While waiting for the orders to go there are two amusing stories to mention, (not quite salubrious in nature), although the latter was not seen to be so when it occurred.

Among the contents of the previously mentioned Compo Boxes were forty-two sheets of toilet paper, or just three sheets per man - as the wags would have it "One up, one down and one to polish." In one box delivered to Bangor we were short-changed which motivated "Titch" Young to complain to SSM Docksey that there were only two sheets per man. The SSM, never one to be short of an appropriate phrase, replied "Not to worry Trooper Young, just one up one down and cut out the bull."

Some thirty or so yards to the west of the tanks a latrine had been dug. Alongside of it was a sign proclaiming the site to be the "Most fertile spot in Tunisia" while a few hundred yards further west the Royal Artillery had located several batteries of 25pdrs. On the eve of the attack the guns opened up with a sustained barrage which of course was right over our heads. While it was going on one of the guns misfired and the shell, fortunately a dud, landed in close proximity of the latrine to the utter consternation of one using the facility at the time. (A not dissimilar situation happened during the last winter of the war in Italy but more of that anon.)

Shortly before first light, when the barrage lifted, the order came to advance eastwards. On the second day B and 'C' Squadrons, assisting King's Shropshire Light Infantry successfully captured their objective, El Bathan. It was near there that I saw my first dead German. It was a shock as, like airmen, tank crews rarely saw those upon whom they heaped death and destruction.

With the capture by the Americans of Bizerte and of Tunis by First Army (while escape to the south was blocked by the Eighth Army) only a few days remained before the Wehrmacht and their Italian allies surrendered. With the long war in Africa finally over, Mussolini's quest for a "New Empire" had come to naught! In action for just ten weeks, Churchill tanks of the North Irish Horse, while making a significant contribution to the victory both in defence and offence, had either destroyed, damaged or captured much enemy matériel. For pictures and details see German Military Equipment.

Four or five days later, for its part in a Victory Parade in Tunis. 'B' Squadron's tanks were lined up opposite the viewing stand so we had a good view of the high-ranking officers (British, American and French) headed by General Eisenhower taking the Salute. We were disappointed that General (later Field Marshall) Montgomery was not among them.

Leading the Parade is the French contingent followed, seen marching in the foreground, by men of US 34th Division, 135th Infantry Regiment, who opened the way to Bizerte by capturing Hill 609, Djebel Tahent. In the distance can be seen the leaders of the 14,000 strong contingent from the British 1st and 8th Armies.

At the conclusion of the Parade, the local French populace was permitted to wander freely around the vehicles which had lined the route. We had much fun wowing the Mademoiselles by showing them the two, not yet removed, 30mm shells protruding from the side of Bangor, "Le char Churchill tres formidable!"