tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29359675167968066432024-03-13T13:05:08.254-04:00 It Strikes Me Funny by G. Harrison live small. love others. laugh, even in tough times.G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.comBlogger6345125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-24815129511349412702024-02-20T21:21:00.000-05:002024-02-20T21:21:55.335-05:00"There's A Variety In Store": More Turtle Tours, 2024 (5)<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Soon to be Seen at a Movie Theatre Near You (Maybe!)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Featuring Turtles, Geese and a Longnose Gar</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb96mt0zgxeihrx6kaqNHYDUX8nCWNcCTPxr8KTe9HYWJqx_ce5_fR2av7016-gtqzO6tBmqzvlPvmAqazIkX4tUv-OLBo5Q9iocqXKKGADucm7vYO4ZAlz-nu7JrhMXvIYMPF9YA5f3g_gaHNgHTHHeU8LPZAS6uwxCIQBdCg7qzJpUqRClGQR8mVJk/s5371/IMG_3223.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3021" data-original-width="5371" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb96mt0zgxeihrx6kaqNHYDUX8nCWNcCTPxr8KTe9HYWJqx_ce5_fR2av7016-gtqzO6tBmqzvlPvmAqazIkX4tUv-OLBo5Q9iocqXKKGADucm7vYO4ZAlz-nu7JrhMXvIYMPF9YA5f3g_gaHNgHTHHeU8LPZAS6uwxCIQBdCg7qzJpUqRClGQR8mVJk/w677-h381/IMG_3223.jpeg" width="677" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Really, I am right about the longnose gar!</div><br /><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />No bus from Florida. No turtles wearing brightly coloured T-shirts marching toward the Thames River.<div><br /></div><div>There are, however, more photos of turtles to turn into short (and highly entertaining) videos for YouTube.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPMR_T81k16EQacmKJafM00s8M8tgzlPjSxQRiwcXJKW2ZmkB3awnPyeOvsxoBqIajFPFUF-3k19wVSaHt_AsQu-vuQhitRMmTyFaiSpHma-nbjmQOaYT5uw7GPHXdFdTD1WFeOGPxw8ABaSgengTc2Ze6qRVpy5ml3uAr1C4dGuC5fhyphenhyphenyPPRBYguuRg/s5146/IMG_3369.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="5146" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPMR_T81k16EQacmKJafM00s8M8tgzlPjSxQRiwcXJKW2ZmkB3awnPyeOvsxoBqIajFPFUF-3k19wVSaHt_AsQu-vuQhitRMmTyFaiSpHma-nbjmQOaYT5uw7GPHXdFdTD1WFeOGPxw8ABaSgengTc2Ze6qRVpy5ml3uAr1C4dGuC5fhyphenhyphenyPPRBYguuRg/w662-h397/IMG_3369.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div>Featuring geese, just a few</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflAX5YJXn5QWRwu8i_pa5lBJ7XzNzK6mpPgXLfMwvKfTz3x7wFnipHVSE0aEFcQCAUpDQDKTb2wJap0FShk5_rPe7TC8rUdotEOpxFmDTb_c0_-2tGhT39XyRJD2eYgx1pgZ_7kov9Qwnj1iR-OAUQOGHL3TsC0Manjcc5BPNr6V5vnsYOHf7oddmIAM/s5392/IMG_3203.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3235" data-original-width="5392" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflAX5YJXn5QWRwu8i_pa5lBJ7XzNzK6mpPgXLfMwvKfTz3x7wFnipHVSE0aEFcQCAUpDQDKTb2wJap0FShk5_rPe7TC8rUdotEOpxFmDTb_c0_-2tGhT39XyRJD2eYgx1pgZ_7kov9Qwnj1iR-OAUQOGHL3TsC0Manjcc5BPNr6V5vnsYOHf7oddmIAM/w661-h397/IMG_3203.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div>Featuring this snapper, with a reddish-tinge</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlmxcoQkI16VqSmOXf1keIyt6MWg-NjtGv0mX8DYVoBR1l5vDK8hCzET0NjM-PUCahFbyQRuT4Qa1F8iJ7gaLIeZVeCPABY-JzRjuz_6K97kPmDjSgTa7BZuqLcS-sMHn0pgW-PwXg2W2SF5ZwIwlox0tGr8-9MaVtxeMCDQ5AmxATWb4zWzaYuPeWUU/s4195/IMG_3262.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2517" data-original-width="4195" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlmxcoQkI16VqSmOXf1keIyt6MWg-NjtGv0mX8DYVoBR1l5vDK8hCzET0NjM-PUCahFbyQRuT4Qa1F8iJ7gaLIeZVeCPABY-JzRjuz_6K97kPmDjSgTa7BZuqLcS-sMHn0pgW-PwXg2W2SF5ZwIwlox0tGr8-9MaVtxeMCDQ5AmxATWb4zWzaYuPeWUU/w663-h398/IMG_3262.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div>A snapper hangs its head; a spiny soft shell gloats! "Turtle Rock is all mine, Bub!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Please click here to view Gord's latest 'Turtle Tour' video - <a href="https://youtu.be/6Wej_PkWN6o">"There's A Variety In Store"</a> - on YouTube. <br /><br />Please click here to view Gord's previous video <a href="https://itstrikesmefunny.blogspot.com/2024/02/mysteries-in-murk-more-turtle-tours.html">"Mysteries in The Murk."</a><br /><br />Video by GH<br /><br />Photos by GH</div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-89995146565849990742024-02-19T19:28:00.001-05:002024-02-19T19:28:10.821-05:00"Mysteries in The Murk": More Turtle Tours, 2024 (4)<div style="text-align: center;"><b>What Lurks in The Murks? The Nose Knows!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjku1f7D1aOixNDZRF-w9QchkNnsP93UWE-irCmTRimeCug9o8Kz3Qj4E1MXcMlMPs8DX2Ezvkx1JIsyT0yb17_4-ZCAtS_nIzAfG_q38VjnyBoipxwpmimxFYq7EuJiHnBpFqpDovzqvIfghoqjtgrqKtQKVBsCVlIL9oCSJTxtaINrp5ELGY3kBKTTnI/s3575/IMG_3184.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2145" data-original-width="3575" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjku1f7D1aOixNDZRF-w9QchkNnsP93UWE-irCmTRimeCug9o8Kz3Qj4E1MXcMlMPs8DX2Ezvkx1JIsyT0yb17_4-ZCAtS_nIzAfG_q38VjnyBoipxwpmimxFYq7EuJiHnBpFqpDovzqvIfghoqjtgrqKtQKVBsCVlIL9oCSJTxtaINrp5ELGY3kBKTTnI/w675-h405/IMG_3184.jpeg" width="675" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A stealthy hunter lurks in South Murk near Springbank Drive</div><br /><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />There will be no one happier than me when London's turtles step off the bus from Florida with suitcases in hand, stuffed full of cheap souvenirs and weak American beer, and crass T-shirts (<b>"DeSantis Sent Us!"</b>) but colourful sun shirts on their backs. <div><br /></div><div>I'll be there to greet them. "Want a lift to the nearest crick or to Turtle Point?"</div><div><br /></div><div>A few will surely say, "To the North Murk for us. Know the way?"</div><div><br />Of course I know the way.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoPuVTjaAoAfXaXQiqfxwJqhZCkixN3CsSFOpCcaYp_qOk_NCvHMxvl0zRsjuxdQCvFBnOSvyWuXPrlFX38aUrsRsQx_hn2qzezuW4PdrFovN7gLoOx7cvO0S-Ey1ldweHsvtLhG-t-fOVVsMljPN9l6X6ad1FgKkG5BA943MNkwiR7tdSK5Rabg0yYs/s5628/IMG_7535.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3377" data-original-width="5628" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoPuVTjaAoAfXaXQiqfxwJqhZCkixN3CsSFOpCcaYp_qOk_NCvHMxvl0zRsjuxdQCvFBnOSvyWuXPrlFX38aUrsRsQx_hn2qzezuW4PdrFovN7gLoOx7cvO0S-Ey1ldweHsvtLhG-t-fOVVsMljPN9l6X6ad1FgKkG5BA943MNkwiR7tdSK5Rabg0yYs/w663-h398/IMG_7535.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The North Murk still a bit chilly. Give it a couple of months, eh!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNZ_ywdALvabC3jQrDWUobyQo8fAMCfZ5v2MHRAOfaivlx5EGqq6WSFaLo4LOyjyN_gFxsudL8vDqW7E7ydtYKStx2jLjG1pA1n03i_0dbYSCIZlAucOqCE6GVxYJ2XiewmKVKP1H9ZEpRHpzENRu1zW4l1lP__fhU1bxIN4L8SeENVcOttkTOn-QHs4/s4847/IMG_3164.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2908" data-original-width="4847" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNZ_ywdALvabC3jQrDWUobyQo8fAMCfZ5v2MHRAOfaivlx5EGqq6WSFaLo4LOyjyN_gFxsudL8vDqW7E7ydtYKStx2jLjG1pA1n03i_0dbYSCIZlAucOqCE6GVxYJ2XiewmKVKP1H9ZEpRHpzENRu1zW4l1lP__fhU1bxIN4L8SeENVcOttkTOn-QHs4/w662-h397/IMG_3164.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"To the South Murk for me," a wise old snapper will say</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLmf-ue9atwTj5oHOrNixBgh3RXRZFo7E1gOUbahuKjEoJfglwxGDdLxydGM24DeZAUZooOqfQqWSkZNE9M33aI9DKhyphenhyphennJGC5aTY6RtAdyU20nI6FtyQ3ZeMO_ENDNinaNAzxBMkDvIG4vbFm1CvhcE11cDT0yShrv9E1m3HVpQLQ3milIzDB5SIkXEc/s3299/IMG_1952.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3299" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLmf-ue9atwTj5oHOrNixBgh3RXRZFo7E1gOUbahuKjEoJfglwxGDdLxydGM24DeZAUZooOqfQqWSkZNE9M33aI9DKhyphenhyphennJGC5aTY6RtAdyU20nI6FtyQ3ZeMO_ENDNinaNAzxBMkDvIG4vbFm1CvhcE11cDT0yShrv9E1m3HVpQLQ3milIzDB5SIkXEc/w662-h397/IMG_1952.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The South Murk won't be iced over in late March, early April</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNmeYGiW-ZyEvTDrr0XgnNT4EBFxz0LhGLsRLHZFVyzFa22UxY7Vin5SQXTv01mjnnPUpGx9B8OlWiApLqVKCPcJ8SQPfg-m0UKTutH-Irx_RQhV-8ckQ7kZwOd9rlED-X_qBVfB2c-cOGAZG7FGpEJLuqLwsMrx15RtvdRlsX__fj6D9DlDzPQYeUYU/s6000/IMG_7533.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="6000" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNmeYGiW-ZyEvTDrr0XgnNT4EBFxz0LhGLsRLHZFVyzFa22UxY7Vin5SQXTv01mjnnPUpGx9B8OlWiApLqVKCPcJ8SQPfg-m0UKTutH-Irx_RQhV-8ckQ7kZwOd9rlED-X_qBVfB2c-cOGAZG7FGpEJLuqLwsMrx15RtvdRlsX__fj6D9DlDzPQYeUYU/w662-h397/IMG_7533.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, I'll be a-waiting</div><br />Please click here to view <a href="https://youtu.be/UK_n09pFC3A">Gord's latest YouTube video</a>.<br /><br />Please click here to view <a href="https://itstrikesmefunny.blogspot.com/2024/02/where-are-you-turtles-more-turtle-tours.html">"Where Are You Turtles?"</a> by GH<br /><br />Video produced by GH<br /><br />Photos taken by GH </div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-28911385459036638982024-02-17T21:23:00.000-05:002024-02-17T21:23:29.533-05:00"Where Are You Turtles?": More Turtle Tours, 2024 (3)<div style="text-align: center;"><b>I've Heard London's Turtles Will Return from Florida by Bus!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-Cfl3DlDswo_UVMtZpA3T0Rf6LwH06zOJLpp6Ytv0asApfkd50KTy_UkN61_jLex7bMbFGAOMsZVVr0t-5JGW7A3fSoAwFXFOEu_1o1m3OzUNAprAxTasDamRzJ5zRPUSZxzi1Bj4vheR0dn2AUJqXawgxUuBqZlPKRynr1rmAlUdQuGd74i4YFrCJk/s5108/IMG_3120.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3065" data-original-width="5108" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-Cfl3DlDswo_UVMtZpA3T0Rf6LwH06zOJLpp6Ytv0asApfkd50KTy_UkN61_jLex7bMbFGAOMsZVVr0t-5JGW7A3fSoAwFXFOEu_1o1m3OzUNAprAxTasDamRzJ5zRPUSZxzi1Bj4vheR0dn2AUJqXawgxUuBqZlPKRynr1rmAlUdQuGd74i4YFrCJk/w674-h404/IMG_3120.jpeg" width="674" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Says the guy on the left, "Don't you just love the smell of French Fries?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />I'm counting down the days until London's turtles step off the bus from Florida and jump into the Mighty Thames River... less than a mile from my house.<div><br /></div><div>Until then I will continue to share a few more photographs from my 2023 "Turtle Tours" collection. Okay, when I say 'a few' I really mean a few hundred, but 25 - 30 at a time, along with some rare shots never-before-seen. </div><div><br /></div><div>For example:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegjmGJHApSca0PMIzolic7AcMDHsoXJUTDViyF5zweYl1dLyFJipdCrcDTAZtPDvk2BZtfE6X-o9z7QUJ8Dh2sI3J2U2GU3OrwaEmhO00rNPtRuB5L2HIrXAe39IeCkFhbNCha4RtfWGHndifIGsWOg7dJzNARDdShplUWj_XJI8d7ncadqJ0kzW-gdA/s5056/IMG_3019.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3048" data-original-width="5056" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegjmGJHApSca0PMIzolic7AcMDHsoXJUTDViyF5zweYl1dLyFJipdCrcDTAZtPDvk2BZtfE6X-o9z7QUJ8Dh2sI3J2U2GU3OrwaEmhO00rNPtRuB5L2HIrXAe39IeCkFhbNCha4RtfWGHndifIGsWOg7dJzNARDdShplUWj_XJI8d7ncadqJ0kzW-gdA/w663-h400/IMG_3019.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back to back herons standing guard over their pet turtles?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Vo9vANiO6veBQCLGnH3_F7eqOY5Xg0Fc72MSA9Kx2A3zuiIk8dTAqX-rgujm9-vuluEruDRCzq8VT5zaSI5lAbnTiOkHQfSnXarfP21A0B3ghpXqjBFxb2zuGdncPVaV1wmlbs_4BHhWaeTYWpdBvfLU9knPZJ4IYcmJC_CbzoZoS-KsisVCzDTZQqM/s4865/IMG_3070.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2919" data-original-width="4865" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Vo9vANiO6veBQCLGnH3_F7eqOY5Xg0Fc72MSA9Kx2A3zuiIk8dTAqX-rgujm9-vuluEruDRCzq8VT5zaSI5lAbnTiOkHQfSnXarfP21A0B3ghpXqjBFxb2zuGdncPVaV1wmlbs_4BHhWaeTYWpdBvfLU9knPZJ4IYcmJC_CbzoZoS-KsisVCzDTZQqM/w665-h399/IMG_3070.jpeg" width="665" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The "Monster From The Deep!"</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-C1vEXh5HbbuNTQAI3O3dm0F-M5oqwXRxp5mBIM1EzaTMAfToqTrkCDx_GGVDZUyNgz0BLXpKcslFaT1HLNJr-_wAu3gd8FNGQQqZ7XJ63QRipWonN3vS-FQID75fQIL8K2IM1WJw2OZDoccrJEReR3DjG1-60i-1ZWPeJcqFY1X7XGjfPHCpekDb2F0/s3891/IMG_3097.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2335" data-original-width="3891" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-C1vEXh5HbbuNTQAI3O3dm0F-M5oqwXRxp5mBIM1EzaTMAfToqTrkCDx_GGVDZUyNgz0BLXpKcslFaT1HLNJr-_wAu3gd8FNGQQqZ7XJ63QRipWonN3vS-FQID75fQIL8K2IM1WJw2OZDoccrJEReR3DjG1-60i-1ZWPeJcqFY1X7XGjfPHCpekDb2F0/w663-h398/IMG_3097.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"The End Is Near" (except the end of my 'foto files')</div><div><br /></div><div>Click on <a href="https://youtu.be/k2fL7mm7osQ">"Where Are You Turtles"</a> to find my latest video on YouTube. More videos can be found on my channel @7GHarrison<div><br />Please visit <a href="https://itstrikesmefunny.blogspot.com/2024/02/more-turtle-tours-2024-come-on-you.html">"Come On You Turtles": More Turtle Tours, 2024 (2)</a> for more views of London's prolific turtles (including some very rare shots).<br /><br />Photos by GH<br /><br />Videos by GH</div></div></div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-37502059814710223752024-02-15T17:46:00.001-05:002024-02-15T17:47:37.374-05:00More Turtle Tours 2024: "Come On You Turtles" (2)<div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Waiting is the Worst, and It's Only February!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GFWiuDGPCg7z0LxaDKd43EKeJguwBZ50tCsbEh71SkT21pHexxf3QUlzeAr-XvErj-6IpDqFYJh4p497B6maP2MKmitb_d5ZjNVJrYcESPXjQu4MrWMtPJ_0Y_viIZAWKAGVwA3EObTSRWh2aa9xxgrOaP_T6S1qCF8_cCHo3abwSq_Rka7AXz8gphw/s5436/IMG_2786.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3262" data-original-width="5436" height="517" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GFWiuDGPCg7z0LxaDKd43EKeJguwBZ50tCsbEh71SkT21pHexxf3QUlzeAr-XvErj-6IpDqFYJh4p497B6maP2MKmitb_d5ZjNVJrYcESPXjQu4MrWMtPJ_0Y_viIZAWKAGVwA3EObTSRWh2aa9xxgrOaP_T6S1qCF8_cCHo3abwSq_Rka7AXz8gphw/w862-h517/IMG_2786.jpeg" width="862" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The heron's are waiting. I'm waiting. Everybody's waiting I tell ya!</div><br /><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />Turtles take their time flying back from Florida, do they not? Oh, that's for sure.<div><br /></div><div>Turtles are not everybody's main interest come rain or snow or late summer storm, but I kinda like them and if they don't get back here soon I don't know what I'm going to do with my three cameras and fascinating video-making skills. I'll run dry!!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='506' height='420' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyjXnY0RfJA93JsGuFc2MKKOCQb46t4W9jNCjYoYIOuznxjecpkTXsevpKFDGRQddmYvL3xlmFThwbw9ZynOQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Intro for my latest video <b>"Come On You Turtles"</b> is ready to go.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And where are the turtles? They've gotta be somewheres!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZX4tWuJQdBzfObs7VFUXvlHVNasoVVKp5fDcUuIREiN3TODwyWfS6N7mi4prghwnw4U_iTAvL0pDQgsLTj2Y_eMIjc1jgenPUXGCheER2OTLPrWZ05j2yd3_3eQ-rtiENUEvQ59vKFZR0fU53hkBCyFc9aCA06gXkUmFxCx-c0afTx97FoER6-uLTb6Y/s5554/IMG_2886.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3332" data-original-width="5554" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZX4tWuJQdBzfObs7VFUXvlHVNasoVVKp5fDcUuIREiN3TODwyWfS6N7mi4prghwnw4U_iTAvL0pDQgsLTj2Y_eMIjc1jgenPUXGCheER2OTLPrWZ05j2yd3_3eQ-rtiENUEvQ59vKFZR0fU53hkBCyFc9aCA06gXkUmFxCx-c0afTx97FoER6-uLTb6Y/w662-h397/IMG_2886.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttqdStT-eNtm1EYEY1BZVbfivae3Ge5k1Dkvf5cXUeavtdk6n76MAcoXgb7ZVqX2d3AKm0WxYq7ncjneSAKM_K_WGs6ENc-7-gO77BBEs_Ey_Thbg0tUsFttLY2gCQ6GBK7JzvuiCDATt0NGjZoQ6lvGeeenlgq5IYwaVrli4K9BE76ORyXib2FMPir0/s4991/IMG_2914.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2995" data-original-width="4991" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttqdStT-eNtm1EYEY1BZVbfivae3Ge5k1Dkvf5cXUeavtdk6n76MAcoXgb7ZVqX2d3AKm0WxYq7ncjneSAKM_K_WGs6ENc-7-gO77BBEs_Ey_Thbg0tUsFttLY2gCQ6GBK7JzvuiCDATt0NGjZoQ6lvGeeenlgq5IYwaVrli4K9BE76ORyXib2FMPir0/w662-h397/IMG_2914.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>"Come On You Turtles"</b> can be viewed on YouTube - <a href="https://youtu.be/r2sdk6zPnKY">please click here!</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYQ1jteOpUQYSmRy5uvlnNjtLX5UuHFeXhYqs3NqH8won36mI7UlQ7NQnuNqg5VsXkznFVIVrRBnfNeObqOOsq9H5wXyJVCo6puaXPqVw29FxfLbxKoRv_DjeX4ePAtVemrf1QKb7-R-SokGM-1hadmLsgM-Dceo4F0Bnf3gaG5ZRWZX1RxAChwAOYhM/s5528/IMG_2977.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3317" data-original-width="5528" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYQ1jteOpUQYSmRy5uvlnNjtLX5UuHFeXhYqs3NqH8won36mI7UlQ7NQnuNqg5VsXkznFVIVrRBnfNeObqOOsq9H5wXyJVCo6puaXPqVw29FxfLbxKoRv_DjeX4ePAtVemrf1QKb7-R-SokGM-1hadmLsgM-Dceo4F0Bnf3gaG5ZRWZX1RxAChwAOYhM/w662-h397/IMG_2977.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Please click here to view more of <a href="https://itstrikesmefunny.blogspot.com/2024/02/more-turtle-tours-2024-1.html">Gord's 'more turtles' videos</a> on YouTube.</div><div><br /></div><div>Visit Gord's YouTube channel @7GHarrison when time allows. <br /><br />Video by GH<br /><br />Photos by GH</div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-56369409921367189682024-02-14T17:15:00.005-05:002024-02-14T17:15:42.037-05:00More Turtle Tours, 2024 (1)<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Why Wait 'Til Spring! </b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitc4HDVYapN6xg4T2r3zePNdDJHV7faYKkgYZWkxJxOJ-Wzyc-tZ9NOX9yIvmfjrCfUrF5Td1uqxViUOf8ppH4nqHgsv5OYAx7s4_77G2MnjMHZnpGfH8FOUfoKro1MHq2hSNC02fTZRfMmDVILKKEaeI4Tjoyih32gRxrTDwaYQ06UDIjeA4-CA6YJyg/s1686/IMG_8028.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1686" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitc4HDVYapN6xg4T2r3zePNdDJHV7faYKkgYZWkxJxOJ-Wzyc-tZ9NOX9yIvmfjrCfUrF5Td1uqxViUOf8ppH4nqHgsv5OYAx7s4_77G2MnjMHZnpGfH8FOUfoKro1MHq2hSNC02fTZRfMmDVILKKEaeI4Tjoyih32gRxrTDwaYQ06UDIjeA4-CA6YJyg/w671-h403/IMG_8028.jpeg" width="671" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Remember me?" From the ever-growing and 'it's taking over'</div><div style="text-align: center;">collection of photographs by GH</div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Introduction:</b></p>Many people have the same problem I do. They take more photos than they can comfortably use/discard/tidy up etc. inside the space of a month or year and one day while browsing or sorting their files they realize there are 10 - 20,000 photographs cluttering up their living space.<br /><br />Oh, what to do!?<div><br /></div><div>Well, if you're like me (easily entertained, or wanting to become a millionaire - hey, anything's possible -by posting fascinating stuff on YouTube), you'll turn photos into fast-paced and highly educational videos.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C-QVRIlqYLn36k_m2mlAqwH6FoMFcDhHd8rlFPPONiwKtNCvC-EWrvsrGvAO6NARK-Jw_L6m9fuyUgHU46HDh2J-fYTX9r9JN5j78TE3i16fsz1DAZIcdFxR9wRdt6KwARTbTgl52Oqd_4zlW7GweUNKhaSZTsV81gFArkfF_ghvehapTWRHqoUP7NE/s5039/IMG_2752.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="5039" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C-QVRIlqYLn36k_m2mlAqwH6FoMFcDhHd8rlFPPONiwKtNCvC-EWrvsrGvAO6NARK-Jw_L6m9fuyUgHU46HDh2J-fYTX9r9JN5j78TE3i16fsz1DAZIcdFxR9wRdt6KwARTbTgl52Oqd_4zlW7GweUNKhaSZTsV81gFArkfF_ghvehapTWRHqoUP7NE/w661-h397/IMG_2752.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"If Gord becomes famous we want our cut!"</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGteM3LNPdi2EXm-a9r0__po_l7jcSN3T3qMyRcoHbWItaNCvn9uL2A1uoeEYs6HeBJOJ8yScky37IQjJYTSPKplCriWLfyyFnsugrHOiSY3Hv4Yo9cMXe2UFLjYUfM9p5Zx8U-THbs6n13nXnVd7I4_zwPX1b_8uMRV1XhHpP7EY0L6C2gS2TB02dzA/s4801/IMG_2808.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="4801" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGteM3LNPdi2EXm-a9r0__po_l7jcSN3T3qMyRcoHbWItaNCvn9uL2A1uoeEYs6HeBJOJ8yScky37IQjJYTSPKplCriWLfyyFnsugrHOiSY3Hv4Yo9cMXe2UFLjYUfM9p5Zx8U-THbs6n13nXnVd7I4_zwPX1b_8uMRV1XhHpP7EY0L6C2gS2TB02dzA/w662-h397/IMG_2808.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"If Gord makes a million I'll sprout wings and fly to Florida!"</div></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, if you have absolutely nothing to do with your time or you're having trouble sleeping, enjoy the latest video featuring the following stills and more! (Oh, there's always more!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieluR_SYnBNeLvBGYYv1XHSRvVMMQbRUM-OmLv5cqvvfTQIWMQSRC7HYjJvTkPzBXTHLYLKrKhWaDFJefmwHIGbpvVMAQMu2-Vu27ktY_E8AWDiag1vPdI_Miwe6tF4JUa7r6oIJ-brgF3gpDhhWP14znGKJcLwHDT_ojPQNnU_w7ZP6lh4LvEU4s4R8/s4849/IMG_2778.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2909" data-original-width="4849" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieluR_SYnBNeLvBGYYv1XHSRvVMMQbRUM-OmLv5cqvvfTQIWMQSRC7HYjJvTkPzBXTHLYLKrKhWaDFJefmwHIGbpvVMAQMu2-Vu27ktY_E8AWDiag1vPdI_Miwe6tF4JUa7r6oIJ-brgF3gpDhhWP14znGKJcLwHDT_ojPQNnU_w7ZP6lh4LvEU4s4R8/w662-h397/IMG_2778.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSvoUAsJJjtSdMCU8CX1uK7Z7B0oHgIo9YxFMlxbTqRyzx4SVscNA1hRBRlhfZb28si0kJItRKEXgWIXNaJG7uGIufCREjq9wiXVaSk-v5hIKtjI0GG8KaW7AzIQTbpHNU8haCNLpTUuHBVPPQubOZefOuAY34Ye7r9so8GdFp7f1pzIrRxAadflg4DE/s4858/IMG_2884.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2915" data-original-width="4858" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSvoUAsJJjtSdMCU8CX1uK7Z7B0oHgIo9YxFMlxbTqRyzx4SVscNA1hRBRlhfZb28si0kJItRKEXgWIXNaJG7uGIufCREjq9wiXVaSk-v5hIKtjI0GG8KaW7AzIQTbpHNU8haCNLpTUuHBVPPQubOZefOuAY34Ye7r9so8GdFp7f1pzIrRxAadflg4DE/w662-h397/IMG_2884.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Please click here to visit the video on YouTube - <a class="style-scope ytcp-video-info" href="https://youtu.be/z6lsxAhaV0k" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/z6lsxAhaV0k</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Video by GH</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Above Photos by GH</div></div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-65204370303866503372024-02-12T18:18:00.000-05:002024-02-12T18:18:30.623-05:00Presentation: HMCS Prevost, London ONT, 2024 (2)<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;">Details Related to an Upcoming Presentation</b></p><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>How Did 950 Canadian Sailors Get Into Combined Ops?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTV5jpOqDRBttrxssMqA9h4I9HYS92hJQJft0nxhJ9vIFUWQi7XzPmCGEiyPlEzFzHxqrI1qfQIGT_IfIs55SobV1FeLk0j-5PUvx0tRcKymUpwbMz6JGLDUlWFTgAZDpLDBzkSmIoVZblThQ6-uuuDrZtuO6Drc82dVbQ70MRzJCKBuvsBwwU6E4aWMM6/s2770/IMG_1562.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2614" data-original-width="2770" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTV5jpOqDRBttrxssMqA9h4I9HYS92hJQJft0nxhJ9vIFUWQi7XzPmCGEiyPlEzFzHxqrI1qfQIGT_IfIs55SobV1FeLk0j-5PUvx0tRcKymUpwbMz6JGLDUlWFTgAZDpLDBzkSmIoVZblThQ6-uuuDrZtuO6Drc82dVbQ70MRzJCKBuvsBwwU6E4aWMM6/w663-h626/IMG_1562.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadians in Combined Ops were transporting Canadian troops and</div><div style="text-align: center;">all materials of war to the toe of the boot when Italy surrendered</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">*. *. *. *. *</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div>After a lengthy introduction, the presentation continues with "early days in training, volunteering for Combined Operations."</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>1. From Hamilton to Halifax to Combined Operations</b><br /><br />Dad, from Norwich ONT, 16 miles south of Woodstock, enlisted in the RCNVR, the Wavy Navy, at Hamilton <i>Division 1,</i> in the <b>Steel City</b> in summer, 1941. </div><div><br /></div><div>He writes:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">June 21, 1941, I went on probationary strength at HMCS <i>Star</i> in Hamilton, corner of McNab and McNutt streets, a building which was at one time a cider mill. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Note:</b> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">No, he didn't.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span>The Navy base became known as HMCS <i>Star </i>on November 1, 1941 about 4 - 5 months after Dad enlisted. However, in his defence, he wrote his memoirs in the 1970s when <i>Star </i>was 30-years old. And he recalls the original location of <i>Division 1</i> and that earlier it had produced cider. </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">By probationary I mean I went nights from 7 to 10 p.m. and took instructions on semaphore, rifle drill, marching, compass work, bends and hitches, knots and splices etc....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Other aspects of his training are listed as well:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Space at H.M.C.S. </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Star</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> was not large enough for all-out training as H.M.C.S. Star is now. Rifle drill, route marches, frog-hopping up hills with 60 pound sacks on our back (frog-hopping is hopping in a squat position), and gunnery under the gunnery officer who always wears black garters (?*). Everything is done on the double. It was a madhouse. They really toughened us up. Hold a Lee Enfield rifle (approximate weight - 12 to 14 pounds) in front of you in one hand and double change to the other hand, over your head, behind your back, then watch black garters walk away and forget all about you and you are still running.</span><br /><br /><span>* black garters? Help! Your combined knowledge is more than I'll ever have.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Comedy too was all part of naval life. We had to scrub and wax and polish the ward room floor, and after waxing we put a rating in a clean pair of overalls onto the floor and dragged him by his arms and ankles to polish it. Needless to say, corners were tough on his head.</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">You might ask, if you know where Dad's hometown of Norwich is, why would he enlist in Hamilton and not London, which is closer.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I think I have the answer:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />I lived with my late sister Gertrude (also an older sister) on Bay St., Hamilton. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">During the day I was employed at James St. North Hamilton Cotton Mills where I progressed from one job to another very rapidly.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, Dad likely found it easier to live in Hamilton, not too far north of the navy base, where he could work at a nearby cotton mill to help pay room and board. And some of his details about that reveal a bit about his view of those in authority, resulting in one of the best run-on sentences I've ever run across:</span></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I worked at Locke St. potteries before going to the cotton mills. I quit my job at potteries because of a small misdemeanor of taking a smoke. I was called to the office and reprimanded but the foreman wanted me to stay on, but when I quit, I quit, and he knew where he could stuff his clay... </span><span>(oh, dad's not done)</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> ...which was formed and molded, then enamelled and heated at high heat for use as electric fence insulators, toilet and sink bowls and for electric stove elements.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGennkIk8fDfMh5PzclPt__z2a8plPLLXWVuxkt3osQsvGyqVMDtaamE5qSRwrs8NY7BACwELozAQK3FFvmteMroDIrpzMW9O40ud7SgR5XOQfcNGNRy9zcn_JL9-_ipnonUMgQlW8OCldlnRKNa7fBGAOvzdHAGU1l23NbinJgXBPFLB23Q-Cu-2gakaL/s1440/cotton_factory-2012-1440x955.webp"><img border="0" height="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGennkIk8fDfMh5PzclPt__z2a8plPLLXWVuxkt3osQsvGyqVMDtaamE5qSRwrs8NY7BACwELozAQK3FFvmteMroDIrpzMW9O40ud7SgR5XOQfcNGNRy9zcn_JL9-_ipnonUMgQlW8OCldlnRKNa7fBGAOvzdHAGU1l23NbinJgXBPFLB23Q-Cu-2gakaL/w663-h439/cotton_factory-2012-1440x955.webp" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A former cotton factory became <a href="https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/how-a-former-cotton-factory-became-a-creative-hub-in-hamilton-ont/">a creative hub in Hamilton</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">When eight weeks of training were over we were shipped to Halifax, but not before the 80 of us, led by our mascot (a huge Great Dane led by Scotty Wales who was under punishment) and headed by a band, did a route march through Hamilton in early evening. We really were proud and put on a display of marching never seen before or since in Hamilton.</span></div><div><br /><b>Photo</b> - marching in Hamilton</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx9nmeDFBkwziPnDzslvjNvEDetHc93lhyphenhyphen6SvSCP2A_wBZ_MJzGYiGd7J-pRfSO_wFHUjlCh_-oOj8qsr7llv9MwsiZp90Fzg291CHvOBuRMfM-S0cwC9sX1THNUdrq9wVhX9b3gIp5QFP41MQ02s9rP0z9mCVEO2IBMhTUqGUm9O5hwZR8yEQbw5Q0cn/s1276/IMG_1289.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="1276" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx9nmeDFBkwziPnDzslvjNvEDetHc93lhyphenhyphen6SvSCP2A_wBZ_MJzGYiGd7J-pRfSO_wFHUjlCh_-oOj8qsr7llv9MwsiZp90Fzg291CHvOBuRMfM-S0cwC9sX1THNUdrq9wVhX9b3gIp5QFP41MQ02s9rP0z9mCVEO2IBMhTUqGUm9O5hwZR8yEQbw5Q0cn/w767-h345/IMG_1289.jpeg" width="767" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From Dad's collection, perhaps taken by his sister Gertie</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Shoulders square, arms swinging shoulder high, thousands watched and we were roundly cheered and applauded. This was a proud moment long-remembered, but soon we were bound for Halifax after a goodbye to Mum and family. Again I say we were a proud division and our training was to stand us in good stead in Halifax. Because if Hamilton was tough, it couldn’t hold a candle to Halifax.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnvtY2pjPM1YY_XFSS344DN6WPeR92tR2GiE50fTQ2UIfbmeJvYCk0yK6ik5ICEG2HMcjgxTX2trOqisVidn3j1HraxbNVich7KVhs5F6P_-LqUnSaioEdwhGuiCCdubbXXnHITV2RqNH2Vd73Qqt_4V2wiCHNsEFeBvV9FBILKIsQKz7EXanZ2GReHH2/s894/offgrass2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="894" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnvtY2pjPM1YY_XFSS344DN6WPeR92tR2GiE50fTQ2UIfbmeJvYCk0yK6ik5ICEG2HMcjgxTX2trOqisVidn3j1HraxbNVich7KVhs5F6P_-LqUnSaioEdwhGuiCCdubbXXnHITV2RqNH2Vd73Qqt_4V2wiCHNsEFeBvV9FBILKIsQKz7EXanZ2GReHH2/w666-h322/offgrass2.jpg" width="666" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyndkR7FZythSNktw8vCP4ekv69UtRsU3K_L5x4ckny1Y0PNllFF7LcWxLnR5gZEM4hXIrboFTL4_It-T9P326Z5Z28oXKIUc_liMHHW0itA7eKkXmfq74m2O15eui6ruqai7zQY0JKbGkrS4dQ6JrxiJfzjL0SRBB3vaOaCBNHr5Pe3wL5KYkuBya3TP8/s500/offgrass1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="664" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyndkR7FZythSNktw8vCP4ekv69UtRsU3K_L5x4ckny1Y0PNllFF7LcWxLnR5gZEM4hXIrboFTL4_It-T9P326Z5Z28oXKIUc_liMHHW0itA7eKkXmfq74m2O15eui6ruqai7zQY0JKbGkrS4dQ6JrxiJfzjL0SRBB3vaOaCBNHr5Pe3wL5KYkuBya3TP8/w664-h664/offgrass1.jpg" width="664" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Definitely <b>NOT the warmest welcome</b> from some <b>Haligonians</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div>Dad mentioned a few details about the training:</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Training was very severe in Halifax. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Can you imagine running outside in temperatures in the low twenties in T-shirts and shorts? We did, morning after morning.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVCOXly0ux4-916vX7HUTNeFiXZAzgKXbbPhSpoFQjYdZwh872WkK0C4ettQA-iU_V0ezQ_-RfOkcLI8pCRnEeRvHHsr5Hpwh3h33D0PtrY031YDnE2cGJXjhlNMToLPl9WFCtyHafslPcymMO23IjE29rzvpewsHqJ7XLPH-dcYmxn-OAdFtXfu5qiM3/s3272/IMG_1855.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2485" data-original-width="3272" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVCOXly0ux4-916vX7HUTNeFiXZAzgKXbbPhSpoFQjYdZwh872WkK0C4ettQA-iU_V0ezQ_-RfOkcLI8pCRnEeRvHHsr5Hpwh3h33D0PtrY031YDnE2cGJXjhlNMToLPl9WFCtyHafslPcymMO23IjE29rzvpewsHqJ7XLPH-dcYmxn-OAdFtXfu5qiM3/w664-h504/IMG_1855.jpeg" width="664" /></a></div>My father was a good runner so this might not have been too tough</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze4k4tn8jJVft20SG5RozzdGc4m0JG8Up7qKNuFKuT1N4RfPAVvUPFoQ15sZSkj5I6Qr-9q8O1VJz9_PsMx-csXM-b6L_985RSsJZdq5hT_VritNIHiX04MKetW-d2v_SBHUjBGJfwUvB5tlUvXogAc3pA-Q2VrfltPVtWhkSpd47MaZYqF2LOfZ0hjd9/s2769/IMG_1859.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2769" data-original-width="2769" height="662" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze4k4tn8jJVft20SG5RozzdGc4m0JG8Up7qKNuFKuT1N4RfPAVvUPFoQ15sZSkj5I6Qr-9q8O1VJz9_PsMx-csXM-b6L_985RSsJZdq5hT_VritNIHiX04MKetW-d2v_SBHUjBGJfwUvB5tlUvXogAc3pA-Q2VrfltPVtWhkSpd47MaZYqF2LOfZ0hjd9/w662-h662/IMG_1859.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"At Nelson Barracks, Halifax... an enjoyable hour of rope climbing?" <b>Sarcasm??</b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Photos from <b>Sailor Remember </b>by William Pugsley, RCNVR</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaud2WSx-YwUGg-E3Ji_E_6JxqAa5WX0zuFZqMnywFO2UpfcrER0DtfJM4nGx4vfbs5a4zJ2ugjUWQZxFJSySgX8Y1KzkNien6dJffBtUaCimjJmhyyL3vtQVmMOxoAJw2KVO7pQhERAmPd_VdJVLWhFxNFF_N25X8QDaLWdLZY-syDvdyGBzx0kweiWw/s1685/IMG_5862.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1685" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaud2WSx-YwUGg-E3Ji_E_6JxqAa5WX0zuFZqMnywFO2UpfcrER0DtfJM4nGx4vfbs5a4zJ2ugjUWQZxFJSySgX8Y1KzkNien6dJffBtUaCimjJmhyyL3vtQVmMOxoAJw2KVO7pQhERAmPd_VdJVLWhFxNFF_N25X8QDaLWdLZY-syDvdyGBzx0kweiWw/w663-h452/IMG_5862.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLomPNspzosuEUtsmrFRd9e3eixifymYdn58Ihfju8zIT2JFYx3VL3McZxDHsr9tw8xum4jRsmv6EHx8fC071U84aRnNEO6Yu2vJcfGatUJnve1NJZAJ1u1jCM-FuVeiqtxjEEr7n1kDjFmakkBo-PwJWFZ1Wez1wio4wtZTJ2CAdO6JLrTdqvZL57-Uhk/s1869/IMG_5866.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="1869" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLomPNspzosuEUtsmrFRd9e3eixifymYdn58Ihfju8zIT2JFYx3VL3McZxDHsr9tw8xum4jRsmv6EHx8fC071U84aRnNEO6Yu2vJcfGatUJnve1NJZAJ1u1jCM-FuVeiqtxjEEr7n1kDjFmakkBo-PwJWFZ1Wez1wio4wtZTJ2CAdO6JLrTdqvZL57-Uhk/w661-h448/IMG_5866.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Dad continues, related to the running:</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">O/D Seaman Ward of Niagara Falls was very heavy so he jumped on the street car and then met us at <i>Stadacona’s</i> gate and fell in at the rear. Never ran a step, still, no one ever squealed on him.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdekStHbBrm3n82OCmzNR2JKu1TBx-9oCnU9yYPx6ORB6NlFukD8wd2O_I8GR2zV5CgXiGPIBkY6yGW7M-phRvsKpd4xNaeuSWf4bEhAT5kMSuGhCaFxK7Y7fhIOui44Ytw3LV5Ddb_OZyuJVaQnD-PoYva_LL5kf8cUeOfJfqk5xOAIsECKGt0DVh_v4z/s3218/1941%20-%20Joe%20Spencer%20copy%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2039" data-original-width="3218" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdekStHbBrm3n82OCmzNR2JKu1TBx-9oCnU9yYPx6ORB6NlFukD8wd2O_I8GR2zV5CgXiGPIBkY6yGW7M-phRvsKpd4xNaeuSWf4bEhAT5kMSuGhCaFxK7Y7fhIOui44Ytw3LV5Ddb_OZyuJVaQnD-PoYva_LL5kf8cUeOfJfqk5xOAIsECKGt0DVh_v4z/w662-h420/1941%20-%20Joe%20Spencer%20copy%204.JPG" width="662" /></a></div>Challenge: Where's Waldo i.e., <b>Ray Ward</b> of Niagara Falls? Right</div><div style="text-align: center;">beside his friend Jim Cole. They appear together in another photo too.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Top row, on left... four of Dad's best mates - Joe, Chuck, Art, Joe</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XMHxzsQ2nwaavUUH8pI3tL9xVhR0nfkv_bE4HGsWDmBlyOswKqRuXyiQG8wEUvPzyV2Jy9__hcGQy8G70GkTQd9sdibGDYVQwqYRQy9Bm52AE1tJr29vcVx6J0-xysVyOfPYOEpKqesTTl3wg1fPb0B2xQCdV95dDmno1v1YRbWPBHbfZV5rGAo20j2F/s2657/Quebec%20Ray%20and%20Jim%201942%20copy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2657" data-original-width="2072" height="846" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XMHxzsQ2nwaavUUH8pI3tL9xVhR0nfkv_bE4HGsWDmBlyOswKqRuXyiQG8wEUvPzyV2Jy9__hcGQy8G70GkTQd9sdibGDYVQwqYRQy9Bm52AE1tJr29vcVx6J0-xysVyOfPYOEpKqesTTl3wg1fPb0B2xQCdV95dDmno1v1YRbWPBHbfZV5rGAo20j2F/w661-h846/Quebec%20Ray%20and%20Jim%201942%20copy.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Quebec, Ray and Jim 1942"</b> from the collection of Joe Spencer, RCNVR.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Has Ray slimmed up a bit? Photos sent to me Gary Spencer, Brighton, ONT</div><div style="text-align: center;">More information re "<b>HMS</b> <b>Quebec" (Scotland)</b> in just a few minutes<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's how the new recruits handled one particular tough situation in Halifax in late 1941:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We went six weeks before being allowed to <b>go ashore</b> and that also was ruined by a seaman known only as Thibodeau. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was initially confused by what <b>"go ashore"</b> meant. Dad was at a Navy base, not on a ship - but I slowly learned that to leave the boundaries of <i>Stadacona </i>or any land establishment was considered <b>"going ashore"</b> as if from a ship. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: arial;">The division was really angry (because) </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Thibodeau</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> dropped a pint of milk out of a window nearly hitting the Officer of the day making his evening rounds to see if everything was clean. Our leave was cancelled indefinitely. We went to our Leading Seaman Instructor, L/Seaman Rose but he said he couldn’t help us, but we probably wouldn’t be seen if we ourselves took a course of action. Into the cold showers went O/D </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Thibodeau</b><span style="font-family: arial;">, clothes and all, as if the barracks weren’t cold enough for him already. He was on good behaviour from then on and we soon got permission for a few hours leave every other night.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">** <b>Thibodeau </b>does not show up in any other stories or photos, even group shots<br /><br />Here's the toughest situation my father recounts, toughest especially for me!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">My girlfriend and my mother sent me a <b>Rolex Oyster wrist watch</b> for Christmas. I put it on and went to the washroom for a shave and wash, took off the watch, forgot it, and never saw it again. I probably had the watch for about half an hour. I told my mother I smashed it during rifle drill. “And it took us weeks to pay for it!!” said Ma.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I found a 1940s newspaper ad for the <b>Rolex Oyster watch, $69.95,</b> a lot of money in those days. But when I watch <b>Antiques Roadshow</b> and hear about their value today... that's tough to bear.</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>More details/stories about the training of young recruits in Halifax comes from <b>Lloyd Evans</b>, also a member of RCNVR and Combined Operations during WWII:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-IQLeTWw7-4F4Riv34JNMC6QAZ0ZXP1dXS_yDvXkTtLzmgnM2ViW5fE2Hsmcbfmnc7o2Ep45sVGhYIw1jpyEFeQHbPjk9RMmwsE4oQtSNi5r00zhjzfQTpdvJ9LAkgzOh_Rme60o7kDRwetJ79gjRjvalqNVFJqQleSoQEvSuzPgdrZLLo484NYjdpgI/s3009/1%20copy%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1818" data-original-width="3009" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-IQLeTWw7-4F4Riv34JNMC6QAZ0ZXP1dXS_yDvXkTtLzmgnM2ViW5fE2Hsmcbfmnc7o2Ep45sVGhYIw1jpyEFeQHbPjk9RMmwsE4oQtSNi5r00zhjzfQTpdvJ9LAkgzOh_Rme60o7kDRwetJ79gjRjvalqNVFJqQleSoQEvSuzPgdrZLLo484NYjdpgI/w661-h398/1%20copy%202.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lloyd, back row, part of the 2nd Canadian division to volunteer</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">for Combined Ops in late 1942. A few other faces are familiar too</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo is from the Lloyd Evan's collection, given me by his son Steven.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lloyd writes the following:</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The new entry training (<b>in Halifax</b>) was at the ex-army <b>Wellington Barracks</b> (then C Block of HMCS <i>Stadacona</i>). The training consisted of knots and splices, rifle drill, semaphore, Morse code, ship and aircraft recognition, gunnery drill and parade drill. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The highlight of the training was a one-day trip to sea on a Minesweeper for gunnery practice. The whole ship rattled and shook when the 4-inch gun went off. It wasn't all fun - one of our boys was so seasick he pleaded to be thrown over the side! I heard later that he was posted to sea and was just as sick and still pleading to be thrown overboard. He finally got his wish when his ship was hit by a torpedo!</span><br /><br />Concerning Naval training in 1941, Hamilton was tough, Halifax was tougher but it would "stand many a young recruit in good stead", especially the 950 - 1,000 sailors (approx.) who were soon training overseas with, and like commandos, in far off corners of NW Scotland, amongst other locations in the United Kingdom, as members of <b>Combined Operations</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, how did Dad and his mates <b>get into Combined Ops?</b></div><div><br />On page 7 in <b>"Dad Well Done"</b> my father writes:</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">One day (in Halifax, in November 1941) we heard a mess deck buzz or rumour that the navy was looking for volunteers for special duties overseas, with nine days leave thrown in. Many from the Effingham Division, including myself, once again volunteered. (Will I ever quit volunteering?) The buzz turned out to be true and we came home on leave, which involved three days coming home on a train, three days at home and three days on the train going back.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68Bsytin9U36GclmwZWcuzgQwObOt6JUIpiq6ePl3bUnZYCecplWcn05u5E9PCFa2d_fVfF-2j8ZZ_sqpvRD22q-P5j7f-EcfHoMi-5h6zyZKzJRTiLu9RjLm_oeBf4ioJG2iJzPZj-jCW8CZ-NNq1KdyMn8yxgdk5BKIQAN3Drd97GwOmvJAjpY_soT1/s3255/1941%20Halifax%20Effingham%20Division%20-Joe%20Spencer%20copy%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2088" data-original-width="3255" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68Bsytin9U36GclmwZWcuzgQwObOt6JUIpiq6ePl3bUnZYCecplWcn05u5E9PCFa2d_fVfF-2j8ZZ_sqpvRD22q-P5j7f-EcfHoMi-5h6zyZKzJRTiLu9RjLm_oeBf4ioJG2iJzPZj-jCW8CZ-NNq1KdyMn8yxgdk5BKIQAN3Drd97GwOmvJAjpY_soT1/w663-h425/1941%20Halifax%20Effingham%20Division%20-Joe%20Spencer%20copy%204.JPG" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Effingham Division,</b> the first group from Canada to volunteer for Combined Ops</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Dad, front; Ray Ward</b>, 2nd row. Then <b>Richard Cavanaugh</b> with <b>WHITE X</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>My father shared a bit more information in a newspaper column in the 1990s:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Upon completion of our course rumours came to our ears about overseas duty. Our commanding officer confirmed the rumours and said a request had been made by England’s Royal Navy for Canadian Navy volunteers for hazardous duty overseas. We were given a few days to make a decision....<br /><br />We had come to know each other very well over a period of six months, and were swayed greatly by the fact that it seemed an excellent way to stay together. So, come what may, we volunteered for the unknown, almost to a man.</span><br /><div><br />Lloyd Evans writes:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">At the end of the training period, the Navy asked for volunteers for a secret mission overseas. Most of our division volunteered, along with several navy motor mechanics and two leading PT instructors. We were given two weeks overseas leave and I spent New Year's day of 1942 on the train bound for Ottawa. These were uncertain times and I knew that this might be my last home visit for a long time. However, I was excited at the adventure of it all without having any understanding of the risks and dangers.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwbzPVKrtlMx6XMaZKczkYd_ouIr__Oy63hwgqaiLtZW5XjglRpHi9hDXU34UFL8MOS26yXYhFqqjMgIcWT31L9WpxMtVZRVXAh4uJAVuVIqJrwvOnSvw4L21L7oKYT96DgqYIHmS_pVxrk8NxnBcLt7jcoUalz2rLVBtdZIXb8UkBIHtZH5yg7RANWuK/s1319/144.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="925" height="944" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwbzPVKrtlMx6XMaZKczkYd_ouIr__Oy63hwgqaiLtZW5XjglRpHi9hDXU34UFL8MOS26yXYhFqqjMgIcWT31L9WpxMtVZRVXAh4uJAVuVIqJrwvOnSvw4L21L7oKYT96DgqYIHmS_pVxrk8NxnBcLt7jcoUalz2rLVBtdZIXb8UkBIHtZH5yg7RANWuK/w661-h944/144.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div>Lloyd and Don W., back row. Don Linder, Dad, front row.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pre-Dieppe, June 1942? </b>Photo - Lloyd Evans. <br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Al Kirby, from Woodstock Ontario, later in life the president of the Woodstock Navy Club, wrote the following:<br /><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">In December of 1941, I was finishing my Seaman Torpedo Course at the Torpedo School in Halifax Dockyard, when I saw on the bulletin board, a notice asking for volunteers to go to England to train with the Royal Navy for hazardous duties on small craft. I immediately thought "MTBs" (Motorized Torpedo Boats). Now that sounded very exciting to a 17 year old RCN Boy Seaman, so I reported to the R.P.O. and applied. The only qualification was that you be single and warm.</span><div><br /></div><div>About this time my father said:</div><div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">After returning from leave we were put aboard a large passenger liner, <i>Queen of Bermuda</i>, which went aground going astern as we left harbour and couldn’t be moved. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I looked in copies of the Halifax Chronicle for any news item about the <i>Queen of Bermuda</i>, but found nothing except weather reports... re a nasty storm and lots of snow. However, I have since learned they <b>crashed near Chebucto Head</b>, which has been home to four lighthouses since 1872. The 2nd lighthouse was torn down in 1940 to make way for a gun battery. <b>So it might have been dark out there</b> the night the <i>Bermuda</i> ran aground.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGomhHEA88FNXYk0rGGAi279d-AkZmFuaIUB4v3bjuZxTr8P0NiOUHNyTDmiPQhD2j4NdBfJ02OZbhYgMziEdNZiobFhbCURabbtYXNcuit_FmbWiffTszing06Z8Bi1B0VwWCWQ3ua3N1_xiVHy4sKT6SGDQp-iPPdf_zd0i3WTNJqv5GzhUeVTvC0rmP/s799/normal_Chebucto_Head,7E1.jpg.pagespeed.ce.MYwnXM-bHG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="799" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGomhHEA88FNXYk0rGGAi279d-AkZmFuaIUB4v3bjuZxTr8P0NiOUHNyTDmiPQhD2j4NdBfJ02OZbhYgMziEdNZiobFhbCURabbtYXNcuit_FmbWiffTszing06Z8Bi1B0VwWCWQ3ua3N1_xiVHy4sKT6SGDQp-iPPdf_zd0i3WTNJqv5GzhUeVTvC0rmP/w663-h441/normal_Chebucto_Head,7E1.jpg.pagespeed.ce.MYwnXM-bHG.jpg" width="663" /></a></div>LightPhotos.Net <b>"NORMAL CHEBUCTO HEAD" </b>Maybe the</div><div style="text-align: center;">night of the snow storm could be described as not normal<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dad added:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We bailed water all night with pails - and on a huge ship like that - it was like emptying a pail of sand one grain at a time. (Which is <b>not normal!</b>) However, we were transferred to a Dutch ship called the <i>Volendam</i>, (</span><span style="font-family: arial;">several days later)</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> with a large number of Air Force men. This was to be an eventful trip.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And he was <b>definitely right</b> about that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAti7QoUW1QjOKSUz9LtQSL1QNAXFnEruXKb2Qq7Obbqp1ILQM5DeSe01W13t-M8jKYwb7VYrYrVVr5g1iJewpwSGizhqbJRGwmdeKFWS2X0WCIT1RFE3YRqg5Q-KET-tKArM8H-Ir5lbCHvupxS1-JnCpg-nbemIbBhbardJPCLrh52P_LUln_ytA9S2O/s752/volendam%20(SS)%20(1922-1952)%20DI2013.594.1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="752" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAti7QoUW1QjOKSUz9LtQSL1QNAXFnEruXKb2Qq7Obbqp1ILQM5DeSe01W13t-M8jKYwb7VYrYrVVr5g1iJewpwSGizhqbJRGwmdeKFWS2X0WCIT1RFE3YRqg5Q-KET-tKArM8H-Ir5lbCHvupxS1-JnCpg-nbemIbBhbardJPCLrh52P_LUln_ytA9S2O/w662-h391/volendam%20(SS)%20(1922-1952)%20DI2013.594.1.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As found at Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Several sailors write about the trip</b> because it was <b>their first big trip</b> aboard a passenger or cargo liner into very dangerous waters across the Atlantic Ocean. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'll just list a few things my father recalls:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">The convoy consisted of a destroyer H.M.S. </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Firedrake</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, armed merchant ship </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><b>Jervis Bay</b></i><span style="font-family: arial;"> (sister ship of the famed <b>Burgess Bay</b> who held off a large German man o’ war until the remainder of its convoy could escape, costing her her life and all aboard) and an American four-stacker loaned by the USA to England.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">(We know, of course, the convoy consisted of many other ships carrying troops and supplies, but Dad recalls only those with arms, for protection of the convoy and the one lost protecting a convoy.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Dutch captain lined us all up and assured us we would arrive safely because the Volendam had already taken three torpedoes and lived to sail. This was <b>very heartening news</b> for those of us who had never been to sea except for a few hours in Halifax upon a mine-sweeper. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Wait! "<b>Heartening news</b>?" "(?) I feel better now (?) after hearing about the torpedos that hit this ship I'm on?" I feel different about that... so maybe I'm not cut out to be in the Navy. "I'll stick to research!")</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dad remembers this:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Our first meal was sausage with lots of grease. Naturally, many were sick as it was very rough.</span><br /><br />And:</div><div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Late at night I was on watch at our stern and saw a <b>red plume of an explosion</b> on our starboard quarter. In the morning <b>the American four-stacker</b> was not to be seen. The next evening I heard <b>cries for help</b>, presumably from a life-raft or life-boat. Although I informed the officer of the watch, we were unable to stop and place ourselves in jeopardy as we only had the <i><b>Firedrake</b> </i>with ASDIC (sonar) to get us through safely.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">After some days we spotted a light on our port stern quarter one night. It was the light of the conning tower of a German submarine. How she failed to detect us, or the <b><i>Firedrake</i></b> detect it, I will never know. I was gun layer and nearly fell off the gun (4.7 gauge). I informed the Bridge and the Captain said, “Don’t shoot. Don’t shoot. It could be one of ours.” But as it quickly submerged we did fire one round to buck up our courage.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Some days later we spotted a friendly flying Sunderland and shortly after sailed up the Firth of Clyde to disembark at the Canadian barracks called <i>Niobe</i>. Before we disembarked, however, we took up a good - sized collection </span><span style="font-family: arial;">for the crew of the Firedrake for bringing us through. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>**Pass Dad's hat!!</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTW8IpW_CMJi3lDKb8zmK3zskhTQFnN7f9DLBVK4ZzCDQ1x1auMTHF3rhC5o_VP5Qrl27DsnrjXd68u-jB52jCjq_s1S7y6vtv_VHY1Gp1jGku94IaQP5phU06lsPki-P1wq1GOL1aW3ZQtvuyn3DqNR_g27o4elD4wOaUNb8_XWeSwgMNOtAdHm-euXR/s1310/IMG_8455.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="1287" height="672" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTW8IpW_CMJi3lDKb8zmK3zskhTQFnN7f9DLBVK4ZzCDQ1x1auMTHF3rhC5o_VP5Qrl27DsnrjXd68u-jB52jCjq_s1S7y6vtv_VHY1Gp1jGku94IaQP5phU06lsPki-P1wq1GOL1aW3ZQtvuyn3DqNR_g27o4elD4wOaUNb8_XWeSwgMNOtAdHm-euXR/w659-h672/IMG_8455.jpeg" width="659" /></a></div>Note to Self: Pass the hat ; )<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">It was soon confirmed that the American four-stacker (<b>mentioned earlier</b>) had taken a fish (or a...torpedo).</span><br /><br />Anything mentioned that might wake him up at night when he was in his fifties? The screams? The tin fish?<br /><br />One item not mentioned is how many Canadian sailors in Combined Operations were aboard the <i>Volendam.</i><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>By The Numbers:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>During WWII, about 100,000 Canadians enlisted in the RCN, most into the RCNVR (almost 95,000 or 95%, and listed in navy records as <b>HO, Hostilities Only</b>), and of that whole number (!) only 950 - 1,000 went into Combined Ops. That’s just 1%. And of that 1,000, about 100 left Canada aboard the <i>Volendam </i>after Christmas in 1941.</div><div><div> </div><div><b>Photo</b> - Navy records, <b>HO, Hostilities Only</b> </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmflLknWjrxU0MapWZjKE9Zmy6pUTeXIWGYQx5AH5sUJYKF-QWt-SEFSlG5ycVWf9V2SsyO1Yw13YiFUpEw9W0Zb0dzrs6ZUfavQvEYUxsga674bXuNjOU9zUPOD78ws7n19u4yTKIebAYJHu8hvr39l3Uxu7ncszGRW0y0-56BpYp3PBkwmbql77f3KW/s1799/IMG_5725.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1799" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmflLknWjrxU0MapWZjKE9Zmy6pUTeXIWGYQx5AH5sUJYKF-QWt-SEFSlG5ycVWf9V2SsyO1Yw13YiFUpEw9W0Zb0dzrs6ZUfavQvEYUxsga674bXuNjOU9zUPOD78ws7n19u4yTKIebAYJHu8hvr39l3Uxu7ncszGRW0y0-56BpYp3PBkwmbql77f3KW/w664-h278/IMG_5725.jpeg" width="664" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>99% of the Wavy Navy did what? Served on Destroyers, Minesweepers, Corvettes, Fairmiles... land establishments... coastal patrol... aboard navy planes... I don't know. I don't study that. I study the 1%, Canadians who - because they were still warm - volunteered for Combined Operations.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because he volunteered for Comb. Ops a few oddities show up on dad's Navy records:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8vxOJXt16S_wskg71nq8ZHh1pWb4empndPfXGTGaRc84WxtfXjdTtWUvzvr9R456l971wwBqZM573OFdwXicDoH0Qq2SB0WrBsXniGxk6KAHTVONaQPgtoJcmz_acQYnV8FGeB80YS44JUdKNiGgPFYRQ6cQ-GRl0cHu8uNkMCNVZZapgHMHTJGe3UdY/s1742/IMG_2262.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1460" data-original-width="1742" height="555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8vxOJXt16S_wskg71nq8ZHh1pWb4empndPfXGTGaRc84WxtfXjdTtWUvzvr9R456l971wwBqZM573OFdwXicDoH0Qq2SB0WrBsXniGxk6KAHTVONaQPgtoJcmz_acQYnV8FGeB80YS44JUdKNiGgPFYRQ6cQ-GRl0cHu8uNkMCNVZZapgHMHTJGe3UdY/w663-h555/IMG_2262.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another indication he was in C. Ops was a wee scribble - "C.O. - Tmpy"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Upon his return to Canada in Dec. 1943 and landing back at HMCS <i>Stadacona</i> he writes:</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We met a lot of sailors, who were shortly to go through what we went through already (i.e., Dieppe Raid, invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Italy), and they called themselves commandos. They were sure in for a rude awakening. We were never called commandos, only combined operations ratings, or CO ratings, and we were the first from Canada to go overseas.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div>Now, "the first from Canada to go overseas" means "the first to go as RCNVR and CO volunteers." Their training, their role… seemed a big deal. Dad seems to be proud of his service here. “We were the first to go!” And though he says, "We were never called commandos," I've learned he and his mates trained with commandos, and trained like commando units. And Dad's division was in fact the first to do so in Canada.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>And this is what I know. My father, part of the 1%, crewed landing crafts, LCAs (landing craft assault, troop transport mainly, 36 men), LCMs (men and all materials of war that would fit on it, e.g., ammunition, food, fuel, e.g., Jerry cans, and small vehicles, small guns on wheels, lorries - some already loaded with supplies, more food, more fuel, machinery parts, Navy rum* with an astericks....</div></div><div>and when he and his mates arrived in the U.K., e.g., Greenock, Scotland they did not have one clue about anything that was to come.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last photo of part 2:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WNxJBWZ3QVBZBmz0RLEOYfKK18gbXSb0OPsve76LmAkWD3vv7LDXHAerTCSiN7oBvNJYfg5ZAGR5UWyRKdwBI6A9lF2x4FAaRRoZB0okUR3NuySD3CtRtRXSGNTUDImcdUhFaCUvS6GyDTMJiH471l3esUZiZUt2BFzQ0ANuvI4DOSFMhbreYpADfCwY/s2582/Grenock%20central%20station%20Glasgow%201942%20Chuchk%20Rose%20copy%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2582" data-original-width="1530" height="1115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WNxJBWZ3QVBZBmz0RLEOYfKK18gbXSb0OPsve76LmAkWD3vv7LDXHAerTCSiN7oBvNJYfg5ZAGR5UWyRKdwBI6A9lF2x4FAaRRoZB0okUR3NuySD3CtRtRXSGNTUDImcdUhFaCUvS6GyDTMJiH471l3esUZiZUt2BFzQ0ANuvI4DOSFMhbreYpADfCwY/w662-h1115/Grenock%20central%20station%20Glasgow%201942%20Chuchk%20Rose%20copy%202.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Greenock Central (Train) Station, Glasgow. Chuck Rose 1942</div><div style="text-align: center;">Used with permission, from Joe Spencer's collection</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>1%. That’s rubbed off on me. Small numbers = Rare. Hardly enough to make waves!! But, they had front row seats to raids, invasions, from St. Nazaire and Dieppe and North Africa (TORCH) in 1942; to invasions of Sicily (HUSKY) and Italy (BAYTOWN and AVALANCHE) in 1943.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later groups of Canadians took part at Normandy (NEPTUNE and OVERLORD) in 1944. A handful trained others in combined operations on Vancouver Island in 1944 - 45. Doubly rare.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>More to follow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unattributed Photos GH</div></div></div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-829775197873222962024-01-30T17:38:00.001-05:002024-02-12T18:19:45.942-05:00Presentation: HMCS Prevost, London ONT, 2024 (1)<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;">"Dad's Navy Days" and Canadians in Combined Operations</b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>HMCS Prevost, Downtown London, 2024 (1930hrs sharp!)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoY25ZNzynHcecG0m0rzI5RrlxDiXWaBk8MFwjKcEOfto2y2smd0S4EBqucsJ8AOHmCYhmq514_w4jZ-uoufO3Ljq9KYKl4GtSokokN2sJrMQVgDkPx5S2YUMfbLSauk2qpM-0zUdUVzEX-32wGT8DfVJkF47CnVQ2zcEQvV8zocdHGLf5Cn9cnJOT_Em/s588/IMG_5754.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="588" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoY25ZNzynHcecG0m0rzI5RrlxDiXWaBk8MFwjKcEOfto2y2smd0S4EBqucsJ8AOHmCYhmq514_w4jZ-uoufO3Ljq9KYKl4GtSokokN2sJrMQVgDkPx5S2YUMfbLSauk2qpM-0zUdUVzEX-32wGT8DfVJkF47CnVQ2zcEQvV8zocdHGLf5Cn9cnJOT_Em/w662-h486/IMG_5754.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Doug Harrison's World War 2 Medals</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kI9q-RtrQQZ9Fu4DNxTNHsTFJFv-3gelN2ZBBcf0jK1Vy0rSFT7pAmCq9ra6vc8b04pfRuo7vnlRbVLJs2kCjtW3G3er_28GleUhsnp0LzRxlllR7l4NFq7ijva_OafxnBA1Cod9dXgB6qJgtwaNY2rfPHnTCEXsG_UN3Z77thYSacIIFtcVwpOfbhLK/s1476/IMG_2240.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1476" height="658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kI9q-RtrQQZ9Fu4DNxTNHsTFJFv-3gelN2ZBBcf0jK1Vy0rSFT7pAmCq9ra6vc8b04pfRuo7vnlRbVLJs2kCjtW3G3er_28GleUhsnp0LzRxlllR7l4NFq7ijva_OafxnBA1Cod9dXgB6qJgtwaNY2rfPHnTCEXsG_UN3Z77thYSacIIFtcVwpOfbhLK/w662-h658/IMG_2240.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Combined Operations insignia, gun pointing left</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />A personal challenge to consider -<br /><br />Paint a good picture, tell a good story or two re Canadian sailors, members of the RCNVR, who also volunteered for a British organization called Combined Operations, or Combined Operations Command during WWII. I think I can do that w my Dad’s memoirs, news articles from the Norwich Gazette, a book from London, ONT, Lloyd Evans' memoirs, along with an extremely rare map from Sicily, and more.<div><br /></div><div>Gord, be aware, it can get confusing because there were many military events or exercises called combined operations, e.g., Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily beginning July 10, 1943 (80 years ago last summer) during which Canadians in Combined Operations (the organization) took part, including my father and a small handful of sailors - a few from London ONT.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Photo</b> of Map of Sicily from <b><u>Combined Operations</u></b>, a book by Londoner Clayton Marks</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE5lg5yyOitHQnKsN1w1y7VY7iD4Pye1EmNgiykdf-j8DndV-xzguWWZnQMAuqQBjI_FAL_L2kI8qMQIftPKtFErWOWHglpHbiDlg0Uhzn-_IULrrfLRYCSawxW8Pv9iQ3pK2Gycmx1f-chZEht-GXsrBzwNeOS8nJlmSgcNCYoY9D7rb5Ts_SfiIn9mA/s1871/IMG_3795.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1871" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE5lg5yyOitHQnKsN1w1y7VY7iD4Pye1EmNgiykdf-j8DndV-xzguWWZnQMAuqQBjI_FAL_L2kI8qMQIftPKtFErWOWHglpHbiDlg0Uhzn-_IULrrfLRYCSawxW8Pv9iQ3pK2Gycmx1f-chZEht-GXsrBzwNeOS8nJlmSgcNCYoY9D7rb5Ts_SfiIn9mA/w661-h425/IMG_3795.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><br />Some pertinent items on the map:</div><div><br /></div><div>The black arrows (lower right) reveal where Allied troops landed during the opening days of <b>Operation Husky </b>beginning July 10, '43. E.g., Canadian troops, west of Cape Passero. British troops north of the Cape. My father transported materials of war just north of Avola as part of the 80th Flotilla of LCMs.</div><div><br /></div><div>The black arrows (upper right) reveal where Canadian and British troops landed during the opening days of <b>Operation Baytown</b> beginning Sept. 3 '43. The 80th Flotilla was active there as well, the first time a Canadian squadron of landing crafts transported Canadian troops. </div><div><br /></div><div>Clayton Marks, now deceased, presents information about the Canadian role in Combined Operations during WWII in a straightforward manner. He takes the reader from the early days of training aboard landing crafts in the U.K. at various training camps to Dieppe and North Africa in 1942, to three months in the Mediterranean (to Sicily and Italy) in 1943, to D-Day Normandy in June, 1944.</div><div><br /></div><div>He includes his own detailed reports and rare accounts from other men who were there.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Photos </b>of Table of Contents, pictures and descriptions of hardy landing crafts, accounts from Dieppe, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpQZ86HNrAJb7BnlXlX_N486PeXL4KnmDfhuTuE_iH2mgm5DvCgBiGRjecPj0J9rdMP8BuW0oiomR3OsOxjFcCkmyoPUsiadNTW40Uci3Kh0khVJCGGG83yFqEAwJy-4lJob3F8QV16Iq6-1pDXKaIXPLO2RqJGydEf6172eN2LG1rO6pvHExslwdBddi/s4675/IMG_7209.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3604" data-original-width="4675" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpQZ86HNrAJb7BnlXlX_N486PeXL4KnmDfhuTuE_iH2mgm5DvCgBiGRjecPj0J9rdMP8BuW0oiomR3OsOxjFcCkmyoPUsiadNTW40Uci3Kh0khVJCGGG83yFqEAwJy-4lJob3F8QV16Iq6-1pDXKaIXPLO2RqJGydEf6172eN2LG1rO6pvHExslwdBddi/w669-h516/IMG_7209.jpeg" width="669" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The "Workhorse of D-Day Normandy":</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3VbZzbXuOv4gPRfGbWqvmIiNDBoRp90c6Iz6cc3XQey0WjVbypNgdfvAE-qihiNjub78zM3FOmxabs-1QctOLIjnJNjQnRNxvaKoGjx2O7x1i1qsBv5yV0_Af_W9kdv53SHoXBYWCae46vIPj4LW4AWVyZe9rYfQrXobFlBGYHn12_SRMOj0bxz1PtDh/s1596/P14a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1596" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3VbZzbXuOv4gPRfGbWqvmIiNDBoRp90c6Iz6cc3XQey0WjVbypNgdfvAE-qihiNjub78zM3FOmxabs-1QctOLIjnJNjQnRNxvaKoGjx2O7x1i1qsBv5yV0_Af_W9kdv53SHoXBYWCae46vIPj4LW4AWVyZe9rYfQrXobFlBGYHn12_SRMOj0bxz1PtDh/w667-h470/P14a.jpeg" width="667" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8-xXsvmb1WHSHkxiaGXqtv-ic9mO2dFwVUlpJ9Ex3H0uev8d4Yil7gVRuDU8BYBE4PnrYn6PsNb5a-MaFStVqCk3l6Kb68ksStMyG-0RH_KFlK0DzNLtLZ1sPQALYx9Rh6fIgjdw_2URIEn70oUVLq6NDJodoaVT6gXOixGgUrUXeEobPGZafy2LZj9m/s800/pachino37.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="800" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8-xXsvmb1WHSHkxiaGXqtv-ic9mO2dFwVUlpJ9Ex3H0uev8d4Yil7gVRuDU8BYBE4PnrYn6PsNb5a-MaFStVqCk3l6Kb68ksStMyG-0RH_KFlK0DzNLtLZ1sPQALYx9Rh6fIgjdw_2URIEn70oUVLq6NDJodoaVT6gXOixGgUrUXeEobPGZafy2LZj9m/w667-h504/pachino37.jpeg" width="667" /></a></div><br /><div>A bit of Comb. Ops background from page 14:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhvJyIhPnD79pTOVjbgsNmuKYzU67GEmWk-Wu41FlIlbXK607AgyMNUnTTcimknm2ag1ZhZGqAjyMKXf6RpcuTRoyM6bpMgXT0UTvcKaF21kAOetQjwsoZZPpM6Nsf8_4ATRCgmMWgrMQvq0_v8tJ1FV4Cy5EaEtOZLMDvtFRDOAfbvA0oxdJTth65Z0c/s4331/IMG_7211.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="4331" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhvJyIhPnD79pTOVjbgsNmuKYzU67GEmWk-Wu41FlIlbXK607AgyMNUnTTcimknm2ag1ZhZGqAjyMKXf6RpcuTRoyM6bpMgXT0UTvcKaF21kAOetQjwsoZZPpM6Nsf8_4ATRCgmMWgrMQvq0_v8tJ1FV4Cy5EaEtOZLMDvtFRDOAfbvA0oxdJTth65Z0c/w668-h117/IMG_7211.jpeg" width="668" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>About the same time period my father writes the following:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">One day we heard a mess deck buzz or rumour that the navy was looking for volunteers for special duties overseas, with nine days leave thrown in. Many from the Effingham Division, including myself, once again volunteered. (Will I ever quit volunteering?) The buzz turned out to be true and we came home on leave, which involved three days coming home on a train, three days at home and three days on the train going back.<br /><br />After returning from leave we were put aboard a large passenger liner, <i>Queen of Bermuda</i>, which went aground going astern as we left harbour and couldn’t be moved. We bailed water all night with pails - on a huge ship like that - it was like emptying a pail of sand one grain at a time. However, we were (later) transferred to a Dutch ship called the <i>Volendam</i>, with a large number of Air Force men. This was to be an eventful trip.<br /><br /></span><div>Clayton and Dad mention some of the same events, but readers of their books will soon notice they come at things from different angles or points of view: Clayton reminds me of a High School or University History teacher while explaining the role of Canadians - officers and ratings - in Combined Operations, thus the name of his book.<br /><br />My father writes his 45 pages of memoirs - and his numerous weekly articles in his hometown newspaper (The Norwich Gazette), his submissions to two other books - from a very personal view point.</div><div><br /></div><div>I.E., "This is where I went, this is what I saw, this is what I did." Collecting background information didn't happen often if at all, but his memory of his personal role and a multitude of experiences is quite vivid and captivating. I've travelled many a mile just to get a better sense of it. </div><div><br /></div><div>At the beginning of the first page of his memoirs he writes:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Many Canadian citizens do not know about the active part taken by the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve in Combined Operations overseas during World War II. Here is a story regarding the Canadian Navy on navy barges on the operations against Dieppe, North Africa, Sicily and Italy, and many were at D-Day Normandy also.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Clayton writes an overview, my father writes "on navy barges." "I was on one, this is what I remember."</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div>And at the end of that first page he writes:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">... In the navy if an officer says “well done”, it is nearly the same as getting a citation or medal. I hope that my efforts at this story may interest someone enough to say “dad, well done.”<br /><br /></span>Signed:<span style="font-family: arial;"> Doug Harrison V8809</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are only five people who can say, <b>"Dad, Well Done."</b> His book is from a very personal viewpoint. Thus the name of his book.<br /><br />Clayton Marks went out of his way to collect some of the best background information possible re Canadians in Combined Ops. Here is an example from his chapter about the Dieppe Raid, Aug. 19, 1942:</span><br /></span><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUux5DiG6Iv_wXuRxQBm8VU4ql_Yr8ifmZ2iMfWhOWCUmKLC3FtmIUdAB4afknlX8PNn4UzbDS2UayhxNJvxEwny92gCQVLjuixx7Fq_YbXfWxD1urC-zaJOI7l3SeMDQwVytttzl6lrzq9UxV7NmbFoa_dC50XHqYmYINGWPxQXDkvi2WxXhpq7UsrT0R/s4159/IMG_7212.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2286" data-original-width="4159" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUux5DiG6Iv_wXuRxQBm8VU4ql_Yr8ifmZ2iMfWhOWCUmKLC3FtmIUdAB4afknlX8PNn4UzbDS2UayhxNJvxEwny92gCQVLjuixx7Fq_YbXfWxD1urC-zaJOI7l3SeMDQwVytttzl6lrzq9UxV7NmbFoa_dC50XHqYmYINGWPxQXDkvi2WxXhpq7UsrT0R/w666-h366/IMG_7212.jpeg" width="666" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nPpSx_IbHJLhLeB60Oqs-SbGOXZXPM-qZw_QdXd-cCQKWZzCzJjeeKCXVsix6achsTfNN87EOKytMWWnm_qgf9_d4pPgc3W2N4CddHOX9jcX5KKOCVokgLCyIVXkS3Nct9hKMlX3o_H2B9Fv3l1MVPwMEukpskoaDJfIlI7HCFeXzIZyt_65EVTerLak/s4308/IMG_7215.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="4308" height="46" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nPpSx_IbHJLhLeB60Oqs-SbGOXZXPM-qZw_QdXd-cCQKWZzCzJjeeKCXVsix6achsTfNN87EOKytMWWnm_qgf9_d4pPgc3W2N4CddHOX9jcX5KKOCVokgLCyIVXkS3Nct9hKMlX3o_H2B9Fv3l1MVPwMEukpskoaDJfIlI7HCFeXzIZyt_65EVTerLak/w666-h46/IMG_7215.jpeg" width="666" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>More information follows in Clayton Marks' book from Robert McRae, later a philosophy professor in Toronto, along with a 25-page report about one sailor's experience at Dieppe, manning a landing craft, by Al Kirby of Woodstock, ONT.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Marks also introduces readers to another officer involved in the Dieppe Raid, who took over for an officer who was killed, and who - one year later - wrote a very interesting, significant account of the Canadian Navy in Combined Operations activities and accomplishments in the invasion of Sicily (Operation HUSKY, beginning July 10, 1943). For many sailors like my father, HUSKY was the main event of WWII, so any positive comments about their service from Koyl was like a feather in their cap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Koyl writes:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiW9o00Znq99IWqigNMiPIy0yObdEZakXP-if7Mzrf5HWArLoEzEQfycj4E1XFqv3RVADsKemET5Q2u2vq9tuMvLzhncIBfIDKUo7MzVx7Hoaa8Z80k2DtYJFFLWiaX-ISro3Cc0jntiT45QeAXMblPRafFfpw1ziypD3rrHFh0xbXj-dy-cign39AVLX/s4677/IMG_7222.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="4677" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiW9o00Znq99IWqigNMiPIy0yObdEZakXP-if7Mzrf5HWArLoEzEQfycj4E1XFqv3RVADsKemET5Q2u2vq9tuMvLzhncIBfIDKUo7MzVx7Hoaa8Z80k2DtYJFFLWiaX-ISro3Cc0jntiT45QeAXMblPRafFfpw1ziypD3rrHFh0xbXj-dy-cign39AVLX/w668-h227/IMG_7222.jpeg" width="668" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Special Note: Koyl makes a mistake in the order of operations. The 80th flotilla operated a few miles to the north of the 81st, and they arrived on their beaches "about two hours later."</div><div><br /></div><div>Allow me to illustrate:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbiAhdnBRBU-wxZMXQOFI4CjSh4yue8e-TC9FD5cPmDi1jQE-LsBZvkPUk4EhAWv8emlisquZYlwhv7vrNexi3znE0hRBOPXjUbj-9nmSGRtQRZo8gXmDY5kI3klbbvBeK94FYPDciPhkbV6VEr6c-FT0M0W51YE-2jvCbpoqXAntjIWvyKDh2bmnetO3/s994/81stFlotilla.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="831" height="791" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbiAhdnBRBU-wxZMXQOFI4CjSh4yue8e-TC9FD5cPmDi1jQE-LsBZvkPUk4EhAWv8emlisquZYlwhv7vrNexi3znE0hRBOPXjUbj-9nmSGRtQRZo8gXmDY5kI3klbbvBeK94FYPDciPhkbV6VEr6c-FT0M0W51YE-2jvCbpoqXAntjIWvyKDh2bmnetO3/w663-h791/81stFlotilla.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgav6pHfeDMMVVFvlEX_wBkC-UitYXKPdZAh4nWN4AfWO3sLe4hvwOYFuIFud9Oa_pC4dPrjO-jH4QRSXNkXv827qaWqzlZyaWafZ-irjzyl-ssAOgOSTdxPh910m3o0VmD7DCjwvhRxY5YuArht28j4zsnaaRADuafnIzIv-3En5fbd1bdbwaqRQWnAoR-/s3721/GOPR0279a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2093" data-original-width="3721" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgav6pHfeDMMVVFvlEX_wBkC-UitYXKPdZAh4nWN4AfWO3sLe4hvwOYFuIFud9Oa_pC4dPrjO-jH4QRSXNkXv827qaWqzlZyaWafZ-irjzyl-ssAOgOSTdxPh910m3o0VmD7DCjwvhRxY5YuArht28j4zsnaaRADuafnIzIv-3En5fbd1bdbwaqRQWnAoR-/w662-h372/GOPR0279a.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE0A-Q0-TBi3FG313XRLMdSC4RM-1KxbKT8_c34FxjmHVlC_TFZmLIbKFpCAVQQnxekBx6JfvoDJwEFIz__0EG9JaB1FCm5NOmU8oLJCCmULImaTsnIXy6NbhOb3gdmf8lUsxkVJaKYMKl38gk22fUyZ3w3XZnG6onS8abTiykjghpoyyV1oD2PMUMfO5/s3201/IMG_0866.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1801" data-original-width="3201" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE0A-Q0-TBi3FG313XRLMdSC4RM-1KxbKT8_c34FxjmHVlC_TFZmLIbKFpCAVQQnxekBx6JfvoDJwEFIz__0EG9JaB1FCm5NOmU8oLJCCmULImaTsnIXy6NbhOb3gdmf8lUsxkVJaKYMKl38gk22fUyZ3w3XZnG6onS8abTiykjghpoyyV1oD2PMUMfO5/w663-h373/IMG_0866.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>As we work our way to the end of Combined Operations by Londoner Clayton Marks we find...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSRq3JWM0vAU3HVHmU0FmvPLMEGd6vk6zOd2JssoovOqA7HqzgiQ9KaYPkoo1kVaLzZ7vzQYsxmXc5YXPoDpPUA-h7yUA68D5V_e7EjXQbcvQAcV3vbTV4781WMxDkMOYSZbdxVZgocV0OX7irgY1o9RIZPqoGYAXdIG95ynKrhVCwlsmUhE-a3mY_XC-/s5188/IMG_7224.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3522" data-original-width="5188" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSRq3JWM0vAU3HVHmU0FmvPLMEGd6vk6zOd2JssoovOqA7HqzgiQ9KaYPkoo1kVaLzZ7vzQYsxmXc5YXPoDpPUA-h7yUA68D5V_e7EjXQbcvQAcV3vbTV4781WMxDkMOYSZbdxVZgocV0OX7irgY1o9RIZPqoGYAXdIG95ynKrhVCwlsmUhE-a3mY_XC-/w666-h451/IMG_7224.jpeg" width="666" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Comment about FISH, Gannet, GASH (Bailey) and "pass the Irish Mail, please."</div><div><br /></div><div>Nicknames seemed plentiful: Dad - Cactus and Dogo. A stoker was called Smokey; Roy Burt was called Chocolate</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9M4N4M42GgXfKk8RHaQfTJmy-2c0dXfk0LRLw0_RiEISJ_4DBuf3fxW61YmiR_OVtwOqgYmGmBdZObKtY7i8WcxTLD5DoR5bSWgqiA70ii7i5Q8ndb48TOUq4HNKP4Cv7F9l_gdygP9F2nncRbstgkFl6fUH0NkEwf-QvhshqeNtFs09RiLfDnyBVsl6/s4008/IMG_7221.