Invasion threatens

Invasion was a very real possibility, but the Home Guard also had its “Dad’s Army” moments. Both these aspects feature fully in Collingwood’s talks to the Benenden platoon.

Imminent invasion?

23 May 1940  Incorporating tentative Standing Orders

My reason for summoning you here to-night is to explain as briefly as possible the duties you will have to perform as members of the Local Defence Volunteers.

So far as our instructions from Headquarters have been very meagre. But it is clear that our chief function will be that of armed watchers - in short we can regard ourselves as part of a network of sentries for the military mobile units, some of which are stationed at no great distance from here. It is obvious for the moment we have not enough rifles or ammunition to be an effective offensive force.

16 June 1940
Arrangements have been made to ring the church bells in the event of an enemy landing. The bells will continue to ring for 15 minutes, All men - and especially those in possession of a rifle or shot-gun - should ask their neighbours to assist them in answering this imperative call to duty. It is conceivable that those living at some distance from the church may not be immediately awakened by the bells: it is these, in particular, that should enlist the aid of their friends to call them. As soon as the warning is heard all men - whether armed or not - should proceed as quickly as possible (preferably on bicycles or in cars) to the Memorial Hall, where they will receive instructions……….

Dad’s Army

5 June 1940, Comments on Practice Operations
Perhaps the most important information to emerge from these operations was the ease with which “5^th Columnists” were able to function without hindrance. A sergeant in uniform was able to obtain from conversation in a pub in Hawkhurst, the names and numbers of the local Platoon Commanders – the sites, and hours during which they were manned, of LDV piquet in the neighbourhood; while other information of a military nature was also obtained. This lesson, perhaps applies to the general public rather than to the personnel of the LDV but is nevertheless one to be marked, learned and inwardly digested.

Another point to be noted was the relative immunity from suspicion that was derived from the use of a military uniform. No fewer than 9 cars were stolen in Hawkhurst alone: an officer actually climbed the main telegraph post in the centre of Hawkhurst, in full view of a crowd and no one questioned his right to do so.

   Now as to Benenden. Troops from the AA Battery (supposed enemies) fraternised with a piquet of the LDV until suspicion was allayed when the turned upon them and “killed” the lot. This, of course was a somewhat unrealistic test. It cannot be expected that four men of enemy origin could all speak such perfect English that they could deceive a body of Englishmen. I think this question of accent is going to be our surest safeguard from being imposed upon. In all cases of doubt, a persons, whether Officer, Ranker or civilian, should be made to sign in front of his interrogator. The signature so obtained must then be compared with that on his or her identity card.

Even during this period, with heavy responsibilities. Collingwood found time for the birds and the cherries. He was working towards his important monograph Ornamental Cherries.