A Sapper’s War - 12 Fld Coy RCE History, Part 12 September 1944 (Operation Olive and the Assault on the Strongly Held Gothic Line)
A Note on Blog and Book
This series of blogs, entitled "A Sapper's War" follows some units of the Royal Canadian Engineers in World War 2, primarily the 12th Field Company, which was my father's unit. The main sources are the unit War Diary, Daily Orders, official military histories, and The History of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers Volume 2. I will also include some personal accounts of his, when this is appropriate to the history.
The
blogs will mostly relate to their time in Italy, from Oct 1943 to Jan 1945,
though it will ultimately be extended to the later events in Northwestern
Europe and the earlier events in the U.K.. They will be put together in
book form eventually, but until that time the blogs will be available for
interested readers on this "Dodecahedron Books" blog site. I
encourage anyone who in interested to read the blogs, and buy the book when it
comes available.
Naturally, I am claiming copyright, though you can make "fair use" of content, of course, if you are writing about similar times and events.
Though the overall history of the war will be noted, as context, the text mainly relates to the experiences of the 12th Field Company, as indicated in their War Diary and related orders, and other documents. If you want a more general history of the war, there are many other sources to more completely fill in those details.
There will be a fair bit of focus on what might be called "social history", in addition to the sometimes routine, sometimes harrowing military activities of a group of Allied sappers in the Italian Theatre of WW2. The daily orders and company War Diary often provide an interesting window into this day-to-day world that the strictly military lacks.
Though this account is based is a Canadian engineer company, it is likely that British, other Commonwealth and American sappers would have lived through similar experiences at this time, so families and interested parties from those nations might also find it interesting.
I will fill in links to the blog series below, as they are posted.
Oct 1943: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2019/10/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history.html
Nov 1943: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2019/11/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history.html
Dec 1943: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2019/11/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history_30.html
Jan 1944: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2020/01/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history.html
Feb 1944: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2020/01/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history_27.html
Mar 1944: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2020/03/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history.html
Apr 1944: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history.html
May 1944: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history.html
Jun 1944: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history_31.html
Jul 1944: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2020/06/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history.html
Aug 1944: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2020/07/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history.html
Sep 1944: TBA
Oct 1944: TBA
Nov 1944: TBA
Dec 1944: TBA
Jan 1945: TBA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 1944 – Operation Olive and the Assault on the Strongly Held Gothic Line
The scene had been set during August, by moving the necessary men and equipment across Italy, for the attack on the German Gothic Line. Now, the operation known as Operation Olive, had begun. By the early part of September Allied troops on the Adriatic front had advanced as far as the Foglia flats, with significant casualties. It was hoped that a breakthrough to the Po Valley could soon be accomplished, and that armoured troops could make fast progress at that point. At the same time, U.S. Fifth Army would attack further inland, on the left of Eighth Army, with the intention of overwhelming and defeating the Germans in Italy via a pincer movement.
That rapid advance in early September was primarily achieved by Canadian 1 Corps troops. The battle started well, with the Canadians catching the German defenders while they were rotating troops in the forward defence lines of the Adriatic plain, and thus a rapid breakthrough of the “crust” of the Gothic Line was made at that point (one is tempted to use the Canadian hockey phrase “caught them during a line change”).
However, this initial stroke couldn’t be properly carried through, as most of the Eighth Army armour had been located further to the east, in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains, where a breakthrough was thought to be more likely. It had been assumed that the German demolitions and mines through the plain would hinder any advance in that sector, and thus the tanks were further east, and not able to support the breakthrough that actually developed. Thus, the rapid advance in the plain was not backed up and the battle bogged down, turning into one more of familiar slug-fests of the Italian campaign.
There were many rivers and similar obstacles to cross, which were stoutly defended, and that type of terrain generally gave the advantage to the defenders. That terrain also tended to channel the advance towards a narrow strip along the Adriatic coast, which gave a further advantage to the defenders. It took until mid-month before the attackers had crossed the Marano River, breaking through the entirety of the Gothic Line, from which they could carry on to the object of Rimini. That ancient Roman city was captured by the 21st. It was assumed at that point that they could quickly “debouch into the Valley of the Po”.