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2634" data-original-width="4008" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9M4N4M42GgXfKk8RHaQfTJmy-2c0dXfk0LRLw0_RiEISJ_4DBuf3fxW61YmiR_OVtwOqgYmGmBdZObKtY7i8WcxTLD5DoR5bSWgqiA70ii7i5Q8ndb48TOUq4HNKP4Cv7F9l_gdygP9F2nncRbstgkFl6fUH0NkEwf-QvhshqeNtFs09RiLfDnyBVsl6/w667-h438/IMG_7221.jpeg" width="667" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Clayton's book, printed and distributed in the early to mid-1990s, about the same time my father was writing columns for his local, weekly newspaper, not only tells us a great deal about the Canadian role in Combined Operations, but it led to the production of two more volumes of WWII veteran stories, i.e., by Navy and Combined Ops vets and spearheaded by two Albertans, possibly from Calgary. </div><div><br /></div><div>How did one book lead to others? I offer a photo or two that might help answer that question.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Photo</b> of Clayton, Doug, David Lewis, Al Kirby, Gash Bailey, London.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVB4fujDA6HLwQHnTqtNto5npFEY6O0wERAA2k8R950TyyV3n7DKCh2dneiViRoq9pZX-zp8-qmjzlgouf6aDQqANjghtafoIn58c1DspeUfbrJFsXYXY2SjF3jWx2XrMSDUDUWYNsYKljwCEAS25V768N8ThRJ1o237SGO2cfil8rh24A6TufjcPv8mZ/s614/IMG_2552%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="614" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVB4fujDA6HLwQHnTqtNto5npFEY6O0wERAA2k8R950TyyV3n7DKCh2dneiViRoq9pZX-zp8-qmjzlgouf6aDQqANjghtafoIn58c1DspeUfbrJFsXYXY2SjF3jWx2XrMSDUDUWYNsYKljwCEAS25V768N8ThRJ1o237SGO2cfil8rh24A6TufjcPv8mZ/w662-h492/IMG_2552%20(1).jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As found in <b>St. Nazaire to Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War, Vol. 2</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLvW_im4MEUn1BNUKQk05oi30RdMZ4RM-lipqDtBsA5g4-oFEQYAHmHkCeZUwKL3Otf9RL85aHajo4bgAMlvxw8-WDLsq-NS3kSF7PH4Tp1Ss71-Cb2aoJPxhKuS_Z3_XLQ7nJluVhgQcd-WOGHnAc2giyG-j2HYV9TPM-QDDbPkRn23OiX1gQTZMC_gt/s3063/IMG_1456.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2155" data-original-width="3063" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLvW_im4MEUn1BNUKQk05oi30RdMZ4RM-lipqDtBsA5g4-oFEQYAHmHkCeZUwKL3Otf9RL85aHajo4bgAMlvxw8-WDLsq-NS3kSF7PH4Tp1Ss71-Cb2aoJPxhKuS_Z3_XLQ7nJluVhgQcd-WOGHnAc2giyG-j2HYV9TPM-QDDbPkRn23OiX1gQTZMC_gt/w663-h466/IMG_1456.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><br />I can only offer speculation. Clayton's book was making the rounds at Navy Clubs, Legion Halls, e.g., here in London, Woodstock, and... Calgary in the early 1990s. Former Sub. Lt. David Lewis, from Montreal, later Calgary, saw it and was inspired... and thought he should make a book as well, he had some contacts, e.g., Len Birkenes, formerly a Leading Seaman, RCNVR, Combined Ops.<div><br /></div><div><b>Photos</b> of Len with Joe Spencer, Dieppe group, and returning from New Haven, likely on their way to Southampton, likely HMS <b>Tormentor:</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkb-UnKKRRTZtJUFYeKjquaIA264mkVsOsL3v0PT7hyphenhyphenQUz5OMo_7QKzaX3dBr79tYDqVm1uMS-3uclUxyEm6hjAYrOj_LLjtACBphQvHOzR3z3ejCTfJednfo1jcvCxVeoxQwo4_qeUPHFqgORZq9lIGETgZodkTEv_AE1YTga_EmUJgPTnoGclIyWC1g/s1674/IMG_3685.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1349" data-original-width="1674" height="533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkb-UnKKRRTZtJUFYeKjquaIA264mkVsOsL3v0PT7hyphenhyphenQUz5OMo_7QKzaX3dBr79tYDqVm1uMS-3uclUxyEm6hjAYrOj_LLjtACBphQvHOzR3z3ejCTfJednfo1jcvCxVeoxQwo4_qeUPHFqgORZq9lIGETgZodkTEv_AE1YTga_EmUJgPTnoGclIyWC1g/w661-h533/IMG_3685.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As found in<b> St. Nazaire to Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War, Vol. 1</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUhjIM5UaavH3eorhHoynczzVlCE6fzy8wW0JiHvMoSm21wrNzmEw-rHFnbJD4D_82ktRVuwYeGxoBxyMscCU3wBvUWv7DKNK82s1QFF8UeuxEdVj5jgkAjrAjCh1jvfN9lk6Esnq9uKNvNr2zsljn3z_E3W3VrivaEYeOPX9lFVA83-m3ifwyC9idkNE/s2672/ALC%20269%20leaving%20new%20haven%20aug%2021%201942%20L%20Birkness%20C%20Sheeler%20copy%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1641" data-original-width="2672" height="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUhjIM5UaavH3eorhHoynczzVlCE6fzy8wW0JiHvMoSm21wrNzmEw-rHFnbJD4D_82ktRVuwYeGxoBxyMscCU3wBvUWv7DKNK82s1QFF8UeuxEdVj5jgkAjrAjCh1jvfN9lk6Esnq9uKNvNr2zsljn3z_E3W3VrivaEYeOPX9lFVA83-m3ifwyC9idkNE/w662-h407/ALC%20269%20leaving%20new%20haven%20aug%2021%201942%20L%20Birkness%20C%20Sheeler%20copy%202.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">ALC 269 leaving Newhaven August 21, 1942. C. Sheeler, Len Birkness (sp.)</div>Used with permission, from the collection of Joe Spencer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZ6OxIU14d0kqWXS6S-WVJ2KMuFWy43nnyOHu9Im9K6bgGazJjB6j3JCZy3eRqZGMCuDgwH1KYJpGPsTOYAa-uMjibZhEL7TvCm3sKYUgYdsDWdsznBmW-2SpwHxQ8MaRKhLyiAn_YXgzGNMsH6yyc-YN1ERxO2pGr0p9lweyP8CUyAt7_fqrg_sZNdPN/s2652/ALC%20269%20returning%20to%20southampton%20from%20new%20haven%20c%20sheeler%20j%20spencer%20copy%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1639" data-original-width="2652" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZ6OxIU14d0kqWXS6S-WVJ2KMuFWy43nnyOHu9Im9K6bgGazJjB6j3JCZy3eRqZGMCuDgwH1KYJpGPsTOYAa-uMjibZhEL7TvCm3sKYUgYdsDWdsznBmW-2SpwHxQ8MaRKhLyiAn_YXgzGNMsH6yyc-YN1ERxO2pGr0p9lweyP8CUyAt7_fqrg_sZNdPN/w659-h408/ALC%20269%20returning%20to%20southampton%20from%20new%20haven%20c%20sheeler%20j%20spencer%20copy%202.jpg" width="659" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div>ALC 269 returning to Southampton from Newhaven. C. Sheeler, Joe Spencer</div><div>Dad was "Proud of White Ensign." From the collection of Joe Spencer</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Share the two books, volumes <b>St. Nazaire to Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Rare as hen's teeth! But they can be found online and links to the University of Alberta are included in Resource Lists on my WWII website.</div><div><br /></div><div>Challenges, continued:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>Include something about somebody else w a London connection:</div><div><br /></div><div>Al Adlington called me on the phone while I was writing for The Londoner. He said, "I trained and served with your father, during WWII":</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7W5i83t9zGDU6O_wtDWXthrlZKi1ecfd6bOShBpWzCMeRPwZYoTqnrYuJF3WXKE5aXJN8BqiXpILAGKoBX0lmlHsCjoJrATYyQEx5r78L8mGNiXp2Qm53bN54PUHKV-loK61OlVw1bprQFdvVPtbNuwxxoFGWhd7aneG-89zJ9enSZdaDfffz891GgOZk/s2590/8%20men%20-%20northney%203%20hayling%20island%20hants%202461%20(2)%20copy%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="2590" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7W5i83t9zGDU6O_wtDWXthrlZKi1ecfd6bOShBpWzCMeRPwZYoTqnrYuJF3WXKE5aXJN8BqiXpILAGKoBX0lmlHsCjoJrATYyQEx5r78L8mGNiXp2Qm53bN54PUHKV-loK61OlVw1bprQFdvVPtbNuwxxoFGWhd7aneG-89zJ9enSZdaDfffz891GgOZk/w662-h399/8%20men%20-%20northney%203%20hayling%20island%20hants%202461%20(2)%20copy%202.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">8 Canadians (RCNVR/Comb.Ops) Al Adlington first left. From the collection</div><div style="text-align: center;">of Joe Spencer second left. HMS <i>Northney, </i>Hayling Is. Jan., Feb., 1942</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2v_o1Xq5n41huJgHrJ3O_Pk4eB4lBuM5ag_c0QcRcCi0fjimM8t4x6i7ssQCySqacKdGn9WeXJC0VSwW7txVvO_PwQlFz2vTtaTPY3H2HbjddwFADj0UqN2DF_l8hpNrTcuztUMRAonTAHMV5X54Ec2lDdUiNgQO11H3d8mMVFZc3rbcheA2JEGtYDMS-/s1357/IMG_1007.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1357" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2v_o1Xq5n41huJgHrJ3O_Pk4eB4lBuM5ag_c0QcRcCi0fjimM8t4x6i7ssQCySqacKdGn9WeXJC0VSwW7txVvO_PwQlFz2vTtaTPY3H2HbjddwFADj0UqN2DF_l8hpNrTcuztUMRAonTAHMV5X54Ec2lDdUiNgQO11H3d8mMVFZc3rbcheA2JEGtYDMS-/w661-h566/IMG_1007.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wedding picture. Chuck Rose, Al and his new wife Mary and Mary's sister.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo - Glasgow, 1942. Mary travelled to Canada aboard the Ile de France.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>The last challenge:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Try not to come off like an expert, because I’m not. My view of WWII history... it's like a giant jigsaw puzzle, growing everyday, in all directions, being torn apart daily so new puzzle pieces can be added, whether it's photographs found under grandmother's stairs in Inveraray (explain!) or very rare material e.g., sent me by Sue Katanna, Winnipeg (her stories about her father William Katanna, his obit, her letters from my father, re news related to an upcoming reunion).</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_qKBWh5pFkhtDSefIOmm4Esq39bcn1ijRnyw_qxb239Pi_GUB-bN_BI5XIdhfD6W0XM1RYBO_znAQGbZip_PJFGMu7dD7F5PiPHhKW0tW79wfN9uX34Sg0VGntQmsDkUvGs7GwBStawJS0bZ8RN47RaUGzlmuIKYaOOFw_UNXIQMug_MpaDQmcUlyf23/s921/dad's%20hammock%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="691" height="882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_qKBWh5pFkhtDSefIOmm4Esq39bcn1ijRnyw_qxb239Pi_GUB-bN_BI5XIdhfD6W0XM1RYBO_znAQGbZip_PJFGMu7dD7F5PiPHhKW0tW79wfN9uX34Sg0VGntQmsDkUvGs7GwBStawJS0bZ8RN47RaUGzlmuIKYaOOFw_UNXIQMug_MpaDQmcUlyf23/w661-h882/dad's%20hammock%202.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>How can I possibly consider myself an expert? Maybe dogged, or persistent. Recently, after a couple of emails sent back and forth, Laurel Burt, daughter of Roy Burt (aka 'Chocolate') from Osoyoos, southern BC, sent me a collection of Roy's photos. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSJKM756eHYQlE3chJcHewsox-e6KV6dk56QVY-nGKJv5mMGj-15aFY7MlrIJIPQ-zWi2HjScm2IoNakXah_YNhe3qL8xcaC8WnypwV8UfXA-Iqsb_vF9MRNcjPgpwJ7x5tuxU5ZSV2WhZ_W5-PB5mkpVgFPacWjkqH8yiEVtiGIIjQEjwTMz9FwfdWvY/s1602/CCI24022023_0026.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="1602" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSJKM756eHYQlE3chJcHewsox-e6KV6dk56QVY-nGKJv5mMGj-15aFY7MlrIJIPQ-zWi2HjScm2IoNakXah_YNhe3qL8xcaC8WnypwV8UfXA-Iqsb_vF9MRNcjPgpwJ7x5tuxU5ZSV2WhZ_W5-PB5mkpVgFPacWjkqH8yiEVtiGIIjQEjwTMz9FwfdWvY/w662-h504/CCI24022023_0026.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwM1SPzwC2epVLq16F4t9KyjUIqvKhIR-zC3s3_uVIU4dt4WvH87S0UMvg_Q88q7L2ruFuI2RSGA_QBjyM8jf1sF0ki3_30R5WyVeauobFpsVWznK1WGRS3Ymo05XqiYqiooR0_KyuxOHPLu4v8MhgYv6ChV3XlfXSg224mAbDRjBU_iZX-PsOsgqZy_a/s1681/CCI27022023_0041.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="1681" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwM1SPzwC2epVLq16F4t9KyjUIqvKhIR-zC3s3_uVIU4dt4WvH87S0UMvg_Q88q7L2ruFuI2RSGA_QBjyM8jf1sF0ki3_30R5WyVeauobFpsVWznK1WGRS3Ymo05XqiYqiooR0_KyuxOHPLu4v8MhgYv6ChV3XlfXSg224mAbDRjBU_iZX-PsOsgqZy_a/w662-h459/CCI27022023_0041.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizf_3FYOTly58Lf-zptPj3OgFhmncmXSD6-2UpEGIsUgvk7QPhcAz_9Q0YTmNY9UHKtCec_xSazdMgowztrfdmQCLJpEMsuuXs6sbVgMyKfTF9WNhosC50PiM0T_1c8Nc1NUy7lv0cgy_mtNIKcNMwM6Jd-e_tU1nZg6fZ_nwmP699sVlub_G8p6lZ07Z3/s959/IMG_0124.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="959" height="665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizf_3FYOTly58Lf-zptPj3OgFhmncmXSD6-2UpEGIsUgvk7QPhcAz_9Q0YTmNY9UHKtCec_xSazdMgowztrfdmQCLJpEMsuuXs6sbVgMyKfTF9WNhosC50PiM0T_1c8Nc1NUy7lv0cgy_mtNIKcNMwM6Jd-e_tU1nZg6fZ_nwmP699sVlub_G8p6lZ07Z3/w671-h665/IMG_0124.jpeg" width="671" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VLp5VC5WtgD70AGrdBjllc2HD9wVl1rFm_VwsTcSP5cdtLtfJ5Lc7Zn_JKJw0VkPTQQLuicEk1nRCaiPtSFn_CKlcngE9CGERSGZxUy9TfNNA4xB7_kIXl5h53Fw5WoqAKm9QplhcK2A-9bEW45Va1U8aSX04OfEHHqwVDpF1cSRiAe_pCDSqA5PyfDp/s722/Uncle%20Doug-1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="594" height="803" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VLp5VC5WtgD70AGrdBjllc2HD9wVl1rFm_VwsTcSP5cdtLtfJ5Lc7Zn_JKJw0VkPTQQLuicEk1nRCaiPtSFn_CKlcngE9CGERSGZxUy9TfNNA4xB7_kIXl5h53Fw5WoqAKm9QplhcK2A-9bEW45Va1U8aSX04OfEHHqwVDpF1cSRiAe_pCDSqA5PyfDp/w661-h803/Uncle%20Doug-1.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My experiences re research, creating a small archive of materials, makes me thankful I’m only focussing on 950 - 1,000 men. My small piece of the jigsaw puzzle is continually growing... but at a slower, easier pace than the entire WWII model/puzzle. </div><div><br /></div><div>Note to Self : Try to come off like an explorer, with a long way to go. </div><div><br /></div><div>Reveal details or photos no one has ever seen before. </div><div><br /></div><div>AND try not to go all over the map. TOO LATE!! Right??</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjI302CrfANVkZwoQPWf35Ps7cLanTwyjPiHHp526Q5rFznESDcReZkrNYm05PlOpL1c1w_-L3jaA6wmqwc5V-6BsPSKPR3yuIYP2hqTBX0Wq16prBkL_KZqm5DJcadK6S1gcY6kyk7ALNbZPvjaI81gPqGh3SBAwfQJ2e6PXAAonYkH19hNRuGD5vsaP/s865/IMG_0235.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="764" height="748" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjI302CrfANVkZwoQPWf35Ps7cLanTwyjPiHHp526Q5rFznESDcReZkrNYm05PlOpL1c1w_-L3jaA6wmqwc5V-6BsPSKPR3yuIYP2hqTBX0Wq16prBkL_KZqm5DJcadK6S1gcY6kyk7ALNbZPvjaI81gPqGh3SBAwfQJ2e6PXAAonYkH19hNRuGD5vsaP/w662-h748/IMG_0235.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>More to follow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please click here to view material for <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2017/11/presentation-dads-navy-days-part-2.html">an earlier presentation.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Unattributed Photos GH</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-32649506939559514932024-01-30T15:23:00.001-05:002024-01-30T15:23:54.508-05:00Links to Resources: A Focus on Sicily and Italy, 1943 (3)<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;">The Canadian War Museum, Ottawa Canada</b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A Multitude of News Articles, e.g. Operation HUSKY</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcLsFhegPbs6iOQMiAasqqEQGmXTw2xZ1iMshwTQvOHpJk9ITi3tySRYLZwg12snlClHKkpAjw7dj_nMR-MqWzVDXsXuPrsuhFwhoswZe0tyvoGJev3cCmLSNG_ZK9-_89odGL4Q1VkPYyQVAXrurcg6jepRiERACydylFaXkKiAwkei2MYoKta12uY4U/s3539/IMG_1728.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3539" data-original-width="2963" height="789" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcLsFhegPbs6iOQMiAasqqEQGmXTw2xZ1iMshwTQvOHpJk9ITi3tySRYLZwg12snlClHKkpAjw7dj_nMR-MqWzVDXsXuPrsuhFwhoswZe0tyvoGJev3cCmLSNG_ZK9-_89odGL4Q1VkPYyQVAXrurcg6jepRiERACydylFaXkKiAwkei2MYoKta12uY4U/w661-h789/IMG_1728.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Getting started, tracking down news re <a href="https://collections.warmuseum.ca/warclip/pages/warclip/ResultsList.php?QueryName=WarclipCustomQueryForm&WarclipCounter=WarclipCounter&RelevanceRanking=WarclipRelevanceRanking&lang=0&any=AdmWebMetadata&subject=WarSubjectMetaData&headline=WarHeadline&title=ObjTitle&SearchWord=landing+craft+Sicily&QueryWord=all&QueryOption=any&image_x=31&image_y=5&StartAt=1">"landing craft Sicily"</a></div><br /><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />I don't think I'll be finished mining for more materials for quite some time, especially related to the Canadians in Combined Operations who served in the Mediterranean Theatre for three months during WWII (July 10 - early October). The assortment of resources is getting wider not thinner.<div><br /></div><div>One resource I am just starting to acquaint myself with is the selection of news articles from a variety of newspapers (Canadian and American) as found at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. By entering the words "landing craft Sicily" in the search engine (upper left in above photo) I was introduced to 351 different links. The examples listed in just the first two pages (#1 - 40) will give me good reading for today and tomorrow, and even longer if (as per usual) an article or two or three provide links to other related actions, names and addresses of participants in a battle or landing craft, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>Below are a few of the articles I've already downloaded, along with a photo or two when opportunity presented itself. Like, right now!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='459' height='382' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwotPNJSOVNA_FXwDaALkE0TMCweL4_pevLbesT0PikHQ3jm2h3A0AH3j7nxCiJdAXijWz62daahWXnU0Mq2Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">The lovely city of Ottawa</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRF6Dwi9xf4IpbK-76OUZ2hSqnhViB2oFoL4idhRdythJaf3WnOgUviIIPw1qcNeS3VqO3gu16_0D2z48ixkQRdOKdHUA78jNiXAYauydPxnuJq1OhHarwQ_1bpB_Qj9pd15sg0L2fXd1WGuhceqOBmPQR5sVfIhof1Bp3JXGCRKOJ79SIhtqQ0xkD00ZK/s620/3-war-meuseum.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="620" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRF6Dwi9xf4IpbK-76OUZ2hSqnhViB2oFoL4idhRdythJaf3WnOgUviIIPw1qcNeS3VqO3gu16_0D2z48ixkQRdOKdHUA78jNiXAYauydPxnuJq1OhHarwQ_1bpB_Qj9pd15sg0L2fXd1WGuhceqOBmPQR5sVfIhof1Bp3JXGCRKOJ79SIhtqQ0xkD00ZK/w661-h374/3-war-meuseum.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The museum rests beside the Ottawa River, shows off a healthy grass roof</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo as found at <a href="https://www.worldconstructionnetwork.com/projects/warmuseum/">worldconstructionnetwork.com</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCe3TDe4-Zr-rFatV2IoGK_THzqfZI2hL71IttbR4Nf3gp0tIebyU2IW0RgA636bz5v2Zo4SWu521sRTmNdryULtC1x91DlTNlArmwGWwQjsbVisw36hzRmyLQLnZjjYsxL80hPd2FBG2I4oz9edcmylQev-OXJ2KG6LHDD7qGcXrYcksVsFO7h9j4Diw/s1024/IMG_9860.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1024" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCe3TDe4-Zr-rFatV2IoGK_THzqfZI2hL71IttbR4Nf3gp0tIebyU2IW0RgA636bz5v2Zo4SWu521sRTmNdryULtC1x91DlTNlArmwGWwQjsbVisw36hzRmyLQLnZjjYsxL80hPd2FBG2I4oz9edcmylQev-OXJ2KG6LHDD7qGcXrYcksVsFO7h9j4Diw/w662-h397/IMG_9860.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The view atop the museum, looking toward Parliament Hill. GH</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I typed in "landing craft Sicily," and several relevant news articles appeared. The first features Sub. Lt. Jack Dean of Toronto and provides details of his two years of service overseas. Though the name of the newspaper is not provided I believe it was published on February 28, 1944 about the time Dean would have been back in Britain preparing for D-Day Normandy:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7keFEjId2fMuu5iWpcXVzjwJzjkMeBsfNu2McDQhm-K1_xmi9kgKXwOBvHkcI6HO2LrVdCWUmfg8feE3wUfsa3Gvw27QvokpTzJFCfUBrdLRLj0zZUnt2qKgZaVVal0htlgdUmfot6xjqOg0Qxso9he4IKNmV4xVR8lfGTkPq564ejvcThxq_a-HgpCcu/s205/Jack1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="139" data-original-width="205" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7keFEjId2fMuu5iWpcXVzjwJzjkMeBsfNu2McDQhm-K1_xmi9kgKXwOBvHkcI6HO2LrVdCWUmfg8feE3wUfsa3Gvw27QvokpTzJFCfUBrdLRLj0zZUnt2qKgZaVVal0htlgdUmfot6xjqOg0Qxso9he4IKNmV4xVR8lfGTkPq564ejvcThxq_a-HgpCcu/w483-h328/Jack1.jpeg" width="483" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHaQlHIbQWQBkBUxFBl_VMJKLSfdKGQmW4gY3Lcl_MN_zWvpxRJ_APmTYzplxm3xm1zeupsZpjx7Dcvx7ohM80u9mdFBybuHcXa6z_wctDKn5D6vDwB1fVdLE95z9WMgI6a5bwsyHU_eWEPgMjASblFmvaZz4iEXaQE77kuMECGf-pH7lFpZNq9n82nGD/s433/Jack2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="218" height="579" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHaQlHIbQWQBkBUxFBl_VMJKLSfdKGQmW4gY3Lcl_MN_zWvpxRJ_APmTYzplxm3xm1zeupsZpjx7Dcvx7ohM80u9mdFBybuHcXa6z_wctDKn5D6vDwB1fVdLE95z9WMgI6a5bwsyHU_eWEPgMjASblFmvaZz4iEXaQE77kuMECGf-pH7lFpZNq9n82nGD/w291-h579/Jack2.jpeg" width="291" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">More articles and books about the Dieppe Raid can be found here: <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2021/04/articles-dieppe-raid-1942-rutterjubilee.html">Articles: Dieppe Raid 1942 - Rutter/Jubilee (1 - 9)</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The article featuring Jack Dean continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kL0QUFHlAt1JBMiHUbTIieuPZn5SK5H7L_Hk8iEDUyl-AjyZYh8n4-HulQlj8nQG736TnTSrkQtIdZCpmqeyJzBtUl1-FhL4k98nBJ6eZ6prlqQiOO3bFlewZswXL2_nXVlY81LaTMTx8uEpO-35OsRa-zGgDbqCUwuq4VJZJAHtf8omEsgfuKjLPYgG/s345/Jack3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="218" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kL0QUFHlAt1JBMiHUbTIieuPZn5SK5H7L_Hk8iEDUyl-AjyZYh8n4-HulQlj8nQG736TnTSrkQtIdZCpmqeyJzBtUl1-FhL4k98nBJ6eZ6prlqQiOO3bFlewZswXL2_nXVlY81LaTMTx8uEpO-35OsRa-zGgDbqCUwuq4VJZJAHtf8omEsgfuKjLPYgG/w290-h460/Jack3.jpeg" width="290" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">More information concerning the story of Lt. R. J. McRae mentioned above can be found here: <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2015/02/passages-books-re-combined-operations.html">Passages: From 'Combined Operations'</a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7J7bE4obAR2AmOKfcIRnASR1AS6v507U3llKTb_SkmpH_3G_bRHrVtM7rj1vhjD-mHaO43eC31d2x36bNMbveq7NhRPxOlA1p7FvYKEIIRHhJWxBu_5lxIA6iqH5nNzrpyOcrAGyAJgLkLGPWuQ5wfcFeBqHy1tgOfYz0HNuJ8Gemm1I0UiTJV2OQDkan/s419/IMG_9429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="419" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7J7bE4obAR2AmOKfcIRnASR1AS6v507U3llKTb_SkmpH_3G_bRHrVtM7rj1vhjD-mHaO43eC31d2x36bNMbveq7NhRPxOlA1p7FvYKEIIRHhJWxBu_5lxIA6iqH5nNzrpyOcrAGyAJgLkLGPWuQ5wfcFeBqHy1tgOfYz0HNuJ8Gemm1I0UiTJV2OQDkan/w663-h557/IMG_9429.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lt. McRae became a POW at Dieppe, 1942. Above is</div><div style="text-align: center;">"the drawing of my experiences as a POW pianist."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zqe-oatd1bPDkUEZBQs2r6Epoe_0xHBDRIBEiYC0ytpa39tY_fLsa4Nn7zRxOrOeVNnxRt8AhH4wuEe7YDGlXwLCwcZJmZS-gTf7lh5hNBlFJUYuzJthRa21VXSIiLaEQl8Rc-GCMi0bWeK_2PShZuFfPG2riDkYK6Xy5qRYQXbN3EvAF81SUxd1IIBB/s640/IMG_5052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zqe-oatd1bPDkUEZBQs2r6Epoe_0xHBDRIBEiYC0ytpa39tY_fLsa4Nn7zRxOrOeVNnxRt8AhH4wuEe7YDGlXwLCwcZJmZS-gTf7lh5hNBlFJUYuzJthRa21VXSIiLaEQl8Rc-GCMi0bWeK_2PShZuFfPG2riDkYK6Xy5qRYQXbN3EvAF81SUxd1IIBB/w662-h496/IMG_5052.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Table of Contents' of <b><u>St. Nazaire to Singapore: Canadian Amphibious War</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">reveals entries provided by Robert McRae, Jack Dean and more, incl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">D. Harrison, my father. The book is <a href="https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/asset-management/2R3BF1F3HIIAA">online at the University of Alberta</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Highly recommended!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The article/interview featuring Jack Dean continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6H8-uHcDQHxdylRtmbZCj-4HBWFs2__8X_IB59_f25Tyz1du0lM9hyLNnafHh9IL4vX6X0_LzNpg3Z0KUEpPcjQVfzrTh0NfCh5UjDEju398rPva12lHZzbGDtwlaEODLdZYM7-2ugCGXzY9K70YISQIp97wJz8faDLuNFYQOxpkbYZ1JhskD9UNOn8s/s408/Dean2a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="218" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6H8-uHcDQHxdylRtmbZCj-4HBWFs2__8X_IB59_f25Tyz1du0lM9hyLNnafHh9IL4vX6X0_LzNpg3Z0KUEpPcjQVfzrTh0NfCh5UjDEju398rPva12lHZzbGDtwlaEODLdZYM7-2ugCGXzY9K70YISQIp97wJz8faDLuNFYQOxpkbYZ1JhskD9UNOn8s/w291-h544/Dean2a.jpeg" width="291" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My father mentions crossing paths with Jack Dean during Operation TORCH, i.e., the invasion of North Africa, and <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2015/03/books-re-combined-operations.html">my father's take on the episode can be found here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jack Dean continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv68jpl-selZm-9itOdvsjlviLqqLHAXbDk2aYl9vvpa056eKyEJLzOeEEiQ8Te2_sHH9jwFJpPOHRAKuVGOplKAvAs87kv52ynNkDu63Ab-p-24S5yArj1Z_b0PXO4m_1m0bBKpPahCWj8tW1YrdZSUHg6JH9Fe32n-YigRpmDkPuvvzINHCK7n61L8ND/s318/Dean2b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="216" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv68jpl-selZm-9itOdvsjlviLqqLHAXbDk2aYl9vvpa056eKyEJLzOeEEiQ8Te2_sHH9jwFJpPOHRAKuVGOplKAvAs87kv52ynNkDu63Ab-p-24S5yArj1Z_b0PXO4m_1m0bBKpPahCWj8tW1YrdZSUHg6JH9Fe32n-YigRpmDkPuvvzINHCK7n61L8ND/w291-h428/Dean2b.jpeg" width="291" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">. . . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGa-NIq4m1E5GgUeFpdgwmnLjydowrNj79giiZCb6u8vDBQUW_X3AfHUZMwwpruO4PGzbfffQCeCxxsXVXlY96wL4Ej1NgOO-oLF_LPV6TZ80_lK7zQscbnykZiSj_Tha6JipuvWPfPQrJNbZSd53ldJsqkcWPmAQtOSxXo4pAwvcl3IMjSWGWxWaVA2G/s790/ham3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="790" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGa-NIq4m1E5GgUeFpdgwmnLjydowrNj79giiZCb6u8vDBQUW_X3AfHUZMwwpruO4PGzbfffQCeCxxsXVXlY96wL4Ej1NgOO-oLF_LPV6TZ80_lK7zQscbnykZiSj_Tha6JipuvWPfPQrJNbZSd53ldJsqkcWPmAQtOSxXo4pAwvcl3IMjSWGWxWaVA2G/w664-h421/ham3.jpeg" width="664" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGe6yy6J1o5D6vCkS_Nu49zj0hTH5iMHGH8Uolv_gEJrf5LAqBkXYVhMyyY8l2FHZZbhSL4yrtGKDZ9CIPKVPX67q3vf1DA8F4tY9nD-ce3haO7o018AFXOXIMGoSPJ3XH2jJNJxz2NZ7Ga8wf30b27ekxsIqLWUAhjYcNwu-bmKMEwJ9WzVRnV_Ipb_Ar/s531/ham1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="531" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGe6yy6J1o5D6vCkS_Nu49zj0hTH5iMHGH8Uolv_gEJrf5LAqBkXYVhMyyY8l2FHZZbhSL4yrtGKDZ9CIPKVPX67q3vf1DA8F4tY9nD-ce3haO7o018AFXOXIMGoSPJ3XH2jJNJxz2NZ7Ga8wf30b27ekxsIqLWUAhjYcNwu-bmKMEwJ9WzVRnV_Ipb_Ar/w661-h279/ham1.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneXs4Wp4V4NKtOQ3lmoa39ppoto6wzTFSoU52fsWHKf-IYbtznafmX-jjL6TSPTODVh4j1q7frbIhu1uTShyvyn6bL4e8h9mpeZNjAGtjZYv9B_clPec7t7eEyhT7uyP8AVe6TwARFv68msScrMY_rtsUHAivecxP7u6KWpz2gQHnCue7pafinHjfu-iY/s637/ham2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="530" height="733" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneXs4Wp4V4NKtOQ3lmoa39ppoto6wzTFSoU52fsWHKf-IYbtznafmX-jjL6TSPTODVh4j1q7frbIhu1uTShyvyn6bL4e8h9mpeZNjAGtjZYv9B_clPec7t7eEyhT7uyP8AVe6TwARFv68msScrMY_rtsUHAivecxP7u6KWpz2gQHnCue7pafinHjfu-iY/w610-h733/ham2.jpeg" width="610" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another news article about <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2024/01/war-correspondents-news-article-from_23.html">"500 Men Take Part"</a> can be found here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>"Careful Planning Ensures Success"</b> continues":</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzL_E_1YLRYTrfWtSGjyav6IDfsf7jLC58uBrxkGqUZcWR6L23oOL-2IZJGK9jpka5Qu5mBvsM_FAtn5_wr1AmruguLEWnSKPfiv5psXapHdGkidgn0JyWmx2VT63mNTCM-WN3UtHK3m6HbQJVBcFwmYrd9Ca8kR60D1qjvsdJi7Do6lfMuQHlsjVrHlC/s525/ham4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="525" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzL_E_1YLRYTrfWtSGjyav6IDfsf7jLC58uBrxkGqUZcWR6L23oOL-2IZJGK9jpka5Qu5mBvsM_FAtn5_wr1AmruguLEWnSKPfiv5psXapHdGkidgn0JyWmx2VT63mNTCM-WN3UtHK3m6HbQJVBcFwmYrd9Ca8kR60D1qjvsdJi7Do6lfMuQHlsjVrHlC/w611-h467/ham4.jpeg" width="611" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSk-DVb_kt0h0Eef6s2j3vHh1Zdr3mxCRHFjHUHlIaG2Oo3LutfDGxnZv-PtgCYUJYtX1A8xq2CFOGwIbeKoL4roomnJcYX40vV_wanFI2YdPBVLO2zr9YIOoJalBi_NagTS_o3_Hd4kjE9w_7CRbJKof0A6s0DuB3ZOq97JOVfc__tUZ21HwPh5ljgE1/s521/ham5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="261" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSk-DVb_kt0h0Eef6s2j3vHh1Zdr3mxCRHFjHUHlIaG2Oo3LutfDGxnZv-PtgCYUJYtX1A8xq2CFOGwIbeKoL4roomnJcYX40vV_wanFI2YdPBVLO2zr9YIOoJalBi_NagTS_o3_Hd4kjE9w_7CRbJKof0A6s0DuB3ZOq97JOVfc__tUZ21HwPh5ljgE1/w301-h600/ham5.jpeg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdY8p23cw-2qV8Jnkb8_-6vt7B4D1lV-BdpM0yxZZVyfF39t-96OarvAvoCVxwexS2WvOrjmvp03u0wCLBw4wOwA8Xt5nV4O6f8DhtXy5jFOPovPJ61FHYYcmwfqvqBDRcx_SolvUGLoZadErloTKavPps2T-lF864BWdicgNI6ymEtx8naenpgFq9p0V/s758/2009_206%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="758" height="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdY8p23cw-2qV8Jnkb8_-6vt7B4D1lV-BdpM0yxZZVyfF39t-96OarvAvoCVxwexS2WvOrjmvp03u0wCLBw4wOwA8Xt5nV4O6f8DhtXy5jFOPovPJ61FHYYcmwfqvqBDRcx_SolvUGLoZadErloTKavPps2T-lF864BWdicgNI6ymEtx8naenpgFq9p0V/w662-h461/2009_206%20copy.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A drawing showing British troops inside a Landing Craft, Assault (LCA) at</div><div style="text-align: center;">6.30am on D-Day, about an hour before they are due to land in Normandy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit - <a href="https://theddaystory.com/Search/Detail/4448/">The D-Day Story</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxmeIfkeD049nKoPclzsz-KmsG4lg6IaLnkousR4ohCujnKXmh8cM7n-WfSfET6UULDab3y4M0OG_P_2HZsnDYDEO7u8SguoYfZeSiM4pG-G5fNOujpFVpj5L6Adi-tAEPEke5NRr7j73X39SSpVA_CwizYwMnQX6q7yIlrU6km-1vBy037B_3WelZCtN/s573/ham6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="264" height="653" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxmeIfkeD049nKoPclzsz-KmsG4lg6IaLnkousR4ohCujnKXmh8cM7n-WfSfET6UULDab3y4M0OG_P_2HZsnDYDEO7u8SguoYfZeSiM4pG-G5fNOujpFVpj5L6Adi-tAEPEke5NRr7j73X39SSpVA_CwizYwMnQX6q7yIlrU6km-1vBy037B_3WelZCtN/w300-h653/ham6.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>For more information concerning the Sicily and Italian Campaigns and associated news articles, please <a href="https://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/newspapers/operations/sicilianitalian_e.html">click here </a>and make use of the <b>"Search the Newspaper Archives"</b> feature provided.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Please click here to view <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/11/links-to-resources-focus-on-sicily-and.html">Links to Resources: A Focus on Sicily and Italy, 1943 (2)</a><br /><br />Unattributed Photos GH</div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-38970943775764303722024-01-23T18:32:00.001-05:002024-01-23T18:32:21.310-05:00War Correspondents: News Article from The Hamilton Spectator, July 14, 1943<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;">Louis V. Hunter (V for Victory?) Hits Porches in Hamilton ONT</b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>News from the First Week of Operation HUSKY, Sicily 1943</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRy52boBsDoNTb1UwgU8DryJcTYMAMjTvnAvDaB1qAey0hAyfC28Np795kMOUPYMTWAxoOO_6ebSHWjTAZho69jhKRhkjcZq6LPpdgAiTv67FUyLhmQTEW23f5_YArF2wcprw5AkI3k9UqcFeAgu1jwN2w4LU4B_NYWmMe7X_aLgTOs-m5KqQJtp_T8lVh/s640/11staff%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="640" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRy52boBsDoNTb1UwgU8DryJcTYMAMjTvnAvDaB1qAey0hAyfC28Np795kMOUPYMTWAxoOO_6ebSHWjTAZho69jhKRhkjcZq6LPpdgAiTv67FUyLhmQTEW23f5_YArF2wcprw5AkI3k9UqcFeAgu1jwN2w4LU4B_NYWmMe7X_aLgTOs-m5KqQJtp_T8lVh/w663-h557/11staff%20copy.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A featured article follows below by Louis V. Hunter (circled) as</div><div style="text-align: center;">found in the July 14, 1943 issue of the <b>Hamilton Spectator</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit - <b>The Winnipeg Tribune, </b> July 28, 1943</div><div style="text-align: center;">Link to more <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/06/war-correspondents-canadian-writers.html">details about Canadian correspondents</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZNV5nd66xFEQFeT3pMjMEsRlxEgTyKqHGLbjj1sFhrvqhrepN25GVyMhwRiPhrVbl19lZBGCGOfC2XppUo2QBlVkZw-C8WIiV0YU4HJR9RotZ4upuPFYU7vO8unqmV73pReWAdqOTVYUiezP7qznJQQS04Gwe3Mk4PrJDLuK5p5aSZ-VZmpv2QTfiKq2/s538/article1.jpg" style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="538" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZNV5nd66xFEQFeT3pMjMEsRlxEgTyKqHGLbjj1sFhrvqhrepN25GVyMhwRiPhrVbl19lZBGCGOfC2XppUo2QBlVkZw-C8WIiV0YU4HJR9RotZ4upuPFYU7vO8unqmV73pReWAdqOTVYUiezP7qznJQQS04Gwe3Mk4PrJDLuK5p5aSZ-VZmpv2QTfiKq2/w662-h209/article1.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />Four days after beginning of the Allied invasion of Sicily (July 10, 1943), known as Operation HUSKY, more news of its progress arrived on Canadian shores written by a Canadian war correspondent, this time by Louis V. Hunter.</div><div><br /></div><div>The following news article, which mentions the Canadians in Combined Operations that manned landing crafts in four flotillas, was found online as published in the <b>Hamilton Spectator</b>:<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivA4Qz89r0XrTcSmZkVh3FMfm3hNXyCm0SbyJ9IE1u8ZzSBN5zJJmypYpWg9U9iyDF434WLIfQrgwJSR3pjeC7lD92SUIAibY_chWJf4epw6YOP4StrkKMVJTlY-S6YvBwoh47BkNP7KtJGX5jlSJ1_xpFDXOpCmp2LecdGVFS5H5lvswMpZbyITcIOgry/s658/article2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="658" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivA4Qz89r0XrTcSmZkVh3FMfm3hNXyCm0SbyJ9IE1u8ZzSBN5zJJmypYpWg9U9iyDF434WLIfQrgwJSR3pjeC7lD92SUIAibY_chWJf4epw6YOP4StrkKMVJTlY-S6YvBwoh47BkNP7KtJGX5jlSJ1_xpFDXOpCmp2LecdGVFS5H5lvswMpZbyITcIOgry/w664-h398/article2.jpeg" width="664" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLRc4moBx_D5WScMrINWnXTzHd70-fURi51UVkicezHvS0uUbK7cSbtmjGJmBvHRDA1eIO3jQtNYEiLJpe-QByDrFmdOu4KOZUhlLtOixrENKCBsr6M1sapdY7rb4GU1A5vmvlxoF0zBJaIznhy0D1jBEUrNiS9ZVu7Ywk5mf6BFc3OXMVTxljOEtQ8KN/s658/article3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="658" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLRc4moBx_D5WScMrINWnXTzHd70-fURi51UVkicezHvS0uUbK7cSbtmjGJmBvHRDA1eIO3jQtNYEiLJpe-QByDrFmdOu4KOZUhlLtOixrENKCBsr6M1sapdY7rb4GU1A5vmvlxoF0zBJaIznhy0D1jBEUrNiS9ZVu7Ywk5mf6BFc3OXMVTxljOEtQ8KN/w664-h162/article3.jpeg" width="664" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is indeed rare to see a number affixed to the presence of the Canadian Navy members in actions planned by Combined Operations Head Quarters (COHQ). Rarer still to see numbers attached to Canadian landing craft flotillas, e.g., in North Africa (Operation TORCH) or Sicily, and two months later in Italy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That being said we can attach numbers to how many Canadian flotillas of LCAs and LCMs served in Operation HUSKY, July 1943. E.g., the "two RCN flotillas which have returned to port" (e.g., ports in North Africa, without injury) were the 55th and 61st Canadian LCA (Landing Craft Assault) Flotillas, as seen in the map below:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3SPWYptlEwulegW04tNMoVs4T9DwR4RbJ7QacfZIF_1voWmgNyU6Z8x6sKEq-6wAGipebK5ISN9Z6mEcGb3hmFnlGfV5Dv07aFb6vE3q_iWETaHBdamVzAnM_vh_bEZZnaiXnDzFEsmYVKZhk9Lz1ueHnH2RrYjALkx1ofb6_5rMAkq5SkekXdfAzk2N/s1871/IMG_3795.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1871" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3SPWYptlEwulegW04tNMoVs4T9DwR4RbJ7QacfZIF_1voWmgNyU6Z8x6sKEq-6wAGipebK5ISN9Z6mEcGb3hmFnlGfV5Dv07aFb6vE3q_iWETaHBdamVzAnM_vh_bEZZnaiXnDzFEsmYVKZhk9Lz1ueHnH2RrYjALkx1ofb6_5rMAkq5SkekXdfAzk2N/w880-h566/IMG_3795.jpeg" width="880" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Map as found in the book <b><u>"Combined Operations"</u> </b>by Clayton Marks, from</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">London ONT, a member of RCNVR and Combined Operations Page 76</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Hunter writes that "other flotillas have not returned." The 80th and 81st Canadian LCM (Landing Craft Mechanised) Flotillas stayed in the region near Avola (see lower right, east coast of Sicily) until near the end of the first week of August, as they unloaded all materials of war (vehicles, guns, ammunition, fuel, food... then more fuel... then more food and bullets, etc.) for Montgomery's Eighth Army as it marched north to Messina.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHA5PnYxYngZFWLmZw_wQIpaLX1vzS2AAzLQqHlXEdurQpacMyZgPDat7Vy9bUPtMrkG51ndJIZSNyM8I2eJfRiNvRP0aAw-41JyAdHIlmpSU5BAE4CveOezYUJi4_5MRZhAJGSMKbl8Sbq2Tqz_ykr3ypouYauE8vFsfRvgfYAGIBHV-IzeSWf7l8Mzm/s1453/IMG_0208.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1453" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHA5PnYxYngZFWLmZw_wQIpaLX1vzS2AAzLQqHlXEdurQpacMyZgPDat7Vy9bUPtMrkG51ndJIZSNyM8I2eJfRiNvRP0aAw-41JyAdHIlmpSU5BAE4CveOezYUJi4_5MRZhAJGSMKbl8Sbq2Tqz_ykr3ypouYauE8vFsfRvgfYAGIBHV-IzeSWf7l8Mzm/w662-h610/IMG_0208.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My father, also a member of RCNVR and Combined Ops, spent three</div><div style="text-align: center;">months in the Mediterranean, incl. 30 days near Messina in September</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64huxkFcI9Y37T_qcf1sgvwjWUUpzHoEUx0z_ueLdFAtU3MxbN2vDo6Zbv1H3Z6Dpurq2UamdPOvF_B0tjqnA6OVgEMty0XUG9VIR7ifGThZpaeSQNl9tr-QtPqImqSaOBeMpEaNZ4xdKk2OrNEnYbODRBPKT2Q1ifPB1XGO5FkbPuv92u-kvIOegsMRk/s1633/IMG_3760.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1633" data-original-width="1287" height="841" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64huxkFcI9Y37T_qcf1sgvwjWUUpzHoEUx0z_ueLdFAtU3MxbN2vDo6Zbv1H3Z6Dpurq2UamdPOvF_B0tjqnA6OVgEMty0XUG9VIR7ifGThZpaeSQNl9tr-QtPqImqSaOBeMpEaNZ4xdKk2OrNEnYbODRBPKT2Q1ifPB1XGO5FkbPuv92u-kvIOegsMRk/w662-h841/IMG_3760.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Combined Operations</u> by C. Marks has been reprinted.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Email <i>gordh7700@gmail.com</i> for details</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mr. Hunter continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOybuQeC6DIN2PPSTn63-5jBfNtgzHa2Nf2VQsNcjTTS3kvckJzlA1nfmqxvqsj_ngAEhMhzWf9LfV8XnZHNWH9S3_S5gPdjCpE1Ie-Yi9XoaKM6f7vqbGPPi4SlO3IP4eOv84oF86-rJu359MtNxrpEVmpQ8pBSbMnK3GndkcDtrQXINsIlY91Z4gcpp/s324/article4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="324" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOybuQeC6DIN2PPSTn63-5jBfNtgzHa2Nf2VQsNcjTTS3kvckJzlA1nfmqxvqsj_ngAEhMhzWf9LfV8XnZHNWH9S3_S5gPdjCpE1Ie-Yi9XoaKM6f7vqbGPPi4SlO3IP4eOv84oF86-rJu359MtNxrpEVmpQ8pBSbMnK3GndkcDtrQXINsIlY91Z4gcpp/w407-h236/article4.jpeg" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjna6laD3DD8xbo1Tan74yjB822zV4LA7xTH9I5vd5UNjlMrPDowAP1XgYV7a4JGlnh7yF62gQ5ie-z5Pc1xZNzYgbMavf7p8tbn4I00eSCyMmxqSz0nE1k3pSyLNx6V0NTbY2ctGNS8NAktoNLyCJm8d5UpH0fV5gNdVeo0dbBV2KrgnK8WDhkrjFUbrJm/s324/article5a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="324" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjna6laD3DD8xbo1Tan74yjB822zV4LA7xTH9I5vd5UNjlMrPDowAP1XgYV7a4JGlnh7yF62gQ5ie-z5Pc1xZNzYgbMavf7p8tbn4I00eSCyMmxqSz0nE1k3pSyLNx6V0NTbY2ctGNS8NAktoNLyCJm8d5UpH0fV5gNdVeo0dbBV2KrgnK8WDhkrjFUbrJm/w407-h205/article5a.jpeg" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvWZPE3yUE5ieRQh1ti60oZvylE0Ht_OrKjrCCsANak9B3nL2M55vRQpAFtt1bIO3cIET0ZoO7kWgsTN39aCzohqHK3KItkWZhrIA9zc5CgBoRq62J6BuVmeLtx9NB7wcdMoaXFgpQHvTGWK84iNS2u7M5qi3qLkyd-V2RUThKm-UWWkRgb_3Mgy-PJo-/s322/article5b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="322" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvWZPE3yUE5ieRQh1ti60oZvylE0Ht_OrKjrCCsANak9B3nL2M55vRQpAFtt1bIO3cIET0ZoO7kWgsTN39aCzohqHK3KItkWZhrIA9zc5CgBoRq62J6BuVmeLtx9NB7wcdMoaXFgpQHvTGWK84iNS2u7M5qi3qLkyd-V2RUThKm-UWWkRgb_3Mgy-PJo-/w406-h138/article5b.jpeg" width="406" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The first members of RCNVR to volunteer for duties with the Combined Op organization (i.e., Combined Operations Command) did so at HMCS <i>Stadacona</i>, Halifax, in November 1941. They were shipped to Greenock, Scotland in January 1942, sent by train a couple of days later to their first training camp re landing crafts, i.e., HMS <i>Northney I-IV</i> on Hayling Island, southern England and shortly thereafter to Inveraray, and Irvine, Scotland. Their first major training exercises, e.g., Exercise Schuyt I and II were in preparation for the Dieppe raid, August 19, 1942 (unbeknownst to the Canadian sailors). Training for the invasion of North Africa (Operation TORCH, beginning November 8, 1942) followed quickly on the heels of the tragedy at Dieppe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJtADdGjjwwDJrr5c2hFe6s4QrUQqAmvDt_D73z5B9cskMhDyqSBskHhxLVV5yJZu_GR62w95GKJ77mdHJG2GzywVMRBnOQWDeLaaTN24P1eInkisgtnDzFHEC4naYiOKSiJJec40TitoEbcO0LdZZM-uFWPhcrxngIZzfwmmP4_FNcEYp2aK45lsL_fH/s640/61af875212ddcf1e8150267a_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="640" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJtADdGjjwwDJrr5c2hFe6s4QrUQqAmvDt_D73z5B9cskMhDyqSBskHhxLVV5yJZu_GR62w95GKJ77mdHJG2GzywVMRBnOQWDeLaaTN24P1eInkisgtnDzFHEC4naYiOKSiJJec40TitoEbcO0LdZZM-uFWPhcrxngIZzfwmmP4_FNcEYp2aK45lsL_fH/w768-h444/61af875212ddcf1e8150267a_1.jpg" width="768" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Personnel of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps treating "casualties"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">during </span><span style="text-align: left;">the final rehearsal for Operation JUBILEE, the raid on Dieppe. England,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">August, 1942. </span><span style="text-align: left;">Left is a landing craft personnel (LCP), right is a landing craft</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">assault (LCA). </span><span style="text-align: left;">Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3194481</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lt. Cmdr Bartlett posted several news articles (a few have been shared in various posts scattered throughout this blog). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That being said, readers may find some interest in an article from <b>The Winnipeg Tribune </b><u>about</u> officer Bartlett:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsadcL5Z8jpRywlKLHmNEl_kQukDjsBLygo1McMm77H7LLV1Dyj704Hs3k2TTN3iR8fED_EZPQDYOIQouqS9CxGJjnu5TOelXUtTsa8QpuPjkdgj9bic0NFoCt8x7DYz3jTZ4RwLnB6HEgUYIwxInezBSeHoi0dEbG01c__qQKicAqoJ5UQpsnifOMJteS/s460/Aug.20-8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="444" height="685" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsadcL5Z8jpRywlKLHmNEl_kQukDjsBLygo1McMm77H7LLV1Dyj704Hs3k2TTN3iR8fED_EZPQDYOIQouqS9CxGJjnu5TOelXUtTsa8QpuPjkdgj9bic0NFoCt8x7DYz3jTZ4RwLnB6HEgUYIwxInezBSeHoi0dEbG01c__qQKicAqoJ5UQpsnifOMJteS/w662-h685/Aug.20-8.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>And a bit more information (re dramatic news!) about the fate of <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2017/12/articles-sicily-august-20-26-1943-pt-17.html">Lt. Cmdr. Bartlett can be found here!</a> (i.e., under the posting of the same article found above) Good grief! A POW?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mr. Hunter's article continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXtjIb0r94u-l88VdQRLdPMVbz7K4nAGjLhM_HAGY1LF59PcvdP0M069wjFv-AX-D86JuQgMCsqXsuq-sNdwq-bb6oBLKdLmQ3LJjW0qTkjMKCVj7vAx1b-cmsiYZ2hxlcnZ0crpUgVv2kJK620o-b3Js_QuALeay4Ro0coFNkK7tkpIcyhdFSLvAHroW/s322/article6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="322" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXtjIb0r94u-l88VdQRLdPMVbz7K4nAGjLhM_HAGY1LF59PcvdP0M069wjFv-AX-D86JuQgMCsqXsuq-sNdwq-bb6oBLKdLmQ3LJjW0qTkjMKCVj7vAx1b-cmsiYZ2hxlcnZ0crpUgVv2kJK620o-b3Js_QuALeay4Ro0coFNkK7tkpIcyhdFSLvAHroW/w407-h233/article6.jpeg" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcgDF_FWVQ4dedFNH7hl-htkXDpqepNnJwFOSPvHAbU8tep_ZGOLkPAq6bQYXB9-BpPfQDziFXW3mxx4EMcv9EojU20KpbLSvFKZRR5aqkvTdH2xRrWfeTD-z04JoWWI7FpyJZdFf6diR4cYyuyqInRJfCbJF48gjaaRcLYqR6PFSyMHcfH-HP6iTOTaI/s600/61b360df55eb39cf901818cf_a104105-v6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="600" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcgDF_FWVQ4dedFNH7hl-htkXDpqepNnJwFOSPvHAbU8tep_ZGOLkPAq6bQYXB9-BpPfQDziFXW3mxx4EMcv9EojU20KpbLSvFKZRR5aqkvTdH2xRrWfeTD-z04JoWWI7FpyJZdFf6diR4cYyuyqInRJfCbJF48gjaaRcLYqR6PFSyMHcfH-HP6iTOTaI/w767-h568/61b360df55eb39cf901818cf_a104105-v6.jpg" width="767" /></a>Ratings mustered along the starboard side of HMCS Assiniboine at sea, circa</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sept. 1940. Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3396583</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Are the ratings taking a peak at a map on the officer's iPhone?)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/post/royal-canadian-navy-rcn-1-history-and-heritage-1939-1943">As found at RCN Photos 1939 - 1943</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhsmo4cfC37u-iNlQQNQ5AB-j8YL2lJUCDzwmXFrxVb8CXscIWU5Z3Te3cEayWT_dWHvMGuzq4FvoRdeU3iDpjdv2o7mb68IQ1uEg4OAnC7_UVWzB9n2bQdl4eJIhemR-J_HljmGS1J1DypjcOuDdPSS4aWDrY7YJv67ULQ9PiFxh1xLx_VcwVZ6RUKE-/s319/article7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="319" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhsmo4cfC37u-iNlQQNQ5AB-j8YL2lJUCDzwmXFrxVb8CXscIWU5Z3Te3cEayWT_dWHvMGuzq4FvoRdeU3iDpjdv2o7mb68IQ1uEg4OAnC7_UVWzB9n2bQdl4eJIhemR-J_HljmGS1J1DypjcOuDdPSS4aWDrY7YJv67ULQ9PiFxh1xLx_VcwVZ6RUKE-/w407-h255/article7.jpeg" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Canadian soldiers completed their landings on the southern coast of Sicily, in landing crafts manned by Royal Navy personnel. And British troops completed their landings on the eastern coast in landing crafts manned by Canadian sailors in some locations. Canadian sailors finally and cheerfully transported their own Canadian troops during the next invasion, however, i.e., Operation BAYTOWN, beginning September 3, 1943, on the toe of the boot of Italy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEher2L152oK-PQvv13fjR776W9_IER3vH3jhQ74ATIUqmzZ0QXYbkod53CUgj2GtQF9V1u1gRiJTN2NuyQW_Y-KFc0gPLqK-w2RzxycVw4pmAu7UwtFj1WmS7d1h99q92Rob-jIu_QeRvhtwirXZAkpFKrZngv6DnU-5lgu0yT4tPPtXNnr70rOGseuDrYQ/s322/article8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="322" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEher2L152oK-PQvv13fjR776W9_IER3vH3jhQ74ATIUqmzZ0QXYbkod53CUgj2GtQF9V1u1gRiJTN2NuyQW_Y-KFc0gPLqK-w2RzxycVw4pmAu7UwtFj1WmS7d1h99q92Rob-jIu_QeRvhtwirXZAkpFKrZngv6DnU-5lgu0yT4tPPtXNnr70rOGseuDrYQ/w407-h320/article8.jpeg" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">"The right shore at the right time" was a very worthy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">goal </span><span style="text-align: left;">for those who manned landing crafts. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4utftWEIM-faQ5p3ME-Xkgyv8snVb3p9aA6LnHp2r_HZ_zmWcoAm9ghAV5m0oJrAAeTIFVC6T08MK_zHaNUO1LgyCJj8P0HDM9on6AXIo0nQecesrO62-JYwh7xBQxIFmCWfoDHec9zlXST_nAS5NZYAp9NhIoaFwL8Zo6l10LhVRhFeOe5xHSquvTQuD/s323/article9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="323" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4utftWEIM-faQ5p3ME-Xkgyv8snVb3p9aA6LnHp2r_HZ_zmWcoAm9ghAV5m0oJrAAeTIFVC6T08MK_zHaNUO1LgyCJj8P0HDM9on6AXIo0nQecesrO62-JYwh7xBQxIFmCWfoDHec9zlXST_nAS5NZYAp9NhIoaFwL8Zo6l10LhVRhFeOe5xHSquvTQuD/w407-h328/article9.jpeg" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2016/02/story-re-combined-ops-revenge-for-hmhs.html">Details about the sinking of an Allied 'Hospital Ship' found here</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some members of the 80th Flotilla of LCMs, including my father, skipped the card games and found another activity to help pass the time just before their work began. My father writes:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">July 10, 1943. We arrived off Sicily in the middle of the night and stopped about four miles out. Other ships and new LCIs (landing craft infantry), fairly large barges, were landing troops. Soldiers went off each side of the foc’sle, down steps into the water and then ashore, during which time we saw much tracer fire. This was to be our worst invasion yet. Those left aboard had to wait until daylight so we went fishing for an hour or more, but there were no fish. (</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">From <u style="font-weight: bold;"> "Dad, Well Done"</u>, page 31)</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hunter's article continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBR-h0Ni5KwWNFqDSktYC0LlTxlWqXquAM5-eB3MG606SymGbFAtkYRHoiCzF_GANo4HZGYr3UKMDhiv2JlQk7WsZ5_QwDMa7dhXC9sMPX5NEicuaW_sZlHAzdNCTb_rPNLrl3Xk8KAtHEpTMSoWtlX52h06diugGEclFJ0CVbi_GqSTvCb58VhMCXbUt/s323/article10.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="323" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBR-h0Ni5KwWNFqDSktYC0LlTxlWqXquAM5-eB3MG606SymGbFAtkYRHoiCzF_GANo4HZGYr3UKMDhiv2JlQk7WsZ5_QwDMa7dhXC9sMPX5NEicuaW_sZlHAzdNCTb_rPNLrl3Xk8KAtHEpTMSoWtlX52h06diugGEclFJ0CVbi_GqSTvCb58VhMCXbUt/w407-h228/article10.jpeg" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tEN_0yVK4kODZIOpBH4uoSTBEgkMzuzzophOHRiWee18l1oxS7Og_bcdoIZ7z2SiMo2pMcTaSzWa4bqUKMuntQXIej03QIP_JUwJfglEKik1Gwbkx8qy6erxGItKdcKhORoXHl-dQr4nfyFc_39Jk3jXFAuigcnkjjSNJCFLj-25cuGTZnwJ2xePhWG0/s600/6150a687c5819053efa86c8f_RCN,%20stmb.%20MIKAN%20No.%203201113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="600" height="577" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tEN_0yVK4kODZIOpBH4uoSTBEgkMzuzzophOHRiWee18l1oxS7Og_bcdoIZ7z2SiMo2pMcTaSzWa4bqUKMuntQXIej03QIP_JUwJfglEKik1Gwbkx8qy6erxGItKdcKhORoXHl-dQr4nfyFc_39Jk3jXFAuigcnkjjSNJCFLj-25cuGTZnwJ2xePhWG0/w757-h577/6150a687c5819053efa86c8f_RCN,%20stmb.%20MIKAN%20No.%203201113.jpg" width="757" /></a>Splicing the mainbrace: distribution of rum ration aboard HMCS <i>Arvida</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">to celebrate the news of the surrender of Italy. St. John's, Newfoundland,</div><div style="text-align: center;">8 Sept.1943. Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3201113)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Members of the 80th Flotilla celebrated with vino at that time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div>Dad missed the rum, I'm sure of it, but he made up for it later! Please link to <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2017/12/articles-loading-coal-and-unloading-rum.html">"Loading Coal and Unloading Rum."</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Louis V. Hunter concludes his article with the following three sentences:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaQaC_L3SavBADn9TjR1gU0mA2B49t-1lCmre0oHXO0WVyL96yApS_n3ToTJwZC3R3tLVSBWa-CEIus7TrBQexxiMUOs1-azmYYmeSGVysrmdfU4mPely4ecw2B9D05FrYIoBldmuXf1s5Vz2TvnsOOVMuhR2siKUabJPPgf7UTEPLkinCcKlv-tg2x27/s323/article11.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="323" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaQaC_L3SavBADn9TjR1gU0mA2B49t-1lCmre0oHXO0WVyL96yApS_n3ToTJwZC3R3tLVSBWa-CEIus7TrBQexxiMUOs1-azmYYmeSGVysrmdfU4mPely4ecw2B9D05FrYIoBldmuXf1s5Vz2TvnsOOVMuhR2siKUabJPPgf7UTEPLkinCcKlv-tg2x27/w406-h227/article11.jpeg" width="406" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The two flotillas of Canadian LCMs followed shortly after "the fighting men" landed, and they were bombarded by enemy planes every two hours for three consecutive days. Eventually, Allied air power dominated the skies over Sicily and the sailors got into the routine of unloading all manner of supply vessels 'from ship to shore' for the next 3 weeks of July, and a week into August. </div><div><br /></div><div>50 - 60 Canadian sailors, perhaps more, found a good-sized cattle cave near the south end of GEORGE Sector (aka Beach 44, today known as Fontane Bianche, see WWII map below) and except for a shortage of food - and one or more pill boxes had to be cleared out with grenades (!) - survived without too much aggravation until ordered to move out to Malta for rest, recuperation and the repair of landing crafts for the next Operation (BAYTOWN, September 3rd).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR4cEbRnp7_W9t1xLqGw_LaDeObFrcik2zGcbEQaYe65zbtqlGq4C7qc2utPAJkftUEthXFes-yUSy-BM_JhVcnRh-MU2DWKjgSf6G70C5vxbbEr7s1IZdheKioG1CeKJINOqxJDALTvChQYIussosXnC6psAb6L_OQB_AGtKBYXeCgVwCKv3-ft3dI9O/s662/grottazze.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="662" height="561" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR4cEbRnp7_W9t1xLqGw_LaDeObFrcik2zGcbEQaYe65zbtqlGq4C7qc2utPAJkftUEthXFes-yUSy-BM_JhVcnRh-MU2DWKjgSf6G70C5vxbbEr7s1IZdheKioG1CeKJINOqxJDALTvChQYIussosXnC6psAb6L_OQB_AGtKBYXeCgVwCKv3-ft3dI9O/w669-h561/grottazze.jpg" width="669" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">GEORGE Sector, guarded by 6 Italian pillboxes (blue squares with arrow</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">and blue dot), was soon an active transport center. Map as found at the</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Museum of Allied Landings in Sicily," Catania. GH</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexE8g_D-lw_jGwKP7dOsAFux5JE6FMa7Dnu9It2aOC_ejo_42paCb5lM5J-6m2yy3jQ9MRYApf8LOwp-wfU8tTv7BR_aiGyI511LVb39GhA2-K-E9a_MzUUGaSrcVEbz_em8FnTs0AeyQ4-EZ6w6DfZTl_n1iEGxTCcyWEUsEg3Gmz2R-nYvNovMghwcX/s661/IMG_5879.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="661" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexE8g_D-lw_jGwKP7dOsAFux5JE6FMa7Dnu9It2aOC_ejo_42paCb5lM5J-6m2yy3jQ9MRYApf8LOwp-wfU8tTv7BR_aiGyI511LVb39GhA2-K-E9a_MzUUGaSrcVEbz_em8FnTs0AeyQ4-EZ6w6DfZTl_n1iEGxTCcyWEUsEg3Gmz2R-nYvNovMghwcX/w663-h441/IMG_5879.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pillbox closest to the tip of the red arrow, see map above. Photo was taken</div><div style="text-align: center;">by Gord H. on Sept., 2023 in Fontane Bianche. Another also found.</div><br />Please click here to view <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2024/01/war-correspondents-news-article-from.html">War Correspondents: News Article from The Ottawa Citizen, Dec. 1998</a><br /><br />Another entry soon to follow.<br /><br />Unattributed Photos GH</div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-15931740310913854442024-01-06T14:09:00.001-05:002024-01-23T18:27:15.594-05:00War Correspondents: News Article from The Ottawa Citizen, Dec. 1998<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Is it True? Were War Correspondents and PR Units Overlooked?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Canadian Film and Photographic Unit (CFPU) Were at the Front </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ysRplJWbRC-y28VJkY9ZbiPhzt-sJ2GlypLdedGK4Z_jzl9NdCB8lWS2hjhyphenhyphenek0yk9Ndw6HbttwAyhwycdUx_RbOpu4xbtnkM8xQ51VD9y-F85Wke1nuFijGkgWMY6fNb2ArdPKikVGWI30XBrnP8UJp1sz-dz2MPQQOtM5IV6754f1ngtTdJ4jH3UuR/s948/munro1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="948" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ysRplJWbRC-y28VJkY9ZbiPhzt-sJ2GlypLdedGK4Z_jzl9NdCB8lWS2hjhyphenhyphenek0yk9Ndw6HbttwAyhwycdUx_RbOpu4xbtnkM8xQ51VD9y-F85Wke1nuFijGkgWMY6fNb2ArdPKikVGWI30XBrnP8UJp1sz-dz2MPQQOtM5IV6754f1ngtTdJ4jH3UuR/w675-h391/munro1.jpg" width="675" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Is that a Canadian writer up ahead?" "Yeh, there (!!), left of the stump!"</div><div style="text-align: center;">Knowledgeable readers will spot at least one well-travelled scribe above</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />Below readers will find a very informative news article from a long-serving Canadian newspaper published in our nation's capital city, <b>The Ottawa Citizen.</b> It has been referenced on this site several times before, chiefly because <b>The Citizen's</b> war correspondent Dick Sanburn shared news about several members of RCNVR/Combined Operations (the main focus of this blog) during their three months of service in the Mediterranean, i.e., during the opening stage of Operation BAYTOWN beginning September 3, 1943, on the toe of the boot on Italy. <br /><br />The role of the war correspondent was/is very valuable as most readers of history will surely admit and confirm, and the following article from 1998 makes a good 'stand alone' entry:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCOa35Glyy2aZ2x8Mnk_sGNDSl5yBlMYnNHM7wQX98sXH30HB_M3DiSvIYn_mAg5aUQdFPZuyFNWaJsiLgzFtt9zRhGR60vbjP_AaWicKH1Vc95Cls9CpFWKzZ_SbD9a3motofKcfv55yUlYRCUzzVEFAqVwoNllpEaIBzUxl2EXpX-Z25ZFGQc9wsbnN/s971/munro2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="961" height="876" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCOa35Glyy2aZ2x8Mnk_sGNDSl5yBlMYnNHM7wQX98sXH30HB_M3DiSvIYn_mAg5aUQdFPZuyFNWaJsiLgzFtt9zRhGR60vbjP_AaWicKH1Vc95Cls9CpFWKzZ_SbD9a3motofKcfv55yUlYRCUzzVEFAqVwoNllpEaIBzUxl2EXpX-Z25ZFGQc9wsbnN/w867-h876/munro2.jpg" width="867" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Popular war correspondent Ross Munro (left) is one of several writers and </div><div style="text-align: center;">photographers who landed with troops and rapidly informed the Canadian </div><div style="text-align: center;">public of progress on various war fronts. Source - The Canadian Press</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Ottawa Citizen</b>, Wednesday, 23 December, 1998. Page 25</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTkOShnmedMaOd1N6IYuzsnq2fIkm-ga-yTmYyl1-PH4I7RJNs1qWbY3IxMndq264VNoluf1mMnCvjXszxjDmjyrtW383DnlhApVN_i2odhDobYMc2exSY_ZwwErrmQsLrE29-FyqQrGDWrs91u-9_bA8iRLsZwKMJz15aw64Z3Sqyzo5TmsS6h3AwvNe/s596/photo1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="77" data-original-width="596" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTkOShnmedMaOd1N6IYuzsnq2fIkm-ga-yTmYyl1-PH4I7RJNs1qWbY3IxMndq264VNoluf1mMnCvjXszxjDmjyrtW383DnlhApVN_i2odhDobYMc2exSY_ZwwErrmQsLrE29-FyqQrGDWrs91u-9_bA8iRLsZwKMJz15aw64Z3Sqyzo5TmsS6h3AwvNe/w774-h99/photo1.jpeg" width="774" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOavj7URQaHnqQA2rICeQTjz1ctz-lhOZzbkD71T95QKQW-PIARxqyiH4P9Ovv9B5WTceDirlicBfRw-wM09QQnpAYRjQZL-RMXvFPS9i8TkEvdEk1ZnVg5NuVl-YmW2VNHFiKMagb9zxEul9VG5_fUpsMwr9LFKN13yRKrxelH1ACw4uNVPSl74hsgW84/s561/photo2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="70" data-original-width="561" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOavj7URQaHnqQA2rICeQTjz1ctz-lhOZzbkD71T95QKQW-PIARxqyiH4P9Ovv9B5WTceDirlicBfRw-wM09QQnpAYRjQZL-RMXvFPS9i8TkEvdEk1ZnVg5NuVl-YmW2VNHFiKMagb9zxEul9VG5_fUpsMwr9LFKN13yRKrxelH1ACw4uNVPSl74hsgW84/w774-h96/photo2.jpeg" width="774" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvv5mr9dinmDanubMrMt6H6iUYONh-QblS1ctWK2n1W5o5MbE4Lm441FTWv4i0eFAzWP0PsZI4GUOFz_wWmGR_tbsUxthpCJ1xCVKrvQG31lliN4Ywmk56h-GoS8OBaADF4-cI3Wj8AC7wVF6cHRKNeCB2G5yimpD5K12FH4AG3XrcMlP2-jvCohcsdDw/s381/photo3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="381" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvv5mr9dinmDanubMrMt6H6iUYONh-QblS1ctWK2n1W5o5MbE4Lm441FTWv4i0eFAzWP0PsZI4GUOFz_wWmGR_tbsUxthpCJ1xCVKrvQG31lliN4Ywmk56h-GoS8OBaADF4-cI3Wj8AC7wVF6cHRKNeCB2G5yimpD5K12FH4AG3XrcMlP2-jvCohcsdDw/w535-h367/photo3.jpeg" width="535" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55ehmfvoFilnn6d8nOqYUT1aQnZqepFeqiLyYDYCwCCr9o2Y7oJau7F_G4ReBe5HoW69gno_16rnE8NNU5K23aSQP0aa6Bch41mzdsE2l7Rb_LwhBHAuR-ZNh5nwljJn6vcH40LvyxuieK9S0H6AN1LXB1_FKJo0W0vA6UpnEn7_PoW6rNzcBs2Tu35kK/s602/photo4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="419" height="658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55ehmfvoFilnn6d8nOqYUT1aQnZqepFeqiLyYDYCwCCr9o2Y7oJau7F_G4ReBe5HoW69gno_16rnE8NNU5K23aSQP0aa6Bch41mzdsE2l7Rb_LwhBHAuR-ZNh5nwljJn6vcH40LvyxuieK9S0H6AN1LXB1_FKJo0W0vA6UpnEn7_PoW6rNzcBs2Tu35kK/w458-h658/photo4.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1uE774Bv-Q0lhu0WVk-7gG4yoPV6RFp3Py37YGFDeuLsow-iGiss06KtD2c6wUWxMGkZXr1_pKw2XHZ7H05VOlVsT6QbS3xBF1lpysGUxY8u9Nv1To19fuoNSMaxmQtOiQVOBlLP-kCihGEdyeaUzthBkRk0htUta5HgXlE7H6UzB57cALbEJdLpvO8_/s678/munro1943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="660" height="679" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1uE774Bv-Q0lhu0WVk-7gG4yoPV6RFp3Py37YGFDeuLsow-iGiss06KtD2c6wUWxMGkZXr1_pKw2XHZ7H05VOlVsT6QbS3xBF1lpysGUxY8u9Nv1To19fuoNSMaxmQtOiQVOBlLP-kCihGEdyeaUzthBkRk0htUta5HgXlE7H6UzB57cALbEJdLpvO8_/w662-h679/munro1943.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadian Army photographers took 1000s of pictures. Explore the link attached.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Munro is "typing a story in the battle area between Valguarnera and Leonforte,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Italy in August, 1943. <a href="https://canadianfilmandphotounit.ca/">Canadian Army Film Unit (CAFU)</a>, Album 62 (22816)</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4n7ktQrvouOO1f5RVkKYadQSCNyZjtopqGQLCOjSmtkikqJ65JNo7OugbotCqhjr3sRHBUNuduxNVj-UpBG-SSSVKrpKVrghMBTJaM1Avm1primgB7aMH3_sRK6PXi6nb5Cf7RJJp_mrz1KK5xAmJCPpM9-owbO5wq4x3j8YzeScgsDACFbUsmgbpdmcn/s651/photo5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="414" height="719" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4n7ktQrvouOO1f5RVkKYadQSCNyZjtopqGQLCOjSmtkikqJ65JNo7OugbotCqhjr3sRHBUNuduxNVj-UpBG-SSSVKrpKVrghMBTJaM1Avm1primgB7aMH3_sRK6PXi6nb5Cf7RJJp_mrz1KK5xAmJCPpM9-owbO5wq4x3j8YzeScgsDACFbUsmgbpdmcn/w458-h719/photo5.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Below are excerpts from a rare report (33 pages of a possible 119) about the creation and <a href="https://www.afec33.asso.fr/sites/default/files/images/Etudes%20Canadiennes/1979-6/06-07R.L.%20BENNE.pdf">work of <b>The Maple Leaf</b></a> beginning in Caen, France, 1944, a relatively short time after D-Day Normandy (June 6, 1944). Detailed information about the set up of a working press, the headlines that tell the advance of the war from a Canadian perspective, the war correspondents and photographers and film crews who - at the risk of their own lives - informed the Canadian forces and general public:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3gYIOQNw0EQ0-uIx0i5wXmjw0KeF2bC0BkBZfSSzSix6aoqF2Jz3ewmcgB8ThVMgJ6_jjhkY1Y6LwnM7Z1xr81-jZ0-p9R6DCkfiPGloiyhZTXyQNfYC_i-WYwZUKFpt-Z_TDIaTh843cnxERl04G2KlUyl9HScNpX-xSqFzCMbfotl7WZwnChyXDjL7/s797/mapleleaf1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="797" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3gYIOQNw0EQ0-uIx0i5wXmjw0KeF2bC0BkBZfSSzSix6aoqF2Jz3ewmcgB8ThVMgJ6_jjhkY1Y6LwnM7Z1xr81-jZ0-p9R6DCkfiPGloiyhZTXyQNfYC_i-WYwZUKFpt-Z_TDIaTh843cnxERl04G2KlUyl9HScNpX-xSqFzCMbfotl7WZwnChyXDjL7/w663-h468/mapleleaf1.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A Free Press at the Battle Front</b>, Page 87</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTF2Ixl6AyfY00ccM_0IYCX5Af5Yojl-Htl1jaRJtR_ddvPcOe8Spo8vSsCqYpnG7ALoiRv6bKTBJ8bJDTZhYiAsDhCiJ3z1DAsEdFXwx9eIGE6FcjYzhaG4sZ0ghHzmIUiPgYYmmhGk1M2zse0mknyhpkq-nGJ2jiM1x1Tf4pkIh_CQ1RqfgcX8Z6vq1/s940/mapleleaf2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="793" height="785" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTF2Ixl6AyfY00ccM_0IYCX5Af5Yojl-Htl1jaRJtR_ddvPcOe8Spo8vSsCqYpnG7ALoiRv6bKTBJ8bJDTZhYiAsDhCiJ3z1DAsEdFXwx9eIGE6FcjYzhaG4sZ0ghHzmIUiPgYYmmhGk1M2zse0mknyhpkq-nGJ2jiM1x1Tf4pkIh_CQ1RqfgcX8Z6vq1/w662-h785/mapleleaf2.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A Free Press at the Battle Front, </b>Page 101</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-w2tsJLik4H24RaGe_UZC44ww4roUD7kuC5nujUTJRTkWiPmJ-ty2h0abUtymLnb6VT9NK51jNMsS1Yak4lDaU7MSePndu7B3znV2n5ply2xyDF84Bx3Wi3Oti7QjM3xCz9rUMB766hhiBIXyH2sjVM1d1L7nqlBpPXExYSegYFJNFo4uk8SYYEyo0lLs/s1111/mapleleaf3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="778" height="942" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-w2tsJLik4H24RaGe_UZC44ww4roUD7kuC5nujUTJRTkWiPmJ-ty2h0abUtymLnb6VT9NK51jNMsS1Yak4lDaU7MSePndu7B3znV2n5ply2xyDF84Bx3Wi3Oti7QjM3xCz9rUMB766hhiBIXyH2sjVM1d1L7nqlBpPXExYSegYFJNFo4uk8SYYEyo0lLs/w661-h942/mapleleaf3.jpg" width="661" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiu0kiMtkdibmXzZ-W2MXqUPpJ6E61Z42vALsA2Y9Z639fSIv153GfZDaEXPa33oB9MK19bUhnu6K_haEfdvhEhQ1Wu8Y8kHk3IC_YhgfDDRMFTf7lJg7ZsLfxLqj9kNmUi__Gol6V-97GIP2KV68Jn6scXWWjhRpb9amoaRdvOzRY7elwA1kgDdMxl4N/s898/mapleleaf4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="715" height="829" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiu0kiMtkdibmXzZ-W2MXqUPpJ6E61Z42vALsA2Y9Z639fSIv153GfZDaEXPa33oB9MK19bUhnu6K_haEfdvhEhQ1Wu8Y8kHk3IC_YhgfDDRMFTf7lJg7ZsLfxLqj9kNmUi__Gol6V-97GIP2KV68Jn6scXWWjhRpb9amoaRdvOzRY7elwA1kgDdMxl4N/w662-h829/mapleleaf4.jpg" width="662" /></a><b>A Free Press at the Battle Front</b>, Pages 110 - 111</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iNN6wJaxDqs0BV9GK1exebP2FfomzYmXQr43WB2uCxhd1xo2qpK7d89LezlUybFroJpz3K24PHWnHTq88Oer5e2SpAPKWIHZmaCj7csfANVrNXVn-lxBwEqLBucBabXGArqgdce20QcAfsFhyphenhyphenKB67K77_fyTwa8vxQdhOXpTUdMpo1BbraxBHrwjRvip/s1363/mapleleaf5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1363" height="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iNN6wJaxDqs0BV9GK1exebP2FfomzYmXQr43WB2uCxhd1xo2qpK7d89LezlUybFroJpz3K24PHWnHTq88Oer5e2SpAPKWIHZmaCj7csfANVrNXVn-lxBwEqLBucBabXGArqgdce20QcAfsFhyphenhyphenKB67K77_fyTwa8vxQdhOXpTUdMpo1BbraxBHrwjRvip/w1134-h1024/mapleleaf5.jpg" width="1134" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(Use the following link to peruse <a href="The Maple Leaf, modern day - https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/maple-leaf.html"><b>The Maple Leaf</b>, modern day edition.</a>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-align: center;">War Correspondents, PR Units Overlooked </b><span style="text-align: center;">continues:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOL4oUUE2FhI6YKlQTTFoxXcOZct39DcDKGe-TMIaA2maQyxsx-oexusAcS_7SGtq7OU-S7BZJUQ05xMEO08cklQiWQr_-fxS1dE6vZaxoHiDIjXu45pw89dilgX6xnp-HNUO447NlGaY3j205DJ2gxdS89WxRU3Xlm8gEgbs7FKHLs2Oaq5ud5WC5gFC/s432/photo6a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="416" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOL4oUUE2FhI6YKlQTTFoxXcOZct39DcDKGe-TMIaA2maQyxsx-oexusAcS_7SGtq7OU-S7BZJUQ05xMEO08cklQiWQr_-fxS1dE6vZaxoHiDIjXu45pw89dilgX6xnp-HNUO447NlGaY3j205DJ2gxdS89WxRU3Xlm8gEgbs7FKHLs2Oaq5ud5WC5gFC/w459-h476/photo6a.jpeg" width="459" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1G6LWzZdh9HikqnRNpsOlXf_ACH7B9PGdizpi6ELf0H1eHJ0uL16nhd_vikOxSCRGt9p7cKHQu_YqpV2r9iCN4psdJY9k3224_cY1quQ0GsXNfCQ8Td8xRgIAtsDJJuvWBdBVBFmAHFAcebWeY5OMIdRNWLiLGqJsrB2zLN4qG4LIGSRyffTO-iYyJgW/s417/photo6b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="54" data-original-width="417" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1G6LWzZdh9HikqnRNpsOlXf_ACH7B9PGdizpi6ELf0H1eHJ0uL16nhd_vikOxSCRGt9p7cKHQu_YqpV2r9iCN4psdJY9k3224_cY1quQ0GsXNfCQ8Td8xRgIAtsDJJuvWBdBVBFmAHFAcebWeY5OMIdRNWLiLGqJsrB2zLN4qG4LIGSRyffTO-iYyJgW/w461-h59/photo6b.jpeg" width="461" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If readers are not familiar with Canadian photographer 'Gib' Milne, I recommend his book entitled <b style="text-decoration-line: underline;">HMCS,</b> filled with scores of Navy photographs, including several iconic D-Day Normandy photos:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ6TQDbrRPITbR_zbU79qPspX0GgXQf3EQbFR1pDFcaqn_NmTHcLauMGtBbFdrtlSSGK5TXg7GzHnQt8XnkfkQN3kMAuRaOwPxZOOxWQGA1DhrpVI-WsM4BDWSXtl-dGvfcF_Ew7oHGTfXyxwd8GnS4oSkOdwtJjznRruQqVDkiYXEkqKWgnQZYHhVe0G/s2262/IMG_0004.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2187" data-original-width="2262" height="641" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ6TQDbrRPITbR_zbU79qPspX0GgXQf3EQbFR1pDFcaqn_NmTHcLauMGtBbFdrtlSSGK5TXg7GzHnQt8XnkfkQN3kMAuRaOwPxZOOxWQGA1DhrpVI-WsM4BDWSXtl-dGvfcF_Ew7oHGTfXyxwd8GnS4oSkOdwtJjznRruQqVDkiYXEkqKWgnQZYHhVe0G/w664-h641/IMG_0004.jpeg" width="664" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AdyPhJPym205PuXPMJaW2Kcq0YljsYSGH0ei-tioPWV5DJkBMFKb8EmDijt2uw0FGkpEG9VK4Bg4oXoDBRU-aWAuDGG7GLbnCEPE8uaJM3FqXeikUuV1dZib1CTQT3f_MK57ub1rKNCyHx5kGIbgxW-RI-QUdanb3LWsu6UvwiHs6oZnva9_TlOx_KII/s2809/IMG_0006.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2809" data-original-width="2321" height="804" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AdyPhJPym205PuXPMJaW2Kcq0YljsYSGH0ei-tioPWV5DJkBMFKb8EmDijt2uw0FGkpEG9VK4Bg4oXoDBRU-aWAuDGG7GLbnCEPE8uaJM3FqXeikUuV1dZib1CTQT3f_MK57ub1rKNCyHx5kGIbgxW-RI-QUdanb3LWsu6UvwiHs6oZnva9_TlOx_KII/w664-h804/IMG_0006.jpeg" width="664" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My clean, beat-up copy purchased for under $20Can @ Abebooks.com</div><div style="text-align: center;">Click here to read an article <a href="https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/taylor-canadian-combat-photographers-snapped-iconic-wwii-images">commemorating the work of Gib Milne</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-align: center;">War Correspondents, PR Units Overlooked </b><span style="text-align: center;">continues:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9ItRLYr1chl7nJJHSFQc0nF0Cduc45Yj2MGUm5WsmEedxXu5lEQIFH5d2P9rKVp42MuUJbtGEU6q9DjSYltcIkMUJy9Hd-SbFLZ9plrzHnOgRytd7vsO7V_1QQ1ALbT80aiuW0gM8ubm7Ll17zO5n1Hag3Pn7IjVIYh4cuevYTN-Cr6DdsMrdZuRO62N/s414/photo7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="414" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9ItRLYr1chl7nJJHSFQc0nF0Cduc45Yj2MGUm5WsmEedxXu5lEQIFH5d2P9rKVp42MuUJbtGEU6q9DjSYltcIkMUJy9Hd-SbFLZ9plrzHnOgRytd7vsO7V_1QQ1ALbT80aiuW0gM8ubm7Ll17zO5n1Hag3Pn7IjVIYh4cuevYTN-Cr6DdsMrdZuRO62N/w458-h451/photo7.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlpgsygnyqmWbGUi3-W95fK5rFsHXIJNKxfvvDRF1Q5F9NZJMmbU-d9V6qsdcBt6Jdw1dH0PrDqNp0NtAoKqj4MFT4ZDklgRBMOkVbigEoIe3EfAnK7AywA0bpfcnFKM31pjXVOqZX3fdET1hwhaMFz3dduQoGfNKJ_wlxX8eGRMb8lztYP2RzdyTp6Tt/s2092/IMG_0010.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2092" data-original-width="2092" height="662" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlpgsygnyqmWbGUi3-W95fK5rFsHXIJNKxfvvDRF1Q5F9NZJMmbU-d9V6qsdcBt6Jdw1dH0PrDqNp0NtAoKqj4MFT4ZDklgRBMOkVbigEoIe3EfAnK7AywA0bpfcnFKM31pjXVOqZX3fdET1hwhaMFz3dduQoGfNKJ_wlxX8eGRMb8lztYP2RzdyTp6Tt/w662-h662/IMG_0010.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Troops of Edmonton Regiment advancing down a street in Ortona,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Italy, 1943. Public Archives Canada PA-116852. As found in <b>Valour</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Remembered, Canada and the Second World War,</b> page 22</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Please use the link provided to read an article posted on Dec. 25, 2023 entitled <b><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/canadian-troops-ortona-1943-1.7065588#:~:text=Christmas%20in%20Ortona,-Even%20the%20fighting&text=%22It's%20a%20bit%20of%20a,bottle%20of%20beer%2C%20said%20Zuehlke.">Christmas in Ortona</a>: Remembering a legendary 1943 Canadian WWII battle, </b> by Richard Woodbury, CBC News<b>. </b>The collection of high quality photographs is a special component of the news article. Two significant shots by Lt. Terry Rowe are featured below:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqgZB7_ujnUQZ3STZuMdPKGOcs0KB_M2V6v_uw8MAz4ASIZkhjN1XsTdlSlVO6alBTy9etxRxgPDKoR_LLJBzyX1vxD3N0j0xuQa6sBF9vnyRaYZ0FXyc13JBLuK0682dJqBuTutuyNcfuN9a4FLlvi757kh4OhfVBGPRCO80_v_H_oea8O02bAgqb-zO/s1024/wwii-72-1024x1016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1024" height="658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqgZB7_ujnUQZ3STZuMdPKGOcs0KB_M2V6v_uw8MAz4ASIZkhjN1XsTdlSlVO6alBTy9etxRxgPDKoR_LLJBzyX1vxD3N0j0xuQa6sBF9vnyRaYZ0FXyc13JBLuK0682dJqBuTutuyNcfuN9a4FLlvi757kh4OhfVBGPRCO80_v_H_oea8O02bAgqb-zO/w662-h658/wwii-72-1024x1016.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas dinner is enjoyed at Ortona, Italy, 1943. Photo by Canadian</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lt. Terry F. Rowe, Library and Archives Canada - PA152839</div><div style="text-align: center;">As found in <a href="https://legionmagazine.com/historic-wwii-photo-christmas-in-ortona/">Legion Magazine</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6czPuAB-0ggtKwmMot9yfLH6isKHSff0lZhhK7AzoV5zYZjXV9rW8iHVc-eKVVDhAuhR6-12njc1lg-pkL_XWIFzGEIF7YoI87-VBh5_MAhAPms6_MmdSCyWj4wgn5yfgXwBqalCh5yKaOXjXOKshmcvChHgfAu05i1BXuu6zIMPYaOWVuy5BkpolanRv/s600/image2795.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="600" height="660" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6czPuAB-0ggtKwmMot9yfLH6isKHSff0lZhhK7AzoV5zYZjXV9rW8iHVc-eKVVDhAuhR6-12njc1lg-pkL_XWIFzGEIF7YoI87-VBh5_MAhAPms6_MmdSCyWj4wgn5yfgXwBqalCh5yKaOXjXOKshmcvChHgfAu05i1BXuu6zIMPYaOWVuy5BkpolanRv/w662-h660/image2795.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"First-aid personnel of Three Rivers Regiment placing Sergeant Johnny Marchand</div><div style="text-align: center;">on stretcher, Ortona, Italy, 21 December 1943." Courtesy of Lieut. Terry F. Rowe,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Canada. Dept. of National Defence/ Library and Archives Canada/ PA-163927</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">More details about Lt. T. Rowe will follow</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="text-align: center;">War Correspondents, PR Units Overlooked </b><span style="text-align: center;">continues:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ruik002L_SHe0AQ-Bx3xxLk26K6ocKNfYu6j541C6mzz3f2v_5G9yVvFUbiSQsx7uSVBnmoiYUxnemzQSRRc30-kdj163jWsLlkWlprJbMQsvluh9zjWzYbCk0mfcWr-nYFxvOZm5gWoSQyObUrPoxokLJa0MsQGgsldIrSZtI4y9GsbXPdj_VjoAnYX/s415/photo8a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="415" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ruik002L_SHe0AQ-Bx3xxLk26K6ocKNfYu6j541C6mzz3f2v_5G9yVvFUbiSQsx7uSVBnmoiYUxnemzQSRRc30-kdj163jWsLlkWlprJbMQsvluh9zjWzYbCk0mfcWr-nYFxvOZm5gWoSQyObUrPoxokLJa0MsQGgsldIrSZtI4y9GsbXPdj_VjoAnYX/w459-h211/photo8a.jpeg" width="459" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp83YZx51Et3KKarec2whtJQce0NxoSrOg5AUzwBy27AHcM_3RulYrGJ7PN8eUmHMHbI064413okH9V4IM3luPXxIMRT4Aci7fDJvDYHHDfYkEr3W0n04ydY-dxLeNHjMVOrE2oJuXfVt203QfdTY9pm1bp9uzLlkKjsEfeG7Bh_sziSaWpRGQVAm9m-IR/s416/photo8b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="416" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp83YZx51Et3KKarec2whtJQce0NxoSrOg5AUzwBy27AHcM_3RulYrGJ7PN8eUmHMHbI064413okH9V4IM3luPXxIMRT4Aci7fDJvDYHHDfYkEr3W0n04ydY-dxLeNHjMVOrE2oJuXfVt203QfdTY9pm1bp9uzLlkKjsEfeG7Bh_sziSaWpRGQVAm9m-IR/w458-h147/photo8b.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Unfortunately, as in every operation, there are notable casualties:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIeftuMZE7o6tM9NAXNyPADZfl1qy_dPtYfRijQBG7YygUJtoJaGSWFrbtNI-mKR4nfmOOLjAfQ8CNVSEeJrtNni9qQJSS1Ms4rG-cMAlBLg_7o26Zs0lXzpDiNdxtiCCGPl4b0NKK7QfhMy0jGeJYeOBYOfF5B6izvjQguudX899upVpa9R91mvmF7-9/s419/photo9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="419" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIeftuMZE7o6tM9NAXNyPADZfl1qy_dPtYfRijQBG7YygUJtoJaGSWFrbtNI-mKR4nfmOOLjAfQ8CNVSEeJrtNni9qQJSS1Ms4rG-cMAlBLg_7o26Zs0lXzpDiNdxtiCCGPl4b0NKK7QfhMy0jGeJYeOBYOfF5B6izvjQguudX899upVpa9R91mvmF7-9/w458-h266/photo9.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Winnipeg Tribune, <a href=" http://digitalcollections.lib.umanitoba.ca/islandora/object/uofm%3A1243378">a very valuable resource</a>, is home to the following photo of Lt. Terry Rowe:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhut5ObNWdE1i2HoajVSfIacImUb7pDMz7vdCd3Vdue6sCybc6ZDv1W3IR-rNsmy7sYs2Dzm9FG-s6bEwGwwHpHG3J_IGI4Q2yDyHulU7wr_svO2zRA-de-KszwZ-06VUbI2sr8PWmYCQF-vWvTtIKOAmDWXWvQ-L8cnmYbaXANhwXiCdjYX44lvwvmOMYh/s947/2678494_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="570" height="1100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhut5ObNWdE1i2HoajVSfIacImUb7pDMz7vdCd3Vdue6sCybc6ZDv1W3IR-rNsmy7sYs2Dzm9FG-s6bEwGwwHpHG3J_IGI4Q2yDyHulU7wr_svO2zRA-de-KszwZ-06VUbI2sr8PWmYCQF-vWvTtIKOAmDWXWvQ-L8cnmYbaXANhwXiCdjYX44lvwvmOMYh/w663-h1100/2678494_4.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As found in <b>The Winnipeg Tribune</b> (digitized), August 30, 1943</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please click here for <a href="https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2678494">more information about Lt. Terry F. Rowe</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-align: center;">War Correspondents, PR Units Overlooked </b><span style="text-align: center;">continues:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SPrxtP_o4x4bnQvTb-m6apIkgtI6dnrhthCRoS61pgWNyAF69eQvhdlDeJTReYxjn3s567k9E-w9stNwHhKkK1X2pwq-Y1_mkO7juxQ1bmEBj-Pk5xYcAEjgQLJ8mVIiKYwb_w8HVt0axT_wIhwjpxJmfeOTH0orcEcRYzRVBomEB8LiwngIrfw68UqU/s417/photo10a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="417" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SPrxtP_o4x4bnQvTb-m6apIkgtI6dnrhthCRoS61pgWNyAF69eQvhdlDeJTReYxjn3s567k9E-w9stNwHhKkK1X2pwq-Y1_mkO7juxQ1bmEBj-Pk5xYcAEjgQLJ8mVIiKYwb_w8HVt0axT_wIhwjpxJmfeOTH0orcEcRYzRVBomEB8LiwngIrfw68UqU/w459-h301/photo10a.jpeg" width="459" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkKNtqQ7Rtb5SdmKuKouFQegs_Okm-IjS_gg7QWMon9GfVIUYqrpwdObvjOmi6KuJA8cG_1QcRy80OUzZmpqeZHD48H1CD6g_xICARpDZGtouAz2bexoocITaXhQ-3FC-GL8hwSCaTtBV3rl9vVQ-NKQIIniiyWJhdhxGWvlCPT3BF1PUZxoTsjO2oEPr/s406/photo10b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="82" data-original-width="406" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkKNtqQ7Rtb5SdmKuKouFQegs_Okm-IjS_gg7QWMon9GfVIUYqrpwdObvjOmi6KuJA8cG_1QcRy80OUzZmpqeZHD48H1CD6g_xICARpDZGtouAz2bexoocITaXhQ-3FC-GL8hwSCaTtBV3rl9vVQ-NKQIIniiyWJhdhxGWvlCPT3BF1PUZxoTsjO2oEPr/w458-h93/photo10b.