest of all. Not taking anything away from the Americans, Polish, German etc etc - but these guys were off the chart in terms of bravery, "stiff upper lip" and effectiveness. We owe it all to guys like this. Respect, forever. Go read a decent book about Arnhem, and you'll understand what I mean....

[@marcclement7396]

Here here! Great man, great interview. It should be a crime to interrupt this important history with commercials nobody cares about.

[@williameddlewis4625]

when you read between the lines of what he's saying you can tell he had a hell of a time bless him

[@lawrencecuthbertson8539]

What a legend. Doesn't hide his fear but also lets you know he was just getting the job done. A great story teller and humble. His family will be proud

[@kylegallant3423]

This man is a true hero, god bless you sir and thank you for your service!!!!

[@ryanmalone2681]

These guys never cease to amaze me.

[@1joshjosh1]

Having visited Liverpool twice as a Canadian this guy is really easy for me to understand. absolutely fascinating

[@ste2442]

Born and bred in Liverpool , hope you enjoyed my home town

[@1joshjosh1]

@@ste2442 Oh yes! I consider myself at least 2% Scouser now! Maybe even 3% !! Piss on those Southern wankers. They can keep London. 😆

[@ste2442]

@@1joshjosh1 I’m glad you loved our city mate 👍

[@theodorekorehonen]

I also visited twice as a Canadian and once as a Sealander. I think I may have visited once as an Italian but that was during my drinking days so it's a little fuzzy.

[@michaelkneale3825]

One of the best interviews. His memory of events was excellent. A wonderful story of a brave mans youth.

[@bigwoody4704]

Thanx for your service Mr Sutton.He appears in better shape than most 20 yrs his jr

[@62alx]

My Father was always strict but it made us all realise our way in life I loved HIm so much

[@kjhi98]

im so surprised U haven’t had more views,cos these guys are amazing

[@RememberWW2]

Please share the videos!

[@Will_i_am725]

Wow. Lost his wife 34 years ago... poem was great. He has a great knack for story telling and is brilliant with his mind. No nonsense.

[@squint04]

Thank you for your service!! And for sharing your story!!

[@Kimchiboy08]

His recalling of moments is excellent , and you really do get to understand what a soldier experienced. I have enjoyed his interview . Wish his interview was longer. Thanks for interviewing this man.

[@MrGoldenV]

Thank you for this interview. I’d love to hear more from this man absolutely fantastic.

[@deljacobs33]

Thank you for our lives future 🙏🏻❤️

[@chrisf1579]

Total legend ,Hero what a gentlemen they should make a film about him

[@meakz3309]

thank you for interviewing this great man, im doing the para training very soon and cant get enough of these vids

[@SRN1850AN]

Good on you man, for god and country!

[@benjamintreitz1647]

Thanks for uploading, great interview!

[@RememberWW2]

I am super excited you enjoyed it!

[@moistmike4150]

What an amazing man. So stoic about what he'd lived through and witnessed, yet still full of a rather sardonic humor typical of the Northern Folk. God bless him!

[@spencerburrows6260]

Such a shame KZbin show complete disrespect by interrupting this brave Gentleman's story with greedy advertisements!!!

[@dellawrence4323]

Amazing man, sharp as a tack..

[@patrickberting1706]

Being on a ship that was hit by a mine must not have been fun (200 men killed). It is amazing how well he can recall in detail what happened 75 years earlier. He sounds like the ideal soldier: as he said, a British soldier does what he is told

[@DevilbyMoonlight]

Salt of the earth these good folks -we owe them so much

[@pangaute]

Great interview, my old man also fought the communists in Greece. I'm amazed at how shocked the interviewer is about how sadistic the commies were. My dad frequently said he had far more respect for the Germans

[@jangreen5618]

My uncle Robert Evison was in the 6th Airbourne division 13th Battalion 5th Parachute Brigade in WW2.

[@ste2442]

13PARA the Lancashire paras

[@noddybray]

I felt a bit sorry for the interviewer, he wasn't quite getting the nonchalant attitude of the British para, especially the tight (miserly) Yorkshire man and the rations story.. the Brits don't do bravado, they just get the job done.

[@hughgrection4205]

Well said

[@tonyelsender6037]

I worked in Iraq with the americans, one of them had a shit, high fives all round two hours later the story was they just destroyed DAESH by themself with a piece of shit on a stick

[@jamiejudd8018]

My thoughts exactly Typical British World War II veteran type of old fella you to see down your local and have a Beer with😊

[@davidgray3321]

What a really great fellow, I suggest everyone reads what General Montgomery wrote about the paras, which starts “What manner of men are these that wear the Maroon Beret?” And includes the memorable descriptive phrase “-every man and Emperor”. Yes indeed , and here interviewed is an example of such an Emperor. What a wonderful understated and dutiful Britain. Who has also that great attribute of humour, that has helped him through life.

