happy? - Oct 22 (Wadi Maktilla)

22 Oct 05 - 08:36 AM (#1588356)
Subject: happy? - Oct 22 (Wadi Maktilla)
From: GUEST

22nd/23rd October 1940: The 2nd Battalion of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders made a wildly
abortive raid on the Italian outpost at Wadi Maktilla, about 12 miles east of Sidi Barrani.
        [Thanx "Charis Stewart" of the Scots at War Project]

         When at last we emerged from that unhealthy zone
          We got on the trucks and we headed for home.
          You can say what you like, you have plenty of scope,
          Do you think we enjoyed it? My Christ! What a hope!
  
                  Chorus:
                     What the hell
                     'S all the fuss?
                     O wouldn't you, wouldn't you like to be us?
  
          "The Ballad of Wadi Maktilla," Anon.; Ballads of World War II,
          "Collected for the Lili Marleen Club of Glasgow" by Seumas Mor Maceanruig
                 (Hamish Henderson), Glasgow, Caledonian Press, c1952. 

The fort was later taken, 9th December 1940 - as part of a wider action under Brigadier Selby.

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