A Sapper’s War - 12 Fld Coy RCE History, Part 19: May 45 – The End of Hostilities in Europe
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: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2020/08/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history.html
Oct 1944: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history.html
Nov 1944: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history_21.html
Dec 1944: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history.html
Jan 1945: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history_31.html
Feb 1945: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2021/02/12th-fld-coy-rce-february-1945-stepping.html
Mar 1945: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2021/03/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history.html
Apr 1945: https://dodecahedronbooks.blogspot.com/2021/03/a-sappers-war-12-fld-coy-rce-history_31.html
May 1945 – The End of Hostilities in Europe
It had been a long, hard and often desperate slog, but early in May 1945, the Second World War in Europe was over, with Hitler committing suicide (April 30, 1945) and Germany capitulating shortly thereafter (May 7, 1945). That was true of both the war in Northwestern Europe, where eleven months of bitter fighting had taken place and in Italy which had seen nearly two years of action (though German soldiers in Italy had actually surrendered by May 2, 1945). And it was true of the eastern front as well, where the Soviet Union had prevailed in a contest that was even bloodier and more prolonged than in the west.
With the end of the war in Europe, new concerns arrived. Primary among these was the continuing war in Asia. Most people, civilian and soldier, were tired of war and didn’t want any personal part of the war against Japan, though they might support it politically. That said, they feared that they might be conscripted into that struggle, before all was said and done.
There was also the fear that the war against totalitarian fascism might soon morph into a war against totalitarian communism, with the Soviet Union attempting to overrun the west. For their part, the Russians feared that anti-communists of the west would be just as keen on invading Russia as the anti-communists of Nazi Germany had been. On both sides, average people worried that political hard-liners might end up dragging them into a totally new and terrible war.
An even more pressing and practical concern was demobilization, reconstruction and rehabilitation. Soldiers wanted to get home and get back to a regular life as soon as possible. But would there be assistance for returning veterans to retrain and restart their lives, lives that often included a memory of the great depression? Would there be jobs? Would there be prosperity?
In short, people were rightfully leery of the possibility of a return to a depression-era economy and rightfully leery of the possibility of another world war.
With hostilities over there were a lot of men to return to North America and a significant number of those now had wives they had married in Europe. Without war, they would have a lot of time on their hands, and that could become a problem. Among the diversions used to fill time were sports days, rehabilitation lectures and vocational/educational programs.
For sappers, though, that was less of a problem. Though the military needs for bridges, roads and other infrastructure were receding, equivalent and even greater needs were coming to the fore in the civilian sphere, in war-torn Europe. Infrastructure would also be needed for the Allied Occupation Forces, whom it was feared, might have to deal with guerrilla warfare from diehard Nazis. German soldiers, now P.O.W.s would have to be escorted home.
Added to all that, were the mines that the Germans had laid in this part of Europe that had to be lifted. These were estimated at as high as four million. Interestingly, German sappers helped the Allied sappers on this job, though perhaps somewhat reluctantly. Both sides lost some men doing this work, as it turned out that the German minefield maps, which were beautifully drawn, weren’t really all that accurate. German sappers were also leery of the Allied method of “probing” the ground carefully for mines, with knives and similar instruments. They wanted to use flail tanks.
So, all in all, the sappers’ work didn’t
necessarily end with the end of the Nazi regime, as can be seen in the 12 Fld
Coy war diary below.
12 Field Company War Diary, May 1945
Following is a condensation of the 12 Fld Coy War Diary notes for May 1945.
May 1 to 3 – Loenen, Netherlands
1 Platoon filled in slit trenches on several routes and repaired verges. Numbers 2 and 3 Platoon also worked on routes, hauling stones, filling in pot-holes, grading and gravelling. They also repaired a Bailey Bridge. Civilian workers and pioneers helped with these tasks.
May 4 to 7 – Hoenderlo, Netherlands
On the 4th, news came that the German army in the Netherlands had capitulated. The war diarist reported: “Everyone very elated”.
Nevertheless, work continued. The same message that announced the ceasefire also gave the company orders to build an F.B.E. bridge near Zwolle (a sort of pontoon bridge). An officer was sent to recee the site and the company prepared to move out, leaving a skeleton force of sappers to supervise the civilians and pioneers working on the routes.
Exciting as that was, the order was then countermanded and the company got back to the relative tedium of route work.
May 8 to 11 – Hoenderlo, Netherlands
Road work continued. Repairs were started on an air strip, suitable for landing Air Force observation planes. It was then discovered that a causeway across the Ijssel River had a gap in it and needed repair. 1 Platoon was sent to that site, further north.