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Please use the following link to view "lost Canadian footage" by Sgt. Bud Roos as found at CFPU.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>RISEN FROM THE ASHES</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Link - <a href="https://canadianfilmandphotounit.ca/2014/11/10/risen-from-the-ashes-the-british-pathe-archive-reveals-lost-canadian-footage/">The British Pathé Archive Reveals Lost Canadian Footage</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7NLXRf_WyIXE5s6bYIBqlgXtVJ0qjxujBBgphnjuzTFWlwAmnQcwHZPrcuhCTzAMjju3JJ0YQeYNSpD5IdjvpxxQPoymlwnPD7IGm9EZl8OiQMJhyhav5aygEVre2sszT3PUJdSrofSSRhFLQy3K3ZzOTP_TQ_6BOIxM8l26cgKSbfrROUR8g07XjP7d/s575/British_Pathe_Nadine-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="575" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7NLXRf_WyIXE5s6bYIBqlgXtVJ0qjxujBBgphnjuzTFWlwAmnQcwHZPrcuhCTzAMjju3JJ0YQeYNSpD5IdjvpxxQPoymlwnPD7IGm9EZl8OiQMJhyhav5aygEVre2sszT3PUJdSrofSSRhFLQy3K3ZzOTP_TQ_6BOIxM8l26cgKSbfrROUR8g07XjP7d/w855-h348/British_Pathe_Nadine-1.png" width="855" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo as found at <a href="https://canadianfilmandphotounit.ca/2014/11/10/risen-from-the-ashes-the-british-pathe-archive-reveals-lost-canadian-footage/">The Canadian Film and Photo Unit website</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-align: center;">War Correspondents, PR Units Overlooked </b><span style="text-align: center;">concludes as follows:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTjkxEzvLsEW188uVldLcbkDb6YXt9DM9x-n8e34DYX7l52UbqwPQR1hyphenhyphenScqyGs_uriD2JibL6zil-hX4ff4CT8fyJYhXklMY35HKiNxUg4zUPMcO-BYTwpuP-Q53DOzLl6V-Cnryfvwxqh7pwCOT4YJl9nOSQyFNTJJeRRu1RDqCL3zpwT2fS138A6qb/s575/photo11.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="411" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTjkxEzvLsEW188uVldLcbkDb6YXt9DM9x-n8e34DYX7l52UbqwPQR1hyphenhyphenScqyGs_uriD2JibL6zil-hX4ff4CT8fyJYhXklMY35HKiNxUg4zUPMcO-BYTwpuP-Q53DOzLl6V-Cnryfvwxqh7pwCOT4YJl9nOSQyFNTJJeRRu1RDqCL3zpwT2fS138A6qb/w458-h640/photo11.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Click here to view "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuuBJpWvtBA&index=35&list=PL04CC43B7CD63C686">Canadian Army Newsreel Issue No. 34</a> @ War Amps of Canada" found as well at CFPU. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Please click here to read more related to Canadian War Correspondents: <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/06/war-correspondents-canadian-writers.html">Canadian Writers - Sicily 1943 (Parts 1 - 3c)</a><br /><br /></div><div>Unattributed Photos GH </div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-37137554508734813962023-12-15T18:24:00.000-05:002023-12-15T18:24:12.121-05:00Research: Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943 (16)<div style="text-align: center;"><b>After Two Weeks, Half of Sicily is Under Allied Control</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Lionel Shapiro of The Montreal Gazette Gets Rolling Too!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYDdL5SAVqqh6KmYRtEeZ2F4dZHNDlG7PqBoxDG_391bsklooYNRam9Uko2sy25nNABfhGTU5F-M0WxLzWsqdpQiBKoZVutwiiCGC3dJq6OL6RNSL0uSErLXiVlh-FmugeGLVYLjfcyvzy-WnWQvQnphrXUCwdnbo9XeIEiooUoK54N4LQ5wwTfQYsiuS/s497/291f507e-27f3-4358-a73d-9cf003742b0d_480x497.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="480" height="685" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYDdL5SAVqqh6KmYRtEeZ2F4dZHNDlG7PqBoxDG_391bsklooYNRam9Uko2sy25nNABfhGTU5F-M0WxLzWsqdpQiBKoZVutwiiCGC3dJq6OL6RNSL0uSErLXiVlh-FmugeGLVYLjfcyvzy-WnWQvQnphrXUCwdnbo9XeIEiooUoK54N4LQ5wwTfQYsiuS/w662-h685/291f507e-27f3-4358-a73d-9cf003742b0d_480x497.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://ww2ondeadline.substack.com/p/dieppe-ross-munro-eyewitness">Ross Munro</a> and Bill Stewart of the Canadian Press with <b>Lionel Shapiro</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">(right) in France, August 1944 (Library and Archives Canada) <a href="https://ww2ondeadline.substack.com/p/lionel-shapiro-d-day-experience">Source</a></div><br /><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />Was it in the last entry I wondered aloud where Canadian war correspondent Lionel Shapiro had landed and set up his typewriter? From reading his excellent book, <u style="font-weight: bold;">"They Left The Back Door Open"</u>, about his time in Sicily during Operation Husky, and scanning microfilm re <b>The Gazette </b>about the same time period, I knew he was active and submitting many articles. Did he get lost? Did his news columns get lost? <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ziCmAtjIp8ZmiTM-nvghns403M6wx99WZa2FDKTTnT_YGfn2Wwdt7BbAE6P-3gEUUHoFnWdzt16CzAHEMH6HtEmW3HgCKZ2CPHS6GJRTETK0fSLaOOXdP4hMuMXFkfCguyBI5WjzZ79mKJxYOF-nc8QkMx_zT7BE5xglSdHJtKErqikn2q8psC-D640q/s640/IMG_1551a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="640" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ziCmAtjIp8ZmiTM-nvghns403M6wx99WZa2FDKTTnT_YGfn2Wwdt7BbAE6P-3gEUUHoFnWdzt16CzAHEMH6HtEmW3HgCKZ2CPHS6GJRTETK0fSLaOOXdP4hMuMXFkfCguyBI5WjzZ79mKJxYOF-nc8QkMx_zT7BE5xglSdHJtKErqikn2q8psC-D640q/w771-h448/IMG_1551a.jpg" width="771" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIBGqm-e_Hl77tRoseeBFTt2uJmPDv_2GYw1-8vPXOtgmG8CCi94sUGSj16AdpaJTfSlACKkz6jmwgrMv_Wlo6syqc3RzY1CuSjFfhnYp-J-aPIhsYFahbyckZluqiWcv-j-lGyEw9gLIo3iK5k7XAnI2txGBrAN-gcEA9gB_p5gLuQpsmc6A6q1Ujp6X/s1600/IMG_1554a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIBGqm-e_Hl77tRoseeBFTt2uJmPDv_2GYw1-8vPXOtgmG8CCi94sUGSj16AdpaJTfSlACKkz6jmwgrMv_Wlo6syqc3RzY1CuSjFfhnYp-J-aPIhsYFahbyckZluqiWcv-j-lGyEw9gLIo3iK5k7XAnI2txGBrAN-gcEA9gB_p5gLuQpsmc6A6q1Ujp6X/w771-h448/IMG_1554a.jpg" width="771" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Both photos above, taken near and off the coast of Sicily in</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">July, 1943, are found in <u style="font-weight: bold;">"They Left The Back Door Open"</u></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>No. He's fine. Not lost, perhaps merely delayed. And if today's paper is any indication, we will be hearing from him regularly from now onward. </div><div><br />And now for today's news:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzJRnOwhvPLTMXrGxGy5THoeGxHfBkDyBO5LCMQGpxWLsf6lvGkquU5SxtwDUbFZqfwS9y8iH-T-yjvBvwBof4aVVuohujc19l6b32L5mIIVyfIvm4rJDKtY5oSWeTm0QmpKYRStfL_yZfXH_3mucL27tdry1eKXYeVOqhimA8m-3M9LuUngQMygFoTc1/s1313/july23%20-%201a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="1313" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzJRnOwhvPLTMXrGxGy5THoeGxHfBkDyBO5LCMQGpxWLsf6lvGkquU5SxtwDUbFZqfwS9y8iH-T-yjvBvwBof4aVVuohujc19l6b32L5mIIVyfIvm4rJDKtY5oSWeTm0QmpKYRStfL_yZfXH_3mucL27tdry1eKXYeVOqhimA8m-3M9LuUngQMygFoTc1/w935-h190/july23%20-%201a.jpeg" width="935" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SlUFelYdFl4mTrCsLpYvlE0rgnc1LuJ6O_J8EJmkV4ZlBLrF2AtbUCpRZCSnwyLYT4VqKjhHfDEPSDwdPbWAdbx00A9bFIRPDhDRfz1axcFeyb6sNQRFmOgdvpUtmxIjb-PC8UWDDdPD0hVR2aS0AkxksJ97kD7UmqrqD_65aVfn5DD5G-Oo46BnbAIa/s945/july23%20-%201b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="945" height="899" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SlUFelYdFl4mTrCsLpYvlE0rgnc1LuJ6O_J8EJmkV4ZlBLrF2AtbUCpRZCSnwyLYT4VqKjhHfDEPSDwdPbWAdbx00A9bFIRPDhDRfz1axcFeyb6sNQRFmOgdvpUtmxIjb-PC8UWDDdPD0hVR2aS0AkxksJ97kD7UmqrqD_65aVfn5DD5G-Oo46BnbAIa/w934-h899/july23%20-%201b.jpeg" width="934" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Please note first sentence in the caption above re "half of the island"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As well, please note that Shapiro's account that follows was 'Delayed' by one full week. Exactly what would cause the one week gap is not known:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtFKRBtd8WZXmRfMPd3jKS3MobFuxJrP2K59Ypzi2lbLBHgWC5H_5rvCcaGNH-SxztA9AceE5R_4GczyozX3225oqk46Aa5hJdJA1RXQb80JC4EeOrtjYayHcTDfympJvhJvts7HrReAtFuKkDd3rycKshzLhfHB6SABbE4hH6EBONuxeBOarB4Mv7Nvs/s1110/july23%20-%201c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="784" height="936" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtFKRBtd8WZXmRfMPd3jKS3MobFuxJrP2K59Ypzi2lbLBHgWC5H_5rvCcaGNH-SxztA9AceE5R_4GczyozX3225oqk46Aa5hJdJA1RXQb80JC4EeOrtjYayHcTDfympJvhJvts7HrReAtFuKkDd3rycKshzLhfHB6SABbE4hH6EBONuxeBOarB4Mv7Nvs/w662-h936/july23%20-%201c.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Readers can read a few passages from Lionel Shapiro's aforementioned book here - <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2020/04/passages-they-left-back-door-open-1.html">Passages: They Left the Back Door Open (Part 1).</a> <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2020/04/passages-they-left-back-door-open-2.html">Click here for a link to Part 2.</a><br /></div><div><br /></div>Please note the account below was penned on July 18, so Shapiro is getting a bit closer to cabling up-to-date news:</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrcH4yopbq9QsQVLQtkL4kOu3CF4hD_W68wuI15A2C_rZFfA3h2S4cApXaqa1JAjThsLNOkrep8dWFbntLYKvcuvIG3B6cosaO7cgzb_-yTDwEo8imnCOeE7D0QECEYTUIAsuVk8NqdxPbgRI4Y7fJ-iMtr1SoCVeOZwAcbSdInRFVikTd1BdLD26YO43/s1196/july23%20-%201d1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="389" height="1104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrcH4yopbq9QsQVLQtkL4kOu3CF4hD_W68wuI15A2C_rZFfA3h2S4cApXaqa1JAjThsLNOkrep8dWFbntLYKvcuvIG3B6cosaO7cgzb_-yTDwEo8imnCOeE7D0QECEYTUIAsuVk8NqdxPbgRI4Y7fJ-iMtr1SoCVeOZwAcbSdInRFVikTd1BdLD26YO43/w358-h1104/july23%20-%201d1.jpeg" width="358" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76uCzMt_NRxdAADimHn9yoxs5XYJ5NkfBTzAcp9eSTF_0z9BGEwn0ZLJuapoFz2miV6pJPox5aqVyOKhNsHz-1Vutvbh3Kyrn31DmhANouPplnZN5y8RspyXJp7GZkE-zibUEP0wzZna4Eh0vWWuxxDTkO_8A7wmC-9JuqIbPjemcFUDN-PzMe9CNwWQt/s812/CanArmy1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="812" height="748" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76uCzMt_NRxdAADimHn9yoxs5XYJ5NkfBTzAcp9eSTF_0z9BGEwn0ZLJuapoFz2miV6pJPox5aqVyOKhNsHz-1Vutvbh3Kyrn31DmhANouPplnZN5y8RspyXJp7GZkE-zibUEP0wzZna4Eh0vWWuxxDTkO_8A7wmC-9JuqIbPjemcFUDN-PzMe9CNwWQt/w935-h748/CanArmy1.jpg" width="935" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Soldiers of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry pass a</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sherman tank of the Three Rivers Regiment in Sicily, 19 July 1943.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source for Photo: Library and Archives Canada LAC PA 166755</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1617&context=cmh">Beyond the Consensus, 1st Canadian Infantry Division at Agira</a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Shapiro's account continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGL0C271yC5CBgreNicW6KQXF3y3401KM8qnOXBMynu553wl8cAiO6Kcs5rj0hHRGlbAHy7AIr5RSzm7t_4KnxpMNVUoPxW1leTEq4tvmuYitRE12DIk1WBirtqOTH7st2ei_sRgPgmXRXV__9W3ZGk7_3THK3noWpZqCy-GUqy3O_44MOprvquD_GGV20/s389/july23%20-%201d2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="389" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGL0C271yC5CBgreNicW6KQXF3y3401KM8qnOXBMynu553wl8cAiO6Kcs5rj0hHRGlbAHy7AIr5RSzm7t_4KnxpMNVUoPxW1leTEq4tvmuYitRE12DIk1WBirtqOTH7st2ei_sRgPgmXRXV__9W3ZGk7_3THK3noWpZqCy-GUqy3O_44MOprvquD_GGV20/w359-h132/july23%20-%201d2.jpeg" width="359" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6s7rqoEsZ9cozgODmHMxYbX6z-BOPlu_nRDzGJ-UlXVEDps7s5hpA399l-vUz6EhHSTiObTlPb40zdpU4pUPbs7737YscXgY4sonyk9_9LQ9o8VsxN_S9QOyLcWRPelzGz8kjcDQ9aAMpkTzrGR9szPuSrHBWehFTr61PN8rPBt9Fj5B-pBjgpf9b2a1/s864/july23%20-%201d3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="388" height="798" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6s7rqoEsZ9cozgODmHMxYbX6z-BOPlu_nRDzGJ-UlXVEDps7s5hpA399l-vUz6EhHSTiObTlPb40zdpU4pUPbs7737YscXgY4sonyk9_9LQ9o8VsxN_S9QOyLcWRPelzGz8kjcDQ9aAMpkTzrGR9szPuSrHBWehFTr61PN8rPBt9Fj5B-pBjgpf9b2a1/w359-h798/july23%20-%201d3.jpeg" width="359" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Readers can learn more about Lionel B. Shapiro and his WWII experiences here - <a href="https://ww2ondeadline.substack.com/p/lionel-shapiro-d-day-experience">Lionel Shapiro needed a decade to find perspective on his D-Day experience</a> by Marc Lancaster.</div><div><br /></div><div>What follows is an up-to-date summary of Allied progress in Sicily:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_GDMwONDjGnNYuJIj63_qx64MvVDqtf0LncbBLMp_Hs7nPkc92aedL6Pr7GGLPnaRRZQaIqTGCvE7_cV_o7xq4-bndhSQBDABENcszUKUnLIWbnoXTvjWyKR0fYQBGYkFng_6cudf6IF8K33SzaKK4h0HoIDJ16nVecT0uhr_WGpffpYGBnL4Qr5Fh45/s1118/july23%20-%201e1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="392" height="983" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_GDMwONDjGnNYuJIj63_qx64MvVDqtf0LncbBLMp_Hs7nPkc92aedL6Pr7GGLPnaRRZQaIqTGCvE7_cV_o7xq4-bndhSQBDABENcszUKUnLIWbnoXTvjWyKR0fYQBGYkFng_6cudf6IF8K33SzaKK4h0HoIDJ16nVecT0uhr_WGpffpYGBnL4Qr5Fh45/w343-h983/july23%20-%201e1.jpeg" width="343" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2vra5qQ3aP0NQS5PPKH-oR8jqcrz6lNa7L0IzwnnBozFs3nWwv20JZUD1xSoO4pIGdZRnj6oSyjcnwzSZufHknFFfwI5PyXgr1lS15ui7T-AdkQGHsuBWn55dIACy4HI8WkLd3Wl157B8GctaWhqk-ZIslk3a-Q14K7cuV_fblKkXpEZRjejlmoNEGaL/s1238/sicilymap1b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="1238" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2vra5qQ3aP0NQS5PPKH-oR8jqcrz6lNa7L0IzwnnBozFs3nWwv20JZUD1xSoO4pIGdZRnj6oSyjcnwzSZufHknFFfwI5PyXgr1lS15ui7T-AdkQGHsuBWn55dIACy4HI8WkLd3Wl157B8GctaWhqk-ZIslk3a-Q14K7cuV_fblKkXpEZRjejlmoNEGaL/w938-h628/sicilymap1b.jpg" width="938" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Below: "Canadians were operating somewhere north of Enna, key road</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">junction" (see inside the red circle). Source: <a href="https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1617&context=cmh">Beyond the Consensus</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Map drawn by Mike Bechthold c 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Lightning Onset</b> continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhVKRZuGaKnfTnSSNm4u_xsoWflJVU_VAQ8evLDhkZron6heuRWfs1OuKuB6dl7vJhTwNYTfV2RImsy0aWNuDTy8sWAm2nAgHFg-o1NYSvaRN1Z_SrLEY6H7Yc6i8REuEFkQ_2coPDkJyv0fOfY_vpXUxM7ethqbJCmko0yVZNltL6sQ-dlCnEYnAImO8/s999/july23%20-%201e2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="391" height="877" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhVKRZuGaKnfTnSSNm4u_xsoWflJVU_VAQ8evLDhkZron6heuRWfs1OuKuB6dl7vJhTwNYTfV2RImsy0aWNuDTy8sWAm2nAgHFg-o1NYSvaRN1Z_SrLEY6H7Yc6i8REuEFkQ_2coPDkJyv0fOfY_vpXUxM7ethqbJCmko0yVZNltL6sQ-dlCnEYnAImO8/w342-h877/july23%20-%201e2.jpeg" width="342" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNLNjZcfOmaYt6JRXAN2ZxHZPORIV16XITHdDx698oLJ2l1csAK9PD0o-0DdjV5UmNY3f98Ix1siS3U6qfDVHqU3YPLtBvPsgdqN4zc3b5Iub4r5R8lP8l23kzVPYJVIsTc9XAAhgv43vx6R9avdYV94aJWVe9eauqezEjqsqdWDIJSNRHBRaRf_KbdW8/s387/july23%20-%201e3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="387" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNLNjZcfOmaYt6JRXAN2ZxHZPORIV16XITHdDx698oLJ2l1csAK9PD0o-0DdjV5UmNY3f98Ix1siS3U6qfDVHqU3YPLtBvPsgdqN4zc3b5Iub4r5R8lP8l23kzVPYJVIsTc9XAAhgv43vx6R9avdYV94aJWVe9eauqezEjqsqdWDIJSNRHBRaRf_KbdW8/w343-h304/july23%20-%201e3.jpeg" width="343" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4t87xA98uZyTLggB6b17EaW7iyXwllGlV0OSvUgThvb0JXNh2cNDBwEqhs52y2hMylzV7hXN5n3rnQTTQu3Gt4CkWMFHCpOycO6Dw-oCqhr8w05LmsHal_h6CgqTRSo2Iib1GeQ1hpcSWXc_bxFQpb0OTJwmeFKYHqycscIyWmDKvq8F81YagpCFn_yZG/s1236/july23%20-%201e4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="400" height="1053" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4t87xA98uZyTLggB6b17EaW7iyXwllGlV0OSvUgThvb0JXNh2cNDBwEqhs52y2hMylzV7hXN5n3rnQTTQu3Gt4CkWMFHCpOycO6Dw-oCqhr8w05LmsHal_h6CgqTRSo2Iib1GeQ1hpcSWXc_bxFQpb0OTJwmeFKYHqycscIyWmDKvq8F81YagpCFn_yZG/w343-h1053/july23%20-%201e4.jpeg" width="343" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgFGJNhq_dlOK0ujKsWTgamnw88dQ7Y5mKQE67C-9zKtsVbScmoAfDzoEcwJmu6UkHqJ4eZIPcA0gMNzQQC-BcqNQ9cRHZjuQBvt9sbwIj95HQihMJlaUqycn_Q2dnP5RxS0286xrUoP8CXqhwG3B_2a48gb2P7jTtfvdRNMXizLV-Hzi0Gdij5drgWD0/s824/july23%20-%201e5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="339" height="833" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgFGJNhq_dlOK0ujKsWTgamnw88dQ7Y5mKQE67C-9zKtsVbScmoAfDzoEcwJmu6UkHqJ4eZIPcA0gMNzQQC-BcqNQ9cRHZjuQBvt9sbwIj95HQihMJlaUqycn_Q2dnP5RxS0286xrUoP8CXqhwG3B_2a48gb2P7jTtfvdRNMXizLV-Hzi0Gdij5drgWD0/w343-h833/july23%20-%201e5.jpeg" width="343" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzVGeDLTkzRdDt3Nxk9MrgEXkCqkdv3AoioOEq0NdSucsV3dm28MEsViGYVAKhN5zXxiAWf6NhDXas0nR7i1BnhS0VIoPNq0mK1tjzTAuD3LW8mkGigUkLRY4zOwdLGFnEy4VNdgWRTtHYlh_jkKsoRMG-PI2yiohmZqj0BAWqLNskTkPR4uxN_7FVIAo/s640/july23%20-%201e6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="342" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzVGeDLTkzRdDt3Nxk9MrgEXkCqkdv3AoioOEq0NdSucsV3dm28MEsViGYVAKhN5zXxiAWf6NhDXas0nR7i1BnhS0VIoPNq0mK1tjzTAuD3LW8mkGigUkLRY4zOwdLGFnEy4VNdgWRTtHYlh_jkKsoRMG-PI2yiohmZqj0BAWqLNskTkPR4uxN_7FVIAo/w342-h640/july23%20-%201e6.jpeg" width="342" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>An article follows re "the first <b>combined operation</b> (by navy and R.A.F.) against the Fascist mainland":</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2OIp38IgVARtWQAHUhKh32p32JG1svklMmOd5CseAMu6h9sqQBlhw0c-d3gJpTo0oPjyPMRCSaw1gRj_XkFP6oFmuhracoBJy_Wo5o4ZmKr5J02Lbn1qOd4s-t4RklR19W8ErtvQiTLF78c37ih_anwouF2npKVZIFFKEXIued0mJQCyhQmW1s2SGsLf/s1086/july23%20-%201f1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="786" height="912" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2OIp38IgVARtWQAHUhKh32p32JG1svklMmOd5CseAMu6h9sqQBlhw0c-d3gJpTo0oPjyPMRCSaw1gRj_XkFP6oFmuhracoBJy_Wo5o4ZmKr5J02Lbn1qOd4s-t4RklR19W8ErtvQiTLF78c37ih_anwouF2npKVZIFFKEXIued0mJQCyhQmW1s2SGsLf/w661-h912/july23%20-%201f1.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsiiK0SrV380sZkDrS7W9Q7Wsbl6sgY_VJ2YAam94-LZPp6U3AZM_tHpmtotXNWItRxyb517x2TKON6LihovAv9vmRYMAnqwXm8OIN0FMADC2jk0Dv2XiwJUbLkQvR4tAB-njoxggBVozVrPi1RbhIzkfu9MFNFwi6CVwyOYq9uPRTnhlJ4qypvzoagS9/s1321/Gulf_of_Taranto_map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1321" data-original-width="1200" height="728" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsiiK0SrV380sZkDrS7W9Q7Wsbl6sgY_VJ2YAam94-LZPp6U3AZM_tHpmtotXNWItRxyb517x2TKON6LihovAv9vmRYMAnqwXm8OIN0FMADC2jk0Dv2XiwJUbLkQvR4tAB-njoxggBVozVrPi1RbhIzkfu9MFNFwi6CVwyOYq9uPRTnhlJ4qypvzoagS9/w662-h728/Gulf_of_Taranto_map.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Operation BAYTOWN, the Allied invasion of Italy at Reggio - on the toe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of the boot - began on September 3, 1943 with Canadians in Combined </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">transporting Canadian troops for the 1st time. Map Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Taranto">Wikipedia</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Royal Navy, R.A.F. Hit Crotone </b>continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpyZfgrjwMKPzNAHdgboN3uQopTrEyulSEzO5-nVYC_UEjcSDL0vpt0XXimaz_x6foRqReXDWlqH7XSmDX0AvYo6jMuqqhiDZpPTAaJ0mcisWjvtoKV8DCrdRxVAxkUlwSmzf3ImyT0_wRvjnmc-xOwjk0c6sYeE_sXqfWf-e6JpJnOBRD2oMZfJJTmD4/s393/july23%20-%201f2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="393" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpyZfgrjwMKPzNAHdgboN3uQopTrEyulSEzO5-nVYC_UEjcSDL0vpt0XXimaz_x6foRqReXDWlqH7XSmDX0AvYo6jMuqqhiDZpPTAaJ0mcisWjvtoKV8DCrdRxVAxkUlwSmzf3ImyT0_wRvjnmc-xOwjk0c6sYeE_sXqfWf-e6JpJnOBRD2oMZfJJTmD4/w355-h214/july23%20-%201f2.jpeg" width="355" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNt9uCQ94VhKwqD6hO6kkLKLg068tohzMx5T2PpawSUg9k-tz5D_U6Kk94XOJYYJ7YtTYEfTM9oUjdi-R3AJkOOd9VrOb3gfJJnnk4xSuGF4-KdWXdu34zX7Kdl8oX6VUQhx-T3R3PI984Ev_4P9Zw1dQ67Xsu36v9VFH7wRGCoqScgui8jhy1q87Vg9pN/s687/july23%20-%201f3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="381" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNt9uCQ94VhKwqD6hO6kkLKLg068tohzMx5T2PpawSUg9k-tz5D_U6Kk94XOJYYJ7YtTYEfTM9oUjdi-R3AJkOOd9VrOb3gfJJnnk4xSuGF4-KdWXdu34zX7Kdl8oX6VUQhx-T3R3PI984Ev_4P9Zw1dQ67Xsu36v9VFH7wRGCoqScgui8jhy1q87Vg9pN/w354-h640/july23%20-%201f3.jpeg" width="354" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A summary of Allied action on various war fronts, including Russia, Sicily and Italy, follows:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Fzg6PNZW0trBz4DsinydL1f3AR6B3VEr_zvcPZ5iLR4TBDwI3cw7mmGbDcip_X3k7gBM9dxYpd-lHoN7jHNgjXUvWZJMEeJbdvKujUZizXBabXhYCsTSmiYqwIrK387lmLZZ7HxWo8xWbHvju_1P3AtPVZQvZRHCaBmwOX78FL8G0B8fkNhJekHVbOyU/s952/july23%20-%201g.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="789" height="796" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Fzg6PNZW0trBz4DsinydL1f3AR6B3VEr_zvcPZ5iLR4TBDwI3cw7mmGbDcip_X3k7gBM9dxYpd-lHoN7jHNgjXUvWZJMEeJbdvKujUZizXBabXhYCsTSmiYqwIrK387lmLZZ7HxWo8xWbHvju_1P3AtPVZQvZRHCaBmwOX78FL8G0B8fkNhJekHVbOyU/w660-h796/july23%20-%201g.jpeg" width="660" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Due to Allied progress in Sicily (and Russia no doubt), Nazi Germany is changing its strategy:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYJ6wIIi2zSogTyiazRFyiNWveOcCWKcXGoTOahf-3pZ7ZVdGWRGuAXTe2SVjTfcquAIJeGmeMJu5ZHHEg3YIu5hU9PU2TIkt2qvcXiDoMUa4_lf9qdEr1MO9fH3hCdsWwQK5fte5fVorT2o2oCvxZHeXYCyAD1q6eTyyuMvXr0w300miwG9O4J_9u8Yg/s835/july23%20-%201h.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="779" height="708" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYJ6wIIi2zSogTyiazRFyiNWveOcCWKcXGoTOahf-3pZ7ZVdGWRGuAXTe2SVjTfcquAIJeGmeMJu5ZHHEg3YIu5hU9PU2TIkt2qvcXiDoMUa4_lf9qdEr1MO9fH3hCdsWwQK5fte5fVorT2o2oCvxZHeXYCyAD1q6eTyyuMvXr0w300miwG9O4J_9u8Yg/w662-h708/july23%20-%201h.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8clAZwwYcIkbpmLuSbndKONs4lId8u6TtOeEoMcfJLMezk5HasDXgVCw0EpR32ZIr3rf5Y194osHosZ0CDuOwMJfT-xS0BVJ_4148KrNUiWs44k0HbCq1IOoDfD6wgqJ9cix4m6g2Mdtuk-PubeIhiz90Xe50NbIyyeJBQ7Ffs5fSlGSxcuZG8qlU2ZjD/s728/july23%20-%201ia.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="728" height="674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8clAZwwYcIkbpmLuSbndKONs4lId8u6TtOeEoMcfJLMezk5HasDXgVCw0EpR32ZIr3rf5Y194osHosZ0CDuOwMJfT-xS0BVJ_4148KrNUiWs44k0HbCq1IOoDfD6wgqJ9cix4m6g2Mdtuk-PubeIhiz90Xe50NbIyyeJBQ7Ffs5fSlGSxcuZG8qlU2ZjD/w824-h674/july23%20-%201ia.jpeg" width="824" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVgOqCwTmxkXmDzfBXvG8EZebCAB-d9dChXQg0htRNGMMC6bB9US4M48CEq8LJmcGFM7jUA39lhwolvbS2KQVQdiJ8zgT6DsQhLY9XA7kuDYUFwwM2KDfbmiHfRWhg3Esxj8uHAsmDbgX-CfDXnzrk9h9Tl8uSimy_aIR2oxU2PCpxXwD_mxuQd9AvhRf/s739/july23%20-%201ib.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="739" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVgOqCwTmxkXmDzfBXvG8EZebCAB-d9dChXQg0htRNGMMC6bB9US4M48CEq8LJmcGFM7jUA39lhwolvbS2KQVQdiJ8zgT6DsQhLY9XA7kuDYUFwwM2KDfbmiHfRWhg3Esxj8uHAsmDbgX-CfDXnzrk9h9Tl8uSimy_aIR2oxU2PCpxXwD_mxuQd9AvhRf/w824-h170/july23%20-%201ib.jpeg" width="824" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">More Information re Peter Stursberg here <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Stursberg">at Wikipedia</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>An oft-used/shared photo appears (again!) below with Peter Stursberg catching a ride with well-known Canadian War Correspondent Ross Munro:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqBi3DvQ5h_HBsgVLF6LcnhXua9crAV81wTqdoDSHUrHzIRgutwUjdJq0avL3DxIF0VlIHZvogHvt4cdv7s66w_GitrfFJHnCchGJjSkIx8TS62oAUNhq5v3Zt9mLx6SNh-vQG3NiSCFWkj02J9n2ACWPef1qhtVg4ODyVv37VBAyeIEya8DDBJ0FRRyI/s808/104675352_3186951484676498_3622843763303717435_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="720" height="924" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqBi3DvQ5h_HBsgVLF6LcnhXua9crAV81wTqdoDSHUrHzIRgutwUjdJq0avL3DxIF0VlIHZvogHvt4cdv7s66w_GitrfFJHnCchGJjSkIx8TS62oAUNhq5v3Zt9mLx6SNh-vQG3NiSCFWkj02J9n2ACWPef1qhtVg4ODyVv37VBAyeIEya8DDBJ0FRRyI/w824-h924/104675352_3186951484676498_3622843763303717435_n.jpeg" width="824" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Editorial cartoon follows from <b>The Gazette</b>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hLMm6cRC63dWjBBDie-SswLvLEw-_GMgEtJA6Y7cU3tS5vVIX_VKuBOD1V00-7IfmJYAwTtLn6VkKeXqCHuiUEn_y4r0WXpneVPqq44GtYXv3mL-KlXypDC68Xsc3YlfcRWj7QtTfIWEw48AHXz8NPSmPC8ghSJrxo1804cdrQGh2UX-aVYWl4hrzzSv/s1016/july23%20-%201j.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="798" height="843" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hLMm6cRC63dWjBBDie-SswLvLEw-_GMgEtJA6Y7cU3tS5vVIX_VKuBOD1V00-7IfmJYAwTtLn6VkKeXqCHuiUEn_y4r0WXpneVPqq44GtYXv3mL-KlXypDC68Xsc3YlfcRWj7QtTfIWEw48AHXz8NPSmPC8ghSJrxo1804cdrQGh2UX-aVYWl4hrzzSv/w661-h843/july23%20-%201j.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIJZKXDc7IoswnJBMyzCOewtXzd0OUhaL1LGosBnumi6z2PPrA6QoqBqawOK9fzD35DQAdMVufzBjoL5oC4A2A2YjYXr4Tcg_fbCbqy9hJAkTdyJ14LxbZ8TVorX1T2f4ASLrUAgEMHIQdMSA4fpUhFDF3T-dke0KVHi_NzaOYPrjfSqknlCPrwKTwm4e/s1113/july23%20-%201k.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1113" height="730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIJZKXDc7IoswnJBMyzCOewtXzd0OUhaL1LGosBnumi6z2PPrA6QoqBqawOK9fzD35DQAdMVufzBjoL5oC4A2A2YjYXr4Tcg_fbCbqy9hJAkTdyJ14LxbZ8TVorX1T2f4ASLrUAgEMHIQdMSA4fpUhFDF3T-dke0KVHi_NzaOYPrjfSqknlCPrwKTwm4e/w916-h730/july23%20-%201k.jpeg" width="916" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A "terrific trio" of Canadian War Correspondents:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAkbUz3B06n6FRLvabpS5f_WRFEY7Hz_8VEvFaXYsRgYDkDlTclmNHFsjjRUNj8O8T5Ssqa38OPuK6uX7x3Uin1xheUGlxtiGCnFQ_sfF2pvH9yIj2UaR-3uaXJ07vAigzLTIwNsuKfVJ_DIdKmE_e2wDtpTUkUPDqLVDM0t2N7LQmiRVAqRElHJmWc3u/s882/july23%20-%201l.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="761" height="1062" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAkbUz3B06n6FRLvabpS5f_WRFEY7Hz_8VEvFaXYsRgYDkDlTclmNHFsjjRUNj8O8T5Ssqa38OPuK6uX7x3Uin1xheUGlxtiGCnFQ_sfF2pvH9yIj2UaR-3uaXJ07vAigzLTIwNsuKfVJ_DIdKmE_e2wDtpTUkUPDqLVDM0t2N7LQmiRVAqRElHJmWc3u/w916-h1062/july23%20-%201l.jpeg" width="916" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I located a better copy of the above photo. See near bottom of the entry</div><div><br /></div><div>I also had some luck finding a couple of good photos re Lionel S. B. Shapiro, correspondent with The Montreal Gazette:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV_nb8NqGygfAnGohPgvvrXCDFxn1UP98NIgMsW6pmiIh6JzbA8uarRm3FYKp6e2MTnxtMlZDzeYFhSbX3c2JU-IGG4T8mHSglkj-43s-dczMYZ8oDenETdH5920VZJHjekEcNeZR7irGlqRDFjuIJTpTwH-VJCbqJlTRhxGCia7LjTrqTp99LFCKwJNF/s1166/c678960f9a7487bb7a2b93a637703ee1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1166" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV_nb8NqGygfAnGohPgvvrXCDFxn1UP98NIgMsW6pmiIh6JzbA8uarRm3FYKp6e2MTnxtMlZDzeYFhSbX3c2JU-IGG4T8mHSglkj-43s-dczMYZ8oDenETdH5920VZJHjekEcNeZR7irGlqRDFjuIJTpTwH-VJCbqJlTRhxGCia7LjTrqTp99LFCKwJNF/w803-h620/c678960f9a7487bb7a2b93a637703ee1.jpg" width="803" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Talking to war correspondents at Amblie, - Major-General Stanislaw Maczek,</div><div style="text-align: center;">commander of 1st Polish Armoured Division, and his staff talking to war cor-</div><div style="text-align: center;">respondents at Amblie, Normandy, 7 August 1944. From left to right: Lionel S. B.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shapiro, North American Newspaper Alliance; Ralph Allen, Globe & Mail; & J. A. M.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cook, Winnipeg Free Press; Captain T. A. Wysocki, Colonel K. Dworak and Maczek.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGa1uh5Z6voJQZZ0nLRNbIZZhEOHroZJeP0sOKXmc31erwRxgcDArB840QGIDVB5OD5MbDNfzXhseLJoOkxuEhi-c2US-RcAuf6qCI8nguQBl5tGASaFDSqaigNSPx1SWdxPPTl2npUxsnPWHLnxzfutOH0Hk1JDTCVbJgJQoObOlnGJrUo9pBanpLuaeC/s600/3410610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="464" height="1041" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGa1uh5Z6voJQZZ0nLRNbIZZhEOHroZJeP0sOKXmc31erwRxgcDArB840QGIDVB5OD5MbDNfzXhseLJoOkxuEhi-c2US-RcAuf6qCI8nguQBl5tGASaFDSqaigNSPx1SWdxPPTl2npUxsnPWHLnxzfutOH0Hk1JDTCVbJgJQoObOlnGJrUo9pBanpLuaeC/w804-h1041/3410610.jpg" width="804" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Image titleWORLD WAR II: ITALY, 1943 General Sir Harold Alexander*</div><div style="text-align: center;">(center), commander of Allied ground forces in Italy, and Lieutenant General Mark</div><div style="text-align: center;">Clark, U. S. Fifth Army Commander look with uncertainty at an approaching plane</div><div style="text-align: center;">who's markings are not distinguishable, near the front line in Salerno, Italy. A war </div><div style="text-align: center;">correspondent (i.e., Lionel Shapiro) for the Montreal Gazette is at left, 1943.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Granger / Bridgeman Images. Image no. GCL3410610</div><div><br /></div><div>*Coincidentally, concerning General Alexander.... he gives praise to Canadian troops in Sicily in the article that immediately follows the one below. </div><div><br /></div><div>A bit of interesting background information re Canadian troops in Sicily follows:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cfHHDBvcH9V3ELEYvKuuQeHz1dvSsgHI4kEzSYaSRIZ06qnZAn0ms9Ux8L0VUl_g3aInM_-Obt_9EM00uSq_VvcYzHU7l-eqZPlXOhFbiFt4gmwaKEr4XtWKTj0UFj4F9HTty2x-0iuV18b1NDzFjFGZjS41jxhndZ_hx4DB6HskArvrrmJUW1CK2Hpd/s1154/july23%20-%201m1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="322" height="1453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cfHHDBvcH9V3ELEYvKuuQeHz1dvSsgHI4kEzSYaSRIZ06qnZAn0ms9Ux8L0VUl_g3aInM_-Obt_9EM00uSq_VvcYzHU7l-eqZPlXOhFbiFt4gmwaKEr4XtWKTj0UFj4F9HTty2x-0iuV18b1NDzFjFGZjS41jxhndZ_hx4DB6HskArvrrmJUW1CK2Hpd/w404-h1453/july23%20-%201m1.jpeg" width="404" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My father, RCNVR/Combined Operations, was aboard one of the slowest vessels - if not the slowest vessel - as it journeyed around the African continent in May and June 1943 on its way to Alexandria, then Sicily. The ship, SS <i>Silver Walnut</i>, was considered 'sub-bait' by some, and my father was happy not to see any during the lengthy trip, which included frequent stops for repairs to the ship's engines. <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2016/02/article-dad-had-sailed-these-same-waters.html">More details here.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>"Canadians Arrive in Sicily in Storm' </b>continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemNjbBLJpQQLr4whw28q7Dayjmoez6hyphenhyphenbfff6bEef4beatCq24_caJHvzjC5yKKTxXu0WB9E4ypIf3TF3ovdEgoAGtQp5z8qGi_gKYDmywnIEri2Y_7JENNDFxUxe_r5djWXUSZdlp3hjuzdwc5zJmittEMSG9PkdQ-Sa11LgOxBD6lIMm-vI6w63_im7/s415/july23%20-%201m2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="315" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemNjbBLJpQQLr4whw28q7Dayjmoez6hyphenhyphenbfff6bEef4beatCq24_caJHvzjC5yKKTxXu0WB9E4ypIf3TF3ovdEgoAGtQp5z8qGi_gKYDmywnIEri2Y_7JENNDFxUxe_r5djWXUSZdlp3hjuzdwc5zJmittEMSG9PkdQ-Sa11LgOxBD6lIMm-vI6w63_im7/w405-h534/july23%20-%201m2.jpeg" width="405" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We read below that Canadian troops participated in 'beach assaults and combined operations' likely for for more reasons than the one listed, i.e., "accustoming the troops to bad weather conditions." Troops needed to learn how to enter and exit a small landing craft efficiently, safely; they needed to grow accustomed to causes and effects of - and how to handle - seasickness. Travelling miles upon miles on large troop ships is one thing, clambering onto and then travelling to shore upon a small craft is something else.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">About early training aboard landing crafts at No. 1 Combined Operations Training Camp HMS <i>Quebec </i>(on Loch Fyne, Scotland, about 2 miles south of Inveraray), my father wrote the following:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">We trained on ALCs (assault landing crafts) which carried approximately 37 soldiers and a crew of four, i.e., Coxswain, two seamen and stoker. Some carried an officer.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIiz2PESnKuuy4G3WIxfPNBK95g2nwoLg63QmXXWcEL80SE41s86Dw8F7ywZ1cvO5mqD9oxsx9ru_LcMlCqAJiHG3jNGNQljyWAVbLET_rj2HUhJgwrDynUd88NEayfSeDsR9jiXSQE92jlFftgZm3eEGB68mZ-eQoHlsoiZwJcw7GvK9pnX70qCHx4du/s1749/IMG_5015.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="1749" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIiz2PESnKuuy4G3WIxfPNBK95g2nwoLg63QmXXWcEL80SE41s86Dw8F7ywZ1cvO5mqD9oxsx9ru_LcMlCqAJiHG3jNGNQljyWAVbLET_rj2HUhJgwrDynUd88NEayfSeDsR9jiXSQE92jlFftgZm3eEGB68mZ-eQoHlsoiZwJcw7GvK9pnX70qCHx4du/w662-h278/IMG_5015.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div>Gift from Jim Jepson, former curator of Combined Operations Museum</div><div style="text-align: center;">at Inveraray Castle. Now closed to visitors (because I have the sign?) GH</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnOzbU1YA37bYlBHN6sjRqy8VVwtuJFI2zQVwGhsg4xOXYQO6vX7Hkjd1z1ou_EGPhLshwnO6B_ftmwLlMNCAaX-olGiYawSGp408RWwpXNwww1PAhUwaclbmYo3cbmBhomLt0GQhHnvqgIE6R5VAhCAZPbC9Cv1MBAs4WY3b6dnyDlz_7ow01rRhWObL/s1653/IMG_0530.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1653" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnOzbU1YA37bYlBHN6sjRqy8VVwtuJFI2zQVwGhsg4xOXYQO6vX7Hkjd1z1ou_EGPhLshwnO6B_ftmwLlMNCAaX-olGiYawSGp408RWwpXNwww1PAhUwaclbmYo3cbmBhomLt0GQhHnvqgIE6R5VAhCAZPbC9Cv1MBAs4WY3b6dnyDlz_7ow01rRhWObL/w661-h372/IMG_0530.jpeg" width="661" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Troops train on landing craft at Loch Fyne, south of Inveraray</div><div style="text-align: center;">Scotland, 1942. Photo credit - Imperial War Museum (IWM)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">We did much running up on beaches so soldiers could disembark and re-embark, always watching the tide if it was flowing in or going out. You could be easily left high and dry, or broach too, if you weren’t constantly alert. We took long trips at night in close single formation, like ducks closed up close, because all you could see was the florescent waters churned up by propellors of an ALC or LCM (landing craft mechanized) ahead.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">ALCs carried soldiers and LCMs carried soldiers or a truck, a Bren gun carrier, supplies, land mines, gasoline, etc. ALCs were made of 3/16th inch plating, thick enough to stop a .303. LCMs wouldn’t stop a bullet. ALCs sat three rows of soldiers including two outside rows under 3/16th inch cowling, but the center row was completely exposed.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwokdO3ADeBJzZ6pndUBakVgrAcPD1qA85Qh50zmU288ejsyGEmwlGui24RbY5-tQ1Vp0tcCRBtkHB4okM2gIVsoZ9LhZRORT0vX-bClWcueS9yNKtyyQ2Wq9JGM7uWdG4n3XtRsLPG0mRta9vwN6zikwRwQiRFtyNvOmK-2YEZk3fgLNjEiL3JBGw3upQ/s631/535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="600" height="696" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwokdO3ADeBJzZ6pndUBakVgrAcPD1qA85Qh50zmU288ejsyGEmwlGui24RbY5-tQ1Vp0tcCRBtkHB4okM2gIVsoZ9LhZRORT0vX-bClWcueS9yNKtyyQ2Wq9JGM7uWdG4n3XtRsLPG0mRta9vwN6zikwRwQiRFtyNvOmK-2YEZk3fgLNjEiL3JBGw3upQ/w662-h696/535.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Troops of 1st Canadian Scottish practice loading into LCA (IWM)</div><div style="text-align: center;">[Note the cowling above soldiers' heads. My father would crawl above the</div><div style="text-align: center;">troops and pass his helmet to soldiers who started to vomit. Many did.]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">One night we had an exercise landing, complete with soldiers against shore defences. Also, we had a stoker, Lank, who was below decks. My, it was rough and cold. The stoker took a pail to vomit in and Gash and I lashed ourselves down on ALC cowling.<br /><br />We had an officer named Jake Koyl who was later to become our commander after Lieut. McRae was captured at Dieppe. During the exercise the soldiers became sick, oh so terribly sick.</span> (From Ch. 3, <b><u>"Dad, Well Done",</u> </b> my father's Navy memoirs)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlffsS8zp3ctn1UMtKbD40HZ_At3KOcxb8_O6ygvtSQ4dFc6ml_vExBKV-osbGR-kGFJj5JV5dS6uMUoUUrTyORGbbJB-oL0mzSr7UtzmwtQkOwQW_cMWDcSxcoGsjVBYv8u-LhABJ_Gq_AfLd0wMGSrCVTlWcLRFvSPlsP7828Byyj5qtPQ9W4773MoZ/s1310/IMG_8455.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="1287" height="675" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlffsS8zp3ctn1UMtKbD40HZ_At3KOcxb8_O6ygvtSQ4dFc6ml_vExBKV-osbGR-kGFJj5JV5dS6uMUoUUrTyORGbbJB-oL0mzSr7UtzmwtQkOwQW_cMWDcSxcoGsjVBYv8u-LhABJ_Gq_AfLd0wMGSrCVTlWcLRFvSPlsP7828Byyj5qtPQ9W4773MoZ/w663-h675/IMG_8455.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My father's Navy helmet. Smells better now. Like black tea.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe used for more than a few 'brew ups' GH</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>"Canadians Arrive in Sicily in Storm' </b>continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq4Pg4gUuKH_jX8NLax03NdsmB5IqLaXipelUfXpj-Z32-U5_Hr3y-Zo9Dm4p1J-qWly_EgyHgeePqGA5bse_E8bK_h13BTlXFulfVJ8c5_D8M6kf5Yp-Fs7LX5rhAzdlgmOCjmABxzU72wbsYg_5Luo5SgaSa9RGiHFLqLG_3ywE08pqoZz5PpFH5b7P/s742/july23%20-%201m3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq4Pg4gUuKH_jX8NLax03NdsmB5IqLaXipelUfXpj-Z32-U5_Hr3y-Zo9Dm4p1J-qWly_EgyHgeePqGA5bse_E8bK_h13BTlXFulfVJ8c5_D8M6kf5Yp-Fs7LX5rhAzdlgmOCjmABxzU72wbsYg_5Luo5SgaSa9RGiHFLqLG_3ywE08pqoZz5PpFH5b7P/w404-h640/july23%20-%201m3.jpeg" width="404" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Canadians in the RCAF make news as well:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCugqabJakImWRoblOT74fhcN0DbnW9jOeTg2KDcNKIYAedk8nSW4mxiHivaAqeMzMTkwAwjQ54Gf-LJG5IYJl0McK5zd32X_8pzuWXTVWCexwjfp6oqEy8sIZmil8oHQzUDuBUkkWlH9rDTV60KqPVufP-aa1uAUhc-nbHyWfNHL2qng7fxL0dVoHmdo6/s497/july23%20-%201n.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCugqabJakImWRoblOT74fhcN0DbnW9jOeTg2KDcNKIYAedk8nSW4mxiHivaAqeMzMTkwAwjQ54Gf-LJG5IYJl0McK5zd32X_8pzuWXTVWCexwjfp6oqEy8sIZmil8oHQzUDuBUkkWlH9rDTV60KqPVufP-aa1uAUhc-nbHyWfNHL2qng7fxL0dVoHmdo6/w490-h640/july23%20-%201n.jpeg" width="490" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBFOX4bziHZgQFgSKAZglA1kuKJgysfMIl8F0RgNJHpZzNnMjcDoC5lgyPD_p1aOTdqs-Pf28jj11WNiFdCBSV56Fi7SZfhbHst8C1kRB1ERi90oOQ02EycnaNiyXy-IFVNhX97WjH0rC76Z6ZmtwhelObLicL7ISy3-AwXF8eahlBo_eZ8sOpUUpb2tB/s464/3410610.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="464" height="583" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBFOX4bziHZgQFgSKAZglA1kuKJgysfMIl8F0RgNJHpZzNnMjcDoC5lgyPD_p1aOTdqs-Pf28jj11WNiFdCBSV56Fi7SZfhbHst8C1kRB1ERi90oOQ02EycnaNiyXy-IFVNhX97WjH0rC76Z6ZmtwhelObLicL7ISy3-AwXF8eahlBo_eZ8sOpUUpb2tB/w848-h583/3410610.jpeg" width="848" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">With L. Shapiro writing down every word, Gen. H. Alexander and Lt. Gen. Mark</div><div style="text-align: center;">Clark spot an unidentified plane near Salerno, Italy. Clark reaches for his gun.</div><div style="text-align: center;">“I bet I can wing that stupid beggar from here,” he says.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6W6gxqjz2eKr88Baxd-4LL-8zMj6GIycO7a0JHpgSdOI0bXRxhyq-aD92-ucmkhDkvTLG2yfPLPczYz-a7WfFSz1HHuu-rlYZZShUjtpsra3JMLXaJ1yJ2imAOFTOWvmx9D5oMgZLskZ_MTY6X5QJGMS4hRZmIHu9aDt3wFMilhf3kN4t3GCToaSHqI8/s903/july23%20-%202a1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="388" height="771" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6W6gxqjz2eKr88Baxd-4LL-8zMj6GIycO7a0JHpgSdOI0bXRxhyq-aD92-ucmkhDkvTLG2yfPLPczYz-a7WfFSz1HHuu-rlYZZShUjtpsra3JMLXaJ1yJ2imAOFTOWvmx9D5oMgZLskZ_MTY6X5QJGMS4hRZmIHu9aDt3wFMilhf3kN4t3GCToaSHqI8/w329-h771/july23%20-%202a1.jpeg" width="329" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTFH76TPtaKUlO6erjxZ4OQKGMda51INydGUuxLQyl-7HpHEtdLrRaEpARik3uUiqxabK8_W2aTE2B2h5IqHnNJCo7xaDDS_cxW3cNKt6pEXtEIK1daPMDr57EiTvWAYwDTQ_0pJG1XRIvypFBH19ldrorU9x1VW4FmzdHucevDxvPusb8k8ZdFgbzF_D/s1025/Cantroops.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="1025" height="535" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTFH76TPtaKUlO6erjxZ4OQKGMda51INydGUuxLQyl-7HpHEtdLrRaEpARik3uUiqxabK8_W2aTE2B2h5IqHnNJCo7xaDDS_cxW3cNKt6pEXtEIK1daPMDr57EiTvWAYwDTQ_0pJG1XRIvypFBH19ldrorU9x1VW4FmzdHucevDxvPusb8k8ZdFgbzF_D/w936-h535/Cantroops.jpeg" width="936" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Infantry of the PPCLI patrol down the main street of Agira following the</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">capture of the town, Agira, Sicily 24 - 28 July, 1943. LAC PA 138269</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1617&context=cmh">Beyond the Consensus 1st Canadian Infantry Division</a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>'Alexander Lauds Canadian Troops'</b> continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBamhfbRYwn04d6LrtTNHO4upi_-cM9lm71OJZaThTQJfsSSe_g8WXR5T-hXdCZny52lks9hXmKX5o-k_Q-1hHsmWgxVDrFXVQ-qeaYLML8cErfsviprgynpE3KPC_UX4Gtz3RfjQnnNlA9hl82XpsE7uTd6Na0JEIkZllvJvP197ix_zfacNwhjBPakAW/s391/july23%20-%202a2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="391" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBamhfbRYwn04d6LrtTNHO4upi_-cM9lm71OJZaThTQJfsSSe_g8WXR5T-hXdCZny52lks9hXmKX5o-k_Q-1hHsmWgxVDrFXVQ-qeaYLML8cErfsviprgynpE3KPC_UX4Gtz3RfjQnnNlA9hl82XpsE7uTd6Na0JEIkZllvJvP197ix_zfacNwhjBPakAW/w328-h293/july23%20-%202a2.jpeg" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_P2YT2-gP4unlngJxaOdr_nYALSz38mALqQwAPgOCfqnj6TyIdIymVQ2Mb8kxj4qS5Ie6jAOTKQWDcob3EfM0W01jFHqG9921o4-hKkd-8hHz_pWhkwriJn951ocsCobJ11sb3SI4kH7mKixXIVQ1fRZpYOuD4xyJAOxQEavPDztVtH8KbB4LDhpVz79H/s815/july23%20-%202a3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="393" height="685" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_P2YT2-gP4unlngJxaOdr_nYALSz38mALqQwAPgOCfqnj6TyIdIymVQ2Mb8kxj4qS5Ie6jAOTKQWDcob3EfM0W01jFHqG9921o4-hKkd-8hHz_pWhkwriJn951ocsCobJ11sb3SI4kH7mKixXIVQ1fRZpYOuD4xyJAOxQEavPDztVtH8KbB4LDhpVz79H/w329-h685/july23%20-%202a3.jpeg" width="329" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80_IWwR221JgpArhnmApFuYsGv9c0WvFaFXTFkEIpym_Tf3kKf0cY3Sd5b5aJXiyDM1NsiqyNeeTyQ75_41DKIjx1zS70hJO4kfFFBbLhZKhuzOCwwN6LL_0-hRfxb3QUGxRX2N9EmxhnuZ-ZEVUvcSD6jResI7z8fKYzAryIH7Iwgqu_roAlfToBQiWT/s437/july23%20-%202a4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="390" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80_IWwR221JgpArhnmApFuYsGv9c0WvFaFXTFkEIpym_Tf3kKf0cY3Sd5b5aJXiyDM1NsiqyNeeTyQ75_41DKIjx1zS70hJO4kfFFBbLhZKhuzOCwwN6LL_0-hRfxb3QUGxRX2N9EmxhnuZ-ZEVUvcSD6jResI7z8fKYzAryIH7Iwgqu_roAlfToBQiWT/w328-h367/july23%20-%202a4.jpeg" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtkYMOTbQkg-4Zt1Co47HYILZDi7NVIyDt33-RlfG8d86XOZscDvXid80xGxcemSC-XM2TAVQ7-_eKkDvShGwLC7_w7taYfC_MeIfMAAgcqNJyhHveyLTa0zlkcANlI18zwFi073xjB1e0pxq3iBoxNxBALAMFuXPUpUykI-I_xHANZkETgKH40UiMzu8/s640/IMG_0223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="631" height="669" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtkYMOTbQkg-4Zt1Co47HYILZDi7NVIyDt33-RlfG8d86XOZscDvXid80xGxcemSC-XM2TAVQ7-_eKkDvShGwLC7_w7taYfC_MeIfMAAgcqNJyhHveyLTa0zlkcANlI18zwFi073xjB1e0pxq3iBoxNxBALAMFuXPUpUykI-I_xHANZkETgKH40UiMzu8/w661-h669/IMG_0223.jpg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Where's your shorts 'n' towel?" Spot the Canadian war correspondent*</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gen. Alexander is not the only person who might get caught in the buff.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px;">Photo as found in </span><u style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-good-read-good-connection.html">Dispatches From The Front</a></u><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px;">. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px;">* Matt Halton, far left</span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>'Alexander Lauds Canadian Troops'</b> continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UwYMUBr0zmv_U2Wv480c7V4I90SNH0e44M3pDdRoEvKlqwjGk7TAKKRVT9lX6hEGwLaSRUquhch-2CMck6xmYKvcUKMrrbsNqodf8anDEmXlPtd_Lkj-BD9LV81BhBc0iFwSJww3IBWjaFeElHYm6N8MqbSS0jqwjnHlYtMADRdTuehXDIodMJsYrLUf/s1114/july23%20-%202a5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="390" height="939" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UwYMUBr0zmv_U2Wv480c7V4I90SNH0e44M3pDdRoEvKlqwjGk7TAKKRVT9lX6hEGwLaSRUquhch-2CMck6xmYKvcUKMrrbsNqodf8anDEmXlPtd_Lkj-BD9LV81BhBc0iFwSJww3IBWjaFeElHYm6N8MqbSS0jqwjnHlYtMADRdTuehXDIodMJsYrLUf/w328-h939/july23%20-%202a5.jpeg" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcWmXhMG_5hhy6FwFgdfQY9OoKxCyGblNul5G22Kvne49oogePMu5mtB9Vtf4Xi7kLvEtFqsvZEINKFlLWpU6yj501FUX9N8PW83xqhe7SNqcyyy6gktgRO4U1WLL3CffKn6nTdh-Dxvf1QAlJe_7huoLnF-w9StBhkV_By0gjfjahKvbfQId4QS6t9aA/s433/july23%20-%202a6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="392" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcWmXhMG_5hhy6FwFgdfQY9OoKxCyGblNul5G22Kvne49oogePMu5mtB9Vtf4Xi7kLvEtFqsvZEINKFlLWpU6yj501FUX9N8PW83xqhe7SNqcyyy6gktgRO4U1WLL3CffKn6nTdh-Dxvf1QAlJe_7huoLnF-w9StBhkV_By0gjfjahKvbfQId4QS6t9aA/w329-h362/july23%20-%202a6.jpeg" width="329" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WhMB5MI4Vj4gpFUjvfuPZM1ZsDnQTFPSt5Za8_9m09NyEs_Gb5TO93LYy78N3DtTy2PaFlNq0eoHXzZggsTshi5KD2VYP5yoxoP6KyxrfegkeDhWyPR_ZSkmoXBrpia11iXr2J5AsG1ksxSVv04B-NsYwaNZlUkJ3FZimS5Fp__QxcrLaCAuVEDVyPTi/s468/july23%20-%202a7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="389" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WhMB5MI4Vj4gpFUjvfuPZM1ZsDnQTFPSt5Za8_9m09NyEs_Gb5TO93LYy78N3DtTy2PaFlNq0eoHXzZggsTshi5KD2VYP5yoxoP6KyxrfegkeDhWyPR_ZSkmoXBrpia11iXr2J5AsG1ksxSVv04B-NsYwaNZlUkJ3FZimS5Fp__QxcrLaCAuVEDVyPTi/w328-h395/july23%20-%202a7.jpeg" width="328" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EAmCLa3-7iIdoM_5qk9IgiPKudD6MM-jn-jPdO2JeEdkYV4RmoNs7OgNsWRb_iATzuoET1c0AiugwmQRuB57k7LvKhIc69p71HbWlCfh55LzeS8nTGQV1DoW01gszF23upXYinpYgsp1o6CDmesxM3xnco9V-_gkdSWFUtVwLwyILqQMuz2BrIzL4BOe/s390/july23%20-%202b1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="390" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EAmCLa3-7iIdoM_5qk9IgiPKudD6MM-jn-jPdO2JeEdkYV4RmoNs7OgNsWRb_iATzuoET1c0AiugwmQRuB57k7LvKhIc69p71HbWlCfh55LzeS8nTGQV1DoW01gszF23upXYinpYgsp1o6CDmesxM3xnco9V-_gkdSWFUtVwLwyILqQMuz2BrIzL4BOe/w537-h250/july23%20-%202b1.jpeg" width="537" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqFt-5WPgWqcBcdSFBOB7oqhueobb1gSr-SzSQ8eTmJ3MKzer-dv1U6GzGLzA7VvFVZ0Wi78Wm1WC8rS74oGWWJvr2vz6dcAHAnrEm_5twVdyTojZKwLTtB2IfQjG74Qq2zsBGoN1NXij645iXR522CAgM1rzuJKdlQvIf2U9tsKdXWp0KrVGsFUUxyPP/s380/july23%20-%202b2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="380" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqFt-5WPgWqcBcdSFBOB7oqhueobb1gSr-SzSQ8eTmJ3MKzer-dv1U6GzGLzA7VvFVZ0Wi78Wm1WC8rS74oGWWJvr2vz6dcAHAnrEm_5twVdyTojZKwLTtB2IfQjG74Qq2zsBGoN1NXij645iXR522CAgM1rzuJKdlQvIf2U9tsKdXWp0KrVGsFUUxyPP/w537-h391/july23%20-%202b2.jpeg" width="537" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEPNVfpCB1-BBVPTqKPHoVsWMIoM74zprUBDIWhcJRarb9r5By2YwSnbGidnHzWkmn-Q-en_GiDFbXntejtcOfeBF9qLshRPVvz2z8Zty3odhZN7u_zZr7oPDjBUGBjBytGSJ7MncoHeSoeCjkFWw1mmIAn_HvqYwpsO1L3SWxFIyvR2rYfJBEdVQQJl5/s1148/july23%20-%202c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="390" height="1121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEPNVfpCB1-BBVPTqKPHoVsWMIoM74zprUBDIWhcJRarb9r5By2YwSnbGidnHzWkmn-Q-en_GiDFbXntejtcOfeBF9qLshRPVvz2z8Zty3odhZN7u_zZr7oPDjBUGBjBytGSJ7MncoHeSoeCjkFWw1mmIAn_HvqYwpsO1L3SWxFIyvR2rYfJBEdVQQJl5/w382-h1121/july23%20-%202c.jpeg" width="382" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Not the best photographs in <b>The Gazette</b> gallery but easily among the first to be broadcast or seen in newspapers from Sicily, July 1943 (better images follow the gallery and captions:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JCUt15Kh2Ft3v4cx2cvt9yQHujX0WUqQL8Sd26Y9cszVpr5aEgvdlNGvQkhgzVw02AtSZO8PlGASfvYLRPInYyuvmm2pu49y4hS2tnZ57sHXIokzykkevFV86x0vE1YPK4WbKOJ1PAJxZArrWzuYlHCCr8hH3MyGMXesUMrDD3rjFYaagzz9hUlDzGbO/s521/july23%20-%202d1a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="48" data-original-width="521" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JCUt15Kh2Ft3v4cx2cvt9yQHujX0WUqQL8Sd26Y9cszVpr5aEgvdlNGvQkhgzVw02AtSZO8PlGASfvYLRPInYyuvmm2pu49y4hS2tnZ57sHXIokzykkevFV86x0vE1YPK4WbKOJ1PAJxZArrWzuYlHCCr8hH3MyGMXesUMrDD3rjFYaagzz9hUlDzGbO/w882-h80/july23%20-%202d1a.jpeg" width="882" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0COMiwPv29fLO4Eo5rBao2gb5VqShIcFSptD0FTstyh7t_Mo07B6b3hXFGEk9t2Wh_oQpZ0hrquvgX_HPJGVpCv90OjA7vkRMCvO5p8NwGHY_jGmjbHAY9PKNRS5q-HstRKRfJKZPrm7hAMQLIEE-BZzKIMiPG6csGS2ginqqKaWm0HhN1XudDPmfq83R/s564/july23%20-%202d1b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="48" data-original-width="564" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0COMiwPv29fLO4Eo5rBao2gb5VqShIcFSptD0FTstyh7t_Mo07B6b3hXFGEk9t2Wh_oQpZ0hrquvgX_HPJGVpCv90OjA7vkRMCvO5p8NwGHY_jGmjbHAY9PKNRS5q-HstRKRfJKZPrm7hAMQLIEE-BZzKIMiPG6csGS2ginqqKaWm0HhN1XudDPmfq83R/w882-h74/july23%20-%202d1b.jpeg" width="882" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqV171_g9XoXjmOmO-YVnFo0Q3wTc4zYt4vhg6VxSFokSomn4onEhzwMytaE1MK0JmHStUBzXRS7v9Uo6Z52W88J9wJxEuyH0oOql1ylHwSNxDv_5fayNKQpdc90R46lG7lIPlrw-B7XM-z4bRSMImxBVed1EZrqSPBLNr66TsSvF02vuettn872Zp6lQt/s705/july23%20-%202d1c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="705" height="589" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqV171_g9XoXjmOmO-YVnFo0Q3wTc4zYt4vhg6VxSFokSomn4onEhzwMytaE1MK0JmHStUBzXRS7v9Uo6Z52W88J9wJxEuyH0oOql1ylHwSNxDv_5fayNKQpdc90R46lG7lIPlrw-B7XM-z4bRSMImxBVed1EZrqSPBLNr66TsSvF02vuettn872Zp6lQt/w873-h589/july23%20-%202d1c.jpeg" width="873" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrH1lzKf7N68QHjElrNYF_XT9v_3Vfa2soYNkSvbT1AJHohSfkU9M8q296NCjiqiAWiL2loQfSgMTFXhZuUisz1qmOZdUHG-fhBl0-yE4py-7nIPw7mX_KQNgDW8ffey7ifMN6M9oGKTlvwteQAZEw6MdfVr1itooXgf4yr_9unisNLTYCtLtC2OnYlJdH/s479/july23%20-%202d1d.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="479" height="865" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrH1lzKf7N68QHjElrNYF_XT9v_3Vfa2soYNkSvbT1AJHohSfkU9M8q296NCjiqiAWiL2loQfSgMTFXhZuUisz1qmOZdUHG-fhBl0-yE4py-7nIPw7mX_KQNgDW8ffey7ifMN6M9oGKTlvwteQAZEw6MdfVr1itooXgf4yr_9unisNLTYCtLtC2OnYlJdH/w873-h865/july23%20-%202d1d.jpeg" width="873" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKis80TG0RnL_WESHCOpxJHIFQINi6l9AvWR-xkQsJVSI0HfSg3Et7KgmhLSdC_u_PTpYEFt1qXCUx7gHIaDCxZOPf2z59Iqd2ludksR3QdNE87XfbOltzua-HFvaHwybrNHJU2gWmgWob_JipyVfGBlcE7VCf-y7IC5lH0j8xl9jSoaOW_u506KmYNuE/s468/july23%20-%202d2a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="468" height="829" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKis80TG0RnL_WESHCOpxJHIFQINi6l9AvWR-xkQsJVSI0HfSg3Et7KgmhLSdC_u_PTpYEFt1qXCUx7gHIaDCxZOPf2z59Iqd2ludksR3QdNE87XfbOltzua-HFvaHwybrNHJU2gWmgWob_JipyVfGBlcE7VCf-y7IC5lH0j8xl9jSoaOW_u506KmYNuE/w873-h829/july23%20-%202d2a.jpeg" width="873" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8IKTg51mpNqrevcC0PHQPgEYqctKuNtKm-gGSKkf42PhWL4F6vOmOaJ13qaLhr2DGZ54y02SP72hlZWPghVb0wnMcyQG1XJVyVT-dVVL4MDTiGfpPZLvMFDPm53Gnr8R3ku1_LuFBupPiv53GL48rtgc6QkZYqnHZgeZZo6TO8iihkIoyMlOJHkG5rUg/s702/july23%20-%202d2b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="702" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8IKTg51mpNqrevcC0PHQPgEYqctKuNtKm-gGSKkf42PhWL4F6vOmOaJ13qaLhr2DGZ54y02SP72hlZWPghVb0wnMcyQG1XJVyVT-dVVL4MDTiGfpPZLvMFDPm53Gnr8R3ku1_LuFBupPiv53GL48rtgc6QkZYqnHZgeZZo6TO8iihkIoyMlOJHkG5rUg/w875-h558/july23%20-%202d2b.jpeg" width="875" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGP2-YHKNNcY1KOLLnJwZ57HB6rDMCNoSMJO04HHQhffoMEWyoSzaONuYIoNOyRajE19opnI_vumstsRay3KoaSuqG5Ux6RA4hefgUMQF1rKLQEs6GUcTK2dDvoO8JgXPosV6AodtqXAd2VRFwIWvBJ7n_OzcOIlyHhRxVfs3VzmFGFRVrgmf9ABmQsFq5/s687/july23%20-%202d3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="687" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGP2-YHKNNcY1KOLLnJwZ57HB6rDMCNoSMJO04HHQhffoMEWyoSzaONuYIoNOyRajE19opnI_vumstsRay3KoaSuqG5Ux6RA4hefgUMQF1rKLQEs6GUcTK2dDvoO8JgXPosV6AodtqXAd2VRFwIWvBJ7n_OzcOIlyHhRxVfs3VzmFGFRVrgmf9ABmQsFq5/w874-h604/july23%20-%202d3.jpeg" width="874" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Gazette</b> helped itself by adding decent captions to the photos above:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_e2lHtgjLZZpz4jFjBkgaiwC9IjuZDENWVfXlw-_zrKoW2SfsOTTddTIEtvosGKsXITVGi0e8FfNXgVWOU45FBnV66dcUU9EvhDjpk2FDU6Btfgr3WeXWKI0TPgqL-mTxuVXI7Elk-r3ntyQhZBTvxk4IRlPqSGK5k4Q55fFG1zOuSzo6pIDpMfEdZcm/s723/july23%20-%202d4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="721" height="665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_e2lHtgjLZZpz4jFjBkgaiwC9IjuZDENWVfXlw-_zrKoW2SfsOTTddTIEtvosGKsXITVGi0e8FfNXgVWOU45FBnV66dcUU9EvhDjpk2FDU6Btfgr3WeXWKI0TPgqL-mTxuVXI7Elk-r3ntyQhZBTvxk4IRlPqSGK5k4Q55fFG1zOuSzo6pIDpMfEdZcm/w663-h665/july23%20-%202d4.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The following are from Album 61 of Canadian Army Film Unit and include the five posted by <b>The Gazette</b> and a few more to boot, taken on the first day of Operation HUSKY, the Allied invasion of Sicily, July 10, 1943, with original captions when available. Canadian Army photographer - Frank Royal:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSwkXRHZVIFZvOfKNUnlaQoMZhGUjAQ07kCTObBqZvtvq0MphZBQ9R2MgmeLAz-YPjwMNpdneA3Vcs3LHWxn1KFu5fBQ0wk92LZxEV436MxXZR8o1p4LQvs9lTnYhsihQDA7aeTFjETDQ7wR5Q-g6XgU8aQs6elgEBL5YXFGZ-zNkyyn94pOiSkpwga6r/s1139/first1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1128" height="946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSwkXRHZVIFZvOfKNUnlaQoMZhGUjAQ07kCTObBqZvtvq0MphZBQ9R2MgmeLAz-YPjwMNpdneA3Vcs3LHWxn1KFu5fBQ0wk92LZxEV436MxXZR8o1p4LQvs9lTnYhsihQDA7aeTFjETDQ7wR5Q-g6XgU8aQs6elgEBL5YXFGZ-zNkyyn94pOiSkpwga6r/w937-h946/first1.jpeg" width="937" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo 21066</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YQ2YCzU_sE5dra2aiqegqLcxg-aUu34a9a04-JZGINKtFW0f8etkRvdSQfZUcV7GafjHY_axfCbQ2yr554hkyH1jDAwQSFafkGEERB6hfcolXS94S4Q01_1RiMh54rD3_pflEPdIo_zO3sHObxcN6bchggOj1tpRTUZj09tBwyGS1uZCUSe7ARC568JS/s1071/first2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1071" height="674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YQ2YCzU_sE5dra2aiqegqLcxg-aUu34a9a04-JZGINKtFW0f8etkRvdSQfZUcV7GafjHY_axfCbQ2yr554hkyH1jDAwQSFafkGEERB6hfcolXS94S4Q01_1RiMh54rD3_pflEPdIo_zO3sHObxcN6bchggOj1tpRTUZj09tBwyGS1uZCUSe7ARC568JS/w938-h674/first2.jpeg" width="938" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo 21067</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZD4TS61NoiKRdSBvGObY6jirRmAmog2EhaT86VcWfYItAqHVbyY5TYhZD0IHmmbMbyGDTVmK-2Yr1LwEsiwSjsqx33x9286A_Xb7CRDHENtv3DAbQBiAIFDT9KJg1BQ5xEzT575P45uVVLSLK34wCK0bx_MhG6MtSQf-tjeyenosrK-PmbxPX_1qCkhyphenhyphen/s1148/first3a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1148" height="677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZD4TS61NoiKRdSBvGObY6jirRmAmog2EhaT86VcWfYItAqHVbyY5TYhZD0IHmmbMbyGDTVmK-2Yr1LwEsiwSjsqx33x9286A_Xb7CRDHENtv3DAbQBiAIFDT9KJg1BQ5xEzT575P45uVVLSLK34wCK0bx_MhG6MtSQf-tjeyenosrK-PmbxPX_1qCkhyphenhyphen/w938-h677/first3a.jpeg" width="938" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo 21068</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB1vgatqR1KjtzqaOfhEMvjvAtTcCvTPbyp3dKvFMYBq5tv3v-Q4DryuuVvvqZUpFCTd7GuqZi94n12SD7ptMDFpkh-VqgOBwAg8HmnwSqBAtmH6UWqv0Np17JrMHLA-m_x_XgZWZUzvAxpHMDy7-qcrieRI8JIfP21iiiVdzOXcZmrH_QoUA-jVITIE1/s1388/first3b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1388" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB1vgatqR1KjtzqaOfhEMvjvAtTcCvTPbyp3dKvFMYBq5tv3v-Q4DryuuVvvqZUpFCTd7GuqZi94n12SD7ptMDFpkh-VqgOBwAg8HmnwSqBAtmH6UWqv0Np17JrMHLA-m_x_XgZWZUzvAxpHMDy7-qcrieRI8JIfP21iiiVdzOXcZmrH_QoUA-jVITIE1/w939-h560/first3b.jpeg" width="939" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another copy of 21068, seen for sale on eBay</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDsMq8yL3KYi6hgfc3W8XAoPhoTOgMVBlMtGMz5EqReHUGHcjUbEtoEiGwwkJZN_khtQiUr9eTCcfh1x6mMMeev2DGQ2LOsu4WCssfrUX18XuTfeXqeqHdRi_JODXmGyA4GvS1ZVupHsk0W56p32bMD9YIrF213bUbR3dusyH9cYcu820Az0Yhg2SxC_2/s1127/first4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1127" height="913" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDsMq8yL3KYi6hgfc3W8XAoPhoTOgMVBlMtGMz5EqReHUGHcjUbEtoEiGwwkJZN_khtQiUr9eTCcfh1x6mMMeev2DGQ2LOsu4WCssfrUX18XuTfeXqeqHdRi_JODXmGyA4GvS1ZVupHsk0W56p32bMD9YIrF213bUbR3dusyH9cYcu820Az0Yhg2SxC_2/w939-h913/first4.jpeg" width="939" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1st Canadian Division transport up from the beach. Pachino, Sicily</div><div style="text-align: center;">(vicinity) 10 July 1943. CAFU 21069</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihRkjw6RrVE3SQlc0rwe8_92HJNmAm7q_LkzyWemzxw-eiudsFjquRI328BIe_EaaauOk-mJFvRy9mgbUKPccykVagqawdk_eAp5iVvg21MYJ22NZx0zAX_WXI2YfCxWdgQMJyOo7VhWf1Gw7Ttc8S33fQyRJGI6gzVkldPHuAo0pe60Xm7C7XUlORL_v/s1161/first5b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1161" height="809" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihRkjw6RrVE3SQlc0rwe8_92HJNmAm7q_LkzyWemzxw-eiudsFjquRI328BIe_EaaauOk-mJFvRy9mgbUKPccykVagqawdk_eAp5iVvg21MYJ22NZx0zAX_WXI2YfCxWdgQMJyOo7VhWf1Gw7Ttc8S33fQyRJGI6gzVkldPHuAo0pe60Xm7C7XUlORL_v/w938-h809/first5b.jpeg" width="938" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNq93924u7r734KCLt-fSV5DVmfhpUqCN2csDHHF4OnTnbxY-yKZq0Rysp_IfArG3qbvTuJcfIp6W4JpafpkDvmCpoLm0weWfl5TlccPxnt3dQmfrM7dGvrc7-0db61uQI0b16vGiYpLg0WJqzJbwhKVK4K9KUQCZckOva29XSzGR-OpCX7RgvMNIEfgwc/s1044/first6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1044" height="890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNq93924u7r734KCLt-fSV5DVmfhpUqCN2csDHHF4OnTnbxY-yKZq0Rysp_IfArG3qbvTuJcfIp6W4JpafpkDvmCpoLm0weWfl5TlccPxnt3dQmfrM7dGvrc7-0db61uQI0b16vGiYpLg0WJqzJbwhKVK4K9KUQCZckOva29XSzGR-OpCX7RgvMNIEfgwc/w939-h890/first6.jpeg" width="939" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Album 61, Photo 21075. Lt. Corp. G.J. Viau Trenton, of Hastings Prince</div><div style="text-align: center;">Edward Regiment (HPE, Hasty Ps) leading prisoners down a road. ca 1943</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb_ufKsWh6lmKBD5k4tuGj-J0v7dTg3cDH_RdB8U4tzZgP-2V2GVc109J44lkLN8QvnhsG_nUgLRtUkpMctgT-SVP198uBw3DZF5GSrDA3OZqVuibqg9FBbarenOih6UC-kU6EeWEk96Ww8IvYJipEqAFi1yk2DqIUArhVG4h6qhSU5STG-2SpGyrJ9Ix/s773/first7b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="773" height="804" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb_ufKsWh6lmKBD5k4tuGj-J0v7dTg3cDH_RdB8U4tzZgP-2V2GVc109J44lkLN8QvnhsG_nUgLRtUkpMctgT-SVP198uBw3DZF5GSrDA3OZqVuibqg9FBbarenOih6UC-kU6EeWEk96Ww8IvYJipEqAFi1yk2DqIUArhVG4h6qhSU5STG-2SpGyrJ9Ix/w939-h804/first7b.jpeg" width="939" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Toney (extreme left) and his donkey... full caption above with</div><div style="text-align: center;">initial Gazette gallery</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cA3Ot8tiDZYD9ThGjXngN_AFa6H0tMLV7Kq4s9JdVGI_FYxFTVWmSz5TWx2MMr5nPKhA_zkRng8eeRrbYH_mADX35W-Oz0KnQ9NipnAOgYJ5wBBJ0GSii9UtGyNkCmSVsiaAB4Z-PSZjiJFmEAWKgExYtrt0nHvebEzCVc3a4oAKly166qRy1I1KTVea/s816/first8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="816" height="871" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cA3Ot8tiDZYD9ThGjXngN_AFa6H0tMLV7Kq4s9JdVGI_FYxFTVWmSz5TWx2MMr5nPKhA_zkRng8eeRrbYH_mADX35W-Oz0KnQ9NipnAOgYJ5wBBJ0GSii9UtGyNkCmSVsiaAB4Z-PSZjiJFmEAWKgExYtrt0nHvebEzCVc3a4oAKly166qRy1I1KTVea/w939-h871/first8.jpeg" width="939" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A Landing Craft, Personnel (LCP) off the coast of Sicily. Photo 21077</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5HbV-aPuwZHex9DeinDN96y-xnaU1q1l49wkbHILTfniGyiZunyncxo5GBLk9l_NDCY27uZ_MAcOQvDKmONzQtpYAa7s3BoEdAs1KX9KPORGnYaJo0zxFvbzQNXsV__EcCdVq3Nfrp84XcXv_Vx5Kz-L1p05BUoBVbcfpyf06pC-9HV-aui3QmNSGZ2U/s822/first9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="822" height="864" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5HbV-aPuwZHex9DeinDN96y-xnaU1q1l49wkbHILTfniGyiZunyncxo5GBLk9l_NDCY27uZ_MAcOQvDKmONzQtpYAa7s3BoEdAs1KX9KPORGnYaJo0zxFvbzQNXsV__EcCdVq3Nfrp84XcXv_Vx5Kz-L1p05BUoBVbcfpyf06pC-9HV-aui3QmNSGZ2U/w938-h864/first9.jpeg" width="938" /></a><span>Landing Craft, Personnel (LCP) off the coast of Sicily. Photo 21078</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span>Officers surely had some excellent views of the action!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzttscybUi4gzQy-mtbD9YIHNTIivajs_MjfIlNSavqsAj7el_muvKJQxR0iLczeQ7PrXOL14IP_MgyyzKkHKixYx26sgLPgYY0jt7dr1OXAQgPb9XYzQuuEk4v5gBfyWYrtRdohXuB8S6jCJMW6cxAnw9xndbfz04QE91gpR3CWTRutqHPnonAXEZ8A-y/s838/first10.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="838" height="597" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzttscybUi4gzQy-mtbD9YIHNTIivajs_MjfIlNSavqsAj7el_muvKJQxR0iLczeQ7PrXOL14IP_MgyyzKkHKixYx26sgLPgYY0jt7dr1OXAQgPb9XYzQuuEk4v5gBfyWYrtRdohXuB8S6jCJMW6cxAnw9xndbfz04QE91gpR3CWTRutqHPnonAXEZ8A-y/w937-h597/first10.jpeg" width="937" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A better copy of Gazette war correspondents featuring (L - R)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ross Munro, Peter Stursberg and Lionel Shapiro</div><div><br /><div>And last but not least, two good shots of the first landings southwest of Pachino, followed by better reproductions of the first two shots shared in <b>The Gazette's </b>gallery above:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Oikz8TrGOjFoThRhyQ2avcMjSMN5EuM6ZAV4yoiMNSGahE5cGhM-i17DTHVoaA7yeWaA256rlnfsF5c6O7XZe_QwaG3mFHfNVvtmiCnZFJ2vSPqXcLRfacESABGCItn09Z70E1tS-xubLg7XzxPje7Wrblv1NAJwxRGZ1I-0-WqVQIc1QBJeZPL5VNvY/s1224/set1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1224" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Oikz8TrGOjFoThRhyQ2avcMjSMN5EuM6ZAV4yoiMNSGahE5cGhM-i17DTHVoaA7yeWaA256rlnfsF5c6O7XZe_QwaG3mFHfNVvtmiCnZFJ2vSPqXcLRfacESABGCItn09Z70E1tS-xubLg7XzxPje7Wrblv1NAJwxRGZ1I-0-WqVQIc1QBJeZPL5VNvY/w937-h606/set1.jpeg" width="937" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1st Canadian Division hauling transport up from the beach,</div><div style="text-align: center;">from an LCM, Landing Craft, Mechanised Photo 21089</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-V0e_g6m50P7FK2POkI1vwsCxsI2pDo4R1gStFoFjyWSR916rLgSvdPpjkveU2FqaHtSVwKo8ZYymHCJIr6neUw57z6E1FmyQRT5LyzQUDMN-Z0Qt56fABZkGMDQb-qAMWYz_pL5DuhBdd-VhunGAjumPZ752YWhkMSSDhUo4RxLPA0RxJF20-XGWQyqj/s757/set2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="757" height="662" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-V0e_g6m50P7FK2POkI1vwsCxsI2pDo4R1gStFoFjyWSR916rLgSvdPpjkveU2FqaHtSVwKo8ZYymHCJIr6neUw57z6E1FmyQRT5LyzQUDMN-Z0Qt56fABZkGMDQb-qAMWYz_pL5DuhBdd-VhunGAjumPZ752YWhkMSSDhUo4RxLPA0RxJF20-XGWQyqj/w937-h662/set2.jpeg" width="937" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">L.C.T. unloading tanks and vehicles. Photo 21092-1</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGVUqI4dYupniz3YY3GQVMwnYlgaPJogj91ijMbXCb-7NjYnQANGf7bYZ6O4IrJgHNWsRxbOO9A5T_4LcApPf6vF9HPcdwBNhPWisw1Vlb7bcFHyvqUkJ72wMV1uKeiHkqOBpa1o2xLHC7bf7QhLDlwPhIMMaMZCr-1oDFGmp2GbUsDMrlUovwkErEm4m/s826/set3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="826" height="901" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGVUqI4dYupniz3YY3GQVMwnYlgaPJogj91ijMbXCb-7NjYnQANGf7bYZ6O4IrJgHNWsRxbOO9A5T_4LcApPf6vF9HPcdwBNhPWisw1Vlb7bcFHyvqUkJ72wMV1uKeiHkqOBpa1o2xLHC7bf7QhLDlwPhIMMaMZCr-1oDFGmp2GbUsDMrlUovwkErEm4m/w936-h901/set3.jpeg" width="936" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">British troop (MLO) cleaning out a house.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pachino, Sicily, July 10 1943. F. Royal</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtsllVBz6KfjsHw4NKr-t5XQU5UHkpSFa30bGlH4-ocDdRP5_o1Jgr4GCXSZIhsNzcWCn-EZroXL7I4l4AEr-087Q0YTwhmzV6pZumQY8G5BBjV49QvhrSxeP_l-0BffShBl1Xz3UjlvWio-sOxnWnbliv43tVj87kcZIAbF6CyoWb5bCGLfYboSShT5a/s820/Untitled.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="820" height="756" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtsllVBz6KfjsHw4NKr-t5XQU5UHkpSFa30bGlH4-ocDdRP5_o1Jgr4GCXSZIhsNzcWCn-EZroXL7I4l4AEr-087Q0YTwhmzV6pZumQY8G5BBjV49QvhrSxeP_l-0BffShBl1Xz3UjlvWio-sOxnWnbliv43tVj87kcZIAbF6CyoWb5bCGLfYboSShT5a/w937-h756/Untitled.jpeg" width="937" /></a></div><br /><div>And when I find my way into LAC or Library and Archive Canada's vault the quality of the photos will climb up one last step.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>To read the previous post in this series, please link to <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/11/research-three-months-in-mediterranean_20.html">Research: Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943 (15)</a><br /><br />More news clippings from <b>The Montreal Gazette </b>to soon follow.<br /></div></div><p>Unattributed Photos GH</p>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-20457492499047385072023-11-28T16:34:00.000-05:002023-11-28T16:34:58.789-05:00Links to Resources: A Focus on Sicily and Italy, 1943 (2)<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;">Happy Hunting. I Look for One Photo and Find Several More</b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Some of These May Not Be New Links, Just New To Me</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabtZfjV6Easbvvzawma9fpaheT65VutDAgFx6yvIl1z0uXBMTTXfWk9EGuBcSgd_Vh1OWf75P1kYoDbCtR4Gu0O-PVvs6YWNbaCbtR3SdLWxju1FNTeeJ4_m8sVm-ooYGkaRpmBcQ4KJNXa7UfknUcmZAcu7AXi5trbSZyAo4EV-Ecjxto75GVSPBgLIV/s800/NA4193.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="800" height="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabtZfjV6Easbvvzawma9fpaheT65VutDAgFx6yvIl1z0uXBMTTXfWk9EGuBcSgd_Vh1OWf75P1kYoDbCtR4Gu0O-PVvs6YWNbaCbtR3SdLWxju1FNTeeJ4_m8sVm-ooYGkaRpmBcQ4KJNXa7UfknUcmZAcu7AXi5trbSZyAo4EV-Ecjxto75GVSPBgLIV/w662-h637/NA4193.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">THE ALLIED INVASION OF SICILY, JULY-AUGUST 1943. Operation</div><div style="text-align: center;">Husky. Men of the Highland Division wade ashore from landing craft during</div><div style="text-align: center;">the landings in Sicily, 10 July 1943. <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BWackett%2C%20Frederick%20%28Sergeant%29%5D=on">Wackett, Frederick (Sergeant)</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BNo.%202%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photo%20Section%2C%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photographic%20Unit%5D=on">No. 2 Army Film and Photo Section, Army Film and Photographic Unit</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">© Imperial War Museum (IWM), NA 4193</div><div><br /></div><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />While putting together entries or posts related to Operation HUSKY, the invasion of Sicily beginning July 10, 1943, I experienced again the discovery of 'something else' while looking for 'something.'<div><br /></div><div>Soon, after I found my way to 3 or 4 very appropriate and helpful links related to specific subject matter, I had collected the online addresses to other 'very appropriate and helpful links' that I could use later.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will share some of my findings below:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Imperial War Museum</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I've been there, done that. I've visited the Imperial War Museum in London, England and, as well, I've looked at more than a few of their online photographs re WWII. Reportedly over 11,000,000 and still growing.</div><div><br /></div><div>The photo above - NA 4193 - can be found by clicking on <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205195579">The Allied Invasion of Sicily, July - August 1943.</a> By clicking on the word 'Search' beside the 'Donate' button and above the 'Become a Member' button one will activate a Search box. Type the number NA 4192 and you will be directed to the two photos below in the same set by the same photographer.</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tBQkZO1aT4CHbq1kZ6BKRMRmxf9ofj21FAa8JmCEmZsNSeqW0oaCunsKuI-nhJstcq12UNlpTvCZgn1RHPI3JpXnaEjynqAwMbJogi8m79kFetfghH8znAKwKqQndGwSt0Oy67ZPw_95o21cVgj2dpyRhAi_xoKXF0vVQWrHNHo1CFWPh1JDWe4XfKf_/s800/large_NA_004192_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="800" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tBQkZO1aT4CHbq1kZ6BKRMRmxf9ofj21FAa8JmCEmZsNSeqW0oaCunsKuI-nhJstcq12UNlpTvCZgn1RHPI3JpXnaEjynqAwMbJogi8m79kFetfghH8znAKwKqQndGwSt0Oy67ZPw_95o21cVgj2dpyRhAi_xoKXF0vVQWrHNHo1CFWPh1JDWe4XfKf_/w663-h451/large_NA_004192_1.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FRHVyWq2ZDBTIHzoZ1XhBlQNHl9AhhpZ6_EvMdFlJ4_u4YRgEKoh2vRNrV-odWN44vQjJ1MB8qBH1Y84-pg5s23evf_o2QJ8DPkjlYSYN_5BzxBxAHMiUpT8dl_GHY6tYq7XHMyo7oI99SFk37HmhrmrYgO_igP0-rslLOmTZi_2vRqoX7XHldusqZ_a/s800/large_NA_004192_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="800" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FRHVyWq2ZDBTIHzoZ1XhBlQNHl9AhhpZ6_EvMdFlJ4_u4YRgEKoh2vRNrV-odWN44vQjJ1MB8qBH1Y84-pg5s23evf_o2QJ8DPkjlYSYN_5BzxBxAHMiUpT8dl_GHY6tYq7XHMyo7oI99SFk37HmhrmrYgO_igP0-rslLOmTZi_2vRqoX7XHldusqZ_a/w663-h470/large_NA_004192_2.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Men of the Highland Division may have travelled to GEORGE Sector,</div><div style="text-align: center;">as did my Dad. Photographer - <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BSgt.%20Wackett%5D=on">Sgt. Wackett</a> <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BNo.%202%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photo%20Section%2C%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photographic%20Unit%5D=on">No. 2 Army Film and Photo</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BNo.%202%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photo%20Section%2C%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photographic%20Unit%5D=on">Section,</a><a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BNo.%202%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photo%20Section%2C%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photographic%20Unit%5D=on"> Army Film and Photographic Unit</a> © IWM NA 4192</div><div><br /></div>Click your return button, return to the original page, add NA 4191 to the search box, and later add NA 4194 to see if the set is small to medium to large in size. It depends on how active the photographer was on that day. In so doing one will likely be introduced to other related sets and an hour will go by very quickly as different sets under different headings are explored. Oh, and there is a photo labelled NA 4191 that comes with a caption, code number, creator and more related materials one can explore as well. Soon a day goes by and you haven't left the Imperial War Museum, maybe even your house.</div><div><br /></div><div>The phone rings. Your boss is wondering where you are. You're still in Sicily.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIezkLJtR-fgw2f1v5bSdHw_eHDgTWQ53aYhyphenhyphenXbyzSqMpDdIYjYtGHDioqTadqMkCX7t1GpCF5Kp2v4PPhuWw8alkWAB8bftSLhq53p4NYPmN0Oq0_TmXSt3pLksx4lkqHNqKc3dOR8wIjGRl9MxRwY6RSJmNKMSimBXwPg6aHBjuNPtcLwSdHuQnZXEPl/s800/large_NA_004191_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="800" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIezkLJtR-fgw2f1v5bSdHw_eHDgTWQ53aYhyphenhyphenXbyzSqMpDdIYjYtGHDioqTadqMkCX7t1GpCF5Kp2v4PPhuWw8alkWAB8bftSLhq53p4NYPmN0Oq0_TmXSt3pLksx4lkqHNqKc3dOR8wIjGRl9MxRwY6RSJmNKMSimBXwPg6aHBjuNPtcLwSdHuQnZXEPl/w661-h630/large_NA_004191_1.jpg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Men of the Highland Division wading ashore from the landing craft.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BNo.%202%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photo%20Section%2C%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photographic%20Unit%5D=on">No. 2 Army Film and Photo Section, Army Film and Photographic Unit</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Photographer) <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BSgt.%20Wackett%5D=on">Sgt. Wackett</a> (Undefined) © IWM NA 4191</div><div><br /></div><div>Click on <span style="text-align: center;">(Photographer) </span><a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BSgt.%20Wackett%5D=on" style="text-align: center;">Sgt. F. Wackett</a> to see if he took other photos related to Sicily or another topic in which you are now interested. And click on <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BNo.%202%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photo%20Section%2C%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photographic%20Unit%5D=on" style="text-align: center;">No. 2 Army Film and Photo Section, Army Film and Photographic Unit</a><span style="text-align: center;"> to see if that takes you anywhere. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;">It happens that Sgt. Frederick Wackett was busy throughout the war, making his boss happy with multiple new headings and sets of photos, e.g., </span>THE BRITISH ARMY IN SICILY, 1943:</div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyzVnP8Y5GJFkHtjcZZAxsfIJZIFWJ3QZi7_E8yQ4D4XHhQhcXJCqCPyp2JTCl8wz-nwg8k_SpKllavpPHxaAgs5zXJM3F4338R6_4j8MvIN-3XVSeR4DXcelxpzEAybkTLUqUAzlGnJUTkARq9JlgIImfhF3o6FWhGYS5RB3sTRx7aWyE8gCueclcdOU/s800/NA%204183A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="789" height="671" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyzVnP8Y5GJFkHtjcZZAxsfIJZIFWJ3QZi7_E8yQ4D4XHhQhcXJCqCPyp2JTCl8wz-nwg8k_SpKllavpPHxaAgs5zXJM3F4338R6_4j8MvIN-3XVSeR4DXcelxpzEAybkTLUqUAzlGnJUTkARq9JlgIImfhF3o6FWhGYS5RB3sTRx7aWyE8gCueclcdOU/w663-h671/NA%204183A.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A British Universal Carrier Mark I comes ashore during the invasion of Sicily</div><div style="text-align: center;">on 10 July 1943. Photographer <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BWackett%2C%20Frederick%20%28Sergeant%29%5D=on">Wackett, Frederick (Sergeant)</a> © IWM NA 4183</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BNo.%202%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photo%20Section%2C%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photographic%20Unit%5D=on">No. 2 Army Film and Photo Section, Army Film and Photographic Unit</a> </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaOldc7RxeIJTgcbHKcgBK86K7kbtB1Wi57-IOsnCWc0aDNZl80EC6wybWYrG7dosnjr47vRCw1KQ7ahAJZ5Lyy3IzQNBoZrdZv3pDM7hODBBwiAR31Wo9F8TbUEo8S4FT56Jds1E_JUv4TMcXLZPr9XM_em-IQW837R1K_EC8XtPoL5xHlR0Xnq5-1nM/s800/NA%204183B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="800" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaOldc7RxeIJTgcbHKcgBK86K7kbtB1Wi57-IOsnCWc0aDNZl80EC6wybWYrG7dosnjr47vRCw1KQ7ahAJZ5Lyy3IzQNBoZrdZv3pDM7hODBBwiAR31Wo9F8TbUEo8S4FT56Jds1E_JUv4TMcXLZPr9XM_em-IQW837R1K_EC8XtPoL5xHlR0Xnq5-1nM/w665-h457/NA%204183B.jpg" width="665" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I should find some interesting photos from NA 4182 to NA 4187 as listed</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">above. The 51st Highland Div. landed south of Syracusa, Sicily and my</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">father served there with the 80th Flotilla of Canadian Landing Crafts. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So I took a trip to NA 4182, and that could be my father, far right. I have his WWII helmet and it looks exactly like the one in the photo below. