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Topic: Lt. Col.Ian Hodgsons personal acct.of Pachino Landing July 10/43. (Read 109 times)
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george burrows
redpatch43
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2002
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,After having read his Message Board outline, I was quite surprised ar one major fact he mentioned re our loading of the landing craft for shore invasion. I thought some of you might like the real correction. (This is not a condemnation of the Col, just a correction of error on his part. )
He stated that when we loaded in the early hours of July 10/43 the swell of the waves beside our ship was about 10 feet high, and we had to climb down a rope ladder, loaded with ammo and full kit for shore requirements.
I would like you to visualize the following: Any of you who have seen "A Ocean Liner", Visualize the hight of the first OPEN DECK above the Water Level of the ship ( where you an stand at the railing and look over the side to the dock below. I think most will agree the height is usually close to 4 to 5 decks from flat water open deck Each open deck is approx 9 to 10 feet high between decks. Our ship was a Dutch Passenger liner. We sailed from Scotland in her. We went through rough weather in the Med very easily. As I recall she had 4 decks above water. This means she would be at least 30 35 feet above normal Flat Water Level.
When we loaded we stood on the net over the side of the ship, which was about four feet below the deck that we were standing on.
Wwe hung on to the rope ladder, and were also assisted by TWO SERGEANTS, ONE ON EACH SIDE , waiting for the craft to rise high enough so we could take one step off the rope ladder and on to the narrow decking of the TANK CARRIER that held the five Duckks for troops. I estimate the drop was more like THIRTY FEET, not 10 feet. Once I stepped on the decking to go down, I was handed my rifle and and also handed over to a third seargent who stood on the deck ( of the tank carrier ) to assist my balance going down, which was like a real elevator in FREE FALL. I could not move until we reached the bottom of the swell trough, at which point I then jumped into the boat, got down on my knees and crawled to our Duckk in total darkness. All activity here was vocal only. We were about three miles out in the Med. This operation was one of the most thrilling I have had in my whole life. Riding a swell at least thirty feet high. What a ride. I still get a kick out of thinking about it.
So you see there is far more to the story than the Lt. Col said in his article. I thought you may enjoy the finer points of the whole thing.
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Jim Hickson
CWO H.J. Hickson, MMM, CD. (Retd)
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Pro Patria
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Hi George
Thats the way. Keep them comming!!!
Jim
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1961-Depot San Lenorado
1962-1st Bn RCR Ex Gagetown
1962-JR NCO Course Grad 19 Oct
1962-1965 Germany B-C-D-A Coy (Revecated Nov 64)
1965-1967 Sigs Pl Cyprus Prom CPL 'til xmas and C of Drums
1967-1973 Cpl, MCpl, Sgt, Sigs, D Coy
1973-1977 CFOCS Chilliwack Prom WO
1977-1982 UEO, Sigs, Pl WO RECCE, CSM B&A Coy,
1982-1984 SIT School
1984-1988 Career Manager (Prom CWO 1986)
1988-1990 RSM 1RCR
1991-1995 CWO Adm(Per) - C Of S
1995-1999 Base CWO Wainwright
1999-Retired
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Wooooo, what ride indeed!
I always found the finer points, George, is where the heart of the tale lies!
Great read.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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