Foyle's War

[David Tremain]

Last night I watched an episode of 'Foyle's War' which showed a corporal (couldn't make out the shoulder flash, but a brief glimpse of his side cap looked like the Pioneer Corps) wearing a formation sign with a white bulldog on a black background. Howard Cole's book on formation signs gives it as Eastern Command. Given that Foyle is set in Hastings in Sussex, this was clearly wrong since Eastern Command didn't cover Sussex until after 1946, according to Cole. During the time of episode (October 1944) it basically covered East Anglia.

On another note, did the Pioneer Corps guard POW camps in the UK (the subject of this episode was about a German POW), or was it the Home Guard? The character in the programme looked too old to be regular army and a bit more like 'Dad's Army'.

[badjez]

Initially PoW camps were guarded by whatever local unit was available, butit was soon realised that these abstractions impinged upon proper training etc. In 1941, following the arrival of Italian PoW labour, the responsibility was passed to the Pioneer Corps, none of whom were to be of a medical class fit for combat duties. Some were so unfit that they got the PoW to carry their rifles for them!
Hope this helps. Steve

[David Tremain]

Thanks Steve - another mystery solved!

[BWEF]

Also, remember that it's just something on the tv. Film and tv are usually riddled with mistakes, and most people will never know.

For example, the recent film "Atonement" has the hero arrive at Dunkirk. Our hero is a private and yet an officer explains to him exactly what is going on. As if.

This might have been a device to tell the cinema-goer what is happening, as they might not be too well up on the events of 1940.

However, in late May 1940, the officer clearly says that the "Lancastria" has been sunk!!!

http://www.geocities.com/shipwrecks_...lancastria.htm

[badjez]

David,
I should have added that the Eastern Command formation sign could have been correct as they had sway over not only East Anglia but Kent & parts of Sussex.
Regards, Steve.