At the end of the period, the remaining platoons were given a chance for a V.E. Day party (Victory in Europe).
May 12 to 15 – Hoenderlo, Netherlands
Another period of road work, along with a Church Parade. To quote the War Diarist “There is nothing of interest to report”.
May 16 to 18 – Hoenderlo, Netherlands
Road work continued, though there was also a Sergeant’s Dance in Apeldoorn to spice things up a bit. The company was then ordered to produce a P.O.W. escort for German prisoners, so about 20 men from 1 Platoon were assigned to that task.
Word then came that the a platoon of the company was to move to Harlingen to build “hards” for some L.V.T.s (improvised landing places for amphibious tracked vehicles). An officer was transferred to the Hague to manage a job of preparing a parade ground for a large Victory Parade. Another officer left on a recee to find lumber to build horse stalls on some of the L.V.T.s (which sounds almost like a practical joke).
May 19 to 21 – M.R. E-294965, Netherlands
A period of somewhat random sounding odd jobs now commenced.
Lt. Anderson attempted to contact the navy, regarding the “horse stalls” job, which turned out to be on the level. He then left for Amsterdam to recee the job. The “horse stall” job was later cancelled, so it makes you wonder.
3 Platoon left for the Hague, and began preparing the ground for the Victory Parade. The parade followed a couple of days later and was apparently quite impressive.
2 Platoon returned from their job building docks for the L.V.T.s. The men from 1 Platoon who had been sent to escort German P.O.W.s also returned. 1 Platoon then built a loading platform for a “liquor dump”.
And finally, a 70 foot Bailey Bridge was built.
May 22 to 27 – M.R. E-313936, Netherlands
1 Platoon went on equipment and vehicle maintenance. 2 Platoon finished up the job on the L.V.T. hards. Number 3 remained in the Hague, dismantling the stands and related infrastructure used for the Victory Parade. Work was completed on the landing strip.
The educational programs were now being organized and were soon to go into effect. Thoughts were turning to demobilization and rehabilitation. The officers held a dance for the C.R.E., who was visiting nearby.
May 28 to 31 – M.R. E-313936, Netherlands
The entire company was now back together and in the words of the War Diarist “We are all getting used to barrack life and will be comfortable in our new location”.
There was a lecture about rehabilitation as well as a sports day, which went well for the company. The company also “smartened up” for an upcoming inspection by the C.R.E. (Commander Royal Engineers). That included some parade ground drill.
Drills, lectures, sports, inspections –
clearly the company was transitioning back into a peacetime role.
Other Notes and Observations from May 1945
Following are some selected quotes from the report on operations during May 1945 in the Netherlands and Germany, written by the military (Volume III THE VICTORY CAMPAIGN THE OPERATIONS IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945):
1 – Disarming the Enemy After the Capitulation and Escorting them Home
The German troops in the Netherlands actually surrendered before the general surrender of the German army. That made their status somewhat ambiguous for a time. It seems that it took a while for the reality of the situation to sink in to the higher officer corps of the local German army, though it eventually did. Escorting them back to Germany became a major necessity and not inconsiderable task.
“Drang nach Osten” means “drive to the east” (i.e. German expansion eastward) and is a sly reference to the inversion of this old German term at the end of World War 2.
The Germans were treated as "capitulated troops", without the status of "prisoners of war…General Matthews gave instructions for the disarmament of the enemy, including the turning in of all technical stores. The Germans were forbidden to use the Nazi salute. While in this, as in other meetings, their officers exhibited a strictly "correct" attitude, they sometimes gave Canadians the impression of "a board of directors attending at the liquidation of their assets", rather than of the representatives of a defeated army…
There was a noticeable difference between the enemy's attitude at this meeting and in the conferences of the previous week to arrange relief for the Dutch. The terms of surrender were read over by General Foulkes, and Blaskowitz hardly answered a word. Occasionally he would interpose with a demand for more time to carry out the orders given to him, otherwise nothing was said from the German side. They looked like men in a dream, dazed, stupefied and unable to realize that for them their world was utterly finished…
Beginning on 25 May the Germans were moved from the Netherlands to a concentration area in the Wilhelmshaven—Emden peninsula…Travelling for the most part on foot, in bodies some 10,000 strong, the Germans tramped homeward at the rate of about 15 miles each day. Crossing the causeway at the northern end of the Ijsselmeer, they came under the control of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, which supervised the march as far as the Dutch-German frontier, where Headquarters 2nd Corps assumed responsibility. As this involuntary Drang nach Osten continued, Blaskowitz moved his headquarters to north-west Germany, where Crerar's orders were transmitted to him through the G.O.C. 2nd Corps. These arrangements prevailed until General Simonds' headquarters was relieved on 15 June by Headquarters 30th British Corps District. By that time the German evacuation of the Netherlands was "practically complete (pages 613-614, 615)
2 – Other Reactions to the Surrender
As might be expected, relations between the German soldiers and their formerly conquered populations were not exactly cordial. Conversely, the Dutch people were ecstatic to be liberated and extremely thankful to the Canadian soldiers who had been a major part of their deliverance. It seems as if even some of the German soldiers were caught up in the celebration, though I imagine they were just happy to be alive and to be heading home.
