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Topic: Greatest Harships WW 2. (Read 298 times)
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george burrows
redpatch43
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2002
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Feelings About Fear:
Fear is a natural phenominon, built into all people. It depends upon the individual how it is handled. Some do very well, others do not. In my case, I did very well, the same as many others, I presume, Death was not something we were afraid of. If we were, we would not hav
joined the infantry, in the first place. Ever since I was a young boy in my teens, I always felt close to God throughout my life cycle, and still do. To me, he was always there. When I joined the army (on July 28/40) I had only one thought in mind, and that was to fight for my country and the World for Peace. To get rid of Dictators who were starting to rule the world. I felt that if I did not do something, along with a lot of others, our own country, could or would wind up ina similar situation. Even if I had to lose my life. We dealt with death from the very first days of training, and learned to live with it. One thing we very rarely did, was to make reference of "when I get back home."
The rules of war, were laid down following World War #1, By the Geneva Covemtion's , The Rules Of WAr:
convention.of Switzerland. We were taught and trained under those rules. Never shoot at random, unless we were positive it was the enemy and Not a Civilian. We were told to hold fire until sure of our target. As far as I was concerned, War was like a Football Game,or any other game, The rules of play were in place, so follow them, strictly.
Any platoon or company, I was ever in, never had any problem obeying them.
What we looked for in Leadership
What I looked for, was common sense, fairness and consideration of me as a person, and a member of the team. I can honestly say, -- I did receive that from the members of the original cadre of officers and N.C.O.s.
However, once most of them were taken out of action, through being killed or severely wounded,the tradition did not in many cases carry on in this manner. Most N.C.O,s coming up to the line, or promoted from within, seemed to carry on very well and the comradeship,would develop normally.
However, where the big change camme from was from A FEW of the NEW OFFICERS, WHO HAD AN ATTITUDE IN A LOT OF CASES THAT SAID I AM AN OFFICER, I AM SMARTER THAN YOU ARE, I KNOW EVERRYTHING, YOU KNOW VERY LITTLE COMPARED TO WHAT I KNOW, SO ACT ACCORDINGLY. Consequently, a lot of these officers got killed, very easily, primarily because of their attitude and their lack of wanting to listen and learn,from those with BATTLE EXPERIENCE.THEY HAD NEVER BEEN I N BATTLE AND DID NOT HAVE A CLUE WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT. Three examples: Casino crossroads, Cap'T Hungerford. the night I had to lead the platoon on the night raid.. The other point is that officers as well as some NCO's, were afraid to exploxit the use of some of our weapons , when it would have been to our advantage to do so.
As a 2 inch Morter Team Leader, with two others in my team , there were several times we could have deployed,and saved lives of our fellow men. However, those in charge preffered to sit back and not use the help for support.They felt if it was used, because of the noise, the enemy would then know where we were. What a waste of support. The Enemy, used there similar equipment to supreme advantage all he time. It is my belief, that if we had used these 2 " morter's in more tight situations, we may have been able to reduce some of the heavy losses we took at various times.
PRO PATRIA
Part Two of Greates Hardships was omitted by error as part 1 was posted, sorry.
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Jim Hickson
CWO H.J. Hickson, MMM, CD. (Retd)
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Hi George
Surely not all the officers were like that. In my 38 years I have seen a lot of officers, some were excellent. I can pick out several excellent ones which is not bad for a peace time army. I do agree with you, except with the "not all officers".
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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george burrows
redpatch43
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2002
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Greatest Hardships:
The Heat, at and following the Invasion of Sicily, was 112 degrees. Lack of drinking water. Lack of food at regular intervals. Dirty clothes not washed,and full of sweat everyday. Marching through Heavy Limestone Dust in summer heat, very diffficult to breathe and having to wear a handkerchief across your nose to keep the dust from your Lungs. Constant sweating every day as well as most nights during the hot summer months.
Greatest Challenges:
Facing the enemy, NOT knowing where or when contact may be made.
To always be ready for battle when it came, to work together as a team,
sounds easy in Battle, it is not, when your spread out, and fired
upon.Consolidation and co-operation always had to be there. chasing the
enemy, was always a real challenge, never knowing where the enemy may
be dug in, and waiting for you, in a Blind Hidden spot. The hardest
challenge, was to hit the enemy hard, and drive him out of his position.
Part TWO:
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george burrows
redpatch43
Veteran 100+ Member
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2002
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HI Jim Hickson: No I agree with you, Not all oficers were like that, I am sorry if my typing inferred that. I had some excellent officers too. However Jim, I must also point out for clarity, that when in battle , in the front line, new officers coming into line were what we classified as GREEN OFFICERS. Their only experience was PARADE GROUND, and non war field maneouvers. It is very difficult to realize for non battle combatants, to observe the change of attitude in an officer comicng into battle for the very first time and being under enemy fire, He has ground training experience but he must first learn Battle experience before he can Lead properly.However,Jim, your point is well taken and thanks for pointing that out for me. George.
.PS. Jim_ As per my misinterpretation of phrasology in Greatest Hardships, I have Modified the phrase to read the way it was originally Intended. Hope you agree. Thanks again for your assist.
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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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Hey George. Great read, once again.
I cannot help but draw many comparisons to what the lads are facing today. 40 degree weather, adversary friendly, tough terrain, hard humping, dust, sweat, dust, sweat, constant thirst due to effort and heat, crappy rations and, most importantly, not knowing where contact would be made or whether sufficient resources were available to hit the enemy hard or hold terrain attained by bloody sacrifice. For example, today's hidden spot is often an IED or some wacko bastard wrapped in plastique explosive.
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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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Jim Hickson
CWO H.J. Hickson, MMM, CD. (Retd)
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Hi George
Yes I agree with that. It's not only the officers that it applies to. It applies to the men as well and let's face it, they didn't train you to feel when under fire. Green officers and green men. What a team! Green officers, green men and some experienced men. What a team!! I'm only speaking of Good Men like my uncle Bud, an officer and his brother, a bit younger, a Pte. They were both good men.
Jim
PS Maybe my 38 yrs wasn't a waste of time.
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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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Jim Hickson
CWO H.J. Hickson, MMM, CD. (Retd)
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Posts: 5325
Pro Patria
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Hi Jerry
Thanks!! I only hope that you young Guys are listening.
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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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Holy cow Jim; A waste of time? I am sure that there are many if not all of our troops today that were /are influenced very positive;ly by youreself.. you have a whole lot of top srvice to at least be very proud of and many fond memories to boot. I mentioned much the same on here a week or so back but did not name any name.. i can name yours as i am positive of all the teaching and influence you had to have been, and stil are, just by what you do on this site. I can proudly mention tyou along side the likes of RSM BC Robinson, Wally Turple, Dennis Robinson and some not in The RCR , like Robert Lavoie of the Vandoos and many more.. no Sir , you have a whole lot to be proud of and i hope happy of the huge contribution by yourself. To that i can only offer my thanks, ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Jim Hickson
CWO H.J. Hickson, MMM, CD. (Retd)
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Posts: 5325
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Hi Andy
Thanks!!!!!!!!
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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