However, the weather had now turned against offensive operations. By the end of the month, Canadian troops had crossed the Uso River, but were stuck on the wrong side of the Fiumicino River, a little farther along, which was now swollen by heavy rains. Needless to say, engineering tasks were prominent throughout this campaign of river crossings and the overcoming of other obstacles, natural and man-made.
12 Fld Coy took on a large number of tasks, mostly devoted to keeping open the various routes (under a number of code names) being used to support the advance - building bridges, sweeping for mines, and removing the various blockages put up by the retreating enemy engineers. There were also intensive training exercises, on storm boats on ferrying operations, that would be needed as the advance continued, across the numerous rivers, streams, ditches and canals that dominated the area.
Following is a condensation of the 12 Fld Coy War Diary notes for September 1944.
September 1 to 3 – M.R.S.0836079, Italy
Number 1 platoon improved BOTTLE route, with the help of a D-7 dozer, while 2 platoon worked on culverts and mine sweeping. 3 platoon worked on BOAT route and associated laterals. The gunsaps worked on HAT route. The platoons were shuffled around a bit, during this time.
September 4 to 7 – M.R.S.0976895, Italy
All platoons continued improving BOTTLE, BOAT, HAT routes, south of the Foglia River. They also did some bridge maintenance and cleared a number of wood and steel road obstacles that German engineers had kindly left for them. Care had to be taken, as these were often booby trapped.
Towards the end of the period, the company was given a rest day. 2 Platoon took advantage of the break, to experiment with the use of compressed air, to uncover and clear Schu Mines.
September 8 to 11 – M.R.S.0989871, Italy
The company continued to improve BOTTLE, BOAT, HAT routes. Diversions and by-passes were built where needed, making use of culverts, ditching and gravelling. A stone arch bridge over the Conca River was repaired.
An officer, Lt Anderson, who had been treated for jaundice returned to the unit from a British hospital. A problem sapper, Spr Nadeau, was AWL for about a month, and was picked up by an officer, Lt Milhausen. A demonstration of the compressed air technique for uncovering mines was given to some higher up brass.
The company was instructed to start training with pontoon bridging, and brush up on their know-how with knots and rope lashings, in preparation for an expected eventual crossing of the wide Po River, as the battle progressed.
September 12 to 15 – Cattolica, Italy
The maintenance of the various routes continued, which included filling in craters, gravelling roadbeds, building diversions and widening roads. . The gunsaps went on route maintenance, along with 2 and 3 Platoon.
However, that didn’t help when the RAF accidentally dropped a 500 pound bomb on the camp, in the center or the HQ area. Fortunately, there were no casualties from these incidents. It is not clear whether the RAF bomb didn’t explode, or if the company was just lucky that it missed personnel.
The company was given training sessions on ferrying and held discussions about rafting, as many river crossings were assumed to be in the works. They constructed one Bailey Bridge over the Marano River and repaired another, though the work was delayed for a while until the tactical situation improved. That means the bridging area was still being contested and/or could quickly come under enemy fire.
September 16 to 18 – Cattolica, Italy
1st Platoon got the go-ahead and constructed a Bailey over the Marano River, taking about 8 hours to do so (Assiniboine Bridge). 2 Platoon worked on mine sweeping and skin decking for another bridge (Salter Street Bridge). 3 Platoon worked on BOTTLE route, which included mine sweeping, construction of culverts and building or maintaining tank tracks.
Heavy enemy shelling made work difficult. This was especially true at the MELO river crossing location, where enemy guns had good targeting on the location.
3 Platoon swept tank tracks for mines. More tank tracks were built, parallel to routes.
September 19 to 21 – Cattolica, Italy
1 Platoon did Class 40 rafting training at the mouth of the Conca River, during strong winds, which hindered things. They also trained with F.B.E. (folding boat equipment) rafting, as well as Class 2 and 9 rafting (the numbering refers to the types and weight of equipment that the rafts could carry).
2 Platoon was engaged in more mine sweeping for tank routes. They also removed prepared explosive charges from 2 bridges, which the enemy had not had time to blow. More tank tracks were built. A few days later, 2 Platoon removed charges from another bridge.
3 Platoon swept for mines and found and removed 19 Holz mines (a wooden anti-tank mine). 3 Platoon continued with route maintenance, including mine sweeping, and building barrel culverts. They found another 6 Holz mines while sweeping BOTTLE route some more.