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGnCbnnx2pnnDIfr1UtIak4SeSBXXqLOfDQ3VbgNuFZyqZW2fXzHiIML2Nir4LM554_wkSJdqb3KnHPTq-kwbm2wvj5tSyUbZt7Zfg4WRF4foXjUoQk5BN2rYr6x3AMLDX03BJgqgFTurVjZJ2aU0d_fYaIqsOdnRg09r_-LeCnwIoUxX7Kw-ZGFE9Zg4/s800/NA%204182a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="800" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGnCbnnx2pnnDIfr1UtIak4SeSBXXqLOfDQ3VbgNuFZyqZW2fXzHiIML2Nir4LM554_wkSJdqb3KnHPTq-kwbm2wvj5tSyUbZt7Zfg4WRF4foXjUoQk5BN2rYr6x3AMLDX03BJgqgFTurVjZJ2aU0d_fYaIqsOdnRg09r_-LeCnwIoUxX7Kw-ZGFE9Zg4/w796-h562/NA%204182a.jpg" width="796" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE49O2ay-cQeCDP8aYBdNCnEQPkvys3nKARJogCCpmpo-I8uSJXB5s4x3D0u6K4tcw4Y358Lt5hNdskRlYgVWc309Wka0oYrz_0D38uWKKMJFZMeHA6GKQ6lBfwsjv3PgWrVNfUMF6liNuzJdjGxR17G8pJssdEAoUX7Cga_x-q0qlgxM6w0ZDMrXoLrzL/s800/NA%204182b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="800" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE49O2ay-cQeCDP8aYBdNCnEQPkvys3nKARJogCCpmpo-I8uSJXB5s4x3D0u6K4tcw4Y358Lt5hNdskRlYgVWc309Wka0oYrz_0D38uWKKMJFZMeHA6GKQ6lBfwsjv3PgWrVNfUMF6liNuzJdjGxR17G8pJssdEAoUX7Cga_x-q0qlgxM6w0ZDMrXoLrzL/w795-h546/NA%204182b.jpg" width="795" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">THE CAMPAIGN IN SICILY 1943. Sgt. Wackett. NA 4182, IWM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Readers are now invited to try to find other photos in the same set, i.e., NA 4183 - 4187. Difficulties? Email me at <i>gordh7700@gmail.com </i>to ask for more details, if needed.</div><div><br /></div><div>By clicking on Sgt. F. Wackett's name, as earlier suggested, I found another heading and a large set of photos that relate to the role of Canadians in Combined Operations, some of whom (including my father) spent three months in the Mediterranean, from July 10 - early October, 1943. Note: Operation BAYTOWN, the invasion of Italy at the toe of the boot began September 3, and my father experienced the rare privilege of transporting Canadian troops in Canadian landing crafts for the first time on D-Day Italy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next is another photograph by Sgt. F. Wackett from Sicily under a new heading, i.e., <b>Invasion of Sicily</b>. As I said, he was pretty busy, as were many other British, Canadian and American photographers. One could lose a second day at work quite easily!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8JqY76oc3YnJJWFsNGYh88WMDR68s6qXYd0hNdBHWBB0uzTRWht-KXsHqHJPLw5ZDqJMPuDYtRMbB4kGiJ6h3KAMtmk5pHwt4Dd5BLSsbP2j-v4AKHPTDFwbLLNCDv5rSYJg04e0rIaDbxP0uEMrF18SXyKlxxJbvk9QU_dVe8ey6qjiqpxo1ML91gzq/s800/NA%204200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="800" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8JqY76oc3YnJJWFsNGYh88WMDR68s6qXYd0hNdBHWBB0uzTRWht-KXsHqHJPLw5ZDqJMPuDYtRMbB4kGiJ6h3KAMtmk5pHwt4Dd5BLSsbP2j-v4AKHPTDFwbLLNCDv5rSYJg04e0rIaDbxP0uEMrF18SXyKlxxJbvk9QU_dVe8ey6qjiqpxo1ML91gzq/w795-h542/NA%204200.jpg" width="795" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Invasion of Sicily. Ammunition and supplies being unloaded from a L.C.T.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit - Sgt. Wackett. NA 4200, IWM</div><div><br /></div><div>From another photographer, <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BSgt.%20Lupson%5D=on">Sgt. Lupson</a> (Undefined) of 8.<a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BNo.%202%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photo%20Section%2C%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photographic%20Unit%5D=on">No. 2 Army Film and Photo Section, Army Film and Photographic Unit</a>, we have the next photo, also from the seemingly endless trove at the Imperial War Museum. One's hunting would never end:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEUqsVeDF3FDZksjBjqezFcLdDvBy81SKSLV2XX_RSC1x8h903MVNFdt17OQzJplzJ5RpyPI7QPb6xTYnP-MiE9SdwYWAFa9pLrqWrDklRsDr3lAB51U4pPW4nxgxENzrC0aDM8g6Rp9qlwhSbXwDJDQj9Ihrh-K_O_HOMkxuIeuFy6wnLVAT0hr60FYT/s440/NA%204318.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="440" height="539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEUqsVeDF3FDZksjBjqezFcLdDvBy81SKSLV2XX_RSC1x8h903MVNFdt17OQzJplzJ5RpyPI7QPb6xTYnP-MiE9SdwYWAFa9pLrqWrDklRsDr3lAB51U4pPW4nxgxENzrC0aDM8g6Rp9qlwhSbXwDJDQj9Ihrh-K_O_HOMkxuIeuFy6wnLVAT0hr60FYT/w662-h539/NA%204318.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Invasion of Sicily. Original wartime caption: An amphibious vehicle</div><div style="text-align: center;">comes ashore. Sgt. Lupson, NA 4318, IWM</div><div><br /></div><div><b>"Canadians in the Italian Campaign, 1943 - 45"</b></div><div><br /></div><div>On another front, readers will find good quality photographs and captions that relate to the Canadian role in Combined Operations at a site entitled <a href="https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/post/canadians-in-the-italian-campaign-1943-1945">"Canadians in the Italian Campaign, 1943 - 1945"</a> by Harold A. Skaarup, creator of many <b>Military History Books.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Mr. Skaarup starts off with a painting by Charles Comfort, Canadian artist, and author of <b><a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2022/11/books-artist-at-war.html">Artist at War</a>:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O7bQTISKkii08oX_uGkaqT6TYBT7RynWM_RAMd0lQiIkl6ZTUIm6sb0wvq9IvDmphgR41-4Ya68iHc3viZiX5OBoD-Fp_6P_GJ4mFhQ7zntrnzkj9-3hVpNbINIQPwESJ15ltza7h6qHgGDbuq7UzAHA6aohbHT3VrMscLAVSKDeGbcdEp-68CXj7bsI/s1024/61e9ae0b1bf59edf6c4af163_Canadian%20Armour%20Passing%20through%20Ortona,%20by%20Charles%20Comfort.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1024" height="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O7bQTISKkii08oX_uGkaqT6TYBT7RynWM_RAMd0lQiIkl6ZTUIm6sb0wvq9IvDmphgR41-4Ya68iHc3viZiX5OBoD-Fp_6P_GJ4mFhQ7zntrnzkj9-3hVpNbINIQPwESJ15ltza7h6qHgGDbuq7UzAHA6aohbHT3VrMscLAVSKDeGbcdEp-68CXj7bsI/w796-h629/61e9ae0b1bf59edf6c4af163_Canadian%20Armour%20Passing%20through%20Ortona,%20by%20Charles%20Comfort.jpg" width="796" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Canadian Armour Passing Through Ortona"</div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadian War Museum (CN 12245)</div><div><br /></div><div>Skaarup continues by sharing many photographs with clear captions and some commentary related to Canadian troops in Italy, post September 3, 1943, D-Day Italy. (Photos and captions re the invasion of Sicily, beginning about two months earlier, will be shared later in his very good lineup of shots from Library and Archives Canada).</div><div><br /></div><div>Some examples follow, from Italy:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8dPrJO_3q9qEOznHyWzBfWicdC0g_M1ZiPV578LZUByWRi1WcycfhPtIhhFRTyLZdnFqK27_buj2BklzQYHjIpZF8VdAyd5XlEee-XMaT0DK8FQpMqcznLHIxEI2BF0B6sUPmAxJG4MeJUhJcuJmWmBj2kAZK7FA96CS1PEXoWPjVkCswHlwQADRe_8n/s591/61fea929c07e247e952ea3e2_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="591" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8dPrJO_3q9qEOznHyWzBfWicdC0g_M1ZiPV578LZUByWRi1WcycfhPtIhhFRTyLZdnFqK27_buj2BklzQYHjIpZF8VdAyd5XlEee-XMaT0DK8FQpMqcznLHIxEI2BF0B6sUPmAxJG4MeJUhJcuJmWmBj2kAZK7FA96CS1PEXoWPjVkCswHlwQADRe_8n/w663-h452/61fea929c07e247e952ea3e2_1.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Two Canadian soldiers cautiously rounding the corner of a ruined building</div><div style="text-align: center;">in Ortona, Italy, 1944. Photo at Library and Archives Canada (LAC),</div><div style="text-align: center;">MIKAN No. 3724217)</div><div><br /></div><div>Commentary by Mr. Skaarup:</div><div><br /></div><div>A total of 92,257 Canadians served in Italy. Of these, 5,399 lost their lives and 19,486 were wounded. A further 1002 became prisoners of war and 365 died from “causes other than war. (Terry Copp)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://assets-global.website-files.com/60d3c6d0e106af90561564f7/61fff1adc8a2902455d85208_italy-star.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Canada’s longest Second World War army campaign was in Italy. Canadians fought alongside soldiers serving with the Allied forces of the United Kingdom, the United States, France, New Zealand and Poland, against the combined Axis forces of Germany and Italy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Canadian troops played a vital role in the 20-month Mediterranean campaign which led to the liberation of Italy during the Second World War. In fact, this campaign was the first large-scale land operation in which the Canadian Army stationed in Great Britain took part.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>FYI. Approx. 950 - 1,000 Canadian Navy boys who "manned the barges," e.g., LCAs, LCMs, LCI(L)s (Landing Craft, Assault, Landing Craft, Mechanised, Landing Craft, Infantry (Large) respectively) as members of RCNVR and Combined Operations were also awarded The Italy Star: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3vIdvVMAQziWhyi_wPijwqeRdTjo4QgN3HP7bV9kIFb0DZ4YzO9L5wOp2RwJo1dyZUCTtLeaHZzk7sMOqonZWfiwi6HO4C0zSUhjvrpVZBvz8qCW2gqid6BA4RQrjJ10eDX8SCdMrA3xyEXBWW5hmbsmGYgnmS0UqsBYoQkbx5M9hOVFmoqzBH4NdnRs/s4032/IMG_1088.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3vIdvVMAQziWhyi_wPijwqeRdTjo4QgN3HP7bV9kIFb0DZ4YzO9L5wOp2RwJo1dyZUCTtLeaHZzk7sMOqonZWfiwi6HO4C0zSUhjvrpVZBvz8qCW2gqid6BA4RQrjJ10eDX8SCdMrA3xyEXBWW5hmbsmGYgnmS0UqsBYoQkbx5M9hOVFmoqzBH4NdnRs/w797-h598/IMG_1088.jpeg" width="797" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">WWII Medals, Gordon Douglas Harrison, Sept. 6, 1920 - Feb. 6, 2003</div><div style="text-align: center;">Leading Seaman Coxswain, discharged Sept. 5, 1945 at HMCS Star, Hamilton</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tL0xV73Q-3MND6uFcXKlbPKAB6Beb4axIcbJRYKYoQAVG2vpxdQULwQJFJk30sIFsgn8VvM8iGHjHRMSEiQkeElaTLuMx6wINU-aXBkuvGyyy44JzdItVeSwaLVAWVNV697RUwpoAqQKE4mk_WmDC2vDola7vnYpfaEVR2JXEqZw_amY8VV-mZJYSNQ-/s2201/IMG_1089.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2201" data-original-width="2201" height="661" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tL0xV73Q-3MND6uFcXKlbPKAB6Beb4axIcbJRYKYoQAVG2vpxdQULwQJFJk30sIFsgn8VvM8iGHjHRMSEiQkeElaTLuMx6wINU-aXBkuvGyyy44JzdItVeSwaLVAWVNV697RUwpoAqQKE4mk_WmDC2vDola7vnYpfaEVR2JXEqZw_amY8VV-mZJYSNQ-/w661-h661/IMG_1089.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Click here to read Doug's <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2015/04/memoirs-re-combined-operations-doug.html">memoirs re Sicily and Italy</a> (Chapter 7) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0fShEdikRCgpychTVqmVt0kKivpMKljocdgsKx0XwTc4AJhNTXR4rjJhkNsiGve2e1MLq3mlZXx0SIz_WokS6tfd3DevJECjenlT5eW_0xKnq6-rkWrLePC_5GaazSpcH7GFGw7u9YeQ0RbrydKANRhCSxH_tBGCGmNxj35R7NMETzlu6GUztJR70bzC/s941/61df1a595bf37335abc2de32_a137513-v8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="941" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0fShEdikRCgpychTVqmVt0kKivpMKljocdgsKx0XwTc4AJhNTXR4rjJhkNsiGve2e1MLq3mlZXx0SIz_WokS6tfd3DevJECjenlT5eW_0xKnq6-rkWrLePC_5GaazSpcH7GFGw7u9YeQ0RbrydKANRhCSxH_tBGCGmNxj35R7NMETzlu6GUztJR70bzC/w798-h486/61df1a595bf37335abc2de32_a137513-v8.jpg" width="798" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3524569</div><div><br /></div>Commentary re above photo:<div><br />Canadian Public Relations No. 2 staff with Italian personnel and jeeps. Sicily, Italy, July 1943. Likely British jeeps, according to the hood numbers (Canadian generally had a C in front of the M), Sicily, Italy, July 1943. This is one of two photos taken at the same location with most of the same personnel. The camera roll is by <b><a href="https://canadianfilmandphotounit.ca/2023/11/09/lt-dwight-e-dolan/">CFPU photographer Lt. Dwight Dolan</a>*</b> and these two jeeps are probably from Canadian Public Relations No.2. This is the second of the two photos. You can see the shadow of the photographer in the uncropped version of both photos (Rolleiflex square format). But the picture taker changes in each photo. The two Italians in the photos appear to have Italian "Regia Aeronautica" (Italian Royal air force) cap badges. They might be Italian PoWs turned into guides for the Public Relations group, or simply PoWs about to be turned in. (Glenn Warner)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA4UxnLGeqDkvUmcxda20gkaBpSnayajkxD3fZZe-sHlxYenY-7HSuagCw5GBlV5trdpMN2kBZ6khyphenhyphenwMFZijR-NQpDHXZ3SO2N7plLq3qjhS9g2MiiV5lKgyahR4nBn6MCYYMc74Woq95_J9K1jIqoqShUsJztEw7ZsmjhPfQpZ5trD3OOaJgrY4gLXD2/s1000/61f6f4e40445dfd74d72df9d_e011074234-v8%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1000" height="617" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA4UxnLGeqDkvUmcxda20gkaBpSnayajkxD3fZZe-sHlxYenY-7HSuagCw5GBlV5trdpMN2kBZ6khyphenhyphenwMFZijR-NQpDHXZ3SO2N7plLq3qjhS9g2MiiV5lKgyahR4nBn6MCYYMc74Woq95_J9K1jIqoqShUsJztEw7ZsmjhPfQpZ5trD3OOaJgrY4gLXD2/w799-h617/61f6f4e40445dfd74d72df9d_e011074234-v8%20(1).jpg" width="799" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seaforth Highlanders on the March, en route to a Brigade Inspection</div><div style="text-align: center;">by General Sir Bernard Montgomery, Militello, Sicily, 20 Aug 1943.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4485882</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>*re another CFPU (Canadian Film and Photo Unit) photographers. The next two photographs in the same reel, by Terry Rowe, Canadian Army Film Unit (CAFU) are attached below, #23125 and #23126, Album 62. No captions were found for some reason on an Archive spreadsheet, but both photos include Monty w troops at Militello, Sicily. More details re <b>Canadian Film and Photo Unit</b> will follow shortly.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsI43MmFvd2zBhV5WLQ1a92S0WXpEcAI8aMZDSXP4SVG_YE6MWVn0AaeYlO3_Qznhyphenhyphenbpz6dS3jWvd4NR7HH3armjvQzrYhyS10_zDHW74vJLRv7NvUPjU4tD3_vTMFDaoNrjfL9xJJWnni5he2GNalXpHXeyvXBtPBuLFJxpmC__n5ZJ8iU7UNzeWJ90RP/s872/62-23125.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="872" height="652" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsI43MmFvd2zBhV5WLQ1a92S0WXpEcAI8aMZDSXP4SVG_YE6MWVn0AaeYlO3_Qznhyphenhyphenbpz6dS3jWvd4NR7HH3armjvQzrYhyS10_zDHW74vJLRv7NvUPjU4tD3_vTMFDaoNrjfL9xJJWnni5he2GNalXpHXeyvXBtPBuLFJxpmC__n5ZJ8iU7UNzeWJ90RP/w664-h652/62-23125.jpeg" width="664" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_MqA129loDme97vgA8g4No3Osu3dhTG9zdlUDnDEffImj3H-GZHvW9Q6gYASnYenocl1mjVXdfRn3y9WFY-KkOQGt2QUL50zY5vm1gQGP1oIAyeah1aJGmW7c5DLAJnu9ivlMZqIraulxOOe4phrUFXg5rSTvu9NlOdhhIuqEW-swoMNHVEm4lVfIMVg/s862/62-23126.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="846" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_MqA129loDme97vgA8g4No3Osu3dhTG9zdlUDnDEffImj3H-GZHvW9Q6gYASnYenocl1mjVXdfRn3y9WFY-KkOQGt2QUL50zY5vm1gQGP1oIAyeah1aJGmW7c5DLAJnu9ivlMZqIraulxOOe4phrUFXg5rSTvu9NlOdhhIuqEW-swoMNHVEm4lVfIMVg/w663-h676/62-23126.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The following photos organized by Mr. Skaarup relate to the invasion of Sicily in July 1943:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLbQVRQtYDBLI7vDKY1AqJoO27bcYfvIMI6G9IlStLHEk6cwLg72PLCMC9jdMrjowZx8VE6W6hnxDUGI2XjrvU3H3ad53dUnfEeDMDZqZ0dh3IFe5FkrxwuQHYRSTMG6CG2NhmDS9-QpplC_xAuhnlpPUcMeWfbe3qCHE_ZuVvCTjbpMv4htfinCTQwyx/s510/61e6ecc8bbb83cfcc3ae532c_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="510" height="527" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLbQVRQtYDBLI7vDKY1AqJoO27bcYfvIMI6G9IlStLHEk6cwLg72PLCMC9jdMrjowZx8VE6W6hnxDUGI2XjrvU3H3ad53dUnfEeDMDZqZ0dh3IFe5FkrxwuQHYRSTMG6CG2NhmDS9-QpplC_xAuhnlpPUcMeWfbe3qCHE_ZuVvCTjbpMv4htfinCTQwyx/w799-h527/61e6ecc8bbb83cfcc3ae532c_2.jpg" width="799" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Royal 22e Regiment landing on the beach at Reggio di Calabria on the</div><div style="text-align: center;">morning of 3 September 1943. <b>The 80th and 81st Landing Craft Mechanized</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Flotillas*</b>, RCN, transported the R22eR across the straits of Messina departing</div><div style="text-align: center;">from Catania's port. LCMs are pictured in the photo. (David Patterson)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>Library and Archives Canada Photo, PA-177114</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">*the 80th Flotilla, including my father, served in Sicily from July 10 - August 7; from there they were sent to Malta for rest, recuperation (my dad had dysentery, made is own way to Hill 100 Hospital in Valetta) and to repair landing crafts for Operation BAYTOWN, invasion of Italy beginning Sept. 3, 1943. In July the 80th and 81st were kept very busy:</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsR5J59ccvEk5oEygpubz7gQjz4AeAj2-DgU3TEY_ZFm0Ouz3GPt7ZBsXjviQQWylOg3BfAk3Y4iudOQbSA0e0BUMO9u-EUHYPIaSIk1d2gpJPp7MxKpWShyphenhyphenS9L5czfA_kxVDeuNiA846pyfaSxJQMcZBzxs5Qwd-0jl55UFo3lH-6aPLqAU3XFir9isa/s794/622e1c41997ed423736eb414_large_000000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="794" height="755" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsR5J59ccvEk5oEygpubz7gQjz4AeAj2-DgU3TEY_ZFm0Ouz3GPt7ZBsXjviQQWylOg3BfAk3Y4iudOQbSA0e0BUMO9u-EUHYPIaSIk1d2gpJPp7MxKpWShyphenhyphenS9L5czfA_kxVDeuNiA846pyfaSxJQMcZBzxs5Qwd-0jl55UFo3lH-6aPLqAU3XFir9isa/w800-h755/622e1c41997ed423736eb414_large_000000.jpg" width="800" /></a>A half-track and 6-pdr anti-tank gun coming ashore from landing craft at</div><div style="text-align: center;">Reggio, 3 September 1943. Imperial War Museum (IWM), NA 6204</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Out of curiosity I googled the above photo, found the name of the photographer and googled his IWM profile. That led me to the next photo and more:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKIK57ulqRHfiyF12RerBfnrOy4DDp4_3AwILTRA9SPzCD15BOk0VhncFsC3mAZiwsgzl9ujY4qZe7tFKc6lWjvtY6fl1yVm-pFB8Ki09tghwVGMxxflbc4kTtX9oyBMvKVr_O0qg0_Av-uPfh2DzeT0A_CdOlEK2l3sDJ_DmmM7BxbBjL-L0CkHOgL9a/s800/aphoto.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="800" height="793" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKIK57ulqRHfiyF12RerBfnrOy4DDp4_3AwILTRA9SPzCD15BOk0VhncFsC3mAZiwsgzl9ujY4qZe7tFKc6lWjvtY6fl1yVm-pFB8Ki09tghwVGMxxflbc4kTtX9oyBMvKVr_O0qg0_Av-uPfh2DzeT0A_CdOlEK2l3sDJ_DmmM7BxbBjL-L0CkHOgL9a/w800-h793/aphoto.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">General view of one of the invasion beaches, with Italian prisoners being</div><div style="text-align: center;">made to remove barbed-wire in the foreground, 9 July 1943. Photo by</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BLoughlin%2C%20G.%20%28Lieutenant%29%5D=on">Loughlin, G. (Lieutenant)</a> This looks very much like GEORGE Beach</div><div style="text-align: center;">at Fontane Bianche, home to the 80th Flotilla for about 4 weeks</div><div style="text-align: center;">© IWM NA 4635</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Photos and details continue from <b>Canadians in the Italian Campaign</b> by H. Skaarup:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSC03aFR_jYKGERvrGNGxv3mgyxTZVfgOuzcWJuS5mcIg4Q_O3OHzONuJVVApTUushdKlkcekxix8s7p_R8qXARjgQ-trjhnNhq_VF0e9WHn15S3kjNqOAHH_qNBXhQg81DZR8kuFESN2zB6yiEMBV2ppHxJO3ibfHa7uSMJJNj20YfpKT80ZVjrSH67S/s510/61e6e7c09b654057177b5a64_Pacherno.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="510" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSC03aFR_jYKGERvrGNGxv3mgyxTZVfgOuzcWJuS5mcIg4Q_O3OHzONuJVVApTUushdKlkcekxix8s7p_R8qXARjgQ-trjhnNhq_VF0e9WHn15S3kjNqOAHH_qNBXhQg81DZR8kuFESN2zB6yiEMBV2ppHxJO3ibfHa7uSMJJNj20YfpKT80ZVjrSH67S/w660-h233/61e6e7c09b654057177b5a64_Pacherno.jpg" width="660" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The landing in Pachino, Sicily, July 10th, 1943.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Library and Archives Canada Photo, PA-166751.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Details re the landings followed:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Just after dawn on 10 July, the assault (preceded by airborne landings) went in. Canadian troops went ashore near Pachino close to the southern tip of Sicily and formed the left flank of the five British landings that spread along more than 60 kilometres of shoreline. Three more beachheads were established by the Americans over another 60 kilometres of the Sicilian coast. In taking Sicily, the Allies aimed, as well, to trap the German and Italian armies and prevent their retreat across the Strait of Messina into Italy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />On 11 July, the Canadians were delayed, not as much by enemy opposition than by thousands of Italian troops wanting to surrender. The Canadians followed an inland route that guarded the British Eighth Army’s left flank up the eastern coastline toward Catania and the ultimate objective of the Strait of Messina, which divides Sicily from the Italian mainland.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />With the Italian army’s rapid collapse, several German divisions hurriedly established a series of defensive lines. Canadian troops encountered such a line on 15 July near Grammichele. Enemy anti-tank guns knocked out one tank, three carriers, and several trucks before the Canadians rallied and carried the town. Having inflicted 25 Canadian casualties, the Germans withdrew. </span>(Details re source of the above information was not provided).<br /><br />Mr. Skaarup's collection of photos and written details under the heading "Canadians in the Italian Campaign, 1943 - 45" continues at great length and I recommend it for the information re Sicily and Italy alone. That being said, I recall that it was on Skaarup's website that I found details re the numbers of Canadian Landing Craft at D-Day Sicily or Normandy, with identification numbers listed. I'm sure a trip to the site's <a href="https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/articles">extensive Articles Page</a> will jog my memory re which article the information was in. Or maybe it was in one of <a href="https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/all-books">his many books!</a></div></div><div><br /><div>I share this last photo from "Canadians in the Italian Campaign, 1943 - 45" because I visited a good friend in Santa Teresa di Riva this past September while searching for the cattle cave in which members of the 80th Flotilla of Landing Crafts spent most of July, 1943, 80 years ago:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrnIzz6J8Egyp1yAG5TtDVhBefVIbjkSikqOOvyjhmnFLaqNSwY2glJXQxx9Cw8GtpmB4xHTdUNLPCp_me15iWjxINmt12oI75svPOYiWfimgocy2hzXZEU57QLmKWqQtjFdhi8wemHjXdXojHctJjLPXciLrA4fKodyxuyncSYDA36haJz7hZArqShzX/s973/61df592d9b4798d0bad63ce6_e010775771-v8%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="973" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrnIzz6J8Egyp1yAG5TtDVhBefVIbjkSikqOOvyjhmnFLaqNSwY2glJXQxx9Cw8GtpmB4xHTdUNLPCp_me15iWjxINmt12oI75svPOYiWfimgocy2hzXZEU57QLmKWqQtjFdhi8wemHjXdXojHctJjLPXciLrA4fKodyxuyncSYDA36haJz7hZArqShzX/w801-h451/61df592d9b4798d0bad63ce6_e010775771-v8%20(1).jpg" width="801" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry troops sleeping on beach at dawn</div><div style="text-align: center;">with a landing ship tank (LST) in the background awaiting transport to Italy, Sept.</div><div style="text-align: center;">4, 1943, near Santa Teresa. Santa Teresa di Riva is a small town and commune in</div><div style="text-align: center;">the Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, southern Italy, located 15km north of</div><div style="text-align: center;">Taormina. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4002439)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><a href="https://canadianfilmandphotounit.ca/">Canadian Film and Photo Unit (CFPU)</a></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Though I have mentioned this site once or twice already I feel it's worth another look. The presentations on the Home Page change every once in awhile and yesterday a Canadian WWII photographer was featured, very timely I thought, because I'd featured one of Joe Dolan's photos a day or two earlier. And while sharing photos above from H. Skaarup's extensive website I came across a familiar photo and knew I'd recently looked at and shared the next two photos in the same reel from July23, 1943 approx., re Canadian troops marching toward a small town where they would be greeted by Gen. B. Montgomery.</div><div><br /></div><div>When one visits the CFPU website you may find time passes quickly again while searching for more details about several topics listed. And if you like photos as much as I do you can gain access to 110 albums of black and whites (1000s of good quality, medium resolution shots) taken by Canadian WWII photographers. On creator Dale Gervais' Home Page one can see his 'mugshot' at the top of the right hand column, and if you look down the same column past the headings 'About Me' and 'Donate' you will find a link to <b>Canadian Army Numericals</b> at <b>Library and Archives Canada (LAC). </b>Tap on the section and follow the instructions to go to LAC, where a link to each of the 110 albums (and many more different items) is provided.</div><div><br /></div><div>The quality of photos in the albums is not as good as samples seen on H. Skaarup's page re "Canadians in the Italian Campaign" but I have not yet found my way to that treasure trove. That being said, you'll find that copies from the albums are still good. Samples below:</div><div><br /></div><div>E.g., from Skaarup's collection, as posted above in this post:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLbQVRQtYDBLI7vDKY1AqJoO27bcYfvIMI6G9IlStLHEk6cwLg72PLCMC9jdMrjowZx8VE6W6hnxDUGI2XjrvU3H3ad53dUnfEeDMDZqZ0dh3IFe5FkrxwuQHYRSTMG6CG2NhmDS9-QpplC_xAuhnlpPUcMeWfbe3qCHE_ZuVvCTjbpMv4htfinCTQwyx/s510/61e6ecc8bbb83cfcc3ae532c_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="510" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLbQVRQtYDBLI7vDKY1AqJoO27bcYfvIMI6G9IlStLHEk6cwLg72PLCMC9jdMrjowZx8VE6W6hnxDUGI2XjrvU3H3ad53dUnfEeDMDZqZ0dh3IFe5FkrxwuQHYRSTMG6CG2NhmDS9-QpplC_xAuhnlpPUcMeWfbe3qCHE_ZuVvCTjbpMv4htfinCTQwyx/w661-h436/61e6ecc8bbb83cfcc3ae532c_2.jpg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another caption w the same photo appears below, from CFPU, Album 64</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Below are screen shots from CFPU's Album 64:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKFKab3FsD_Jogp167D0rgc4OtuJHhWkgIsXFqDtUmSEfq8m7Nf05qadXYqsXhcoC3RBMmWfWIj-kUuhwe2rjmsvCrJGif4Bvwaq3pPNE4Cv6Mm8QN-ByvRtE7zS_wqcJn6xLkPjmnON_-l9rbYrvSBZW-MUaWPnknUV0rFwyuk9N1HNGB9cOnUP8vH0c/s817/sicily1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="781" height="692" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKFKab3FsD_Jogp167D0rgc4OtuJHhWkgIsXFqDtUmSEfq8m7Nf05qadXYqsXhcoC3RBMmWfWIj-kUuhwe2rjmsvCrJGif4Bvwaq3pPNE4Cv6Mm8QN-ByvRtE7zS_wqcJn6xLkPjmnON_-l9rbYrvSBZW-MUaWPnknUV0rFwyuk9N1HNGB9cOnUP8vH0c/w662-h692/sicily1.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div>Personnel of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade landing at Reggio</div><div>di Calabria, Italy, September 3, 1943. Photograph No. 23925 </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYcmB0mn8AuK2vyklo5S9D4B43wOGlAGTfmGONftmEd4MA7Mu3WuFU8nVd0tydYYIZbsURsUtKk3vkaRru7Cr0bXqtoM_44KzELaL8U1TXRuMRk3psyZ6zK-t6a89x-hdMMTXmgOnHemnKqyuL6GX-a2t-4UbCknfNt1cLvw9ikPgTb9ZNY20v8rf8N-e/s1046/sicily2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1046" height="657" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYcmB0mn8AuK2vyklo5S9D4B43wOGlAGTfmGONftmEd4MA7Mu3WuFU8nVd0tydYYIZbsURsUtKk3vkaRru7Cr0bXqtoM_44KzELaL8U1TXRuMRk3psyZ6zK-t6a89x-hdMMTXmgOnHemnKqyuL6GX-a2t-4UbCknfNt1cLvw9ikPgTb9ZNY20v8rf8N-e/w663-h657/sicily2.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div>Landing of Canadian troops, Reggio di Calabria, Italy, 3 September, 1943</div>Photograph No. 23926</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitOkty-UZY32cv-jWBq2vpGnfuRcy92eLr7Df6bjiX-XW7l6GXFbQDkHgYXERjZvgA4rkLDWT5pwHgR1ww6GVs-lsbRf5CihDGq1F8Py6NL-MX6ej5cbj9u4RYX4gVA75UHjGJHKcvcL8e2dO7eHqsNdddY2Hj2Vu4a5Yrz6CnlSzaXw1CBqjA4803qGF/s807/sicily3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="786" height="680" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitOkty-UZY32cv-jWBq2vpGnfuRcy92eLr7Df6bjiX-XW7l6GXFbQDkHgYXERjZvgA4rkLDWT5pwHgR1ww6GVs-lsbRf5CihDGq1F8Py6NL-MX6ej5cbj9u4RYX4gVA75UHjGJHKcvcL8e2dO7eHqsNdddY2Hj2Vu4a5Yrz6CnlSzaXw1CBqjA4803qGF/w663-h680/sicily3.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div>Landing of Canadian troops, Reggio di Calabria, Italy, 3 September, 1943</div>Photograph No. 23927</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>About the landings my father wrote the following:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">At midnight on September 3, 1943 our Canadian landing craft flotilla, loaded once again with war machinery, left the beaches near Messina, Sicily and crossed the Messina Strait to Reggio Calabria in Italy. The invasion of Italy was underway.<br /><br />It was no different touching down on the Italian beach at Reggio di Calabria at around midnight, September 3, 1943 than on previous invasions. Naturally we felt our way slowly to our landing place. Everything was strangely quiet and we Canadian sailors were quite tense, expecting to be fired upon, but we touched down safely, discharged our cargo and left as orderly and quietly as possible.<br /><br />In the morning light on our second trip to Italy across seven miles of the Messina Straits we saw how the Allied artillery barrage across the straits had levelled every conceivable thing; not a thing moved, the devastation was unbelievable and from day one we had no problems; it was easy come, easy go from Sicily to Italy</span>. (From, <b><u>"Dad, Well Done,"</u></b> my father's navy memoirs)<br /><br />More photos from Album 64 follow:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGhGifWS_aHVVT0KchPSe_xmAYzXpnulrhfGKjOZQlmF5LwaZ3eCwRiuZNlhIgapN4KwzDYbhQD5jlXQZm4AXODh_M9I16k8qW8NtKdimaXZCE3HvDIM6Q8yVrhrgKQIA-Jizw3GFFZXFenwo01HsJwauDXQHwJSbWtbfbHb1ntP7dtLElL4W1csvqFC0/s1099/sicily4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1035" height="704" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGhGifWS_aHVVT0KchPSe_xmAYzXpnulrhfGKjOZQlmF5LwaZ3eCwRiuZNlhIgapN4KwzDYbhQD5jlXQZm4AXODh_M9I16k8qW8NtKdimaXZCE3HvDIM6Q8yVrhrgKQIA-Jizw3GFFZXFenwo01HsJwauDXQHwJSbWtbfbHb1ntP7dtLElL4W1csvqFC0/w662-h704/sicily4.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div>"Landing in the early hours. Italian captain of garrison surrenders with</div><div>all his men to Capt. G. A. Coderre of the Royal 22e Regt."</div><div>Photograph No. 23928, Reggio di Calabria, Italy, Sept. 3, 1943</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQOsIKhC0k2ka2sUJHqOxxxzwzU7pwSNcIpPZWOkac0AgDaWb0yDxNUnIveH0TbXWmTUwEvT7Izf5Xo-_p6lV6nGQQf2-qp9ekBO77Gu8hVD3NqBJrR7jhd9e08WWC974RrPeChJ5bqtLQZ6bSB-kXheiQOPLWY56q55Odp6p3BXE0YQsVOxOUE7Ya3ee/s1093/sicily5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1032" height="702" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQOsIKhC0k2ka2sUJHqOxxxzwzU7pwSNcIpPZWOkac0AgDaWb0yDxNUnIveH0TbXWmTUwEvT7Izf5Xo-_p6lV6nGQQf2-qp9ekBO77Gu8hVD3NqBJrR7jhd9e08WWC974RrPeChJ5bqtLQZ6bSB-kXheiQOPLWY56q55Odp6p3BXE0YQsVOxOUE7Ya3ee/w663-h702/sicily5.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div>Pictures of landing in the early hours of Sept. 3, 1943. No. Three</div><div>Canadian Infantry Brigade (C.I.B.). Italian captain of garrison surrenders</div><div>with all his men to Capt. Coderre (Sherbrooke, Quebec) of the Royal 22e</div><div>Regiment. Reggio, Italy, Sept. 3, 1943. Photograph No. 23926</div><div>Above photos taken by W. Stirton, CFPU</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Another photo album (#61, July 1943) is full of pictures of Canadian infantry travelling north (generally) through Sicily:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHCWHBvyr5tma_tYxkoG8RtOQJr6ekjI9F_7TRpRoP9F6Jdl0M6n2iZxxuri0icrXqYK9vGSAi9sS3XCjLS2aGR_ixVhLq1GlF17mStvoNZ8FMXUt3WTEqcI3a60ALp8Os_e8qQM4VVCMzcoSx5d1bvmHkBLlPtr_M2OdgnCBij3h_TuCxISucKoSguYx/s1364/sicily6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1364" height="605" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHCWHBvyr5tma_tYxkoG8RtOQJr6ekjI9F_7TRpRoP9F6Jdl0M6n2iZxxuri0icrXqYK9vGSAi9sS3XCjLS2aGR_ixVhLq1GlF17mStvoNZ8FMXUt3WTEqcI3a60ALp8Os_e8qQM4VVCMzcoSx5d1bvmHkBLlPtr_M2OdgnCBij3h_TuCxISucKoSguYx/w666-h605/sicily6.jpeg" width="666" /></a></div>Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry patrol walking up main street.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photograph No. 22205, Agira, Italy, July 1943</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">As well, Album 64 (September, 1943) has several photo re to landing beaches in Italy, and if I can find the clearer images from some file at Library and Archives Canada I bet I'll see my father at work. So, I'll keep on digging but I enjoy the access to all <a href="https://canadianfilmandphotounit.ca/2020/04/12/library-archives-canada-army-numerical-series-110-albums-now-available-online/">110 albums taken by CFPU</a>. I encourage readers to check them out, and connect with me for a copy of the "captions spreadsheet." Email <i>gordh7700@gmail.com.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Canadian War Museum</b>, Ottawa, Canada </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The <a href="https://www.warmuseum.ca/search/?q=photographs+sicily+1943">Canadian War Museum</a> in our nation's capital city is worth the time and effort to visit. Displays change year by year if not sooner, architecturally the building is definitely worth exploring, in my humble opinion, and their collection of WWII materials (books, displays, etc.) is extensive. I also enjoyed browsing the used books in their library and must admit to finding/buying a few treasures for very low price. The best treasure was meeting a volunteer who was not only a WWII Navy and Combined Operations veteran, but was also a friend of my father's and recalled a lovely visit to my parent's home in Norwich, Ontario.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoUw5w9Jfd4v_4j1ZCnqqISRXIxJ70Qb9PCna-umhyphenhyphenNnijE0U-HeJKxk4hZDNC3hk0gshsE37xEN7zpG13hE6y6AH3Zywj4n3Pf1nfBZbBHKNzOmSWJRmtPyLryFou-LBygR_MfdQ9LvmkGliHjcO4M6iUrAaJdFwqSkWn1jqpZHBKxvWXHIBNtnEIo7q/s720/IMG_0400.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="663" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoUw5w9Jfd4v_4j1ZCnqqISRXIxJ70Qb9PCna-umhyphenhyphenNnijE0U-HeJKxk4hZDNC3hk0gshsE37xEN7zpG13hE6y6AH3Zywj4n3Pf1nfBZbBHKNzOmSWJRmtPyLryFou-LBygR_MfdQ9LvmkGliHjcO4M6iUrAaJdFwqSkWn1jqpZHBKxvWXHIBNtnEIo7q/w663-h663/IMG_0400.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div>Nelson Langevin, RCNVR and Combined Operations 1941 - 1945</div><div>"I recall sitting under a huge maple tree behind your house, Gordon."</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWzV0RTA8JZK4iBV3YLn1zK_rTGDrtwtUQkLE9CzgO5uDtlPTl04q9wENoOmOaMHuwsz4WXx4trVLQAw_s7n0Dt957mctLbkKU5bjJioLX2_k3-ZVtXLOmEgAzcmBQu7bX6DcqOKjS3mCmAlR7Dl07Vy6tuv8C22HPf1D8RgI15r3XUbUoMR5xJH3kjr-/s720/FullSizeRender.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="680" height="703" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWzV0RTA8JZK4iBV3YLn1zK_rTGDrtwtUQkLE9CzgO5uDtlPTl04q9wENoOmOaMHuwsz4WXx4trVLQAw_s7n0Dt957mctLbkKU5bjJioLX2_k3-ZVtXLOmEgAzcmBQu7bX6DcqOKjS3mCmAlR7Dl07Vy6tuv8C22HPf1D8RgI15r3XUbUoMR5xJH3kjr-/w663-h703/FullSizeRender.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div>Nelson and Gord Harrison at Canadian War Museum, 2014. Nelson wears</div><div style="text-align: center;">his WWII medals and sports a tie with Combined Ops insignia. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRXIPHUkQtofa8F2vYozmGN3saY0OsUER87BLpI4Sm1nXPTJS67AvVBO9Qsp85Y7W4FVZtGPBMyvp_ag0gTmcRk08C6qYy5sTZ1V4eZ6kdhJbAk70e8Jehw_-wi6Z-5fbPoVHfdHMsYwn33njH0r4TbqYlp7_Gj3rnmal1A4heGOkpCF9XHjXv-a-Xc5i/s946/IMG_9857.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="946" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRXIPHUkQtofa8F2vYozmGN3saY0OsUER87BLpI4Sm1nXPTJS67AvVBO9Qsp85Y7W4FVZtGPBMyvp_ag0gTmcRk08C6qYy5sTZ1V4eZ6kdhJbAk70e8Jehw_-wi6Z-5fbPoVHfdHMsYwn33njH0r4TbqYlp7_Gj3rnmal1A4heGOkpCF9XHjXv-a-Xc5i/w665-h399/IMG_9857.jpeg" width="665" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Poppies in a nearby field? No, they grow in the long grass</div><div style="text-align: center;">atop the War Museum.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG1cww_QRBeuMAUQn9UR4zRNGQQwNef5h5bKUk2yhvOe_73AghtRboEMJsD8ZSL-wAE4fXDtKVDg4jqyihK1ysKjxRha3wO-oWGSamPMzaAl0XG1T_kp4JyI8paeNG14wsdxZc61hoSD7etiQ7dpjQww2LuCqC_qE2veHTUFM0dA9f-YcMzgk_TamMxg8/s1024/IMG_9860.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1024" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG1cww_QRBeuMAUQn9UR4zRNGQQwNef5h5bKUk2yhvOe_73AghtRboEMJsD8ZSL-wAE4fXDtKVDg4jqyihK1ysKjxRha3wO-oWGSamPMzaAl0XG1T_kp4JyI8paeNG14wsdxZc61hoSD7etiQ7dpjQww2LuCqC_qE2veHTUFM0dA9f-YcMzgk_TamMxg8/w665-h399/IMG_9860.jpeg" width="665" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Atop the museum one can see a bit of the Parliament Buildings</div><br /><div>Recently I found a few links to news articles and 1 or 2 photos re the Canadian role in <a href="https://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/newspapers/operations/sicilianitalian_e.html">The Sicilian and Italian Campaigns, 1943-1945</a>. A link to news articles is provided and two - related to RCNVR and Combined Ops - are shared below:<br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4gdLqNqe-t457NS3KPSyB-_7vk2PYlGXk-ztWC4LFvGJ9woXtsY7fYUMY2NcABuKSYrU-gAlJaM5D864MIWS1K5_a3h_nYkVSQDLS8o0-DbDkUXjEce8xHLuI7O3ZHjrpDlnGr2BUqqIz8NzQPztu_SFJBl0SUB9apw9AbKwyyfHICGzyz8Dv-s-DL_5/s893/Globe2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="463" height="1282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4gdLqNqe-t457NS3KPSyB-_7vk2PYlGXk-ztWC4LFvGJ9woXtsY7fYUMY2NcABuKSYrU-gAlJaM5D864MIWS1K5_a3h_nYkVSQDLS8o0-DbDkUXjEce8xHLuI7O3ZHjrpDlnGr2BUqqIz8NzQPztu_SFJBl0SUB9apw9AbKwyyfHICGzyz8Dv-s-DL_5/w665-h1282/Globe2.jpeg" width="665" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As found in the Toronto <b>Globe and Mail</b>, July 17, 1943</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDVyXkBFQmjTcVtFUO_dP9QMcJS-lgh1KBMLYsXqNjZXFHKOcsp1JxVeAskHsnrIpRbxig8t9U7Av8oF31OVhcsTH5twMsAgpG1fJhtcQ1gXeByp1fAkkWkBJ972Q4c48JGUPSBZAEZIBiYcVemz-KjJeNnQ7HENk01RWOGxuHJ8hTtMJINHAzNB3ZQwv/s524/Spectator1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="448" height="777" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDVyXkBFQmjTcVtFUO_dP9QMcJS-lgh1KBMLYsXqNjZXFHKOcsp1JxVeAskHsnrIpRbxig8t9U7Av8oF31OVhcsTH5twMsAgpG1fJhtcQ1gXeByp1fAkkWkBJ972Q4c48JGUPSBZAEZIBiYcVemz-KjJeNnQ7HENk01RWOGxuHJ8hTtMJINHAzNB3ZQwv/w666-h777/Spectator1.jpeg" width="666" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhyphenhyphenxLqHH28_gZj0GVQSUP_-4Mnaz1-FXBxM2Z_QYo_bPdTMk82TGD1b0bD7Ppw_2Mvb956vzuXUWqSQ9Kyb_IMD_X55MdWU5HWFwuGNRVEULSkHUcCNhnmkwT7l2aCg4HAs5jgqWC6NieNXIRLhSXx9CoBO5e-YcZJXdLuwSuiI2AhWorQBz6VGBZIxqk/s333/Spectator2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="224" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhyphenhyphenxLqHH28_gZj0GVQSUP_-4Mnaz1-FXBxM2Z_QYo_bPdTMk82TGD1b0bD7Ppw_2Mvb956vzuXUWqSQ9Kyb_IMD_X55MdWU5HWFwuGNRVEULSkHUcCNhnmkwT7l2aCg4HAs5jgqWC6NieNXIRLhSXx9CoBO5e-YcZJXdLuwSuiI2AhWorQBz6VGBZIxqk/w326-h485/Spectator2.jpeg" width="326" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>About the two RCN flotillas that "returned to port" as mentioned in the first paragraph above. They would be the 55th and 61st Canadian Flotillas of LCAs (Landing Craft, Assault) that carried troops (U.K.) ashore on the eastern coast, north of Pachino and Ross Munro, the correspondent who penned the first article. The two flotillas are listed on the map below:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzxtaGf-tsUMo8Nbp2sGpxxizx4eeYY1s9Ae2VuEaJD0bYXMuGHlcqCWSM9Ujj5EIh1vluERwp2OqvusBX9DV23JZjBymyh2fzMGMQKaKldkmS4Rh9vpUcPDPqogPBwO_IuH_RXId-1MII-BOrD591ypk8PxagKGEYrHWgtIzusUS57w0cHvB9eFSBBNm/s1714/IMG_0208.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1714" height="716" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzxtaGf-tsUMo8Nbp2sGpxxizx4eeYY1s9Ae2VuEaJD0bYXMuGHlcqCWSM9Ujj5EIh1vluERwp2OqvusBX9DV23JZjBymyh2fzMGMQKaKldkmS4Rh9vpUcPDPqogPBwO_IuH_RXId-1MII-BOrD591ypk8PxagKGEYrHWgtIzusUS57w0cHvB9eFSBBNm/w804-h716/IMG_0208.jpeg" width="804" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadian troops landed south and west of Pachino, lower right corner of Sicily.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadian Navy in Combined Ops (55th, 61st) landed Monty's Eighth Army</div><div style="text-align: center;">between Cape Passero and Syracuse, returned to port (N. Africa) shortly there-</div><div style="text-align: center;">after; Canada's 80th and 81st Flotillas of LCMs (Landing Craft, Mechanised)</div><div style="text-align: center;">landed all materials of war for Monty's 8th through July and into August,</div><div style="text-align: center;">1943, recuperated on Malta during the rest of August, then returned to</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sicily to prepare for the invasion of Italy, Sept. 3, '43</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHgrhCuDHvRV434XeI9PnvfpwE7q8neV8CkpkAAVXl4iHrtaOxaAvVO0dBADR3uIOOjIFL-OUQczul-474aWLIOab7OVEBHXUYfAsH4KrbIdKXINnj2mRwqOXd44PlrLUMpW-5Rr-jUDEK90jlKWOL5k1Nj9P51NobXx3gQe5OahFP5XVu168A6d4NURG/s599/Spectator3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="219" height="892" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHgrhCuDHvRV434XeI9PnvfpwE7q8neV8CkpkAAVXl4iHrtaOxaAvVO0dBADR3uIOOjIFL-OUQczul-474aWLIOab7OVEBHXUYfAsH4KrbIdKXINnj2mRwqOXd44PlrLUMpW-5Rr-jUDEK90jlKWOL5k1Nj9P51NobXx3gQe5OahFP5XVu168A6d4NURG/w326-h892/Spectator3.jpeg" width="326" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From <b>The Hamilton Spectator</b> July 14, 1943</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Several other articles are featured from both English and French newspapers, along with the occasional photograph. I haven't found the route to a photo archive, so "Help is Wanted."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltFclPP_2tqG7xTrcd-mQBfwFz2qWTD8qgl9yZR370yBsOqXjl29KukeORe2OBkLuZAb0XTUdiXMn7cWLUJicHbCEWyYHF5-r1LVEeorPCe1kJNTg_rrOZEA5hOu8G4Ag0s-eSm7igzlIwS4Z1-Xcn7CQJ4BWxM-w-hOBxuXCtyCsbdDWd_poS5bQQ_WR/s355/sicilianitaliamcamp_max.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="349" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltFclPP_2tqG7xTrcd-mQBfwFz2qWTD8qgl9yZR370yBsOqXjl29KukeORe2OBkLuZAb0XTUdiXMn7cWLUJicHbCEWyYHF5-r1LVEeorPCe1kJNTg_rrOZEA5hOu8G4Ag0s-eSm7igzlIwS4Z1-Xcn7CQJ4BWxM-w-hOBxuXCtyCsbdDWd_poS5bQQ_WR/w666-h676/sicilianitaliamcamp_max.jpg" width="666" /></a>The ruins of Regalbuto: Tanks of the Three Rivers Regiment in the town which</div><div style="text-align: center;">was so hotly disputed in August, 1943. Canadian Military Photograph</div><div style="text-align: center;">© <a href="https://www.warmuseum.ca/">Canadian War Museum</a> </div></div></div><div><br /><div>Not only is information provided about the operations re Sicily and Italy, but links are shared at the Canadian War Museum site to information related to a wide variety of other WWII operations, from the invasion of Poland, 1939, to the Dieppe Raid, 1942, and the liberation of the Netherlands, etc.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><div>Happy hunting, I say!</div><div><br /></div><div>More to follow re links to resources with a 'focus on Sicily and Italy in the near future.<br /><br />If you happen to come across a good online site that directly or indirectly relates to the actions of Canadians in Combined Operations, please drop me a line @ <i>gordh7700@gmail.com</i><br /><br />Please link to <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/09/links-to-resources-focus-on-sicily-and.html">Links to Resources: A Focus on Sicily and Italy, 1943 (1)</a><br /><br />Unattributed Photos GH</div></div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-29094294407280341782023-11-20T22:43:00.003-05:002023-11-20T22:55:18.862-05:00Research: Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943 (15)<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;">The First Photographs of Canadians Landing in Sicily. OUCH!!</b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Cameras and 'Photo-Communications' Have Improved Since 1943</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipt1s0qUNxZmaFKAHXNhcGtJi0mdqEDBCVXByXtqSJIujssImcKoRpuj9Ny8jQ16S8YGLi2jOtDGko1b5xKMLGeLkgfHY-GPhazgXv8sH9zl8icHw8O6-mufM_jzQOYfhqHsFau_c5I_skS06spwgXFQnd4czfF6MBQzx0OXGEb4o81lL8xS7c_s6jvzWQ/s1200/OWB5IAKXORG23AORUG6CJNWG2I.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1200" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipt1s0qUNxZmaFKAHXNhcGtJi0mdqEDBCVXByXtqSJIujssImcKoRpuj9Ny8jQ16S8YGLi2jOtDGko1b5xKMLGeLkgfHY-GPhazgXv8sH9zl8icHw8O6-mufM_jzQOYfhqHsFau_c5I_skS06spwgXFQnd4czfF6MBQzx0OXGEb4o81lL8xS7c_s6jvzWQ/w663-h467/OWB5IAKXORG23AORUG6CJNWG2I.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadian forces land on the beach at Pachino, Sicily, on July 10th, 1943</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Not <b>The (Montreal) Gazette</b>! <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/in-pictures-canada-on-the-march-in-sicily-1943/article13009903/">Recognizable shot found here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Same photo found <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allied_invasion_of_Sicily">at another source</a> with a more informative caption:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Troops from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/51st_(Highland)_Division">51st (Highland) Division</a> unloading stores from tank landing</div><div style="text-align: center;">craft (LCTs) on the opening day of the invasion of Sicily, 10 July 1943</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />I feel <b>The Gazette</b> has delivered a lot of fine details about Operation Husky up to this point in my series related to news clippings found on microfilm stored at the University of Western Ontario (UWO in London, Ontario, Canada) situated on a lovely property in the north end of the city, about a 65-minute walk from my front door. Truth be told, I'm looking forward to wintertime again because that's when I do most of my research at UWO, e.g., walking to the basement at Weldon Library, scrolling through one of thousands of reels of film, and approx. two hours later returning home with hundreds of copies of classic WWII stories safely packed onto a USB stick. </div><div><br /></div><div>[Family Thot: My mother did research re family history, wrote letters for information by the score to libraries and churches in England and Scotland, waited months for a single shred of evidence we were related to so-and-so from this parish or shire, etc., and eventually typed up her findings for each of her children. What a chore. I appreciate it now! And she would fall over to see the amount I can find and share from one 80-year-old newspaper. And I have hundreds at my fingertips, so to speak.]</div><div><br /></div>All of the above being said, photographs found in microfilm related to <b>The Gazette </b>are pitiful. Fortunately, we have the internet and access therefore to excellent copies of millions of photos at various locations, sites, etc. 11,000,000 at Imperial War Museum alone. And sometimes I can find a photo exactly the same as the one shared by a 1940's newspaper or at least one that depicts the same event... somewhat, or indirectly, or at the very least in a way that informs me and my fair-minded readers about the written facts at hand. Or so I believe.<div><br />News clippings follow from the July 22nd, 1943 issue of <b>The Gazette</b> are accompanied by a few 'better photos' and links to related materials. I've had a string of good luck lately finding 'related materials', so please look forward to a post that will direct readers to items that help expand the story of the role of Canadians in Combined Operations, the men of the barges*, though one sailor said, "Don't call 'em barges." A news clip with that headline can be found somewhere in this archive. <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2017/03/articles-sicily-july-14-1943-pt-8.html">Happy hunting, I say,</a> because exactly where I cannot say. (?)<div> </div><div>[*re barges. I have recently learned that two Canadians were members of <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/10/links-to-resources-copp-survey-pilotage.html">COPP, Combined Operations Pilotage Parties, involved with reconnaissance </a>of foreign shores aboard canoes or other small craft, before landing crafts loaded with troops and all materials of war came ashore during various raids and operations. So, the role of Canadians in Combined Operations is wider than I before knew. Stay tuned for more information.]</div><div><br /></div><div>The headline suggests the Allies are gaining the upper hand. An editorial cartoon that follows well down below adds to that 'suggestion.'</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgh8_iXqWe6NYTfXWAzU0mv7ugLi1EhVtkthOdPTTLBUgqMJbqFObXsu1vXAsppfK42x9wlBclOhrYiF_6n7pp4ntvfZ-Eo8AbfYVHJF7W03COpiiFRiMofhUXYjMbndb7vnBMFLBOjaiZANkMxQJuFOSGIDH_1kd71bAt4bfHxpD8nn4I2fa7TGDfxWPA/s1150/July22-1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="1150" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgh8_iXqWe6NYTfXWAzU0mv7ugLi1EhVtkthOdPTTLBUgqMJbqFObXsu1vXAsppfK42x9wlBclOhrYiF_6n7pp4ntvfZ-Eo8AbfYVHJF7W03COpiiFRiMofhUXYjMbndb7vnBMFLBOjaiZANkMxQJuFOSGIDH_1kd71bAt4bfHxpD8nn4I2fa7TGDfxWPA/w922-h187/July22-1.jpeg" width="922" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hJ52JWn2GEZya47zyAR8euSfOA0ir9o_vHuKwz2LHn5b-ywJ4mdLnOLYrhCm53wSimdUyucwsoyf9qH-wiNGJDYQCsEM5iel5jh3SyLSOpsPds6zTv9gCSYEGC5MDWS_noDLUIZ_c8QwJ_GgypO3Onv_4Y4_43DEoL8LF0eeytMKcnK28yXPH-uqWQ3c/s989/July22-2a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="989" height="655" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hJ52JWn2GEZya47zyAR8euSfOA0ir9o_vHuKwz2LHn5b-ywJ4mdLnOLYrhCm53wSimdUyucwsoyf9qH-wiNGJDYQCsEM5iel5jh3SyLSOpsPds6zTv9gCSYEGC5MDWS_noDLUIZ_c8QwJ_GgypO3Onv_4Y4_43DEoL8LF0eeytMKcnK28yXPH-uqWQ3c/w921-h655/July22-2a.jpeg" width="921" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One barely sees an LCM (landing craft, mechanised) or LCT (landing craft, for</div><div style="text-align: center;">tanks) and troops coming ashore. One soldier appears to be hand drawn. If you</div><div style="text-align: center;">can find the original, please let me know at <i>gordh7700@gmail.com</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">(The original caption appears with another <b>Gazette</b> photo below*)</div><div><br /></div><div>Related Photos:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1UKGGbrgszfxs7CiRxDzYywtUPNA8uWd3nPwRQoflAkBahgZoWSDa_HdlC7Co1-fCGsl3fPUmxQrWgVGyTp5WvXIke1rMVnoJVACh93asP46qvUn1NoILGZEKk6vfmWco5YWc7DFLx-t8Iva7RdSUjR89K0K6mWDA2Y57SwNtN4S0lSl8zB00gQzyTcM/s861/sicily1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="861" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1UKGGbrgszfxs7CiRxDzYywtUPNA8uWd3nPwRQoflAkBahgZoWSDa_HdlC7Co1-fCGsl3fPUmxQrWgVGyTp5WvXIke1rMVnoJVACh93asP46qvUn1NoILGZEKk6vfmWco5YWc7DFLx-t8Iva7RdSUjR89K0K6mWDA2Y57SwNtN4S0lSl8zB00gQzyTcM/w663-h628/sicily1.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A number of craft off the coast of Sicily. Photogr. Captain Frank Royal. </div><div style="text-align: center;">1st Sicily Invasion Pictures, 1st Cdn Div. CAFU, Album 61, 10 July 43</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj05GOrjmYColENq3bBS7YBtx0k8kvVl3cw1siYBR-0TqoxiEUmq3poQ0qULFqLDcbJ60CBSOVivNqIi_fJ66d38nzHUY47YcvGSUOutSH1uYv3DjxIjMI2f_WVNu8d5Wr69dkWZMFSy1dR21bXuoOxkvvTmRX4wX6cb6DFgGxxDJjWqGWh1F99fzBXqsz/s899/sicily2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="899" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj05GOrjmYColENq3bBS7YBtx0k8kvVl3cw1siYBR-0TqoxiEUmq3poQ0qULFqLDcbJ60CBSOVivNqIi_fJ66d38nzHUY47YcvGSUOutSH1uYv3DjxIjMI2f_WVNu8d5Wr69dkWZMFSy1dR21bXuoOxkvvTmRX4wX6cb6DFgGxxDJjWqGWh1F99fzBXqsz/w664-h602/sicily2.jpeg" width="664" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1st Canadian Division hauling transport up from the beach. No. 21090</div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadian Army Film Unit, CAFU. Pachino, Sicily (vicinity) 10 July 1943</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEp19vpXS-jEcGnx0I2ZD5wJ4N8T4QBazV0QBrZsw9S50t-DoclNSlbYygIkZ_fKKui7dPFHEL1qiOToFdrrpwvnZSs4hhWw1Hzr105mULghwGzBqCWwWJt5U5zihtRKgYkMZP_uNFNEmxgacasMUIeoPje-r6c2m0TYA5HArBQGiNOBZgnsqE_STWR46c/s800/large_000000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="800" height="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEp19vpXS-jEcGnx0I2ZD5wJ4N8T4QBazV0QBrZsw9S50t-DoclNSlbYygIkZ_fKKui7dPFHEL1qiOToFdrrpwvnZSs4hhWw1Hzr105mULghwGzBqCWwWJt5U5zihtRKgYkMZP_uNFNEmxgacasMUIeoPje-r6c2m0TYA5HArBQGiNOBZgnsqE_STWR46c/w662-h637/large_000000.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Operation HUSKY. Men of the Highland Division wade ashore from landing</div><div style="text-align: center;">craft during the landings in Sicily, 10 July 1943. Photo credit to Sgt. F. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Wackett, with No. 2 Army Film and Photo Section. NA4193, IWM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>*caption appears below for the first <b>Gazette </b>photo shared above<b>:</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiey3GlAYISZXBcXhO8AbmKTXXNMrLReY5byUBGuQEMbxvao9gdgaZ5YE5YATwkwIHFubkCXvGqCbSfv4cZk1uXty6ER_LFAUTk5I_sz-_kb43q3FDmnpj8OuwE7Bnn4GC8aSkpfYwQCr8zvTrtX00uVJP92esEjVRUO6D06QrN_wBlYqGSePTHzEfh3yGo/s1017/July22-2b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1017" height="725" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiey3GlAYISZXBcXhO8AbmKTXXNMrLReY5byUBGuQEMbxvao9gdgaZ5YE5YATwkwIHFubkCXvGqCbSfv4cZk1uXty6ER_LFAUTk5I_sz-_kb43q3FDmnpj8OuwE7Bnn4GC8aSkpfYwQCr8zvTrtX00uVJP92esEjVRUO6D06QrN_wBlYqGSePTHzEfh3yGo/w920-h725/July22-2b.jpeg" width="920" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I have seen a good quality copy of the photo above but cannot recall where it is located. Help Wanted.</div><div><br /></div><div>The City of Messina is still miles and miles farther north along the eastern coast as far as Canadian troops a re concerned, but they are making progress near Enna, about 40 miles west of Catania (see map about 30cm south of here!):</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3hXhv5nVwnKK_7gHfnun916xO5mAD8h2wlxE9nGfeEjT_QBRvt6-Y4hzBFcg1iuf0ZY1TXxeNhWZi8pgweKZfzYUsMOIAQS6u3Lq88smdx-3pfdbfZ68eHD_u2GwM1bFJrT-MBXRdEcVJ2BCN6M-jbdchsAinEL28LathIuLR9z1tAx37vnKTO_kSfMJ/s1139/July22-3a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="422" height="1238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3hXhv5nVwnKK_7gHfnun916xO5mAD8h2wlxE9nGfeEjT_QBRvt6-Y4hzBFcg1iuf0ZY1TXxeNhWZi8pgweKZfzYUsMOIAQS6u3Lq88smdx-3pfdbfZ68eHD_u2GwM1bFJrT-MBXRdEcVJ2BCN6M-jbdchsAinEL28LathIuLR9z1tAx37vnKTO_kSfMJ/w460-h1238/July22-3a.jpeg" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYZfWDrtETGIkWNrqoT08q1OHKKA0TM624d2DQ2B42oX_bQFmZ0g7j9szQyoGcYj_z5u4TAhH-tT_pJH4owUuXNywZr7xpm3mSDCWWXdk0fzuwZ_fhhLHzxUyHnNne9q-NyYwZZJCLE7pJ4OSwskY7ZSKo8tPPcrsoCeRw6xhS0jTOOO5ClEsB0dpfJTB/s1981/621615cd2d56086f99bbcf34_Map,%20Sicily,%2010%20July-17%20August%201943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1305" data-original-width="1981" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYZfWDrtETGIkWNrqoT08q1OHKKA0TM624d2DQ2B42oX_bQFmZ0g7j9szQyoGcYj_z5u4TAhH-tT_pJH4owUuXNywZr7xpm3mSDCWWXdk0fzuwZ_fhhLHzxUyHnNne9q-NyYwZZJCLE7pJ4OSwskY7ZSKo8tPPcrsoCeRw6xhS0jTOOO5ClEsB0dpfJTB/w922-h608/621615cd2d56086f99bbcf34_Map,%20Sicily,%2010%20July-17%20August%201943.jpg" width="922" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">U.S. and Canadian troops are inside the blue circle (center). Sailors in the </div><div style="text-align: center;">80th and 81st Flotillas of Canadian Landing Crafts are inside the red circle,</div><div style="text-align: center;">lower right, near the towns of Fontane Bianche and Gallina, respectively.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WonE3W8uib0cpVrenYYRkfmA3MZov_-KLJSTT9aGQBtg2fnXtmE-S1gTUJigkXSJyyGbsoardOWVv9LpUwz6sauUTov6_QyOPtQVXv7tFICovEE3y3w_futGYU4p1Wy4XvizdBxXCdKOq55S2HWjhA_7_PTBuB3kd2fgeRoyO8rF6_cCxsqNce4yzPjV/s4032/IMG_0813.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="691" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WonE3W8uib0cpVrenYYRkfmA3MZov_-KLJSTT9aGQBtg2fnXtmE-S1gTUJigkXSJyyGbsoardOWVv9LpUwz6sauUTov6_QyOPtQVXv7tFICovEE3y3w_futGYU4p1Wy4XvizdBxXCdKOq55S2HWjhA_7_PTBuB3kd2fgeRoyO8rF6_cCxsqNce4yzPjV/w921-h691/IMG_0813.jpeg" width="921" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo from LIFE Magazine (Aug. 2, 1943 issue) as seen at Catania's</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Museum of Allied Landings in Sicily, 1943"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Make For Messina</b> continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAZwR-Y2weVgU9ubzGiiil54vJ9IBAvxfD2CbMqwzRHCqit0tbb8QMGlFnFwIp_Ru9YjHlv40uC-g_ihFYnxVWMAh3UiEdbF4IRcG24Vbp_qrOTdZB5SHPOKP2dgRFvLD2_Daf0wcTL86WjKZWPYAS5IB3qutcXU5JYfJfFJO4xv_uMv_vEWUgZ-423gb/s415/July22-3b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="415" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAZwR-Y2weVgU9ubzGiiil54vJ9IBAvxfD2CbMqwzRHCqit0tbb8QMGlFnFwIp_Ru9YjHlv40uC-g_ihFYnxVWMAh3UiEdbF4IRcG24Vbp_qrOTdZB5SHPOKP2dgRFvLD2_Daf0wcTL86WjKZWPYAS5IB3qutcXU5JYfJfFJO4xv_uMv_vEWUgZ-423gb/w460-h349/July22-3b.jpeg" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxulkXBhIeU2XVUPXm6Llp3miPeocdP2UzNqMhV6lcNMlGRfzsiukJA9ntQB1u35F_b4DjOf-P0wYnQ-X_D0yKN-twqrMmbgKV9upts47VjuH7ayrtaaUP3BTS8TuTY5Ed34tMzGc4k3hkezvwsBu0Qo4JtlKM0cwvFbInB2lRbgQ2QKj7UK9DGk4r6VM4/s1091/July22-3c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="442" height="1137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxulkXBhIeU2XVUPXm6Llp3miPeocdP2UzNqMhV6lcNMlGRfzsiukJA9ntQB1u35F_b4DjOf-P0wYnQ-X_D0yKN-twqrMmbgKV9upts47VjuH7ayrtaaUP3BTS8TuTY5Ed34tMzGc4k3hkezvwsBu0Qo4JtlKM0cwvFbInB2lRbgQ2QKj7UK9DGk4r6VM4/w461-h1137/July22-3c.jpeg" width="461" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddHd5WIN6jpWjk-nmqCot_zMhhHvISIU4CFhtBstsDQQ5cv4iw-tdj_Q5T5oll_azgQVY4AfHxLa2SwtRGBDrhQaZqv_AdDlGrqfiIO5MN698mrVhzXU8VcD5E5AQ-6KRaR-XB6bgh5TnfeWXmk4Vb3CkKvFuXTWjG3mXl9mVSZ05wr00Eq4GqUs7LEaa/s439/July22-3d.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="439" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddHd5WIN6jpWjk-nmqCot_zMhhHvISIU4CFhtBstsDQQ5cv4iw-tdj_Q5T5oll_azgQVY4AfHxLa2SwtRGBDrhQaZqv_AdDlGrqfiIO5MN698mrVhzXU8VcD5E5AQ-6KRaR-XB6bgh5TnfeWXmk4Vb3CkKvFuXTWjG3mXl9mVSZ05wr00Eq4GqUs7LEaa/w461-h411/July22-3d.jpeg" width="461" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ub0oq0TyUR-PVfipcPTfPR0cv-cysey1HgflY_4LHXpB36JqlpumoRmMteHnRMMIcCZ19mkrP7zS3bwtcy86ZSGSC77SXQhQkw4vR5zbSRQALJYl70T_p9Z1hinhQ7yx-UA6A674sGPQMmbwAMmIeU49g4dFOC5lBs7kYEwq60GNNJzHNN4pRiwWFv17/s1158/21806POWs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1082" height="984" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ub0oq0TyUR-PVfipcPTfPR0cv-cysey1HgflY_4LHXpB36JqlpumoRmMteHnRMMIcCZ19mkrP7zS3bwtcy86ZSGSC77SXQhQkw4vR5zbSRQALJYl70T_p9Z1hinhQ7yx-UA6A674sGPQMmbwAMmIeU49g4dFOC5lBs7kYEwq60GNNJzHNN4pRiwWFv17/w919-h984/21806POWs.jpg" width="919" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enemy prisoners on the road from Modica moving back. Photo 21806,</div><div style="text-align: center;">as found in Album 61, Canadian Film and Photographic Unit (CFPU)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Make For Messina</b> continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI5dUq3_AgsuQbiVGXsd8tW0zayuGGvrLQQoMrPf2aM4l2lgTb2Wb7KwAhgUuVavCXGxCF8Ex7jVyr_i4yoXhUlU8xk7w8X6k3pJFfH4xfwUCwJpo_-z8-ILrygGTqNB5NTIG7nUdVgZ9ItQ2KzfvbmJBG4G4m4awcXRQYOjF6NpjOe8q955hRbbm1bOx/s462/July22-3e.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="462" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI5dUq3_AgsuQbiVGXsd8tW0zayuGGvrLQQoMrPf2aM4l2lgTb2Wb7KwAhgUuVavCXGxCF8Ex7jVyr_i4yoXhUlU8xk7w8X6k3pJFfH4xfwUCwJpo_-z8-ILrygGTqNB5NTIG7nUdVgZ9ItQ2KzfvbmJBG4G4m4awcXRQYOjF6NpjOe8q955hRbbm1bOx/w462-h350/July22-3e.jpeg" width="462" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICv21SdsjDxzbp6Yt2s0rrDE4R8Z5V2vD2fSFf2Xlm_eaia_ZM0bPYmKV5aP6pGOo63bOHgu6ng_O_kATw5AsUR8kEW8zKf3Hz7S5VhpJN8nrTzueYHW6RzzTgNUTnmfozHXnOEBuPIz5h4cviTAjwS28vBT9qoGZCiKivwHP6myYaEZ349xeT1-gqHOm/s903/July22-3f.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="370" height="1134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICv21SdsjDxzbp6Yt2s0rrDE4R8Z5V2vD2fSFf2Xlm_eaia_ZM0bPYmKV5aP6pGOo63bOHgu6ng_O_kATw5AsUR8kEW8zKf3Hz7S5VhpJN8nrTzueYHW6RzzTgNUTnmfozHXnOEBuPIz5h4cviTAjwS28vBT9qoGZCiKivwHP6myYaEZ349xeT1-gqHOm/w463-h1134/July22-3f.jpeg" width="463" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80E7fxZG3nb1hWUy4sL71bpGD6rXNfCaFeFm7gsB5xI_sBWUCVqSjkB0-R8b4gE4sYjjjcddR4v4Z75jdwDDnuCyrCGIke3s-6LI7zJgO3AVlexAutJSfooMwzOuxn7xvNFl9HxIlvrdGYj-sYPuMaXEloKVvHMqVs6P8s5sDw2Bh3DUVOC_P8p0MIoRL/s411/July22-3g1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="373" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80E7fxZG3nb1hWUy4sL71bpGD6rXNfCaFeFm7gsB5xI_sBWUCVqSjkB0-R8b4gE4sYjjjcddR4v4Z75jdwDDnuCyrCGIke3s-6LI7zJgO3AVlexAutJSfooMwzOuxn7xvNFl9HxIlvrdGYj-sYPuMaXEloKVvHMqVs6P8s5sDw2Bh3DUVOC_P8p0MIoRL/w464-h512/July22-3g1.jpeg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5vyoBLj1OqBw3mKES3L1Mksq2afa2qpMSOzcf2vQSmpa9cnTu54liYyWFMk9dsIVShwtWjE5OwjiiuSlGWJEnYL_w48NpHedYe9GCh-r7bTqFZn70efUF0Ws8GWj39FLsR5qCrf7xLe2qogVBr7Bbdobq9GdIcgnfnBInjF_8v-hAvOfBTCly8HPTYWP/s370/July22-3g.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="96" data-original-width="370" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5vyoBLj1OqBw3mKES3L1Mksq2afa2qpMSOzcf2vQSmpa9cnTu54liYyWFMk9dsIVShwtWjE5OwjiiuSlGWJEnYL_w48NpHedYe9GCh-r7bTqFZn70efUF0Ws8GWj39FLsR5qCrf7xLe2qogVBr7Bbdobq9GdIcgnfnBInjF_8v-hAvOfBTCly8HPTYWP/w482-h125/July22-3g.jpeg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEicHCQOvSqFFRe2-RVaZFceFvyyyz6vWXE4q9dbKR5gHoJXs784omI43sdQS3wY5XtbvTscXnrOU82ujTwGLK44VEKhf2yFQKsBor3-cf-EDZqwFyd1TiqD0MFp9JXvXHSxjS11kkXf8lbMPV7ItQ5Toyz2ul_wGpbRZjp2Tg6mE3QdRqWJuroPdneJOo/s232/July22-1%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="54" data-original-width="232" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEicHCQOvSqFFRe2-RVaZFceFvyyyz6vWXE4q9dbKR5gHoJXs784omI43sdQS3wY5XtbvTscXnrOU82ujTwGLK44VEKhf2yFQKsBor3-cf-EDZqwFyd1TiqD0MFp9JXvXHSxjS11kkXf8lbMPV7ItQ5Toyz2ul_wGpbRZjp2Tg6mE3QdRqWJuroPdneJOo/w483-h114/July22-1%20(1).jpeg" width="483" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't believe me? Just look out the window then!</div><div><br /></div><div>Another informative article by Canadian war correspondent Ross Munro:</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQg5n7cFHsvgvKLjUMwozLutNB6hoGnWsWYvWsdpjOwkm5SYBZVxytfJxvXVBiircGpJUZOk-TOE20ddktCGpmI06wdKuTkUAT0UNqgwgbJC0MBtWGWVWto5G13haDB3WmgY1NDKCpuwZHGc40GeTa2fDs-qn8QBBHgpcIMLpnti0bbTheWx0tD0KiXMf/s1162/July22-4a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="433" height="957" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQg5n7cFHsvgvKLjUMwozLutNB6hoGnWsWYvWsdpjOwkm5SYBZVxytfJxvXVBiircGpJUZOk-TOE20ddktCGpmI06wdKuTkUAT0UNqgwgbJC0MBtWGWVWto5G13haDB3WmgY1NDKCpuwZHGc40GeTa2fDs-qn8QBBHgpcIMLpnti0bbTheWx0tD0KiXMf/w356-h957/July22-4a.jpeg" width="356" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7rWfDiTrgzzZI-iI1EG6mO9rQYkgLd7RX6H6_sNpfC2w_BWS0qLqf0eShTqQoHuihguX90m3wSGGqX2sta_r6yzJlXfW4oub-YRluG9ZjD4jUCrHVMKf_xMtoNAu5_u5EokSu0VOwPctx6EmDMNqEKGxFah_VG2H-OVNqZ7y7B1CmYghj1SShItNc6Gq/s435/July22-4b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="435" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7rWfDiTrgzzZI-iI1EG6mO9rQYkgLd7RX6H6_sNpfC2w_BWS0qLqf0eShTqQoHuihguX90m3wSGGqX2sta_r6yzJlXfW4oub-YRluG9ZjD4jUCrHVMKf_xMtoNAu5_u5EokSu0VOwPctx6EmDMNqEKGxFah_VG2H-OVNqZ7y7B1CmYghj1SShItNc6Gq/w357-h281/July22-4b.jpeg" width="357" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUZtdspvX83Y1xLl6peUfcbebL1VMG1IswyzUx7cgNTNlQTmlMFoMAnsdpGW6sAzn69Yl2GJyVu4AaQ9mgqqI7ZUqmdq1XQTE2JhHrXS4Zy5_XKs7QJ_mTj2pYM2tvzkaR3tF_CW9yCFNJGMdq3XJfZJw-L4pbCtbOXLieQMG3xsvtq1S971BL4aogf20/s1149/21786bSimonds.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1135" height="723" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUZtdspvX83Y1xLl6peUfcbebL1VMG1IswyzUx7cgNTNlQTmlMFoMAnsdpGW6sAzn69Yl2GJyVu4AaQ9mgqqI7ZUqmdq1XQTE2JhHrXS4Zy5_XKs7QJ_mTj2pYM2tvzkaR3tF_CW9yCFNJGMdq3XJfZJw-L4pbCtbOXLieQMG3xsvtq1S971BL4aogf20/w714-h723/21786bSimonds.jpeg" width="714" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Major-General Guy Simonds, General Officer Commanding, 1st Canadian </div><div style="text-align: center;">Infantry Division. Pachino, Sicily, 11 July 1943. Photo 21786, CAFU</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNRRC4g4eh3Ym2pOm7wGF5MtdQXXsRvx1zq1E5m9NVsC8mLQOJsk-xuJA7SnltJEHw78s50KcbLyfLxDbIOipFayxKh4xv7aB8eTujKK-QztwtjtgbP3CokjEMT0zFEx9EcQNnidQXpT5f-4i4cZ89drvBLWTCfncII60N0u_GmehmEy5kY9e9Qi10r1Y/s462/July22-4c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="462" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNRRC4g4eh3Ym2pOm7wGF5MtdQXXsRvx1zq1E5m9NVsC8mLQOJsk-xuJA7SnltJEHw78s50KcbLyfLxDbIOipFayxKh4xv7aB8eTujKK-QztwtjtgbP3CokjEMT0zFEx9EcQNnidQXpT5f-4i4cZ89drvBLWTCfncII60N0u_GmehmEy5kY9e9Qi10r1Y/w357-h281/July22-4c.jpeg" width="357" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk3GSggwgHdqulYVlQfWGPu5KY9dwlPMCzcuCObJu8Mw_oPGDMUjUiFgtvBcdPiVhEBeKOMb52cr9cuUg1JJf8V-MNMD2xgG4D9dLi0AAK91OOFL4KvWYh-gissKlc9ftOpzsgcw2x_uE-TOsVjUfYSdxiTMonRPtzXtq0AskU-AkEX35xo6p0PT5TuuW/s627/July22-4d.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="367" height="611" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk3GSggwgHdqulYVlQfWGPu5KY9dwlPMCzcuCObJu8Mw_oPGDMUjUiFgtvBcdPiVhEBeKOMb52cr9cuUg1JJf8V-MNMD2xgG4D9dLi0AAK91OOFL4KvWYh-gissKlc9ftOpzsgcw2x_uE-TOsVjUfYSdxiTMonRPtzXtq0AskU-AkEX35xo6p0PT5TuuW/w357-h611/July22-4d.jpeg" width="357" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKaKiZo0hyphenhyphenyhwO6gE01h1aLbvRIhxtAohrl_4kIBEE5dOWtHSbC2OM0hPf0gvUutp1gbWX6X2sYxtgyelbk8mGE4gt8Tvr6dOEtKs5oiqpPDYO7SbKN2vPcPpiZH4v_r70EmnnZ_nB-NU5JpZtQ4svOKZKuiyL2hpVojDvPR__Qt4w5Naw3L0SLDSZ_vT/s364/July22-4e.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="364" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKaKiZo0hyphenhyphenyhwO6gE01h1aLbvRIhxtAohrl_4kIBEE5dOWtHSbC2OM0hPf0gvUutp1gbWX6X2sYxtgyelbk8mGE4gt8Tvr6dOEtKs5oiqpPDYO7SbKN2vPcPpiZH4v_r70EmnnZ_nB-NU5JpZtQ4svOKZKuiyL2hpVojDvPR__Qt4w5Naw3L0SLDSZ_vT/w356-h253/July22-4e.jpeg" width="356" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="367" height="910" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWumX5qm9xyZSp8csgvjCuGahRBrKiYT-NRCr07M7awe7p5VGqC5k7KWi2UOmbAlOltVz_C3-cBuC8RhCSYZ_l5TsuNqzATKVBNes31EGzciRk-VmBtjs28PBRsJv58fse19W0nZ2KditgE9fo_ynsnhC1rz7lzMSC93DHKEZ24wSP-wL2yo3WikO68MpP/w355-h910/July22-4g.jpeg" width="355" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTSYgYT8hZPxJvE4DwboG8HuWRVb8SWglp84bIKn6ox1h4oE33FUf1T7yPiMMFfyyNee2jT8M8uPUaOj0ZrRQra9Tl4P9IDmjdySoQTrQfPx92V8YEhJCm0WwqCk7JdYXl4FNLiAuhXRKgpj-7UXhF0YL7CHFKzDXoEe-QzaqOoYlccx6hr3fp1W0y4oC/s865/July22-4h.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="367" height="833" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTSYgYT8hZPxJvE4DwboG8HuWRVb8SWglp84bIKn6ox1h4oE33FUf1T7yPiMMFfyyNee2jT8M8uPUaOj0ZrRQra9Tl4P9IDmjdySoQTrQfPx92V8YEhJCm0WwqCk7JdYXl4FNLiAuhXRKgpj-7UXhF0YL7CHFKzDXoEe-QzaqOoYlccx6hr3fp1W0y4oC/w354-h833/July22-4h.jpeg" width="354" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WhzM3a5kdCzLq69s3oR1qRCbqtb54V6T197SPwPURkr3hRNxUbHjBb0aUn8QlKnKeZDYurs3aDoi07jyVOmL_BACZwtxmchIy4lTUuMoX_pPLklEO6ckOHO6xfuBbykL9hH8cA4LtVzM_EybD72GQzIQPloy9d27f0MtmQfdcaaJhgXVCCdbtPupEjTk/s1013/July22-4i.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="366" height="981" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WhzM3a5kdCzLq69s3oR1qRCbqtb54V6T197SPwPURkr3hRNxUbHjBb0aUn8QlKnKeZDYurs3aDoi07jyVOmL_BACZwtxmchIy4lTUuMoX_pPLklEO6ckOHO6xfuBbykL9hH8cA4LtVzM_EybD72GQzIQPloy9d27f0MtmQfdcaaJhgXVCCdbtPupEjTk/w354-h981/July22-4i.jpeg" width="354" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCILaSTQ5ByRWvr0vpO6yJGN3dLdEZ-UHhjDDNf1-mGd9gcInTwWkjEhoYiNRYD6b6z-akb0bSOApJOsF6m0gQrMowYS0fXMYpLhdTRjp5OOrZFUGfEYMytci0NAU65-1Un-odGXPlTVsvstFpDaDp-nP7n0WPcNr-9t3FhpV927jES4LuniK-VnsTMZ-E/s808/104675352_3186951484676498_3622843763303717435_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="720" height="836" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCILaSTQ5ByRWvr0vpO6yJGN3dLdEZ-UHhjDDNf1-mGd9gcInTwWkjEhoYiNRYD6b6z-akb0bSOApJOsF6m0gQrMowYS0fXMYpLhdTRjp5OOrZFUGfEYMytci0NAU65-1Un-odGXPlTVsvstFpDaDp-nP7n0WPcNr-9t3FhpV927jES4LuniK-VnsTMZ-E/w745-h836/104675352_3186951484676498_3622843763303717435_n.jpeg" width="745" /></a></div><br /><div>The following "News Digest" provides information from Sicily and other war fronts:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WWfj-IYoDICXKJB4ykiYoRHmj4fAZqcBzIRFcWdgSj8M-Goln6a_Ez_27Ys7vdQz2rr1GCRrvPvdjnGbyWVHY_ZGrcrF1Zz9eN7h8t1WJ7NboLoUF_rJK9y-cTVRf0WkwQazrlTQobE0J-7XlfQWpH4gjj7lTyPWQs0m-fAVesbTecSu01gIKYo89CB_/s954/July22-5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="740" height="858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WWfj-IYoDICXKJB4ykiYoRHmj4fAZqcBzIRFcWdgSj8M-Goln6a_Ez_27Ys7vdQz2rr1GCRrvPvdjnGbyWVHY_ZGrcrF1Zz9eN7h8t1WJ7NboLoUF_rJK9y-cTVRf0WkwQazrlTQobE0J-7XlfQWpH4gjj7lTyPWQs0m-fAVesbTecSu01gIKYo89CB_/w665-h858/July22-5.jpeg" width="665" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I've plugged the Canadian troops and sailors (RCNVR) once or twice already so it seems fair to mention the role played by the Canadian Air Force:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdB3UlJZn9VmC393_tuTQKu23RpUpyixc74yDElx8AKhJ2LysC9ZaftKZYX-rFTt2OuYA450A7KedPEo41e4_MYIeum-bbcmJ_sVzVv4SorYYJ94idmdeMx44I79ZeaqjH2npvgUMt_7Nk1kIXbB-4OxsNPZhrEEixksYzgld1UK64l6WMm2SOI1qjVT3/s1145/July22-6a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="368" height="1194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdB3UlJZn9VmC393_tuTQKu23RpUpyixc74yDElx8AKhJ2LysC9ZaftKZYX-rFTt2OuYA450A7KedPEo41e4_MYIeum-bbcmJ_sVzVv4SorYYJ94idmdeMx44I79ZeaqjH2npvgUMt_7Nk1kIXbB-4OxsNPZhrEEixksYzgld1UK64l6WMm2SOI1qjVT3/w384-h1194/July22-6a.jpeg" width="384" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AvFcWB74HcUAlYv95-51U_mCDzIvbdxEcdSpN_0jKiYa27k_uVhd6YZnCTeyHdZZctbU_KWiceR35Oz5-uBiEWs1E13topsjbP5LgY0U4xnZzL8cA_w51DEmy-1QiEtXbdKLd_YmSfAfDMLycXTMOpIV7Q4Cqr61RuGxYwLswYUQMF-Mm9zprAHsoBBF/s364/July22-6b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="364" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AvFcWB74HcUAlYv95-51U_mCDzIvbdxEcdSpN_0jKiYa27k_uVhd6YZnCTeyHdZZctbU_KWiceR35Oz5-uBiEWs1E13topsjbP5LgY0U4xnZzL8cA_w51DEmy-1QiEtXbdKLd_YmSfAfDMLycXTMOpIV7Q4Cqr61RuGxYwLswYUQMF-Mm9zprAHsoBBF/w384-h337/July22-6b.jpeg" width="384" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcimrFpWbmVBcgP9DdWGXOtEHR0FhxoxKBQZXnFFtRiGBv9EL2VM3f7O6swgQGM0AoaX8f0WoN_o9abazuBJShGH8fM6rB2tSt3mOXevZcsUDZPZ9d4tIRuk4PIeozRzE6wOISJIb2KMQ94P-KhEseskdd4NW-TRUrk2S-kU85u4480FWk0SQvv_P_T5E/s808/July22-7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="737" height="727" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcimrFpWbmVBcgP9DdWGXOtEHR0FhxoxKBQZXnFFtRiGBv9EL2VM3f7O6swgQGM0AoaX8f0WoN_o9abazuBJShGH8fM6rB2tSt3mOXevZcsUDZPZ9d4tIRuk4PIeozRzE6wOISJIb2KMQ94P-KhEseskdd4NW-TRUrk2S-kU85u4480FWk0SQvv_P_T5E/w663-h727/July22-7.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvDahUr_J2GVqc90VB0G0wIMwcJI9lYZUWB3-j40ET-zvWY2vQpKTTN_7j4h0pxjLOfQgnPxtfXton9RFcLOo1vGdGHphl7T206Lt4z38_F-lpPGH3hJZ1wJwtStX65-KJ3hQ6usZeB9AtYsAb6VdeA9I8VoiE-5tLDDLSJQgou7-h7z1VYSA9YLQ0P56/s977/July22-8a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="373" height="1063" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvDahUr_J2GVqc90VB0G0wIMwcJI9lYZUWB3-j40ET-zvWY2vQpKTTN_7j4h0pxjLOfQgnPxtfXton9RFcLOo1vGdGHphl7T206Lt4z38_F-lpPGH3hJZ1wJwtStX65-KJ3hQ6usZeB9AtYsAb6VdeA9I8VoiE-5tLDDLSJQgou7-h7z1VYSA9YLQ0P56/w405-h1063/July22-8a.jpeg" width="405" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw711xwGRJFJ3ZFQDqRXplHepvx1RneFa77gMSCTfu6-UTV2x-VU3TEXCVK63l1n05948nW6x_YRnYTkZm7X57E4KONNrbMZgSa6ijeq5FW6dg9_Ew9wJ9BB-Kfll8CwcIXFc_sKznwVivg_WQXLxR4hUbBQz63CIxInnPQlg8XE1oUX_RkmSHjjG6Nx7B/s368/July22-8b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="368" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw711xwGRJFJ3ZFQDqRXplHepvx1RneFa77gMSCTfu6-UTV2x-VU3TEXCVK63l1n05948nW6x_YRnYTkZm7X57E4KONNrbMZgSa6ijeq5FW6dg9_Ew9wJ9BB-Kfll8CwcIXFc_sKznwVivg_WQXLxR4hUbBQz63CIxInnPQlg8XE1oUX_RkmSHjjG6Nx7B/w405-h396/July22-8b.jpeg" width="405" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWurEh_JDfNa4aiRZeXXEmkuIpDpqVQsWXVezxk0AeC0HxwWqNW31BCntwySu8IY_0yUGR8OveUM5qBTxYFCsk1l8pW1_1gV0Ln8E6_5MnZ7PPmPXeubxTMM12zDIGjmDwBhOKnC2E0LVKfUQVOeGkVuawigjiSZ2zEXQuIxlZttyYyjPORe2eobPb-qo/s452/July22-8c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="370" height="493" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWurEh_JDfNa4aiRZeXXEmkuIpDpqVQsWXVezxk0AeC0HxwWqNW31BCntwySu8IY_0yUGR8OveUM5qBTxYFCsk1l8pW1_1gV0Ln8E6_5MnZ7PPmPXeubxTMM12zDIGjmDwBhOKnC2E0LVKfUQVOeGkVuawigjiSZ2zEXQuIxlZttyYyjPORe2eobPb-qo/w404-h493/July22-8c.jpeg" width="404" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CQ5EqpX4IOCuUkiSpyYKRR_5NrzqyLdKNArHpZw-o-rvs9nAIS17MAi6Tgg46T4jQ1r9bZR4UMl9_FWlRhOzbimXn8RexKDdWfNnt7SLyD7pV4oiUugNpGRw7XYCMQ56qcZOsyhDJXc0ijPEuf6-7GhfoilSnHYT-71udlSnnjAXN4IGIey70abOxPEg/s578/July22-8d.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CQ5EqpX4IOCuUkiSpyYKRR_5NrzqyLdKNArHpZw-o-rvs9nAIS17MAi6Tgg46T4jQ1r9bZR4UMl9_FWlRhOzbimXn8RexKDdWfNnt7SLyD7pV4oiUugNpGRw7XYCMQ56qcZOsyhDJXc0ijPEuf6-7GhfoilSnHYT-71udlSnnjAXN4IGIey70abOxPEg/w404-h640/July22-8d.jpeg" width="404" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__wl_LnU7w896BLmMzJFfsXBI1bPkvd8hzrnI6diDTcTdS5VyxbtLkAievfpXh5BxpvgaRfFqApXCWYa80p6et4whYBEfvNtjk8uGyrk0z5sGodp1jJ54oykdtXhTXn93_dNFSaYiTbWwjxvgZPs_m4PkB8_DAh3gV4YcqlrAyD2V6Qki4JvBl0YZIRYT/s1169/July22-9a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="1169" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__wl_LnU7w896BLmMzJFfsXBI1bPkvd8hzrnI6diDTcTdS5VyxbtLkAievfpXh5BxpvgaRfFqApXCWYa80p6et4whYBEfvNtjk8uGyrk0z5sGodp1jJ54oykdtXhTXn93_dNFSaYiTbWwjxvgZPs_m4PkB8_DAh3gV4YcqlrAyD2V6Qki4JvBl0YZIRYT/w920-h287/July22-9a.jpeg" width="920" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4Hhbdo7ka5cqXzmd4dotU4AuXBCn82HmVIuAf2EqiO-FODC-ffnJTvtZj3iVo0HpCToXCKeSsG4CcW1JVqmkFf13sGet7PRTkyMlEg9bt_Nu8J919ug7XpPcCVvFIs6BjYJXom8gO7VNqw1DQEbfwB7MYAL18Lie2bL5fOyh_wR1v2zLRQhyyQEP6cOC/s1071/July22-9b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="1071" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4Hhbdo7ka5cqXzmd4dotU4AuXBCn82HmVIuAf2EqiO-FODC-ffnJTvtZj3iVo0HpCToXCKeSsG4CcW1JVqmkFf13sGet7PRTkyMlEg9bt_Nu8J919ug7XpPcCVvFIs6BjYJXom8gO7VNqw1DQEbfwB7MYAL18Lie2bL5fOyh_wR1v2zLRQhyyQEP6cOC/w919-h330/July22-9b.jpeg" width="919" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Two aerial photographs follow that depict the heavy bombing on select targets by Allied forces; the first is from <b>The Gazette</b> and the second, with better quality, is from the Library of Congress.:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIj0Bui3aVqeWLsq3Bczry9Fie5ws5ffVgZjLCXpovN3jlEtNlz-dedWUUvgcT8fbl2q7FZPmnbmLI9JBTeoLhh-7fLIUgwxh1VC7vCksW-tWj3T6b276dRbWk-vzrFti9LNdKfW5K2Fl_OxcsvkuESqmq-CSJGPy3YMYJ5WBVndBF_CWiqPlKwWxbQUB/s1099/July22-10.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="1099" height="793" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIj0Bui3aVqeWLsq3Bczry9Fie5ws5ffVgZjLCXpovN3jlEtNlz-dedWUUvgcT8fbl2q7FZPmnbmLI9JBTeoLhh-7fLIUgwxh1VC7vCksW-tWj3T6b276dRbWk-vzrFti9LNdKfW5K2Fl_OxcsvkuESqmq-CSJGPy3YMYJ5WBVndBF_CWiqPlKwWxbQUB/w918-h793/July22-10.jpeg" width="918" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4yWiabS-Gmm1ZmF-MA3bbLF1IEQnABRkDIZX9rDfGMvcXAiSUUIo-KXUD0C63H2crhoX91icid3AeP6cqULTdgGmAAM2VVMzt9BY-O5CrydeN_Ndy4UoJ5F6B2K0jNXepv9Z40k-8wCqZN4isYHxSo38hOKno16QH0Q4CsrZzJT3_OdZbtr1RJ_QPEcM/s662/service-pnp-fsa-8e02000-8e02400-8e02449v.