"…. Here as elsewhere there were initial clashes between Germans and foreign workers (displaced persons); but quick action by our authorities, including, when it was shown necessary, a severe reprimand to the senior German commander by General Vokes, soon disposed of the problem…
Every village, street and house was bedecked with red, white and blue Dutch flags and orange streamers which in the brilliant sunlight made a gay scene. The Dutch people had had a rumour of our arrival, and were lining the roads, streets in thousands to give us a tumultuous welcome . . . When the convoy reached the outskirts of Rotterdam, it lost all semblance of a military convoy. The dense crowds cut it into packets; a vehicle would be unable to move because of civilians surrounding it, climbing on it, throwing flowers-bestowing handshakes, hugs and even kisses. One could not see the vehicle or trailer – for the legs, arms, heads and bodies draped all over it as it made its precarious way through the last few miles of Rotterdam streets. The enthusiasm of the crowds seemed to have infected German soldiers of the Wehrmacht, for in some cases they, going the opposite way in wagons or on foot-waved and grinned.”
3 – Wrapping up the War in Italy
Since 12 Fld Coy had spent so much of the war slogging through Italy, it seems only fair to note how that campaign ended. The passage below is from a book that focused on a particular British unit, but one who fought alongside Canadians from Sicily to Ravenna. As with other theatres towards the end of the war, the Allies were very concerned about what the still strong German armies could do in the final stages of the war. The German army in northern Italy was still quite well supplied in men, arms and ammunition and were dug into a lot of very clever defensive positions.
It was primarily through an unprecedented air attack, followed by massive artillery bombardments and finally determined infantry and armour attacks that the German will to fight was overcome in Italy. One has to think that the collapse of the German army in Germany itself also contributed to the victory in Italy. That said, the presence of so many well-equipped German troops fighting in a secondary theatre such as Italy now was, must have also greatly contributed to the victory in Germany.
“Inevitably, the Allies’ ‘Blitzkrieg’ strategy in northern Italy, unleashed ironically upon the Germans themselves was so successful that it brought on a sense of anti-climax. It was also overshadowed, and still is today, by the conquering of Germany itself they Russian and Allied armies. The real story is that the final victory in Italy by two Allied armies was astounding, they had achieved what many had thought to be impossible. In less than four weeks they had broken the shackles of the Gothic Line, fought their way through the Argenta Gap and the nightmare maze of canals and rivers of the Po valley, and then raced on capture the whole of norther Italy.”
With the East Surreys in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy 1942-1945 Bryn Evans, Pen & Sword (page 351)
4 – The Victory Parade
Here’s a bit about the Victory Parade that 3 Platoon of 12th Field Company had so ably assisted in setting up.
“The official climax to these celebrations came on 21 May, when the First Canadian Army Victory Parade was held at The Hague. The salute was taken by His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, in the presence of General Crerar and his Corps Commanders, as long columns of composite battalions from Canadian and British formations marched past. Sixteen pipe and five brass bands were present, and guns of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division fired a salute. Overhead flew aircraft of No. 84 Group Royal Air Force, which, in the words of General Crerar's final message to the Air Officer Commanding, had given the Army such "magnificent support" throughout the campaign.”
5 – Morale and Retraining
Now that combat operations were over, keeping the men busy and maintaining their morale at a reasonably high level were challenges. The army attempted to do so via many strategies, but entertainment, education and sports were key. There would be a number of months between the end of the war and repatriation home, and the task would become more difficult as those months went by.
