Donald Feathertone's Lost Tales
Articles
This section is an opportunity to include some of Don's thousands of articles on wargaming. Further suggestions gratefully recieved
RSM's never forget
In 1944 in Italy, the Bn was behind the lines, waiting for the infantry to make a breakthough. The Bn took the opportunity to assemble the Sergeants for a classic Sergeant's mess meeting and photo. Unfortunately, a German Messerschmitt interrupted by straffing, Sergeant Featherstone dived into the ditch by the road and saw the dust rise three feet in front of his eyes. One of the trucks was hit and started to brew up, so Don entered the truck to retrieve family photos that were in his jacket hanging up in the burning vehicle. The photos,were a little black, but safe. The Sgt's were then assembled by the persisent RSM for their Sgt's Mess photo and then equally rapidly, they dispersed. The RSM then noticed that Sgt Featherstone had his beret on at a ridiculous angle, hence had ruined the photograph. Perhaps given the circumstances, he could be forgiven.In 1973, Don learnt that the ex-RSM had a pub in Dorking, so he arrived one lunchtime to hear the RSM giving the locals his war stories. The RSM pointed his finger at Don and said 'I know you'! Don suggested that the RSM pull his pint while he thought about it. Midway through the pouring, the RSM shouted, 'I remember you, you were the ******* who ruined the sgt's mess photo in Italy in 1944'!
It just goes to show, RSM's never forget.
The bravest man in the 51st Tank Bn
Don is of the considered view that the bravest of the brave was the Bn chaplin and his driver. The chaplin insisted that he and his driver were to be the only ones to retrieve the dead from the Bn's knocked out tanks. In one battle, the BN lost 50 of its tanks (almost all except for the 3 BN reserve tanks, Faith, Hope and Charity). The padre and driver went forward and recovered the 58 dead and took them from the tanks to their graves. Don still salutes their memory.