[ 9th Corps, BNAF, 1943.] Thirteen Tunisia Campaign documents, including secret typed report: 'R.A. Experiences and Lessons from the three Battles fought by 9 Corps between 6 Apr and 12 May 1943'. Also a questionnaire with replies from five officers.

The thirteen items are in good condition, with moderate signs of age and wear. In buff folder, with '265/G(SD) | LESSONS DERIVED FROM TUNISIAN CAMPAIGN' in red pencil on cover. The material, including a report by Harrison, a questionnaire and two responses to it, was produced shortly after the campaign, following an order from the Army Commander that a printed report of the lessons learned be produced as quickly as possible. Of particular interest are Items Four to Nine below, responses to the questionnaire (Item Three), including a detailed reply from the Officer Commanding 6th Armoured Division, Major General Charles Frederic Keightley (1901-1974). ONE: Duplicated typed 'SECRET' circular by Brigadier 'E G W W Harrison', 'C.C.R.A. 9 Corps (Advanced)': 'R.A. EXPERIENCES AND LESSONS FROM THE THREE BATTLES FOUGHT BY 9 CORPS BETWEEN 6 APR AND 12 MAY 1943 | 17TH MAY 1943'. 7pp., 8vo. Dated at end: 'In the Field, | 17 May 43.' Numbered '2' on cover in blue pencil, with 'Spare' in pencil above it. Facsimile of Harrison's signature at end. Stapled between green leaves (front cover detached), with title printed on cover. Harrison states at the start: 'The three battles fought by 9 Corps were: - | (a) The forcing of the FONDOUK Gap. | (b) The attack north of BOU ARADA. | (c) The final battle for TUNIS. | A brief description of these battles is given first to show the background, followed by observations and lessons of the operations.' The document is in two parts, titled: 'Description of Battles' and 'Lessons and Observations', and in 19 sections, including 'Placing and Moves of Artillery', 'Preparation of Fire Plans', 'Aircraft Recognition Signals', 'Position of H.Q. C.C.R.A.' and 'Communications'. TWO: Duplicated typed 'SECRET' circular by Brigadier ' Cooke', 'DA & QMG, 9 Corps': '9 CORPS. | ADMINISTRATIVE LESSONS FROM TUNISIAN CAMPAIGN.' 6pp., 8vo. 21 May 1943. At end: 'IN THE FIELD | RTC/JS', with facsimile of Cooke's signature. THREE: Duplicated typescript titled 'LESSONS FROM THE TUNISIAN CAMPAIGN 22 APR - 13 MAY', 'Appx "A" to 602/3/G(Trg) | dated 18 May 43'. 2pp., 8vo. A questionnaire of 33 questions, addressed variously to 'R.A.C. (Armd Formations only to answer)', 'ARTY', 'ENGRS', 'SIGS', 'INF', 'INTERCOMN' and 'AIR SUPPORT'. FOUR and FIVE: Two copies of typescripts by Major General Charles Frederic Keightley, Commanding, 6th Armoured Division, responding to Item Three above. Both headed 'SECRET | 10/G'. First: 'SUBJECT: - AFV Questionnaire'. 'In the Field | 22 Jun 43'. 1p., 8vo. Second: 'SUBJECT:- Lessons learnt from recent Operations'. 'In the Field | 7 Jun 43'. 2pp., 8vo. Detailed response in four sections: 'Methods of dealing with enemy A.Tk guns', 'Methods of dealing with enemy tks on a reverse slope', 'Holding Fire' and 'Engagement of Air Attacks'. SIX: Carbon of Typed Letter by Harrison, with his actual signature 'EGWWH' (for Eric George William Warde Harrison). Marked 'SECRET', and responding to Item Three above: 'SUBJECT: - Lessons from TUNISIA Campaign.' 1p., 8vo. 22 May 1943. 'In the Field. | H.' Answering 'the questions at Appendix "A" to 602/G(SD) of 18 May 42'. Among the answers to nine questions are: 'A few casualties were caused to our own troops. As far as I could make out this was due to lack of enemy resistance and I think the infantry got in front of the barrage in their advance after the pause on the first objective. It is to be noted that 4 Ind Div consider our own arty fire the most honourable type of wound. To inculcate this doctrine will have the effect of reducing casualties generally.' SEVEN: Typescript: 'SUBJECT:- Lessons of Tunisian Campaign.' Illegible signature of a Colonel, CSO, 9th Corps. Dated 'B.N.A.F. | 28 May 43. | CC/HWP.' Providing 'answers to the specific questions' in Item Three above. 1p., 8vo. EIGHT: Typescript: 'LESSONS OF TUNISIAN CAMPAIGN. | AIR SUPPORT.' Anonymous and undated response to Item Three above. 2pp., 8vo. Pencil addition at foot of first page. NINE: Three anonymous 8vo manuscript pages answering questions in Item Three above. One page divided into two sections, 'Intercomn.' and 'Air Support', and another answering questions 24, 29 and 30. TEN: Duplicated typescript: 'Report on "G" Aspects of Conference of Cs.R.E. held by C.E. 9 Corps 14 May 43.' ('OBJECT. | 1. To deduce the R.E. lessons learned from the campaign in NORTH AFRICA.') Actual illegible signature of author, with 'In the Fd. | 15 May 43'. 3pp., two of them 8vo and the third on half an 8vo leaf. With two autograph notes, one in pencil and the second in ink, the second headed 'Pro Comms.' ELEVEN and TWELVE: Two signed typed notes. The first from 'Brigadier, | C.E. 9 Corps', on 'Operations in TUNISIA', stamped as received by the 'GENERAL STAFF | 9 CORPS', 20 May 1943; the second from 'B. G. S., | 9 Corps', on 'Lessons of Tunisian Campaign | URGENT', 'In the Field, | 19 May 43'. Signatures indecipherable. THIRTEEN: Duplicated 'URGENT' typed circular from 'Brigadier, General Staff', with indecipherable facsimile signature. On 'Lessons of the TUNISIAN Campaign'. 18 May 1943. Informing senior officers that 'The Army Commander wishes to produce the Lessons of the Tunisian Campaign with as little delay as possible.' From the papers of military historian Barrie Pitt, and used by him in writing his history of the North African Campaign, 'Crucible of War'.