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="662" height="587" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4yWiabS-Gmm1ZmF-MA3bbLF1IEQnABRkDIZX9rDfGMvcXAiSUUIo-KXUD0C63H2crhoX91icid3AeP6cqULTdgGmAAM2VVMzt9BY-O5CrydeN_Ndy4UoJ5F6B2K0jNXepv9Z40k-8wCqZN4isYHxSo38hOKno16QH0Q4CsrZzJT3_OdZbtr1RJ_QPEcM/w917-h587/service-pnp-fsa-8e02000-8e02400-8e02449v.jpg" width="917" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aerial bombing of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_Germany">German</a> railroad yards at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siena">Siena</a> during Operation Strangle.</div><div style="text-align: center;">On the alternate line from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisa">Pisa</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence">Florence</a> south to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome">Rome</a>, the Siena yards were</div><div style="text-align: center;">bombed by Mediterranean Allied Air Force Bombers. Photo: <a href="https://www.loc.gov/resource/fsa.8e02449/?st=image">Library of Congress</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>The Gazette's</b> editorial cartoon tells a tale from another war front:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XgDuIWVzxs3oF7yN1Hk6VEzAvDMvBbNhytzoBJW5xrFW7b6IDvC731oIV6sKBpooqoA0MbyGjgngRReqkWSqy_ahBGlBpQHcLrYRYlV0HJq-4kxEAeioio5JoGrXgfgOKz12PIPP_7DiWmnByEzmkGXLZVVgkMkBn_BEucuPwlLNF6snISuGe2tzrjoE/s1049/July22-11.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="832" height="834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XgDuIWVzxs3oF7yN1Hk6VEzAvDMvBbNhytzoBJW5xrFW7b6IDvC731oIV6sKBpooqoA0MbyGjgngRReqkWSqy_ahBGlBpQHcLrYRYlV0HJq-4kxEAeioio5JoGrXgfgOKz12PIPP_7DiWmnByEzmkGXLZVVgkMkBn_BEucuPwlLNF6snISuGe2tzrjoE/w662-h834/July22-11.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Time for a break in the action? I recommend Royal Stewart Dry Ginger Ale. If only we could find a bottle:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGnxx_nNpVrIZ44sTt6Wxxa47T8Hk3tRgHOASozmxwjmDKYZiWqeEU8sFEYtXmDMdobyHqO0Kls9ccsvU_LK6mM20KsF7ChzToAaYPOLhAMAvfDsecZkGOBPPGiWbxp2igS7TPuLLkCMvg3OhvseemZ7eyapJqsk6DVhi6qYoOx1Zb7gcWdfx7R_Bn5Xf/s1131/July22-12.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="316" height="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGnxx_nNpVrIZ44sTt6Wxxa47T8Hk3tRgHOASozmxwjmDKYZiWqeEU8sFEYtXmDMdobyHqO0Kls9ccsvU_LK6mM20KsF7ChzToAaYPOLhAMAvfDsecZkGOBPPGiWbxp2igS7TPuLLkCMvg3OhvseemZ7eyapJqsk6DVhi6qYoOx1Zb7gcWdfx7R_Bn5Xf/w389-h1400/July22-12.jpeg" width="389" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6vvRRpzWVC6mJW3f9LD8LAsnZsWHcVaO6q9gyDWlpTgTbUYoaQtgxUkCnaJzUJ1TnxU1S4rRbpLpEvQE63SuLr4ukUq2itiWy-2Q0-dtNUs857aQmm9lrVcx86CT7T346Z8Z9lyZhVUiY0-Mj12oU1iVRe_NOGy7zCSnz36JFYvyPkGgwjIAR99jK-Wp/s731/July22-13.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="731" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6vvRRpzWVC6mJW3f9LD8LAsnZsWHcVaO6q9gyDWlpTgTbUYoaQtgxUkCnaJzUJ1TnxU1S4rRbpLpEvQE63SuLr4ukUq2itiWy-2Q0-dtNUs857aQmm9lrVcx86CT7T346Z8Z9lyZhVUiY0-Mj12oU1iVRe_NOGy7zCSnz36JFYvyPkGgwjIAR99jK-Wp/w663-h362/July22-13.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This day's newspaper clippings conclude with a smear of the Italian troops by a Nazi newspaper:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjCIao613eMaw6sAXPT3_xCT62nBnNlsV5bN9fuSKlMBMDsPnyd4Eg6_0bqroYu78xEjwEk0XhiifKY_ATNsl5oiTg27iE9Y1O4VRUquWbQP_CcmvTxKYF5E6BBVQBRBbLgHijchqw-iENf1KTshseTlumcHJIV1KqW14Erlzr2vneGDLluvd4IkU09EB/s893/July22-14.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="737" height="804" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjCIao613eMaw6sAXPT3_xCT62nBnNlsV5bN9fuSKlMBMDsPnyd4Eg6_0bqroYu78xEjwEk0XhiifKY_ATNsl5oiTg27iE9Y1O4VRUquWbQP_CcmvTxKYF5E6BBVQBRBbLgHijchqw-iENf1KTshseTlumcHJIV1KqW14Erlzr2vneGDLluvd4IkU09EB/w663-h804/July22-14.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><br /><div>More newspaper clippings from Montreal will soon follow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Please click here to read <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/11/research-three-months-in-mediterranean.html">Research: Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943 (14)</a><br /><br />Unattributed Photos GH</div></div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-79407776344343583772023-11-15T18:53:00.002-05:002023-11-20T22:31:16.538-05:00Articles: British 8th Army Lands in Sicily, LIFE Magazine<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Canadian Landing Craft Flotillas Are in The Thick of It</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>From August 2, 1943 Issue of LIFE Magazine, 10 Cents</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuopDI9xLyEjja4Ymt_T5bvwRMJ_bN4uuw7Xn4qC3gbEPz443pWAkTqDQRpTNiMW2-5lhGzTCjubGClq7XG7L1c9D2JBP0-wFzKAMcszetCXBYqUiiLnr4eZ0kayH4Eq7zrRoK609-kokd1e8DZ23nAcVnuQmliTn4KNIZHoVKzv2GL6oVCk12NvwAvY6w/s3889/IMG_1057a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3889" data-original-width="2962" height="868" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuopDI9xLyEjja4Ymt_T5bvwRMJ_bN4uuw7Xn4qC3gbEPz443pWAkTqDQRpTNiMW2-5lhGzTCjubGClq7XG7L1c9D2JBP0-wFzKAMcszetCXBYqUiiLnr4eZ0kayH4Eq7zrRoK609-kokd1e8DZ23nAcVnuQmliTn4KNIZHoVKzv2GL6oVCk12NvwAvY6w/w662-h868/IMG_1057a.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Front cover - slightly modified at the whim of a Canadian Editor*</div><br /><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />A LIFE magazine article and rare reconnaissance map appeared side by side at the "Allied Landings in Sicily 1943 Museum" and both my son and I were very happy to spot them. A few dozen photos were snapped and I am happy to say I now own a copy of the magazine and can share the article and map and a few other features that just happen to relate to the main focus of this blog/website/archive, i.e., the 950 - 1,000 Canadian sailors (including my father) who volunteered for the Combined Operations organization beginning in December, 1941.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94kNNUIMmvXsOOnmPMCsdPe_HgE37lG7Y3h9FyenZ_LIeDlNH-DnJyEo7dZBgcFqUG4QtjSHGqmhQQJC59Xo2Txe2cBYEHiZdnU6578rsNUbXcCnuKv_QUEJC5Dc3rcOnyPiUuLY5HSgNTsIQtm71E2NYuoyvolbveSqtQ7TeKbq7b-xgVehd_hdHBQPN/s3160/IMG_1075.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3160" data-original-width="2389" height="883" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94kNNUIMmvXsOOnmPMCsdPe_HgE37lG7Y3h9FyenZ_LIeDlNH-DnJyEo7dZBgcFqUG4QtjSHGqmhQQJC59Xo2Txe2cBYEHiZdnU6578rsNUbXcCnuKv_QUEJC5Dc3rcOnyPiUuLY5HSgNTsIQtm71E2NYuoyvolbveSqtQ7TeKbq7b-xgVehd_hdHBQPN/w667-h883/IMG_1075.jpeg" width="667" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A commemorative text from the museum in Catania, Sicily</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9Y9S5W2-gusEn2slcLmI1sMF1fo18_MosLfeAq6Cx-HZsLnwuLHW2hfmS36cT9CnjqjYN0z53GfVp8ILophyphenhyphenYRiY_FidGAEA8riwz0o8sYBpgM97oHjSSVyQsz8iCV0YNV5TSI16KaH0b9eWBdlzp9aM-C0d4N45FAFBPs_aD4Mvkvqcxwoeq58F22S1/s4032/IMG_0807.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9Y9S5W2-gusEn2slcLmI1sMF1fo18_MosLfeAq6Cx-HZsLnwuLHW2hfmS36cT9CnjqjYN0z53GfVp8ILophyphenhyphenYRiY_FidGAEA8riwz0o8sYBpgM97oHjSSVyQsz8iCV0YNV5TSI16KaH0b9eWBdlzp9aM-C0d4N45FAFBPs_aD4Mvkvqcxwoeq58F22S1/w668-h890/IMG_0807.jpeg" width="668" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y5eBi1hl6lEKiwHIBh2XlH7qhh6V6WGJAtUkBfkvEFbRodMHlCtRsVukr2ihN9ZYhKCANA8CRbMljMN5DtM0h8-MFzm54rjfZvTDes8UWR4AbsGmb3N4-ytXu8prt9jUpp85h0fButLlwbpiAGhhPPJSH9oMEJPDb7WO47LkjWKmOD9bpSp_PLh4iEDE/s4032/IMG_0810.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y5eBi1hl6lEKiwHIBh2XlH7qhh6V6WGJAtUkBfkvEFbRodMHlCtRsVukr2ihN9ZYhKCANA8CRbMljMN5DtM0h8-MFzm54rjfZvTDes8UWR4AbsGmb3N4-ytXu8prt9jUpp85h0fButLlwbpiAGhhPPJSH9oMEJPDb7WO47LkjWKmOD9bpSp_PLh4iEDE/w667-h500/IMG_0810.jpeg" width="667" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The article relates to Operation HUSKY and the landings of General Montgomery's British Eighth Army on the eastern shores of Sicily beginning July 10, 1943. Accompanying the article (containing several fine, informative details) is a very rare, expansive U.S. reconnaissance photograph of the beaches served by the 80th and 81st Canadian Flotillas of Landing Craft (landing craft, mechanised, aka LCMs specifically). My father was a member of the 80th Flotilla and wrote extensively about "our worst invasion yet." <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAElqf5_jyGdEE9x1Ziw9BuJc1NOTbn4zR6JpA1RhNSn4D3Ry6Iq8BDO8zxSDYnASJnzn9W8dfBWZ18NsNl2MVqOfZz7-kaSUFz8UjRUHknldszOK3XBr3joSabZB01cX59OrL9eQmMfIvmqFK_TYTKu7G6c6srI7NXPjxkbab9z8TgJNiJVAY-jSTDGL8/s921/dad's%20hammock%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="691" height="881" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAElqf5_jyGdEE9x1Ziw9BuJc1NOTbn4zR6JpA1RhNSn4D3Ry6Iq8BDO8zxSDYnASJnzn9W8dfBWZ18NsNl2MVqOfZz7-kaSUFz8UjRUHknldszOK3XBr3joSabZB01cX59OrL9eQmMfIvmqFK_TYTKu7G6c6srI7NXPjxkbab9z8TgJNiJVAY-jSTDGL8/w661-h881/dad's%20hammock%202.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Navy hammock bearing names of the members of the 80th Flotilla that</div><div style="text-align: center;">journeyed to Sicily together aboard SS <i>Silver Walnut, </i>summer of 1943.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Available for viewing upon request at Navy Museum, Esquimalt BC</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARLLRbfj3nFqXL0pVk_G9739eCJFMhZAJCgoA1lRBxowKo5JDeZKMkRjbX6zs15NhnlwDmd_BFFUbTW-MRoAEV_usKLyVEhQ1uDxSJPdajc1uj6r_oh6CFd2uKBfed184z91ImYm6-E3BXPTDa9mUd_O6EGmNmY0BUwKnJG9bwkv5CY5lyihCwID5WqAj/s4032/IMG_0813.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARLLRbfj3nFqXL0pVk_G9739eCJFMhZAJCgoA1lRBxowKo5JDeZKMkRjbX6zs15NhnlwDmd_BFFUbTW-MRoAEV_usKLyVEhQ1uDxSJPdajc1uj6r_oh6CFd2uKBfed184z91ImYm6-E3BXPTDa9mUd_O6EGmNmY0BUwKnJG9bwkv5CY5lyihCwID5WqAj/w850-h638/IMG_0813.jpeg" width="850" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">U.S. reconnaissance map as found in LIFE Magazine at the Landings Museum</div><div style="text-align: center;">HOW Sector was served by the 81st Flotilla. GEORGE by the 80th.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfucvatWx754DrHFrcdM87RAfILzPAVPozjHccdoDDWjxXSwDPnhYExFUc1vfQg4NIDPLcfMO3rJkyMETY2ReXRhuZyPgOuUac2jE2OEWC3fZyYDUUu_9C2RXAsqEuBPJ3bKi4jYiitnmMRpaj-pm_DhgO8RmbEleBeEHDy8K8h4B1eVJsRHiRoxYj86pG/s899/81FlotillaBeaches.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="899" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfucvatWx754DrHFrcdM87RAfILzPAVPozjHccdoDDWjxXSwDPnhYExFUc1vfQg4NIDPLcfMO3rJkyMETY2ReXRhuZyPgOuUac2jE2OEWC3fZyYDUUu_9C2RXAsqEuBPJ3bKi4jYiitnmMRpaj-pm_DhgO8RmbEleBeEHDy8K8h4B1eVJsRHiRoxYj86pG/w851-h590/81FlotillaBeaches.jpg" width="851" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">HOW Sector/Beach extended north to the Cassibile River</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The article that accompanied the reconnaissance map now follows:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-Rn1fJlN3nFLIk1ylKMC86eSHRljsITmcqfeWYQ4SotGkfdv6J5hLYeTTbkzyQ-5r7WwGHmSwjfvvqsn2DfvF5AUY7DfGtH7PF7yqg3K_we4psqIl2swn_1F4CmB0qZmKnllxnw2186YQkH_WUpVK5SPOe_yXBe9wRJUWGP0BxPyaGBby5YKb7Ef1gNh/s2301/IMG_1037a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2301" data-original-width="2297" height="663" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-Rn1fJlN3nFLIk1ylKMC86eSHRljsITmcqfeWYQ4SotGkfdv6J5hLYeTTbkzyQ-5r7WwGHmSwjfvvqsn2DfvF5AUY7DfGtH7PF7yqg3K_we4psqIl2swn_1F4CmB0qZmKnllxnw2186YQkH_WUpVK5SPOe_yXBe9wRJUWGP0BxPyaGBby5YKb7Ef1gNh/w661-h663/IMG_1037a.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIojXyfHy9IR55566QIgTjLFHiiePaojZznHNj-Ab2cCPvyAK3-vZdlnMnMtn2nByfZ5bTn0UV1KeaPps9W23FvXR1bFnk0y2DOBxreVaEzI8OHFM3PL3ocUKAewyEP_YomxTf2hTLb9RSff1CvPNetALJzMAYXBPc55Ysk86u64AMajMGGQ7m93aTvie/s2455/IMG_1038a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2455" data-original-width="2455" height="662" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIojXyfHy9IR55566QIgTjLFHiiePaojZznHNj-Ab2cCPvyAK3-vZdlnMnMtn2nByfZ5bTn0UV1KeaPps9W23FvXR1bFnk0y2DOBxreVaEzI8OHFM3PL3ocUKAewyEP_YomxTf2hTLb9RSff1CvPNetALJzMAYXBPc55Ysk86u64AMajMGGQ7m93aTvie/w662-h662/IMG_1038a.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTULssUgUWftJgDiq55yOa0RWi8XQKCVD4GMtmlXRTlb5AF3kGnjl2vB86OHlfV66L-J8HUbPrdVe-ZXgYD9NcwIxc5F-KdTp0PsYVqLmeCeoFgqlzoPdSzBdH28aLqI_h0lM1aVCyOFS3k3bJwwd10PbKB656MT0YZOm8DegMbfh8of7BRp9cJCINDSTV/s2584/IMG_1040a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2584" data-original-width="2584" height="662" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTULssUgUWftJgDiq55yOa0RWi8XQKCVD4GMtmlXRTlb5AF3kGnjl2vB86OHlfV66L-J8HUbPrdVe-ZXgYD9NcwIxc5F-KdTp0PsYVqLmeCeoFgqlzoPdSzBdH28aLqI_h0lM1aVCyOFS3k3bJwwd10PbKB656MT0YZOm8DegMbfh8of7BRp9cJCINDSTV/w662-h662/IMG_1040a.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitilyfnyIoseU0j_pkTm9zQDtFF2YJ4QXOXEBe-zmSF2nHW__CVbbEZz1KVcS92oTh10sKENboAvg5X4KcOnGAFpKn9_83XyA4882jLkNyg_Pdm4cVjni5sdEBAopspbQEuhAcGCm07AXrlrNyO-O41CmHMg8PIo2_TF0majGxPCQsSBBGAOf2MlG7VO4N/s2998/IMG_1065c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2348" data-original-width="2998" height="668" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitilyfnyIoseU0j_pkTm9zQDtFF2YJ4QXOXEBe-zmSF2nHW__CVbbEZz1KVcS92oTh10sKENboAvg5X4KcOnGAFpKn9_83XyA4882jLkNyg_Pdm4cVjni5sdEBAopspbQEuhAcGCm07AXrlrNyO-O41CmHMg8PIo2_TF0majGxPCQsSBBGAOf2MlG7VO4N/w852-h668/IMG_1065c.jpeg" width="852" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6oj4J_GWZIwH_cSBvZfU7MxxBsM3WT7UcrsAbFK_FsVh7w0GHlHNsi8z9QpNVPq8EGm_JmKifDhXcAmh9YiONgUtxXe3oSTVDSVomoJnEQGOvi8dd-fUpEoyJauW-X310ewNeyZuX-b7Go0IU8asoN-ejFh0FRM6U7y8MSUibpMgklF5OJUHTwhhBabg/s6000/IMG_5879.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6oj4J_GWZIwH_cSBvZfU7MxxBsM3WT7UcrsAbFK_FsVh7w0GHlHNsi8z9QpNVPq8EGm_JmKifDhXcAmh9YiONgUtxXe3oSTVDSVomoJnEQGOvi8dd-fUpEoyJauW-X310ewNeyZuX-b7Go0IU8asoN-ejFh0FRM6U7y8MSUibpMgklF5OJUHTwhhBabg/w853-h568/IMG_5879.jpeg" width="853" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"But pill boxes exist in the area to this day (2023)" GH</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>LIFE Magazine article continues:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftPDDKU4kQMkGllT6MX2a8IhNSvBoFjec02YKww2xhoYourp7XQQAxWHTf33shqRZb7F-TKnJx2QWxr77JW7tn3SFmIrF9BHCo6yAJ4awP_J_dCcec55guPoYGeJcaqAu3MPe_TeTQmy4eW4_JJsdavj2_iYKWmUArC0aS7Ep_Nbiyh9Hrq_3v2ujTQFA/s2763/IMG_1044a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2762" data-original-width="2763" height="661" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftPDDKU4kQMkGllT6MX2a8IhNSvBoFjec02YKww2xhoYourp7XQQAxWHTf33shqRZb7F-TKnJx2QWxr77JW7tn3SFmIrF9BHCo6yAJ4awP_J_dCcec55guPoYGeJcaqAu3MPe_TeTQmy4eW4_JJsdavj2_iYKWmUArC0aS7Ep_Nbiyh9Hrq_3v2ujTQFA/w661-h661/IMG_1044a.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MKCxhPoybVBvhohfBnP8oSZbYCGfzEg9bHgV1jH5Tk64N8iZHi9zd-Y_0QZ7aCVE0Ta8nzy48a1ENCrfFp5Ezhp15pTNj0NS62CXZg0buOfN6fPC7cHtuZhCWV4EGpszyibyaT8lspdc5oFGYhRaOrNjfi2AR0FYA88fFKb1nVyBtmHtuakRLUV2dLoH/s2998/IMG_1065b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2348" data-original-width="2998" height="519" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MKCxhPoybVBvhohfBnP8oSZbYCGfzEg9bHgV1jH5Tk64N8iZHi9zd-Y_0QZ7aCVE0Ta8nzy48a1ENCrfFp5Ezhp15pTNj0NS62CXZg0buOfN6fPC7cHtuZhCWV4EGpszyibyaT8lspdc5oFGYhRaOrNjfi2AR0FYA88fFKb1nVyBtmHtuakRLUV2dLoH/w662-h519/IMG_1065b.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdc_71E5vGKWjTUjE2znTQ0ScEer0-ukGjnO6HDDFo9aQJR6h2kJGLGA1jb87d5m3Nh2beLhz00QW99amcA3xSjvFnMNKiWGeSEAc7B_Vp65wJvcuE8bTyjTScTB-05R8t-aCGD38X5uvq10tI7GqZekUK-yNvgvVQY-vSERXvtCO2x8WZiEhbO_G1sEe/s740/grottazze.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="740" height="555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdc_71E5vGKWjTUjE2znTQ0ScEer0-ukGjnO6HDDFo9aQJR6h2kJGLGA1jb87d5m3Nh2beLhz00QW99amcA3xSjvFnMNKiWGeSEAc7B_Vp65wJvcuE8bTyjTScTB-05R8t-aCGD38X5uvq10tI7GqZekUK-yNvgvVQY-vSERXvtCO2x8WZiEhbO_G1sEe/w662-h555/grottazze.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">LIFE Magazine article continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DkJlHI7g_VkdEVH1cH7ZRjNY-6Ni1R6Qv1gkzdo_mGrWxjPWSwJ1hSFaXOZ6UD5Ss8Y82XTHSJbwlvrpBMBGOYxKiG3ilxmvqGxke7KHdufccqt8ZBDIB8-yekEW_50hzTeWDKHC5FLiOGbl3ERwelrpMzXmTPWft7ysi2x97Nl4KiThEBMAR1IqZb4o/s2825/IMG_1046a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2825" data-original-width="2825" height="663" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DkJlHI7g_VkdEVH1cH7ZRjNY-6Ni1R6Qv1gkzdo_mGrWxjPWSwJ1hSFaXOZ6UD5Ss8Y82XTHSJbwlvrpBMBGOYxKiG3ilxmvqGxke7KHdufccqt8ZBDIB8-yekEW_50hzTeWDKHC5FLiOGbl3ERwelrpMzXmTPWft7ysi2x97Nl4KiThEBMAR1IqZb4o/w663-h663/IMG_1046a.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gga7UyleP75qVOostu7A2-iUV_4k0FjDyQhFgibNCzprEfcO0z__QBRWApKX6AO4ozyl8PhCBjbWIRbhcNjjjXHtW0A0VOU-HR1wU52SBlo2w6xp6aCS85w7Ig2pdc2YeVdfM45Wr6kfqrxdie2Vp4aCOlX3Ay5k7jAemMs7ajhgdqLBBSu-nJ2afomR/s2927/IMG_1050a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2927" data-original-width="2927" height="663" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gga7UyleP75qVOostu7A2-iUV_4k0FjDyQhFgibNCzprEfcO0z__QBRWApKX6AO4ozyl8PhCBjbWIRbhcNjjjXHtW0A0VOU-HR1wU52SBlo2w6xp6aCS85w7Ig2pdc2YeVdfM45Wr6kfqrxdie2Vp4aCOlX3Ay5k7jAemMs7ajhgdqLBBSu-nJ2afomR/w663-h663/IMG_1050a.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A few more looks at HOW Sector, home of the 81st Canadian Flotilla of landing crafts from July 10 - early August, appear below:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJA4xj4gvY0HhnsuF1wH-4TBakMt2vQLSQyGmcS1wnzEnOAJxpx1vFS7N_1h6aKu_LRKQBtjjoxoOPi9EmLaBYXajMLwqFnSniLTonIW1_THYRTUM3EeOVeN2782cKAyYHN_mQOyv1KeNdHh-meWshJZmDo3WVNTVDnlp1g6H3qSOB1s9sRkXGprUB92z8/s4032/IMG_0863.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJA4xj4gvY0HhnsuF1wH-4TBakMt2vQLSQyGmcS1wnzEnOAJxpx1vFS7N_1h6aKu_LRKQBtjjoxoOPi9EmLaBYXajMLwqFnSniLTonIW1_THYRTUM3EeOVeN2782cKAyYHN_mQOyv1KeNdHh-meWshJZmDo3WVNTVDnlp1g6H3qSOB1s9sRkXGprUB92z8/w847-h636/IMG_0863.jpeg" width="847" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ghostly outlines of troop and supply ships appear off the shore of the</div><div style="text-align: center;">Red and Amber sections of HOW Sector (Gallina). Screen shot - GH</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFSJbM6s3xTaZZiWiVO_TE5v2_RxjLWxTxHEDbNMHv12zdvgD1pJdebx5R7PPvk14EKXyhg6Vl0MqMWJssda1Iu_hUmBZ5olkWVQ-ilDIeNVtsVzNAnByeKrDMTd38GItt2EF7wGO000mAfh5moypEW02EQ9qMKhrsXXteCk3i5EbbISau3yM6wKCNCJm/s2945/IMG_1062b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2087" data-original-width="2945" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFSJbM6s3xTaZZiWiVO_TE5v2_RxjLWxTxHEDbNMHv12zdvgD1pJdebx5R7PPvk14EKXyhg6Vl0MqMWJssda1Iu_hUmBZ5olkWVQ-ilDIeNVtsVzNAnByeKrDMTd38GItt2EF7wGO000mAfh5moypEW02EQ9qMKhrsXXteCk3i5EbbISau3yM6wKCNCJm/w847-h601/IMG_1062b.jpeg" width="847" /></a></div><br /><div>The following map revealing the location of HOW and GEORGE Sectors during Operation HUSKY is from a volume of WWII stories by RCNVR and Combined Operations veterans:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHOxvZ4m6qnd8nI_IurhD3AJ8HI6NHFlzbMV1reNGxRI9nQZpNT_PXWsJsTOhrHfI-vsEEwL_AwJFfC4gVRNsI86WqpU6Ng-w87pk7r4j5komFK792_BIIyDUnXCMNWnTKOSh9LOGTt4JElxOqS30mhbnjLI9XnKV5Diqkojibn6gYHeyDs8mBJHFx_m1/s1021/81stFlotilla.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="862" height="784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHOxvZ4m6qnd8nI_IurhD3AJ8HI6NHFlzbMV1reNGxRI9nQZpNT_PXWsJsTOhrHfI-vsEEwL_AwJFfC4gVRNsI86WqpU6Ng-w87pk7r4j5komFK792_BIIyDUnXCMNWnTKOSh9LOGTt4JElxOqS30mhbnjLI9XnKV5Diqkojibn6gYHeyDs8mBJHFx_m1/w662-h784/81stFlotilla.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Labelled 'Most Secret', perhaps because of the locations of many Landing Ships, Tanks (LSTs), U.S. Liberty Ships (e.g., Mayo Brothers, Big Foot Wallace...), a hospital ship (HMHS <i>Talamba)</i>, sunk in July, 1943, shortly after the invasion of Sicily, and more. Please click here to read more about the invasion of Sicily: <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/04/research-about-trip-to-sicily-1.html">Research: About a Trip to Sicily (1)</a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>As mentioned earlier, I have included below early photographs from LIFE magazine of Italian POWs:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qsmSN5ta1Ltuc9Iy5yFGgxID_pozFuC8elk2yxsMdP0P5fYRs3gXcEYdkAQ2EsBUBSFfOU8sKOA7xXpcPQ-OXXEVCr0HjXjw23tXz40T83umfKPZeOuWUNYqupRDHGXdWqg3Zsc4LXw_nW0MI6rGaDppUGmsAvTeNZ_8zChRfP52HdaBS8jaXcOs_eGA/s2825/IMG_1052.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2825" data-original-width="2572" height="931" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qsmSN5ta1Ltuc9Iy5yFGgxID_pozFuC8elk2yxsMdP0P5fYRs3gXcEYdkAQ2EsBUBSFfOU8sKOA7xXpcPQ-OXXEVCr0HjXjw23tXz40T83umfKPZeOuWUNYqupRDHGXdWqg3Zsc4LXw_nW0MI6rGaDppUGmsAvTeNZ_8zChRfP52HdaBS8jaXcOs_eGA/w846-h931/IMG_1052.jpeg" width="846" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3gbmwH5xSYid2q4ME_gpf7gtnlamMlxYMXu48wp_QZM22D4PZMw0hKoD66Ib4JRselda-nsU2vf0Ap2MkuRiSM1RLbIOC70-Go0PwrSEyAwYQ9MnZYEwRkggIQDVZ9r3GOXn3393y1z5_ZsshN9-x4xG-yS2R9gONBROTDmKHLPiQ5pvVqCwFKttN4qT/s3115/IMG_1056.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3115" data-original-width="2924" height="902" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3gbmwH5xSYid2q4ME_gpf7gtnlamMlxYMXu48wp_QZM22D4PZMw0hKoD66Ib4JRselda-nsU2vf0Ap2MkuRiSM1RLbIOC70-Go0PwrSEyAwYQ9MnZYEwRkggIQDVZ9r3GOXn3393y1z5_ZsshN9-x4xG-yS2R9gONBROTDmKHLPiQ5pvVqCwFKttN4qT/w846-h902/IMG_1056.jpeg" width="846" /></a></div><br /><div>I am currently sharing newspaper clippings on this site (from <b>The (Montreal) Gazette) </b>and some pertain to the battle for Catania, as mentioned above in the LIFE magazine article. Click here to view <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/11/research-three-months-in-mediterranean.html">Research: Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943 (Part 14)</a>.</div><br />Please click the following link to read other articles about the invasion of Sicily, July 1943: <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2021/05/articles-canadian-flotilla-of-landing.html">Articles: Canadian Flotilla of Landing Craft in Italy (Parts 1 - 4)</a><br /><br />*"at the whim of the Editor." I.e., the Editor of <b>1,000 Men, 1,000 Stories, </b>of course!</div><div><br /></div><div>Questions and comments, e.g., re the grottazze (aka 'The Savoy'), or memoirs re the cattle cave, etc., can be addressed to me at <i>gordh7700@gmail.com</i><br /><br /></div><div>Unattributed Photos GH </div></div></div></div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-82729514474824443042023-11-12T17:21:00.001-05:002023-11-12T17:21:23.580-05:00Research: Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943 (14)<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Canadian Troops Win Praise From McNaughton and Churchill</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Great Railway Yards in Rome are "in Twisted, Smoking Ruins"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nzA5eAxJ5SUvCZ655zawlWHDz_Tar5xz_TkcwNbNwLAXS8VBTO8ssEDvNwT-8UY4oHVyXFByfdK78xD9j4t9B5LYt58M1XybTm2EnzUyY3zrlSRFQnoCbhCe5dG3z2FhBHPxDTy7DLoTidCbrsWsVR0rR0kepahG8MAbmeMIVGWqtVkjNiY0mclxD1kF/s843/service-pnp-fsa-8e02000-8e02400-8e02449v.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="843" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nzA5eAxJ5SUvCZ655zawlWHDz_Tar5xz_TkcwNbNwLAXS8VBTO8ssEDvNwT-8UY4oHVyXFByfdK78xD9j4t9B5LYt58M1XybTm2EnzUyY3zrlSRFQnoCbhCe5dG3z2FhBHPxDTy7DLoTidCbrsWsVR0rR0kepahG8MAbmeMIVGWqtVkjNiY0mclxD1kF/w662-h424/service-pnp-fsa-8e02000-8e02400-8e02449v.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Aerial bombing of </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_Germany" style="text-align: start;">German</a><span style="text-align: start;"> railroad yards at </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siena" style="text-align: start;">Siena</a><span style="text-align: start;"> during <b>Operation Strangle</b>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">On the alternate line from </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisa" style="text-align: start;">Pisa</a><span style="text-align: start;"> and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence" style="text-align: start;">Florence</a><span style="text-align: start;"> south to </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome" style="text-align: start;">Rome</a><span style="text-align: start;">, the Siena yards were</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">bombed by Mediterranean Allied Air Force Bombers. Photo: <a href="https://www.loc.gov/resource/fsa.8e02449/?st=image">Library of Congress</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">[Please click here to learn more about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Strangle_%28World_War_II%29">Operation Strangle (World War II)</a> at Wikipedia.]</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />Allied troops, on more than one track, are heading north at a steady pace. Canadian newspapers are full of the news and <b>The (Montreal) Gazette</b> is no exception. Though I highlighted the work of <b>Gazette</b> correspondent Lionel Shapiro in the previous post, boldly expecting that his lengthy columns would continue to inform readers each day, I was wrong. He'll be back in Thursday's spread, I'm (almost) sure.<div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, fresh news stories about Allied progress on various fronts - including trusty Canadians - continue to pile up on our doorstep. Enjoy a good read. And the weather, 'fair and warm', isn't too bad either!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBT0ZE5gVdpHT_UCgI0X-dq-IyrzQV1CifNL4ShnhsnKtDRibsTt7aUMY3XcSYJgv0xHsSg7qTJbkDKJwXlPiX4uNTqE9OpvZUD8fsthU48qyp35Thy7ddkaBvj1yN-YB3VQ3xa3k8O3txUw8ugDGjojg0r1BRMfq-HI1fe4k5gq5OdwohnJ9_3D8C7rw/s1497/july21-1a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="1497" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBT0ZE5gVdpHT_UCgI0X-dq-IyrzQV1CifNL4ShnhsnKtDRibsTt7aUMY3XcSYJgv0xHsSg7qTJbkDKJwXlPiX4uNTqE9OpvZUD8fsthU48qyp35Thy7ddkaBvj1yN-YB3VQ3xa3k8O3txUw8ugDGjojg0r1BRMfq-HI1fe4k5gq5OdwohnJ9_3D8C7rw/w961-h201/july21-1a.jpeg" width="961" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg5xI8NeRaXrOVBnupvJlXBdhDjvWTurIYeM1p4yecnyYPTrNUQeb7MYJEE3W1EDug_BCGy5cdfanyq2m7ahNzVesgfus8XKTxYK4UI3OwSPjLqc0zGjR9m4F8plcWx-1_niz8UY1uazWhmb2quyzSzzMR6lId1IoxMHZn36TfnKQbECxN_BhOH_RS7kp/s1124/july21-1b1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="756" height="986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg5xI8NeRaXrOVBnupvJlXBdhDjvWTurIYeM1p4yecnyYPTrNUQeb7MYJEE3W1EDug_BCGy5cdfanyq2m7ahNzVesgfus8XKTxYK4UI3OwSPjLqc0zGjR9m4F8plcWx-1_niz8UY1uazWhmb2quyzSzzMR6lId1IoxMHZn36TfnKQbECxN_BhOH_RS7kp/w662-h986/july21-1b1.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXt5nhGbbZa5JyEo6bqrIf-Ni5t12CiI3fOU1bm6_3QBcCsq_bTcP49bVNmfs_pCtt06YTJgbfQzywfK8EM7N6NggbSLaLRcr8-7DiX-E11D5wypvWNFbuxaFKh3Lhg0k4aWvYckzUDxaZVKZZLHLT1MIAWL4iikQ5UjOfI2eXkwUmZ9OR-WodSFH54en/s349/july21-1b2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="349" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXt5nhGbbZa5JyEo6bqrIf-Ni5t12CiI3fOU1bm6_3QBcCsq_bTcP49bVNmfs_pCtt06YTJgbfQzywfK8EM7N6NggbSLaLRcr8-7DiX-E11D5wypvWNFbuxaFKh3Lhg0k4aWvYckzUDxaZVKZZLHLT1MIAWL4iikQ5UjOfI2eXkwUmZ9OR-WodSFH54en/w349-h269/july21-1b2.jpeg" width="349" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43ijqq8K7KPNlRWwQH7WtiAnqhmCVZ5UZmT1Hqo9vmLrICsihWkvkFbVZV7dqkkNf4UPBtiatqTdXgIgsclcK1VAz-4-aUw3oQ0_3rWZFTIQMvZC-qoVh4AZdCV1zUpQoECyoThhrdQA1Xhks2d6aNAjV0tONGmhFROzs9zjlsLkqji7imXSn9xlEtecX/s1076/july21-1b3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="373" height="1007" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43ijqq8K7KPNlRWwQH7WtiAnqhmCVZ5UZmT1Hqo9vmLrICsihWkvkFbVZV7dqkkNf4UPBtiatqTdXgIgsclcK1VAz-4-aUw3oQ0_3rWZFTIQMvZC-qoVh4AZdCV1zUpQoECyoThhrdQA1Xhks2d6aNAjV0tONGmhFROzs9zjlsLkqji7imXSn9xlEtecX/w349-h1007/july21-1b3.jpeg" width="349" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVjTuQWhRgmVbmJ-N_I-maUj8hXPT7tySzXthVvxYLqlm-SUj8OGkjP4e3VZ0O6xtew_grLslGNQjYU7d_yuQSuhsqMgV2JDqlO1vVR7me6SD_u3jKo_tRd80N92f1UWiodqNbKrL6QllBokeW0MvrvicEAAe5R_rA_VVNCaAvdl71eZeZYw0p5ITA1Mw/s348/july21-1b4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="348" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVjTuQWhRgmVbmJ-N_I-maUj8hXPT7tySzXthVvxYLqlm-SUj8OGkjP4e3VZ0O6xtew_grLslGNQjYU7d_yuQSuhsqMgV2JDqlO1vVR7me6SD_u3jKo_tRd80N92f1UWiodqNbKrL6QllBokeW0MvrvicEAAe5R_rA_VVNCaAvdl71eZeZYw0p5ITA1Mw/w349-h320/july21-1b4.jpeg" width="349" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJ0-fYTdRnl7AxW4gbD4QJo4MQ7Gd6Y84TrjF0Qe4bw6u8hAexPAGTmH7sWYAjYyQZ2sGFhilU5fHgzNwoKC_EZUZtKroQUvRAbdkIhQoyBoTdPwa7QTtx1pXP3G9eBNpRhYJG-hWBIPPETwalyryqARh1ZeMnkLY7wHkFV80RguM21BmmNR-N3eEGgLZ/s974/61e09a0814cc074c8b0e1c7e_e010750910-v8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="910" height="708" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJ0-fYTdRnl7AxW4gbD4QJo4MQ7Gd6Y84TrjF0Qe4bw6u8hAexPAGTmH7sWYAjYyQZ2sGFhilU5fHgzNwoKC_EZUZtKroQUvRAbdkIhQoyBoTdPwa7QTtx1pXP3G9eBNpRhYJG-hWBIPPETwalyryqARh1ZeMnkLY7wHkFV80RguM21BmmNR-N3eEGgLZ/w662-h708/61e09a0814cc074c8b0e1c7e_e010750910-v8.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Major-General G.G. Simonds, mentioned above, in a Jeep in Italy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">As found at <a href="https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/post/canadians-in-the-italian-campaign-1943-1945">'Canadians in the Italian Campaign, 1943 - 45'</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Library and Archives Photo, MIKAN No. 4234029</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Yes, "Canadians push ahead," but it isn't a walk in the park:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxC_v69R2UFFzrDLcaWf5PZ8jPNQfjJY85lGcJweeq3uQGE-WAFQXPzsT5hFRXfnPSZodeXG8t8xMKuLUzxGJT4JsmkhPgJguS0HoTxBUV50EMlHntw9veZSmWFP37WgmJ2G_-ZEZbJG-xu03kh9YxBer4ZEvJySAQIlVSNkWyd8UPRxQb5R4FFrPYrqV/s1151/july21-1c1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="377" height="1327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxC_v69R2UFFzrDLcaWf5PZ8jPNQfjJY85lGcJweeq3uQGE-WAFQXPzsT5hFRXfnPSZodeXG8t8xMKuLUzxGJT4JsmkhPgJguS0HoTxBUV50EMlHntw9veZSmWFP37WgmJ2G_-ZEZbJG-xu03kh9YxBer4ZEvJySAQIlVSNkWyd8UPRxQb5R4FFrPYrqV/w435-h1327/july21-1c1.jpeg" width="435" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXewwAmUAu-gtFRci_xel7hY6QNJ2evi-QvCAShkQfOHcUnODe6s19IVthyaYmOikU2xiKHLp5gqJ0nd-cuCrJcwlMDPz4PWSr8F8NgUlmbdJXgiu_Lx5YrgkqS-DcbUHjpiSxJg4WwqYZpW8t2YSSomVxdRDcDaQoPNGG5UHJsf-M1ESo9pEaR9yG1973/s730/july21-1c2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="395" height="802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXewwAmUAu-gtFRci_xel7hY6QNJ2evi-QvCAShkQfOHcUnODe6s19IVthyaYmOikU2xiKHLp5gqJ0nd-cuCrJcwlMDPz4PWSr8F8NgUlmbdJXgiu_Lx5YrgkqS-DcbUHjpiSxJg4WwqYZpW8t2YSSomVxdRDcDaQoPNGG5UHJsf-M1ESo9pEaR9yG1973/w434-h802/july21-1c2.jpeg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEzSPSi86Iy3Q-DTlDS9HzQB0aLyCb0ahE2Dc9OHY4hWov2dCJCZNYHqRjRk2apDAoVp6YDoGB8xIZy-nX6UuqhC9qYi8pMlRAR83_msI6hV7JQ4nQM7-qZ3ncBQU7Y_Hs_npC3Hf2xKlnwaR2VBhAUY1k9VWpDRGp84GQikMaERtrNt75HnQ5BbjcbGo/s580/U.S._Sicily_invasion_map_580x408.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="580" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEzSPSi86Iy3Q-DTlDS9HzQB0aLyCb0ahE2Dc9OHY4hWov2dCJCZNYHqRjRk2apDAoVp6YDoGB8xIZy-nX6UuqhC9qYi8pMlRAR83_msI6hV7JQ4nQM7-qZ3ncBQU7Y_Hs_npC3Hf2xKlnwaR2VBhAUY1k9VWpDRGp84GQikMaERtrNt75HnQ5BbjcbGo/w664-h467/U.S._Sicily_invasion_map_580x408.jpg" width="664" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Note the front line, south of Catania, as of July 23</div><div style="text-align: center;">Map as found at '<a href="https://ww2days.com/operation-husky-july-10-to-august-17-1943.html">The Daily Chronicles, WWII'</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The news article continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NxFSNaMWqOSqcBwPaZFdmG-kqPlDgDnlkgs66l2bRexPThCD3R6Wc2uHjllmlAxlKfpLTjk3n5sNg2UCNJB8tv-ki3w9tucrmhLPVF-1ZazVN9aqCf3a6yBnmUQxyY5wkRh0v-X3Y2km46_RkAc9tXCqkNdifeOUd-y5pJww5nvNjMiFLtxxUOAvExRz/s688/july21-1c3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="471" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NxFSNaMWqOSqcBwPaZFdmG-kqPlDgDnlkgs66l2bRexPThCD3R6Wc2uHjllmlAxlKfpLTjk3n5sNg2UCNJB8tv-ki3w9tucrmhLPVF-1ZazVN9aqCf3a6yBnmUQxyY5wkRh0v-X3Y2km46_RkAc9tXCqkNdifeOUd-y5pJww5nvNjMiFLtxxUOAvExRz/w434-h634/july21-1c3.jpeg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbL0FVxl9pF-gjFp4rITjI0giP1lvFtmfIS8tqQC-Avz6Degx2UHeHmgUcbsJi85CaU8mnQ7XPdbXTUw7-Woa1WfpfzILgo8rZTZT5lWSG4jVkwzJsko9nCQW3Nb2tDd0BfIfBsgyI_A1aE4P9RPA11d34A9q28z1comWVZTM2HAxHDLN6XopBUEpuuxRJ/s926/july21-1c4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="367" height="1098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbL0FVxl9pF-gjFp4rITjI0giP1lvFtmfIS8tqQC-Avz6Degx2UHeHmgUcbsJi85CaU8mnQ7XPdbXTUw7-Woa1WfpfzILgo8rZTZT5lWSG4jVkwzJsko9nCQW3Nb2tDd0BfIfBsgyI_A1aE4P9RPA11d34A9q28z1comWVZTM2HAxHDLN6XopBUEpuuxRJ/w435-h1098/july21-1c4.jpeg" width="435" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="410" height="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxYJck7_QBkKXEf8XOLGmfqwN2eVk2SWieTV7NPyxnaZerU8k9tM73US0pwdNpfGHL46pzgWqF764Gclk4fkkSFFshqfObkjrXECJGjz_wK21Misq6Cm81f11EVGyzdrf9oLN0QC8PC-AagW1CKVtIEX9othUwfoNFOO6lJgoApMejzUcUGcVyrxPm0su/w435-h838/july21-1c6.jpeg" width="435" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxmRD0mZGK44SNd3E90oL0_u1Lj9VWQHYnWTj3vnpMEo7QTGIPATu0W47MFvfE6Gn6RqyHAUYH5t43iL79_ttGOsfBL1YCduPcg-pDsutkjlusrAbibgeulU0D5H1PPyMeYa55lWTEwqDkQifgmiVdAVxDjShEpB6CUEq3SsOCYuWPvPGBV5PWoCYR9-t/s1141/july21-1d1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="358" height="1031" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxmRD0mZGK44SNd3E90oL0_u1Lj9VWQHYnWTj3vnpMEo7QTGIPATu0W47MFvfE6Gn6RqyHAUYH5t43iL79_ttGOsfBL1YCduPcg-pDsutkjlusrAbibgeulU0D5H1PPyMeYa55lWTEwqDkQifgmiVdAVxDjShEpB6CUEq3SsOCYuWPvPGBV5PWoCYR9-t/w322-h1031/july21-1d1.jpeg" width="322" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJV-WcseBAljrhA8NDh3auUZ-2pteHtOsTGqmOpdi4ZkpTIOYSWTN2GYfLcYUBmwHct2PCr39nw-pRyagMMj9Yi7NSrOC0b2XFMumQ0p2baNsEJ9mBuu8m604Lhi9OzZvGt8Tp9FQHOZhb6dOZktBbm53JThjSpiN8ZRkXTc2_wgTeYU3KSWFbQ9x9GcJ/s497/july21-1d2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="497" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJV-WcseBAljrhA8NDh3auUZ-2pteHtOsTGqmOpdi4ZkpTIOYSWTN2GYfLcYUBmwHct2PCr39nw-pRyagMMj9Yi7NSrOC0b2XFMumQ0p2baNsEJ9mBuu8m604Lhi9OzZvGt8Tp9FQHOZhb6dOZktBbm53JThjSpiN8ZRkXTc2_wgTeYU3KSWFbQ9x9GcJ/w322-h242/july21-1d2.jpeg" width="322" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7zjHAweszueL4HMA9l6sPSMg_Vv_Jv-LRvSbuChEYtufHlgvhI1YrQ9mi33d0fLRMusUCVfqRC60_mkkMDYsPT8UfbESXMf5PhAXjJB1w_SeiNthADOQ71OJbH9lTBxHjx-4ZDKAKeG_8eeziLlZRdlnRHARb25APtNmSt71Ifl-uJ0F5E-hRxamWXMf/s519/july21-1d3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="383" height="437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7zjHAweszueL4HMA9l6sPSMg_Vv_Jv-LRvSbuChEYtufHlgvhI1YrQ9mi33d0fLRMusUCVfqRC60_mkkMDYsPT8UfbESXMf5PhAXjJB1w_SeiNthADOQ71OJbH9lTBxHjx-4ZDKAKeG_8eeziLlZRdlnRHARb25APtNmSt71Ifl-uJ0F5E-hRxamWXMf/w322-h437/july21-1d3.jpeg" width="322" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul4nUd3ybVq80nsJUXSyi4Ekdgcr6Z-2NG1CwqINs5I8ksxzAhsspMVQbNw0Q_TNcQxM2qqDJDUi4XjTjWU2-IgJ8gQq8nBaOh2A6JHGfRYuyqVFjtYd6HPkcD_m23-PxFTQIxER6ybXTeisU-nRXCJsrbKrOfDRGE4v9VAkX4rJgcPHsa3y2GJZ7NMuc/s1085/july21-1d4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="354" height="993" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul4nUd3ybVq80nsJUXSyi4Ekdgcr6Z-2NG1CwqINs5I8ksxzAhsspMVQbNw0Q_TNcQxM2qqDJDUi4XjTjWU2-IgJ8gQq8nBaOh2A6JHGfRYuyqVFjtYd6HPkcD_m23-PxFTQIxER6ybXTeisU-nRXCJsrbKrOfDRGE4v9VAkX4rJgcPHsa3y2GJZ7NMuc/w322-h993/july21-1d4.jpeg" width="322" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>More About the Bombing of Rome in World War II</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">On July 19, 1943, during Operation Crosspoint,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Rome_in_World_War_II#cite_note-9">[9]</a> Rome was bombed again, more heavily, by 521 Allied planes, with three targets, causing thousands of civilian casualties (estimates range between 1,600 and 3,200 victims).<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Rome_in_World_War_II#cite_note-auto1-10">[10]</a> After the raid, Pius XII, along with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Paul_VI">Msgr. Montini</a> (the future Pope Paul VI), travelled to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Lorenzo_fuori_le_Mura">Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls</a>, which had been badly damaged, and distributed 2 million lire to the crowds.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Rome_in_World_War_II#cite_note-11">[11]</a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Rome_in_World_War_II#cite_note-12">[12]</a> Between 11 a.m. and 12 noon, 150 Allied <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-17_Flying_Fortresses">B-17 Flying Fortresses</a> attacked the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartiere_San_Lorenzo">San Lorenzo</a> freight yard and steel factory. In the afternoon, the second target was the "Scalo del Littorio" on the northern side of Rome. The third target was the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciampino_Airport">Ciampino Airport</a>, on south-east side of Rome.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0ybT7dfdiomI8BgeyEbpTHBXqvDKia7lXIIN_GWQH3WHdHYOcDGO3O1KEolc8zm9kpYy8950ft7RUYEFz4_x2Dst4AmGLTDBlDjGh7vxDEzEd2RrMRjs21A2CY-68QNusvlvlYxSlE0v7cPNAQdpw8jgx2eu54OdMKR9CGSlCe9RLljVfY-XTOGz03mN/s792/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-476-2094-17A,_Italien,_Rom,_zersto%CC%88rtes_Geba%CC%88ude.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="792" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0ybT7dfdiomI8BgeyEbpTHBXqvDKia7lXIIN_GWQH3WHdHYOcDGO3O1KEolc8zm9kpYy8950ft7RUYEFz4_x2Dst4AmGLTDBlDjGh7vxDEzEd2RrMRjs21A2CY-68QNusvlvlYxSlE0v7cPNAQdpw8jgx2eu54OdMKR9CGSlCe9RLljVfY-XTOGz03mN/w662-h418/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-476-2094-17A,_Italien,_Rom,_zersto%CC%88rtes_Geba%CC%88ude.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On July 19, 1943, during Operation Crosspoint, Rome was bombed again...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Propaganda inscription on the wall translated as "Work of the Liberators"</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source - Wikipedia, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Rome_in_World_War_II July 19, 1943">Bombing of Rome</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The article, <b>Rome Crippled as Transit Hub</b>, from <b>The (Montreal) Gazette</b> continues:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8wAkobFRukcPkl3kuVeGlQ_s0ra1F7kz0RVt62BbB_zkux-NfgVEbMRq8Gf1ZteEt66xIiuaL_UJBJxgPGwmg_f6wx1PL6ItplMBRHFbTYJkqaffOQln8YxDFm6edJvMupucSRkFO0CvrCfnqu9r6HtPUOubRhVZz_oFrVo3san8lN7Av_oZNS74Milz/s482/july21-1d5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="482" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8wAkobFRukcPkl3kuVeGlQ_s0ra1F7kz0RVt62BbB_zkux-NfgVEbMRq8Gf1ZteEt66xIiuaL_UJBJxgPGwmg_f6wx1PL6ItplMBRHFbTYJkqaffOQln8YxDFm6edJvMupucSRkFO0CvrCfnqu9r6HtPUOubRhVZz_oFrVo3san8lN7Av_oZNS74Milz/w322-h126/july21-1d5.jpeg" width="322" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ1hbPEalKzswoZB5Hg0_O69AcZ_3NYRvfsj3TynBKXw5TmeKaXdQ-Eb5YvEqz4h90HiIHoWaN7nTz1beeBKWpIGlJkiOsOkZPcHfR-tmCqwNHNLjicmsgWuh8Zdslm4gCVhNa6UOT0oyty3XhlYOee1W6nSJWFGXeKfTZpvxcZCBvAru1ZdDEKs9W45u/s970/july21-1d6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="366" height="855" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ1hbPEalKzswoZB5Hg0_O69AcZ_3NYRvfsj3TynBKXw5TmeKaXdQ-Eb5YvEqz4h90HiIHoWaN7nTz1beeBKWpIGlJkiOsOkZPcHfR-tmCqwNHNLjicmsgWuh8Zdslm4gCVhNa6UOT0oyty3XhlYOee1W6nSJWFGXeKfTZpvxcZCBvAru1ZdDEKs9W45u/w322-h855/july21-1d6.jpeg" width="322" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-6kXYIVGagl5dKS0iVbUOGi9dt-BxAxyM7o_KB92vWk1Inns83WLFlMOZRshATcnGj-oN8tRPXPA9hjmP8vkcnIkldWBTGybyPGH9Xn2VmaCJ8e5Vrd4QZCG_39aG8nXwb3xxRXx3SOKBMpVhBWxrfmu5ftGs-KIMbVwRiPNRGmKQbJof5zs6Rbbg0AV/s460/july21-1d7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="460" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-6kXYIVGagl5dKS0iVbUOGi9dt-BxAxyM7o_KB92vWk1Inns83WLFlMOZRshATcnGj-oN8tRPXPA9hjmP8vkcnIkldWBTGybyPGH9Xn2VmaCJ8e5Vrd4QZCG_39aG8nXwb3xxRXx3SOKBMpVhBWxrfmu5ftGs-KIMbVwRiPNRGmKQbJof5zs6Rbbg0AV/w323-h266/july21-1d7.jpeg" width="323" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5y3lU4FFiPGRB8VHggT-wz0tPNlu0UTA1BsEq2_wTXOTpA2jJInz2UPL87JdzKzfpY9J5ZTW4u1iZHxvYJPH0rMo4MkR2sdD_jbLjEkdGIBGz-iU5EdxYKf16iza4W3CtTSXeVgeY2CsdSfukDHGo9D0IGnnVWdw6jh-gCqNZ3dsneSdZ9VBpEipQYguh/s582/july21-1d8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="481" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5y3lU4FFiPGRB8VHggT-wz0tPNlu0UTA1BsEq2_wTXOTpA2jJInz2UPL87JdzKzfpY9J5ZTW4u1iZHxvYJPH0rMo4MkR2sdD_jbLjEkdGIBGz-iU5EdxYKf16iza4W3CtTSXeVgeY2CsdSfukDHGo9D0IGnnVWdw6jh-gCqNZ3dsneSdZ9VBpEipQYguh/w322-h390/july21-1d8.jpeg" width="322" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Modern Day Photographs of Catania</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>By G. Harrison, September 2023</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HwGCfalLA_kSJLb7aJYJ03wFjekBKmvQlPxSGX93sdOhO-Mf6pEcEAZHhjsK0vv86sp5YztytfS09QW_WTJIZOx0f1aJ1DbEO-ZLFTkQc8RS82OImXybVeFiebifyYZ8ohyznJJfdhJ1iH0B7U0uz-H-XZu6wQTCXAxCr39d8WxSPYMuG9SZn5HkpqkU/s4032/IMG_0810.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HwGCfalLA_kSJLb7aJYJ03wFjekBKmvQlPxSGX93sdOhO-Mf6pEcEAZHhjsK0vv86sp5YztytfS09QW_WTJIZOx0f1aJ1DbEO-ZLFTkQc8RS82OImXybVeFiebifyYZ8ohyznJJfdhJ1iH0B7U0uz-H-XZu6wQTCXAxCr39d8WxSPYMuG9SZn5HkpqkU/w959-h720/IMG_0810.jpeg" width="959" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Museum of Allied Landings in Sicily, 1943</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDE_rYLKELi0d7O5Cbwjif0t74JrfuzEIQf-Lf5JbY3OwoaHKij1jJRQVmsafK4GBcSW3uDTAvKpFpvIXC9XavxDwfG2Egz_ZVMynaKjVDN3y8d92-D6TtWsOZ4-Nl841HPLZnzW4ZRVrx0d_PSBNFGnVZhZPTOx9hoEmhmGHTeFh5jXJva84cNzoWi4SA/s3994/IMG_0811.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2650" data-original-width="3994" height="545" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDE_rYLKELi0d7O5Cbwjif0t74JrfuzEIQf-Lf5JbY3OwoaHKij1jJRQVmsafK4GBcSW3uDTAvKpFpvIXC9XavxDwfG2Egz_ZVMynaKjVDN3y8d92-D6TtWsOZ4-Nl841HPLZnzW4ZRVrx0d_PSBNFGnVZhZPTOx9hoEmhmGHTeFh5jXJva84cNzoWi4SA/w823-h545/IMG_0811.jpeg" width="823" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Preparation for Landing, July 1943 (U.S. troops near Gela?)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">A landing craft, mechanised (LCM) is preparing to load up.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Note 'Jacob's ladders' (i.e. ropes) for climbing up or down</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cKNfKkjoMnhwthd4G-xrxg4DSqxs-4AsYKtifdge5H2_ov6amBvw8MjlHAk_4mmakOmADDvqI6bntOiXQa-pEYqX7ndstspJtll1oiJkEhCQ7qEel36sK1n7WB9fg4-yuYUbEO-7kG2Z0E2DFROWYpymdlz4_NmlaHngJbb9FfBSvkkgYh9Zbywr8OSN/s3515/IMG_0812.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2509" data-original-width="3515" height="585" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cKNfKkjoMnhwthd4G-xrxg4DSqxs-4AsYKtifdge5H2_ov6amBvw8MjlHAk_4mmakOmADDvqI6bntOiXQa-pEYqX7ndstspJtll1oiJkEhCQ7qEel36sK1n7WB9fg4-yuYUbEO-7kG2Z0E2DFROWYpymdlz4_NmlaHngJbb9FfBSvkkgYh9Zbywr8OSN/w821-h585/IMG_0812.jpeg" width="821" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oran, Algeria 1942 (Canadians in Combined Ops handled landing</div><div style="text-align: center;">crafts with U.S. and British troops east of Oran, Nov. 1942)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME2kfvB32ga_mHjzPDuBMSrFufXSyB51hs6IvR5QZcbASdkbL-u-HxMxv1ki5sF4nfME-9w0Nwmdo2F7WtJhdbpvZtKYILU2nEuppEXlBK5F2VEY8Vx5sipttVnU7L0Wo5EZPFammZqgAvT29c2rV-yDYEMgh7maf8EXkxdl1sbjYaA6w7gVJncYnCmTo/s4032/IMG_0813.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="615" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME2kfvB32ga_mHjzPDuBMSrFufXSyB51hs6IvR5QZcbASdkbL-u-HxMxv1ki5sF4nfME-9w0Nwmdo2F7WtJhdbpvZtKYILU2nEuppEXlBK5F2VEY8Vx5sipttVnU7L0Wo5EZPFammZqgAvT29c2rV-yDYEMgh7maf8EXkxdl1sbjYaA6w7gVJncYnCmTo/w820-h615/IMG_0813.jpeg" width="820" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">LIFE Magazine (Aug. 2, 1943) on display in the Museum of Allied Landings</div><div style="text-align: center;">U.S. reconn photo depicts where Canadian Flotillas of landing crafts (the 80th</div><div style="text-align: center;">and 81st) served Monty's British 8th Army from July 10 - August 7, 1943.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfzDLhFBygRCpPa9gaMrAsoJsSYaQPCaUhwES1xl59tZIVlHD0GEgfjokBs-YjPmK057GGfNa2s98MYld1Kvn5cNn_3G9EuJ7E6PY4k0M-bBim4PDqPjmJ5FIw-ySr30TwjTPtNPypwb8b0n1ubPrMqTKDFOogS9d7j7ugVDFK3cMDdV0DN_fFYE1vXkH/s1891/IMG_0814.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1891" height="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfzDLhFBygRCpPa9gaMrAsoJsSYaQPCaUhwES1xl59tZIVlHD0GEgfjokBs-YjPmK057GGfNa2s98MYld1Kvn5cNn_3G9EuJ7E6PY4k0M-bBim4PDqPjmJ5FIw-ySr30TwjTPtNPypwb8b0n1ubPrMqTKDFOogS9d7j7ugVDFK3cMDdV0DN_fFYE1vXkH/w820-h461/IMG_0814.jpeg" width="820" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the museum, a detailed map of GEORGE Sector (80th Flotilla). Good</div><div style="text-align: center;">reconnaissance by <a href="https://www.coppsurvey.uk/july-1943">Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP)</a> perhaps?</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHNObcNyNvqQpcodALeEo7T8pfN8tA9x3r_Yl3E4buBCvk3cvbeGeste9G9iinKidJ0fMV1qwxwNXY6uHrH_J_WsmwkzDobo95JI8S5Wopkgy_1n7X0_h6QaZI68F6b0SGWuVELUL2Q59WRHX0Y8nnRO5ai-7MbBh4TpGh54i-o570RLml2jZJBmy5oLL/s6000/IMG_0815.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="545" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHNObcNyNvqQpcodALeEo7T8pfN8tA9x3r_Yl3E4buBCvk3cvbeGeste9G9iinKidJ0fMV1qwxwNXY6uHrH_J_WsmwkzDobo95JI8S5Wopkgy_1n7X0_h6QaZI68F6b0SGWuVELUL2Q59WRHX0Y8nnRO5ai-7MbBh4TpGh54i-o570RLml2jZJBmy5oLL/w819-h545/IMG_0815.jpeg" width="819" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This street points toward Mt. Etna, so I was told while enjoying a cold beer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j_PqAOibHyp1Gu1eRjesVbric3_6JmFuqEQu68oXPCYYWHmWVGQ0gTRTI4V5KlLbYXDF35hM0KacVRfkLqvOvM9I4gUCYrMgK4Oqu2SJG0IbGep7X8_XHNnWPeY7wyeNumM0rrYWKJqkpozRoIO_DQRyFAr3TR69gleAZYECEaehYz5uzkUPEFesrSnp/s4032/IMG_0816.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j_PqAOibHyp1Gu1eRjesVbric3_6JmFuqEQu68oXPCYYWHmWVGQ0gTRTI4V5KlLbYXDF35hM0KacVRfkLqvOvM9I4gUCYrMgK4Oqu2SJG0IbGep7X8_XHNnWPeY7wyeNumM0rrYWKJqkpozRoIO_DQRyFAr3TR69gleAZYECEaehYz5uzkUPEFesrSnp/w819-h614/IMG_0816.jpeg" width="819" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the Villa de Romeo Hotel I always felt I was being watched!</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ihJuM642mp-_0EOAsgO7WfbO2iJVKv05AIqMS0Xdqw_aLvq4v1GIj_iarpF4uSeBvccUOaWP8psGPVibb2qKR4Y2sgWu8VrzeHOqgrhPmgmggis8blAMcJA3DGrerBAtb6Bz17446Nu_gFxTEG5GlGzKIHqzaWRxbgwhR_cttXFEXRkfnWT0Bm4c4VJ_/s3574/IMG_0817.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="3574" height="585" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ihJuM642mp-_0EOAsgO7WfbO2iJVKv05AIqMS0Xdqw_aLvq4v1GIj_iarpF4uSeBvccUOaWP8psGPVibb2qKR4Y2sgWu8VrzeHOqgrhPmgmggis8blAMcJA3DGrerBAtb6Bz17446Nu_gFxTEG5GlGzKIHqzaWRxbgwhR_cttXFEXRkfnWT0Bm4c4VJ_/w818-h585/IMG_0817.jpeg" width="818" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicieTQxrn93BGXtXeQu5Zn5m9fts0cUi4rvCOl4gUjs-cdyLk8rAtWzprsucTwNtCUFQgkx9nFcsFCOLAdOASCVMOfJRlptXOBS5U-FCHFcsUV6ww091yG5lgdsmBeFz_qAWdv2FxrHOmETJNBJVAB0AOYhmsZs0z8PyodzpNHmTImLO2x3UsVro1ryF2C/s2720/IMG_0818.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2720" data-original-width="2640" height="841" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicieTQxrn93BGXtXeQu5Zn5m9fts0cUi4rvCOl4gUjs-cdyLk8rAtWzprsucTwNtCUFQgkx9nFcsFCOLAdOASCVMOfJRlptXOBS5U-FCHFcsUV6ww091yG5lgdsmBeFz_qAWdv2FxrHOmETJNBJVAB0AOYhmsZs0z8PyodzpNHmTImLO2x3UsVro1ryF2C/w817-h841/IMG_0818.jpeg" width="817" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Paul Harrison (left) and his Dad Gord representing Team Canada</div><div style="text-align: center;">at the Villa de Romeo. Photos by GH</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">News clippings from <b>The Gazette</b> continue:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHLJPyYfkcy5ujNAMemmD0v6nqIMYn1WR-dIvJ6Q4fx6BaAtt91aC371mk5kcWil-wiXA6VH5j0PwggxpyDcAVi_z3tuT39jGcqkod5nqt5IRM9CHVOrXyJWBYDxVP0aljV8Bw39vB0ZCB-duLAPX_0h7QXBGnK6vHyACGxdQBr1l2Mr9lxffZhIad4JZ/s1062/july21-1e1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="361" height="1101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHLJPyYfkcy5ujNAMemmD0v6nqIMYn1WR-dIvJ6Q4fx6BaAtt91aC371mk5kcWil-wiXA6VH5j0PwggxpyDcAVi_z3tuT39jGcqkod5nqt5IRM9CHVOrXyJWBYDxVP0aljV8Bw39vB0ZCB-duLAPX_0h7QXBGnK6vHyACGxdQBr1l2Mr9lxffZhIad4JZ/w374-h1101/july21-1e1.jpeg" width="374" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLEYniTOy2lDekcHPlZ2CMcGH5xuXWty1ENqxAY0GO36YJ0xrWHCwz4AZPmdmnmSSRAfDdnMZAlKaumcDUbh0RB-fxA_JiU95VVsTPr02ZqFD6dMZ90WKQwXj_PF_r4LmVzLv1PF5UrsZAS9En5w9cc7l4BJXFqPo5g2QUAzj3dgnfFFb_DpTaw4etK2A/s744/july21-1e2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="443" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLEYniTOy2lDekcHPlZ2CMcGH5xuXWty1ENqxAY0GO36YJ0xrWHCwz4AZPmdmnmSSRAfDdnMZAlKaumcDUbh0RB-fxA_JiU95VVsTPr02ZqFD6dMZ90WKQwXj_PF_r4LmVzLv1PF5UrsZAS9En5w9cc7l4BJXFqPo5g2QUAzj3dgnfFFb_DpTaw4etK2A/w375-h628/july21-1e2.jpeg" width="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM7H1eEIDy5WENGZcjJkFvgod69kA6tHCtS-GQ0GycRuOQNjcxmD7I4zAJGLgtxk8wDuhSnX6mZsrCE5yTe09OMcwHj80AhwKoRStlJ5HKzGRm2LnyFY4NLoBQ8PJvRqWb-xI8jT6yzAKZWvlOt93WFzg1gNF45tuevbb2zK-UTSFG-F2JqjN5IC9SE7m/s672/july21-1e3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="389" height="648" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM7H1eEIDy5WENGZcjJkFvgod69kA6tHCtS-GQ0GycRuOQNjcxmD7I4zAJGLgtxk8wDuhSnX6mZsrCE5yTe09OMcwHj80AhwKoRStlJ5HKzGRm2LnyFY4NLoBQ8PJvRqWb-xI8jT6yzAKZWvlOt93WFzg1gNF45tuevbb2zK-UTSFG-F2JqjN5IC9SE7m/w375-h648/july21-1e3.jpeg" width="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg2c6r99fmyBG7YOUYMg_JrdfhygTQ4COPAnRyqdAciXMc349VBsPIWKC_a2wLsoXg-PiqznWzA_ZNtXO9UyKsrCCjiN5i01xN7VsMBXQts6ZLKhJZ_ZmppZAn0CVSjRg5SrLZ3KxzGCQMimfBBLEz1g5U0-FggL7T99PmztjhzqrAOJmzcirSvpq26Dm/s625/july21-1e4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="423" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg2c6r99fmyBG7YOUYMg_JrdfhygTQ4COPAnRyqdAciXMc349VBsPIWKC_a2wLsoXg-PiqznWzA_ZNtXO9UyKsrCCjiN5i01xN7VsMBXQts6ZLKhJZ_ZmppZAn0CVSjRg5SrLZ3KxzGCQMimfBBLEz1g5U0-FggL7T99PmztjhzqrAOJmzcirSvpq26Dm/w375-h553/july21-1e4.jpeg" width="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTSTYADhPdMhwlWW3YvpTa4C2e-j-H5TG8VPHt7QrrXZuvRscsTeF1S4Mz5llPLW5B-9fDNVEBD5NoJh2gbZjJ53lFHlBM41MP8LeQujG0TuKSkeFHF2wUr1mxTOoC_fyvUkE_ZmLnd7T9T5_laECqvpEDnTLqFlg7A7jBH7epgh1TSXl5RN9Kt6x8RWH/s1063/july21-1e5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="399" height="997" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTSTYADhPdMhwlWW3YvpTa4C2e-j-H5TG8VPHt7QrrXZuvRscsTeF1S4Mz5llPLW5B-9fDNVEBD5NoJh2gbZjJ53lFHlBM41MP8LeQujG0TuKSkeFHF2wUr1mxTOoC_fyvUkE_ZmLnd7T9T5_laECqvpEDnTLqFlg7A7jBH7epgh1TSXl5RN9Kt6x8RWH/w374-h997/july21-1e5.jpeg" width="374" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihXIN6INQG3WJqHoV5ISDPHsn94g4x0q2234EnKjciBelZnF9K5KGCLkQ0EBmqnS0eCLMApc5VqJ-gU2SCaNSSiBSfv-wG-FHMl3ANkTXKCU3EnUfV_pywxNZvU6r-HaN9yGu8IibPce1judAgHt_AccAMs7ue2-yUhS0J0Ytdq4Ap8rYEsvlRKQeOuy5/s380/july21-1e6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="139" data-original-width="380" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihXIN6INQG3WJqHoV5ISDPHsn94g4x0q2234EnKjciBelZnF9K5KGCLkQ0EBmqnS0eCLMApc5VqJ-gU2SCaNSSiBSfv-wG-FHMl3ANkTXKCU3EnUfV_pywxNZvU6r-HaN9yGu8IibPce1judAgHt_AccAMs7ue2-yUhS0J0Ytdq4Ap8rYEsvlRKQeOuy5/w375-h137/july21-1e6.jpeg" width="375" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldx-G4Vy4Gn76dLk4-2xAYtNs8Y0ErQ5Ccja8zbiwPreRRyAEU-gWwNzY1_Euf-EOg_Kv4XP5kIuOWG0z1KVEXXg3GnQA_zo5sxPf8fIxsR_cITKlDK4q7wbE00lwzZiZz29CMfkS0H9A2HQLIozw7l666P7wa3K2ZU34qlv3Xp0ufJO_C8vPpGn8T2QQ/s1024/twitter-card.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldx-G4Vy4Gn76dLk4-2xAYtNs8Y0ErQ5Ccja8zbiwPreRRyAEU-gWwNzY1_Euf-EOg_Kv4XP5kIuOWG0z1KVEXXg3GnQA_zo5sxPf8fIxsR_cITKlDK4q7wbE00lwzZiZz29CMfkS0H9A2HQLIozw7l666P7wa3K2ZU34qlv3Xp0ufJO_C8vPpGn8T2QQ/w668-h334/twitter-card.jpg" width="668" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Shh." "SHH." Source: <a href="https://yalebooksblog.co.uk/2018/08/14/mussolini-and-hitler-christian-goeschel/">Yale University Press London, Blog</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Iy26qMgXyLZ4EO_SUZvoAHv-I2Vnhh7P0Uh9LmD8SyZ7yvBYon7lF40IFDf99FeM5LAFBJS7fPACvwLf4VA041AFEi6xBOw3Tn3e1v2WM7JoMGAJr6zu0snL8LubfIoAbGseZ7nq4HIVUE0Qfd_FkF98JaftLNpRwtzJk1869KN4YTWYJmcKEvo9wET5/s800/july21-1f.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="445" height="917" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Iy26qMgXyLZ4EO_SUZvoAHv-I2Vnhh7P0Uh9LmD8SyZ7yvBYon7lF40IFDf99FeM5LAFBJS7fPACvwLf4VA041AFEi6xBOw3Tn3e1v2WM7JoMGAJr6zu0snL8LubfIoAbGseZ7nq4HIVUE0Qfd_FkF98JaftLNpRwtzJk1869KN4YTWYJmcKEvo9wET5/w510-h917/july21-1f.jpeg" width="510" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For those who wonder how films can be used in an invasion....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9XB3FAcqj5uFuCoeYveGmIy3UtjvImavfhCv9BPpE1oNX9tbJHmxU4h5P-kFpghmquzutVwwzFHMEVsHDeIyUT8jjxLpZjnsfBfUXVbyUqBW_tyJrDZLqKK7qbOtPRYT5Pj-UGtQexeJmQC9ACe1Y6S5dJju7gF6cNzEtTY4w0yPwXK6f9-08PQwRSAL/s1064/july21-1h1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="326" height="1542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9XB3FAcqj5uFuCoeYveGmIy3UtjvImavfhCv9BPpE1oNX9tbJHmxU4h5P-kFpghmquzutVwwzFHMEVsHDeIyUT8jjxLpZjnsfBfUXVbyUqBW_tyJrDZLqKK7qbOtPRYT5Pj-UGtQexeJmQC9ACe1Y6S5dJju7gF6cNzEtTY4w0yPwXK6f9-08PQwRSAL/w472-h1542/july21-1h1.jpeg" width="472" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZ6CZICuUlfS6jzANsgcIvIKlhQlpbl5AkdEYM3T1obEAp2j5RNev9fMpM4dJDLHWgRFZqLxQh5J7wAP8MhJhSBHh6W5z4mdt2rUVER_6o5hT0iSr1DMSzMQ_6XXuzksXtYdFxidCAfucKLPHTXZQn_oc5XItJAfAwIPMiKtE-3VeLv0Tn-OLBcRuiMNk/s486/july21-1h2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="483" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZ6CZICuUlfS6jzANsgcIvIKlhQlpbl5AkdEYM3T1obEAp2j5RNev9fMpM4dJDLHWgRFZqLxQh5J7wAP8MhJhSBHh6W5z4mdt2rUVER_6o5hT0iSr1DMSzMQ_6XXuzksXtYdFxidCAfucKLPHTXZQn_oc5XItJAfAwIPMiKtE-3VeLv0Tn-OLBcRuiMNk/w472-h475/july21-1h2.jpeg" width="472" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And if Betty Grable's film isn't available, how about "Casablanca?"</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_q99NUvaIfkjy4Jb_Bprv7rBxOAI6eEee3e_duOt3PeKsymPS4WvLJ71h4aF2vJplB0ZwjS9oPGMfFmyd9RVOfMrG1k_WbviocHoYBcWcplYpnX5JVGTSJI_6zsGY9oA_96KOh-r4YvjqKbfq73kPKnDvo4-P9pUILRVD6YX-7Dks_OYiVmDPo8vB_Mr/s1099/july21-1i.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="563" height="1064" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_q99NUvaIfkjy4Jb_Bprv7rBxOAI6eEee3e_duOt3PeKsymPS4WvLJ71h4aF2vJplB0ZwjS9oPGMfFmyd9RVOfMrG1k_WbviocHoYBcWcplYpnX5JVGTSJI_6zsGY9oA_96KOh-r4YvjqKbfq73kPKnDvo4-P9pUILRVD6YX-7Dks_OYiVmDPo8vB_Mr/w546-h1064/july21-1i.jpeg" width="546" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Glen Miller and his orchestra, mentioned on the above movie advert, was very much welcomed in Sicily. Yes, Glen made the rounds with Canadian sailors (just not in person). My father writes:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;"> Just another little sidelight. We had acquired a portable record player in a green round box with an ample supply of records by Artie Shaw, Glen Miller, Vaughn Munroe and Tommy Dorsey. We had to wind it by crank* and we cranked it so much we broke the handle. Then we had to spin the record with our index finger. It was quite a chore to get the correct speed but with time we achieved it. How I wish I had that record player and records today. <u style="font-weight: bold;">"Dad, Well Done",</u> page 34</div></span><div><br /></div><div>*Good thing the record player could be operated "by crank." There was no hydro in the 'cattle cave' in which the Canadian sailors stayed for about 3 weeks while operating landing crafts at GEORGE Beach. Map of the beach (at modern day Fontane Bianche south of Syracuse, Sicily, appears next as found at "Allied Landings of Sicily, 1943" Museum at Catania:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LMx4AbVhDzeuOceOLBOOBWWoRtO655Pjia5cnqEjwpH_qPRHDQJR2KfvBl_XpGPtvHhqO8C6L7z8cJdGrq6bld8-fXW98lVT3eCanZLrOsyYSAOfvS9kd2fVaOmeNPdD0jvoASSRICFSOc0U1OlBmmUCmDyJplBGXBQYAR4zotXmkSh0_B2Ki_5hwUTE/s740/grottazze.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="740" height="555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LMx4AbVhDzeuOceOLBOOBWWoRtO655Pjia5cnqEjwpH_qPRHDQJR2KfvBl_XpGPtvHhqO8C6L7z8cJdGrq6bld8-fXW98lVT3eCanZLrOsyYSAOfvS9kd2fVaOmeNPdD0jvoASSRICFSOc0U1OlBmmUCmDyJplBGXBQYAR4zotXmkSh0_B2Ki_5hwUTE/w662-h555/grottazze.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Email editor at '<i>gordh7700@gmail.com</i>' for more details about Canadian</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">sailors and their cattle cave abode during Operation HUSKY. GH</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTt_QrwH7M5r540UKxW-z2m4sqCtWb09wplNiSaS-0Mwfb_dyTYGBpHXUWkzQMoZrI1RLLTGH_t32NNIuzYZMqQMSL40BB5nTHPVVSpc_kIxjk-gSwRFjfAI4zGqOcrLAQ4EiBD_8dx8LpYQo70ZcYeidgYHmvXVcKyq1I6J8kVOCgF-1Hdg1VRu_ZLrLi/s1162/july21-1j.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1162" height="855" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTt_QrwH7M5r540UKxW-z2m4sqCtWb09wplNiSaS-0Mwfb_dyTYGBpHXUWkzQMoZrI1RLLTGH_t32NNIuzYZMqQMSL40BB5nTHPVVSpc_kIxjk-gSwRFjfAI4zGqOcrLAQ4EiBD_8dx8LpYQo70ZcYeidgYHmvXVcKyq1I6J8kVOCgF-1Hdg1VRu_ZLrLi/w943-h855/july21-1j.jpeg" width="943" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Shortly after returning to Canada on leave in December, 1943, my father was interviewed by The Brantford Expositor. He said the following about the importance of receiving mail from friends and family:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">“Anybody who has relatives overseas should write lots of letters,” he advised. “The Canadian boys like to get mail. It’s as welcome as pay day - in fact, in Italy it’s even more welcome because they can’t spend money there.” Memoirs, page 124</span><br /><br />Nazi atrocities abound!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYMbkp8UajqRDwPI3rrinjon5uUS2C9BtVQQAdfaMQJqJKp9x81-wyM71yflpJNhJfx6pWdjr8pkpJNRrSdLzNguDICYqdkwOPO1KPAFxDQntKMuu0V9jfOe_xLpZ0e6IakSkcN6T7L_sZEP53bBce-yeYyEogURZnn9RddvK38UOVKmtRa5lYNMMmx3N/s1601/july21-2a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1601" data-original-width="745" height="1420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYMbkp8UajqRDwPI3rrinjon5uUS2C9BtVQQAdfaMQJqJKp9x81-wyM71yflpJNhJfx6pWdjr8pkpJNRrSdLzNguDICYqdkwOPO1KPAFxDQntKMuu0V9jfOe_xLpZ0e6IakSkcN6T7L_sZEP53bBce-yeYyEogURZnn9RddvK38UOVKmtRa5lYNMMmx3N/w661-h1420/july21-2a.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I attended a book launch recently (November 2023), came home with the book below, about a young boy who survived "the twentieth-century Nazi genocide of the Jews of Europe" while risking his life to feed his family.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfaCKeUNoBoSKwn2_0xwvwlezrASG5osTqBEefuffi7J8B28CfF_NNSU8cATSDSlvm-Tmg4J8ecogJucs_RCMnigtg1OR2cmWlSH70C_BCVflaRArBcZSuGtKH6XFXlZstRDpjpQbREqzL65gu-rHyB9cn7ulWAuycjA1gY-FuAoI5_3wS0GueV0ROJ-B/s3679/IMG_1072.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3679" data-original-width="2499" height="976" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfaCKeUNoBoSKwn2_0xwvwlezrASG5osTqBEefuffi7J8B28CfF_NNSU8cATSDSlvm-Tmg4J8ecogJucs_RCMnigtg1OR2cmWlSH70C_BCVflaRArBcZSuGtKH6XFXlZstRDpjpQbREqzL65gu-rHyB9cn7ulWAuycjA1gY-FuAoI5_3wS0GueV0ROJ-B/w662-h976/IMG_1072.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div>Highly recommended. GH<br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_6xGM3bZQEfi14BgLLIC8UtdD56MMMyhyphenhyphenDSMvNopDnEFWiMDJ5q6-2OZ-O2e7hjqDG0IPftoPtoHIb9DHOC5SfkLuaH20AfmK1zOaDhHg4XiZXpwXrFh2ElPmX8M5W2ZV1ICDVnGVsw0bWsaZEPvu5V1s6q_TJ4Jhd_nw0Xy2vi5aEKWVhyphenhyphenhLocJ10FY/s1321/july21-2b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1321" height="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_6xGM3bZQEfi14BgLLIC8UtdD56MMMyhyphenhyphenDSMvNopDnEFWiMDJ5q6-2OZ-O2e7hjqDG0IPftoPtoHIb9DHOC5SfkLuaH20AfmK1zOaDhHg4XiZXpwXrFh2ElPmX8M5W2ZV1ICDVnGVsw0bWsaZEPvu5V1s6q_TJ4Jhd_nw0Xy2vi5aEKWVhyphenhyphenhLocJ10FY/w944-h850/july21-2b.jpeg" width="944" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The “duck” (DUKW), an army-sponsored vehicle. The DUKW moved on</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">rubber tires ashore and was propeller-driven when afloat. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/DUKW">More info here.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXelQKNdweC-UEmu-4nnkc_9rhpUdqT5tHqrrRdBhghEHnGXKPeJqZv_IPxe4WkG2CUtWLMtivmUUu-lRwlL2fRZWadgO89oqdCe2E4BfW-2jp13v2pJUQJt55_qmPU9Jp5sLOqSZSdNh_vaME6gPKuzvxp-ZYbQpKoUp3aByFGsPLC5LZj1T68qKvmeL/s878/dukw12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="832" height="699" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXelQKNdweC-UEmu-4nnkc_9rhpUdqT5tHqrrRdBhghEHnGXKPeJqZv_IPxe4WkG2CUtWLMtivmUUu-lRwlL2fRZWadgO89oqdCe2E4BfW-2jp13v2pJUQJt55_qmPU9Jp5sLOqSZSdNh_vaME6gPKuzvxp-ZYbQpKoUp3aByFGsPLC5LZj1T68qKvmeL/w662-h699/dukw12.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadian troops in Sicily. "I think this is the clutch!" "Better be, eh!"</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Album 62 (No. 23799), attributed to Stirton (CAFU), August 30, 1943</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Another detailed news column by Canadian war correspondent Ross Munro of the Canadian Press:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9B_jCLPFuOGAIpRKsyAG8YCswYpC8y3Juona5n4tOpkcSjjmzt9B_8OSmCLGKpZ-nQ_KPe6xxcUXcq3CLFsckA5fCgZ-sIcdLn11DbmIw6a5Ng6FAr0N6PnNZDhcHNl3bQwQ2zS54PrHGXKZ-BE19yGo-VOrzFK-wGc_KhsukxMkFyn21Ezaa41eGdWr5/s1066/july21-2c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="705" height="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9B_jCLPFuOGAIpRKsyAG8YCswYpC8y3Juona5n4tOpkcSjjmzt9B_8OSmCLGKpZ-nQ_KPe6xxcUXcq3CLFsckA5fCgZ-sIcdLn11DbmIw6a5Ng6FAr0N6PnNZDhcHNl3bQwQ2zS54PrHGXKZ-BE19yGo-VOrzFK-wGc_KhsukxMkFyn21Ezaa41eGdWr5/w662-h1000/july21-2c.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNvK-YDc4hurhTCqUkGSasJ2ie0VEu7W2Jt_dkbY2oD2l15FhKqG2FeAExHvUMgWRH5HbbD4rUdXScez5iQCoLp3o3AjJgdf0zVgHKmnv3BnBOHv-vj4cR0ngAlOE46KUXYooH2JwcinbDTqK3vJkygd_hzV2AUFSjbTMISMvA48aYUbETPUvJNV132bM/s886/munro1943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="863" height="864" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNvK-YDc4hurhTCqUkGSasJ2ie0VEu7W2Jt_dkbY2oD2l15FhKqG2FeAExHvUMgWRH5HbbD4rUdXScez5iQCoLp3o3AjJgdf0zVgHKmnv3BnBOHv-vj4cR0ngAlOE46KUXYooH2JwcinbDTqK3vJkygd_hzV2AUFSjbTMISMvA48aYUbETPUvJNV132bM/w842-h864/munro1943.jpg" width="842" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Munro is "typing a story in the battle area between Valguarnera and Leonforte,</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Italy in August, 1943. <a href="https://canadianfilmandphotounit.ca/">Canadian Army Film Unit (CAFU)</a> photograph (22816)</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Citizens had to flee their homes - empty handed, without delay - and head to the hills in some cases as Allied troops quickly advanced. "In one deserted picket boat a dinner was cooking on the stove when the British motor gunboat crew boarded it." So then, what's for dinner?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBki5f-ixLmv-heZk7qBhI19Pc7B4mdxOuMn9NTKQW1Lj_Ylcrt_rJhQQX6HTgbqvHGiRD544TPe0x2sLfQLaDyX-N44NmWn80KYmT56zpIAl_ze9f0fYEMaJr42e4CC_C4Kh2UxXyI2nJU_1NgSWW2F2-T16spsrQh3Dz8cjA42lhY1v0JN9iCcXrSKCk/s1099/july21-2d.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="741" height="981" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBki5f-ixLmv-heZk7qBhI19Pc7B4mdxOuMn9NTKQW1Lj_Ylcrt_rJhQQX6HTgbqvHGiRD544TPe0x2sLfQLaDyX-N44NmWn80KYmT56zpIAl_ze9f0fYEMaJr42e4CC_C4Kh2UxXyI2nJU_1NgSWW2F2-T16spsrQh3Dz8cjA42lhY1v0JN9iCcXrSKCk/w662-h981/july21-2d.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPc8eWKZAc2R7kffJD4ZYAD1oYQhyiqOQ-InvPPqBo2J64WXbzQy0zBvjWMz2gmF2lrRN1s4mmyf4BEpIv5yhlq5VIp81ZNbk-y-LgldJst_5Cup4qpcnMed9ausPUgRtGw99S0SGU36JmqGpSayI9JKsrKROZuFDiNNS2t7eAfFjNZMScwtykspej7Yg/s1045/july21-2e1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="372" height="1147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPc8eWKZAc2R7kffJD4ZYAD1oYQhyiqOQ-InvPPqBo2J64WXbzQy0zBvjWMz2gmF2lrRN1s4mmyf4BEpIv5yhlq5VIp81ZNbk-y-LgldJst_5Cup4qpcnMed9ausPUgRtGw99S0SGU36JmqGpSayI9JKsrKROZuFDiNNS2t7eAfFjNZMScwtykspej7Yg/w409-h1147/july21-2e1.jpeg" width="409" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7awCPAJayKEfxulgmEPwQamIZLjx4edDNWin9qXt1T3C9T-wDwZAnRS2OTomA-WNfVDyKYLPtyv-OMYo9go8hcCK9-J6UcVc28t8p1bA7rcEONXRUCxXjUNzIUcl1BB-f4qZgh-3anNsXEB0cy9LCtnZg3t66MTCR8UeUXkM1MzWgywQl0zxQsCwAfKd/s346/july21-2e2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="346" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7awCPAJayKEfxulgmEPwQamIZLjx4edDNWin9qXt1T3C9T-wDwZAnRS2OTomA-WNfVDyKYLPtyv-OMYo9go8hcCK9-J6UcVc28t8p1bA7rcEONXRUCxXjUNzIUcl1BB-f4qZgh-3anNsXEB0cy9LCtnZg3t66MTCR8UeUXkM1MzWgywQl0zxQsCwAfKd/w409-h308/july21-2e2.jpeg" width="409" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>About the Canadian 1st Division - "valiant and successful":</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFX0vTlfffk7VtiExs96_T8on8E1c8ZSc79IsN-mFUrB-W6-KvnPYS1EgbaDsPs9q2QIn0MAowpBHb9uKCg5wSxqzT1FQimctlKVfSq8T_HFAKdHyBD_TA7JHsWLLVyokXg7s6xG6_VQaR76Q4mMw5F6t5_2oWil_g1x3USfEbjCvt0p5-2Eezzf55R44/s1060/july21-2f1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="255" height="1529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFX0vTlfffk7VtiExs96_T8on8E1c8ZSc79IsN-mFUrB-W6-KvnPYS1EgbaDsPs9q2QIn0MAowpBHb9uKCg5wSxqzT1FQimctlKVfSq8T_HFAKdHyBD_TA7JHsWLLVyokXg7s6xG6_VQaR76Q4mMw5F6t5_2oWil_g1x3USfEbjCvt0p5-2Eezzf55R44/w368-h1529/july21-2f1.jpeg" width="368" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Members of the <b>Canadian Army</b> debarked from British landing crafts on the southern coast of Sicily. Meanwhile, members of the <b>Canadian Navy</b> (having volunteered for Combined Operations beginning in December, 1941), manned Canadian flotillas of landing crafts (flotillas 55, 61, 80 and 81) from which Monty's 8th Army debarked beginning July 10 on the eastern shores of Sicily. Significant map follows depicting Allied landing zones:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFOvrXQe3YxWiUW4pXAxTnzKfXoewUumfRBU-V4iGkeOTB6N9kobg9gx3T7aTp6JV8LQetAcZvDW2T6Q31_DNFhnH22f5wfLeWS_Gj2MWlTtyUhQicppkSb_56jWN9JbyoUSss57bO7W4kXlxUvAPraJY-abThuvz4SeVW3m5nOhm_qI7a6jqM_M1LJC_/s1871/IMG_3795.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1871" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFOvrXQe3YxWiUW4pXAxTnzKfXoewUumfRBU-V4iGkeOTB6N9kobg9gx3T7aTp6JV8LQetAcZvDW2T6Q31_DNFhnH22f5wfLeWS_Gj2MWlTtyUhQicppkSb_56jWN9JbyoUSss57bO7W4kXlxUvAPraJY-abThuvz4SeVW3m5nOhm_qI7a6jqM_M1LJC_/w978-h630/IMG_3795.jpeg" width="978" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Canadian troops landed west of Cape Passero (see SE tip of Sicily);</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">four flotillas of Canadian sailors transport British troops and all materials</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of war north and south of Avola</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuvg97rGCnloPGowPjMyeVdPd4euT-SiTJiAzBMnJMn5O9qGtB8lo9fKN2RgntgF2KFsc5ngghKORCpkajySFp5mXODB45dVghHRg-a6ZEw3qaPWHuciNhVsMWOvV_ZUMmyW7kq1toBSRyL7JYH8OsA75U0N8o_AE6ttrozw8kVKwAyOhTub54emmKaiI/s1419/IMG_3302.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1419" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuvg97rGCnloPGowPjMyeVdPd4euT-SiTJiAzBMnJMn5O9qGtB8lo9fKN2RgntgF2KFsc5ngghKORCpkajySFp5mXODB45dVghHRg-a6ZEw3qaPWHuciNhVsMWOvV_ZUMmyW7kq1toBSRyL7JYH8OsA75U0N8o_AE6ttrozw8kVKwAyOhTub54emmKaiI/w662-h552/IMG_3302.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Original edition of <u style="font-weight: bold;">Combined Operations</u> (top left, re the Canadian role in</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Comb Ops) rests beside the draft of the second edition. Creators, Clayton &</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jewell Marks, are from London Ontario Canada</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The news article "Churchill Lauds Canadian Troops" continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrSYNMXF1GXTiRRGRfX16J_cODlJ3l-GwB40m1VlBnHz9RZZbtKYuDtCXsGgP8savQs4bwYNn3wn6svX1VaPCamYtEgul7bebdS6bLTavutf1ou02wztKEdGcQeQ6qqfC6gsxB4r8jlPYb0oYIcxovtd9YACVIfuwKd_WKAySggUPINjZquXDU0Hd011D/s1087/july21-2f2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="362" height="1104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrSYNMXF1GXTiRRGRfX16J_cODlJ3l-GwB40m1VlBnHz9RZZbtKYuDtCXsGgP8savQs4bwYNn3wn6svX1VaPCamYtEgul7bebdS6bLTavutf1ou02wztKEdGcQeQ6qqfC6gsxB4r8jlPYb0oYIcxovtd9YACVIfuwKd_WKAySggUPINjZquXDU0Hd011D/w369-h1104/july21-2f2.jpeg" width="369" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Last column of the day!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZn6Srw4nYRt4CCDFH6lOrOlgOJw4nJxXyi6XFpf4mx26sjpU3Z_JJV50Q2Oyaz_h800utCU1M8pNoLwBPhF0HEKwCB9vG1fELL5LeS1KQRqPdtDQrwEopYOQ7GoB2d_lnjB87zBwyvZVQRNhFqc6aqIusMdlVRfX4IySs9YpdKPWKu0IbjYuhg1jOz8X3/s1075/july21-2g1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="367" height="919" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZn6Srw4nYRt4CCDFH6lOrOlgOJw4nJxXyi6XFpf4mx26sjpU3Z_JJV50Q2Oyaz_h800utCU1M8pNoLwBPhF0HEKwCB9vG1fELL5LeS1KQRqPdtDQrwEopYOQ7GoB2d_lnjB87zBwyvZVQRNhFqc6aqIusMdlVRfX4IySs9YpdKPWKu0IbjYuhg1jOz8X3/w313-h919/july21-2g1.jpeg" width="313" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To read about a Canadian pilot who paid the ultimate price for flying a "little Spitfire" over Italy during WWII, please visit <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2019/11/editors-research-fo-john-anthony-vasicek.html">Editor's Research: FO John Anthony Vasicek RCAF</a>.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8iYb6DMFxoYjnkdckLZ6NwqTpyIsRViuOqfxyu2s7JdlHECdhXhZ7TgEWMzfoHBuGpWC6aJDIRh_IpEwSdYsuMhkCw7dqX4jgLWPzsUx0GxYxmFFqvglExdpT3WfX5mkK3V0kELfssPsXwngNxq7eUFPqiuugz0r52cN9li2B-bZSwA_ZR-JVE9CPBva/s1551/IMG_0780.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1551" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8iYb6DMFxoYjnkdckLZ6NwqTpyIsRViuOqfxyu2s7JdlHECdhXhZ7TgEWMzfoHBuGpWC6aJDIRh_IpEwSdYsuMhkCw7dqX4jgLWPzsUx0GxYxmFFqvglExdpT3WfX5mkK3V0kELfssPsXwngNxq7eUFPqiuugz0r52cN9li2B-bZSwA_ZR-JVE9CPBva/w663-h431/IMG_0780.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooIItV9OUeQWbat1iHnnH9kX6iCHwSOdFjuOd1krqb3wRXY_Q6bT_MW8YPuJyVHsY1QCPtNJ6QO3TwxN3ML6-Wyhl5eO1q99cAzcMTkPoURpBcnRBVHo9eTlxIpvl4rKAJbYt3F3eeoVZ6JKoPBcPP33l8w_8xwhuav14wc3tfwg175uzT_OTnmqv2jNZ/s640/IMG_0784.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="640" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooIItV9OUeQWbat1iHnnH9kX6iCHwSOdFjuOd1krqb3wRXY_Q6bT_MW8YPuJyVHsY1QCPtNJ6QO3TwxN3ML6-Wyhl5eO1q99cAzcMTkPoURpBcnRBVHo9eTlxIpvl4rKAJbYt3F3eeoVZ6JKoPBcPP33l8w_8xwhuav14wc3tfwg175uzT_OTnmqv2jNZ/w662-h459/IMG_0784.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Above 2 photos are from the collection of Charles and Bessie Vasicek</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwxzcGLbPoWiaMKvud_dZGMa4KakiCa9ftuHC4-nZjRWia2KLK_agSfYniEWqdIbP-0nGYFp9hz8Wl1w-Zbu6cuw_NO4vZymUgun23Bd8U4WYR2eyTOZPu9yFvfr3C8V7QDhbOTRiIjNzpaWTvEiyqQefY8ofr-mWhhIEEN7G3m2sgpWnxOieyj9AQ4Zn/s522/IMG_6589.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="510" height="677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwxzcGLbPoWiaMKvud_dZGMa4KakiCa9ftuHC4-nZjRWia2KLK_agSfYniEWqdIbP-0nGYFp9hz8Wl1w-Zbu6cuw_NO4vZymUgun23Bd8U4WYR2eyTOZPu9yFvfr3C8V7QDhbOTRiIjNzpaWTvEiyqQefY8ofr-mWhhIEEN7G3m2sgpWnxOieyj9AQ4Zn/w662-h677/IMG_6589.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">E. J. Harrison (1923 - 2000) lived in Norwich, Ontario. I really </div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">liked calling her 'Ma.' She never complained!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Clapper's Column concludes:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdRWFbnqojAZZayKb1nvVaxSPnJDAK2xVNLUgM511gyvOW8ksO2GPbBBg9eG9tbAUDR-d7dBrQgE4C7Fp_oPvHIjz_5xpfL2TrxkgBInoeG4pT3peimojDYdz7OFZGhdlTRhZiFh-RDMoL8-pPtqEeYnMohj-_PcGszEpa_ObX62xD4GRz_crUJYvsJox/s1155/july21-2g2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="360" height="999" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdRWFbnqojAZZayKb1nvVaxSPnJDAK2xVNLUgM511gyvOW8ksO2GPbBBg9eG9tbAUDR-d7dBrQgE4C7Fp_oPvHIjz_5xpfL2TrxkgBInoeG4pT3peimojDYdz7OFZGhdlTRhZiFh-RDMoL8-pPtqEeYnMohj-_PcGszEpa_ObX62xD4GRz_crUJYvsJox/w312-h999/july21-2g2.jpeg" width="312" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>More will soon follow from <b>The Gazette </b>concerning Operations HUSKY and BAYTOWN.</div><br />Please click here to view <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/10/research-three-months-in-mediterranean_23.html">Research: Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943 (13)</a><div><br /></div><div>Unattributed Photos GH </div></div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-52335675672722073842023-11-11T16:46:00.001-05:002023-11-15T18:46:12.879-05:00Links to Resources: COPP SURVEY (Pilotage Parties) (1)<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 17px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP), Top-Secret, WWII </b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Another Little Known Group Connected to Combined Ops</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1byFXcRuXA0jHi8xJYqMd1feIclk3jHqfl2e7y0OJA8g8pyvNQGrutdVgWE1RBc5VaUMusqpJmPEuJPLheVHi09E0lk6B786Edi_lbQ6lXqpEJ888XOhLUSV6grENU2ApDIHbjLANuuulUw1_W3mI4M_IOdU9NHTuxxNpRg2xxAuIz6oT2tG-i0OXbbTJ/s1200/370847275_621227516879129_713234727470631465_n-1%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1200" height="533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1byFXcRuXA0jHi8xJYqMd1feIclk3jHqfl2e7y0OJA8g8pyvNQGrutdVgWE1RBc5VaUMusqpJmPEuJPLheVHi09E0lk6B786Edi_lbQ6lXqpEJ888XOhLUSV6grENU2ApDIHbjLANuuulUw1_W3mI4M_IOdU9NHTuxxNpRg2xxAuIz6oT2tG-i0OXbbTJ/w953-h533/370847275_621227516879129_713234727470631465_n-1%20copy.jpg" width="953" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Troops and equipment being unloaded on Z Beach near Saint Leu."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.coppsurvey.uk/july-1943">Found at COPP Survey</a>. Source: US National Archives 175738957</div><br /><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />Please note the introductory photograph. Four things stand out. <div><br /></div><div>First, Allied troops have successfully landed on the shores of North Africa beginning early morning November 8, 1942 as part of Operation TORCH. In this case, American "troops and equipment (are) being unloaded on Z Beach," the first major operation U.S. forces participated in with significant numbers during WWII (50 U.S. Rangers had participated in Operation JUBILEE, the Dieppe raid, 11 - 12 weeks earlier).