September 22 to 26 – Cattolica, Italy
1 Platoon built a 50 foot Class 40 Bailey (Kassel Bridge) on a road of the same name. They also swept that road and built a culvert. Later that week, they worked on maintenance of various routes, including SUN, LINCOLN, STAR and HAT.
2 Platoon was now given practice in rafting, class 2, 9 and 40, as well as storm boats (mainly used to ferry infantry during assaults). Later they built at 40 foot Class 40 Bailey and maintained routes.
Initially, 3 Platoon swept a lateral for mines and worked on route maintenance for SUN route. That was followed by the construction of a 70 foot Class 40 Bailey Bridge. They also too their turn at rafting training, as well as training with storm boats.
The need for careful signage regarding mine fields was becoming greater all the time, so the company was also kept busy setting up signs. Heavy rains and electrical storms caused anxiety about the state of the routes.
September 27 to 29 – Fogliano Marina, Italy
1 and 2 Platoons worked on SUN, HAT and various other routes, including mine sweeping and clearing. 3 Platoon worked on rafting sites and approaches on Maucchia River. They also did mine sweeping for the bridge dump and the BOTTLE tank track.
There was a court martial for the AWL sapper, who was found guilty of Absent Without Leave and Deficiencies in Kit. An officer was given a short leave "due to great nervous strain" at an Officer’s Leave Hotel, which had been opened in Riccione.
Leave for Other Ranks (i.e. sappers) was now available for 48 hours, at the Grand Hotel in Riccione and 10 men were dispatched there. The company HQ moved to Rimini and the unit got a Daimler scout car.
Heavy rain and general bad weather began, and the Marecchia River rose, taking out a few bridges, including a German built bridge that had not been demolished by the enemy. Some heavy equipment was also lost to the rising rivers.
There was a lot of other mine sweeping/clearing and general road and culvert work on a variety of routes. Some routes had their names transposed, presumably to confuse the enemy, when he received information via spies or interception of signals.
September 30 – Rimini, Italy
Captain Eldridge returned "after spending a leave of dissipation". Various works carried on. Some other officers and Other Ranks (sappers) were given short leaves, while others returned from leave.
Other Notes and Observations from September 1944
Following are some selected quotes from the report on Operations during September 1944 in Italy, written by the military (Report Number 143, Canadian Operations in Italy, June 1944 to Feb 1945) and a passage from the book “Fighting the People's War”:
1 – Initial Success on the Gothic Line
The parallel drives were both successful. 2 Cdn Inf Bde cleared the eastern spurs of the Tomba feature and the Loyal Edmonton Regiment stormed the peak of Montelure during the afternoon of 1 Sep. Further here a special pursuit force under command of Brigadier D. Dawnay, D.S.O., of 21 Tk Bde, swept forward to the Conca and the coastal road, only to find that the wily paratroopers had again succeeded in disengaging from the area Pesaro - Cattolica and were falling back in good order along the coastal plain. The attack by 11 Cdn Inf Bde group met heavy resistance on the high ground north of the Montecchio – Borgo San Maria Lateria and had to repel several strong enemy counter-attacks. The 4 P.L.D.G. passed through Perth R. and fought their first infantry action against Point 253 S0079, the peak which corresponds to Monteluro on the west of the Tomba feature. The Ir R.C. captured the town of Tomba di Pesaro R9979 and 12 Cdn Inf Bde passed through, cleared San Giovanni and reached the Conca River west of the troops of 1 Cdn Inf Div. Lt-Gen Burns could now report to the Chief of Staff at C.M.H.Q., "the Gothic Line is completely broken in the Adriatic Sector and 1 CdnCorps is advancing to F. CONCA." (Report 143, Page 9).
2 - Change in the Weather Slows the Advance
“At this point the long period of hot Italian summer weather broke and heavy showers soon merged into steady rain. The 1 Cdn Corps axis had followed secondary roads and bulldozed tracks and these had been pulverized into troughs of powdery dust which now became utterly impassable. The streams which crossed the axis of advance, formerly mere trickles across wide gravel beds, became formidable torrents and much extra bridging was needed, not only in the assault areas but along the ever-extending lines of communication. Off the roads in flat, ditched and highly cultivated vineyards, tank going became next to impossible, even in low gears, and the enemy tanks, mostly Panthers and Tigers, with their wider tracks obtained a relative advantage over the faster but more lightly armed Shermans and Churchill, which still relied on 75-mm and 6-pr guns. Attacks of 1 Brit Armd Div against San Savino and Coriano were beaten back and a definite stalemate developed.”