[@DJJAW11]

... Brilliant/wunderbar. Bless Alex 🇬🇧🇺🇲🇨🇦🇳🇿🇦🇺

[@thefieldmanual82]

Incredible respect for this man

[@jordanhennessey289]

Great interview awesome stuff

[@RememberWW2]

Please subscribe for more!

[@deanschaal8054]

Incredible

[@thomasnewton8997]

Alec is a hero thank you for your service sir 🙏

[@Trashcom1917]

"What's it like being 96? About the same as being 86"

[@KobraVR]

Amazing thanks for uploading 👍

[@Spireites72]

What a man, very switch on for his fantastic age.

[@marcclement7396]

Big pair of knockers resting on Jack's head... priceless!

[@pelonehedd7631]

I give a thumb up to all positive comments . Great interview.

[@Woody2962]

Is this gentlemen still alive? I would love to meet him and fill some gaps in my Uncles stories.

[@ck6639]

Hard man, right there.

[@susanwray9887]

My dad was Lancashire scouser. Para. Dropped in normandy on d-day.

[@christopherbrodie6987]

Thank you very much for interviewing these veterans.

[@philcarus401]

Thank you all for your service ❤️🇬🇧🇺🇸❤️

[@MrBrentage]

For the people who aren’t from the U.K. a better description of “tight” is someone who doesn’t like spending money or sharing what they have with others.

[@BasedinReality1984]

Aka ….a Scotsman

[@soda5169]

I Love and Like him . Respect for grandpa . 🙏🍁🌹♥️

[@garethgazz9332]

This is such a fantastic interview, I could have listened all day.

[@stevesankey6339]

I am members of the PRA in Liverpool we would love hlm to live back in his home town, so he could come to our meeting and chat like he did here, brother in arms, hope he he is still well and enjoying life 😁😁

[@Will_i_am725]

I love the little doggie on the couch behind him. Lol... guy with 2 broken legs and the woman with a big set of knockers on her was coming to steal stuff from him.funny as hell. Love this interview Rashi. Please let me know how to spell your name. I am subscribed, have donated and will watch all of these before I'm done.

[@Saint_Vincent1735]

Brilliant.

[@bevan2342]

Pleasure to hear this man speak

[@poorboyman5565]

The great Generation they were!

[@fosty.]

Good interview so far. The interviewer sounds a little robotic, but maybe that is to avoid any miscommunication. Been listening to this while working out and it sure is a motivator.

[@marcclement7396]

Here's a man you want to have a pint with. God bless you!

[@LiamOFarrell]

'What is it like being under a German artillery barrage?' 'Well, .......its not very nice!' Ha ha fantastic!

[@masteryoda7207]

Yeah, I mean, what are you supposed to say to that?

[@marcclement7396]

Here is a man you want to have a pint with. God bless you!

[@midnightrider4066]

A proper English answer

[@SRN1850AN]

Interesting that he almost almost lost it, when talking about communists, wavers when talking about it, and this is a tough man. It was very subtle but you can tell

[@JohnKnott-zi6ht]

Brilliant interview and what a sense of humour 😆

[@lairdsimpsonog3840]

What a hero and a true legend.. And a great storyteller to boot.. God bless and thank you Sir... For all our freedom.. 💙 🙏 🇬🇧

[@geraldjensen9399]

Paratrooper Alec, top interview. Officer: Where'd you get the clothes? Soldier: Below, they're all Scousers there. Officer: I might have known.

[@dalj4362]

What a legend!

[@johnbailey1211]

My father was in the parachute regiment...an engineer. He was in France, Italy, Greece and Palestine too. He was also a Yorkshireman! Hahahaha

[@johnbailey1211]

So was mine…and an engineer. Bet they knew each other.

[@johnbailey7331]

What was his name? I have a document with everyones name in it.

[@rebelwalzt]

@ 6:00. Can you imagine ANY School Dept. Head paying an employees wage before his army pay is greater than his jobs pay. Could be years.

[@tarhunta2111]

This is priceless.

[@jac6733]

We live near Stonehenge ! 2 minutes from Larkhill ❤

[@Hew.Jarsol]

Good interview

[@mkat740]

My uncle was in Brit airborne and was wounded in ankle James Kearns

[@theoneandonly1355]

Carl sounds like some one you don't wana be on the wrong side off going out on his own looking for germans wow

[@psdcypress3128]

This was recorded in 2019 he was 96 years old . Born in 1923 .

[@MrHarps]

legend.

[@paulhank7967]

This should be played to every university student in the USA and UK, who thinks hard left socialist brings love, peace and togetherness. Thank you sir. I am not worthy.

[@oldmanwinter3597]

It's sad isn't it. I graduated in the late 80s, and remember reading "1984".. Now apparently it's used as a learning textbook.

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

Do you realize Liverpool votes about 80% for the Labour Party (socialist)? Also that after the war the de-mobbed military overwhelmingly voted Labour, and that the war was a fight against the far right, not the left? Please don't try and hijack this gentleman's story for your own politics. Leave your politics at the door.

