James Bradley, Gunner, The Royal Artillery ©
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Read this introduction to James Bradley's story, then listen to him describe his experiences, using the links at the foot of this page.

James Bradley joined the Territorial Army in the first months of 1939, aged 18, because he says that Hitler was doing a lot of damage in Europe, and he wanted to be ready to fight for his country.

He trained to be a machine gunner and went with his unit to France. They drove to the Belgian frontier where fierce fighting soon started. After 10 May, he and his unit were ordered back into France and he was witness to some terrifying Luftwaffe bombing as the Allied retreat got under way.

Then he was told to 'get back to Dunkirk', and as he headed north he became embroiled in fierce local fighting, saw refugees machine-gunned as they fled to escape danger, and thought the world had gone mad. On reaching the the coast, he could see Dunkirk was a blazing mass of burning oil.

	'Get back to Dunkirk' Play audio Read transcript

	Courageous French woman Play audio Read transcript

	On the beach Play audio Read transcript

	Getting onto the ship Play audio Read transcript

	Journey home, and arrival in England Play audio Read transcript
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