(Report 143 Page 10)
3 - The Cost of Breaking the Gothic Line
“Instead, by 21 September Eighth Army had advanced only 30 miles in ‘savage and intensive fighting’. The operation had cost Eighth Army 14,000 casualties, 4,511 of them Canadian, ‘their highest casualties for any period of equal length either before or after the Italian campaign’. By comparison, the Germans lost 16,000 men, a ‘disappointing’ figure according to the Official History when the ‘preponderance of material and ‘massive air support’ enjoyed by Eighth Army was taken into consideration. The slow remorseless push forward in Italy resumed its steady and monotonous pattern. The rains came and in mid-December offensive operations were called to a halt, with the Allies still short of Bologna.”
Fennell, Jonathan. Fighting the People's War (Armies of the Second World War) (p. 566). Cambridge University Press. Kindle Edition.
And here are some of the events noted above, from the Engineers’ perspective, as found in “The History of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers”:
1 - Engineer Losses During the Crossing of the Foglia River
“On the following night the 4th Field Company did a silent gapping operation, prodding three lanes to Borgo Santa Maria. The minefields, laced with Schue Mines, had been holding up the 3rd Brigade. The sappers were forced to work over flat ground previously cleared by the enemy to improve the field of fire. To make the hazardous tsk more uncomfortable, shells from the rear burst all over the ground just as the works started. During 1st September Lieutenant M.J. Murphy of the 4th Field Company was killed and Sergeant A.J. Boudreau badly wounded by the same bursting shell. The 3rd Field Company lost Lieutenant A.R. Fraser from wounds and the 13th Lieutenant A.H. Nicolson, who was injured when his Daimler scout car went up on a mine during a reconnaissance of the Foglia laterals.” (Page 224)
2 – Bad Luck for the 10 Field Squadron:
“Parties from the 10th Field Squadron reconnoitered crossings on the night 10th/11th September. The following morning the Squadron suffered a serious blow when a stray shell hit a cook’s truck at 0730 hours while men were being fed. The casualties from the burst totaled 28; of these, the units Daily Orders show six killed, three died of wounds and 11 seriously wounded.” (Page 231)
3 - Operating a Dozer Under Fire to Win the Military Cross
“Two of three Sherman dozers assigned broke down, but the third, controlled by Lieutenant J.D. Graham, to whom the night’s work brought the Military Cross, finished the job. Graham supervised the construction of the second crossing, directing the operator in the poor light, and then, hearing of the break-down of the tank-dozer on their right, he rode outside the machine over 1000 fire-swept yards of ground to open a third crossing before 0800 hours.” (page 232)
4 – Routes and Bridges :
“During these days work was pressed on the routes. Rain threatened again and the Chief Engineer instructed both the 1st Canadian and the 4th British Divisions to put suitable bridges in an at all vital crossings. R.C.E. Corps Troops busied themselves on the 16th with three 70-foot, double-single Baileys – two at the Melo and one at the Marano [note: the Marano Bridge would have been built by 12 Fld Coy]. Where the building of bridges was delayed for one reason or another, the diversions were metaled to class 40. Numerous reports came in of bridges being blown in the enemy-held area.” (page 233)
5 – More Bad Luck, 4th Field Company :
Note that 12 Fld Coy narrowly escaped this fate, when a 500 pound RAF bomb fell near its HQ in September 1944, though nobody was hurt.
“At 0830 hours the 4th Field Company had a tragedy similar to that of the 10th Field Squadron just a week before; a section being fed in a church suffered three killed and eight wounded or hurt when a “Kittyhawk” plane bombed short, burying the men under the rubble.” (page 235)
6 – The Hazards of Assault Craft, even in Training:
“For the majority of the 1st and 4th Field Companies [note that 12th Field Company also took part in this type of training], however, the days were occupied in training – mainly in rafting and ferry work. Most of this took place in and about Riccione Harbour with Class 9 F.B.E. and Class 40 Bailey Rafts, assault craft of various sorts, DUKWs and storm boats – and a good deal of it in cooperation with the Infantry. Even this training had its hazards. On 30th September, at the Corps Rafting School at Rimini, a sea mine demolished a DUKW. There were five casualties; unfortunately two were fatal.” (page 238)
7 – Northwestern Europe, with18 Fld Coy in France during September.
