|
Are you, or do you know, someone who was a former member of
the Home Guard Auxiliary Units, Special Duties Section or XII Corps Observation
Unit?
Adrian Westwood, of Hastingleigh, is researching a book on
Kent’s Secret Army - the resistance movement set up in July 1940 to counter
the anticipated German invasion following the fall of France and the Dunkirk
evacuation.
Winston Churchill ordered a Secret Army (known officially in
Kent as XII Corps Observation Unit) to be formed, comprising men who knew the
Kent hills, forests and marshes, such as farmers, farm workers, market
gardeners, landowners, foresters, gamekeepers, poachers, policemen and
shepherds. Secret underground bunkers, observation posts and wireless stations
were built, along the North Downs, on Romney Marsh and in the Weald, ready for
the men to disappear into should the need arise.
Their suicidal role was to ambush German patrols, sabotage
railway lines, roads and bridges, assassinate German officers and destroy supply
depots and airfields - anything which would slow up the German advance.
Mr. Westwood would like to hear from anyone with information
on the men and women involved and their underground bases. He can be contacted
at Hawksdene, The Street, Hastingleigh, Kent, TN25 5HU, or by telephone on 01233
750563. |
