91Èȱ¬

Here's a lesson I learnt during the war. Never sleep under a tank!

I was 18, and had been fighting for two or three weeks in Normandy. I was with the Ts and Tyneside Division of the Dorset Regiment. We were shelled twice -- and of course wanted protection. So we simply lay down under a tank -- two or three of us, I think. There was no safer place, it seemed, than under a tank!

But then one day our Company Commander told us not to do it anymore. He said somebody had been suffocated. If it rains, you see, the ground becomes soft -- and the tank collapses, with you under it. I thought to myself: what a bad way to go. I'd much sooner be killed by shellfire.

I was relieved when the war was over. But very proud. I'd do it again, yes. But I think only about half the people these days really understand what we did.

THIS STORY HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TOTHE PEOPLE'S WAR WEBSITE BY JOHN YOUNG OF 91Èȱ¬ SOUTH EAST TODAY, ON BEHALF OF STAN HODGE. IT HAS BEEN ADDED WITH HIS PERMISSION, AND HE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THE SITE'S TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

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