The idea of “mouse-holing” from building to building, by blowing a hole in the wall of one house to move into the next had been perfected during the Ortona operation, in Italy. Here is an interesting example of it being used in France.
“ A rather amusing incident happened during the afternoon when the infantry wanted to go through the wall of a house to get at an enemy machine-gun post. A sapper was only too willing to cooperate and thought a “General Wade” should create the necessary hole. Much to everyone’s surprise the whole house fell down as a result of the explosion.” (War History, 18th Field Company Royal Canadian Engineers 1944-1945, John Sliz).
Following are some selected quotes from the documents associated with the 12 Fld Coy War Diaries during September 1944:
1 - Problems with Civilians and Soldiers, including Black Market Trading
This order about civil disturbances is difficult to parse. Reading between the lines, are we to assume that these breaches of the peace were actually altercations between Canadian soldiers and Italian civilians? Or, were Canadian soldiers looking the other way, while wrong-doing was going on?
The second order seems to be much more straightforward. Clearly army material was being bartered with civilians by soldiers. One wonders what they were getting in return – vino perhaps, or favours from Italian women who were desperate for everyday items.
Sep 1, 1944
REPORTING OF CIVIL DISTURBANCES OR BREACHES OF THE PEACE
1 Frequent difficulties arise in the investigation of civil disturbances and breaches of the peace owing to the lack of eye witnesses of the incident, although it is often discloseed that Allied troops were, in fact, witnesses.
2 It will be brought to the notice of all ranks that it is their duty should they witness any such incidents to report them to their Commanding Officer, who in turn will notify the incident, if of sufficient importance, to higher authority.
DISCIPLINE – IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF WD OR EFI GOODS TO CIVILIANS
1 It wil be brought to the notice of all ranks that it is forbidden to sell, barter or give away any WD or EFI goods.
2 In all cases of this nature unit commanders will give due attention to the availability of remanding the offenders for trial by FGCM.
3 Where doubt arises the evidence in the case should be referred to the JAG Branch for advise.
2 - Looting
This order is difficult to parse, as well. Obviously, looting must have been considered to be a serious concern, given language like “punishable by death” and “penal servitude for life”. But the theft of “furniture and other articles” from (presumably) bombed out buildings seems to be incongruous with the punishment talk being bandied about. Was this just military hyperbole, or was something more serious happening?
At any rate, as the war carried on into late 1944, it appears that morale and discipline were becoming significant issues.
Sept 14, 1944
LOOTING
1 Looting is defined as follows:
a Theft of any article from premises which have been:
- Damaged by war operations
- Vacated by reason of attack by the enemy
- Vacated I consequence of authorized direction
b Theft of any article which has been left exposed or unprotected as a result of war operations.
2 Several instances of alleged looting have recently been reported. Civilian premises vacated by reason of ops have been entered and furniture and other articles, which could not be regarded in any way as materials of war, unlawfully removed by military personnel.
3 It will be clearly impressed on all ranks that looting is a most serious offence and that in the UK under the Defence Regulations it is punishable by death or penal servitude for life. In future severe disciplinary action will be taken against all offenders. The charge will be laid under Sec. 41 (Theft) and will be submitted to formation legal officers for approval prior to trial.
3 – Historical Monuments and Art Treasures
Perhaps this order goes some way to explaining the previous one, in regards to severe penalties for looting. It seems that there may well have been far more consequential items being taken than “furniture and other articles”. Europe was a treasure house of valuable art and artifacts, so the possibility of theft and re-sale of such items would be significant. Disasters, natural and man-made, can bring out opportunists and soldiers tired of war and death might well have been willing to make a few extra bucks via a bit of looting and black market re-sales.