[@paulhank7967]

@@littlefluffybushbaby7256 Read 1974 by George Orwell. And I've been to China and North Korea. Labour 2021 don't represent the same people they did up to 1997. Now they represent the opposite.

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

@@paulhank7967 I haven't read 1974. Was that the precursor to 1984? :) There is a difference between communism and socialism. In the US that difference is deliberately blurred so that advocating health care is portrayed as supporting Stalinism. It's a form of dog-whistling. That is why I commented. Maybe you are not aware of that aspect. Post-war Britain voted labour which brought in the National Health Service and nationalised many industries. Which are socialist policies. Communism is socialism but socialism is not communism. Most countries have mixed economies, even the USA, meaning they have some socialist policies. Most countries have some form of redistribution of wealth (tax) and also have a social safety net. One's that don't tend to implode. Ironically it's often the countries that call themselves People's Republics that lack them. Modern China is a one-party state that has state control but also private industries. If anything I'd say it resembled a fascist state, although the difference between one form of totalitarianism and another is really only arguing about the name. I think we probably agree more than it might seem. I won't get in to a debate though as it seems unfair in regard to the video. Where we agree, that's fine. Where we don't, that's fine too.

[@paulhank7967]

@@littlefluffybushbaby7256 My mistake it's 1984 by Geirge Orwell. Read it. And I'd recommend that you go to IKEA, buy a bunk bed and some prayer mats and make yourself available for some refugees.

[@ste2442]

Good old scouser from my home town 👍

[@moistmike4150]

This lucky fellow is most definitely RH-Negative blood type.

[@Prometheus7272]

Interesting, what do you mean by that, royal blood?

[@thomasnewton8997]

The other plane they used was a decoater

[@mrshoashe]

So they use a well spoken, very reverent, bloke to interview the US veterans and what sounds like a high school stoner more intent on comparisons between the US n Uk for a British veteran…. I just had to block it out as I listened in awe of what this vet had to say

[@Relay300]

What a legend

[@aikishugyo]

Frigging hilarious!!! The goat .... Most of the rest, a lot more sovering. The Abdiel sinking at Taranto, very sad. Cool to hear about the South African guy in charge of the parachute patrol in Athens. It is pretty scary to hear how incredulous the interviewer is on hearing about the brutaliry of the Communists. As the gentleman says, they were were "ordinary human being, just with an obsession of Communism", like people obsessed anywhere. The reason why atrocities can and do happen everywhere. Some of the more fun parts: "I have lost my clicker!" Very interesting about the French girls also firing at them. Heh. And the comment about why the Brits went into Greece again, and trying to preserve the monarchy. All in all, parachute operations sounds like a pretty hit and miss affair, surprising that there were any successes at all frankly! The conditions had to be pretty much exactly met for a high probability of even getting into action. Brings to mind the very successful parachute operations in the South Pacific in comparison, would be intriguing to figure out why those where more successful overall (or whether there were also many unsuccessful ones).

[@johnmulligan7609]

Proper Scouser!

[@terryharrigan7705]

Probably knew my dad Bill Harrigan who also ended up in Palestine via Arnhem not someone you messed with but a lovely person otherwise.

[@samexelby8715]

The humour honestly. No one can ever understand the brits cause everything is a joke to them. People must get so confused by us

[@PhilShnider]

My great grand dad fought during WW2 in Italy under brits as a brown british colonial.

[@robbiemcc4355]

Top class

[@Mosey410]

I love how he in listed

[@midnightrider4066]

One of my gramps was captain with paras in Africa and got on a ship that went Down then got another one which was also hit this happens 3 times,wen he climbs up the ladder on the 4th one he had to hit the soldiers with his flaire gun as they were climbing over each other like drowning rats that needed order

[@mikehunt8823]

Balls of steel, they jumped without a reserve until the late 1950's.

[@jadedannar5877]

Wow.

[@stuartgorman]

you werent lying you was eighteen

[@Emily_47]

Do you feel like you ninety si- No.

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

Just to clarify on the planes. Initially the British used what were, by then, obsolete bombers for parachute drops because that's what was available. Have a look on wiki for "Armstrong Whitworth Whitley", there's a picture of paratroops packed in the fuselage like sardines. They exited the plane by jumping through a trap door, which was far from ideal. I wouldn't want to do it. Later the C-47 Dakota was available. It was a proper transport aircraft and could carry more paratroops, plus there was a door on the side of the fuselage rather than a hole in the floor so you had less chance of cracking your skull on jumping out.

[@erlemartincarvalho1733]

YNWA!

[@Will_i_am725]

Lol.. 6 foot 5 with hands like a pair of shovels...Carried him like he was nothing.

[@truetoffee8684]

Airborne live forever

[@XTSu-sl1bb]

HALF his mustache shot off.

[@archierobertson7632]

Lest not the remarkable be left unremarked upon the ghastly behaviour of the Greek communist partisans on their own people and the satisfactory moral reply of the paras in the Liverpool description (and I’m paraphrasing ) of a lot of communists got killed “ extra “