</div><div><br /></div><div>Second, troops and equipment are being transported by Allied LCAs (Landing craft, Assault) and LCMs (Landing Craft, Mechanised) because the beaches are too shallow to accommodate deep-keeled troop ships like the <i>Reina Del Pacifico </i>(see below). And there are no lengthy piers or undamaged docks to accommodate 1,000s of troops and tons of Allied shipping. Thus the need for 100s - eventually 1,000s for future operations - of small landing crafts and crews, and a significant call out to Canada in late 1941 for volunteers for the Combined Operations organization (a planning department related to the British war effort and creator of COPP SURVEY; <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_Operations_Headquarters">click here for more details and list of operations undertaken</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_2f4fTD0px3yF6E-fB4wJkpmd_bVxX_kCW4MM3CoqRYm7KvedFt8LK1LcG-haL8lOAaIcz7PjkdLxm1W1R5h-vlU9XX_dl6u1Dd6PUkXFhkrJmAfX13LyDjTpxuu8KEcXILVg98pO7jvN4hUQdW9GtNAt8EXjhoXPEw0Eh5FjvutLoq_fHq_5LRDfX2G/s577/8881%20copy%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="577" height="597" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_2f4fTD0px3yF6E-fB4wJkpmd_bVxX_kCW4MM3CoqRYm7KvedFt8LK1LcG-haL8lOAaIcz7PjkdLxm1W1R5h-vlU9XX_dl6u1Dd6PUkXFhkrJmAfX13LyDjTpxuu8KEcXILVg98pO7jvN4hUQdW9GtNAt8EXjhoXPEw0Eh5FjvutLoq_fHq_5LRDfX2G/w661-h597/8881%20copy%202.jpg" width="661" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">American troops manning their landing craft assault from a doorway in the</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;">side of the liner REINA DEL PACIFICO. Two of the landing craft are numbered</div><div style="text-align: center;">LCA 428 and LCA 447. Credit - Photographer Lt. F. A. Hudson, @ IWM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Third, my father served in RCNVR and Combined Operations during the landings of American troops and their equipment at Z Beach, near Arzeu (east of Oran) during Operation TORCH. He definitely benefitted from the work of COPPs, Combined Operations Pilotage Parties, though he might have one beef! Oh, hey, that might be him in the top picture!</div><div><br /></div><div>Fortunately, he lived to tell the tale and liked to write things down:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">On November 11 (?), 1942 the <i>Derwentdale</i> dropped anchor off Arzew </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(sic)</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> in North Africa and different ships were distributed at different intervals along the vast coast. My LCM had the leading officer aboard, another seaman besides me, along with a stoker and Coxswain. At around midnight over the sides went the LCMs, ours with a bulldozer and heavy mesh wire, and about 500 feet from shore we ran aground*. When morning came we were still there, as big as life and all alone, while everyone else was working like bees. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From <u style="font-weight: bold;">Dad, Well Done"</u> page 25</span><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*"ran aground," likely upon a sandbar the LCM's coxswain didn't spot or navigate successfully. Maybe the officer on board lost the COPP Survey of the landing site. "Crikey! I hate it when this happens!" my father would have said.**</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div><div>Fourth, last but not least, and on the very positive side, while searching for more information re Operation HUSKY (e.g., googling <a href="https://www.coppsurvey.uk/july-1943">Sicily July 1943</a>) to support recent posts, I found an informative, well-laid-out website, <a href="https://www.coppsurvey.uk/introduction">COPP SURVEY (introduction)</a>, about another relatively small group of men whose contribution likely didn't make many headlines. It was top secret back in the day, had a direct connection to Combined Operations (as did Canadians in Comb. Ops) and was a group my father would have appreciated to no end because they were closely connected to the same landings he participated in during WWII. </div><div><br /></div><div>The website COPP SURVEY shares in depth information about Combined Operations Pilotage Parties, a group whose two main roles are concisely shared on <a href="https://www.coppsurvey.uk/">the site's HOME Page</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>E.g., First, "<span style="font-family: arial;">To carry out covert reconnaissance of enemy-held beaches before a planned amphibious assault."</span></div><div><br /></div><div>This would involve creating maps re the beach's depth and location of defences, as well as taking soil samples. The site's creator, Rob Crane adds, "<span style="font-family: arial;">Nothing would be more embarrassing than seeing your tanks become bogged down in soft sand." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">My father would add, "What about your landing craft!"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">And secondly, on the raid or invasion's D-Day, to give </span><span style="font-family: arial;">"expert navigational assistance to the invasion forces – by piloting in the landing craft"</span><span color="rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.88)" style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 17px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">or by other methods.<br /></span><br /></div><div>I found my way to the MENU heading <b>"Operations Timeline,"</b> then to an entry re <b>July 1943 </b>and was intrigued by the maps of the island's eastern coast (where my father had landed beginning July 10). Some I'd not seen before, others were familiar, still others were very similar to some recent and important discoveries I've made. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gTbJIYnJFNNgBvJ2LtCkG072rtKbipCl0-8r3qLdWkIz0ew0vyhFoWTXHUiOkeC3RSDNRYG0D9JEzjcgtYwd317RwfYEVc2Ta7XGSwk0l1eDA5jfuTl2LAa8Bkc5h4ijqUbrGyFqSsLNy6twMh8sr3k3WRPCc8HbNlY29sFpRUwAcqiEo5pc8wMqK6U_/s2927/IMG_0866.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="2927" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gTbJIYnJFNNgBvJ2LtCkG072rtKbipCl0-8r3qLdWkIz0ew0vyhFoWTXHUiOkeC3RSDNRYG0D9JEzjcgtYwd317RwfYEVc2Ta7XGSwk0l1eDA5jfuTl2LAa8Bkc5h4ijqUbrGyFqSsLNy6twMh8sr3k3WRPCc8HbNlY29sFpRUwAcqiEo5pc8wMqK6U_/w726-h501/IMG_0866.jpeg" width="726" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I shared this map <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/10/memoirs-william-n-katanna-rcnvr.html">in an earlier post.</a> GEORGE Beach is where the 80th</div><div style="text-align: center;">served for about four weeks, transporting supplies for Monty's 8th Army.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Credit - Screenshot of LIFE Magazine, August, 1943</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfib6crIeiM8AHwZfJ48oRinghTrHTxEV7eGXeI2-AxsxMTtgw0lofCyh-YIREkk5CI5di5tC_3dnjnLyk0rj_sb9XoVqW1Sdfbs9BccPqsSMNko5rcV9yKhSu_boapOe32DlMoRi99UBB0maBo4ccnRMkc77z-UIloxEnwxE6YqFzxvaVohaRyomq4wKb/s2048/COPP_Survey_NHHC_Acid_North.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1617" data-original-width="2048" height="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfib6crIeiM8AHwZfJ48oRinghTrHTxEV7eGXeI2-AxsxMTtgw0lofCyh-YIREkk5CI5di5tC_3dnjnLyk0rj_sb9XoVqW1Sdfbs9BccPqsSMNko5rcV9yKhSu_boapOe32DlMoRi99UBB0maBo4ccnRMkc77z-UIloxEnwxE6YqFzxvaVohaRyomq4wKb/w727-h575/COPP_Survey_NHHC_Acid_North.jpg" width="727" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I didn't know that!" GEORGE Beach is also designated as Beach 44</div><div style="text-align: center;">at <a href="https://www.coppsurvey.uk/july-1943">COPP SURVEY</a>, from Naval History and Heritage Command</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>As well, some of the information about the landing zones was downright exciting because it was very interesting to read what other people learned or knew about the beaches in the general area in which my father had served. That being said, I think one area was designated as GEORGE when, in my opinion, it may have actually been known (to Canadians at least) as JIG. So, I'll head back to my own notes and maps to see who has got things right. I have the feeling a bit of correspondence is in order, and that's how things get settled or expanded upon sometimes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next is another map found at COPP SURVEY that designates GEORGE Beach and another interesting feature or two of the area that I searched with my son in Sicily just one month ago (at time of writing):</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLjimDJ-FqXXdwchjEjrbVTaq5Z7YjCycbCfFf9-LZOwth0pp3J2pHbgaM8JiUGENtauL7aFglt5NgosQJd6hvWKElGn6UCtiozWNz5vTzWPkYLy_ROg7gvu-hN_MvODo8UWEy7vHIcYMw1NFtD7wwwUrPVxMDZydLecOLjdoYLjx9MoErN2Yyh3JKCul/s1216/coppgeorge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1216" height="753" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLjimDJ-FqXXdwchjEjrbVTaq5Z7YjCycbCfFf9-LZOwth0pp3J2pHbgaM8JiUGENtauL7aFglt5NgosQJd6hvWKElGn6UCtiozWNz5vTzWPkYLy_ROg7gvu-hN_MvODo8UWEy7vHIcYMw1NFtD7wwwUrPVxMDZydLecOLjdoYLjx9MoErN2Yyh3JKCul/w949-h753/coppgeorge.jpg" width="949" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As found at COPP SURVEY: Extract from a 1:25,000 map of the area</div><div style="text-align: center;">around Beach 44 (bay to left). (Source: University of Texas Libraries)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div>Area No. 1 is a ridge from which I took dozens of photos of GEORGE Beach, or Beach 44. A WWII pill box is still there, within 150m of the beach. The word 'Grottazze' is written there, designating 'cattle caves' where cattle were herded to escape summer heat. 50 - 60 Canadian sailors of the 80th Flotilla escaped bombings in <a href="http://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2015/03/books-re-combined-operations_19.html">the same cave, cooked their meals and slept within</a>. My entry was blocked by 80 years' worth of brambles, thorns and bushes.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-SIrdyQoodoMt6G1hj3M0nWDIeWPvU2QothuL9ioLKs2jtUoEpJv2KR4mHMq03dz5-mqZqNOWf5Ylxbk-Tc8AtWqqaFa-FgtBGw0K1AhPYFrJTQMVdeNcDLzi_HS2uKbX82M574IeNohZMo4IKg9ePpsY3heHGL7Qp65qvVNr96072X7-_OpK9nOnWIm/s6000/IMG_5922%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3327" data-original-width="6000" height="525" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-SIrdyQoodoMt6G1hj3M0nWDIeWPvU2QothuL9ioLKs2jtUoEpJv2KR4mHMq03dz5-mqZqNOWf5Ylxbk-Tc8AtWqqaFa-FgtBGw0K1AhPYFrJTQMVdeNcDLzi_HS2uKbX82M574IeNohZMo4IKg9ePpsY3heHGL7Qp65qvVNr96072X7-_OpK9nOnWIm/w949-h525/IMG_5922%202.jpeg" width="949" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">GEORGE Beach as viewed from 'the ridge'. Nearby pill box below. GH</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WUAlqDJcWTwBh6KdIIrwRvUghOa39X4tBh2CuTu3aVGOExpoCIj37aKq6eOanctGP66OK2PwVn8iPjZMb2WjoqnS_FcjDgBNwjiMw7GY25yeauOjKFSvtPL-f6Hyf1PxWr3tGv6We3JN_qpeEMeU6bDEYmc1s9KH2FcLuc9PA8JWqKHcaIDc1P8vpknC/s6000/IMG_5879.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WUAlqDJcWTwBh6KdIIrwRvUghOa39X4tBh2CuTu3aVGOExpoCIj37aKq6eOanctGP66OK2PwVn8iPjZMb2WjoqnS_FcjDgBNwjiMw7GY25yeauOjKFSvtPL-f6Hyf1PxWr3tGv6We3JN_qpeEMeU6bDEYmc1s9KH2FcLuc9PA8JWqKHcaIDc1P8vpknC/w663-h441/IMG_5879.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><br />Area No. 2 designates the location of an airfield the Allies used shortly after the landings. At Torre Cuba one will still see remnants of a tower from which air traffic could be spotted.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxe7vA0rLdMyxSPAf0wNylVe_GsmuZkMztbBLOA0N0L2WpwgYz9V8xYnG7yo7RYdVpC7WY5LZrzMC5vZOMOjsCA3pLXkYj_CvDcjqYoa6WOSlEb0ISwBzyCza0Q8s57oi848og4LvQUkVb00HruepZ_9ZKlGs06gyjz9T9ajtvAeyXmKDFOBZ8kzwJ7tI/s640/IMG_1613-Cassibile-Torre-Cuba.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="640" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxe7vA0rLdMyxSPAf0wNylVe_GsmuZkMztbBLOA0N0L2WpwgYz9V8xYnG7yo7RYdVpC7WY5LZrzMC5vZOMOjsCA3pLXkYj_CvDcjqYoa6WOSlEb0ISwBzyCza0Q8s57oi848og4LvQUkVb00HruepZ_9ZKlGs06gyjz9T9ajtvAeyXmKDFOBZ8kzwJ7tI/w662-h420/IMG_1613-Cassibile-Torre-Cuba.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">After the area had been secured, the Allies converted the farmland around Torre</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cuba into Cassibile Airfield. The tower became an air traffic control tower.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.operation-ladbroke.com/3-commando-clean-up-the-attack-on-torre-cuba/">Source: NARA</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>FYI - The Canadian Air Force made its presence felt from that airfield in July 1943, according to my father:<div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span><span> </span>One morning in Sicily I woke up in my hammock in our cave (the hammock was slung between two lime-stone piers and above the lizards) and I saw Hurricane planes taking off just a short distance away. We now began working eight hours on and eight hours off. When we were pretty well unloaded I decided, on my eight hours off, to investigate the air strip and, behold, they were Canadians with Hurricane fighters. I arrived about supper time and explained who I was and was invited for a supper of tomatoes and bully beef... Not that again!</span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fefdfa; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sw91fLVoyjg/VRWXTZsf1WI/AAAAAAAAlxs/o-lmiTOyQIE/s1600/air_hurricane5.jpg" style="color: #d5000b; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="513" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sw91fLVoyjg/VRWXTZsf1WI/AAAAAAAAlxs/o-lmiTOyQIE/w635-h513/air_hurricane5.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(202, 202, 202); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="635" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadian Hurricane fighters in flight, date unknown:</div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">Photo credit - <a href="http://ww2db.com/image.php?image_id=10400" style="color: #d5000b; text-decoration-line: none;">WW2 database</a> </div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span><span> </span>“I have no mess fanny or spoon,” I said, and the cook told me there were some fellows washing theirs up and to ask one of them for the loan of their mess fanny and spoon. So I walked over, tapped a man’s shoulder and asked if I could borrow his equipment. The man straightened up and said “sure” and it turned out to be Bill Donnelly from my own hometown of Norwich, Ontario. I got my oppo, A/B Buryl McIntyre from the cave and did the vino ever run that night. Small world. So when we had had enough Bill crawled into his hole in the ground, covered himself with mosquito netting, and we headed back to the cave. Overhead, Beaufort night fighters were giving jerry fighters and bombers hell. We felt the courage given us by the vino and slept quite soundly in our dank old cave ‘til morning rolled around again. </span><b><u>"Dad, Well Done"</u></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span>pg 34<div><br /></div><div>Area No. 3 designates an area where Italian defences were located and where 3 Commando was to attack prior to the landings on July 10. Smooth sailing? You decide. <a href="http://www.operation-ladbroke.com/3-commando-clean-up-the-attack-on-torre-cuba/">Click here to read about Operation Ladbroke!</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Area No. 4 designates the approx. area where my son Paul and I stayed while in Fontane Bianche (White Fountain), home to not only a very lovely beach (formerly known as GEORGE) but a very comfortable bed and breakfast. (Yes, I seem to be showing off my own photos).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95DY9hFayjQMTqYo52voSyh5NbhWWYoLCr2gGP9Xw13W1zQgpoynopXUHpjMUfiOZRTERDQJct53YZfdNb8m3Xc10o2x84kc1vO1TRXfrMmUj5Yp0Qq2-OwqYx3o4o5obNvl1HbsbghhzoJOn10uBVSyV_Xhu4842ZButDhd8qpdN0tvWg_uLYnQLuJP4/s4032/IMG_0428.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95DY9hFayjQMTqYo52voSyh5NbhWWYoLCr2gGP9Xw13W1zQgpoynopXUHpjMUfiOZRTERDQJct53YZfdNb8m3Xc10o2x84kc1vO1TRXfrMmUj5Yp0Qq2-OwqYx3o4o5obNvl1HbsbghhzoJOn10uBVSyV_Xhu4842ZButDhd8qpdN0tvWg_uLYnQLuJP4/w661-h496/IMG_0428.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The view from a balcony, while enjoying morning coffee in the shade ; )</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Coincidentally, while visiting the "Allied Landings in Sicily (1943) Museum" in Catania, Sicily, I found a map that is almost identical to the one at COPP SURVEY showing the 'Grottazze', Torre Cuba, etc. But we can note a significant difference - the museum copy has written descriptions of the landing zones, thereby making me think that notes made by CO Pilotage Parties had been (eventually) added to it in order to help Navy officers know more about what to expect upon their approach to shore.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVGzW_0iYBwX9w-ijhOfKTsBZJkGo9fqpcIgqmAnAwLFEllUh3VYUrXZlQIy0Tnr6fUiKJ-vC8QuFzFENV3LLsrNb_8DH85ePPzlnMS3DosPlKZYdxAlE7h3ZBHYDUCUqgJGdwQ5Wq2NUT3Xon49tBDNoGKGo2wdEN3gd0yu1BscxZM7Ho3wj_qJNMgPr/s6000/IMG_6390.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="633" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVGzW_0iYBwX9w-ijhOfKTsBZJkGo9fqpcIgqmAnAwLFEllUh3VYUrXZlQIy0Tnr6fUiKJ-vC8QuFzFENV3LLsrNb_8DH85ePPzlnMS3DosPlKZYdxAlE7h3ZBHYDUCUqgJGdwQ5Wq2NUT3Xon49tBDNoGKGo2wdEN3gd0yu1BscxZM7Ho3wj_qJNMgPr/w951-h633/IMG_6390.jpeg" width="951" /></a></div>As found at "Allied Landings in Sicily (1943) Museum" Photo by GH<br /> </div><div>Another map at COPP SURVEY has some similar markings as the museum copy, e.g., the symbol for pill boxes, and mines and wire:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRS6XgmOko9Ws6_yZsv4MSfYHewRupGrBPrmFjw66QWjNoSMbnRfJ6bqooyEjhQQH5Z2rKcEdD5hl9j6cWgYR_ukpkUFuPy978S5xXWL4FGbMt1lxJum4ukrfJU4yIJ9y0664Dd8ANX7a-4PDibQ7o4tD6X8WwAR6wInPwBAVBOuwGkERzmzHwGFewxhX/s1024/handmap.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1024" height="633" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRS6XgmOko9Ws6_yZsv4MSfYHewRupGrBPrmFjw66QWjNoSMbnRfJ6bqooyEjhQQH5Z2rKcEdD5hl9j6cWgYR_ukpkUFuPy978S5xXWL4FGbMt1lxJum4ukrfJU4yIJ9y0664Dd8ANX7a-4PDibQ7o4tD6X8WwAR6wInPwBAVBOuwGkERzmzHwGFewxhX/w951-h633/handmap.jpg" width="951" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sketch map showing the route of the 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire</div><div style="text-align: center;">Regiment, from Beach 44. (Source: not recorded)</div><div><br /></div><div>On another page under "Operational Timelines" (i.e., November 1942) I was impressed with details related to Operation TORCH (<a href="https://www.coppsurvey.uk/november-1942">invasion of North Africa</a>) and spotted a map of <a href="https://www.coppsurvey.uk/october-1942">my father's landing zone near Arzeu</a>. It answered some long-held questions I had, and some details might have even have satisfied my father a great deal.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGj206Hqj_VvIH-CsshWrTBhMdqKrFIwG5VGUess7GYcFVSqzIs7Q5qbSHpj78ymuQ47LwS1EVDpTUZ08omNp2uryKYs1Y9dfg94XUrmNiJ7mXtGLvaBCDCVOMlMAdDD7PPC2dwch4SYC9-ua9kICfExmlFqld-4EgKRWnpYA1mgoWgzeEIK94EKCy3gz/s1200/cafe%3F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1200" height="535" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGj206Hqj_VvIH-CsshWrTBhMdqKrFIwG5VGUess7GYcFVSqzIs7Q5qbSHpj78ymuQ47LwS1EVDpTUZ08omNp2uryKYs1Y9dfg94XUrmNiJ7mXtGLvaBCDCVOMlMAdDD7PPC2dwch4SYC9-ua9kICfExmlFqld-4EgKRWnpYA1mgoWgzeEIK94EKCy3gz/w957-h535/cafe%3F.jpeg" width="957" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sketch showing proposed approach to Z and R beaches.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: The National Archives DEFE 2/588</div><div style="text-align: center;">Spelling should be 'The Damesme Cafe!'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div>R beaches are top left. Z for Zebra Beaches are marked clearly, both East and West. Because I've found photos from Imperial War Museum (re Operation Torch at Arzeu) connected to the <i>Reina del Pacifico, </i>and my father mentions 'Arzew' (sic) and the <i>Reina del </i>in memoirs<i>, </i>I know where he was (approx., off shore of Arzeu) on the opening days of the invasion. But Beach R or Z??</div><div><br /></div><div>I couldn't be sure until I read at COPP SURVEY that <i>Reina del Pacifico</i> was positioned off Z Beaches: </div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">On board the LCAs were:<br /><br />from <i>Reina del Pacifico</i> — units of the 3rd Battalion, 18th Regimental Combat Team<br />from <i>Ettrick</i> — units of the 1st Battalion, 18th Regimental Combat Team<br />from <i>Tegelberg</i> — further units of the 3rd Battalion, 18th Regimental Combat Team.<br /><br /><b>They were heading to Z Green Beach.</b> </span><div><br /><div>Hey, and now I know more precisely where my father served near Arzeu.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's not all. Now I also know more precisely where my father could have <b>got </b>served, that's if the building called <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Damesme </span>is what I think it is. He shares this line in memoirs:</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In the North African landing November 8, 1942, when dawn broke I was astonished that my landing craft was on the beach only a good stone's throw away from a sidewalk cafe. Good reconn!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, I could be wrong about the cafe bit.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>However, I am not wrong in recommending COPP SURVEY to readers who would like to know more about a small but mighty group of men who risked their lives to make the careful navigation of foreign, oft-dangerous shorelines possible, as well as easier.</div><div><br /></div><div>More will be shared shortly about COPP SURVEY, a site that has much to offer those collecting more information about Combined Operations as an organization and the role of careful, dangerous and important reconnaissance, WWII.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>[Special Note:</b> If readers have not ever known very much about COPPs or Canadians in Combined Ops (about 950 - 1,000 sailors who volunteered during WWII and manned landing crafts at numerous raids or invasions, i.e., from Dieppe to Normandy), not to worry, there are likely many other small (yet mighty) groups of <i>men and women</i> who were involved in WWII, perhaps even connected to Combined Ops org. that have flown 'under the radar', so to speak. It might be because they were in small numbers, in a support role to the 'front line,' didn't make the headlines or 11 o'clock news regularly, if at all, didn't advertise their contribution too much back in the day, never made it onto school curriculums, etc. I might not have learned much myself about Combined Operations if my father had not left 45 pages of notes and news columns behind in a small folder.]</div><br />**<a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2022/01/training-schuyts-were-biggest-exercises.html">during Exercise Schuyt I, my father also ran aground</a>. Churchill, Mountbatten, and King George VI were in attendance! <br /><br />To link to more resources with a direct or indirect connection to Canadians in Combined Operations please visit <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/09/links-to-resources-focus-on-sicily-and.html">Links to Resources: A Focus on Sicily and Italy, 1943</a><br /><br />Unattributed Photos GH</div></div></div></div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-17688691260141363132023-10-23T18:40:00.000-04:002023-10-23T18:40:19.250-04:00Research: Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943 (13)<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Rome Targets Blasted, Monty Still a Favourite to Troops,</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Gazette Correspondent Describes Eastern Coast of Sicily</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpA48I2lWWDTNdQE_aIvAnBZ2GCuK5fLeEIVShFZ4lmh7yCay7OvBUxAKdNBEW2J1na-z4gK1h658g6Et8xBqniZX7JLJ7WPnPeBnmbtWq2gJS7sDIBRFMkdEnQ0ETKxBhivxyFoQTmvfRXfdQoPmFEKwNq7S7Rml3KiVtqjfGoDeHueI8Qp-VdH0ef6T/s1125/L.Shapiro1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1099" height="677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpA48I2lWWDTNdQE_aIvAnBZ2GCuK5fLeEIVShFZ4lmh7yCay7OvBUxAKdNBEW2J1na-z4gK1h658g6Et8xBqniZX7JLJ7WPnPeBnmbtWq2gJS7sDIBRFMkdEnQ0ETKxBhivxyFoQTmvfRXfdQoPmFEKwNq7S7Rml3KiVtqjfGoDeHueI8Qp-VdH0ef6T/w662-h677/L.Shapiro1.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Correspondent Lionel S. B. Shapiro, <b>The (Montreal) Gazette, </b>July<b> </b>1943</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo 21545, Photogr. Dolan, Album 61 from Can. Army Film Unit</div><div style="text-align: center;">with 1st Canadian Tank Brigade and Auxiliary Troops in 'The Med'</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJvZFiZEHoDooQrOlc_2dbudmKvWmB8yCcgaU5B7zXzMHF7D3AlpVDGJ8GdRiKewVoVfmW_gqWS9a0nqVJoB2GJuUfI8ZuJcJVrZlr2NjO8BoV_W4txWRUtlGhXXnLkiXUdMNSkw916OwEp7U-7lVfqyLDbLS-N96YGI7LzjcSSEr-BaK1kctZC4FsCat/s640/IMG_1545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="429" height="986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJvZFiZEHoDooQrOlc_2dbudmKvWmB8yCcgaU5B7zXzMHF7D3AlpVDGJ8GdRiKewVoVfmW_gqWS9a0nqVJoB2GJuUfI8ZuJcJVrZlr2NjO8BoV_W4txWRUtlGhXXnLkiXUdMNSkw916OwEp7U-7lVfqyLDbLS-N96YGI7LzjcSSEr-BaK1kctZC4FsCat/w662-h986/IMG_1545.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Shapiro penned the above book re the invasion of Sicily not</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">very long after returning from the Mediterranean Sea. GH</div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />The above book is one of my favourites among several about Sicily and Italy. Shapiro was on or near the beaches in GEORGE Sector and may have accompanied Canadian troops to the toe of Italy's boot in September, with Canadian landing craft (80th flotilla) manned by Canadians sailors, including my father, leading the way. </div><div><br /></div><div>Shapiro's <b>Gazette </b>articles - quite lengthy, and under his own byline - will soon start to outweigh Ross Munro's (!) in future posts on this site. </div><div><br />I was able to locate a few more photographs by CAFU (Canadian Army Film Unit) of Shapiro and the Sicilian coast during the first week or two of the invasion (HUSKY) and readers will spot a few as this post progresses.</div><div><br /></div><div>And now for today's news!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8V-v3M0vrnSYDqGwCRH-jaKxfJ6C_V0OSKCkbkas82AFm2jKPbPZkGjjOlh2s3eU9dnhMYBV4W0qN4_3eBLsHuG4XzfZQro-D7w3EOu8E1uPQXNLI6RZMpOL9UAg9Zt_vJYnQHamltKDv2ruxAc7pSpF9FKvfkHGMhesdq0dJwbuvpW_eE7RSTMDG3CS8/s1279/July20-1a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="1279" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8V-v3M0vrnSYDqGwCRH-jaKxfJ6C_V0OSKCkbkas82AFm2jKPbPZkGjjOlh2s3eU9dnhMYBV4W0qN4_3eBLsHuG4XzfZQro-D7w3EOu8E1uPQXNLI6RZMpOL9UAg9Zt_vJYnQHamltKDv2ruxAc7pSpF9FKvfkHGMhesdq0dJwbuvpW_eE7RSTMDG3CS8/w1146-h247/July20-1a.jpeg" width="1146" /></a></div><div><br /></div>FYI - Enna, mentioned above, is a city at the centre of the island's road and railroad network.</div><div><br /></div><div>And, of course, Rome is the centre of attention as well, because of its numerous "freight yards and key railroad lines" and "the presence of Germans and their satellites":</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-cvtKSFYZW6p_Qzfb_Ufw5w-zSw3CFoNbpx1RGeIW0iw1h446W8g0663yLSzoVfYmt1TS1xmKvTqCGJfirt64lo1HugVOWpcBRN61hkh-ulKrRfpbqzC4PV5LDEkBn9c5SgiRhjFyRYqupTqmTFo0K-LpER7pMuVYz7cXcsL96-d2JDPbRzFLxNf3ctd/s831/July20-1b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="754" height="732" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-cvtKSFYZW6p_Qzfb_Ufw5w-zSw3CFoNbpx1RGeIW0iw1h446W8g0663yLSzoVfYmt1TS1xmKvTqCGJfirt64lo1HugVOWpcBRN61hkh-ulKrRfpbqzC4PV5LDEkBn9c5SgiRhjFyRYqupTqmTFo0K-LpER7pMuVYz7cXcsL96-d2JDPbRzFLxNf3ctd/w663-h732/July20-1b.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, this is the same fellow as pictured in the top photo - on a Cook's tour - minus the sunglasses, binoculars and sensible Bermuda shorts:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYdl3SiKhtec7nScAv0qtox_gwaX9QNPr-z1bm6H0xKtkErSpSxOIwpcLfxJh4pnEJcXy2cRtQCWi3r4H2-NRrPvGRuLuKh6QUnuk6qxzrOmknyvxbqpX4kwzvNpQw3AXYjgENy8GN5iI4BcVU9rPLZrUERFBJLVub7w7lhwiH-2aSE_3KjP1KeAvavSE/s1017/July20-1c1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="726" height="933" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYdl3SiKhtec7nScAv0qtox_gwaX9QNPr-z1bm6H0xKtkErSpSxOIwpcLfxJh4pnEJcXy2cRtQCWi3r4H2-NRrPvGRuLuKh6QUnuk6qxzrOmknyvxbqpX4kwzvNpQw3AXYjgENy8GN5iI4BcVU9rPLZrUERFBJLVub7w7lhwiH-2aSE_3KjP1KeAvavSE/w664-h933/July20-1c1.jpeg" width="664" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnQCXGtZDsy3IfdCAmtq0fshYeFQQzCW7D60jeCT-SqGUD39pBZRD1W9Lh9njBxzM6MxmeTIBoVB-EpC89t1UjtdvJmA58LtGeN9AZWYDHDC6biNCd7SMg2ggx-MySE0liFKW-6oZIP6diR__M0sZfsurHIqNJ8j2PACLWbsny0sAnzPOueBP9aMCjb3S/s773/July20-1c2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="373" height="719" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnQCXGtZDsy3IfdCAmtq0fshYeFQQzCW7D60jeCT-SqGUD39pBZRD1W9Lh9njBxzM6MxmeTIBoVB-EpC89t1UjtdvJmA58LtGeN9AZWYDHDC6biNCd7SMg2ggx-MySE0liFKW-6oZIP6diR__M0sZfsurHIqNJ8j2PACLWbsny0sAnzPOueBP9aMCjb3S/w345-h719/July20-1c2.jpeg" width="345" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuINEh2fiJB2s_aY2PkFqLRzi8odGmdHbPFb3E4I4Bbt4Yg87bSEB9WVNLOnEw36YG_J7xuZ37QL7oCUoDi8YqihivHhzM4RwtgghzQ7IAENmX6X1huPaMMsKNxUehCMl18m3S0cDAu2nhVxDxkrR2-tRLmeS9rL6A2J-50-SQMoIJbjD0fchqG8hhHJgf/s374/July20-1c3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="374" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuINEh2fiJB2s_aY2PkFqLRzi8odGmdHbPFb3E4I4Bbt4Yg87bSEB9WVNLOnEw36YG_J7xuZ37QL7oCUoDi8YqihivHhzM4RwtgghzQ7IAENmX6X1huPaMMsKNxUehCMl18m3S0cDAu2nhVxDxkrR2-tRLmeS9rL6A2J-50-SQMoIJbjD0fchqG8hhHJgf/w345-h259/July20-1c3.jpeg" width="345" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Please note that Shapiro mentions his "Cook's tour" was only possible <b>four days after the invasion</b> of Sicily began. Below are a few words about <b>the first three days</b> by members of the Canadian Navy who transported troops and material of war to shores on the eastern coast:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSV-RBPcqeBlj8N0OBMN_N8ezLlH5L0aljo1cOIsL4LP26xH8NmX25-UrY8z3eyscknOujZPIMkN-t89ltDCfElUAiWM0-CexB0Dv8eSIDRkz7E4eYSySOaGxcdaaehH1ddjqygmU6omqY5ZDPZuOD3Fi2ZFAU9WKFHQTuef7sp2UF_dqLOHDIFSj7dUGM/s960/Joe%20Watson1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="532" height="1194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSV-RBPcqeBlj8N0OBMN_N8ezLlH5L0aljo1cOIsL4LP26xH8NmX25-UrY8z3eyscknOujZPIMkN-t89ltDCfElUAiWM0-CexB0Dv8eSIDRkz7E4eYSySOaGxcdaaehH1ddjqygmU6omqY5ZDPZuOD3Fi2ZFAU9WKFHQTuef7sp2UF_dqLOHDIFSj7dUGM/w661-h1194/Joe%20Watson1.png" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Simcoe newspaper interview from Dec. 1943, sent to me by Joe Watson's</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">grand-daughter. Joe is in the middle of the top-of-blog photo. GH</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>My father wrote the following in memoirs about the same 'first three days':</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">We started unloading supplies with our LCMs about a half mile off the beach and then the worst began - German bombers. We were bombed 36 times in the first 72 hours - at dusk, at night, at dawn and all day long, and they said we had complete command of the air. We fired at everything. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXGkqO3syd3J77kv4qrJ1cSatB5nqayaeC7uCyTxKSb1ZY6hEd0-D0E9wJd0me2UbX2_tHAVFsPdsqYSyxbAkiFW-ie4VwHLZdyCEM2SKu7DxBB_vDtDSkCA60RREcbUzJdwNs4e6TfY7l0ORDv7W_mLDoe_NXJ_1upVtHkqztTK1LFvV9QWUkL4gwqpv/s800/pachino37.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="800" height="694" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXGkqO3syd3J77kv4qrJ1cSatB5nqayaeC7uCyTxKSb1ZY6hEd0-D0E9wJd0me2UbX2_tHAVFsPdsqYSyxbAkiFW-ie4VwHLZdyCEM2SKu7DxBB_vDtDSkCA60RREcbUzJdwNs4e6TfY7l0ORDv7W_mLDoe_NXJ_1upVtHkqztTK1LFvV9QWUkL4gwqpv/w917-h694/pachino37.jpeg" width="917" /></a></div>An LCM Mark III off Sicily, similar to the model my father manned or operated. </div><div style="text-align: center;">A smaller LCP (landing craft, personnel) skims by behind. Photo A17955 IWM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">My father continues:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I saw P38s, German and Italian fighters and my first dogfights. Stukas blew up working parties on the beach once when I was only about one hundred feet out. Utter death and carnage. Our American gun crews had nothing but coffee for three or four days and stayed close to their guns all the time. I give them credit.<br /><br />Once, with our LCM loaded with high octane gas and a Lorrie (truck), we were heading for the beach when we saw machine gun bullets stitching the water right towards us. Fortunately, an LST (landing ship tank) loaded with bofors (guns) opened up and scared off the planes, or we were gone if the bullets had hit the gas cans. I was hiding behind a truck tire, so was Joe Watson of Simcoe. What good would that have done?</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <u style="font-weight: bold;">"Dad, Well Done"</u> pg. 31</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eFi5UpJrd7B6bHZPVr6Q96JawKeGtewi9nom82Bg52r4Sy8ab5WK9oQi2MjKp1Die6BX_pPNinGzRGBHGT6eVrL8rAK1FTof4TS2SVNnqxxnkJOE0ONo1aXgVUw1IXjscD1FAESldhdO7vTpOvXUUd9JEkwdUE5oidWHIoHCugd3QtIuSYv9u5Rw5Jok/s859/21533shapiro.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="789" height="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eFi5UpJrd7B6bHZPVr6Q96JawKeGtewi9nom82Bg52r4Sy8ab5WK9oQi2MjKp1Die6BX_pPNinGzRGBHGT6eVrL8rAK1FTof4TS2SVNnqxxnkJOE0ONo1aXgVUw1IXjscD1FAESldhdO7vTpOvXUUd9JEkwdUE5oidWHIoHCugd3QtIuSYv9u5Rw5Jok/w662-h720/21533shapiro.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Correspondent Shapiro "Near Syracuse" and possibly beside a bofors gun,</div><div style="text-align: center;">as found in Album 61, CAFU, Lt. Dolan, 14 July 1943</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Z3lGJ_1Os_jzzBLT4Zg0qT7a8rnlpFsRZA8s-c7n6UZFa7yg4iv2EKijjvBKH14xvMiSuM-pnCcef7cQHDgrlAtx9ncb-daZMkmUqPWk8Wd66OlM32WcD1xtcXB3qk-u7Mzd5oEj-6EMnD-JxvihHk6jTT8WbgOSvo55KIrCTmNOLHZBVO0tM-MMKbGh/s769/21537jeeps.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="755" height="674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Z3lGJ_1Os_jzzBLT4Zg0qT7a8rnlpFsRZA8s-c7n6UZFa7yg4iv2EKijjvBKH14xvMiSuM-pnCcef7cQHDgrlAtx9ncb-daZMkmUqPWk8Wd66OlM32WcD1xtcXB3qk-u7Mzd5oEj-6EMnD-JxvihHk6jTT8WbgOSvo55KIrCTmNOLHZBVO0tM-MMKbGh/w661-h674/21537jeeps.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Amphibious Jeeps, near Syracuse" ca July 1943. Photo 21537, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Album 61, by Lt. Dolan, Canadian Army Film Unit (CAFU)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeAFEDaGcZ5sKkRuJ0rgN2gna2EvUbfwJLYCKucvSaOgthP-7hEa5m0PXPerHM7Hi_gDTHEp3jIVuc1ltuOm4_gMn8LpRvJZsueboNvRi2jqOlLAXbN87Wx51w_Sw2IZGJ2YJNjhj4xecQ7fsbkmn6RDllHvPBHDNao7BrKgfwSwjj1E0sr-1NbwX0W9_/s837/coast21538.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="747" height="739" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeAFEDaGcZ5sKkRuJ0rgN2gna2EvUbfwJLYCKucvSaOgthP-7hEa5m0PXPerHM7Hi_gDTHEp3jIVuc1ltuOm4_gMn8LpRvJZsueboNvRi2jqOlLAXbN87Wx51w_Sw2IZGJ2YJNjhj4xecQ7fsbkmn6RDllHvPBHDNao7BrKgfwSwjj1E0sr-1NbwX0W9_/w661-h739/coast21538.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Amphibious jeep going ashore in Sicily, July 1943</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>Album 61, by Lt. Dolan, Canadian Army Film Unit</div><div><br style="text-align: start;" /></div></div><div>Canadian war correspondent Ross Munro is also on the scene. Monty appeared and addressed "the troops from his desert car:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbV2elxQBxcYQFIJCli2PiumAS61s6cUgP-eGgwQcCfdMNN2tcubZV3svl-mjQhyphenhyphenpulNYrPLW1PG1ea2sI7y3Ir0Vk7h7zS1xlrTB21i2OwZyfau3JV6iv5L7r5Oo2SLDrE3BR2ggK64UU4hqS3O2C9YyNbZwDNweUALiQESoJ9svZ4RW6d_r7NU8Am-5/s1216/July20-1d1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="374" height="1051" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbV2elxQBxcYQFIJCli2PiumAS61s6cUgP-eGgwQcCfdMNN2tcubZV3svl-mjQhyphenhyphenpulNYrPLW1PG1ea2sI7y3Ir0Vk7h7zS1xlrTB21i2OwZyfau3JV6iv5L7r5Oo2SLDrE3BR2ggK64UU4hqS3O2C9YyNbZwDNweUALiQESoJ9svZ4RW6d_r7NU8Am-5/w321-h1051/July20-1d1.jpeg" width="321" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjE_T6FHjTrq3-xPRxJ32suS1uD2fM8mgG_Uxomn5LYvN798mGhflYlz5-PHundVTzBULJA78d22UQqXI4M0K3pxbMI9PvyZb3_c-ejCqJp-kvgmtHFDsZIp4U5lHGzllW4Pik58G8c_ClVkGStP1kenK-t5zNwJYfl7oqcxlLnPgJSUNp2aX_pscjpY2/s375/July20-1d2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="375" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjE_T6FHjTrq3-xPRxJ32suS1uD2fM8mgG_Uxomn5LYvN798mGhflYlz5-PHundVTzBULJA78d22UQqXI4M0K3pxbMI9PvyZb3_c-ejCqJp-kvgmtHFDsZIp4U5lHGzllW4Pik58G8c_ClVkGStP1kenK-t5zNwJYfl7oqcxlLnPgJSUNp2aX_pscjpY2/s320/July20-1d2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCVQcMkXqFzu7mBWaf3aq11F71yOAUWbqR5FHqSLtVbMXX2cZXaRrGEfFIVjLpqf4z49YIcGvfKfr4A7VTKHqw2H9cB1vKSiSdbGB_5LU83YNiJhNUnFFD84FK1Fhwj9sCwgbprKpjH_HkFWjsFMc-3hpoSEg1OSdDWcUW2ER_cEtPJoJZnOscOvyurI-/s374/July20-1d3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="374" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCVQcMkXqFzu7mBWaf3aq11F71yOAUWbqR5FHqSLtVbMXX2cZXaRrGEfFIVjLpqf4z49YIcGvfKfr4A7VTKHqw2H9cB1vKSiSdbGB_5LU83YNiJhNUnFFD84FK1Fhwj9sCwgbprKpjH_HkFWjsFMc-3hpoSEg1OSdDWcUW2ER_cEtPJoJZnOscOvyurI-/s320/July20-1d3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9_1PXzqZrmnoleCNoBD7wUOQkk1svthdFW_eQYsDfIilYbHXXf0LaXPFvKvPf8EoMU73DwTqaXu2CGd_0BR_RW5X6f9fSbZr7YXDQ5CBeOicL7MnjSp5-BDZmcpCK_EeZxDkfkfmhGZs0pmGnr7hkLPPwWyqEMI5nrFiFdO7WAmfpXXYipChrUhwiveA/s816/monty's%20car.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="816" height="635" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9_1PXzqZrmnoleCNoBD7wUOQkk1svthdFW_eQYsDfIilYbHXXf0LaXPFvKvPf8EoMU73DwTqaXu2CGd_0BR_RW5X6f9fSbZr7YXDQ5CBeOicL7MnjSp5-BDZmcpCK_EeZxDkfkfmhGZs0pmGnr7hkLPPwWyqEMI5nrFiFdO7WAmfpXXYipChrUhwiveA/w662-h635/monty's%20car.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Where's the closest gas station, Mate?" Photo 22365, Album 61 CAFU</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>"Main Transportation Centre of Island in Allied Grasp." That's Enna mentioned again. Meanwhile, Canadians in Combined Ops are establishing supply centres along the eastern coast, but I don't think that will get mentioned anytime soon ; ) :</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWv7Wfk7LjoMnql-K-p_mC_jewOM-oF8ahlvpWkXHy8tg0XjtwieaTcfriqFgKnL2tHT3I_q48K917XNdqaDw5XbgQD6asdfbmZQxYUSJoIYjaqH0DFKq2ch3nHQws7IFG5tZqdph7jHZYzlz6VCa6_wm50F1N8QlIaCw-YHsgrlJ-bEnRGutBZSjq8sHp/s1082/July20-1e1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="383" height="1117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWv7Wfk7LjoMnql-K-p_mC_jewOM-oF8ahlvpWkXHy8tg0XjtwieaTcfriqFgKnL2tHT3I_q48K917XNdqaDw5XbgQD6asdfbmZQxYUSJoIYjaqH0DFKq2ch3nHQws7IFG5tZqdph7jHZYzlz6VCa6_wm50F1N8QlIaCw-YHsgrlJ-bEnRGutBZSjq8sHp/w395-h1117/July20-1e1.jpeg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAxTZjgtFV3fTivGu5dn331RWjLbp2cCaMv-njNckrCBZreASiZ1HAPMAvUFiUmviMlzXMnjvcGL9SKxULmlC7HodN6SVB8nUVaXZKDhWNFg1XUbzRrN2WeybslMovnpGPjuXi01lxG00eC1cVughwRynGLrnm_SumPMnvaHMdGZzM7PJyRHDj4uaLNqb/s968/July20-1e2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="376" height="1023" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAxTZjgtFV3fTivGu5dn331RWjLbp2cCaMv-njNckrCBZreASiZ1HAPMAvUFiUmviMlzXMnjvcGL9SKxULmlC7HodN6SVB8nUVaXZKDhWNFg1XUbzRrN2WeybslMovnpGPjuXi01lxG00eC1cVughwRynGLrnm_SumPMnvaHMdGZzM7PJyRHDj4uaLNqb/w395-h1023/July20-1e2.jpeg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JoU84CrR1yqc7W5xJemmLcFJdufYhKgsJxA6J8S7gnJ3IaRte_agUo_175BjRU-AC9vwQne7WdDVDxIhKjJwGLjpYX6lqUCM86ArRhiqAdmp5iOeFNAzcEV_Vh-pqKH7fWoesTjPUnALAR8I8d27y_wXslOi-qzFFiZA9-JzslwnDRCOzGQtryLUCy2a/s750/July20-1e3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="377" height="783" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JoU84CrR1yqc7W5xJemmLcFJdufYhKgsJxA6J8S7gnJ3IaRte_agUo_175BjRU-AC9vwQne7WdDVDxIhKjJwGLjpYX6lqUCM86ArRhiqAdmp5iOeFNAzcEV_Vh-pqKH7fWoesTjPUnALAR8I8d27y_wXslOi-qzFFiZA9-JzslwnDRCOzGQtryLUCy2a/w394-h783/July20-1e3.jpeg" width="394" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpiW6cjJlGoTat08hJZw6uFYb3fW0DmMoz6IbJS2NZSiKG4HbnQ1WdxOVHy8N4jyew-EeBa7EZaQnE912YOUbSfBIRO3j5Kpe2mq4rZUQRXGT2SV-IRnALDvppLn7ivQp7oMhyg3yMYfgFdPUmGMiIAOIPxszhPmbj_oLP1pNQd2BX-s3l3kmkiFwkLqs/s806/July20-1e4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="374" height="855" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpiW6cjJlGoTat08hJZw6uFYb3fW0DmMoz6IbJS2NZSiKG4HbnQ1WdxOVHy8N4jyew-EeBa7EZaQnE912YOUbSfBIRO3j5Kpe2mq4rZUQRXGT2SV-IRnALDvppLn7ivQp7oMhyg3yMYfgFdPUmGMiIAOIPxszhPmbj_oLP1pNQd2BX-s3l3kmkiFwkLqs/w395-h855/July20-1e4.jpeg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7Jfb8AeTMW5S8-_gQm_8OXlUbiG2iareM0u9SHfR57nQtTSUukDOlup1BuXVCfi2XEvKrTyYphdcSmmfp0SEr_kyY0UH6EysEr-Ci5MLGAt1bJbTdYhWhu32oFTQRT9roXKaIHIMQcpJ8Hbfx6i9DXM8uLWgNLp3346LvyGMgT4YecyZ1lCUZzq-lB_0/s607/July20-1e5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="373" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7Jfb8AeTMW5S8-_gQm_8OXlUbiG2iareM0u9SHfR57nQtTSUukDOlup1BuXVCfi2XEvKrTyYphdcSmmfp0SEr_kyY0UH6EysEr-Ci5MLGAt1bJbTdYhWhu32oFTQRT9roXKaIHIMQcpJ8Hbfx6i9DXM8uLWgNLp3346LvyGMgT4YecyZ1lCUZzq-lB_0/w394-h640/July20-1e5.jpeg" width="394" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>While writing memoirs in the 1970s my father recalled seeing P-38s over Sicily. They had a distinctive look, in my opinion:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWqMzYE0475qrq_RB6ywg4x5CkVm03yCniCOnsPKebLAttd3IqAwRaCpNEuDSQuzH9BuvroXTDfZmgkdiYt12hNjo12piTH0Gyqp2ZC-5__GDjgp0ZcDJyRD40fLSNMzyIpq7vwmus69sMUVVGRhjUhZnqbCtj81C2cRFAxcMILK72oNGZ13oGGMMCWhT/s1095/July20-1f1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="373" height="1118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWqMzYE0475qrq_RB6ywg4x5CkVm03yCniCOnsPKebLAttd3IqAwRaCpNEuDSQuzH9BuvroXTDfZmgkdiYt12hNjo12piTH0Gyqp2ZC-5__GDjgp0ZcDJyRD40fLSNMzyIpq7vwmus69sMUVVGRhjUhZnqbCtj81C2cRFAxcMILK72oNGZ13oGGMMCWhT/w381-h1118/July20-1f1.jpeg" width="381" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4VTvdNwAReaThEeI0ky08eJHAJpmHysxgBpV1O1NtBiGo2zJmQGo_vq999uclqn5F4gtCfEEdhfoqxpB10kMaW9l5iOAd74x0y9x_rYcRhUnaStkF05iyqYkPY3cVdkzKqFVxuIF5R5dYi8TADuZmrriwmvbbU2f6fQEzX389Pdnm5jFMyYe-WNgG1SR/s543/Lockheed_P-38_Lightning_fighter_concept_silhouettes.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="543" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4VTvdNwAReaThEeI0ky08eJHAJpmHysxgBpV1O1NtBiGo2zJmQGo_vq999uclqn5F4gtCfEEdhfoqxpB10kMaW9l5iOAd74x0y9x_rYcRhUnaStkF05iyqYkPY3cVdkzKqFVxuIF5R5dYi8TADuZmrriwmvbbU2f6fQEzX389Pdnm5jFMyYe-WNgG1SR/w380-h339/Lockheed_P-38_Lightning_fighter_concept_silhouettes.png" width="380" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydjMZ0OPQNe6rmKbNxlyn-KJI5SA0G7-NlJYjBHw1EpSap7nPxGL1XorWEQqw2sDDUlD60ywhhaw8G1zJAOsi4L9PK6OG2oEu9r7Fh9xSNiM-gwJrT4r4aaGJiY1MVy_TO9hLEOwjvOoHR5r5XxSHDtukw0ghAHe5UOwFvSH7ynGh-K4DOT8gdlfuBUnP/s300/P38_Lightning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="300" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydjMZ0OPQNe6rmKbNxlyn-KJI5SA0G7-NlJYjBHw1EpSap7nPxGL1XorWEQqw2sDDUlD60ywhhaw8G1zJAOsi4L9PK6OG2oEu9r7Fh9xSNiM-gwJrT4r4aaGJiY1MVy_TO9hLEOwjvOoHR5r5XxSHDtukw0ghAHe5UOwFvSH7ynGh-K4DOT8gdlfuBUnP/w381-h260/P38_Lightning.jpg" width="381" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_P-38_Lightning">Photos and details found at Wikipedia</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZfHlxeOQ87wQIu3rbpHDIXQp_w51Mf-1vuFWeHUHu6KMDa3l2hU5TVUt5JUh2-Q9jpTtKfMRlITiFUxdktNMOMLzm3cnwZdbA-bb08tPCjNal6tVazTvyB9bQzPQNFmr6hpXXygjJuShu_I_NkzFGq7JogIjcOkupNs9g_ZYpe_SxKW07w7fNV0UYDO1/s375/July20-1f2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="375" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZfHlxeOQ87wQIu3rbpHDIXQp_w51Mf-1vuFWeHUHu6KMDa3l2hU5TVUt5JUh2-Q9jpTtKfMRlITiFUxdktNMOMLzm3cnwZdbA-bb08tPCjNal6tVazTvyB9bQzPQNFmr6hpXXygjJuShu_I_NkzFGq7JogIjcOkupNs9g_ZYpe_SxKW07w7fNV0UYDO1/w381-h323/July20-1f2.jpeg" width="381" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMCdSmuiKt_lyl2cTmawA1LmUS0Ul3f9iZVFWWQFJuUpFLsx8UawJK0ZRh2oFJvso3TSUn3_Xs8SBBf8d64GsGKnzlcG7C8Af39tHSNteOMRfuLlHvrLvXUejJr_JEosI0Hax_zTF2nSMlJ-kK8XJ4B3-n_lltUyXj4N_1UpYIbno2oT-y3-9Nbt8lrNV/s851/July20-1f3%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="373" height="870" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMCdSmuiKt_lyl2cTmawA1LmUS0Ul3f9iZVFWWQFJuUpFLsx8UawJK0ZRh2oFJvso3TSUn3_Xs8SBBf8d64GsGKnzlcG7C8Af39tHSNteOMRfuLlHvrLvXUejJr_JEosI0Hax_zTF2nSMlJ-kK8XJ4B3-n_lltUyXj4N_1UpYIbno2oT-y3-9Nbt8lrNV/w380-h870/July20-1f3%202.jpeg" width="380" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Resistance to the bombing of Rome was to be expected. "Avoid ecclesiastical and archaeological damage!" Elsewhere, e.g., in central Sicily, resistance is crumbling rapidly:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4vQcqJWHjl2-U_KBmcpKXCZa5fTaociwQhd82TaE4a5lCYZ6v-7pLLNiXq7yqa0iugedi7RVv8o7pBk4TcgosbHW0rBT0Hw9hbZv-JR43o3Jcfdu9e4VEC2dPLwajcUZkMngxte8Z3OrNuE1uB_EcLoR9aBFxeUvUN82rf3O4IQCtmCtsmKGIbr0MoUs/s966/July20-1g.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="755" height="848" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4vQcqJWHjl2-U_KBmcpKXCZa5fTaociwQhd82TaE4a5lCYZ6v-7pLLNiXq7yqa0iugedi7RVv8o7pBk4TcgosbHW0rBT0Hw9hbZv-JR43o3Jcfdu9e4VEC2dPLwajcUZkMngxte8Z3OrNuE1uB_EcLoR9aBFxeUvUN82rf3O4IQCtmCtsmKGIbr0MoUs/w662-h848/July20-1g.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Ross Munro covers another first, a head to head battle between Canadian and German troops:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8k-pc62LlaH0rx2rrGqYaqRlQh-kXcblCt-Gx4zjgVLeqmOz8saybPbsEkwphIyM5iRrCAgwnd3YNw8bQFFyEzC4b73Z4oXYK_9hrLKdqGwMDqo9Ig_wAb_hyphenhyphenCzRShOB6veM5MUkftdc8XyN-J_R3jI2zS76xfyy063bGAz-05loi3sGoldKu0m8CFQcO/s952/July20-1h1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="758" height="830" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8k-pc62LlaH0rx2rrGqYaqRlQh-kXcblCt-Gx4zjgVLeqmOz8saybPbsEkwphIyM5iRrCAgwnd3YNw8bQFFyEzC4b73Z4oXYK_9hrLKdqGwMDqo9Ig_wAb_hyphenhyphenCzRShOB6veM5MUkftdc8XyN-J_R3jI2zS76xfyy063bGAz-05loi3sGoldKu0m8CFQcO/w661-h830/July20-1h1.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_3YzhsOmB0QIsSizFEixdXfSoT31QM8wEieGP2s1i0Zv3b0-yzG0HgfXk3iX1BzXKVemc0_A2Qy7G3YWNx3JblEWQW9_k9VUI2MaHklBdu2Imv5vPleVoRAdLfSzRzxN6xyj-m1Qqkf6Kq7N3XinvUjRldTYlNVWkcgIe5KJMAb0xsAq_WCzotywHgpT/s693/July20-1h2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="374" height="605" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_3YzhsOmB0QIsSizFEixdXfSoT31QM8wEieGP2s1i0Zv3b0-yzG0HgfXk3iX1BzXKVemc0_A2Qy7G3YWNx3JblEWQW9_k9VUI2MaHklBdu2Imv5vPleVoRAdLfSzRzxN6xyj-m1Qqkf6Kq7N3XinvUjRldTYlNVWkcgIe5KJMAb0xsAq_WCzotywHgpT/w327-h605/July20-1h2.jpeg" width="327" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr39nfK5v27xTg3Cc6FnKbiRSusfNecL1EYHRVfM-esyOEONW-7bcy0le2JTRXyCWCMAtIkXk84DSNRFMNcM_dABb1xmZqBBOts0Ufh3k3dsfR8n7Y0jLj3ia-FioJkK050_L0eTSJFU54-XPItYQhWuPllJsRsWEJY4YGEvMe6zdI8komy49Kkxe9I27J/s2904/IMG_0967.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2894" data-original-width="2904" height="660" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr39nfK5v27xTg3Cc6FnKbiRSusfNecL1EYHRVfM-esyOEONW-7bcy0le2JTRXyCWCMAtIkXk84DSNRFMNcM_dABb1xmZqBBOts0Ufh3k3dsfR8n7Y0jLj3ia-FioJkK050_L0eTSJFU54-XPItYQhWuPllJsRsWEJY4YGEvMe6zdI8komy49Kkxe9I27J/w662-h660/IMG_0967.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo, likely from CAFU originally, as found in Lionel Shapiro's</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">book <u style="font-weight: bold;">They Left the Back Door Open</u>, facing page 31</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnMzMuVb_cjQyArF0dSBjNJyIRPONZyogzHYsu-nwLYciXmiqY4fG5L-QBD3zuEeWYEpCZ4RlHY5qrrLl9Kc3AgP6qZl70i8_jH9eS96B7RtSS2g0MJcjvoQvJXnpxtsQR0odpyIL5BTP1BtFpoHRiYTcn_fhhXlqMZ6IrILfnQTU4u2kTevb4ONwHUDA/s1061/July20-1i.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="834" height="841" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnMzMuVb_cjQyArF0dSBjNJyIRPONZyogzHYsu-nwLYciXmiqY4fG5L-QBD3zuEeWYEpCZ4RlHY5qrrLl9Kc3AgP6qZl70i8_jH9eS96B7RtSS2g0MJcjvoQvJXnpxtsQR0odpyIL5BTP1BtFpoHRiYTcn_fhhXlqMZ6IrILfnQTU4u2kTevb4ONwHUDA/w662-h841/July20-1i.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NWs0l_AHpzgcKZkvZwctuKygnsi4O7BU8XviLhrKgPvnLjmk1yf_mlO8d98cgGTySperAnkH1u8IL-6S_rn2QGVGoM_TTuFfjFsItfAwO1UeNcUgwoPt1GYfPFSWZWdFYXvXQeRDKP5K3OsuzqIhHXOm1THVSUaP2wuaoecKc58T2HOsdkAck97vLRAL/s1226/July20-1j.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="505" height="1144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NWs0l_AHpzgcKZkvZwctuKygnsi4O7BU8XviLhrKgPvnLjmk1yf_mlO8d98cgGTySperAnkH1u8IL-6S_rn2QGVGoM_TTuFfjFsItfAwO1UeNcUgwoPt1GYfPFSWZWdFYXvXQeRDKP5K3OsuzqIhHXOm1THVSUaP2wuaoecKc58T2HOsdkAck97vLRAL/w472-h1144/July20-1j.jpeg" width="472" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Canadian troops are 'earning their keep' in Sicily:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rHOUJ6ZFL72tjm4IeS21aw1fbyzNXQgFlIGuP0d8DAjb7V0oBBnVl0e-HoUdJcasscuGnkjHMf-sFOR5s9K591iQ8gCFsSP7H6Gcsj7OKAl9BHq25JA4Mt0YViPnhneBRVoE_ujoBwCy34_by5WRV-nn6zIgkdTbYiHdDlC8HS7exZi64tTNCBr26Zn-/s942/July20-2a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="752" height="831" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rHOUJ6ZFL72tjm4IeS21aw1fbyzNXQgFlIGuP0d8DAjb7V0oBBnVl0e-HoUdJcasscuGnkjHMf-sFOR5s9K591iQ8gCFsSP7H6Gcsj7OKAl9BHq25JA4Mt0YViPnhneBRVoE_ujoBwCy34_by5WRV-nn6zIgkdTbYiHdDlC8HS7exZi64tTNCBr26Zn-/w662-h831/July20-2a.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jX9Z5cBroZJbdLvLrvNYwxrsBX0WL-w-48pKYYLQPabNF2JISilZ00NsR8GYd2QsXiPWOAsBpkiZ7Exj7iNejhNFUtmk2KGC89fjH-dhnH-7RYOKeH8BH090KAJABCa_rbNy4_PeheAgDbtc2SxttV6PoXCu6maBN3yeh1AneNQLugp0jiUFlp2xK21f/s1203/July20-2b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="671" height="1187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jX9Z5cBroZJbdLvLrvNYwxrsBX0WL-w-48pKYYLQPabNF2JISilZ00NsR8GYd2QsXiPWOAsBpkiZ7Exj7iNejhNFUtmk2KGC89fjH-dhnH-7RYOKeH8BH090KAJABCa_rbNy4_PeheAgDbtc2SxttV6PoXCu6maBN3yeh1AneNQLugp0jiUFlp2xK21f/w661-h1187/July20-2b.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Hey, does anybody else have a story about a barrage balloon?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFdf-Sv_QNhCmrjvldwyGoI6qTWCpmQVyKH3sOHdNzvWGQhSZN4nNamawQGGBIuBUZ63ZLabcUf5eEOa4B6XBh3G8jmO2Q_GwVMRYPSQWkhllDv1-LCcK8q7ascFFqG24S50S139EvngAzZ4AzCEJR9B1oUGN-3Gumll2nGuChdPbS24c9c0ZcYbxMlxZ/s832/July20-2c1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="373" height="798" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFdf-Sv_QNhCmrjvldwyGoI6qTWCpmQVyKH3sOHdNzvWGQhSZN4nNamawQGGBIuBUZ63ZLabcUf5eEOa4B6XBh3G8jmO2Q_GwVMRYPSQWkhllDv1-LCcK8q7ascFFqG24S50S139EvngAzZ4AzCEJR9B1oUGN-3Gumll2nGuChdPbS24c9c0ZcYbxMlxZ/w356-h798/July20-2c1.jpeg" width="356" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQytQmfqibZbZ2dNdz8GWKfsgBq32hKwVeF6iI3IF3Sdq1ZswOV-kaYWDJR2OyQjRFmtj4ULeHx4w48gnbFotej9lM8ItErV5U1noXdUk0JxotRjm8Pz0EeJcWJl5srr72HMIwMMbwN9aippAUAV-5SMeK7DwifiVNDiAyYVCsffSuiPWBXOjaDy0An2P/s368/July20-2c2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="76" data-original-width="368" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQytQmfqibZbZ2dNdz8GWKfsgBq32hKwVeF6iI3IF3Sdq1ZswOV-kaYWDJR2OyQjRFmtj4ULeHx4w48gnbFotej9lM8ItErV5U1noXdUk0JxotRjm8Pz0EeJcWJl5srr72HMIwMMbwN9aippAUAV-5SMeK7DwifiVNDiAyYVCsffSuiPWBXOjaDy0An2P/w354-h73/July20-2c2.jpeg" width="354" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>FYI. I do. I.e., I have another story about a barrage balloon, from GEORGE Beach in Sicily, after the Allies gained control of the skies and Canadian sailors were into a steady routine of transporting goods from ship to shore:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Later we moved into a limestone cave, dank and wet, but safe from bombs. We hung a barrage balloon over it, about 1,000 feet up, and one sailor got drunk and shot it down but we had 50 - 60 feet of limestone over our heads. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Dad, Well Done,</u> page 33<br /></span><br />Not a great story, but least a short one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another short one from Ross Munro:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfr4FPqhCkizQvSHKra6zBg1EWBbU5eKu8AJkil2kt0LilRFPNVwdgOc6hmaG48vL9C37COX4BOPxv4w3Fx43VQ93sukh2CwOSm-PvH8INHKxKr9czVR1u2dz782cIn28xA2Vy7P3Hp2AorUDro07QzbQaT5BW94r2FJ2qkEniKQIfWx-QDx3C41irXwZ/s560/July20-2d.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="470" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfr4FPqhCkizQvSHKra6zBg1EWBbU5eKu8AJkil2kt0LilRFPNVwdgOc6hmaG48vL9C37COX4BOPxv4w3Fx43VQ93sukh2CwOSm-PvH8INHKxKr9czVR1u2dz782cIn28xA2Vy7P3Hp2AorUDro07QzbQaT5BW94r2FJ2qkEniKQIfWx-QDx3C41irXwZ/w538-h640/July20-2d.jpeg" width="538" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Civilians "show genuine joy over the arrival of Allied armies."</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_e37f6ngaJtAhLUaXollmMpUnpVeOv8TBljwu_K8-T-zch8umQObBzrXCHhfv86MXAq6FOE5KQArdqXvopwGsezERA19iwHpJrR3qjAgxHaG9Boj2BzEn5PbYlJcm2C8CYEjWT8C_y1TGwn9E6EjXhyhdNnODgWFJHE5AW2Uc6-VVDmcb6v2xTJ5SZnQk/s906/July20-2e.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="906" height="573" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_e37f6ngaJtAhLUaXollmMpUnpVeOv8TBljwu_K8-T-zch8umQObBzrXCHhfv86MXAq6FOE5KQArdqXvopwGsezERA19iwHpJrR3qjAgxHaG9Boj2BzEn5PbYlJcm2C8CYEjWT8C_y1TGwn9E6EjXhyhdNnODgWFJHE5AW2Uc6-VVDmcb6v2xTJ5SZnQk/w662-h573/July20-2e.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Special note: I am sure not all civilians were joyful upon seeing Allied forces. When exploring a cave south of Syracuse (Siracusa, September 2023, 80 years after the invasion) with the help of a doctor and his friend, I exclaimed that my father likely had not lived inside it during the war (it was too small, too far away from GEORGE Beach...).</div><div><br /></div><div>The words were just out of my mouth when the doctor told me his own thoughts.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Allied bombs destroyed my mother's house, and a neighbour was killed that same day." </div><div><br /></div><div>Visible cars are seen to this day on buildings in town and villages throughout the island. Invisible scars are very close to the surface as well throughout the island. Lesson learned more deeply as the days went by.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thoughts at the time about "air warfare":</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFsGc-TOEx3EnhP5v30SvLTHcm5UpsJqzlbpUmySVRVLaJDCaU0SnyqvpdIFuncFRXNbWSho0I5vaM0E5QJ58eybj4V1nbj3iI_kq_QaKNLZsKlSpwXUeSiXQnIE9ezQqYoPQQtE36KrSahbbuYD8Y2_AC23b8G-4_gKCti0OphLd0waw2WN_NQJwWpWz/s1219/July20-2f1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="468" height="831" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFsGc-TOEx3EnhP5v30SvLTHcm5UpsJqzlbpUmySVRVLaJDCaU0SnyqvpdIFuncFRXNbWSho0I5vaM0E5QJ58eybj4V1nbj3iI_kq_QaKNLZsKlSpwXUeSiXQnIE9ezQqYoPQQtE36KrSahbbuYD8Y2_AC23b8G-4_gKCti0OphLd0waw2WN_NQJwWpWz/w320-h831/July20-2f1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZUcTFL0wAfKk77akRbo4Lnh9q1ha3WRead-WCGqagSFzrSH4psNIQSGEhFKfuIrh-uAtAZBlGYjbq3LBpTU3Xnwu9SR46o2SOza5839oToUf4_uqqtJAXdgXTMVvvY15RP0etIBu09LzN0rUAJTzuv56ixcA6ogv5DrmXA6KCFlriVYSC8ceo2nlbmnt/s847/July20-2f2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="424" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZUcTFL0wAfKk77akRbo4Lnh9q1ha3WRead-WCGqagSFzrSH4psNIQSGEhFKfuIrh-uAtAZBlGYjbq3LBpTU3Xnwu9SR46o2SOza5839oToUf4_uqqtJAXdgXTMVvvY15RP0etIBu09LzN0rUAJTzuv56ixcA6ogv5DrmXA6KCFlriVYSC8ceo2nlbmnt/w320-h640/July20-2f2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two "quick photographs... target pictures... air reconnaissance (photos)" tell a tale:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjxmwqt9a7UeM70llcaYcVDNq_N3skjymQCYl3q_AkSkWd_TM8zMtmTjyBEEIz6UW3uHLrNEJuYeOIo1QajL93B6jfIT2_EYouWQiLd8jHKLQ3b3rUFW1vycxU99-IlhU3rMteV0yU7YwnaCFBjkTGI9BgraoQvFoFIn3DkFlckvEIgMBy9q1hklH9zqY/s886/COPP_Survey_Husky_How.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="886" height="753" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjxmwqt9a7UeM70llcaYcVDNq_N3skjymQCYl3q_AkSkWd_TM8zMtmTjyBEEIz6UW3uHLrNEJuYeOIo1QajL93B6jfIT2_EYouWQiLd8jHKLQ3b3rUFW1vycxU99-IlhU3rMteV0yU7YwnaCFBjkTGI9BgraoQvFoFIn3DkFlckvEIgMBy9q1hklH9zqY/w883-h753/COPP_Survey_Husky_How.jpg" width="883" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The 81st Flotilla of Canadian Landing Craft served at HOW Beaches, center.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The 80th Flotilla served at GEORGE Sector, right (north), just off the page.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW052_EvbjSSXXW6uduE3ggClw2MdEYeVQ9TzrV2WHXDcOV6FRj-AlQoqGzOb2l7RMK93GmAF8x3eRbnt8SGicDa2YeqHjr7sMjAtx1glzdTs3vJc9JS7ajG3-seZKclOujzg0_3Bx1BGjHXhg_tGdZrUYQvmImNoddLZMKOAcealOfqcEA2shAtdsH93t/s2048/COPP_Survey_NHHC_Acid_North.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1617" data-original-width="2048" height="704" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW052_EvbjSSXXW6uduE3ggClw2MdEYeVQ9TzrV2WHXDcOV6FRj-AlQoqGzOb2l7RMK93GmAF8x3eRbnt8SGicDa2YeqHjr7sMjAtx1glzdTs3vJc9JS7ajG3-seZKclOujzg0_3Bx1BGjHXhg_tGdZrUYQvmImNoddLZMKOAcealOfqcEA2shAtdsH93t/w891-h704/COPP_Survey_NHHC_Acid_North.jpg" width="891" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">81st at Beach 46 and 45. 80th Flotilla at Beach 44 (today Fontane Bianche)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above two photographs found at <a href="https://www.coppsurvey.uk/july-1943">very informative website COPP Survey</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Clapper's Column continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLkHyQAW1o0UctBx7ancx4U_bSxddyEBsScfcUuuZ39hEnXiNr851peiqCJhfs_aABEB1ZUnHwIHatdgUd2Tyf3pdCM1YQEJ6fJAOgdUQtWWvXhn3ff4h1-RdK0WKMB1idk-4gKjDqA4vOUgtiawIF-ZhTKx_berY2K_zq_hUJ7PHdtJq-ueQGcBf9T4m/s543/July20-2f3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="424" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLkHyQAW1o0UctBx7ancx4U_bSxddyEBsScfcUuuZ39hEnXiNr851peiqCJhfs_aABEB1ZUnHwIHatdgUd2Tyf3pdCM1YQEJ6fJAOgdUQtWWvXhn3ff4h1-RdK0WKMB1idk-4gKjDqA4vOUgtiawIF-ZhTKx_berY2K_zq_hUJ7PHdtJq-ueQGcBf9T4m/w321-h410/July20-2f3.jpeg" width="321" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQMzaDBjZY2pEhiwx0CiU_Dsn4VVrHSkFFwkEexRO3rUFtLltS7_gLK3gavf2e5IgSdN4t7WuCxovigPXTmyYTWDxmNU4bM2BGVLsM7s1_M0saWCB2TFGZbrCjpw8wYH3nKaBU6ABnNg0ys6pX1sel8IFkCa455hqHEGRqo-kjRnQHRDyqViDgoLQtWTN/s469/July20-2f4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="469" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQMzaDBjZY2pEhiwx0CiU_Dsn4VVrHSkFFwkEexRO3rUFtLltS7_gLK3gavf2e5IgSdN4t7WuCxovigPXTmyYTWDxmNU4bM2BGVLsM7s1_M0saWCB2TFGZbrCjpw8wYH3nKaBU6ABnNg0ys6pX1sel8IFkCa455hqHEGRqo-kjRnQHRDyqViDgoLQtWTN/s320/July20-2f4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthPCsD8lKE7Uq5YUdlUHyPoiG0ltMkBhc8aLpLino3x8-4PlOUg53HCsYmGWoabV63WJ8xg1ypOIO-UuE4s1qQdAzY7Lgb3Bv_DEba8eScXY57nDieIkkkfq0NMeCPU7VLI86KvCQ9p6tnjqAGX4MYhWk6jd5C0Bp_cbaQVtFZGJTrapvonAQpjhf_DiS/s800/COPP_Survey_IWM_NA_4635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="800" height="886" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthPCsD8lKE7Uq5YUdlUHyPoiG0ltMkBhc8aLpLino3x8-4PlOUg53HCsYmGWoabV63WJ8xg1ypOIO-UuE4s1qQdAzY7Lgb3Bv_DEba8eScXY57nDieIkkkfq0NMeCPU7VLI86KvCQ9p6tnjqAGX4MYhWk6jd5C0Bp_cbaQVtFZGJTrapvonAQpjhf_DiS/w894-h886/COPP_Survey_IWM_NA_4635.jpg" width="894" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Italian prisoners helping clear barbed wire, reportedly on <b>Beach 44. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also found at COPP's Survey site: Photo source: © IWM NA4635</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Beach 44, aka GEORGE Sector, looks a bit different today, as of September 2023 when my son and I visited. E.g., the swimming was perfect, the cold beer was perfect, the hospitality was perfect...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFO_End1MCKR-K311mNA2n9AKwqWp4aALUuS1Ki1yV7rO6SuzF6t9BEICKAo5vGCFT2ig23haFHCf5BBivpAkySzlcCiNeCzSgKfPAHKImhPjFvoa18WC2-hGSLyJgoWQBszZgP-wVR_nvlREjm25k57G8gHZexJo3yqg6O_XqeE8ouN7CWBqLkMpeyTb/s6000/IMG_5922.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3327" data-original-width="6000" height="644" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFO_End1MCKR-K311mNA2n9AKwqWp4aALUuS1Ki1yV7rO6SuzF6t9BEICKAo5vGCFT2ig23haFHCf5BBivpAkySzlcCiNeCzSgKfPAHKImhPjFvoa18WC2-hGSLyJgoWQBszZgP-wVR_nvlREjm25k57G8gHZexJo3yqg6O_XqeE8ouN7CWBqLkMpeyTb/w1164-h644/IMG_5922.jpeg" width="1164" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking north from a ridge that is not too far away from a new blue house</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">(seen in next photo) that is near the cave (The Savoy) in which that my</div><div style="text-align: center;">father and Navy mates sheltered for about three weeks, for safety. GH</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgjxtu1_3pM-ce-QtUFOprUqxkGGTv7QcEXTbh0qeKZ1iwdSyF_ofKkLjvjOeAf9tJ6qZGAOOhxGclRpTjpB-ngH-gj8SHCQpFCJWKjAvaouQJuueD9eGhPFREmSwvb5O7eVOfDidaoOOA9B0GJnp2kCX6vOtGpbBEw9CP-H-9o-F9SlzMUK3YJIwaB2W/s6000/IMG_5932.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3486" data-original-width="6000" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgjxtu1_3pM-ce-QtUFOprUqxkGGTv7QcEXTbh0qeKZ1iwdSyF_ofKkLjvjOeAf9tJ6qZGAOOhxGclRpTjpB-ngH-gj8SHCQpFCJWKjAvaouQJuueD9eGhPFREmSwvb5O7eVOfDidaoOOA9B0GJnp2kCX6vOtGpbBEw9CP-H-9o-F9SlzMUK3YJIwaB2W/w1164-h676/IMG_5932.jpeg" width="1164" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Blue house, atop a ridge far right, backs onto land once used for cattle grazing.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">"The Savoy" was an old cattle cave, "dank and wet," but cool in the summer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Please click here to view <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/10/research-three-months-in-mediterranean.html">Research: Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943 (12)</a><br /><br />More to follow from <b>The Montreal Gazette</b>, July - September, 1943<br /></div></div></div><p>Unattributed Photos GH </p>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-241435401248559602023-10-14T12:50:00.001-04:002023-10-23T18:49:13.583-04:00Memoirs: William N. "Bill" Katanna, Leading Stoker (1)<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;">"Bill" Katanna Rose Through the Ranks, from Dieppe to Italy</b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Key Member of the 80th Flotilla of Canadian Landing Crafts</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcqx93z5Mh11aHN19GhtX__oILJk_MOPDtSWlbgrxYJmsw9j2bLz-2V8DaspJ385Mwdy257fNqJzuGOvekLQM44vYQfF1txy319zmTU4N6ch2bb9Vp2jVbppsD2hzCTMhWIfgewm3Z4A3sqKs8ONSRRojcbJ4tLQ0gJypV8Rb5tgriDuNTMlxOBgyPFjq/s4032/IMG_0909.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcqx93z5Mh11aHN19GhtX__oILJk_MOPDtSWlbgrxYJmsw9j2bLz-2V8DaspJ385Mwdy257fNqJzuGOvekLQM44vYQfF1txy319zmTU4N6ch2bb9Vp2jVbppsD2hzCTMhWIfgewm3Z4A3sqKs8ONSRRojcbJ4tLQ0gJypV8Rb5tgriDuNTMlxOBgyPFjq/w662-h497/IMG_0909.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">William "Bill" N. Katanna (back left), Leading Stoker, RCNVR, Combined Ops</div><div style="text-align: center;">Editor's guess: Reggio di Calabria (toe of the boot of Italy), September, 1943</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photograph from collection of Susan Katanna (Bill's daughter)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXSFBDO13tjHV5rBx68hsrP7Rki9ajpulGhW4II24ThXYBDzfhFlkvfLTxyzomfRiJgT2PFWfp_nXaCuYzTx-Bi5jk52uvkICev5swap9Z5XzuYp08xkTH8WZoQ3O9ChzhUoVvORy05bfNvCPzbsyWQYhnYl9VOZyV-HHlSk5Biq6IeTAW55ODvTUIiKq/s600/374643587_630014435987834_1043301030618341923_n%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="600" height="659" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXSFBDO13tjHV5rBx68hsrP7Rki9ajpulGhW4II24ThXYBDzfhFlkvfLTxyzomfRiJgT2PFWfp_nXaCuYzTx-Bi5jk52uvkICev5swap9Z5XzuYp08xkTH8WZoQ3O9ChzhUoVvORy05bfNvCPzbsyWQYhnYl9VOZyV-HHlSk5Biq6IeTAW55ODvTUIiKq/w663-h659/374643587_630014435987834_1043301030618341923_n%20(1).jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bill kept his LCMs in top shape for two invasions, Operations HUSKY (July) and</div><div style="text-align: center;">BAYTOWN; E.g., he transported Canadian and British troops from Messina to</div><div style="text-align: center;">Reggio di Calabria beginning September 10, 1943</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNrnuioiH7nvtVsPF-28_DLXdOUpExAqMLQyZiEHqhJq5PPo9Yh_0yS1e5zHJRwRqy3amFKvuBurheywBltYZCz0ToMykIzGYVTCvtMz0bAtyVro0qU5yoTUCOASkLpyuMG526_yTcod7EzjnybT82ukoMqtmYYmbXOuzB_-o07oIfhNrNicvVuzcnmHu/s760/375269776_630014345987843_6350852662822549609_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="760" height="656" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNrnuioiH7nvtVsPF-28_DLXdOUpExAqMLQyZiEHqhJq5PPo9Yh_0yS1e5zHJRwRqy3amFKvuBurheywBltYZCz0ToMykIzGYVTCvtMz0bAtyVro0qU5yoTUCOASkLpyuMG526_yTcod7EzjnybT82ukoMqtmYYmbXOuzB_-o07oIfhNrNicvVuzcnmHu/w662-h656/375269776_630014345987843_6350852662822549609_n.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bill Katanna served in ''the Med" for three months, beginning in Sicily, July</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">10, 1943 for HUSKY, and then in Italy beginning Sept. 3 for BAYTOWN,</div><div style="text-align: center;">plying the strait from Messina to Reggio. Above 2 photos from Canadians</div><div style="text-align: center;">in the Italian Campaign, Facebook group</div><div><div><br /><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />The name 'Katanna' stuck in my mind after seeing it on a rare Navy hammock along with my father's, and next in one of my father's stories about the invasion of Sicily. The hammock, displayed in the photo below, has a story attached to it, and when I was able to connect with W. N. Katanna's daughter in Manitoba (in spring 2023) I learned a bit more about the hammock's journey and a lot more about the man.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-FI4GcFU-XZe8j43FWmWR0baHjEu_wtCQzWjj2NPU5EcVjn_XXNJLDNKy_0S7bPFIWit4qCymfecCl5TqJ8mkJ4UyYZNIFBGCKYG1QTvkABp3WKkjICkbdKLihNZEFb-wfkeVIE0MYwSntPVnydaC1bgdMYoU8hIX3KCnVtvPIPuYx0pWLOCPIwCAhlt/s921/dad's%20hammock%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="691" height="883" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-FI4GcFU-XZe8j43FWmWR0baHjEu_wtCQzWjj2NPU5EcVjn_XXNJLDNKy_0S7bPFIWit4qCymfecCl5TqJ8mkJ4UyYZNIFBGCKYG1QTvkABp3WKkjICkbdKLihNZEFb-wfkeVIE0MYwSntPVnydaC1bgdMYoU8hIX3KCnVtvPIPuYx0pWLOCPIwCAhlt/w662-h883/dad's%20hammock%202.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">WWII Navy hammock, listing <b>Katanna </b>and <b>Harrison</b> side-by-each in third row.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Displayed upon request at the HMCS Naden Navy Museum, Esquimalt, B.C.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Note - the hammock once belonged to W. N. Katanna; his stencilled name is</div><div style="text-align: center;">partially hidden near top of the maple leaf. Photo - collection of GH</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Next is an excerpt from a chapter re the invasion of Sicily (Operation HUSKY) from my father's memoirs (<u style="font-weight: bold;">"Dad, Well Done"</u>, pages 31 - 32), depicting Katanna, Harrison and Joe Watson (Simcoe, Ontario) getting rattled around inside their LCM while transporting materials of war to GEORGE Beach, now modern day Fontane Bianche:</div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">July 10, 1943. We arrived off Sicily in the middle of the night and stopped about four miles out. Other ships and new LCIs (landing craft infantry), fairly large barges, were landing troops. Soldiers went off each side of the foc’sle, down steps into the water and then ashore, during which time we saw much tracer fire. This was to be our worst invasion yet. Those left aboard had to wait until daylight so we went fishing for an hour or more, but there were no fish.<br /><br />A signal came through, i.e., “Do not fire on low flying aircraft, they are ours and towing gliders.” What, in the dark? Next morning, as we slowly moved in, we saw gliders everywhere. I saw them sticking out of the water, crashed on land and in the vineyards. In my twenty-seven days there I did not see a glider intact. We started unloading supplies with our LCMs about a half mile off the beach and then the worst began - German bombers. We were bombed 36 times in the first 72 hours - at dusk, at night, at dawn and all day long, and they said we had complete command of the air.<br /><br />We fired at everything. I saw P38s, German and Italian fighters and my first dogfights. Stukas blew up working parties on the beach once when I was only about one hundred feet out. Utter death and carnage. Our American gun crews had nothing but coffee for three or four days and stayed close to their guns all the time. I give them credit.<br /><br />The Russian Stoker on our ship, named <b>Katanna</b>, said <b>"Dieppe was never like this!"</b> and hid under a winch. Shrapnel and bombs just rained down.<br /><br />Once, with our LCM loaded with high octane gas and a Lorrie (truck), we were heading for the beach when we saw machine gun bullets stitching the water right towards us. Fortunately, an LST (landing ship tank) loaded with bofors (guns) opened up and scared off the planes, or we were gone if the bullets had hit the gas cans. I was hiding behind a truck tire, so was Joe Watson of Simcoe. What good would that have done?<br /><br />Our beach had machine gun nests carved out of the ever-present limestone, with slots cut in them to cover our beaches. A few hand grenades tossed in during the night silenced them forever.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyHIcrmg8mGdEcj1Yh7gKPI2MZ9zcqn_tG-UGRf857Tp0wH1w6WUdUldVab1labuMmK3vjwlu6byTWZJRzD67JH5QJXt31VMFU1N4OmdPMzBHUhDi-1c5kVqE_Gga19irf6_ur0v6B9nrp3ZMUI4bE5KwnLeoAe-6LD8KpegcwbHDcIimdTYpnZByteTf/s2927/IMG_0866.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="2927" height="577" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyHIcrmg8mGdEcj1Yh7gKPI2MZ9zcqn_tG-UGRf857Tp0wH1w6WUdUldVab1labuMmK3vjwlu6byTWZJRzD67JH5QJXt31VMFU1N4OmdPMzBHUhDi-1c5kVqE_Gga19irf6_ur0v6B9nrp3ZMUI4bE5KwnLeoAe-6LD8KpegcwbHDcIimdTYpnZByteTf/w836-h577/IMG_0866.jpeg" width="836" /></a></div>Map is from August 2, 1943 issue of LIFE Magazine, on display at</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Allied Landings in Sicily, 1943 Museum" in Catania, Sicily. GH<br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjni14UldaiEzyR_kY3dCVJduipJ7SHsX1PF7JGykLLsDnIgE09OO0jtY4xiuYf7HcjnBnpceEjQGa-FIcCr2Y-dTpCbFVis7nJPsPOYg9dDsutl_Nq-LFAgvdZhk0_4Wx-GCaDtyNSiFO6AI8hZNWGWvdifQp7xRIJ7rw90LSm4BJ3cXy_I3kokB8XCpIB/s660/IMG_5879.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="660" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjni14UldaiEzyR_kY3dCVJduipJ7SHsX1PF7JGykLLsDnIgE09OO0jtY4xiuYf7HcjnBnpceEjQGa-FIcCr2Y-dTpCbFVis7nJPsPOYg9dDsutl_Nq-LFAgvdZhk0_4Wx-GCaDtyNSiFO6AI8hZNWGWvdifQp7xRIJ7rw90LSm4BJ3cXy_I3kokB8XCpIB/w836-h556/IMG_5879.jpg" width="836" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFZ0QcwsebbJKBGOijiKCy29V_rE1WshDLLIGDQykjJLQdxJR6ATWWw92Yo4P4CCv9t-0Us9zeHNDyYNB7K6CFPcLu3XewbcnVI6elK9uEcFmS4oaxEsutHS3uJEjB065uG5QTNDWG-S-wrxI6HGlkF4ak3qJhNAOQrGCoYISg1lPEm-Y6Lckbj4wj2oM/s661/IMG_5881.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="661" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFZ0QcwsebbJKBGOijiKCy29V_rE1WshDLLIGDQykjJLQdxJR6ATWWw92Yo4P4CCv9t-0Us9zeHNDyYNB7K6CFPcLu3XewbcnVI6elK9uEcFmS4oaxEsutHS3uJEjB065uG5QTNDWG-S-wrxI6HGlkF4ak3qJhNAOQrGCoYISg1lPEm-Y6Lckbj4wj2oM/w837-h557/IMG_5881.jpg" width="837" /></a></div>Pill boxes still stand facing GEORGE Beach in Fontane Bianche. GH<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>(Please link to a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhNc_0njqU">YouTube video re modern day Fontane Bianche</a> (translation: White Fountain). Creator of video is walking toward the above pill box, seen on the left 50 m ahead, at 1min:31sec.)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBDm8l2msD6hLNxc1Taj-OP4WnrxrMyz7I9WdlxMZiFHFWBPitdR9PFJ-LODfi8idHGJTbu6iKgXOOAs1-WiHjUrUMNXQLUXJIrsM9wjkuVQpyEglYeo7NhwZ6ATqpJuDqokoUcoCjaKCpd4A5F4ft55Tu5mo-rHpvxCMIjDi39n1a9aIwz00GF-KcGZZ/s4032/IMG_0650%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBDm8l2msD6hLNxc1Taj-OP4WnrxrMyz7I9WdlxMZiFHFWBPitdR9PFJ-LODfi8idHGJTbu6iKgXOOAs1-WiHjUrUMNXQLUXJIrsM9wjkuVQpyEglYeo7NhwZ6ATqpJuDqokoUcoCjaKCpd4A5F4ft55Tu5mo-rHpvxCMIjDi39n1a9aIwz00GF-KcGZZ/w837-h628/IMG_0650%20(1).jpeg" width="837" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking across Strait of Messina from Mili Marina to Reggio, the waters</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">that W. N. Katanna would have been very familiar with in summer of '43</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Susan Katanna has shared with me details re the rare Navy hammock in a letter she compiled initially for Commander E. R. Paquette (OMM CD), Director of CFB Esquimalt Navy and Military Museum, in her support of a display of WWII Navy pictures and materials to benefit the education of the general public, re Canadians in Combined Operations.</div><div><br /></div><div>And about that one-of-a-kind hammock she writes the following:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmkgGmvH-Z8gq5ydPP5ynOSSwOAj9CrcCX-DbUJrhbM9_grdSnG1XQ2udtiDmQ9L97PUGuDOBbOdImqCCwVx8PYXg_8NXqhDt4n3IXcCzdMjvJs88ZjFgEtAyA1fvawhYMfCisjrppHUwjgyT3TjbdQgtbr4ZOh4gmyuyuTTdNkXxf-uwQWLV1urCviS9/s3718/IMG_0920.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="3718" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmkgGmvH-Z8gq5ydPP5ynOSSwOAj9CrcCX-DbUJrhbM9_grdSnG1XQ2udtiDmQ9L97PUGuDOBbOdImqCCwVx8PYXg_8NXqhDt4n3IXcCzdMjvJs88ZjFgEtAyA1fvawhYMfCisjrppHUwjgyT3TjbdQgtbr4ZOh4gmyuyuTTdNkXxf-uwQWLV1urCviS9/w727-h193/IMG_0920.jpeg" width="727" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"five (5) months" is disputed. Doug Harrison writes about boarding the</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Silver Walnut </i>no earlier than April, possibly May. So, 2 - 3 months est.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Questions, comments? Please address to <i>gordh7700@gmail.com</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY95szvrBW1E-JGEVEcfLDPc5klsXyIkoLj9uiSZlu7JZEk6tKKJiCGfxQR5EAJGKIdfOv9PVDZSKrua_vl3BrMiJI9UHPB-8-Rcuzt7JO-16skENkiuGJq79iVXnqX733XcAZEKuMFqrql3eumP2zQ7Ani619xL7hpUgAZkz16vxenfIfuwspFmdqDC5J/s3735/IMG_0920%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="3735" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY95szvrBW1E-JGEVEcfLDPc5klsXyIkoLj9uiSZlu7JZEk6tKKJiCGfxQR5EAJGKIdfOv9PVDZSKrua_vl3BrMiJI9UHPB-8-Rcuzt7JO-16skENkiuGJq79iVXnqX733XcAZEKuMFqrql3eumP2zQ7Ani619xL7hpUgAZkz16vxenfIfuwspFmdqDC5J/w724-h210/IMG_0920%20(1).jpeg" width="724" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Other members of the 80th and 81st Canadian Flotillas circled Africa</div><div style="text-align: center;">aboard different ships, e.g., HMS <i>Keren</i> and HMS <i>Charmian </i>(& more)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmXwyT-WUyQfZXb5T4qLLHZUUXwQ7FRDF1UZRYHPYr_8wt82syvg0-SCnmTuYfBHgZ4snfeNKXlKhGGPohlhEYsEozWhOir0uoYzNl3Xs-hubmXop5EJiPwlU8u5T3wpB2JSTomJ2qtlxKnrCQTaeCvq8PSMwiprHWAYiVJ5MwtzhR5_-RwUGYDf6q2RE/s1468/IMG_5470.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmXwyT-WUyQfZXb5T4qLLHZUUXwQ7FRDF1UZRYHPYr_8wt82syvg0-SCnmTuYfBHgZ4snfeNKXlKhGGPohlhEYsEozWhOir0uoYzNl3Xs-hubmXop5EJiPwlU8u5T3wpB2JSTomJ2qtlxKnrCQTaeCvq8PSMwiprHWAYiVJ5MwtzhR5_-RwUGYDf6q2RE/w724-h400/IMG_5470.jpeg" width="724" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2i7JkIv4mVWQ5UDVkGHwxQh3Ujz3Lh_IIBnuvu6OJlX3RD12emVkzvM0gvS9b9oQdBXd1qnD3pUsnZmGzvul0hTFb2UBVzsl0ovGB__IhXiwG6KnGmxBvpO2CWms9tAz4_5UXl9LpFKKwps4fjPX3IK714wzPJDW0cu7bgX8g5kFnsNAVlGb_LKsDJcz/s1501/IMG_5471.