Sept 13, 1944
PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND ART TREASURES
Below is an extract from a letter sent to all Company Commanders by the C-in-C of this theatre:
1 Except where operationally necessary, the occupation of historical buildings, the occupation of such will be avoided. If it is found necessary to occupy such buildings, the Commander of the occupying troops will ensure that AMG are informed at the earliest opportunity and that every reasonable precaution is taken to prevent careless or willful damage especially souvenir-hunting.
2 In the area around AREZZO and FLORENCE it was found that collections of masterpieces, sculptures and manuscripts had been taken out of museums by the local authorities for safety and stored usually in large houses or monasteries, Commanders will take every precaution to ensure that such treasures are preserved as far as possible and will see that AMG is notified at the earliest opportunity.
3 By far the greater part of damage to historical buildings and to art collections is likely to occur between the time they are reached by the forward troops and the time reserve formations and administrative units assume full control. As soon as such buildings or collections are discovered , it will be the responsibility of Commanders to place guards on them for a few days until AMG can take over.
4 - Movements of Civilians and Respect for Auxiliary Police
Controlling the movements of civilians, particularly refugees from the fighting was a constant concern. Adding to that, was the danger that spies could mingle with the refugees.
Auxiliary Police were deputized by the local authorities, to help contain the flow of civilians. But, clearly Allied soldiers weren’t comfortable with these armed Italians, and probably were distrustful of their certifications. Thus, this order, wherein troops are reminded to respect their authority.
Sep 16, 1944
CIVILIAN MOVEMENT, ITALIAN, AUXILIARY POLICE
1 In order to prevent unauthorized civil movement, to canalize civilian refugees, and to single out possible enemy agents among them, Fd Security organize Control Posts as far forward as is possible. Supplementary posts are set up throughout the Corps area.
2 As sufficient Carabiners and Italian military are not available, these posts are frequently manned by auxiliary police enlisted by Fd Security locally. These men carry arms, and are provided with a certificate signed by Fd Security identifying them as civil auxiliary police.
3 These men also carry out coast watching duties, and may be used to guard VPS.
4 There have been several occasions recently of the troops interfering with these men, disarming them and forcing them to desert their posts. The immediate result has been an influx of civilian traffic on main supply routes, and opportunities for agents to slip through.
5 It will be brought to the attention of all ranks that these auxiliary police are carrying out an essential duty for the protection of troops and should be given assistance whenever possible.
5 - Malaria and the Po Valley:
And, as usual, there was not respite from the vigilance required to avoid malaria. The broad Po River Valley, and the Po River delta in particular, were not far off, and they were especially good breeding ground for malaria mosquitoes. The demolitions of dikes, canals, and dams related to military operations greatly exacerbated these problems.
Sep 30, 1944
MALARIA – PREVENTION OF (C.R.C. 40-6)
The area of the PO valley especially in the neighborhood of the PO Delta is one of the most highly malarias areas in the world. At this season it is particularly dangerous owing to the fact that the malignant type of malaria which may be fatal, is prevalent.
Officers Commanding will ensure that all malaria precautions previously ordered are rigidly enforced. In addition, as the type of mosquito prevalent in this area feeds by day as well as at night, shorts will NOT be worn, sleeves will be kept buttoned at the cuffs at all times and repellent will be frequently and liberally applied.
With the approach of colder weather mosquitoes will tend to shelter in houses and farm buildings. All buildings occupied by or in the vicinity of troops will therefore be thoroughly sprayed by unit anti-malaria squads.
Some Family Stories Related to September 1944 Events
Forgotten Under the Bridge
Another rather celebrated family story involves an occasion when Martin was working on a bridge, setting charges for demolition I think (or perhaps removing them), suspended by a line in the water below the bridge. The bridge suddenly came under attack, and the platoon high-tailed it out of there, to the safety of the other side. Unfortunately, they had forgotten all about him. It wasn't until a fair while later that someone remembered and they went back and rescued him from his predicament. He was rather unhappy about the whole incident. He was left in the cold water for quite a while, unable to move for fear of being spotted by the enemy and being killed or captured.
