[ Sir Alexander Douglas Campbell. ] Papers relating to 9th Corps, BNAF, compiled immediately after the Tunisia Campaign, including a 'General History of Ninth Corps' by Campbell, original manuscript tracings, duplicated maps, order by Crocker.

Twenty-seven items in paper folder with printed (not duplicated) cover: '"If the trumpet give an uncertain sound who shall prepare himself to the battle" | General History of Ninth Corps | Field B.N.A.F. 29th May, 1943.' The collection is in fair condition, with rust staples from paper clips and other signs of age and wear. The presence of matter including the manuscript originals of maps makes it clear that the collection derives from Campbell himself. The following description divided into six items. ONE: Duplicated typescript: 'GENERAL HISTORY OF 9 CORPS'. 10pp., 8vo. Anonymous. Detailing events between 28 September 1942 and 11 May 1943, and divided into the following sections: 'Formation', 'Move to Norfolk', 'Staff in London', 'Training', 'Embarkation and Concentration', 'Battle of Fondouk Gap', 'The Battle of the Goubellat Plain', 'Final Phase (Operation "Strike")', 'Allied Air Forces Operations', 'Operation I at Fondouk - 8-11 Apr', 'Operation II - Dj Bou Kournine - 22-30 Apr', 'Operation III - Through Frendj, Massicault to Tunis - 6-11 May', 'TAC/R' and 'Comments'. Accompanying the document is a copy of a duplicated typed circular covering letter, laid out and awaiting signature. Dated 22 June 1943, from 'G-3 (Org 4)., | A.F.H.Q. | B.N.A.F.' The writer of the letter is sending the 'History of 9 Corps', in which thehre has been 'no attempt to produce a lot of detail and lessons but I hope there is sufficient to remind one of our glorious chase in NORTH AFRICA.' He stresses that the document is 'in no way official', and that it has not been 'vetted by our Corps Commander, General Crocker'. The letter ends with apologies for having failed to 'have the sketch maps printed'. TWO: Duplicated typescript: 'C.E.'s. Notes on 9 Corps Operations in TUNISIA April-May 1943' by 'A. D. Campbell | Brigadier. | C.E. 9 Corps.' Marked 'SECRET'. 32pp., 8vo. Facsimile signature of Campbell at end, 841and date 'FIELD. | 18 May 43.' Includes 'General Account of 9 Corps Operations', 'General Training Points' and sections on 'Mine Warfare', 'Route Maintenance', 'Water Supply', 'Bridging and Diversions', 'Stores Supply', 'C.E.'s Establishment' and 'C.R.E's'. Appendices giving 'Details of Loading of Standard 15 cwt. Water Truck', 'Summary of Engineer Stores issued by 258 Corps Fd Pk Coy R.E. during the TUNISIAN Operations', 'Typical Loadings of Mobile Reserve Stores Vehicles in Corps and Divs.', 'C.E. Branch of a Corps H.Q. | Suggested Modifications to L. 1398 & G. 1098 Equipt.' and 'Proposed new scale of tpt for Div Fd Pk Coy'. THREE: Six original manuscript tracings of maps and plans in ink and pencil, some coloured. Comprising: four at 33 x 21 cm ('Later Phase of Battle of Tunis', 'Battle of Fondoux', 'Plate B' and 'Plate C', the last two marked 'SECRET'); two at 28 x 37 cm ('Battle of Goubellat Plain' and 'Battle of Fondoux'). FOUR: Sixteen duplicated maps and plans, some in colours. eight of them 33 x 21 cm and the other eight 34.5 x 38 cm. Some of the maps copies of those in Item Three above, others include: 'Trace showing principal German Minefields | Bou Arada - Medjez el Bar - Tunis' and 'Trace showing typical German Minefields encountered'. Includes three duplicates. FIVE: Duplicated 'Special Routine Order by Lieutenant-General J. T. Crocker, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C.' Dated 6 April 1943 and headed 'SECURITY' and 'Issue No. 10. | (70)'. 1p., 12mo. Announcing that he has 'decided to adopt a new Corps Sign, because I think a well chosen symbol can be of great value and be a real source of inspiration.' He explains why he has chosen as the sign a trumpet (with reference to the biblical quotation at the head of the cover of the folder, as described above). 'I give you this sign, then, as a trumpet call to duty, the highest of all military virtues, confident that you will all, with me, strive to live up to its high ideal.' SIX: Three pencil drawings on one side of a 12mo piece of paper. At head is the Corps Sign of a trumpet, as used on the cover of the folder in which the twenty-five items are contained, and beneath it maps of 'Fondouk Gap' and 'Kournine'. From the papers of military historian Barrie Pitt.