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1501" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2i7JkIv4mVWQ5UDVkGHwxQh3Ujz3Lh_IIBnuvu6OJlX3RD12emVkzvM0gvS9b9oQdBXd1qnD3pUsnZmGzvul0hTFb2UBVzsl0ovGB__IhXiwG6KnGmxBvpO2CWms9tAz4_5UXl9LpFKKwps4fjPX3IK714wzPJDW0cu7bgX8g5kFnsNAVlGb_LKsDJcz/w722-h490/IMG_5471.jpeg" width="722" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Note the name of the ship written north to south, right side of above shot</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmYMy1DpJzzRCvd7j7wh8l9-t3hjw_mtdZ0RCPWro_FrpEcV3fZhmjYlO9lUF1FJa0v1wbJD8nP1RO2g6AJpEi0FFX_OrJ2oSQz1ZRgyn39hP5HLWOF-OzMzzKP9fKx9U-2GDv0Adb1K8x9aa7lu6I5YoeRNeUoebnf8tsfvSiphZ0GyS5EF7mJk-JWTi/s1856/IMG_4502.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="1389" height="964" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmYMy1DpJzzRCvd7j7wh8l9-t3hjw_mtdZ0RCPWro_FrpEcV3fZhmjYlO9lUF1FJa0v1wbJD8nP1RO2g6AJpEi0FFX_OrJ2oSQz1ZRgyn39hP5HLWOF-OzMzzKP9fKx9U-2GDv0Adb1K8x9aa7lu6I5YoeRNeUoebnf8tsfvSiphZ0GyS5EF7mJk-JWTi/w720-h964/IMG_4502.jpeg" width="720" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bill Lindsay, 81st Flotilla, received the above certificate after crossing</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">the equator aboard HMS <i>Charmian</i> on his way around Africa to Sicily</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJ3RiOYi2AR624zj0NT7nL3eg2ExiE_YQMCgtieSs2BOicSp22LJvdaB1ubVuqPkw4rAVrXx2GlfHFe3mfKhWbP1xYgyxTJV1ffQ-eMo6sp08lSAYJOjoFfVlVSIKwkWZ7lXL4qUF1ep_txtcn-G8aOPggo3yQe5UIG84Ngb2qXmmnFtZosX8H2sYFJZV/s3851/IMG_0934.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="3851" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJ3RiOYi2AR624zj0NT7nL3eg2ExiE_YQMCgtieSs2BOicSp22LJvdaB1ubVuqPkw4rAVrXx2GlfHFe3mfKhWbP1xYgyxTJV1ffQ-eMo6sp08lSAYJOjoFfVlVSIKwkWZ7lXL4qUF1ep_txtcn-G8aOPggo3yQe5UIG84Ngb2qXmmnFtZosX8H2sYFJZV/w714-h252/IMG_0934.jpeg" width="714" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYQaPTq7rgWF5eTqE4ew9Lz3BFaZn22y0ID37WjJz4m4UDYt413YSx5YVX-7qYiYbQGzddwkIssKvyaWMriX81ZAYs1W0Wz4aIaTTDtJj3w3YgAzQLurfcjuk5v4UZC_tVyP7VKtFPVe21_wdQjMszJjQmGyIILXjrtv6EYmrllqZmBvzLrqtdzC1OqqQ/s3983/IMG_0894.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2788" data-original-width="3983" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYQaPTq7rgWF5eTqE4ew9Lz3BFaZn22y0ID37WjJz4m4UDYt413YSx5YVX-7qYiYbQGzddwkIssKvyaWMriX81ZAYs1W0Wz4aIaTTDtJj3w3YgAzQLurfcjuk5v4UZC_tVyP7VKtFPVe21_wdQjMszJjQmGyIILXjrtv6EYmrllqZmBvzLrqtdzC1OqqQ/w712-h498/IMG_0894.jpeg" width="712" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5FIowUoXqmvI7hyphenhyphenqhfcYYFQ9MX3_Y1qw_Ux0tPnwrOIWVumYnrZNfCYWPIfPQqSgE7s2Jqq2MZjmkFdvshZfjIFyJvhOq23QbIG1zp9ADS9NZL8WH0y60xKTrD6ZVOYllGt1jlhbTF796UXtCrTrt8SGaWTlrUr1_TBa9m3_Pu1Zz0sT7MJXpqK9chBZ/s3718/IMG_0936.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="3718" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5FIowUoXqmvI7hyphenhyphenqhfcYYFQ9MX3_Y1qw_Ux0tPnwrOIWVumYnrZNfCYWPIfPQqSgE7s2Jqq2MZjmkFdvshZfjIFyJvhOq23QbIG1zp9ADS9NZL8WH0y60xKTrD6ZVOYllGt1jlhbTF796UXtCrTrt8SGaWTlrUr1_TBa9m3_Pu1Zz0sT7MJXpqK9chBZ/w713-h156/IMG_0936.jpeg" width="713" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Editor's note - 2nd from left, back row, is likely Ephus P. Murphy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">See next photo with more of the 80th crew aboard <i>Silver Walnut</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qa71kqHbmnq0Ldw4j3vudILOC4vkh7cHBZ83sASxPR0PwlZMaRPDfJs5ixU78jV2wK9BxCgjH9V3s_Szc_qTvUSulJZrDGlqZ8Vkb8Nq8bAmFRfOtFdTIorxnmMDaHva8D1iSJqcbjz3fIm8e2_UrinF54g1zoWxLWKMFArCqgTSBlP1C224nyWPZvW8/s3901/IMG_0937.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="3901" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qa71kqHbmnq0Ldw4j3vudILOC4vkh7cHBZ83sASxPR0PwlZMaRPDfJs5ixU78jV2wK9BxCgjH9V3s_Szc_qTvUSulJZrDGlqZ8Vkb8Nq8bAmFRfOtFdTIorxnmMDaHva8D1iSJqcbjz3fIm8e2_UrinF54g1zoWxLWKMFArCqgTSBlP1C224nyWPZvW8/w711-h160/IMG_0937.jpeg" width="711" /></a></div><div><br /></div>More of the 80th Flotilla, including W. N. Katanna, are listed in the following photo taken in 1943 aboard SS <i>Silver Walnut:</i></div><div><i><br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_B8uazeSDQrxhxNrKNd8WlZ31GATdCUOR_kAziij-157RlE0J6HnKD_2cYMxsR-aNCUiJueFh_ECN5u2Sv1HGONg_XyarQz6Vu-NLrcpCRIfehHsw68W1-Ikh8PngUIwlBZEibiKitkvmrXW6ji5lnGAu3APk7l8P8-OXVlmr0YIK9Clo56wuY4DLAl-/s640/IMG_1319a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_B8uazeSDQrxhxNrKNd8WlZ31GATdCUOR_kAziij-157RlE0J6HnKD_2cYMxsR-aNCUiJueFh_ECN5u2Sv1HGONg_XyarQz6Vu-NLrcpCRIfehHsw68W1-Ikh8PngUIwlBZEibiKitkvmrXW6ji5lnGAu3APk7l8P8-OXVlmr0YIK9Clo56wuY4DLAl-/w838-h560/IMG_1319a.jpeg" width="838" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQAeq84YcctlXuLGJ_rv2La8rsJ6wu-sT6oUGc-rpuc_N3E5C3RAPrXlH4MM8bL7ZuIYGv50W3BPeg-cMInQCGjjyBZFWOWFK7Tn8LdVhgVyst8c0dpHbhgGeCRzB_azCtttpuapTmF80vdhOqz-iFfFazHHUHBmF1hwBrob9tPQ_EsIp3pyBn8rS6c-M/s495/IMG_4923.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="495" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQAeq84YcctlXuLGJ_rv2La8rsJ6wu-sT6oUGc-rpuc_N3E5C3RAPrXlH4MM8bL7ZuIYGv50W3BPeg-cMInQCGjjyBZFWOWFK7Tn8LdVhgVyst8c0dpHbhgGeCRzB_azCtttpuapTmF80vdhOqz-iFfFazHHUHBmF1hwBrob9tPQ_EsIp3pyBn8rS6c-M/w838-h136/IMG_4923.jpeg" width="838" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>More to follow re Bill Katanna and family, including letters, reunions and more.<br /><br />Please click here to read <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2017/11/memoirs-william-eccles-at-d-day-france.html">Memoirs: William Eccles, at D-Day France, Parts 1 - 4 </a> re "A Front Row Seat on LCI(L) 295"<br /><br />Unattributed Photos GH</div></div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-85328644935379930112023-10-08T12:12:00.001-04:002023-10-23T18:48:52.395-04:00Research: Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943 (12)<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;">Monty's 8th and Canadian Forces are Well on the Move Northward</b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Many Great News Items on a "Not-So-Slow-News" Monday</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpjs42PRsnYrUGT-inw6U2G0gyonPqSE7axqNGXc5HAQnz-ilj-1bRhvyuf5xXVthDAmRO2lq0MsyO94IBqcB4YrCcdl4hE7WDD24nCJpMEcBBMLGVDBJZewjZJCw3Xw7Q8iFiGNT2Yy8XwyJLXqIGgR1Nnhdy_pqzcJ8LdKPdRY6KCxUZe6u2xkU78hyphenhyphen/s864/monty21789.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="864" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpjs42PRsnYrUGT-inw6U2G0gyonPqSE7axqNGXc5HAQnz-ilj-1bRhvyuf5xXVthDAmRO2lq0MsyO94IBqcB4YrCcdl4hE7WDD24nCJpMEcBBMLGVDBJZewjZJCw3Xw7Q8iFiGNT2Yy8XwyJLXqIGgR1Nnhdy_pqzcJ8LdKPdRY6KCxUZe6u2xkU78hyphenhyphen/w662-h610/monty21789.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"General Sir Bernard Montgomery standing on a DUKW amphibious vehicle</div><div style="text-align: center;">to address Canadian troops." Pachino, Italy (vicinity) July 11, 1943</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo 21789 found in Album 61, Canadian Army Film Unit (CAFU)</div><br /><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />Montgomery's Eighth and Canadian Army forces are headily steadily northward after multiple landings began on July 10, 1943, at multiple beaches, as part of Operation HUSKY. A few hundred members of RCNVR and Combined Operations were also involved in the landings, operating landing crafts to ferry British troops and all the materials of war (ammunition, fuel for countless trucks, jeeps, tanks, along with food, more fuel...) to such places as Fontane Bianche (GEORGE Sector with 80th Flotilla) and Gallina (HOW Sector with 81st Flotilla of Canadian landing crafts) along Sicily's eastern coast.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGB40SOSyFN6137iXSFV7SMdqbfPuP_zuSSiKNmPKycahWLeZntouS1y8j1DHcdxZ5nSpxfXULsD7PMz3jsNTyIAEfAiIUejthfDSzyRgdIiJknvVJ0suMaNtqCBCQ0v5DDsCoExCuG74aGJVxD1_ynrWgitnuoHhB-VWp3E_QQ2JMafbUI1myf2OWnUJA/s3977/GOPR0279a%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3187" data-original-width="3977" height="709" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGB40SOSyFN6137iXSFV7SMdqbfPuP_zuSSiKNmPKycahWLeZntouS1y8j1DHcdxZ5nSpxfXULsD7PMz3jsNTyIAEfAiIUejthfDSzyRgdIiJknvVJ0suMaNtqCBCQ0v5DDsCoExCuG74aGJVxD1_ynrWgitnuoHhB-VWp3E_QQ2JMafbUI1myf2OWnUJA/w886-h709/GOPR0279a%20(1).jpeg" width="886" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">LIFE Magazine, August 1943 edition as found on display at <b>"Allied</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Landings in Sicily Museum"</b> in Catania, Sicily. Photo GH</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBAXJWGX_X7xNxiw0nJ31aDxPwQUY6MYsCu3PA2uyMuLF6pgItWB_aPD3YSzVG7gIixCVIE2vMx2GvmQ_6VtIBjLQC545ikAd9dpPg5OfU34SvXsOrjh9nIaK23e5NZRW_gd6jRQEgeRquT8118DVRQ8rPADcLlJR20HNFlrTzxlkTt9Cvt97dZe04Pmc/s3303/IMG_0876.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3303" data-original-width="2487" height="886" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBAXJWGX_X7xNxiw0nJ31aDxPwQUY6MYsCu3PA2uyMuLF6pgItWB_aPD3YSzVG7gIixCVIE2vMx2GvmQ_6VtIBjLQC545ikAd9dpPg5OfU34SvXsOrjh9nIaK23e5NZRW_gd6jRQEgeRquT8118DVRQ8rPADcLlJR20HNFlrTzxlkTt9Cvt97dZe04Pmc/w667-h886/IMG_0876.jpeg" width="667" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Readers, click here to peruse <a href="https://www.originallifemagazines.com/product-category/life-magazines/https-www-originallifemagazines-com-life-magazines-1940s/life-magazines-1943/">vintage copies of LIFE Magazine</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8TuTV6u47NKnuzf3QwHgQHrxa4ZHEiPWInqhvf-5-cn1oYETKKx42u3syzCHApmjVwsUDw0u4PDOXqlwZBhhyphenhyphen8SqjKySAeJs03kCqoWlv5EDGW79W8I5B6iNrcLEeBBtOa1QdrqvQeWcql3ipP6b90jCbO5Vd7Y7WYoGVKqAkaXkV1LFPHjSMfvGGKCl/s4032/gallina.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8TuTV6u47NKnuzf3QwHgQHrxa4ZHEiPWInqhvf-5-cn1oYETKKx42u3syzCHApmjVwsUDw0u4PDOXqlwZBhhyphenhyphen8SqjKySAeJs03kCqoWlv5EDGW79W8I5B6iNrcLEeBBtOa1QdrqvQeWcql3ipP6b90jCbO5Vd7Y7WYoGVKqAkaXkV1LFPHjSMfvGGKCl/w886-h665/gallina.jpg" width="886" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Article re "British 8th Army Lands in Sicily" will appear in a future post.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Another map in the museum reveals the location of 'The Savoy', the</div><div style="text-align: center;">cattle cave inhabited by the 80th Flotilla for 2 -3 weeks. GH</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Questions or comments re the landings along the east coast, The Savoy, the museum etc., can be addressed to GH at <i>gordh7700@gmail.com</i></div><br /><div>The news clippings that follow are from microfilm of The Montreal Gazette that is stored at the University of Western Ontario, a one-hour walk from my house. Many more walks lie ahead!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQTEnwjbLqVJfmD0tApi2wQ7yy4yoeBW0DE8MafauDq_eRiUc7gZLmYhjRcJatSbb8w5bQDSe83ETVOygdumsH50D81rc90HVQyJmUHMkV-C5Q_ehUlCQzzYWsTmLa49Ph7qgRmiK6ZA7eJ4jDvE8I7TcTotHxmuz0MK73FoOXs20Dwafb77iSrAChlXM/s1582/July19-1a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="1582" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQTEnwjbLqVJfmD0tApi2wQ7yy4yoeBW0DE8MafauDq_eRiUc7gZLmYhjRcJatSbb8w5bQDSe83ETVOygdumsH50D81rc90HVQyJmUHMkV-C5Q_ehUlCQzzYWsTmLa49Ph7qgRmiK6ZA7eJ4jDvE8I7TcTotHxmuz0MK73FoOXs20Dwafb77iSrAChlXM/w886-h216/July19-1a.jpeg" width="886" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Catania is today home to a modern airport, a gateway to WWII research</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BnVvuftF-X48AXmZTWkJQpGrl3oprNLz3cOGSXBg739fgdu2lDWj1FOBbvb3fZEPPY7VDuOtunkhyNyc-B1SDOAT0_-5tMI_ikGIHQ5KNX4SLBRZI6T-fyNfOh-b3PPyb7Dn2evhOfSDKGDqyGdK0rjaIrryE6bQeprjK0TVYImn0f9sX7qHtEuGfoe-/s1211/July19-1b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1211" height="730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BnVvuftF-X48AXmZTWkJQpGrl3oprNLz3cOGSXBg739fgdu2lDWj1FOBbvb3fZEPPY7VDuOtunkhyNyc-B1SDOAT0_-5tMI_ikGIHQ5KNX4SLBRZI6T-fyNfOh-b3PPyb7Dn2evhOfSDKGDqyGdK0rjaIrryE6bQeprjK0TVYImn0f9sX7qHtEuGfoe-/w868-h730/July19-1b.jpeg" width="868" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Many readers are no doubt aware that photographs found on microfilm leave a lot to be desire, as above. That being said, more resources are available to us all in which better copies of particular photos can be found (e.g., at Imperial War Museum and Library and Archives Canada). Below we see Gen. Montgomery (2nd left) waiting for a cup of tea, I presume:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUer1kXs6pwzkUQ2hzJRHJ56cTvW-UfpVYjZhncJ8gtWqc0M7OGDcNuzQCkFaLv8k9GR77nv062qk0OFvyrhSQbjfCHb3ettHs_-dMi7t3j2REqXZwSHEb6QfIDfyzu8ReL4DTH8zDzp8FMl4jjfpuSDl_muGIgEqyTPzTGVpvieFy8G-0vGwUx3Z4YfNb/s842/monty,sicily1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="842" height="631" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUer1kXs6pwzkUQ2hzJRHJ56cTvW-UfpVYjZhncJ8gtWqc0M7OGDcNuzQCkFaLv8k9GR77nv062qk0OFvyrhSQbjfCHb3ettHs_-dMi7t3j2REqXZwSHEb6QfIDfyzu8ReL4DTH8zDzp8FMl4jjfpuSDl_muGIgEqyTPzTGVpvieFy8G-0vGwUx3Z4YfNb/w662-h631/monty,sicily1.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gen. G. G. Simonds, General Officer Commanding 1st Canadian Infantry</div><div style="text-align: center;">Division, 3rd from left. Valguamera Italy (vicinity) July 17, 1943</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J45PPSs5QCJIiP_S8q92VantmnUOAVkuU72YX3CNgdRKb4EhzuCIlLmFbwFuKWjFep3jRM9IZscQsU2we5c5OmYH_HdXfv7gpZNfKUzNBnyJsf91CM0z_kk6tQ99UmicUT_4JknYQJjTJuOUzsvhrJUphv4Z-9UAgmafV9WEeYKeJCntUfGFssbGZivl/s714/monty,sicily3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="714" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J45PPSs5QCJIiP_S8q92VantmnUOAVkuU72YX3CNgdRKb4EhzuCIlLmFbwFuKWjFep3jRM9IZscQsU2we5c5OmYH_HdXfv7gpZNfKUzNBnyJsf91CM0z_kk6tQ99UmicUT_4JknYQJjTJuOUzsvhrJUphv4Z-9UAgmafV9WEeYKeJCntUfGFssbGZivl/w662-h199/monty,sicily3.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photo 21916 from Album 61, Canadian Army Film Unit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photographer's last name - Royal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finally, a cup of tea for Monty:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouXN3ynEOV6wtIseSZn8ipfRZu4sx0ZsypO8Cv1QQZ5WL9X-obbT2cE9XopfMuw4Mfx7FHSvoYWRxUTohQAeOMHKGBGFWRAcS3A5kgamkf8htjQLCpBAUULbF4mn8KkV9rMt9-WoFZtZRP_ToTMQK5AhXSUpyLyIbGSVzxMqTty66J2zRvMvwpbc6pbUX/s400/Bernard_Law_Montgomery_5357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="338" height="782" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouXN3ynEOV6wtIseSZn8ipfRZu4sx0ZsypO8Cv1QQZ5WL9X-obbT2cE9XopfMuw4Mfx7FHSvoYWRxUTohQAeOMHKGBGFWRAcS3A5kgamkf8htjQLCpBAUULbF4mn8KkV9rMt9-WoFZtZRP_ToTMQK5AhXSUpyLyIbGSVzxMqTty66J2zRvMvwpbc6pbUX/w661-h782/Bernard_Law_Montgomery_5357.jpg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://www.baldwinbattlefieldtours.com/2019/01/27/was-montgomery-to-blame-for-the-failure-to-take-caen/">Baldwin Battlefield Tours</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiim8bLEw8u1iSdrIdtpA9RjGE5jE0YzoYqFnmt7CLVfgXdH4rO4h6h-MVSWmS7hdaQSxs8yMhrUQLL3doUpSPU7pqNg5l5ZJVfokBUAOinO5n32Bo8EylgvOUqo-4gB9p5c_KAyyVNjXfHXkTSe2YzmeIeVC-De__CrndDotCdm0aB9IesLzIfOSxnNvhi/s937/July19-1c1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="937" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiim8bLEw8u1iSdrIdtpA9RjGE5jE0YzoYqFnmt7CLVfgXdH4rO4h6h-MVSWmS7hdaQSxs8yMhrUQLL3doUpSPU7pqNg5l5ZJVfokBUAOinO5n32Bo8EylgvOUqo-4gB9p5c_KAyyVNjXfHXkTSe2YzmeIeVC-De__CrndDotCdm0aB9IesLzIfOSxnNvhi/w664-h614/July19-1c1.jpeg" width="664" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayvto0DDCmUzRTLYtLDMIXyrQmM08P-7z-OEEYKnOUd5O-irH1kCpdnoDfBRo13xdG2a-iRIN1EV98R12NXKSJitiz7ZTJjD0pX2Bj4ve8l_lFq8O9PacSho0V1asogaebr99138p-xQCY8RnqtUYp9YCY7YJMjAzTebE10Ft4r3XfpZO1R9ZWlb2xRD7/s831/July19-1c2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="363" height="828" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayvto0DDCmUzRTLYtLDMIXyrQmM08P-7z-OEEYKnOUd5O-irH1kCpdnoDfBRo13xdG2a-iRIN1EV98R12NXKSJitiz7ZTJjD0pX2Bj4ve8l_lFq8O9PacSho0V1asogaebr99138p-xQCY8RnqtUYp9YCY7YJMjAzTebE10Ft4r3XfpZO1R9ZWlb2xRD7/w362-h828/July19-1c2.jpeg" width="362" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYys-wwHrZ5UdU_9-2lLB4BNAOH5NhSqodfZvLAA2ijRidb_ky46Gdxiu51JBfOASThBydUcoMdIca4uitkgacSkWA8fgKqdv0iwfRHat7oYEECwNK7wD9brARexRT7kl2WYu1e-1f8buMMZQsw7TlsWfrTrKQlwIHV8uUaOupRhMcLZICx1Ft10Gv9J9/s931/July19-1c3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="363" height="929" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYys-wwHrZ5UdU_9-2lLB4BNAOH5NhSqodfZvLAA2ijRidb_ky46Gdxiu51JBfOASThBydUcoMdIca4uitkgacSkWA8fgKqdv0iwfRHat7oYEECwNK7wD9brARexRT7kl2WYu1e-1f8buMMZQsw7TlsWfrTrKQlwIHV8uUaOupRhMcLZICx1Ft10Gv9J9/w363-h929/July19-1c3.jpeg" width="363" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="383" height="852" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP6w2FlnGwvNcFSrmUP3Ep2qwAcwD8pmuj8zka1_1_qAT-wNoXmhz6QHIr7yvUu2-Vi_wMvlQSEdEcd4nNXdQq_ae3_8nsYvtUC2HiPtv-XxFVuqHGEa672RgcKOUJ5sl5wqD3-QSX-vNzGVVvtXiBEjWDMV7F67j_NZT7MUF6X9X1qZS0pLjxBlfVGTw/w575-h852/mediterranean-algiers-stars-and-stripes-Jul-10-1943-p-1-1%202.jpeg" width="575" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Please click here for more details about <a href="https://www.stripes.com/history/2022-07-11/paratroopers-algiers-wwii-zero-hour-6619558.html">the Stars and Stripes newspaper</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After nine days the combined Allied forces already control "one-third of Sicily". Read all about it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCNhujQvVintSdc-Y0_B5VbcLNJQkVmn9ll_AyX3b_lxsaG7GbSsdl357qvit51XlftdLMq-tR-rg-h9F_M2IQ0vDY3zTyXWd1PWNA1IQCh38YpvOjogL6N10ZxS-SwLsrY1UktZR5l-QoXfric1ZxB0Oqhc2m82-uL1ldVxBiXU0__ZTVrNP3z0mOH3N/s1046/July19-1d1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="345" height="977" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCNhujQvVintSdc-Y0_B5VbcLNJQkVmn9ll_AyX3b_lxsaG7GbSsdl357qvit51XlftdLMq-tR-rg-h9F_M2IQ0vDY3zTyXWd1PWNA1IQCh38YpvOjogL6N10ZxS-SwLsrY1UktZR5l-QoXfric1ZxB0Oqhc2m82-uL1ldVxBiXU0__ZTVrNP3z0mOH3N/w323-h977/July19-1d1.jpeg" width="323" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDJfQKJil31uegkjecz2t2B3K78uD-KECTU0zIi0w7-d11JW8rS2I5uYgLmxPXMnr1lK7bDccmCUI8gYAXk_9ejVl_1gjhP8hSEwBB2xldXPFjGXurBwAaBwyhQTT8L3OY6EFLtbcyK8GWvrSGC-ewgCgSBapTkGeAPY8RCseHkWWoX8M4_X31vL5njhW/s962/July19-1d2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="368" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQa-8NrG-HSXD012xObg5LbkS6Xn3ZJVlRC4wpNrOjFy5SRRxpxBGRo1TlcvRFON63rmC3zs3ri05UfeLyTOLbz4fO3sPht8W9ZmnMMYXOq3JMx9Z8X8aMUiBuz1ppqMgwapxVC2VkcItLtDfg1-mKahkMMl635YoFDZn1kPSUX7LG36yf7XWp_DvS2uo/s320/July19-1d8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU_8ZuNSyUyP0jbe0qbaGHTExgsHgxa7rzYGBeQIzffIP3N9UaIDRS_c06o1ESqIKC-UO31ZKWBKJEldUCux70D4kUokeqkp1ZCU3qxo7ocksnmUiIC6m9LO8rbzvJ-2mcAcQvHs1YVoJU3IDcuJhcrj0NEaQ6pj1WVFxFZlGWERybY6Y6EQo0I7_vtje/s988/July19-1d9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="428" height="740" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU_8ZuNSyUyP0jbe0qbaGHTExgsHgxa7rzYGBeQIzffIP3N9UaIDRS_c06o1ESqIKC-UO31ZKWBKJEldUCux70D4kUokeqkp1ZCU3qxo7ocksnmUiIC6m9LO8rbzvJ-2mcAcQvHs1YVoJU3IDcuJhcrj0NEaQ6pj1WVFxFZlGWERybY6Y6EQo0I7_vtje/w321-h740/July19-1d9.jpeg" width="321" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuU9YK03B0cRhsaUBh5hvomFNhfubGAlXoGugYqk1GL7K0wMckFd8Ysk3ivmZtfxZI8FWqVNZICqM9ZmE-6mixBcglOoFEM145i3qzjFQpjIw0MhtgPf2VZ86XmrA4kAPnc6MSvcXZSt8MQlxX4yvdS9pkynv4_HXIHMUf-3S_ytUbp2FUlcEJxZj6vUp/s1036/July19-1e1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="349" height="1101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuU9YK03B0cRhsaUBh5hvomFNhfubGAlXoGugYqk1GL7K0wMckFd8Ysk3ivmZtfxZI8FWqVNZICqM9ZmE-6mixBcglOoFEM145i3qzjFQpjIw0MhtgPf2VZ86XmrA4kAPnc6MSvcXZSt8MQlxX4yvdS9pkynv4_HXIHMUf-3S_ytUbp2FUlcEJxZj6vUp/w370-h1101/July19-1e1.jpeg" width="370" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsovJI-Pua_tbzS1LAmZUfiT_yTeQlpfJMwmcFKSoA0pvZLu7yOpQchpbrGihxJnKAo1Zbf02bUOfiHyFv4g4O3_21SFoZKgYfG8EwmowMsXnVLIXVmpb2IY7586FSvTD2rq75bf2AQgZvpWZHWolLPON8SMWrmT4NFgqs3avUJQCPMUm5ItArMwOHPxw/s870/July19-1e2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="370" height="873" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsovJI-Pua_tbzS1LAmZUfiT_yTeQlpfJMwmcFKSoA0pvZLu7yOpQchpbrGihxJnKAo1Zbf02bUOfiHyFv4g4O3_21SFoZKgYfG8EwmowMsXnVLIXVmpb2IY7586FSvTD2rq75bf2AQgZvpWZHWolLPON8SMWrmT4NFgqs3avUJQCPMUm5ItArMwOHPxw/w371-h873/July19-1e2.jpeg" width="371" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2T70HtTRwvCtRaIo4MhJt4F1XFAvplMVXS2KZOFNxX6eOgjvU_YW6hFZlGmwmbzIMSnW6aqeo3RKXisGUACmJ6v_4VG-IelYGmdrmHmpUBiDOFilNi4hbzRvd9vYc0XDH8pLWkWK_ZRAQV1hvXTIaFEmI5Nk-XLSQSX5QbIcmmOZXzJfUAkGOKRDIbo-N/s391/July19-1e3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="391" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2T70HtTRwvCtRaIo4MhJt4F1XFAvplMVXS2KZOFNxX6eOgjvU_YW6hFZlGmwmbzIMSnW6aqeo3RKXisGUACmJ6v_4VG-IelYGmdrmHmpUBiDOFilNi4hbzRvd9vYc0XDH8pLWkWK_ZRAQV1hvXTIaFEmI5Nk-XLSQSX5QbIcmmOZXzJfUAkGOKRDIbo-N/w372-h205/July19-1e3.jpeg" width="372" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I guess "Hitler's secret flop" isn't a secret anymore:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0PwpsuOnPiFf-WA_E-qpLFegS9zWI6nsyibTu6TDQTKKmQfnbgzbYcU58TMiJHMMJiCVya9JpfBuwpWkQMSnSRfmltqROKLAKWrLaXV0ulwHADegBJQJ5cm1SEDqUxThfvlEqU2k4A25a_2t0DA1D1oshvAo8a61UQ3JYGyiZbYoIUtBtkSiIgRhq-m9/s980/July19-1f.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="725" height="895" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0PwpsuOnPiFf-WA_E-qpLFegS9zWI6nsyibTu6TDQTKKmQfnbgzbYcU58TMiJHMMJiCVya9JpfBuwpWkQMSnSRfmltqROKLAKWrLaXV0ulwHADegBJQJ5cm1SEDqUxThfvlEqU2k4A25a_2t0DA1D1oshvAo8a61UQ3JYGyiZbYoIUtBtkSiIgRhq-m9/w662-h895/July19-1f.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbVlds51Vgt7GS9svTz-ZrGKkZCvpfoJmNlWW9ZlkCdDI2Pry77ycVyZweJoHARW-3I1scjck8ejAamOedr96Ai73tD1R75axMHDZFsA7uBFxvnl94-sxEqlWlNi2zwO7DHh1mbs5eOtj-l06BILaQWcA75Kl_NQaQCQNoVMhuaIhG_PeSZcp2oYNBXfz/s537/July19-1g.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="390" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbVlds51Vgt7GS9svTz-ZrGKkZCvpfoJmNlWW9ZlkCdDI2Pry77ycVyZweJoHARW-3I1scjck8ejAamOedr96Ai73tD1R75axMHDZFsA7uBFxvnl94-sxEqlWlNi2zwO7DHh1mbs5eOtj-l06BILaQWcA75Kl_NQaQCQNoVMhuaIhG_PeSZcp2oYNBXfz/w464-h640/July19-1g.jpeg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKU7hO-1Xy4pZFe9D0Ac24DIWIaM667x_S_F_qL_5WQQw6E3njPguy2ZRZvYeeXthKCXLvLNQjlexrQbCdOGfy-nNqrwDqf8qFnakItzar_4KI9E0Ru4GH9PbD7KHmbnjaTRedXLEo_1FxDsgWj47xyl6xtJF7B12-lkpH5KsxrtUf2DExtm-4TcC8pU4/s1044/July19-1h.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="996" height="910" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKU7hO-1Xy4pZFe9D0Ac24DIWIaM667x_S_F_qL_5WQQw6E3njPguy2ZRZvYeeXthKCXLvLNQjlexrQbCdOGfy-nNqrwDqf8qFnakItzar_4KI9E0Ru4GH9PbD7KHmbnjaTRedXLEo_1FxDsgWj47xyl6xtJF7B12-lkpH5KsxrtUf2DExtm-4TcC8pU4/w867-h910/July19-1h.jpeg" width="867" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Again, a few better-than-average photos can be found at Canadian Army Film Unit website:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iTDPOt4uJxaYll2oV0-wcrGyNIfbdPl6h_4qy3hcs62Oq-WNhzTs2WchJChdb15nO4RgLa1jthyphenhyphenk0WVJgeHYO1b8ZuDnv3PmCl-mcr5JooAtS1deELDq13yD6YffJ8-D0blaJjceY88yUU3q5mzsOXJXMcgW5waohEJj39MACrfUe1GnupNGrCjghE_d/s1177/nurses,glasgow1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="1158" height="671" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iTDPOt4uJxaYll2oV0-wcrGyNIfbdPl6h_4qy3hcs62Oq-WNhzTs2WchJChdb15nO4RgLa1jthyphenhyphenk0WVJgeHYO1b8ZuDnv3PmCl-mcr5JooAtS1deELDq13yD6YffJ8-D0blaJjceY88yUU3q5mzsOXJXMcgW5waohEJj39MACrfUe1GnupNGrCjghE_d/w661-h671/nurses,glasgow1.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IXGid66dWxM_2QDV0FOf_mRpNf8MXaec2M9uAK37HA3hmUmr_6OTQW9ybwrppJtEWCshTMbN6yrNxaienzZ-RrLe3_mILbTE4d_BVmTDGHzDjDWI8NNxKYHbd8WNtuFLndT9Lv7DDI28XfrYMRKi0u8U5Y7kMA93j4WNPPryQD1W59Thv6Tj0QvhZGOY/s1159/nurses,glasgow2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1156" height="663" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IXGid66dWxM_2QDV0FOf_mRpNf8MXaec2M9uAK37HA3hmUmr_6OTQW9ybwrppJtEWCshTMbN6yrNxaienzZ-RrLe3_mILbTE4d_BVmTDGHzDjDWI8NNxKYHbd8WNtuFLndT9Lv7DDI28XfrYMRKi0u8U5Y7kMA93j4WNPPryQD1W59Thv6Tj0QvhZGOY/w661-h663/nurses,glasgow2.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyCCIDqqCO1o_u_8Z-jgBi_F-RtghC8uDW4_8f_UopdXL-0nGe7d0AfLXw3RF7sXfZbUKkM07ut1lEsyBnDEnDcV6RPTOvbhFEvTvUtRF695gbwpF21rXsjONbNWgSM_g_rG52wl_FcxWRT7LKdXfhmHOi0GLUH2VhKl-qo5stM6DYtiR3-nUuS9-Hkmg/s1001/nurses,glasgow3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="1001" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyCCIDqqCO1o_u_8Z-jgBi_F-RtghC8uDW4_8f_UopdXL-0nGe7d0AfLXw3RF7sXfZbUKkM07ut1lEsyBnDEnDcV6RPTOvbhFEvTvUtRF695gbwpF21rXsjONbNWgSM_g_rG52wl_FcxWRT7LKdXfhmHOi0GLUH2VhKl-qo5stM6DYtiR3-nUuS9-Hkmg/w661-h186/nurses,glasgow3.jpg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">By Canadian Army photographer (last name) Stirton, June '43</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Warning! Keep your head down!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkdX8hYOIf56UlI1ZnoJJRZfY2rWqmMJsIJnMQe2y5O2yK6uPE8zS67hCSlQ_thLNoGnU30SUk4s6xtxCgllDMO7npEQjqhMZw14U2arahFid9rDBetEzR83KG0ljQxhmqYFuF51tr9EZx-TnUIablOwmsZILjXlU2TOU4oWIHQN_DQmiBXPuykPbbPcl/s969/July19-1i.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="523" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkdX8hYOIf56UlI1ZnoJJRZfY2rWqmMJsIJnMQe2y5O2yK6uPE8zS67hCSlQ_thLNoGnU30SUk4s6xtxCgllDMO7npEQjqhMZw14U2arahFid9rDBetEzR83KG0ljQxhmqYFuF51tr9EZx-TnUIablOwmsZILjXlU2TOU4oWIHQN_DQmiBXPuykPbbPcl/w422-h781/July19-1i.jpeg" width="422" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The "hundreds of Canadians" who had experiences with snipers includes Canadians in Combined Ops who manned landing craft in GEORGE Sector, beginning July 10, 1943. My father writes:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Once, with our LCM loaded with high octane gas and a Lorrie (truck), we were heading for the beach when we saw machine gun bullets stitching the water right towards us. Fortunately, an LST (landing ship tank) loaded with bofors (guns) opened up and scared off the planes, or we were gone if the bullets had hit the gas cans. I was hiding behind a truck tire, so was Joe Watson of Simcoe. What good would that have done?<br /><br />Our beach had machine gun nests carved out of the ever-present limestone, with slots cut in them to cover our beaches. A few hand grenades tossed in during the night silenced them forever.</span><br /><br />From <u style="font-weight: bold;">"Dad, Well Done"</u> pages 31 - 32</div><div><br /></div><div><div>While visiting GEORGE Sector or Beach in September 2023 I spotted more than one location within sight of the landing zone that may have given Canadians quite the fright:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgt_Mm5Kj3mxs8kpUuMJ9OUuCMx_Asa4Q7303qN45yq4qi1UxrtwQwwgZhTHV-wsZXYhrCirbUOXM8NJnEJkwkKeuo1rXTFLvy4ubZawR3WPafkD0v0L8iJRAxDs0EtOP8Fwkeqrw_zWtwSNGOKwvmKtuR9u45x2iYU1rnCU7f2p-8GVxYlnnkPU8YXgu/s6000/IMG_5879.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgt_Mm5Kj3mxs8kpUuMJ9OUuCMx_Asa4Q7303qN45yq4qi1UxrtwQwwgZhTHV-wsZXYhrCirbUOXM8NJnEJkwkKeuo1rXTFLvy4ubZawR3WPafkD0v0L8iJRAxDs0EtOP8Fwkeqrw_zWtwSNGOKwvmKtuR9u45x2iYU1rnCU7f2p-8GVxYlnnkPU8YXgu/w662-h440/IMG_5879.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAkCZZ7Fz9h0idQGvadErJHwf1aN36ZwMToddpxrzghJMao65_ZIEYwy3x3d8sc81mGEwTePRDIvJCXEv1TxsdEyN7C_jHQhyphenhyphenmvKDecCa50ZRvorYLIkm-XT_tBVHWba4AMSorbhC_-In_fcmW-uaZY4qwSPagdJIri3y0enj8P9Pg3qt_Al1Nhyf6QYu/s6000/IMG_5881.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAkCZZ7Fz9h0idQGvadErJHwf1aN36ZwMToddpxrzghJMao65_ZIEYwy3x3d8sc81mGEwTePRDIvJCXEv1TxsdEyN7C_jHQhyphenhyphenmvKDecCa50ZRvorYLIkm-XT_tBVHWba4AMSorbhC_-In_fcmW-uaZY4qwSPagdJIri3y0enj8P9Pg3qt_Al1Nhyf6QYu/w663-h441/IMG_5881.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl02DvcMsQ80jiaXGfQP4IpejhBJYPs3DvuqRxYsW3pnPYTnVWo_3Hxexrxtb9rfmL2_f-W5kbOHbIvhc-K_4_Ba2EcoT1YHzbW1Wk1kIuo-h6BKZ59wh99C9hs2sw8h1BSSCgcdOPwhUfowUlHCY4zPhaPZ6-J4MJYtueLr1MfRsUQhp1hIHDdzhOzoBd/s2462/IMG_0312.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1391" data-original-width="2462" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl02DvcMsQ80jiaXGfQP4IpejhBJYPs3DvuqRxYsW3pnPYTnVWo_3Hxexrxtb9rfmL2_f-W5kbOHbIvhc-K_4_Ba2EcoT1YHzbW1Wk1kIuo-h6BKZ59wh99C9hs2sw8h1BSSCgcdOPwhUfowUlHCY4zPhaPZ6-J4MJYtueLr1MfRsUQhp1hIHDdzhOzoBd/w886-h501/IMG_0312.jpeg" width="886" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Four pill boxes at GEORGE Beach are circled in yellow, and my son and I found</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">the one that's farthest left inside the circle. Original 1943 reconn photo is from the</div><div style="text-align: center;">book <u style="font-weight: bold;">St. Nazaire to Singapore, the Canadian Amphibious War, Vol. 1</u></div><div style="text-align: center;">pg. 179. Please compare it to the earlier photos shared from LIFE Magazine</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Hopefully, this hospital ship - Canada's first vessel in the Mediterranean - survived the war!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVpE2uiYU9pUhYblONw8ZbbkYZ38wlm1opGJYO99yO6yMtldW6cszU6QtCtlcYi5xlYwV_mEazCHvfHAoXJoK6CW1zl_1d4d6L2EN8mcDEzSf8mad68KetY90S_r80djGvaPcrBJMy_vCLEtnzuhPCJW39Vm9E184GAAci_3vXTw_Bmtx81jTyj4MPcwB/s1023/July19-1j.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="374" height="1133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVpE2uiYU9pUhYblONw8ZbbkYZ38wlm1opGJYO99yO6yMtldW6cszU6QtCtlcYi5xlYwV_mEazCHvfHAoXJoK6CW1zl_1d4d6L2EN8mcDEzSf8mad68KetY90S_r80djGvaPcrBJMy_vCLEtnzuhPCJW39Vm9E184GAAci_3vXTw_Bmtx81jTyj4MPcwB/w414-h1133/July19-1j.jpeg" width="414" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Not all hospital ships survived the war. HMHS <i>Talamba</i> did not survive the first two days of Operation HUSKY, as noted in earlier posts re <b>The Montreal Gazette's</b> news clippings. </div><div><br /></div><div>And as we well know, Adolf Hitler did not survive the war either!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycygSIVlvR1IMaNkLxtVNWzy6p_l3mcr2L6CdLLUnFu-lfsNp_5JhcF0xV6bcP0Q6z4V5rshhvE_ossKvZmrwU6B9s1GVZ4atBClYlk26aaZ47yc-zDzg0rqlVXNwXqFziNnpJyEAc_hbJVjAMTCjtKlhF5p6XX5m_2Dh77fzZ2sXK6I9zuJlyGsm4sfc/s1169/July19-2a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="918" height="842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycygSIVlvR1IMaNkLxtVNWzy6p_l3mcr2L6CdLLUnFu-lfsNp_5JhcF0xV6bcP0Q6z4V5rshhvE_ossKvZmrwU6B9s1GVZ4atBClYlk26aaZ47yc-zDzg0rqlVXNwXqFziNnpJyEAc_hbJVjAMTCjtKlhF5p6XX5m_2Dh77fzZ2sXK6I9zuJlyGsm4sfc/w660-h842/July19-2a.jpeg" width="660" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Allied armada that stormed Sicily was the largest</div><div style="text-align: center;">in history up to that point in time</div><div><br /></div><div>High praise in this article for the Merchant Navy, also known as 'the forgotten navy'. When beginning my study of my father's 'navy days, WWII' I actually thought he was a member of the Merchant Navy, which would have been, of course, no small thing. But little did I know! He was, however, a member (1 of about 1,000) of 'the almost forgotten navy', as a member of RCNVR who also volunteered for Combined Operations and were therefore, as some say, on loan to the Royal Navy. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb7JbUumQuqQtX9tHN_AxRYKcFvnG6V2zEqb5RrHjO4Q7kcHxAGQwfYS0MH7DMbbJVFhHHTnHatQXthNpdZLKRb6pRKjg0b_2dBI9bjNxBo4w4z8jpe-hymKyhi48envYudG0XSwUzRle7LaSKKuhfUTImfayMamcTnBavghNDyJ3GAJTWmmQP4AfVUoo/s981/July19-2b1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="532" height="953" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb7JbUumQuqQtX9tHN_AxRYKcFvnG6V2zEqb5RrHjO4Q7kcHxAGQwfYS0MH7DMbbJVFhHHTnHatQXthNpdZLKRb6pRKjg0b_2dBI9bjNxBo4w4z8jpe-hymKyhi48envYudG0XSwUzRle7LaSKKuhfUTImfayMamcTnBavghNDyJ3GAJTWmmQP4AfVUoo/w518-h953/July19-2b1.jpeg" width="518" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5kC9BZNiPUmRSpFuWpLcvdUTTZVejdi5uUG7ifj3wtbULn0m3GKDau-aPKiQ5xU64nIT9Cp2FzeSmn7DrPJdEL-p0zMGIm-xAkOLdJ5Poe3jn3dRdxy3yuJIBjYyoKtibr4NoquVQXcqAtykwD5lrgDHcYM5NGOmK_Lfs7C8gGlPkhLLTS8Ff6y7W-pH/s588/July19-2b2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="588" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5kC9BZNiPUmRSpFuWpLcvdUTTZVejdi5uUG7ifj3wtbULn0m3GKDau-aPKiQ5xU64nIT9Cp2FzeSmn7DrPJdEL-p0zMGIm-xAkOLdJ5Poe3jn3dRdxy3yuJIBjYyoKtibr4NoquVQXcqAtykwD5lrgDHcYM5NGOmK_Lfs7C8gGlPkhLLTS8Ff6y7W-pH/w518-h423/July19-2b2.jpeg" width="518" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(One of my father's naval heroes was Admiral Nelson; the barracks he stayed in while training in Halifax was known as 'Nelson Barracks'; he was very proud to sail under 'the white ensign' as well, a symbol of the Royal Navy. "Not a bad outfit," he would have said. Click here to read <a href="https://wrens.org.uk/the-white-ensign-a-brief-history-of-the-iconic-royal-navy-flag/">a brief history of the white ensign</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div>"Don't call me a donkey. Call me up a mule!!"</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqQ6aRYSyzMgDiqt9mZx_aUBukekoA7nzKqCrR1ugy8xIRfaiosusNjMCgaWZhl_efPFxexAyA7-zHcuw4edLLoVTkmx0SCHx2M72o60ihkMs3sTXINHYjnkS0ltqRrrzkJ1zJur0Ku4mMm8ErzDA4rHjRHGtfJ59MGUHeJ27F1P8ryE8gbMARYY76u6M/s1248/July19-2c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="926" height="894" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqQ6aRYSyzMgDiqt9mZx_aUBukekoA7nzKqCrR1ugy8xIRfaiosusNjMCgaWZhl_efPFxexAyA7-zHcuw4edLLoVTkmx0SCHx2M72o60ihkMs3sTXINHYjnkS0ltqRrrzkJ1zJur0Ku4mMm8ErzDA4rHjRHGtfJ59MGUHeJ27F1P8ryE8gbMARYY76u6M/w661-h894/July19-2c.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The exact same "regiment of long-faced Sicilian mules" mentioned above may not appear below, but I bet they are related in some way:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlldI5F_Hqi3UaYPo52k6uPXZEUYVLHV5zOqz3lJdQ1o02hd8QyRGTreRF7KYkuFosjERxBzwfd6U7Vrs4h9P1pir06orgn_jbR5FZL5drmyy-9xXGeUo8vYuhemOGWMJQpKfagkMXkElq2SiLAqRfB0ReAM9oD8Mn32diEo5AZfrH7ZQH76kRJV6ieZqV/s1060/mules3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1060" height="609" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlldI5F_Hqi3UaYPo52k6uPXZEUYVLHV5zOqz3lJdQ1o02hd8QyRGTreRF7KYkuFosjERxBzwfd6U7Vrs4h9P1pir06orgn_jbR5FZL5drmyy-9xXGeUo8vYuhemOGWMJQpKfagkMXkElq2SiLAqRfB0ReAM9oD8Mn32diEo5AZfrH7ZQH76kRJV6ieZqV/w743-h609/mules3.jpeg" width="743" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>Personnel of the Support Company of the Royal Canadian Regiment,</div><div>riding mules near Regalbuto, August, 1943. Photo 22522, Album 61 </div><div>Canadian Army Film Unit, Photographer Smith</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Please note - in the above photo and the one following - the large quantity of cactus plants lining the roads in 1943. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhll9nkLX_ULV9-a5jj1f58ojPudJFQyKr4VeejwwvOlxQDG3cKszEEqoUDN7Fyr_BpS5PGa3Qe5661Hw3K3VjJuud4AlwQ4hZgmf7JLNZqAiAumE1EMBWOnoed4o4H4PnEXObUxMULfb1A4sSaGC8rW6Qk2BSKgRSaMhlBpXPr9cKMgY8hFDSfQL34FoVF/s1161/mules4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1161" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhll9nkLX_ULV9-a5jj1f58ojPudJFQyKr4VeejwwvOlxQDG3cKszEEqoUDN7Fyr_BpS5PGa3Qe5661Hw3K3VjJuud4AlwQ4hZgmf7JLNZqAiAumE1EMBWOnoed4o4H4PnEXObUxMULfb1A4sSaGC8rW6Qk2BSKgRSaMhlBpXPr9cKMgY8hFDSfQL34FoVF/w743-h588/mules4.jpeg" width="743" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>Personnel of the Support Company, Royal Canadian Regiment, riding on mules</div><div>used to transport supplies and casualties, near Regalbuto, August 3, 1943</div><div><div>Photo 22529, Album 61 Canadian Army Film Unit, Photographer Smith</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">re the cacti: They line the roads and rail lines in many places I visited along the eastern coast of Sicily in September, 2023, 80 years later:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelBPe-YtpK-AHdz2jDXKnEHDiQx26BzBmg_v5-VmrDzc_yqQ-GIe9gwCm6ZR894N9-UQ88obPg49zYJQod37Ooy5z1irp6o9YIX-ozJksjyfW8j4c1cBgKMgU1cCNMNOxHL8YhwhSdzI1aVETwIbLie5V_kbjf_1578EAO9n930yj8gNE4sKSLVMqmQ9N/s5419/GOPR0100.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3047" data-original-width="5419" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelBPe-YtpK-AHdz2jDXKnEHDiQx26BzBmg_v5-VmrDzc_yqQ-GIe9gwCm6ZR894N9-UQ88obPg49zYJQod37Ooy5z1irp6o9YIX-ozJksjyfW8j4c1cBgKMgU1cCNMNOxHL8YhwhSdzI1aVETwIbLie5V_kbjf_1578EAO9n930yj8gNE4sKSLVMqmQ9N/w887-h499/GOPR0100.jpeg" width="887" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89iybDzoDeza4r6aHnkyD_4Pf8yJ2ij78OvI_zghRamMF5wb46Yv_TMaSW1nlRLcMfc4DDpa7qoZa8yQY76u539mT5S-Y_aOdoUISPeXO0kzHTpsHlxACU8dbYBvUj0j08tRuFB5S7di5XTow0C3puF_Kvv8P8vpXIAgXQEYHH5kWywnnPexir7vbrn2V/s6000/IMG_5823.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="495" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89iybDzoDeza4r6aHnkyD_4Pf8yJ2ij78OvI_zghRamMF5wb46Yv_TMaSW1nlRLcMfc4DDpa7qoZa8yQY76u539mT5S-Y_aOdoUISPeXO0kzHTpsHlxACU8dbYBvUj0j08tRuFB5S7di5XTow0C3puF_Kvv8P8vpXIAgXQEYHH5kWywnnPexir7vbrn2V/w744-h495/IMG_5823.jpeg" width="744" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMCnek7H4FPqEL1cHAN0ZNDID23kjtC4WJf_KCr5mSu8DjxB8jvxrN7h0XM6o9dSMpp_z_ILZrHPWeQkTb6EnGkZ7HIDn9JBAtxvf54sPqRNLpKQIP-FhR0pI0gDhVGE4ohqeOhFZ-hOAeTwzcEWDOYNqOubdc47uC2YUGoIGVTX12AZo37TvlwDNP9y7/s6000/IMG_5906.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="495" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMCnek7H4FPqEL1cHAN0ZNDID23kjtC4WJf_KCr5mSu8DjxB8jvxrN7h0XM6o9dSMpp_z_ILZrHPWeQkTb6EnGkZ7HIDn9JBAtxvf54sPqRNLpKQIP-FhR0pI0gDhVGE4ohqeOhFZ-hOAeTwzcEWDOYNqOubdc47uC2YUGoIGVTX12AZo37TvlwDNP9y7/w744-h495/IMG_5906.jpeg" width="744" /></a></div><div>The small fruit of the cactus can be cleaned, sold, then cut into tasty morsels</div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>More long faces!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAcnWoL0KwHG34rmQwo5zqtk9HFCMyxRSzhZVeIWaDAvOyZtHrKrlb0bCnEgCxnwV_dfnGQwlQWuqsX0lMNCb0ancs0ycwpVmURPo0GegN9NKuJHYXVsOriD60GNDcWeNVMiVnPzzBw8Q7h_OAH8SDp7hSZgsNwM9I036xXLLAetzURvKAqgz1Rf0-2D8/s1293/mules5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1293" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAcnWoL0KwHG34rmQwo5zqtk9HFCMyxRSzhZVeIWaDAvOyZtHrKrlb0bCnEgCxnwV_dfnGQwlQWuqsX0lMNCb0ancs0ycwpVmURPo0GegN9NKuJHYXVsOriD60GNDcWeNVMiVnPzzBw8Q7h_OAH8SDp7hSZgsNwM9I036xXLLAetzURvKAqgz1Rf0-2D8/w745-h501/mules5.jpeg" width="745" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Personnel of the Pioneer Platoon, Support Company, Royal Canadian Regiment,</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">using mules to transport supplies in mountainous terrain near Regalbuto, July 31</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">1943. Photo 22526, Album 61 Canadian Army Film Unit, Photographer Smith</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>It's true, everyone enjoys a parade. Especially if Allied troops "swing through the town."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSdlnkbde1gh13UDDgUq8eTwQKMTg5ydbFWb-I4HOiZ3F6va6U2rCjM9DsgUd5PukLK00-IUjkB_SZDXn3NlYoGVh0ujT5MymZaZFBp9NDuoOd5TK3q1NK9JnkHmRf4SnxqqMFG1c13NLQrOTVDP3p0y3HGdmK7DFki_1bOvuBPjlXrVe-3zsxOeBmVX6/s1263/July19-2d.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1263" data-original-width="927" height="901" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSdlnkbde1gh13UDDgUq8eTwQKMTg5ydbFWb-I4HOiZ3F6va6U2rCjM9DsgUd5PukLK00-IUjkB_SZDXn3NlYoGVh0ujT5MymZaZFBp9NDuoOd5TK3q1NK9JnkHmRf4SnxqqMFG1c13NLQrOTVDP3p0y3HGdmK7DFki_1bOvuBPjlXrVe-3zsxOeBmVX6/w662-h901/July19-2d.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Special Note: "Sicilians are islanders and have little patriotic feeling toward </div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Italy." The same is perhaps very true today. Plans to build a bridge between</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sicily and mainland Italy (at the toe of the boot) are hotly contested (GH)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Monty was earlier given his due, and a cup of tea. Now it's time to shine the spotlight on a Canadian commanding officer:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbHRs6IN08buruTSK3_iHSutaxFhE4aFJe8y5Wy8ceusGlspKhz2nJQZNYm2JmMykXTwm3Ik4G-5TeWMhgMYYV2gD-4PPGoND1aBybngAqU7mP4Rokkxy9e-plH5oLgzTmDhQCmcV7kgzyXNm-AOIBVXOTZRsE4WbPq9t945rXDnA9xTJlJjNAfUE10Po/s1233/July19-2e1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="395" height="997" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbHRs6IN08buruTSK3_iHSutaxFhE4aFJe8y5Wy8ceusGlspKhz2nJQZNYm2JmMykXTwm3Ik4G-5TeWMhgMYYV2gD-4PPGoND1aBybngAqU7mP4Rokkxy9e-plH5oLgzTmDhQCmcV7kgzyXNm-AOIBVXOTZRsE4WbPq9t945rXDnA9xTJlJjNAfUE10Po/w321-h997/July19-2e1.jpeg" width="321" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-bbE775Y45g2mi_MaGib-wGhn_8_X-uYazpojUdGWQ3HDRTPw9qOFDSd-OnB2AOSfXjMN59PF3EAK9KlhzBLbWJBecRZ7VMW6bG9_ugD1qTiNoiBUoCOBCgo7f2sU_sNgQFZZ0ESN9xYRLwy945fOUYrGNYf3LqnURRtjPplaNj3phk0XCi2yWowd24l/s743/July19-2e2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="395" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-bbE775Y45g2mi_MaGib-wGhn_8_X-uYazpojUdGWQ3HDRTPw9qOFDSd-OnB2AOSfXjMN59PF3EAK9KlhzBLbWJBecRZ7VMW6bG9_ugD1qTiNoiBUoCOBCgo7f2sU_sNgQFZZ0ESN9xYRLwy945fOUYrGNYf3LqnURRtjPplaNj3phk0XCi2yWowd24l/w320-h602/July19-2e2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OIRgExZ-Nbp0iSv_YJPGD4UKFgpcSuxZvD4nmmJaHo7C_q2QQdoV_O0zThHBamA3FHhQNsbwBjA_tHjZ8Cj8CWM6s97oR2DkoWWB9xMBdkEyj0b5YC402ZZs793fc-aiYYS6KmGe7Io_har6maX9Apw_EJqQKoS6r9mOsSK13oeqq7qORJEyc_MZzqpf/s847/monty,sicily2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="847" height="647" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OIRgExZ-Nbp0iSv_YJPGD4UKFgpcSuxZvD4nmmJaHo7C_q2QQdoV_O0zThHBamA3FHhQNsbwBjA_tHjZ8Cj8CWM6s97oR2DkoWWB9xMBdkEyj0b5YC402ZZs793fc-aiYYS6KmGe7Io_har6maX9Apw_EJqQKoS6r9mOsSK13oeqq7qORJEyc_MZzqpf/w687-h647/monty,sicily2.jpeg" width="687" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gen. B. Montgomery and Gen. G. G. Simonds, General Officer Commanding</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div>1st Canadian Infantry Division, Valguamera Italy (vicinity) July 17, 1943</div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J45PPSs5QCJIiP_S8q92VantmnUOAVkuU72YX3CNgdRKb4EhzuCIlLmFbwFuKWjFep3jRM9IZscQsU2we5c5OmYH_HdXfv7gpZNfKUzNBnyJsf91CM0z_kk6tQ99UmicUT_4JknYQJjTJuOUzsvhrJUphv4Z-9UAgmafV9WEeYKeJCntUfGFssbGZivl/s714/monty,sicily3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="714" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J45PPSs5QCJIiP_S8q92VantmnUOAVkuU72YX3CNgdRKb4EhzuCIlLmFbwFuKWjFep3jRM9IZscQsU2we5c5OmYH_HdXfv7gpZNfKUzNBnyJsf91CM0z_kk6tQ99UmicUT_4JknYQJjTJuOUzsvhrJUphv4Z-9UAgmafV9WEeYKeJCntUfGFssbGZivl/w662-h199/monty,sicily3.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Photo 21917 from Album 61, Canadian Army Film Unit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Photographer's last name - Royal</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqcMiBqZryW0SgKump4huD8dg-DHasXYAj8FFBWzW1qfJVBp0y43nVnYNjP9mld1dosOCCmfV3y_S4fJTCTs2PPtoh3LZy1MMhbidnV95bEKDgtPMBxoMZ2svfZIFxJ3INe2_OlfhgzeBv9HvW60aWmQJDYmvoF1ezIca2_9JKEs7KZIQjsZICileGk8Y/s1076/July19-2e3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="442" height="779" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqcMiBqZryW0SgKump4huD8dg-DHasXYAj8FFBWzW1qfJVBp0y43nVnYNjP9mld1dosOCCmfV3y_S4fJTCTs2PPtoh3LZy1MMhbidnV95bEKDgtPMBxoMZ2svfZIFxJ3INe2_OlfhgzeBv9HvW60aWmQJDYmvoF1ezIca2_9JKEs7KZIQjsZICileGk8Y/w320-h779/July19-2e3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEVWUqsbVkq3liCWAmVcPPt7XSDGvBaNz9GM6F95zS4CSwJnlRXQ9_Z36T0G12Hofg5SFlQwsO34nFq_1AbadynNqed7zR6wMmb_-yYUGl-dl1ia4A41oRDIBv-Wd0isIr0lFPe9NzUCMxx27n0H1PvsjmFlent1lhiDp1TCtEi9X93TKSaeaGXZW6lg1/s440/July19-2e4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="440" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEVWUqsbVkq3liCWAmVcPPt7XSDGvBaNz9GM6F95zS4CSwJnlRXQ9_Z36T0G12Hofg5SFlQwsO34nFq_1AbadynNqed7zR6wMmb_-yYUGl-dl1ia4A41oRDIBv-Wd0isIr0lFPe9NzUCMxx27n0H1PvsjmFlent1lhiDp1TCtEi9X93TKSaeaGXZW6lg1/s320/July19-2e4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxxAu7XTNYvTelLRBZAejTqXM-6a93l3kkc-rmXZc7qHYUETQH0gO8DKpNkld89l7XX0NlfDn_9f8mYaDo3Mq0ocmNEiYB7TWFzFU4J3pY6tRgz2dhBtStzEJmuH2UEOG0A9S3P5GF9YiRBA5Ncv4uC1beYhtgW6p2pASQsSqZ2nnD_szzYdBqaKUEpPI/s735/July19-2e5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="498" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxxAu7XTNYvTelLRBZAejTqXM-6a93l3kkc-rmXZc7qHYUETQH0gO8DKpNkld89l7XX0NlfDn_9f8mYaDo3Mq0ocmNEiYB7TWFzFU4J3pY6tRgz2dhBtStzEJmuH2UEOG0A9S3P5GF9YiRBA5Ncv4uC1beYhtgW6p2pASQsSqZ2nnD_szzYdBqaKUEpPI/w321-h474/July19-2e5.jpeg" width="321" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The last news clipping for this day in 1943:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLP08DAbsoKSuvARpQEC7XpTjSflnZ1pXIGcyJxlDHfn344-pQXKDX9LpuUDdjRNyCAvTSfgEXbCG1KA0FF_jJ7-b6a52tZksXrYwMn48XxnD8SFzpNcEYvn6hUOYYdgH3g5Uk0qZi1VdS17D8vZfZMsUPTsPauw3sFIiavX3rQKrrHMZoMkmiXadjat7/s885/July19-2f.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="871" height="671" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLP08DAbsoKSuvARpQEC7XpTjSflnZ1pXIGcyJxlDHfn344-pQXKDX9LpuUDdjRNyCAvTSfgEXbCG1KA0FF_jJ7-b6a52tZksXrYwMn48XxnD8SFzpNcEYvn6hUOYYdgH3g5Uk0qZi1VdS17D8vZfZMsUPTsPauw3sFIiavX3rQKrrHMZoMkmiXadjat7/w661-h671/July19-2f.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>More rare, informative news clippings by Canadian war correspondents to soon follow.<div><br /></div><div>Please click here to link to <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/08/research-three-months-in-mediterranean.html">Research: Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943 (11)</a><br /><br />Unattributed Photos GH</div></div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-81000753052806378652023-09-15T18:12:00.001-04:002023-10-02T17:40:34.237-04:00Links to Resources: A Focus on Sicily and Italy, 1943<div style="text-align: center;"><b>The 80th Anniversary of Operations HUSKY and BAYTOWN, 1943</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ten Links Provide Context, News of the Day, Memorable Memoirs...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3iorcxeEl3IP3xddFl_c0z6qfC808GSol2HG-KbkDlRgAp2gwZcY_4b2YbdCMV-3AP8lL8aW1C0z3uEjpQVBkQic6klAHjGxA0FlXOMOy75v6NKM4m-4R6TaNDV_nS_QmdpxzbUNkYw4Psx_-E8UOKEQMzudVgzmyyCKUmRKHg_WbMKiHx6bkZHq8ol3/s662/IMG_5986.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="662" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3iorcxeEl3IP3xddFl_c0z6qfC808GSol2HG-KbkDlRgAp2gwZcY_4b2YbdCMV-3AP8lL8aW1C0z3uEjpQVBkQic6klAHjGxA0FlXOMOy75v6NKM4m-4R6TaNDV_nS_QmdpxzbUNkYw4Psx_-E8UOKEQMzudVgzmyyCKUmRKHg_WbMKiHx6bkZHq8ol3/w662-h424/IMG_5986.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is very likely GEORGE or HOW Beach, where Canadians in Combined</div><div style="text-align: center;">Operations transported 'the material of war' for 4 weeks, July - Aug., 1943</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo from <b><u>They Left the Back Door Open</u></b> by Lionel S.B. Shapiro, 1944</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />In my recent entries I have drawn attention to books, stories, news clippings, maps and more related to the Allied invasions of Sicily and Italy in 1943, 80 years ago this summer. With a trip already planned to visit GEORGE Beach (now modern day Fontane Bianche, a few miles south of Syracusa), where the 80th Flotilla of Canadian Landing Craft - including my father Doug Harrison (Sept. 1920 - Feb. 2003) - transported all materials of war during the month of July and early August, my mind has been on little else. <br /><br />Below I have listed a few items that will shine the light on three months in the Mediterranean, as experienced by members of RCNVR/Combined Operations aboard landing craft assault, landing craft mechanised and landing craft infantry (large), aka LCAs, LCMs and LCI(L)s.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6kXePsONqZN_rWZy9hUl_kkzZeyO2xmM9aKPR93ZHf4h76NZ11vXS4kkoMuK-VK9O0uO3HaiSh-LtVGZVFt6cptwGjwqjUe_t7LhSUwAeejOHmdIkjFwnIZYmibdBLn4yYQQ9DlHRZYDai0NbAPklA4Nwmn9F-XNK4be5ONzL6IjCOL7W2f3ZUFczWZ8/s664/Sicily1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="664" height="507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6kXePsONqZN_rWZy9hUl_kkzZeyO2xmM9aKPR93ZHf4h76NZ11vXS4kkoMuK-VK9O0uO3HaiSh-LtVGZVFt6cptwGjwqjUe_t7LhSUwAeejOHmdIkjFwnIZYmibdBLn4yYQQ9DlHRZYDai0NbAPklA4Nwmn9F-XNK4be5ONzL6IjCOL7W2f3ZUFczWZ8/w662-h507/Sicily1.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Liners right inshore, 4 miles south of Syracuse unloading troops</div><div style="text-align: center;">and landing craft. Photo - <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BRoper%2C%20F%20G%20%28Lt%29%5D=on">Roper, F G (Lt)</a> © IWM A 18090</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>1. <u style="font-weight: bold;">A Blue Water Navy</u> (<a href="https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2020/mdn-dnd/D2-132-2002-2-2-eng.pdf">Chapter 14, Combined Operations in European Waters</a> May 1942 to the Eve of Neptune) by W.A.B. Douglas, R. Sarty, M. Whitby, with R. Caldwell, W. Johnston and W. Rawling.<br /><br />Excerpt from beginning of text re Sicily, page 126:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRapfRk_WYxAkxXQLLNx2Qsoa4MBEHOR-OanjQGI0Dr1XAXwwCqMIINepeWcdkevOHa1xJKs2i2SSMOoyvfU6ZE2asBDLnebIgUpUugbKeTjb4uIZ6k95Abw2ONFSF6-k9FujZy2Zwg32labmWt9zbeqPhCEtqMNdyO9uoENH36eMSb_5dBMVX_hSxaj5/s905/blue1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="905" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRapfRk_WYxAkxXQLLNx2Qsoa4MBEHOR-OanjQGI0Dr1XAXwwCqMIINepeWcdkevOHa1xJKs2i2SSMOoyvfU6ZE2asBDLnebIgUpUugbKeTjb4uIZ6k95Abw2ONFSF6-k9FujZy2Zwg32labmWt9zbeqPhCEtqMNdyO9uoENH36eMSb_5dBMVX_hSxaj5/w662-h422/blue1.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>2. <u style="font-weight: bold;">Combined Operations</u> by Clayton Marks (RCNVR/Combined Ops), from London, Ontario. 200-plus pages, Canadian WWII Combined Ops veterans' stories from initial training to Normandy, 1941 - 1945. Can be purchased by contacting GH at <i>gordh7700@gmail.com</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Click here to view <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2015/12/short-story-re-invasions-of-sicily-and.html">Short Story re Invasions of Sicily and Italy</a>, July 10, 1943 and September 3, 1943.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcd3w41nYCnxQ5Sy5KVkuf7WgxLM6bg6jHjBJkle7pqhxHqeA-jkhZrM2sKAZcTftfqrbZKSDp88rwv8-Ab4jES-0TAzH-IBpQBmWMRUAbvX6AzbXc8VIam_XCH68Vod_9Wr1oipqlXdgZyM4ogcJp-C2CLPY5LECTYq_nnY3WPUCxo6s_oStLNSze5NTL/s640/IMG_4190.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="640" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcd3w41nYCnxQ5Sy5KVkuf7WgxLM6bg6jHjBJkle7pqhxHqeA-jkhZrM2sKAZcTftfqrbZKSDp88rwv8-Ab4jES-0TAzH-IBpQBmWMRUAbvX6AzbXc8VIam_XCH68Vod_9Wr1oipqlXdgZyM4ogcJp-C2CLPY5LECTYq_nnY3WPUCxo6s_oStLNSze5NTL/w785-h500/IMG_4190.jpeg" width="785" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Map as found in <b><u>Combined Operations</u></b>, page 76</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>3. Two volumes of stories by Canadian WWII veterans of RCNVR and Combined Operations.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/asset-management/2R3BF1F3HIIAA">St. Nazaire to Singapore Volume 1</a> (re early training, Dieppe, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and more)<br /><br /><a href="https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/CS.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2R34WN8KVF14&PN=17&IID=2R3BF1F318YCB">St. Nazaire to Singapore Volume 2</a> (re Normandy, individual reports and more)<div><br /></div><div>Lengthy stories about Operation HUSKY (Sicily) begin in Volume 1, page 142.<br /><br />The following excerpt is from the diary of Lt. (Engineer) Keith Beecher, RCNVR, a member of the 55th Flotilla of Landing Craft Assault (LCA):</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShOQEcl1eU04Xp_WupC4zZkgndxkSPQI-jqto-Db75oMcVs54wPTtfDmDBsPKfWLhNSKjOf1_eFReUMHIHiv7HsxpLWziX08LuFQJYQ1qytJiTy1iXGHBaW6Okl4-I261QmuBhlwr6N-xp7zXMAfZBBwhBD_b12SvCOA1rd66D7Nl_rR9YdNxem5AtaJ3/s759/officer1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="759" height="675" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShOQEcl1eU04Xp_WupC4zZkgndxkSPQI-jqto-Db75oMcVs54wPTtfDmDBsPKfWLhNSKjOf1_eFReUMHIHiv7HsxpLWziX08LuFQJYQ1qytJiTy1iXGHBaW6Okl4-I261QmuBhlwr6N-xp7zXMAfZBBwhBD_b12SvCOA1rd66D7Nl_rR9YdNxem5AtaJ3/w753-h675/officer1.jpg" width="753" /></a></div>As found on page 149, <b><u>St. Nazaire to Singapore, Volume 1</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxGXERBXEHbDRyGnY4W1Q1WRpszTuW7PaelYIR6QfBCcOVTcqzaojhydwErH7krMPIedVYpQg8ErvfjsoloDM5k2pGy_U6JK1-u93lNHAePkvXE-C6B3ZJ4Y638kX-BYglOhN35-XeLV8AgaT9oMSi6_X2Wmj2BfboRh0xwNqpbG9CyRrczcFUlsN4Twd/s1087/charmian1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1087" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxGXERBXEHbDRyGnY4W1Q1WRpszTuW7PaelYIR6QfBCcOVTcqzaojhydwErH7krMPIedVYpQg8ErvfjsoloDM5k2pGy_U6JK1-u93lNHAePkvXE-C6B3ZJ4Y638kX-BYglOhN35-XeLV8AgaT9oMSi6_X2Wmj2BfboRh0xwNqpbG9CyRrczcFUlsN4Twd/w787-h526/charmian1.jpeg" width="787" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Details re another Canadian Flotilla of LCAs (the 61st) can also be</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">found in <span><u style="font-weight: bold;">St. Nazaire to Singapore, Volume 1</u>, pages 156 - 157</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The following excerpt is from the diary of AB (able bodied seaman) Billy Lindsay, RCNVR/Combined Operations, Victoria, B. C., a member of the 81st Flotilla of Landing Craft, Mechanised (LCM):</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFRT5_eg6MgKL75MCvORGc0K3J-1GJ0n2pD6iVxwIaEcrHwvwgPhd6inYilbdVO7bPava4DLKSO-Z6EZmu1XAebJXDGRc2FzsAJqxi_-xqAFJALP9jPvV_wrcVlKLikoUNtQ1RnhpJVCpH_rszw1xrzIhJ7Msdrp1mf1RCsYfl7OxtVJaHinQOgGv2vs6/s795/ablebodied.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="740" height="822" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFRT5_eg6MgKL75MCvORGc0K3J-1GJ0n2pD6iVxwIaEcrHwvwgPhd6inYilbdVO7bPava4DLKSO-Z6EZmu1XAebJXDGRc2FzsAJqxi_-xqAFJALP9jPvV_wrcVlKLikoUNtQ1RnhpJVCpH_rszw1xrzIhJ7Msdrp1mf1RCsYfl7OxtVJaHinQOgGv2vs6/w766-h822/ablebodied.jpg" width="766" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As found on page 186, <b><u>St. Nazaire to Singapore, Volume 1</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Details about the July 11 sinking of <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/09/story-time-invasion-of-sicily-and-italy.html">HMHS <i>Talamba</i> is found here</a> </div><br />4. The Navy memoirs of LS/Coxs'n Doug Harrison <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2015/04/memoirs-re-combined-operations-doug.html">from <u style="font-weight: bold;">"Dad, Well Done".</u></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Please click here to read memoirs related to the invasion of Sicily and Italy.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://wavynavy.blogspot.ca/2015/03/books-re-combined-operations_19.html">Chapter SEVEN. Sicily</a><br /><br /><a href="http://wavynavy.blogspot.ca/2015/03/books-re-combined-operations_27.html">Chapter SEVEN. Italy</a><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3b1nu5_ArLv0Rkd_sedhZ_qOiW2zVxH6R-d0gj9Gl2rsAGVZ5_3aoaW21Uy-S12I0-kPboHBevhhIztO-SVTX0pudAnXBpY8YProZXBUXtfHR6R1Q_Ds2oerzmzL8DP8AK8tOq9WYpvjhq9OP16Tt1jOVmXUvvInp1V5qZIhqRSya1FczUQBDLSLKLI_V/s2476/IMG_0524.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2476" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3b1nu5_ArLv0Rkd_sedhZ_qOiW2zVxH6R-d0gj9Gl2rsAGVZ5_3aoaW21Uy-S12I0-kPboHBevhhIztO-SVTX0pudAnXBpY8YProZXBUXtfHR6R1Q_Ds2oerzmzL8DP8AK8tOq9WYpvjhq9OP16Tt1jOVmXUvvInp1V5qZIhqRSya1FczUQBDLSLKLI_V/w787-h480/IMG_0524.jpeg" width="787" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadians in RCNVR/ Combined Ops ready for Toronto train to Combined</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Ops School at HMCS <i>Givenchy III</i>, Vancouver Island. January 1944. GH</div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">L - R: D. Linder (Kitchener), Doug Harrison (Norwich), Joe Watson</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Simcoe), Buryl McIntyre (Norwich), Chuck Rose (Chippawa)</div><br />Below is an excerpt from Harrison's memoirs re Sicily not found in Chapter 7:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">In late spring of 1943 about two hundred officers and ratings of Combined Operations (CO) left Britain from various ports to man LCMs in the invasion of Sicily on July 10th. Some of these men suffered terribly from dysentery while camped in the desert waiting for slower ships to arrive with their boats and many were still in a weakened condition when they hit the beaches south of Syracuse near a town named Avola and in the Pachino-Marzamemi Beaches further south. These Canadian sailors, with no change of clothing, subsisted on what they could scrounge for themselves for over a month at Sicily. Some slept on the beaches and on landing craft and one group found safety from bombs in an abandoned limestone cave near the beach. Very damp and lizardly, it was a welcome haven at night.<br /><br />The men under a new commanding officer did yeoman work, although working long hours, under fed and pestered severely by Stukas and JU88s. The stokers kept the landing craft running, if not on two engines, then on one (no down time) and the Canadian Flotillas were highly praised by the British Admiralty and General Montgomery himself. <b>Their</b> monkey mascot went bomb crazy and was buried at sea in a sandbag. It was a sad occasion when it was chucked overboard for <b>our</b> safety. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Harrison is speaking of his own flotilla).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Late in the Sicilian campaign, because of poor conditions, some of these now-seasoned veterans came down with dysentery and were shipped off to Malta to recuperate. The favourite Navy cure for dysentery seemed to some to be a six or seven day starvation period; some of the boys certainly had nice looking rib cages while convalescing in Malta. All the flotillas soon appeared at Valetta, Malta with only a few days to make things shipshape for the Italian landing early in September. After a few weeks of ferrying supplies from near Messina to Reggio, they returned to Africa and again to England in October; some were well-laden with side arms picked up at AMGOT stores (Allied Military Government of Occupied Territory). This group returned to Canada, landing at Halifax on December 6, 1943 after two years of overseas service. Their d</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">estination - <i>Givenchy III</i> in January.<i> </i><b><u>"Dad, Well Done,"</u></b> pages 74 - 75<br /></span><div><br /><div>5. A detailed book about <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2022/04/books-re-combined-operations-canadians.html">THE CANADIANS IN SICILY and ITALY 1943-1945 (Parts 1 - 3)</a>.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6RWozsMe9qJWSMujUSNKuJuoEo3uv0A-lopbBNcikTbrbVZEsONGa2qB0RnvAdE--UtU0XO-e2Cr8gSsHc9pM9z8DrtB5ElEAHb653FqNV_B-x8heW-NibXi-Od_gC_V-E0AgS7zV3_604t_aTonjFGaeEas0s8t89Hzyj06EJsb5lUXd9t37dTlwe6A/s533/8984_538%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="533" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6RWozsMe9qJWSMujUSNKuJuoEo3uv0A-lopbBNcikTbrbVZEsONGa2qB0RnvAdE--UtU0XO-e2Cr8gSsHc9pM9z8DrtB5ElEAHb653FqNV_B-x8heW-NibXi-Od_gC_V-E0AgS7zV3_604t_aTonjFGaeEas0s8t89Hzyj06EJsb5lUXd9t37dTlwe6A/w791-h526/8984_538%20copy.jpg" width="791" /></a></div><div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKs7PsZMRAJrI5wRdsmiYUWN0uNvd9Q6TlWlypZ7n9izwr07Zj6UXCj6hgiyKflxl1KzP80CYLdKotHp6dezyTNq9vjbAcn4nESgXAS-zxs7aTcMmVuYUS9Gls9eFYz-tNKdki3M0M_9yAQIr_wPCjDkceiL9J0f-oG_6AP7f7LZiUqeFPV2Z8jwhDRQ/s640/IMG_3491.jpg" style="color: #d5000b; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKs7PsZMRAJrI5wRdsmiYUWN0uNvd9Q6TlWlypZ7n9izwr07Zj6UXCj6hgiyKflxl1KzP80CYLdKotHp6dezyTNq9vjbAcn4nESgXAS-zxs7aTcMmVuYUS9Gls9eFYz-tNKdki3M0M_9yAQIr_wPCjDkceiL9J0f-oG_6AP7f7LZiUqeFPV2Z8jwhDRQ/w790-h208/IMG_3491.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(202, 202, 202); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="790" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadians in Comb. Ops at HMS <i>Saunders</i>, on their way to Sicily, July 1943</div><div style="text-align: center;">Found in <b style="text-decoration-line: underline;">St. Nazaire to Singapore</b> by D. Lewis., C. Lewis, L. Birkenes</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>6. Lionel Shapiro's book, <u style="font-weight: bold;">They Left the Back Door Open</u>, is one I highly recommend. Search AbeBooks.com to see if you can find one. One day in the future I will put several of his columns from <b>The Montreal Gazette </b>on this site, so stay tuned : ) But for now, enjoy several excerpts from the book.</div><div><br /></div><div>Click here to view <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2020/07/passages-they-left-back-door-open-parts.html">Passages from <u>They Left the Back Door Open</u>, Parts 1 - 3</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclw9INpXNRk0O-yKh1JYHOFjx-B6rTxYYrNT0FqtCY3MnDm1vAuEG-rGj6jnRW7JCOvFGMZvOwzbN5ZiIJphnwfmj1ElsEC6ZBbHUIB6Z_9G4AmMEZtH8j6ITq4SycbkoulmJfPJFioyLtaiTZ8_Fs_TwuWzXY4N_RN_aNGPEGGVflLFEC5984v4VaQ75/s595/Husky-landings-595x455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="595" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclw9INpXNRk0O-yKh1JYHOFjx-B6rTxYYrNT0FqtCY3MnDm1vAuEG-rGj6jnRW7JCOvFGMZvOwzbN5ZiIJphnwfmj1ElsEC6ZBbHUIB6Z_9G4AmMEZtH8j6ITq4SycbkoulmJfPJFioyLtaiTZ8_Fs_TwuWzXY4N_RN_aNGPEGGVflLFEC5984v4VaQ75/w661-h506/Husky-landings-595x455.jpg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">An L.C.I. (L) (L for Large) (left) and L.C.T. (C for Craft) (right) land off the beach</div><div style="text-align: center;">during Operation Husky, invasion of Sicily. Photo - Imperial War Museum (IWM)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>7. Photographs: <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2018/05/photographs-invasion-of-sicily-july.html">Invasion of Sicily. July 1943 (5 Parts)</a>. Operation Husky - Canadian Forces Pull Their Weight.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpD0RSFrkpLUp5iUGzbYX1MSig4zIIJhHHEXKpg6LnK_DD4KyPShlFND79mcjjLacIgbHPZ8zZBniY9nFjdCfIUg1V5X2FmQ4xg6k-lUpjnXi6I5mZ13Qc5Z6ROJO9p-FF03SQV3j5Op-xRrzbl8y6wLG1949X6n1e2cIELJhzxDTPo_SfKQ3ESIRTGgBB/s640/NA4186%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="639" height="662" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpD0RSFrkpLUp5iUGzbYX1MSig4zIIJhHHEXKpg6LnK_DD4KyPShlFND79mcjjLacIgbHPZ8zZBniY9nFjdCfIUg1V5X2FmQ4xg6k-lUpjnXi6I5mZ13Qc5Z6ROJO9p-FF03SQV3j5Op-xRrzbl8y6wLG1949X6n1e2cIELJhzxDTPo_SfKQ3ESIRTGgBB/w662-h662/NA4186%20copy.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">NA4186. Operation Husky: The Sicily Landings 9 - 10 July 1943: British</div><div style="text-align: center;">troops manhandle vehicles and equipment on the beaches as they are unloaded</div><div style="text-align: center;">from landing craft. Photo - Sergeant Frederick Wackett, Imperial War Museum</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>8. Articles by <a href="http://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2021/05/articles-canadian-flotilla-of-landing.html">Canadian war correspondent Richard Sanburn</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b42KDiGNNj8Rz0BFc_1HSZeJXNoFOk0Sd0EGQzYHQCqgWrnHGd4meuYQxxIMcjtraclTCt6TowHHnhpq9gRKNbqyAXZj8n1R54iahjNNwuH5hsmbdy_QFNXbEYA6Zc2l0eCk45DPocZbgOrvTdlbjB67_1V2-LLmI4ffG3OGdSPjTTrt9fErW4QRPOhw/s600/Operazione-%E2%80%9CBaytown%E2%80%9D-le-truppe-Alleate-sbarcano-a-Reggio-Calabria.3%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="600" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b42KDiGNNj8Rz0BFc_1HSZeJXNoFOk0Sd0EGQzYHQCqgWrnHGd4meuYQxxIMcjtraclTCt6TowHHnhpq9gRKNbqyAXZj8n1R54iahjNNwuH5hsmbdy_QFNXbEYA6Zc2l0eCk45DPocZbgOrvTdlbjB67_1V2-LLmI4ffG3OGdSPjTTrt9fErW4QRPOhw/w662-h449/Operazione-%E2%80%9CBaytown%E2%80%9D-le-truppe-Alleate-sbarcano-a-Reggio-Calabria.3%20copy.jpg" width="662" /></a>Operazione "Baytown"; le truppe Alleate sbarcano a Reggio Calabria</div><div style="text-align: center;">[Operation Baytown; Allied troops disembark at Reggio Calabria, and</div><div style="text-align: center;">that might be Gord's Dad chatting it up with local men, centre ; )]</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit - <a href="http://www.ascenzairiggiu.com/lo-sbarco-degli-alleati-a-reggio-calabria-con-loperazione-baytown/">Italian website</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>9. Articles from <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2018/05/articles-about-sicily-july-aug-1943-18.html">various newspapers and more, about Sicily</a>, July - Aug. 1943 (18 Parts). Canada is Heavily Involved in Operation HUSKY. In the Air, on Land, and on the Sea.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigb9xw855vaUgu2_6UZy5i9kboG-mwv7-MKny7EaCUkK6gbJq2fGGfm1xlUw58yzA0M05sm1Hi190FUIXCqqNPHo0BRyJKBiSpIlN6JHgB03UhE44_rkD4byKmSAjJt-hW9dBPWkxwx6z_8KONSeuDYzrVXfU0Fs8R-vLf5Xhw6QiV3UNog9qSOy68FwOk/s640/A17955%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="640" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigb9xw855vaUgu2_6UZy5i9kboG-mwv7-MKny7EaCUkK6gbJq2fGGfm1xlUw58yzA0M05sm1Hi190FUIXCqqNPHo0BRyJKBiSpIlN6JHgB03UhE44_rkD4byKmSAjJt-hW9dBPWkxwx6z_8KONSeuDYzrVXfU0Fs8R-vLf5Xhw6QiV3UNog9qSOy68FwOk/w662-h501/A17955%20copy.jpg" width="662" /></a>Operation Husky: The Sicily Landings 9-10 July 1943: Landing craft (a Landing</div><div style="text-align: center;">Craft Mechanised - a Mark 3) going ashore in the early morning during the start</div><div style="text-align: center;">of the invasion of Sicily. Photo Credit - A17955. Lt. H.A. Mason,</div><div style="text-align: center;">RN Photographer, Imperial War Museum</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>10. Videos related to Operations HUSKY (invasion of Sicily, July 1943) and BAYTOWN (Italy, September 1943).</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/01/videos-operation-husky-sicily-july-1943.html">Operation HUSKY, Sicily, July 1943 (Part 1)</a><br /><br /><a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/01/videos-operation-husky-sicily-july-1943_23.html">Operation HUSKY, Sicily, July 1943 (Part 2)</a><br /><br /><a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/01/videos-operation-husky-sicily-july-1943_28.html">Operation HUSKY, Sicily, July 1943 (Part 3)</a><br /><br /><a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/01/videos-operations-baytown-and-avalanche.html">Operations Baytown and Avalanche, Sept. 1943 (Part 1)<br /></a><br /><a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/01/videos-operations-baytown-and-avalanche_12.html">Operations Baytown and Avalanche, Sept. 1943 (Part 2)</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ba8fZlJTuNP0ZL12k8XwBOEaDz9uBOtS6WFZec0wKgPJGs9Ml03QCUhLFEMNXI2R4daUW2OXF5CZ5HIdQrix7o8GttROfPFcn2C9chXZJl1nR5sbzwqSJwIazAKJL8LL_I75bnrK2mpv4qlGNvrSnryDvQutAPDdAn7Jo-2FzewNT5QBGf9x43FTRytV/s550/rhinobarge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="550" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ba8fZlJTuNP0ZL12k8XwBOEaDz9uBOtS6WFZec0wKgPJGs9Ml03QCUhLFEMNXI2R4daUW2OXF5CZ5HIdQrix7o8GttROfPFcn2C9chXZJl1nR5sbzwqSJwIazAKJL8LL_I75bnrK2mpv4qlGNvrSnryDvQutAPDdAn7Jo-2FzewNT5QBGf9x43FTRytV/w663-h534/rhinobarge.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">U.S. Landing Ship, Tanks (LST) with its own rhino (tough hided) ferry (or dock)</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px;">Photo Credit - </span><a href="http://histomil.com/viewtopic.php?t=3918&start=1560" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d5000b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;">@ histomil.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Please go to the 'click on Headings' box in the right hand margin and click on the first entry, i.e., <b>A - Z DIRECTORY. Start Here. </b>Readers will find many more items re Sicily and Italy listed under various headings, e.g., Articles, Editor's Research, etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>Happy hunting, I say. Email GH @ <i>gordh7700@gmail.com</i> with questions, comments, etc. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div>Please click here to view more links to more resources concerning Canadians in Combined Operations: <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2022/08/resources-youtube-films-photographers.html">Resources: YouTube, Films, Photographers, and More</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unattributed Photos GH</span></div></div></div></div></div></div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-66091408351388192452023-09-12T18:08:00.001-04:002023-09-12T18:09:03.004-04:00Books: A Blue Water Navy, 1943 - 1945 (1)<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Very Good Book re Canadians in Combined Operations</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It's Online, Downloadable - a Full Chapter of "Latest News"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTKLPuQTOXdnHSTYFbZutnKnN-4-PkKNpQTmHutrrLA44vgOZKuICVVpqXpyFqgjR5mttdnz0lX6AibDYCgb-r1XVGk-atC25SbtxifL40S996Vztgft-vuKKueSr65Rn7QMd7yyz7koHCySPpQn_T9geieDW8ONixsbU_5q8Lle4xpK9mwkhUszdMYZ1/s1192/BlueWater1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1153" height="684" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTKLPuQTOXdnHSTYFbZutnKnN-4-PkKNpQTmHutrrLA44vgOZKuICVVpqXpyFqgjR5mttdnz0lX6AibDYCgb-r1XVGk-atC25SbtxifL40S996Vztgft-vuKKueSr65Rn7QMd7yyz7koHCySPpQn_T9geieDW8ONixsbU_5q8Lle4xpK9mwkhUszdMYZ1/w663-h684/BlueWater1.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I could have bought this in hard cover a few years ago, but..."</div><br /><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />When I first saw a hard cover copy at Attic Books in London, Ontario (a couple of years ago), I said to myself, "Ive already got a couple of good (used) books under my arm, so I'll get it another time." I regretted my decision a few times since, because, while reading or posting about the Dieppe Raid, I would recall a line about Canada's first casualty at approx. 0345hrs on August 19, 1942, in <u style="font-weight: bold;">A Blue Water Navy</u> and wanted the direct quote.<div><br /></div><div>Well, now I have it, in <a href="https://publications.gc.ca/site/archivee-archived.html?url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2020/mdn-dnd/D2-132-2002-2-2-eng.pdf">an online, free, downloadable PDF version</a>. [On the Government's home page, just click on "Continue to Publication." Then thank the Government of Canada, not me.] Published in 2007 in St. Catherines, Ontario, the book is of great length about the Canadian Navy - 665 pages - and is the second of two related texts. </div><div><br /></div><div>[Click here for a look at the first volume of the series: <a href="https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.888644/publication.html"><u style="font-weight: bold;">No Higher Purpose</u>,</a> (click on the line 'Electronic document') by the same group of authors, i.e., Douglas, Sarty, Whitby, Caldwell, Johnston, and Rawling.]</div><div><br /></div><div>Besides being "free, (and easily) downloadable," I was delighted to find a full chapter about the Canadians in Combined Operations (including my father) who served in Europe for two years from 1942 - 1943, including <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/08/research-three-months-in-mediterranean.html">'three months in the Mediterranean'</a> related to Operations Husky (Sicily) and Baytown (Italy), 80 years ago this summer. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTYB8o-ZDHrwLtQeKlACz5UtIaeur1rd1bUaEIqNYsEHaU-2C11jW6ALmky5g0vbp8BYzoU6IcBYVGLk6mXFtUi8pRjYc5LiVsIn0EywesEu-QnVXthOg2T73UpB8pfU5tp6nwoffQ0nDnh9-modHtktJh6-23IhLNFMtCF9XEzpvzXJYHQmpp3sXTCCH/s921/Blue1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="921" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTYB8o-ZDHrwLtQeKlACz5UtIaeur1rd1bUaEIqNYsEHaU-2C11jW6ALmky5g0vbp8BYzoU6IcBYVGLk6mXFtUi8pRjYc5LiVsIn0EywesEu-QnVXthOg2T73UpB8pfU5tp6nwoffQ0nDnh9-modHtktJh6-23IhLNFMtCF9XEzpvzXJYHQmpp3sXTCCH/w662-h238/Blue1.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dozens of recognizable names and references to seminal</div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadian books are a pleasure to see!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Chapter 14 begins on page 107 of the text (or 111 when scrolling the left-hand margin thumbprints) and it didn't take long for me to feel at home. Familiar history is mentioned alongside new material that will expand the knowledge of any reader familiar already with some information about the role of Canadians in RCNVR and Combined Operations. A few excerpts are provided below 'for interest's sake':</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUk-H6FaSwfT0YrgNTiih8Fw-1xQtkDhOZGQET1GPxVYglaGaTGvwopYP6D7SkF5d4qrtQep-nwDeENITGZA2FBeyue2lTsiYWiCbNYJF6dvLtHnyxR-PMSHB8dKUdLmnmuPQPWAEqtCwZ2F-fXpgH9MslRNdBoZTIpNyDVr4dIOfvyAIX8xjLmWqdfxHt/s802/BlueWater2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="604" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUk-H6FaSwfT0YrgNTiih8Fw-1xQtkDhOZGQET1GPxVYglaGaTGvwopYP6D7SkF5d4qrtQep-nwDeENITGZA2FBeyue2lTsiYWiCbNYJF6dvLtHnyxR-PMSHB8dKUdLmnmuPQPWAEqtCwZ2F-fXpgH9MslRNdBoZTIpNyDVr4dIOfvyAIX8xjLmWqdfxHt/w482-h640/BlueWater2.jpeg" width="482" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As found on 'inside book cover, front'</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKmkKaX6luLdPUFgUalEfLbrOw2AY4TxVJ0ISssvRWgd0ig1tPupeQDJzEzxtJ3WeH-00-c-lYlS7vFRovD7nPkatiS1NGzVgDG89AynwDsXw1vP0BcHIYL8hQug_FLgAf1-Pbfcy_CqbuSQGiT_dH_dboX3c6bPytsAQR6E-jyfisH4qCO41hhDK98U2/s1184/Blue2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1184" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKmkKaX6luLdPUFgUalEfLbrOw2AY4TxVJ0ISssvRWgd0ig1tPupeQDJzEzxtJ3WeH-00-c-lYlS7vFRovD7nPkatiS1NGzVgDG89AynwDsXw1vP0BcHIYL8hQug_FLgAf1-Pbfcy_CqbuSQGiT_dH_dboX3c6bPytsAQR6E-jyfisH4qCO41hhDK98U2/w864-h616/Blue2.jpg" width="864" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo as found on page 106; from the collection of Library</div><div style="text-align: center;">and Archives Canada (LAC), Ottawa</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWizfCycY40W_npCHdYMlcy3NY7Vhb5ax0l3OepkKrAjEMrXwZn6I4ygynMeOiGcsxSivcP0WG-mrRNHNCvNVrKunKo_aQtMAnaRWhhaAWwBo23YWIB51BFWJdRf9_1ZOO1A1gL6Q4jE_MpWLkStTKu2bmcWumCCJOQWS7TN2jRzji649qCAt3MjdhELvo/s909/BlueWater3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="909" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWizfCycY40W_npCHdYMlcy3NY7Vhb5ax0l3OepkKrAjEMrXwZn6I4ygynMeOiGcsxSivcP0WG-mrRNHNCvNVrKunKo_aQtMAnaRWhhaAWwBo23YWIB51BFWJdRf9_1ZOO1A1gL6Q4jE_MpWLkStTKu2bmcWumCCJOQWS7TN2jRzji649qCAt3MjdhELvo/w879-h297/BlueWater3.jpg" width="879" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Above, page 107. Below, the first Canadian draft volunteered in December, 1941,</div><div style="text-align: center;">most from Effingham Division, HMCS <i>Stadacona,</i> Halifax, Nova Scotia. (They were</div><div style="text-align: center;">shipped to HMCS NIOBE, near Greenock, Scotland, then to their first Comb. Ops</div><div style="text-align: center;">training camp at HMS <i>Northney</i>, Hayling Island, southern coast of England</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicwog6Lg7AdwBsBGwPC7OkfbMEwCr9ch90UeQfFKLumB2oK2wIfaxQZjV-enPyuiHBJqrDOQnt7iu_fnokoBIQ5hP7h2_MR4M2SYAo6zvMdfx6E73ociJCILuVHEErimyQUGR9nxAl4EdYHOMqhjM8DfF0HsHfhzIeZ41mxXdJt5TFvrFT236xm5UDjnw/s1598/IMG_5477.