====================================================================
Books to Read
If you are interested in history, you may also be interested in adventure travel, whether by foot, bike, truck or car. So, why not consider reading a travel, for only 99 cents on Amazon:
A Ride on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail
U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GBG8JE0
U.K.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GBG8JE0
Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B01GBG8JE0
Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B01GBG8JE0
Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01GBG8JE0
Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01GBG8JE0
India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B01GBG8JE0
The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is one of the
longest and most scenic biking and hiking trails in Canada. It covers a good
stretch of the south-central interior of British Columbia, about 600 kilometers
of scenic countryside. British Columbia is one of the most beautiful areas of
Canada, which is itself a beautiful country, ideal for those who appreciate
natural splendour and achievable adventure in the great outdoors.
The trail passes through a great variety of geographical and geological
regions, from mountains to valleys, along scenic lakes and rivers, to dry
near-desert condition grasslands. It often features towering canyons, spanned
by a combination of high trestle bridges and long tunnels, as it passes through
wild, unpopulated country. At other times, it remains quite low, in populated
valleys, alongside spectacular water features such as beautiful Lake Okanagan,
an area that is home to hundreds of vineyards, as well as other civilized
comforts.
The trail is a nice test of one’s physical fitness, as well as one’s wits and
adaptability, as much of it does travel through true wilderness. The views are
spectacular, the wildlife is plentiful and the people are friendly. What more
could one ask for?
What follows is a journal of two summers of adventure, biking most of the trail
in the late 1990s. It is about 33,000 words in length (2 to 3 hours reading),
and contains numerous photographs of the trail. There are also sections
containing a brief history of the trail, geology, flora and fauna, and
associated information.
After reading this account, you should have a good sense of whether the trail
is right for you. If you do decide to ride the trail, it will be an experience
you will never forget.
A Drive Across Newfoundland
U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NMR9WM8
U.K.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NMR9WM8
Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07NMR9WM8
Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07NMR9WM8
Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07NMR9WM8
Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07NMR9WM8
India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07NMR9WM8
Newfoundland, Canada’s most easterly province, is a region that is both fascinating in its unique culture and amazing in its vistas of stark beauty. The weather is often wild, with coastal regions known for steep cliffs and crashing waves (though tranquil beaches exist too). The inland areas are primarily Precambrian shield, dominated by forests, rivers, rock formations, and abundant wildlife. The province also features some of the Earth’s most remarkable geology, notably The Tablelands, where the mantle rocks of the Earth’s interior have been exposed at the surface, permitting one to explore an almost alien landscape, an opportunity available on only a few scattered regions of the planet.
The city of St. John’s is one of Canada’s
most unique urban areas, with a population that maintains many old traditions
and cultural aspects of the British Isles. That’s true of the rest of the
province, as well, where the people are friendly and inclined to chat amiably
with visitors. Plus, they talk with amusing accents and party hard, so what’s
not to like?
This account focusses on a two-week road trip in October 2007, from St. John’s
in the southeast, to L’Anse aux Meadows in the far northwest, the only known
Viking settlement in North America. It also features a day hike visit to The
Tablelands, a remarkable and majestic geological feature. Even those who don’t
normally consider themselves very interested in geology will find themselves awe-struck
by these other-worldly landscapes.
On the Road with Bronco Billy, A Trucking Journal
What follows is an account of a ten day journey through western North America during a working trip, delivering lumber from Edmonton Alberta to Dallas Texas, and returning with oilfield equipment. The writer had the opportunity to accompany a friend who is a professional truck driver, which he eagerly accepted. He works as a statistician for the University of Alberta, and is therefore is generally confined to desk, chair, and computer. The chance to see the world from the cab of a truck, and be immersed in the truck driving culture was intriguing. In early May 1997 they hit the road.
Some time has passed since this journal was
written and many things have changed since the late 1990’s. That renders the journey
as not just a geographical one, but also a historical account, which I think
only increases its interest.
We were fortunate to have an eventful trip - a mechanical breakdown, a near
miss from a tornado, and a large-scale flood were among these events. But even
without these turns of fate, the drama of the landscape, the close-up view of
the trucking lifestyle, and the opportunity to observe the cultural habits of a
wide swath of western North America would have been sufficient to fill up an
interesting journal.
The travelogue is about 20,000 words, about 60 to 90 minutes of reading, at
typical reading speeds.
Amazon U.S.: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X2IRHSK
Amazon U.K.: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00X2IRHSK
Amazon Germany: http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00X2IRHSK
Amazon Canada: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00X2IRHSK
=======================================================
