No.9 - By Jeep To Freedom

No.9,

Going through my libary I came across the book (I think self published) By Jeep To Freedom by Woolf Blint, as told to Suzanne Porter.

It is the story of Woolf when he was with VI Commando from 1940 till 1942. He was captured by the Germans in North Africa near Tunis, during ferocious fighting.

While in Germany as a POW he escapes and joins the Russian forces near Kiev and fights with them as an medical orderly. After the war he has an very adventurous journey back to England.

N0.9, are you familiar with the book, the man and/or his story???

Stevin

 

The Short answer Stev is no. Surfing around I see it was a formal publication in Australia in 1994, but also sold as an e-book, hence your copy may look self-published? The woman appears to have publish almost anything that might earn her a few bucks and seems to have had most success writing about diets! However, I think the connection is they are both Jewish and live in Australia.

They describe him as a Jewish Scot (my life – bagels and haggis) who was an Intelligence Sergeant with No.6 Commando (they were an unlucky lot ). I don’t really understand ‘Intelligence Sergeant’ and presume he worked for/with the unit’s Intelligence Officer? There again, maybe they had a sergeant instead of an officer?

The fight where he was captured is probably around Green Hill. Perhaps he was in 5 Troop, ambushed by Germans dressed as Arabs, only 5 survivors.

No.9

 

Hi No.9,

I have the published one. I thought it might have been self published as the quality is so-so. I haven't read it yet, but he mentions an officer named Mcalpine (or something similar) a few times.

About the fighting near Tunis where he was captured he writes very little, one paragraph, maybe 100 words. He got a machinegun bullit in his chest.

I bought the book for 35p in a charity shop. It came with a letter from a US production company in which they ask some English person to go and look for young, up and coming Scottish actors who might play the role of Woolf in a planned movie.

 

Hello Stev, book and circumstances sound very interesting, a great buy.

Yes, Lt. Col. I.F. McAlpine was the CO of No.6 in Torch and at Green Hill. He was invalided home with malaria at the beginning of December and replaced by the famous Derek Mills-Roberts from No.4 Commando. McAlpine spent a while in the US after Britain, then was sent out to Yugoslavia in July ’44 to take over No.43 Commando (RM) from Lt. Col. Simonds. 8th October another bout of malaria forced his repatriation to the UK.

I suppose you’ll be putting yourself forward for the film role? I think the kilt goes nice with the clogs!



No.9

 

I don't know how you do it, No.9, but there I am!!! My appreciation for dress...euh...kilts presented itself at an early age!

Of course I wrote the production co. to offer my services. Although no experience in acting, I do bring an deep interest in the subject matter to this project. And though I am not Scottish myself I do claim some affinity with Scotland on account of my love for wearing dress...euh...kilts and Scottish Whiskey and, indeed, Hag....Hag...Haggis....
Damn, I have even been to Scotland, intended to visit Highland games, but got too drunk to actually walk the mile out of town to go and see them big burly guys. On the way back to Glasgow, in the train, I even sang Rose Of Scotland out loud...Could I be more Scottish???

Don't get me started on the clogs!!!

PS: The production co. replied that they received and appreciated my offer, but that By Jeep To Femdom was not the film that they had in mind....

[ 17. October 2003, 01:31 AM: Message edited by: Stevin Oudshoorn ]

 

and speaking of kilts, er.......tartans, you can see mine by punching up Clan Broun (brown) on your search engine. sehr Kühl eh ? that kid is going to go a long way I can tell it

~E

 

Well there you go Stev, I’ve heard it said you have plenty of Scotch in you!

This must be an improvement over your younger days when it was beer?


(don’t mention advocaat)

Appreciate about clog dancing, can be somewhat embarrassing


Indeed there is plenty on net about Clan Broun Erich, smart tartan!



I can’t help thinking DiCraprio will resist competition???


No.9