“The termination of hostilities would inevitably lead to some slackening of discipline and loss of esprit de corps. To check this tendency, "training or recreational activities should be organized, whenever possible, on a sub-unit or unit basis" and "inter-unit, and sub-unit, competitions of all kinds should be strongly encouraged". The general principle should be to allot compulsory training to the mornings, leaving afternoons free for optional activities such as education and organized sports…
The challenge was well met. Excellent accommodation for officers and men off duty was secured in many Dutch centres, such as Utrecht, Hilversum, Amersfoort, Apeldoorn and Groningen. In the 1st Corps area the entertainment programme for the middle of May covered a wide range of activities: at Apeldoorn officers could relax at the "Park Plaza Hotel" or the "Country Club", while warrant officers and sergeants had their "Park Lane Club" and the men enjoyed the facilities of the "Moonlight Gardens", the "Kit Kat Club" and the "Bluenose Swimming Pool". In Barneveld there was the "Red Patch Theatre", and similar establishments functioned at Arnhem and Hilversum. Regular programmes of sports were introduced and there were frequent competitions within and between Canadian formations during the summer…
The soldier was given ample opportunities of improving his education, and adjusting himself to the changed circumstances of peacetime, under the Rehabilitation Training Programme…
Under unit chief
instructors training was given in Canadian citizenship as well as in academic,
vocational and technical subjects. This wide curriculum "attracted a very
high voluntary attendance” (pages 616-617)
Orders and Documents Archived with the 12 Fld Coy War Diary, May 1945
Following are some selected quotes from the documents associated with the 12th Fld Coy War Diaries during May 1945:
1 – The State of the Company
A sort of general overview of the company’s morale and general fitness was prepared, to sum up their situation at the end of hostilities. I believe this was a general order that was made to all units, to be undertaken by the commanding officer. I suppose that the military just wanted a “summing up”, now that the shooting war was over, to assist them with the major headache of what to do with all these men until they could be returned home. At that point, they would be the government’s problem.
The overview notes the various means that had been employed up to that time by the company, to occupy the men’s time in a manner useful to both them and the army. It sounds like the men are still in good shape, in terms of morale and are behaving appropriately. Clearly, they are also looking forward to their return home and considering how to take advantage of whatever opportunities they would be given to prepare themselves for civilian life again.
Development of Organization: The organization of the company has been subject to little change for the month of May. We received a letter on 31 May stating that we are now allowed an extra L/Sgt and one extra Cpl, presumably to take over some of the administrative work of HQ platoon. Other than the changes mentioned above the military setup of the Field Company has undergone very little change.
State of Morale: I would say that the morale of the personnel of this unit has never been of a higher standard as it is now. This is due to the fact that a large proportion of the personnel in the company have the required number of points which enables them to qualify for repatriation to Canada at an early date. The fact that a lot of our time has and is being devoted to sports and educational facilities which have been set up during the last two weeks under competent supervisors has in no small way played a bit part of upholding the morale of the troops in this unit. I would say that the morale of 90% of the personnel is now 100% at the time of this writing.
Health of Troops: The month of May was an exceptional month in that we had the least number of casualties for the month than any previous month since the time the unit embarked for the Mediterranean Theatre. This was largely due to the cessation of hostilities and the reduction of operational commitments.
Discipline: The discipline throughout the unit has been exceptionally good in spite of the freedom given them in that we are allowed to visit most any town in Holland and therefore there was hardly any need for anyone to go A.W.O.L.. The fact is that we have an allotment of leaves to England, Paris, Brussels and numerous other places of interest. Orderly room cases are few and far between.
Improvements in Equipment: As yet there has been no improvement either for personnel or GlO98.
Course of Training: As mentioned previously, facilities have been set up whereby a man can, if he wishes, take by means of a correspondence course or a course under an instructor with previous experience in the trade which the pupil applies for. However, at this time the educational facilities obtained so far are mostly of an introduction to courses to follow. By the end of this month numerous courses should be in full swing. The applications which have come in for different types of courses indicates that the majority of personnel are interested in bettering themselves for the job that they hope to obtain upon discharge from the army.
2 – Vocational Training
Here is an example of some of the vocational training being offered to the men, to help them in their future civilian life.
May 7, 1945
1 Experienced Canadian printers are operating a flat bed, hand fed, cylinder press at 3 HQ FMC.
2 2 Cnd Fld Educ Sec can arrange to have soldiers att to 2 Cdn FMC for a period of three weeks to learn the elements of commercial printing or refresh their present knowledge.
3 Anyone with any printing experience who wishes to take this course should apply through their platoon officer to the orderly room.
3 – The Need for Provost Troops
Here is a callout for people to transfer to the Provost Corps (that’s the military police). Now that Europe was at peace, controlling the populations (and our own troops) would become largely the task of these soldiers.
Note that PULHEMS was a measure of physical and mental health, with each letter standing for a different aspect of those qualities – lower numbers imply greater fitness. It is also interesting to note the differences between then and now in expected levels of education and weight. In the current date, provost personnel would probably be preferred to weigh over 185 pounds rather than under. That said, calling for such detailed specifications might not be allowed (though in a serious wartime environment, it is likely that current-day rules would not apply, anyway).
