Brits relate WWII experiences to today
by Caren Penland, reporter

   Showing bits and pieces from their scrapbook, two British World War II veterans shared a portion of history many U.S. students never learn.

   The couple, turned American, wanted to impart a sense of pride in freedom and to show their need to stand up for what’s right.

   Peter Tringham served in the British Territorial Army, and Nob Brett Tringham, his wife, was in the Auxiliary Territorial.

   Both agreed that although it was a long war and much separation for the two of them, it had been necessary.

   Nob Brett expressed concern with the recent developments regarding the terrorist attacks on the United States.

   “You’ve got to stand up, you can’t let them take hold,” she demanded.

   Peter told students he joined the army willingly in 1939 before the draft came so that he could choose his assignment. He ended up serving as an engineer.

   Before he was sent off to war, he met his wife on a blind date. Though times were rough, they courted for a short while. After the Nazis overran Poland, Peter was sent to France in October 1939.

   Peter participated in the evacuation of Dunkirk.

   “When the British Army had been driven to the sea by the German army and were surrounded, they were like sitting ducks out in the open,” he said.

   Many boats tried to get them out of there, he said, but the Germans destroyed the ships. The veteran told of the despair at seeing one particular burned out hull of a ship. Then, however, a thick fog and bad weather helped disguise their escape.

    “The government in Britain sent out a message so that everyone who had a boat could come and get us. Over 800 boats came, and 337,000 soldiers were saved. When the Germans got there the next day, there was nothing left,” he said.

   The Tringhams said they also had some more pleasant experiences.

   After the battle at Dunkirk, Peter was sent to India. He was part of a convoy of 100 ships forced to sail around the southern tip of Africa because the Germans and Italians occupied the Mediterranean Sea.

   The trip took two months, but he explained that the soldiers often entertained themselves since there was a lot of talent in various fields.

   “Someone could write, and someone could sing. There were those who could act and do many other things. So in Freeman and Capetown, where we had to stop for supplies, we even put on a show. I’m sure we were a sight to see,” he said.

   Nob Brett soon discovered that staying at home in a normal job was not helping the war effort.

   “When Peter went to India—of course, we didn’t know where he was going—I was still working in a bank in London. All our friends started to join up. One was in the land army; my sister was in the Navy; one was a runner. So I became discontent being in a bank and joined strictly because Peter was in,” she said.

   Nob Brett signed up for the radar-monitoring program. Though radar was in its infancy then, she said, she and her fellow watchers still managed to keep a lot of planes out of England. She said the work gave her a sense that she was doing something to help her country.

   Contrary to the United States, Eng-land suffered numerous bombings and devastation.

   Nob Brett said the people of London expected an invasion. Therefore, many people began building defenses in their own backyards, including bomb-shelters, which helped when the air raids began. The Germans were relentless in attacking England’s cities, especially London.

   The Germans even sent in what they referred to as doodlebugs, self-propelled bombs. Many people began to sleep in the subway stations, and the trains ceased to run after midnight, Nob Brett said.

   “Finally, one night the bombing stopped, but the war didn’t. It just went on and on and on. When it was all over, it had a devastating effect on every family in England. We were very lucky. Peter came back without a scratch, and I was all right,” she said.