Open Country

Resistance

9 snips
Nov 6, 2010
Dive into the hidden stories of South Wales during World War II! Discover how local farmers and civilians formed secret Auxiliary Units to protect their communities. Hear riveting accounts from surviving members and uncover the shocking truth behind their clandestine operations. Explore a well-preserved bunker that once stored ammunition, and reflect on the bravery of those who trained in sabotage techniques. This journey through history reveals how rural landscapes became battlegrounds against invasion.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Auxiliary Units' Strategic Role

  • The Auxiliary Units formed a secret rural army to resist a possible German invasion during WWII.
  • These units aimed to make the countryside a hostile, difficult terrain for invading forces, buying time for defense.
ANECDOTE

Roy Coleman's Sabotage Training

  • Roy Coleman trained as a saboteur with explosives, tip wires, and booby traps during WWII.
  • He knew life expectancy was about 7 to 10 days if an invasion occurred, facing professional German soldiers.
ANECDOTE

Vicar's Secret Intelligence Role

  • David Evans revealed his father, a rural vicar, participated in intelligence gathering for the Auxiliary Units.
  • Messages were covertly exchanged via a stone in the church wall to maintain secrecy during the war.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app