May 7, 1945
1 An urgent requirement exists for rfts for the CDN PROVOST CORPS.
2 Personnel wishing transfer to the m/n must be of the following, as laid down:
Category A or PULHEMS 22222221
Age 21-35 years
Height: 5 ft 9 in to 6 ft 1 in.
Weight: NOT over 185 pounds.
Education: Not lower than Grate VIII or equivalent and able to speak English correctly.
Good Conduct Sheet.
Intelligent: Should possess personality and tact.
Previous police experience an advantage but not essential.
Willing to ride a motorcycle.
3 Personnel wishing to apply for transfer to the above mentioned can obtain further particulars from the Orderly room.
4 – Disposal by Individuals of Captured Enemy Property
With hostilities over, there was a lot of concern about enemy weapons and other property being “liberated” and sold on the black market. With all that weaponry floating around, criminal elements might well become more well-armed than police. And, of course, there was also the possibility of domestic murders and suicide being facilitated by these weapons on the home-front. Thus, this order regarding captured enemy property.
1 It is again emphasized that all captured enemy weapons, ammunition and other property belong to the Allied governments.
2 The practice of disposing of any such articles by way of gift, sale, exchange or otherwise to any person, or the carriage or dispatch to the U.K. or elsewhere of such articles is forbidden.
3 In future disciplinary action will be taken against offenders.
4 All persons proceeding on leave found to be in possession of enemy property will be returned to their units forthwith and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against them.
4 The baggage of all persons arriving in the U.K. is likely to be searched by the Customs authorities.
5 – Some General Notes on Discipline
Although discipline was considered to be high, there were signs of problems developing in general among the Allied armies. It seems likely that men had too much time on their hands. Among the orders were mentions of unauthorized civilians visiting the camp, refugee camps being put out of bounds, pubs and restaurants being put out of bounds, looting in Germany and elsewhere (though not by 12 Fld Coy) and damages done to a university library by Allied troops (again, not by 12 Fld Coy).
One court martial case was prominently publicized, presumably to
discourage bad behaviour among the rest of the troops. In that case, a soldier with one of the
medical units was give 3 years penal servitude and a dishonorable discharge for
fraternization, robbery and offering violence to a superior officer. Perhaps he became involved in black market
activities as that was a problem by this time.
Some Family Stories Related to May 1945 Events
Returning to the Barracks at Aldershot
By May 2 my dad was posted to the military purgatory of the Reinforcement Units, namely the CERU (Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Units). That meant the Aldershot and Borden Barracks, sprawling military bases in and around an old garrison town. It wasn’t likely to be a very pleasant environment, especially for one who was no longer attached to the comrades that he had spent well over a year with, sharing the dangers and sometimes oddly good times of a company of soldiers in a war zone. However, it was familiar, as many hundreds of thousands of Canadian troops had spent time in Britain before being posted to the continent, including my dad, who had spent some 18 months in Britain before joining 12 Fld Coy on their posting to Italy.
Here is Bruce Allen Powe’s description in his novel “Aldershot 1945”, to give a flavor of the accommodations:
“…barracks were named after…the Duke of Marlborough. Across Queen’s Avenue, actually in Farnborough, were buildings to mark that Duke’s long forgotten victories; Oudenard, Malplaquet, Blenheim. Here, in some upper-level prank, Canadian soldiers were sent back from Holland, Belgium, or Germany to languish while awaiting ships from British ports. The locals were amazed and uneasy that hordes of Canadians were back among them again. The first ones had arrived long ago, in 1939, to mixed reviews and, as thousands of others followed, they had both charmed and infuriated the inhabitants. Most good burghers thought they had seen the last of them when the invasions of Europe began. The young soldiers had changed too, many of them hardened and calloused from what they had seen over there. They were not about to tolerate their virtual imprisonment in the mouldering two and three story barracks blocks. To be packed together in rooms of double wooden bunks. With metal slats and paper-thin mattresses. The damp oozed from brick walls. There was never enough got water to wash off the smells of strangers flung together.” (page 13)
However, he wasn’t expected to be there all the time. In fact, he was granted leave on May 3 and “money in lieu of rations” on May 10. The latter implies that he wasn’t expected to live on the base for at least part of the month. In fact, it seems likely that his leave lasted most of May.
I expect that during that time he stayed with his new war bride (my mother) and her family. That must have been quite a relief, and a change, to say the least.
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India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09HSXN6Q2
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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
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