Discussion of 'Terrain evaluation for Allied military operations in Europe and the Far East during World War II: 'secret' British reports and specialist maps generated by the Geological Section, Inter-Service Topographical Department' by EP.E Rose &

摘要

Having been listed and illustrated in one recent Quarterly Journal article (Rose & Clatwor-thy 2008a, table 1 and fig. 2), it is perhaps timely for me to declare an interest in another (Rose & Clatworthy 2008b) and to shed some further light on the roles of myself and others listed by Rose & Clatworthy (2008a) and the key role of 'Fred' Shotton. The apparent anomaly of my serving as the only 'Gunner' in the Geological Section Inter-Service Topographical Department (ISTD), a unit established for 'Sapper' officers, is another example of Shotton's wartime influence. I had been commissioned into the Royal Artillery despite expressing a preference for the Royal Engineers, and posted for service with anti-aircraft units, as these were given a high priority early in the war. However, by March 1945 significant threat to the UK from Luftwaffe bombers and V1 'cruise missiles' was no more.