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1598" height="535" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicwog6Lg7AdwBsBGwPC7OkfbMEwCr9ch90UeQfFKLumB2oK2wIfaxQZjV-enPyuiHBJqrDOQnt7iu_fnokoBIQ5hP7h2_MR4M2SYAo6zvMdfx6E73ociJCILuVHEErimyQUGR9nxAl4EdYHOMqhjM8DfF0HsHfhzIeZ41mxXdJt5TFvrFT236xm5UDjnw/w864-h535/IMG_5477.jpeg" width="864" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Effingham Division, 1941. From the collection of Doug Harrison (X), front row</div><div style="text-align: center;">Email GH at <i>gordh7700@gmail.com</i> for complete list of names, row by row</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>"Almost to the man" the Effingham Division volunteered for Combined Operations, knowing it was re "dangerous duties overseas, on small craft, but with 9 days leave thrown in," says my father. </div><div><br /></div><div>He adds the following re <i>Northney</i> in his Navy memoirs:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">We spent little time at Niobe but entrained for Havant in southern England, to H.M.S. Northney 1, a barracks (formerly a summer resort) with a large building for eating and then cabins with four bedrooms. This was December, 1941 or January, 1942 and there was no heat at all in the brick cabins. The toilets all froze and split. But we made out. Our eating quarters were heated.<br /><br />I had the misfortune to break the toe next to my big toe on my left foot. I went to sick bay and someone applied mercurochrome, told me to carry out my usual duties and sent me away. Running, guard duty, anything, I toughed it out and was told many months later by a Scottish doctor it had healed perfectly - and so it had.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfmgLcLCWs1UXa8b7j-NzVKb8-Q8KdWE1jktvd0Ghkd6sLpSSW5r1dYgyHhKThUXvbApck9RXdDS1TFkOYEYD_NGi8aOAqgF0-u7cpAEIRCe0WmFsRIaq1qSI7CV-3pn6Uw3cfMREjmYr2r-4KR3_GSSgdySnx5liQwZzpezHkQxtBbvPwVbHXp-6kS1A/s722/Uncle%20Doug-1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="594" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfmgLcLCWs1UXa8b7j-NzVKb8-Q8KdWE1jktvd0Ghkd6sLpSSW5r1dYgyHhKThUXvbApck9RXdDS1TFkOYEYD_NGi8aOAqgF0-u7cpAEIRCe0WmFsRIaq1qSI7CV-3pn6Uw3cfMREjmYr2r-4KR3_GSSgdySnx5liQwZzpezHkQxtBbvPwVbHXp-6kS1A/w526-h640/Uncle%20Doug-1.jpeg" width="526" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Doug on guard duty outside a brick cabin at <i>Northney</i>, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">early 1942, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">with “a rifle with no ammunition”</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />We were issued brooms for guard duty in some cases at <i>Northney</i>, sometimes a rifle with no ammunition, and they were expecting a German invasion. Rounds were made every night outside by officers to see if we were alert and we would holler like Hell, “Who goes there? Advance and be recognized.” When you hollered loud enough you woke everyone in camp, so sentry duty was not so lonesome for a few minutes.<br /><br />There was no training here (i.e., aboard landing crafts at <i>Northney</i>), so, as the navy goes, we went back to <i>Niobe </i>on March 21, 1942. I recall just now we were welcomed to <i>Niobe</i> by Lord Hee Haw (a turncoat) from Germany via the wireless radio. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(<u style="font-weight: bold;">"Dad, Well Done</u>, pages 11 - 12)</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>Though he later trained aboard landing crafts at HMS <i>Quebec</i> (Inveraray, Scotland) with his mates for their first operation - the Dieppe raid - he was on leave the day his landing craft and oppos set sail for the french coast from Newhaven, destination unknown to the ratings. He lost his first mates that day, including Robert Cavanaugh, sitting almost directly behind him in the above photo re Effingham Division. [Cavanaugh is second row from front, 2nd from left].</div><div><br /></div><div>An excerpt from <u style="font-weight: bold;">A Blue Water Navy</u> goes on to say:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRe6K7FOxmFFlE3tofqXoLu1fOfW59E-CcUy1NQlUmpBjxCa8aUxbxHSw_aGYdP0I4217wYOfk6V0cSwok4tymEXiRCD5mui297X251BsVSMNRru4GEqz4ceNCDxU0HB2TOi8uoNo7M3egGdpo05t5PWs9Gb78BgClSP_6Jqve0xuGeKDn-Dq_2hAcLwqr/s914/BlueWater4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="914" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRe6K7FOxmFFlE3tofqXoLu1fOfW59E-CcUy1NQlUmpBjxCa8aUxbxHSw_aGYdP0I4217wYOfk6V0cSwok4tymEXiRCD5mui297X251BsVSMNRru4GEqz4ceNCDxU0HB2TOi8uoNo7M3egGdpo05t5PWs9Gb78BgClSP_6Jqve0xuGeKDn-Dq_2hAcLwqr/w861-h226/BlueWater4.jpg" width="861" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Above, page 111. Though Dad missed the raid, he did not escape particular</div><div style="text-align: center;">consequences. He suffered from depression and 'survivor guilt' later in life</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEpj-FfXIeBpl1U_Fr-8Zb-YBu8gJQSVB4DlJlGSQg6jBjYOvB7rvnSyH24S9cJjW9E9T5aFudJUJIpkc_OyLTTVfG6YnrJtuIZKe7xB8lGvSQ8ygeBRWb3qqRouiE4yjRnZDxbSx---Igz5B6WYnlxULgfx5Gw0QzDLT0qD22jsDHguvJMSUCNF6MCOw/s896/Blue3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="896" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEpj-FfXIeBpl1U_Fr-8Zb-YBu8gJQSVB4DlJlGSQg6jBjYOvB7rvnSyH24S9cJjW9E9T5aFudJUJIpkc_OyLTTVfG6YnrJtuIZKe7xB8lGvSQ8ygeBRWb3qqRouiE4yjRnZDxbSx---Igz5B6WYnlxULgfx5Gw0QzDLT0qD22jsDHguvJMSUCNF6MCOw/w860-h400/Blue3.jpg" width="860" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Above, page 111. Authors of <u style="font-weight: bold;">A Blue Water Navy</u> were able to locate</div><div style="text-align: center;">excellent resources, e.g., <u style="font-weight: bold;"> Combined Operations,</u> a compilation of Navy</div><div style="text-align: center;">veterans' stories by Clayton Marks, of London, Ontario. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Two sailors of the four mentioned (above) in Sub. Lt. Ramsay's letter, i.e., OS Owen, AB Spencer, AB Smart, Stoker Birkenes, can be spotted in the photo below, also taken at HMCS <i>Stadacona,</i> 1941.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C2wA8SwKB7VfQVJW5gwEYmFJZVV6cvJpT6vvwF20V4rak_DoZ7pphpZJsy3kNxhNM-1-Dn9sKRE1zeSYRhdCAAy6yRrDWiT4ghbkK3--248pfrNEQ8vOrDp9GijEPI22rMxur29LKLCcfVw9TiJ1L_Ue0VN3vX0zNoACmHeuFQyL5uSqAk-k0xy4fS6S/s1546/IMG_5479.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1546" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C2wA8SwKB7VfQVJW5gwEYmFJZVV6cvJpT6vvwF20V4rak_DoZ7pphpZJsy3kNxhNM-1-Dn9sKRE1zeSYRhdCAAy6yRrDWiT4ghbkK3--248pfrNEQ8vOrDp9GijEPI22rMxur29LKLCcfVw9TiJ1L_Ue0VN3vX0zNoACmHeuFQyL5uSqAk-k0xy4fS6S/w896-h602/IMG_5479.jpeg" width="896" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Outside Wellington Barracks, aka Nelson's Barracks, 1941. Joe Spencer is </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">in back row, first on left. Vern Smart is in middle row, 4th from the left.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo from collection of Doug Harrison, not in photo.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Email GH at <i>gordh7700@gmail.com </i>for more information</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Another excerpt from <u style="font-weight: bold;">A Blue Water Navy</u> mentions the name of Canada's first casualties related to the Dieppe raid:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CrBLv1RNy3v_ZqsFxjFKsapqT-eAyLnhbbMzUjdchxXMRsTj4VmPbDE5mEcm9Oj8yNl5XpQXpw0s8rv-vjCguttDM1mEFRmFT0ZXSSd_Ob9xFwCWKis1asWzD7xagDL81Jv91wMAOIn4CsvlDOIEd3XZltQim4XjXDuRSfaHA80yW1DVqsx5IamuGJQc/s903/Blue5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="903" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CrBLv1RNy3v_ZqsFxjFKsapqT-eAyLnhbbMzUjdchxXMRsTj4VmPbDE5mEcm9Oj8yNl5XpQXpw0s8rv-vjCguttDM1mEFRmFT0ZXSSd_Ob9xFwCWKis1asWzD7xagDL81Jv91wMAOIn4CsvlDOIEd3XZltQim4XjXDuRSfaHA80yW1DVqsx5IamuGJQc/w859-h602/Blue5.jpg" width="859" /></a></div><br /><div>The creators of <u style="font-weight: bold;">A Blue Water Navy</u> did well to locate the two-volume set of Canadian WWII veterans' stories compiled by Sub. Lt. David Lewis, put together well after the war, after Lewis had been inspired to do so by reading <u style="font-weight: bold;">Combined Operations</u> by Londoner Clayton Marks. Many of Mr. Marks' entries are now entries on this website, with the permission of his surviving family members. (E.g., please link to <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2015/11/memoirs-re-combined-operations-dieppe.html">an excellent 25-page account, broken into several sections</a>, written by Al Kirby (RCNVR/Comb.Ops, Woodstock, Ontario) of his experiences re the Dieppe Raid).</div><div><br /></div><div>Nicely, the authors of <u style="font-weight: bold;">A Blue Water Navy</u> give Kirby his due : )</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq9t_Sd3JyxJb1fqVGtDs0JBnQMuYY9m35JgDhpMHICCF_ZGLL42MhS4ybpTP_IaFrR9bnafG_rXYf3OI3aOr5m7fhVwFWKeXJ5dKy1trgDh09b8T1lJ9O_Gfu7KrnPm6kxmQw3u1Bk7-0CejZIwiFGesKOPuvL0gu2Fd4LaBhT5ON-vBU1t4J4ST8Tkl/s910/BlueWater8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="63" data-original-width="910" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq9t_Sd3JyxJb1fqVGtDs0JBnQMuYY9m35JgDhpMHICCF_ZGLL42MhS4ybpTP_IaFrR9bnafG_rXYf3OI3aOr5m7fhVwFWKeXJ5dKy1trgDh09b8T1lJ9O_Gfu7KrnPm6kxmQw3u1Bk7-0CejZIwiFGesKOPuvL0gu2Fd4LaBhT5ON-vBU1t4J4ST8Tkl/w859-h59/BlueWater8.jpg" width="859" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26-c9X65lrWAWKl6M33HcBz-s1hVIxYyaSiOoNVh-SeE4Es1EyNU6HgkrbgHiyqCc6W5UDIV_33F6BIBHfSDoS-VfuBicQh7CCA3pQ-LNFbVXhdDtyLcKNmDIa7vL3Yc_lM_YflY3H8qR4uTKYpBgwbGlU9ytZyg4MxPOJ5Kikopoz_hh1mKZpiRK0sL8/s614/IMG_2552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="614" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26-c9X65lrWAWKl6M33HcBz-s1hVIxYyaSiOoNVh-SeE4Es1EyNU6HgkrbgHiyqCc6W5UDIV_33F6BIBHfSDoS-VfuBicQh7CCA3pQ-LNFbVXhdDtyLcKNmDIa7vL3Yc_lM_YflY3H8qR4uTKYpBgwbGlU9ytZyg4MxPOJ5Kikopoz_hh1mKZpiRK0sL8/w663-h492/IMG_2552.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><div><br /></div>David Lewis' two-volume set, with assists to Catherine (Kit) Lewis and Len Birkenes (RCNVR/ Combined Ops), is entitled <u style="font-weight: bold;">St. Nazaire to Singapore, The Canadian Amphibious War 1941 - 1945</u> and can be found online courtesy of the University of Alberta. Please click on the links below:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/asset-management/2R3BF1F3HIIAA">St. Nazaire to Singapore Volume 1</a> (re early training, Dieppe, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and more) <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/CS.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2R34WN8KVF14&PN=17&IID=2R3BF1F318YCB">St. Nazaire to Singapore Volume 2</a> (re Normandy, individual reports and more)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEA7_lTl5mS4tNo91kTNSl1_BAYIWy3ZU5QiPYSxkSXILj5XFGvNtR3Obpqgvhn_aeD1HOO8xDtAAZmAmQW1zALq6IXFtQ21LxADYEAIhnphDB9fTn8kr_NM3A_FW3xIO4CjwuQRf7_ELmfPGzt7W6yTn3qBXKLr2PQ9RlEDZiZYV2FenqACZ6jdr51DEQ/s911/BlueWater6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="623" height="1103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEA7_lTl5mS4tNo91kTNSl1_BAYIWy3ZU5QiPYSxkSXILj5XFGvNtR3Obpqgvhn_aeD1HOO8xDtAAZmAmQW1zALq6IXFtQ21LxADYEAIhnphDB9fTn8kr_NM3A_FW3xIO4CjwuQRf7_ELmfPGzt7W6yTn3qBXKLr2PQ9RlEDZiZYV2FenqACZ6jdr51DEQ/w755-h1103/BlueWater6.jpg" width="755" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo as found on page113, <u style="font-weight: bold;">A Blue Water Navy,</u> LAC Ottawa</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Another early excerpt from <u style="font-weight: bold;">A Blue Water Navy</u> mentions (partially) the inevitable 'Butcher's Bill':</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eL_zEswlKbP58f1Yo1s2z2k1GneSJWZVxFwRD2iMGyNTQFtyVGXZ4RRIRVggDesXs5dcbMjPEWjXzM6dtUGtX9BU0-zx8xkpMH4J8KGLSEIxWmBs3IOZ4WS3-ga8SsfDUUivOkR_nObRU835Q695JOOGzPFkc0XnDXV1pe4tIYKK5N7wZthwh8v2Zrmr/s900/BlueWater7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="122" data-original-width="900" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eL_zEswlKbP58f1Yo1s2z2k1GneSJWZVxFwRD2iMGyNTQFtyVGXZ4RRIRVggDesXs5dcbMjPEWjXzM6dtUGtX9BU0-zx8xkpMH4J8KGLSEIxWmBs3IOZ4WS3-ga8SsfDUUivOkR_nObRU835Q695JOOGzPFkc0XnDXV1pe4tIYKK5N7wZthwh8v2Zrmr/w857-h115/BlueWater7.jpg" width="857" /></a></div><br /><div>'Prisoners of War' are tallied as well, with significant mention of one of the most-gifted writers among them, Sub. Lt. Robert McRae. (Please see pages 115 - 116, <u style="font-weight: bold;">A Blue Water Navy)</u>. His prose has been oft-shared on <b>"1,000 Men, 1,000 Stories</b>," along with a lovely pencil sketch of McRae at the piano, while POW:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMWlfIC_dy7e5AfHeEa_oENE2YCY6Gpdxe3PSZn938X7R-wpz7suNXmZpEeJB-1U4Ni3a3vJvuaBXsYevsbiruTJ45mn1tCRxUcYIHVqwxG6bSPGP54qP7f7YIe953-53_dFmAgfxBJy2UA4Z7aXBdeCSfzDtxYO1tU52-hdPFMyuElbGcLNzyDY6kfUp/s399/IMG_0059.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="319" height="831" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMWlfIC_dy7e5AfHeEa_oENE2YCY6Gpdxe3PSZn938X7R-wpz7suNXmZpEeJB-1U4Ni3a3vJvuaBXsYevsbiruTJ45mn1tCRxUcYIHVqwxG6bSPGP54qP7f7YIe953-53_dFmAgfxBJy2UA4Z7aXBdeCSfzDtxYO1tU52-hdPFMyuElbGcLNzyDY6kfUp/w664-h831/IMG_0059.jpeg" width="664" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo of the sketch, as found on page 64, <b><u>St. Nazaire to Singapore Vol. 1</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>I was certainly delighted to catch wind of <u style="font-weight: bold;">A Blue Water Navy</u> with the help of my younger son who did a bit of research re Canadians in Combined Ops prior to out trip to Sicily, re the 80th anniversary of the invasions of Sicily and Italy. More about the book as it relates to 'three months in the Mediterranean' will soon follow.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will certainly try to connect to one or more of the authors, and try to provide them with a copy of the latest edition of <u style="font-weight: bold;">Combined Operations</u> by Londoner C. Marks. And I'll point out that Clayton's last name is <u>not</u> 'Markers' (!) as it appears in footnotes and bibliography.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfnwyKktDUFsxF9fxuOjOuWPEvpv6d2vSPqtm7tH25tjUuBtM6cttCD2Z5yTE4NFN647JnBWZW8l1TEQ8B7UmUkvhbkHZDnFuhYnjCT_2nqZLlR9GnG9lhbq6Mfczh5JGs7B05Q5rfbbgg2dcjQGgOzhzWQSzarJciD2QK5dYDiPhvxysg94LIUSHYeyZ/s580/IMG_0030.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="580" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfnwyKktDUFsxF9fxuOjOuWPEvpv6d2vSPqtm7tH25tjUuBtM6cttCD2Z5yTE4NFN647JnBWZW8l1TEQ8B7UmUkvhbkHZDnFuhYnjCT_2nqZLlR9GnG9lhbq6Mfczh5JGs7B05Q5rfbbgg2dcjQGgOzhzWQSzarJciD2QK5dYDiPhvxysg94LIUSHYeyZ/w844-h528/IMG_0030.jpeg" width="844" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo as found in <u style="font-weight: bold;">Combined Operations</u> by LS C. Marks</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Please click here to learn more about another book related to WWII, and/or Combined Operations (directly or indirectly) - <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/04/books-miracle-of-dunkirk-by-walter-lord.html">Books: The Miracle of Dunkirk by Walter Lord</a><br /></div></div><p>Unattributed Photos GH </p>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-28597319761057081702023-09-06T18:51:00.001-04:002023-09-06T18:51:22.267-04:00Story Time: The Invasion of Sicily and Italy, 1943 (2)<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Canadians in Combined Operations Move into 'The Savoy'</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Tremendous Bonfire in the East... HMHS Talamba was Gone"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-vuWM82el2EbG-ENgivvyLDUh86ZX9cEK4l5nnUgAzF-tl8g4eP4krKij5aTpRU9OWP5WTlNCc8CWMj9cRYs8zyEV1MD5Kz7ybrvEW4wQ9yQcByG-xNW6EWx9MOdrhkIzbwcv-7Y6-WiIau_144x7cYO_-Y52rPB2-09weI6T6qmBn67I8pGEUolsNVd/s800/large_000000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="800" height="655" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-vuWM82el2EbG-ENgivvyLDUh86ZX9cEK4l5nnUgAzF-tl8g4eP4krKij5aTpRU9OWP5WTlNCc8CWMj9cRYs8zyEV1MD5Kz7ybrvEW4wQ9yQcByG-xNW6EWx9MOdrhkIzbwcv-7Y6-WiIau_144x7cYO_-Y52rPB2-09weI6T6qmBn67I8pGEUolsNVd/w663-h655/large_000000.jpg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">HMHS <i>Talamba</i> (His Majesty's Hospital Ship) Sailing into harbour. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Location not known. © Imperial War Museum (IWM) E 240348</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Introduction:<br /></b><br />In looking for online photographs of HMHS <i>Talamba</i> I discovered a bit of controversy surrounding the number of hospital staff and wounded soldiers that were killed during the bombing of the ship when it was stationed off the east coast of Sicily on July 10th (or was it the 11th!?) near HOW and GEORGE sectors (or beaches) served by the Canadian 80th and 81st Flotillas of Landing Craft.</div><div><br /></div><div>My father, Doug Harrison (RCNVR/Combined Operations) was among those sailors onshore the night it was hit by German bombers and he mentions a few details in the video that follows.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please link to <a href="https://youtu.be/8v7el_gSqfU">Story Time, WWII (2)</a> as found on YouTube.<br /><br />About the sinking of HMHS <i>Talamba</i>: </div><div><br /></div><div>Wikipedia shares the following - <span style="font-family: arial;">During the amphibious invasion of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicily">Sicily</a>, she was attacked twice by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regia_Aeronautica">Italian Regia Aeronautica</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luftwaffe">German Luftwaffe</a>. A bomb fell into her engine room which caused an explosion that killed 5 of her crew but all 400 wounded were evacuated to safety. HMHS Talamba, sank off <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse,_Sicily">Syracuse</a> on 10 July 1943.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Talamba#cite_note-2">[2]</a> Link - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Talamba">Wikipedia</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>That only 5 of her crew were killed is not supported by more than a few sources.</div><div><br /></div><div>An article <span style="font-family: arial;">"written by Stan Fernando, a Junior Engineer from Sri Lanka (Ceylon as known then), who was serving on S.S. Talamba at the time when disaster struck"</span> reveals that many more than 5 lost their lives and goes on to suggest why such a low number was given. Readers may find the comment thread <a href="https://tyneareasc.org.uk/2012/10/sunk-by-enemy-action-s-s-talamba/">under Stan Fernando's story</a> interesting and informative as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>The maps below provide details about the location of HMHS <i>Talamba</i> at the time of its arrival on July 10, 1943:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e8rYiGg9HTq8hyjo06efXj5SvC3XkYit3gYi-963vdE1_pJVwAx9lth-P8N5G2E2dR8THVRt4y-diN80fw0ZHU5_TZwDu6_hXtkW9Dt6cU0M6CKGpWUAfabkEUVBM3QQQBJFwDsxFm0JHlCml7ZWTapmxD-4fFifO9gYgMDuWqSMapsLhPrwjBf2u1OB/s899/81FlotillaBeaches.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="899" height="678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e8rYiGg9HTq8hyjo06efXj5SvC3XkYit3gYi-963vdE1_pJVwAx9lth-P8N5G2E2dR8THVRt4y-diN80fw0ZHU5_TZwDu6_hXtkW9Dt6cU0M6CKGpWUAfabkEUVBM3QQQBJFwDsxFm0JHlCml7ZWTapmxD-4fFifO9gYgMDuWqSMapsLhPrwjBf2u1OB/w978-h678/81FlotillaBeaches.jpg" width="978" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The above modern day map is modern day features the town of Fontane Bianche (upper right) approx. 5 - 6 km. south of Syracusa. The one kilometre long beach ('C' shaped) was designated as George Beach during Operation Husky and the Canadian 80th Flotilla of Landing Crafts (LCMs - landing craft, mechanised) transported all materials of war to three designated areas (Red, Amber, Green) on GEORGE. My father made a cave near the kilometer-long beach his home for 2 - 3 weeks, 80 years ago. <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/05/research-about-trip-to-sicily-3.html">He referred to it as "The Savoy."</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Please note the city of Gallina in the lower left section of the above map. It was one of the three designated areas of HOW Sector (or beaches) to which the 81st Flotilla of Landing Crafts transported goods beginning July 10. More details below.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkG2xhpq4LyVLeGFV4mfTxSnsJ-p0kLmzhivFySC4uEgufWBZ4GHbEcRA9Yx9hRYX3pcmJH1nbJJxn269Re7Mj_wBKSHb7mZoii4sjyY9PSvh5R_wmWrE-Krup7mp2_nvzvnbXuvj5efJX_jIQWkm2ARJVw4YT0dCXERI2my8fReKwkrfhS3QNptL3GuI/s2864/IMG_0064%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1718" data-original-width="2864" height="587" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkG2xhpq4LyVLeGFV4mfTxSnsJ-p0kLmzhivFySC4uEgufWBZ4GHbEcRA9Yx9hRYX3pcmJH1nbJJxn269Re7Mj_wBKSHb7mZoii4sjyY9PSvh5R_wmWrE-Krup7mp2_nvzvnbXuvj5efJX_jIQWkm2ARJVw4YT0dCXERI2my8fReKwkrfhS3QNptL3GuI/w978-h587/IMG_0064%202.jpeg" width="978" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Map found in WWII Canadian veteran's story re the invasion of Sicily.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Email Gord H. for a link to <b>St. Nazaire to Singapore, Volume 1)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Red and Amber sections of HOW Sector is where Gallina is today.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(The cities of Noto and Avola are misplaced, and are 5 - 6 km south).</div><div><br /></div><div>My father made a short reference to the hospital ship in his story:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">We had a hospital ship with us named the <i>Alatambra</i> (sic: <i>Talamba</i>) with many nurses and doctors aboard. She came in to about three miles in daytime and went out to seven miles and lighted up like a city at night. No one was to bomb a hospital ship and for days on end we took the wounded out to her, many being glider pilots with purple berets. Never a sound out of them, no matter how badly they were hurt. Mostly Scotch soldiers.<br /><br />One night we saw what appeared to be a tremendous bonfire in the east, offshore a long way out. In the morning, the <i>Alatambra</i> was gone, nursing sisters, doctors, wounded and all. Seven hundred and ninety were killed or drowned. The Germans had either bombed or torpedoed her that night. So goes war. Page 33, <b><u>"Dad, Well Done"</u></b><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Admittedly, I have no idea where my father came up with the figure, <span style="font-family: inherit;">"seven hundred and ninety were killed or drowned." There would have been lots of talk amongst the crews of the 80th and 81st Flotillas, because they were doing the transport of the 'sets of survivors', but unless somebody was keeping a list and checking it twice...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That being said, a</span> higher number than five casualties is certainly suggested in a file of Lt. Cmdr J. E. Koyl (RCNVR/Combined Ops:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was with great relief that the troopers who had landed the assault forces were sailed away. There was still a tempting assemblage of shipping off the beaches, perhaps fifty vessels, and the stores they carried were vital to the operation of the 8th Army now advancing towards Syracuse.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The exact scene Koyl describes above may be depicted in the photo below:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5QsM5pPACl-q_OeSsBpfnZCIB-FHavjBgAZHhKZliGkBO8uoo_oW5zB1zZeaNIMW1mkx7WlEgkchky4PqYvKnlOnLKKc31up6ps84jZtDp-0wCxfgkMeLRHT3NF7dtnfiOrZZXKQMwWN6mquf887DtKUkO_q2yue79AtnnpfnH9KHM4faDUdAEMJcPs6/s800/Sicily1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="800" height="747" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5QsM5pPACl-q_OeSsBpfnZCIB-FHavjBgAZHhKZliGkBO8uoo_oW5zB1zZeaNIMW1mkx7WlEgkchky4PqYvKnlOnLKKc31up6ps84jZtDp-0wCxfgkMeLRHT3NF7dtnfiOrZZXKQMwWN6mquf887DtKUkO_q2yue79AtnnpfnH9KHM4faDUdAEMJcPs6/w976-h747/Sicily1.jpg" width="976" /></a>Liners right inshore, 4 miles south of Syracuse unloading troops<br />and landing craft. Photo - <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BRoper%2C%20F%20G%20%28Lt%29%5D=on">Roper, F G (Lt)</a> © IWM A 18090</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Koyl continues:</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At 1530 the first serious air raid took place but a number of dive bombers and medium bombers achieved no success with attacks which were directed mainly against transports.<br /><br />From then on the blitz continued throughout the night and at frequent intervals during the next 48 hours. Although the bombing attacks were so numerous, there were never many aircraft in any one attack - about thirty aircraft, mostly German, in the heaviest raids on "HOW" sector - and the raids were surprisingly unsuccessful. Not until the evening of the 11th was any ship sunk or severely damaged. Then, in a dusk attack, dive bombers selected a hospital ship lying lit up some distance to seaward of its transport anchorage and sunk her in twenty minutes. According to a record kept by a stoker of the 81st Flotilla, there were twenty-three raids on "HOW" and "GEORGE" sectors in the first three days.<br /><br />The hospital ship sunk at dusk on the 11th was the <i>"TALAMBA"</i>, to which Lieut. "Koyl" had taken casualties from the LST. It was a grim business for him and his Flotilla to search the wreckage for survivors during the night. Sub Lt. Barclay of the 80th took a prominent part in this work and describes the great difficulties of transferring wounded men from an LCM to the cruiser, H.M.S. <i>"UGANDA"</i>, in the heavy swell that was running. Stretchers were improvised and the <i>"UGANDA'S" </i>aircraft derrick used for hoisting them inboard. Although a large number of the wounded were saved, most of the medical and nursing staff went down with their ship - a tribute to their heroism and devotion to duty.<br /><br /></span>Page 177 - 178, <u style="font-weight: bold;">Combined Operations</u> by Londoner Clayton Marks RCNVR/Comb.Ops</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From the same book re the role of Canadians in Combined Operations, we read the following from a LCM Flotilla Engineer Officer, including casualty reports re <i>Talamba</i>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 72px;">In the twenty-eight days we spent there (Sicily) I only saw three ships sunk. This figure excludes a hospital ship which was deliberately lit up by flares and dive-bombed until it sunk with considerable loss of life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 72px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 72px;">I</span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 72px;">t was in the second air attack on 'D' day (D-day Sicily, July 10, 1943) that our Flotilla Officer Jake Koyl and his crew narrowly escaped annihilation. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Jake had just beached his boat and was engaged in off-loading the vehicle it carried when a dive-bomber attacked the beach. An LCT was unloading a few yards to port and an LST only a few yards to starboard. The bombs dropped so close to Jake's LCM that the blast carried right over their heads, but completely wiped the bridge of the LST and killed the entire personnel on the LCT, with the exception of one Officer, who was very badly shrapnelled and burned.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In a shorter time than it takes to tell, Jake and his boys had their craft off the beach and rushed to pick up injured from the two unfortunate large craft. This occupied them for the remainder of the afternoon and it was to the hospital ship I have already referred to that the wounded were taken.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That night she (i.e., <i>Talamba</i>) was sunk and the next morning Jake had the gruesome business of taking what few survivors that were still alive from the two instances (i.e., the sinking of the two troop ships and the later sinking of the <i>Talamba</i>) to another hospital ship. My one and only hope is the crews of the enemy planes that sank the hospital ship stink in the hubs of hell forever and ever! Or should I rather bring my curses onto the heads of those who are responsible for the training of human robots to do such damn brutal and down right cowardly deeds! But all the cursing (it will likely be censored) in the world won't bring back those lads who were twice battered in battle, nor the Sisters, nurses and doctors who lost their lives from such treachery.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Page 95, <u style="font-weight: bold;">Combined Operations</u> by Londoner Clayton Marks RCNVR/Comb.Ops</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div>My trip to Sicily approaches but there will be a few more items to follow before readers are bombarded with a few 100 photos of GEORGE Beach, near which the sinking of HMHS <i>Talamba</i> took place 80 years ago.<br /><br />Please click here to view <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/08/story-time-invasion-of-sicily-1.html">Story Time: The Invasion of Sicily and Italy, 1943 (1)</a><br /><br /></div><div>Unattributed Photos GH </div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-47645982803691037702023-09-01T15:59:00.009-04:002023-09-06T18:51:53.670-04:00Story Time: The Invasion of Sicily and Italy, 1943 (1)<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;">Operation HUSKY: "This Was to be Our Worst Invasion Yet"</b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Utter Death and Carnage," on the Beaches of Sicily</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLl3xWbbpWk3zxca78VbZUnFtuVy1COTgcOx-LmUj-dY0nDW_uF1tDEWlBuJXNw_qzqnnS0eRgJCeFiGfcji1uFIjJxnppVIIfQ2rbQFomnipzAej8JqifuH7sYcApFd7BFcE8j9Cwv3vNBywUIK2n2qiZfvWm-q1QdKvQ9FyHEElJWOVSInra9gO_Yau/s2476/IMG_0524.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2476" height="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLl3xWbbpWk3zxca78VbZUnFtuVy1COTgcOx-LmUj-dY0nDW_uF1tDEWlBuJXNw_qzqnnS0eRgJCeFiGfcji1uFIjJxnppVIIfQ2rbQFomnipzAej8JqifuH7sYcApFd7BFcE8j9Cwv3vNBywUIK2n2qiZfvWm-q1QdKvQ9FyHEElJWOVSInra9gO_Yau/w858-h523/IMG_0524.jpeg" width="858" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happier times, as five members of RCNVR and Combined Operations</div><div style="text-align: center;">prepare to board a train for the West Coast of Canada, December 1943</div><br /><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />After the invasion of North Africa, Operation TORCH (beginning November 8, 1942), Canadian sailors in Combined Operations who were involved - delivering troops and all materials of war to shore - returned to the United Kingdom, likely for a well-deserved leave before returning to various Royal Navy and/or Combined Operations training centres. Moves to this camp or that camp were so numerous many sailors could not keep track of all the locations they visited. New Landing crafts were being developed and the growing number of recruits needed to keep up-to-date.<div><br /></div><div>In the spring of 1943, the next Allied operation - during which many Canadians in Combined Ops spent three months in the Mediterranean - was on the horizon.</div><div><br /></div><div>My father writes: </div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Back to England I went for more training in May, 1943 with barges aboard the <i>S.S. Silver Walnut</i>, a real dud. We formed up and headed to sea again, this time from Liverpool. We didn’t know but Sicily was next. </span><span>(<u style="font-weight: bold;">"Dad, Well Done"</u> page 27)</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>I get the impression from his memoirs that he spent time at HMS <i>Weymouth</i> (near Southend-on-Sea, east of London on the River Thames) after Operation TORCH, but there are a few stories about being in Scotland as well. When he arrived in Liverpool with landing craft aboard the <i>Walnut</i> he likely thought "more training lies ahead. What camp will we visit next?" <br /><br />How about Sicily? And on such a troubled ship it will take 5 - 6 weeks to get there. As usual, the sailors were not likely told their destination until they arrived in Alexandria, after a worrisome, at times downright dangerous, trip around Africa.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Story Time, The Invasion of Sicily, Part 1</b>, follows:</div><div><br /></div><div>YouTube - <a class="style-scope ytcp-video-share-dialog" href="https://youtu.be/GUe9A3zH1sI" id="share-url" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: var(--ytcp-font-subheading_-_font-size,15px); line-height: 24px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/GUe9A3zH1sI</a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFqQcOywp09FutzuDqF7k2hKIc6o4xmrTF_jZCNtSrPBKSBGYWLoZJc8SJJMYwhPQL_s5PhRB2g1mQGWyt7nzpPKcEgBR73HET4UAEKhEnqfhaz5zSwsVcX58lWeHFYIc-GL3QdWEywx9z-x15htDksFIxziUJRTWmzTW7oFZ1bGZrcfNBS8p-hiq3c1A/s612/IMG_4924.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="612" height="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFqQcOywp09FutzuDqF7k2hKIc6o4xmrTF_jZCNtSrPBKSBGYWLoZJc8SJJMYwhPQL_s5PhRB2g1mQGWyt7nzpPKcEgBR73HET4UAEKhEnqfhaz5zSwsVcX58lWeHFYIc-GL3QdWEywx9z-x15htDksFIxziUJRTWmzTW7oFZ1bGZrcfNBS8p-hiq3c1A/w662-h439/IMG_4924.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>S.S. Silver Walnut. </i><i> </i>Photo from the collection of Doug Harrison</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7fzZNPIWIXA8H79c7535zfi_wGXokeXPzijmhddvETSaLF2oblcrFM-F3ZF2a8Dif63QADuZfDTKdJ6yoZ2gLgzHANtxi0b0rbuQlYeraP2p37y5MZ4oerm9te32Lb3Mww3XYsONoBylqMXPOI1fgCME6uwGLDZ4pzAi46aLkyJ-tbpzvWgA5HAzZNTV/s1240/IMG_0189.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1009" height="813" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7fzZNPIWIXA8H79c7535zfi_wGXokeXPzijmhddvETSaLF2oblcrFM-F3ZF2a8Dif63QADuZfDTKdJ6yoZ2gLgzHANtxi0b0rbuQlYeraP2p37y5MZ4oerm9te32Lb3Mww3XYsONoBylqMXPOI1fgCME6uwGLDZ4pzAi46aLkyJ-tbpzvWgA5HAzZNTV/w661-h813/IMG_0189.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Doug Harrison (right) with Jim Malone, Canadians in Combined Ops</div><div style="text-align: center;">As found in <b>The Norwich Gazette</b>, early 1990s</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>While travelling on the <i>Silver Walnut</i> around Africa, my father enjoyed a few rare adventures (and misadventures) with 'a Scottish engine room engineer named Hastings.' One story about the lengthy trip and his eventual arrival in Alexandria aboard <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2015/12/short-story-re-sicily-long-way-round_10.html"><i>Silver Walnut </i>can be found here.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpahkc3WZ1lHvtnxJGCjvCX-i3H74-PYIksRYIQYBegadUJQiewH8TzSPapU2WGJBPF657sxckZwgLjM7f0stfZ9BE_PQzAvlTgc-PYOESvWAqubreXQwV2wjmWdwKqHuwi6-4LeecYQBhmBPpVajI-PCWdNM886O7GAKB1e0Xcej0NhpvA5itBWh9MZF/s1390/IMG_0191.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="982" height="937" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpahkc3WZ1lHvtnxJGCjvCX-i3H74-PYIksRYIQYBegadUJQiewH8TzSPapU2WGJBPF657sxckZwgLjM7f0stfZ9BE_PQzAvlTgc-PYOESvWAqubreXQwV2wjmWdwKqHuwi6-4LeecYQBhmBPpVajI-PCWdNM886O7GAKB1e0Xcej0NhpvA5itBWh9MZF/w662-h937/IMG_0191.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Scottish engineer is hidden by a headdress? Mr. Harrison smiles a bit.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Navy cap worn by my father can be seen behind me in the videos</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo as found in <b>The Norwich Gazette</b>, early 1990s</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z4QZz4JfkPQaJuyqCDvA9e_DCx73UVAu8-w-BM-7-xhE7l4MfkcoM2XpCBCG6XO-Z0Kp-NCjKUDaSHMu3DA0zHd5ds1NzEFg9mdxc8buctLgBQSCaljgjRf2Fnj7P5SGqLQGbI9RMmopD-TVisb7vhVGqent0zjYa9bSz6RVL48jkL-ObbYHZgxU7NdB/s921/dad's%20hammock%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="691" height="881" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z4QZz4JfkPQaJuyqCDvA9e_DCx73UVAu8-w-BM-7-xhE7l4MfkcoM2XpCBCG6XO-Z0Kp-NCjKUDaSHMu3DA0zHd5ds1NzEFg9mdxc8buctLgBQSCaljgjRf2Fnj7P5SGqLQGbI9RMmopD-TVisb7vhVGqent0zjYa9bSz6RVL48jkL-ObbYHZgxU7NdB/w661-h881/dad's%20hammock%202.jpeg" width="661" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A Navy hammock, originally belonging to Bill Katanna, who</div><div style="text-align: center;">worked aboard the same landing craft as my father in Sicily.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It can now be found at the Navy Museum in Esquimalt, BC</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>More to follow from my father's three months in the Mediterranean, July - early October, 1943.</div><div><br />Please click here to for <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/05/video-stealing-chickens-by-g-douglas.html">Story Time: "Stealing Chickens"</a> by G. Douglas Harrison<br /><br />Unattributed Photos GH</div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-52258421795824271542023-08-29T17:25:00.002-04:002023-08-29T17:25:26.024-04:00Research: Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943 (11)<div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Allies' 2nd Week in Sicily Begins. </b><b>"Surrender or Die!"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> Blazing Inferno. Canadians Win Monty's Praise, and More</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUkwLOZYr-V-lpSwaVsaih2kO6_5wQus2UxWgCKWBnLYl0efz4Yf88lBfoTC29SStwlrP-WUnKEI5H_KPsuVYOQpHBSN-NVtdTnzeAafFA8yly5oFrle3pDOXRm6KPbdAZKeInCXqMoBQSD6IxarfwF7q2rynto63mkIQzzg1oMB_jgmiXdU8t8RQ9EAz/s800/large_000000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="800" height="659" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUkwLOZYr-V-lpSwaVsaih2kO6_5wQus2UxWgCKWBnLYl0efz4Yf88lBfoTC29SStwlrP-WUnKEI5H_KPsuVYOQpHBSN-NVtdTnzeAafFA8yly5oFrle3pDOXRm6KPbdAZKeInCXqMoBQSD6IxarfwF7q2rynto63mkIQzzg1oMB_jgmiXdU8t8RQ9EAz/w661-h659/large_000000.jpg" width="661" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHRvIQQQN4CB1o_Kjj5R_EWE4xsH5hl1EgKfSNV-0Vi80UmLRfZjzuyYv4vWVBA3sbTc8maRcRRfRTtEM2UZ9ucwemfRNZY65AWzehosvSAIwzzOBCzGHemD_rjkzI2tVepiB2xL-ZH905wqM95chI1f8DaCxLZSi35JYVRL67m2z6LHXFfQtq1BZUCYd/s800/large_NA_005286_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="800" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHRvIQQQN4CB1o_Kjj5R_EWE4xsH5hl1EgKfSNV-0Vi80UmLRfZjzuyYv4vWVBA3sbTc8maRcRRfRTtEM2UZ9ucwemfRNZY65AWzehosvSAIwzzOBCzGHemD_rjkzI2tVepiB2xL-ZH905wqM95chI1f8DaCxLZSi35JYVRL67m2z6LHXFfQtq1BZUCYd/w661-h434/large_NA_005286_2.jpg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Drive for Messina, 10 July - 17 August 1943: A panoramic view of</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">the Catania Plain. Through the mist in the distance is Mount Etna.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Creator : <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BGladstone%20%28Sgt%29%5D=on">Gladstone (Sgt)</a>, <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BNo.%202%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photo%20Section%2C%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photographic%20Unit%5D=on">No. 2 Army Film and Photo Section,</a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filters%5BmakerString%5D%5BNo.%202%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photo%20Section%2C%20Army%20Film%20and%20Photographic%20Unit%5D=on">Army Film and Photographic Unit</a>. © IWM NA 5286</div><br /><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br />Faithful readers of the previous posts - in this lengthy series (so far) - are reminded now that 'Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943' will be a long slog, somewhat like Allied progress north to Messina, before the Strait of Messina was crossed beginning on September 3, 1943 (Operation Baytown), i.e., the invasion of Italy at the toe of the boot. And then it took eight months for Allied forces to reach and liberate Rome. Talk about your long, tough slog. They were only about half way done!</div><div><br /></div><div>I make no guarantees but I'm pretty sure I'll finish sharing news articles from <b>The (Montreal) Gazette, </b>published from early July to early October, 1943, in less than eight months. </div><div><br /></div><div>That being said, those three months in 'The Med' - during which a few hundred Canadians in Combined Operations served, consistent with accounts written by Canadian sailors (including my father) and their officers - are filled with interesting and very rare stories, and I'm deep into those stories. So, this series may run into 40 or more parts. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just to let you know.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Gazette</b> continues:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZq6kH0gMRDL7bwjzzJ51DvCjFKruhWExY2TSfww7JNIks3PQpWM_CLDpEQmn5m6SohL6ykBC_PabxM427SZE0qR1meewnYwFslhMxLeFgbwMql3ji3VxH5eSjnPtC-IVM3BJohjQWJrX65410I1ci4pQud5T3ixLyY16nxt_ZhKx9Gx8rJ4dOlDiTm5q/s691/July17-1a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="141" data-original-width="691" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZq6kH0gMRDL7bwjzzJ51DvCjFKruhWExY2TSfww7JNIks3PQpWM_CLDpEQmn5m6SohL6ykBC_PabxM427SZE0qR1meewnYwFslhMxLeFgbwMql3ji3VxH5eSjnPtC-IVM3BJohjQWJrX65410I1ci4pQud5T3ixLyY16nxt_ZhKx9Gx8rJ4dOlDiTm5q/w911-h185/July17-1a.jpeg" width="911" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDRcfDX9PTEZodw8fsprn8kcRem2upudwxUhAw94a7m2hxfp2HgK6QIpHXpAZ4Umtzxt2U-MsKwFeOA4z602eJPl5FnODhmWqGvVSDGtS4lMuLYaWt6ile8yuG-VAuDh4wwg2p7dlNoSpThse-Hq8euZTkBWUJ06LcJKwqgoU1ChMKn3i87d_e9_0Sgn0/s1242/July17-1b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="1242" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDRcfDX9PTEZodw8fsprn8kcRem2upudwxUhAw94a7m2hxfp2HgK6QIpHXpAZ4Umtzxt2U-MsKwFeOA4z602eJPl5FnODhmWqGvVSDGtS4lMuLYaWt6ile8yuG-VAuDh4wwg2p7dlNoSpThse-Hq8euZTkBWUJ06LcJKwqgoU1ChMKn3i87d_e9_0Sgn0/w911-h152/July17-1b.jpeg" width="911" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The second week in Sicily begins with 'the point of a sword':</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYvFY7Pp2Oh10ATEAgczfCBirQQA-kSrsDAVC8IIwfCql6OsxZVsAbkAODRvKteP8rQHFf8cjp_6Q4ZZ15CsaUFPXSOvlbgkabWX9qdja7HbK1vXX_EbEzsfhkDqset9dxpX8Av8VFFUYUgU4gQNNwePKms81Xb9V3kiVuuPqh8f4C7tbG8Zr7e_SnNse/s1169/July17-1d1.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="434" height="978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYvFY7Pp2Oh10ATEAgczfCBirQQA-kSrsDAVC8IIwfCql6OsxZVsAbkAODRvKteP8rQHFf8cjp_6Q4ZZ15CsaUFPXSOvlbgkabWX9qdja7HbK1vXX_EbEzsfhkDqset9dxpX8Av8VFFUYUgU4gQNNwePKms81Xb9V3kiVuuPqh8f4C7tbG8Zr7e_SnNse/w363-h978/July17-1d1.jpeg" width="363" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NtF4SMQT54YXxtVaXKTrQltQ3TTcjWPrEEZObnKiPnOtNjmNuVmoXkqD-qwUOiIyDy6Cllia3w9AcIxTCYPA31kwITtIYZeG4Ly6rze0Yg4-aOd9RM_2cqeIKqXkmN4OLFW2V4b-zx8FWC1Jg_Bei0UuumuZ98SDZB9L56FZhj5VoFpJjoG__-4vQHQK/s1142/July17-1d2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="452" height="913" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NtF4SMQT54YXxtVaXKTrQltQ3TTcjWPrEEZObnKiPnOtNjmNuVmoXkqD-qwUOiIyDy6Cllia3w9AcIxTCYPA31kwITtIYZeG4Ly6rze0Yg4-aOd9RM_2cqeIKqXkmN4OLFW2V4b-zx8FWC1Jg_Bei0UuumuZ98SDZB9L56FZhj5VoFpJjoG__-4vQHQK/w362-h913/July17-1d2.jpeg" width="362" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNtoxY2d210uQVfoy0rzZ1AcNiyPbA1s28-o4J6KVKDrgv6Ck8gfwVqj7G37qxkkE8U1siXOouRhIWaVx1DJ_ikCbQfPj8cdcfY_jDN_XFdWi4BC2aBtkH_I3wZpV_R-l-IZfsjLYD7OWBTwrcvWfwpEcz3TOuyFSjzoVoHCGaoF2gXlPsyyFIqBGwgvW/s1168/July17-1d3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="333" height="1278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNtoxY2d210uQVfoy0rzZ1AcNiyPbA1s28-o4J6KVKDrgv6Ck8gfwVqj7G37qxkkE8U1siXOouRhIWaVx1DJ_ikCbQfPj8cdcfY_jDN_XFdWi4BC2aBtkH_I3wZpV_R-l-IZfsjLYD7OWBTwrcvWfwpEcz3TOuyFSjzoVoHCGaoF2gXlPsyyFIqBGwgvW/w363-h1278/July17-1d3.jpeg" width="363" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Shall we mince words?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OpuvqA6YX2wsKVOXsiokUMArSDWVRn5pvVzKaB4f0ubiDRicNqnYq9gz3oLYEpBb-W9ffGHCkvRBLJUDYrd_pi0IoC_64R0NP_wosCjCpcWtX6TLhM-QVqyF0uccLc3drD5gdVQiZnPufQfnpDHw6K-TGtbiVpdMqjT61ib8bAfPHdSyiWzWbcTSdd2m/s710/July17-1d4.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="335" height="771" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OpuvqA6YX2wsKVOXsiokUMArSDWVRn5pvVzKaB4f0ubiDRicNqnYq9gz3oLYEpBb-W9ffGHCkvRBLJUDYrd_pi0IoC_64R0NP_wosCjCpcWtX6TLhM-QVqyF0uccLc3drD5gdVQiZnPufQfnpDHw6K-TGtbiVpdMqjT61ib8bAfPHdSyiWzWbcTSdd2m/w363-h771/July17-1d4.jpeg" width="363" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqca5QAZ1MIgrAOpmTiDJeTLIwOzk9fHbDaWqJYYAdBXunr3ztlyaP70rlyNixF9q3YRkFDZ9jaRCdKRmVOvU8mO0UDUzmelZDRapXt2-9akzAYCbkwQEwnd2TVCU3126OpxisVC-_IZIA1jlChHbtNt5k9P_9WsXdIs8i1F8dVe8vFeEiGErgAIt6l9Gp/s669/July17-1d5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="430" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqca5QAZ1MIgrAOpmTiDJeTLIwOzk9fHbDaWqJYYAdBXunr3ztlyaP70rlyNixF9q3YRkFDZ9jaRCdKRmVOvU8mO0UDUzmelZDRapXt2-9akzAYCbkwQEwnd2TVCU3126OpxisVC-_IZIA1jlChHbtNt5k9P_9WsXdIs8i1F8dVe8vFeEiGErgAIt6l9Gp/w362-h563/July17-1d5.jpeg" width="362" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Canadian military forces are on foot in Sicily, and in the air as well:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PjlnWAFXRFengB9Zw4sYE-OOIZMflO07vCN465fkA1Znc4kPR4jRcyv7EWYtn827MjfiV_TPKSPxhIU6i-dn1C0jIVhx2bGcF1OiCz5zslCwfq1xDKU9S3j2kiTBk8ecsK_hpXRG1a4YKUW8uD8z1TRF_EMfTNM8b2YzLynyHVM3W-yFwRCxzM-AhOJK/s1231/July17-1e1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="411" height="946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PjlnWAFXRFengB9Zw4sYE-OOIZMflO07vCN465fkA1Znc4kPR4jRcyv7EWYtn827MjfiV_TPKSPxhIU6i-dn1C0jIVhx2bGcF1OiCz5zslCwfq1xDKU9S3j2kiTBk8ecsK_hpXRG1a4YKUW8uD8z1TRF_EMfTNM8b2YzLynyHVM3W-yFwRCxzM-AhOJK/w316-h946/July17-1e1.jpeg" width="316" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71IEz4x2fT-UDTHj2Ze9ykbYCdKHTuqKIijV0kmXxBI5_9XjhKOsFJiff_BRKZnxxZjUW-b47eg9YnyVHSP_XFAsbdkXHaKq8NPtXWqDl1BJ0XjGGPVBAdVYwjTbmkjTK9_FRuqaJdUM4ajN4y-Qhm6gKv6u17XipW-23qQ-ZN25TGM-N28O9fVAIin_0/s1354/335091154_1252045592389222_4118977025358867690_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="1354" height="726" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71IEz4x2fT-UDTHj2Ze9ykbYCdKHTuqKIijV0kmXxBI5_9XjhKOsFJiff_BRKZnxxZjUW-b47eg9YnyVHSP_XFAsbdkXHaKq8NPtXWqDl1BJ0XjGGPVBAdVYwjTbmkjTK9_FRuqaJdUM4ajN4y-Qhm6gKv6u17XipW-23qQ-ZN25TGM-N28O9fVAIin_0/w1043-h726/335091154_1252045592389222_4118977025358867690_n.jpg" width="1043" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Operazione Husky 1943</u></b> by Salvo Fagone. More details below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZdtn-4_39PaZWBAtAy1H3NH-OzOnpNxCVJ-RPiREN3k_kAOMJ4vSeQJ3fdRiYo7oJoRgmmQ0XPEVj9v0lgZXOWfqa7DzuR-eqX3fvNKF8L9d9PxtiwSLLYLqltBF3KPrUsab_2vCaMDXYLBMXG3b6lHYyMhE9TPwB9N73Cb3AL4E9og5Pmdm-egh05IT/s1037/July17-1e2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="469" height="699" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZdtn-4_39PaZWBAtAy1H3NH-OzOnpNxCVJ-RPiREN3k_kAOMJ4vSeQJ3fdRiYo7oJoRgmmQ0XPEVj9v0lgZXOWfqa7DzuR-eqX3fvNKF8L9d9PxtiwSLLYLqltBF3KPrUsab_2vCaMDXYLBMXG3b6lHYyMhE9TPwB9N73Cb3AL4E9og5Pmdm-egh05IT/w316-h699/July17-1e2.jpeg" width="316" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1SBTTOIHovA2HtKdZ6CYMKKh_DsD5wGPQewLzNj8nE_tEJxS1GKb-VG8WTM1GVoa5Q2wZDGex_U-bk5vmm6kA4QwUZ8TDwdT9nbS1kJ6iM4kiujMCzfIeYKUCVrdcLSOtZ5sg6bljfINvfN3nZFn2Fbsal3S_0x2mVG1O17VjlqaZWrTPOOc888vL56_/s1164/July17-1e3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="409" height="906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1SBTTOIHovA2HtKdZ6CYMKKh_DsD5wGPQewLzNj8nE_tEJxS1GKb-VG8WTM1GVoa5Q2wZDGex_U-bk5vmm6kA4QwUZ8TDwdT9nbS1kJ6iM4kiujMCzfIeYKUCVrdcLSOtZ5sg6bljfINvfN3nZFn2Fbsal3S_0x2mVG1O17VjlqaZWrTPOOc888vL56_/w317-h906/July17-1e3.jpeg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TI8L2E5AwSQjAuyR6ACo1TdGeZYhC84EbHaRZVWxZO0kB8RQWTwPgA3E-4Xne_3bXxDsH25ptgjQUXhgTwM67ro6F6aWNbDEIykccFMhsPcWHOg45T-qzmpe8t1zq5dvq0hErjGFf1uoJNyXGpwpYp0tP0tra8rbRM8vqDrQSe0klbcyUCassZziK2NI/s960/107135236_10221271093920062_5302644530184647938_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="960" height="704" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TI8L2E5AwSQjAuyR6ACo1TdGeZYhC84EbHaRZVWxZO0kB8RQWTwPgA3E-4Xne_3bXxDsH25ptgjQUXhgTwM67ro6F6aWNbDEIykccFMhsPcWHOg45T-qzmpe8t1zq5dvq0hErjGFf1uoJNyXGpwpYp0tP0tra8rbRM8vqDrQSe0klbcyUCassZziK2NI/w1043-h704/107135236_10221271093920062_5302644530184647938_n.jpg" width="1043" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Ricognitori Su Husky</u></b> by Salvo Fagone. More details below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqT_YPbQbaJtUzHX8FQ1kPpeEWxXR7XZ_j61G59YqUVfYWLKpvGV8REFKXv2UsxetSKAOupkS-TcxS-v9EZDxvsqKvhFbkBimaOO_mtrqQAxOFnCY4T5s_T8Bv3mRDCf50dMFz9ndPlFskR8xa7EEBmXn11zidjlxhQyy4doOxGoZNHo__PdyZpcecGPKx/s626/July17-1e4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="406" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqT_YPbQbaJtUzHX8FQ1kPpeEWxXR7XZ_j61G59YqUVfYWLKpvGV8REFKXv2UsxetSKAOupkS-TcxS-v9EZDxvsqKvhFbkBimaOO_mtrqQAxOFnCY4T5s_T8Bv3mRDCf50dMFz9ndPlFskR8xa7EEBmXn11zidjlxhQyy4doOxGoZNHo__PdyZpcecGPKx/w317-h486/July17-1e4.jpeg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mKgifVm90NY_NwK54zjFxYCY34LXWIX3SQXEBsXVm9_tNcOBZEKJDX6TupoiJyxD9653mIYBpo2dXxtVMEXucc1ZnI4_Kz_DgRCZXqJ8_rBKeZQcnZhZ-28FmSe5N7RdLI4ZV6UbzpGOp5pSEKRMInAH_ykQYdcLNngZLh8HpxGKeufcu2KpxffuNXHz/s931/July17-1e5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="348" height="842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mKgifVm90NY_NwK54zjFxYCY34LXWIX3SQXEBsXVm9_tNcOBZEKJDX6TupoiJyxD9653mIYBpo2dXxtVMEXucc1ZnI4_Kz_DgRCZXqJ8_rBKeZQcnZhZ-28FmSe5N7RdLI4ZV6UbzpGOp5pSEKRMInAH_ykQYdcLNngZLh8HpxGKeufcu2KpxffuNXHz/w316-h842/July17-1e5.jpeg" width="316" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Related to research re Sicily and an upcoming trip to the island, I have made a connection with an Italian writer, Salvo Fagone, whose interest relates to World War II in the Mediterranean. Below is a third photograph related to three Mr. Fagone's works, used with his permission, and as one can see, Mr. Fagone's interests are many, touching on air reconnaissance, Ultra intelligence, the bombardment of Sicily and more. (When I visit Catania, Sicily, in the coming weeks I am certain my meeting with the well-studied writer will be of great interest, and a 'trip highlight' indeed).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQk2uQf-0ppfvZEk7jUxAb8-X1jKXi0cIUn76wCPMtwNrBX91aiEOec_9Ie38Ag220mOlPZbHokRgMnQPaHpXMu2LW8y_ZcuwyCId5MHrsCzsZjXVx2Ef3RFLKZa_98DW99sp5bpl-5FFUc77_k2EypQJJWKLF0fbX8hx7tWkgCioCaKzIT5StinWxA51H/s810/salvofagone.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="810" height="663" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQk2uQf-0ppfvZEk7jUxAb8-X1jKXi0cIUn76wCPMtwNrBX91aiEOec_9Ie38Ag220mOlPZbHokRgMnQPaHpXMu2LW8y_ZcuwyCId5MHrsCzsZjXVx2Ef3RFLKZa_98DW99sp5bpl-5FFUc77_k2EypQJJWKLF0fbX8hx7tWkgCioCaKzIT5StinWxA51H/w663-h663/salvofagone.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I will forward the following article to Mr. Fagone. I wonder if he knows about "the creaking German kites of antique vintage": </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGusqM3oc4rckqifySTUldOStTCOWPZFx7vtwwFYNVOBefznDPupaqwgwfE1cMiHrqUJIC1KRC2m-eIMZbgLEu3C41WrLnXKClB5sZdci5OPWUfjbqQQEHi1eLPvrcO6ZeehdjHMN6Q13F8C9mSToBAnppxDe9JasdFQ3Ui_ljiwKrI8dnLnRSgjiDv3j2/s1019/July17-1c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="821" height="821" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGusqM3oc4rckqifySTUldOStTCOWPZFx7vtwwFYNVOBefznDPupaqwgwfE1cMiHrqUJIC1KRC2m-eIMZbgLEu3C41WrLnXKClB5sZdci5OPWUfjbqQQEHi1eLPvrcO6ZeehdjHMN6Q13F8C9mSToBAnppxDe9JasdFQ3Ui_ljiwKrI8dnLnRSgjiDv3j2/w663-h821/July17-1c.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Next: I wonder if Monty is referring to Canadians (RCNVR, including my father) in Combined Ops, who have been loading, unloading and driving various landing crafts non-stop - filled with all the materials of war - since D-Day July 10, when he says, "the Canadians were terrific on the beaches":</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gACYdKSfv0Rv7KZourGdeotenfoG-wyN7vp1gfl1_lBMlmFiaNHoSs4g1DZsPUAQBEtPOAMPg6pzw0UjLpkcLVGARSYHAIPmoktvibriW8sPhpP-_axhcvC76oQLNx8zQ4MZGtLsvdv3XMlK2jManZaBzQhEgF1slOArYzXkhIQa9p8cBDZq9hesU6Tt/s1135/July17-1f1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="421" height="828" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gACYdKSfv0Rv7KZourGdeotenfoG-wyN7vp1gfl1_lBMlmFiaNHoSs4g1DZsPUAQBEtPOAMPg6pzw0UjLpkcLVGARSYHAIPmoktvibriW8sPhpP-_axhcvC76oQLNx8zQ4MZGtLsvdv3XMlK2jManZaBzQhEgF1slOArYzXkhIQa9p8cBDZq9hesU6Tt/w308-h828/July17-1f1.jpeg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupi7zdnWphB_R_sCmmcRxl6yyOTqcktENs2dKrJjKd6gu0qC2pXwGZNfvTAi4MiVs37jETQvrQvP9LMKWbvZxJUWiFox3ISPtJn8jqLPnTB4j0TjG6v0wnED6BOG6y-ZIp3dYs0biCn6AExKzUQOJr6LrTGu1sNwOy7sG8TRKf246T9TMasJXSHYMOeJt/s808/104675352_3186951484676498_3622843763303717435_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="720" height="932" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupi7zdnWphB_R_sCmmcRxl6yyOTqcktENs2dKrJjKd6gu0qC2pXwGZNfvTAi4MiVs37jETQvrQvP9LMKWbvZxJUWiFox3ISPtJn8jqLPnTB4j0TjG6v0wnED6BOG6y-ZIp3dYs0biCn6AExKzUQOJr6LrTGu1sNwOy7sG8TRKf246T9TMasJXSHYMOeJt/w830-h932/104675352_3186951484676498_3622843763303717435_n.jpeg" width="830" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">War correspondent Ross Munro, and Peter Stursberg (of the CBC),</div><div style="text-align: center;">mentioned in the last paragraph above, hitch a ride. Modica, Sicily</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4bpLssAXwMsMSDKjUGkVhYeFfom7cy-uLGmchbWg45sgkrzC_y0GRItkb256Y6ODyC5x3LaakHxlrcB52wcYVhHlaDO54U7-aUl318smHhDd89BIco0ID30MJdSL1yM5EnlW16tiz_hQQILLEptItvcBGVR7V21Kgj6kWhLzRc-tVhM7ttVt0_nOCK90/s470/July17-1f2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="470" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4bpLssAXwMsMSDKjUGkVhYeFfom7cy-uLGmchbWg45sgkrzC_y0GRItkb256Y6ODyC5x3LaakHxlrcB52wcYVhHlaDO54U7-aUl318smHhDd89BIco0ID30MJdSL1yM5EnlW16tiz_hQQILLEptItvcBGVR7V21Kgj6kWhLzRc-tVhM7ttVt0_nOCK90/w308-h212/July17-1f2.jpeg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSI1FQa4cSFnSdM4Jc2AS-SHTLKt85SHqCT9biOrl9pdby_DD75JGzVxp5ed4at02bocC1Px08wcmf1Mbp5BTIqQK8zvWhzoaRz7unUmONoiuTr49lb1FUlubjl4i6SLscXFdMDFDxKWdVuHomuJf9blJ-3fM8lfEYGIXKPAJXTY8Y4EU6I4ecL9fceTPU/s726/July17-1f3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="344" height="649" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSI1FQa4cSFnSdM4Jc2AS-SHTLKt85SHqCT9biOrl9pdby_DD75JGzVxp5ed4at02bocC1Px08wcmf1Mbp5BTIqQK8zvWhzoaRz7unUmONoiuTr49lb1FUlubjl4i6SLscXFdMDFDxKWdVuHomuJf9blJ-3fM8lfEYGIXKPAJXTY8Y4EU6I4ecL9fceTPU/w308-h649/July17-1f3.jpeg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoofV4TpHm9bEBsGIokG1oYcl2ctjT2KSwGOUBpiEBBxjM7AXSaORauB0UshjVLUe6ioM5vyZdr3L1fGvJVkIU6e-XSZtgVs2sRkE4WkdjDLGtYrq36MwL6YreiGpYLQ87rKsSlEiBuMYw_tvh8_9IBaKYoa_Y4IQN4gzv9GrA5GsMUM9g2VsMDBdvwHx/s902/July17-1f4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="359" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoofV4TpHm9bEBsGIokG1oYcl2ctjT2KSwGOUBpiEBBxjM7AXSaORauB0UshjVLUe6ioM5vyZdr3L1fGvJVkIU6e-XSZtgVs2sRkE4WkdjDLGtYrq36MwL6YreiGpYLQ87rKsSlEiBuMYw_tvh8_9IBaKYoa_Y4IQN4gzv9GrA5GsMUM9g2VsMDBdvwHx/w309-h780/July17-1f4.jpeg" width="309" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Axis bomber airdrome at Foggia (Italy) a major target:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1kghaywXpMlzFfgoxUcTFmSQxzl3cqr64rgRv5AUKH0aQQ-Q9GWQvLXlTJui4nfq_2L55qJgfLy2iE9N7ydUmE-NCe33njSiEz1nc1BkLj9yyyRagARh5Flt4ClBU13HvvKPjWBij2-3GAwTlBFGA7BEBm2awvXbg_BYqLJJ0bTNl1DA66-To5XZTTCP/s1168/July17-1g.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="833" height="929" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1kghaywXpMlzFfgoxUcTFmSQxzl3cqr64rgRv5AUKH0aQQ-Q9GWQvLXlTJui4nfq_2L55qJgfLy2iE9N7ydUmE-NCe33njSiEz1nc1BkLj9yyyRagARh5Flt4ClBU13HvvKPjWBij2-3GAwTlBFGA7BEBm2awvXbg_BYqLJJ0bTNl1DA66-To5XZTTCP/w662-h929/July17-1g.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Of the 20,000 prisoners, some began to help unload landing crafts near Avola and Noto (south of Syracuse, with the Canadian 81st Flotilla:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKP6g3T87CKBrESobW42YMvqXxVt5tfaOQ2LXN9Br6VHTSnO77umwKSCW9OBBZiOg2JSUWUvRed6We4GqiQHSD1KVNJkKRSGqswtGbSPBypJf1EZCuXXJrb46JrdwSyla41VmOksAPFIybzDjWq-Vk3lDgUy08ggjtGStpTgWr2Wiy65MghWv-aNCjk2J/s1454/IMG_3639.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1454" height="686" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKP6g3T87CKBrESobW42YMvqXxVt5tfaOQ2LXN9Br6VHTSnO77umwKSCW9OBBZiOg2JSUWUvRed6We4GqiQHSD1KVNJkKRSGqswtGbSPBypJf1EZCuXXJrb46JrdwSyla41VmOksAPFIybzDjWq-Vk3lDgUy08ggjtGStpTgWr2Wiy65MghWv-aNCjk2J/w939-h686/IMG_3639.jpeg" width="939" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From <u style="font-weight: bold;">St. Nazaire to Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War </u><u style="font-weight: bold;">1941 - 45,</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Volume 1</u>, page 185. (Stories by RCNVR WWII veterans)</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Speaking of POWs. Two more references found below:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpLUZyXfoQeAmlUzi4iLM5uqHscbJkR_WzbBa9PMp_ub9TqI2zDe9nJmo__hgc_sKr8_1aS5dx7P6Ich7XnZVm3ZEtTHOqK-AbLScUEkrCrSNnwnkXDjhSzTyHmxO-N0b1Av4JIOj-DGC8RJ_7q0owc66c4kA_b--Xgp9C5t2YBV4o8Fo0xIohTbU6gve/s756/July17-1h.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="457" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpLUZyXfoQeAmlUzi4iLM5uqHscbJkR_WzbBa9PMp_ub9TqI2zDe9nJmo__hgc_sKr8_1aS5dx7P6Ich7XnZVm3ZEtTHOqK-AbLScUEkrCrSNnwnkXDjhSzTyHmxO-N0b1Av4JIOj-DGC8RJ_7q0owc66c4kA_b--Xgp9C5t2YBV4o8Fo0xIohTbU6gve/w386-h640/July17-1h.jpeg" width="386" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of even more references related to Prisoners of War...:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeGlACyMTvJy9I7UjWRVs6iVp9sGwwuw9wrG42YfxWdJVobIqtxtGIY1kXQV9HQTCsbP0Y-gGp5PLkrorq_KGcjrFSQKRFX_sgvtVREyRHxowMLk8Df1-BuNmIUAK0UMCqK1kAU7gj1TwjTCBIzvZ0UbWUCc5vrHTHvuYC6r5IjRxWkESZwGwPbfMgUMR/s1107/July17-1i1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="417" height="1076" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeGlACyMTvJy9I7UjWRVs6iVp9sGwwuw9wrG42YfxWdJVobIqtxtGIY1kXQV9HQTCsbP0Y-gGp5PLkrorq_KGcjrFSQKRFX_sgvtVREyRHxowMLk8Df1-BuNmIUAK0UMCqK1kAU7gj1TwjTCBIzvZ0UbWUCc5vrHTHvuYC6r5IjRxWkESZwGwPbfMgUMR/w407-h1076/July17-1i1.jpeg" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit77LcqZV8TWZ7Ss7zB7-Ib0dhsr13k3F2-lmczyx_VKnshZPJvIrcV_LtIyNwlBRw97YrGSX3CIPBlhwtePPBBkvDwvtNpx9dkTcwlEVFE6WMA3pUQ7Ck_nl-RQTuLs4J2qcK0DVUKSPAQjibJGK9vtI114DNnlfSpLd0Bj-xlfQKNSjiNX7A_Vdpm04q/s1871/IMG_3795.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1871" height="551" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit77LcqZV8TWZ7Ss7zB7-Ib0dhsr13k3F2-lmczyx_VKnshZPJvIrcV_LtIyNwlBRw97YrGSX3CIPBlhwtePPBBkvDwvtNpx9dkTcwlEVFE6WMA3pUQ7Ck_nl-RQTuLs4J2qcK0DVUKSPAQjibJGK9vtI114DNnlfSpLd0Bj-xlfQKNSjiNX7A_Vdpm04q/w856-h551/IMG_3795.jpeg" width="856" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Map as found in <u style="font-weight: bold;">Combined Operations</u> by Londoner Clayton Marks, page 76</div><div style="text-align: center;">Catania, not listed, is south of 'Mt. Aetna'. east coast north of Augusta</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrh0eebpXXk68IWnPMgh68dV_PCeMBoR_A64IxCsa9nezfHmJyORyZkyeA1o8Qc9qDsROLI6sK9bcZDvonIDqZGcEF3df3P_fnOdrdaz0s4_VZfHK6_WlrWK4hL1E38nCmR7FdRNoG6xZDF7-A4ZTAwgBcumy191t4qzy6JiFy48HeSQ4THpCRY9pWQYSL/s1492/IMG_4581.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="1492" height="796" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrh0eebpXXk68IWnPMgh68dV_PCeMBoR_A64IxCsa9nezfHmJyORyZkyeA1o8Qc9qDsROLI6sK9bcZDvonIDqZGcEF3df3P_fnOdrdaz0s4_VZfHK6_WlrWK4hL1E38nCmR7FdRNoG6xZDF7-A4ZTAwgBcumy191t4qzy6JiFy48HeSQ4THpCRY9pWQYSL/w857-h796/IMG_4581.jpeg" width="857" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Allies advance toward Catania. Source of map is unknown</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"NAZIS HURLED BACK" continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOi2kVl2MImnSaXmcH7_ll8VGcRK2u7UfpB9Bnv3svzO8Npt3IaHPMLTQCwvHhUZLwUv84w3gHiGQguIxt6ZgaUnzrusq5CRa6gWsjzB3erG8b55FaQ_jZ7O1I2TFNo2nHQMjH4j4ZXIcHE5TQd7EFoirBYOdEvdkdZ2FDb3ObxUroT75abD1P_RiUwqm/s1049/July17-1i2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="432" height="985" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOi2kVl2MImnSaXmcH7_ll8VGcRK2u7UfpB9Bnv3svzO8Npt3IaHPMLTQCwvHhUZLwUv84w3gHiGQguIxt6ZgaUnzrusq5CRa6gWsjzB3erG8b55FaQ_jZ7O1I2TFNo2nHQMjH4j4ZXIcHE5TQd7EFoirBYOdEvdkdZ2FDb3ObxUroT75abD1P_RiUwqm/w406-h985/July17-1i2.jpeg" width="406" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhLup99Nhd5Ig4pScvAOt6T85267UcqGtd-YxmsQiMYmMmebUkdPJ9dkZ2vaNdvEbz2TcWuNP5AGxW_Mkh3NWCReLCPMkn6X4lJ7TymVUTgtK6tLtQVdUOJlTzM0EPizPf2-NhpB-SJDV50NJ24w0wk6AHEvHcBMHMhuXCzAqr9MBWMCdBt6kJsBSwxE5/s958/July17-1i3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="466" height="836" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhLup99Nhd5Ig4pScvAOt6T85267UcqGtd-YxmsQiMYmMmebUkdPJ9dkZ2vaNdvEbz2TcWuNP5AGxW_Mkh3NWCReLCPMkn6X4lJ7TymVUTgtK6tLtQVdUOJlTzM0EPizPf2-NhpB-SJDV50NJ24w0wk6AHEvHcBMHMhuXCzAqr9MBWMCdBt6kJsBSwxE5/w407-h836/July17-1i3.jpeg" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykuUzqbhKcJtVWzJuMqfMWzUadxrKdyHQqAE2jBTVRgNFCgSkEz7bXHZbnvOuE0GYDmfKEldTTCVwF0arA2XNzkoG2_07ffoOmCmohrA856h9xxPmG4bZ5QVJVbIzkBaifCmE2nv6_8-rpXOfNsEytzr_Rg9kpcbD3F-0-uvZr-t0V0hyJjPMGCzn251N/s414/July17-1i4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="390" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykuUzqbhKcJtVWzJuMqfMWzUadxrKdyHQqAE2jBTVRgNFCgSkEz7bXHZbnvOuE0GYDmfKEldTTCVwF0arA2XNzkoG2_07ffoOmCmohrA856h9xxPmG4bZ5QVJVbIzkBaifCmE2nv6_8-rpXOfNsEytzr_Rg9kpcbD3F-0-uvZr-t0V0hyJjPMGCzn251N/w407-h433/July17-1i4.jpeg" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHV-iIkL0qd6W6wLgrh6w3sWr0oTr54I2ZKqtsxHfcqW6kgapU91CU9t5LVJmdc16puDQuOSmymW6R_odZgGYjOLM_QY3wCpHdZ1MFTyAMgDcGhoNoUdsy7twjCD78bj7ei89J0_IvslnPUnTnZosxMblJM_5EDPa9koZOSypUwrOnq5fn0EXFYqmUHXL/s1038/July17-1i5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="296" height="1428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHV-iIkL0qd6W6wLgrh6w3sWr0oTr54I2ZKqtsxHfcqW6kgapU91CU9t5LVJmdc16puDQuOSmymW6R_odZgGYjOLM_QY3wCpHdZ1MFTyAMgDcGhoNoUdsy7twjCD78bj7ei89J0_IvslnPUnTnZosxMblJM_5EDPa9koZOSypUwrOnq5fn0EXFYqmUHXL/w406-h1428/July17-1i5.jpeg" width="406" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQ1LXQJZeKaOPmrO04pst10EX2o0AW1li5OGMEX_v_8UQG97Guwo9lrt4TSB4xHQQjvQqcI2E6-r2sUNUi9xXkABcb6EdtfJHppCQpbyNUU3ualAvOr7YdyvAy-lv0BkWku72Aq999dKt9f265SwnwX9HGdJT3VbNWWJFLf0ZuVYca9kvqfboxF7MbzLp/s464/July17-1i6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="293" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQ1LXQJZeKaOPmrO04pst10EX2o0AW1li5OGMEX_v_8UQG97Guwo9lrt4TSB4xHQQjvQqcI2E6-r2sUNUi9xXkABcb6EdtfJHppCQpbyNUU3ualAvOr7YdyvAy-lv0BkWku72Aq999dKt9f265SwnwX9HGdJT3VbNWWJFLf0ZuVYca9kvqfboxF7MbzLp/w404-h640/July17-1i6.jpeg" width="404" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This article mentions the plan to man merchant ships with 'ordinary seamen' from Canada. It sounds like a role played by members of RCNVR, since 'ordinary seaman' (OS) is one of the earliest ranks in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve, followed by Able Bodied Seaman (AB), Leading Seaman (LS), and more. My father speaks of taking exams while serving his first two years overseas in RCNVR and Combined Operations, moving up from OS to AB, then to LS, and finally to LS Coxswain. That being said, the merchant ships may have been manned by the merchant marine ("the unknown navy"), which is another avenue men chose to take to the high seas:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGTkyrUhvsYrH5ntKscPYyYWyACq6exTp5DM0U79QrTB6SAcxbu6Q5Xj8lwTf_va_kiXmfTo31ebXcmL5OKafJU3oevqWJVfgssP80VgsDBaQRLc1za3RCoRda5Aeln2kJRyU3cJDLoGpHePd4o08CqGtpK9sqSS0EFI2kFEsFIw1kcxlr9VnyGDImWdD/s1194/July17-1j1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="315" height="1317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGTkyrUhvsYrH5ntKscPYyYWyACq6exTp5DM0U79QrTB6SAcxbu6Q5Xj8lwTf_va_kiXmfTo31ebXcmL5OKafJU3oevqWJVfgssP80VgsDBaQRLc1za3RCoRda5Aeln2kJRyU3cJDLoGpHePd4o08CqGtpK9sqSS0EFI2kFEsFIw1kcxlr9VnyGDImWdD/w346-h1317/July17-1j1.jpeg" width="346" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For those interested in the distinction between the Canadian Navy and Merchant Navy, I recommend the book below, perhaps found in a new/used bookstore near you:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7LXeRaOYSA8YDf3ryO38ojM-x6rv066HDPPS2YxLBfwWKbfC_dMfuiqmhZYamrp7Xolh4rSZ-54-ax_pCp9przvp5WOv1kiGAp9mxjU900GV2ZqCMzBh-p33vOLW-ixZXQeucs7ryrZQCguvVJt3GP0Zu68ZJMup_fAQyE0MmHhaVMsYKjmBg6sjLabX/s3326/IMG_0244.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3326" data-original-width="2372" height="939" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7LXeRaOYSA8YDf3ryO38ojM-x6rv066HDPPS2YxLBfwWKbfC_dMfuiqmhZYamrp7Xolh4rSZ-54-ax_pCp9przvp5WOv1kiGAp9mxjU900GV2ZqCMzBh-p33vOLW-ixZXQeucs7ryrZQCguvVJt3GP0Zu68ZJMup_fAQyE0MmHhaVMsYKjmBg6sjLabX/w669-h939/IMG_0244.jpeg" width="669" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Front cover photo is of Bedford Basin, Halifax, Nova Scotia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"Canadians to Man 75 Merchant Ships" continues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jVVu8_mr2PGjAvMWzvmkG5fX95bf4ZEp6gZwvpCFFBM8tufK_0bSg1BPVbCtNjnzt45CzSNvszVipiiFbiVDrQPKcp269H9boZRreJeDRIguOYCjqhL0gPcMPlpNBlCqRO8utNTWOaNGFZXkY7ksb8gDktc_zVTQQW4IBF0uS00R2mkBRzXQpiRDOkm4/s819/July17-1j2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="314" height="903" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jVVu8_mr2PGjAvMWzvmkG5fX95bf4ZEp6gZwvpCFFBM8tufK_0bSg1BPVbCtNjnzt45CzSNvszVipiiFbiVDrQPKcp269H9boZRreJeDRIguOYCjqhL0gPcMPlpNBlCqRO8utNTWOaNGFZXkY7ksb8gDktc_zVTQQW4IBF0uS00R2mkBRzXQpiRDOkm4/w346-h903/July17-1j2.jpeg" width="346" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDu1J-rjg8An2091fHYdt73MrvgXiyHqKYD1Xx-LuGR9TQ7FcKTnfw2HeolzkpekNSiSlzYRkVgnjXmljF1lHw16R76txM51V8Bq7MqoDeBT6vCrAZ_Z0yzGH8oZetrixdaT6ytlENn4Y_RhWk6HUd8tyUrXHQStGO3xVdeWmWwtVBXlAX8AIc3quHdON/s349/July17-1j3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="293" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDu1J-rjg8An2091fHYdt73MrvgXiyHqKYD1Xx-LuGR9TQ7FcKTnfw2HeolzkpekNSiSlzYRkVgnjXmljF1lHw16R76txM51V8Bq7MqoDeBT6vCrAZ_Z0yzGH8oZetrixdaT6ytlENn4Y_RhWk6HUd8tyUrXHQStGO3xVdeWmWwtVBXlAX8AIc3quHdON/w347-h413/July17-1j3.jpeg" width="347" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRq4PhmAr1st6RJkQLdJ2kwsjnqwSYHTspBAd9WGV8CjQTumIY0aZO6QEwR8-FwZViPDBbLPVf1WhFN72-9byUr5U8zLVc7ZuLx46XMaEbMMn56v-fhqe_MPJEwp8kcORNaOZcMTAqGzsSgJ7ULb0GvHM33PfnJKO4REtH5J6-e1_94vL5OsT1mGEl6zfB/s555/July17-1j4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="390" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRq4PhmAr1st6RJkQLdJ2kwsjnqwSYHTspBAd9WGV8CjQTumIY0aZO6QEwR8-FwZViPDBbLPVf1WhFN72-9byUr5U8zLVc7ZuLx46XMaEbMMn56v-fhqe_MPJEwp8kcORNaOZcMTAqGzsSgJ7ULb0GvHM33PfnJKO4REtH5J6-e1_94vL5OsT1mGEl6zfB/w347-h494/July17-1j4.jpeg" width="347" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A bit of background related to Ross Munro, Canadian war correspondent, follows:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzCbqz_LlX8QReKcyrC5dZOFObUavxnZeku4-5evYKaB43IhzuvGQOISxbmO9VdIBoaFVjMKdcnb0qrZ7ar1MAitrQdFUSu6nUPx1QNZo7mVzJKJzXb58aYgnHPiL69txAy3D_Ar58Ev2yKpkd_q8NApyW7uiFS7d6P_47XxQmt3UmSZjQOaNTSc3rztD/s928/July17-2a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="578" height="919" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzCbqz_LlX8QReKcyrC5dZOFObUavxnZeku4-5evYKaB43IhzuvGQOISxbmO9VdIBoaFVjMKdcnb0qrZ7ar1MAitrQdFUSu6nUPx1QNZo7mVzJKJzXb58aYgnHPiL69txAy3D_Ar58Ev2yKpkd_q8NApyW7uiFS7d6P_47XxQmt3UmSZjQOaNTSc3rztD/w571-h919/July17-2a.jpeg" width="571" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIgo08ZmUBrlkQHYMRlB0wOKT5cFJUV0f4U5Y_LHRjitisUa6SGo35q98RkOcceZRaAj8EV2Ie7FlNHoNP-LtlEIKeIyBhPFYg0ko7es2KJ8SkfKDFKJo5ZuyGOkdfUbzj-8U1CnK9V_VNTwV3kAE7M8ykiIdeOblwLUcgRKFyOcc5BEdeXxpCDqJSJQa/s580/July17-2b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="109" data-original-width="580" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIgo08ZmUBrlkQHYMRlB0wOKT5cFJUV0f4U5Y_LHRjitisUa6SGo35q98RkOcceZRaAj8EV2Ie7FlNHoNP-LtlEIKeIyBhPFYg0ko7es2KJ8SkfKDFKJo5ZuyGOkdfUbzj-8U1CnK9V_VNTwV3kAE7M8ykiIdeOblwLUcgRKFyOcc5BEdeXxpCDqJSJQa/w570-h107/July17-2b.jpeg" width="570" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As Germans slowly retreated towards "the back door" of the island (i.e., Messina, and transport ships to escape the Allied advance), they fought a tough defensive game. But it was a game that occasionally included shooting Italian troops in the back:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pN2WKpbetrtz0UWvWIBhQfgjwxlGwmYrYjRR-N1ws2ho-PdjiphZUeZ-AVOCxf_XmvQVhgGUnPfhpjDD4xUR_9NxhXmRnRvnyEzbxAdGBrMa7bmwqcq98ZXgTGzZ1Vod12DyNjNVY_eozZbvwNicVAiM76GeWvdzQtJw6yiopKF7913Ky3w7dsk6PBpQ/s1002/July17-2c1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="470" height="718" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pN2WKpbetrtz0UWvWIBhQfgjwxlGwmYrYjRR-N1ws2ho-PdjiphZUeZ-AVOCxf_XmvQVhgGUnPfhpjDD4xUR_9NxhXmRnRvnyEzbxAdGBrMa7bmwqcq98ZXgTGzZ1Vod12DyNjNVY_eozZbvwNicVAiM76GeWvdzQtJw6yiopKF7913Ky3w7dsk6PBpQ/w336-h718/July17-2c1.jpeg" width="336" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqo2aWIZ5g1DKpQLulgTk33xg-qCDJNsKfmDptPTjGXYdtOM0_GFmdR8Kuf4WogwS9F8qCFipaPHP0A3MQtSS9GVNxYw65UAEGcBiN0wq0vnqw3LKxW5McBNd8xzr0l1Q6tPlAQVsY0AXWNkNKDRd7mVh-tkUgtHomylXkDsV8WD8ZqIMVRgWSZgTWkq2/s561/July17-2c2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="463" height="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqo2aWIZ5g1DKpQLulgTk33xg-qCDJNsKfmDptPTjGXYdtOM0_GFmdR8Kuf4WogwS9F8qCFipaPHP0A3MQtSS9GVNxYw65UAEGcBiN0wq0vnqw3LKxW5McBNd8xzr0l1Q6tPlAQVsY0AXWNkNKDRd7mVh-tkUgtHomylXkDsV8WD8ZqIMVRgWSZgTWkq2/w336-h407/July17-2c2.jpeg" width="336" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Three short clips in a row, aka "Look out below! Here comes your chaplain!"; "Hey, have you seen <u><i>this</i></u> photo?"; and, "Why is my train so late?":</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsgTKZYjPqvTtOmm1OZcjymAYpcYamzQCqX36KWEk5EnnPwlgzxi59-U6A-iMWBKznU7jlUXMR4EWVwS0Hp5AkDRnmLGFNdVPAxQi0WTFFMy-nIXTXIVLIgFcMDxRKw73KHYxt2s19T6JJFZoXVllKN21Y1ddvjgl-be7_SX1LxYJKLOG_RLLTSAUXoaI/s729/July17-2d.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="426" height="712" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsgTKZYjPqvTtOmm1OZcjymAYpcYamzQCqX36KWEk5EnnPwlgzxi59-U6A-iMWBKznU7jlUXMR4EWVwS0Hp5AkDRnmLGFNdVPAxQi0WTFFMy-nIXTXIVLIgFcMDxRKw73KHYxt2s19T6JJFZoXVllKN21Y1ddvjgl-be7_SX1LxYJKLOG_RLLTSAUXoaI/w416-h712/July17-2d.jpeg" width="416" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwx186zGJad9I1YGJEa1ROCa2gE6e4VTI_zlsaTV4-ONedatZ8A5VCF38IXJAEkohsAbk0q1yLCWNWe5lbSgGyuwOpMORLCzXK5vdDaOnl4gywR-AIXomjNQV0-NENPQ6R0iZo51Wn-smRMGGCV7CrsWvoM9HNqSEN_r03YWt41R3hnpZ1k_Q3U1vNazfx/s559/63737ad53b0b4d8edd31b25b_e002505426-v6%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="559" height="615" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwx186zGJad9I1YGJEa1ROCa2gE6e4VTI_zlsaTV4-ONedatZ8A5VCF38IXJAEkohsAbk0q1yLCWNWe5lbSgGyuwOpMORLCzXK5vdDaOnl4gywR-AIXomjNQV0-NENPQ6R0iZo51Wn-smRMGGCV7CrsWvoM9HNqSEN_r03YWt41R3hnpZ1k_Q3U1vNazfx/w662-h615/63737ad53b0b4d8edd31b25b_e002505426-v6%20(1).jpg" width="662" /></a>Voo-Doo, a WACO Hadrian CG-4A Glider. "Hop in, Padre!" Library and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Archives Canada (LAC) Photo, MIKAN No. 3607731. <a href="https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/post/canadian-warplanes-9-waco-gliders">Online Source</a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5Bho1BObE_Xpbb5wA_JYvtdrWY-Pv62Vkn4D9DpJh93J6Rk2lbDp5zsPTu9qvvV--Q2tYKBcb-X6rSJ431xZlHSTDbR5W24-tIPUYYdUwG4F-mMyDR85hZ2QLRgGYxnMh81H1p76naczwVD2sCi3ouV7-mBVEHKjrNZlAx31Gx6gfOa4VpWM9x2qGFEc/s601/July17-2e.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="390" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5Bho1BObE_Xpbb5wA_JYvtdrWY-Pv62Vkn4D9DpJh93J6Rk2lbDp5zsPTu9qvvV--Q2tYKBcb-X6rSJ431xZlHSTDbR5W24-tIPUYYdUwG4F-mMyDR85hZ2QLRgGYxnMh81H1p76naczwVD2sCi3ouV7-mBVEHKjrNZlAx31Gx6gfOa4VpWM9x2qGFEc/w416-h640/July17-2e.jpeg" width="416" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIPu5WQH5jIQ-lCmRBZHc8TqUCx8vieH7TxDxC9giB3fU2CL6xnrzNjaGUYOdhue_yPIUK42cbVob6KSYuzIbqu8dztG0hSxKHoHvtTg8y7WL-_sne6yf-Ej5uDKo7_6MRDEcMZf0XVZEyQ6bQQIW9knPa38F7_26P9dqAQHAHm_85BKfauJ5Qt4Wx0mE/s880/glider1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="861" height="677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIPu5WQH5jIQ-lCmRBZHc8TqUCx8vieH7TxDxC9giB3fU2CL6xnrzNjaGUYOdhue_yPIUK42cbVob6KSYuzIbqu8dztG0hSxKHoHvtTg8y7WL-_sne6yf-Ej5uDKo7_6MRDEcMZf0XVZEyQ6bQQIW9knPa38F7_26P9dqAQHAHm_85BKfauJ5Qt4Wx0mE/w662-h677/glider1.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many gliders and lives were lost during the first days of Operation Husky,</div><div style="text-align: center;">beginning July 10, 1943. Photo from Album 62 DND. Taken by CFPU, i.e.,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadian Film and Photo Unit, Photographer - Dolan, Aug. 6, 1943. 22545</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://canadianfilmandphotounit.ca/2020/04/12/library-archives-canada-army-numerical-series-110-albums-now-available-online/">110 CFPU albums available</a> at <a href="https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/record?app=fonandcol&IdNumber=5266272&q=army%20numericals%20album">Library and Archives Canada (LAC)</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsJdFKyxHHjxEJJDneXhjt-qRiXe3G3MPjRNPYILW3iqnQeWVwNzWnO0VuhCm8aGrSfS65h6BmAG-eXtpDf3gsWmjyxxU2nFwBNZalIlCh5PWxzSo46_M1l3B3-NRSC2oWQY2Fu7cHI4IzF4ZZh7Y2RQTJ4Bjzzg0cfFT1pagNHqd4gaFy48WJV-EoCgG/s947/catania1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="937" height="668" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsJdFKyxHHjxEJJDneXhjt-qRiXe3G3MPjRNPYILW3iqnQeWVwNzWnO0VuhCm8aGrSfS65h6BmAG-eXtpDf3gsWmjyxxU2nFwBNZalIlCh5PWxzSo46_M1l3B3-NRSC2oWQY2Fu7cHI4IzF4ZZh7Y2RQTJ4Bjzzg0cfFT1pagNHqd4gaFy48WJV-EoCgG/w662-h668/catania1.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Canadian troops, re 'Fall of Catania.' Photo 22553, CFPU Album 62,</div><div style="text-align: center;">DND, No. 22553. Photographer Dolan, 6 Aug. 43 (on page 3 of 65)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Lionel Shapiro, Canadian war correspondent mentioned in the above news clipping, wrote an excellent book re the invasion of Sicily (<u style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2020/04/passages-they-left-back-door-open-1.html">They Left the Back Door Open</a></u>), in which the following photograph is found:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv3gHMk-NZhijmASE5c-0DqriBinaU8MBB6c-qhQ8axuC2nmrTFbTTlopdxTVrgTI-9YSVGGnxLA8ze7z9mT-Iyhy_loSeba0zC9yj5C78aEKm9au1G5fL24XLFa356wwUdt-3R9ZnGEvKnA67_TwQp-Qg8-Pcwiu9X6ppxaKKDbSyrpiu9US6dIOSOfN/s640/IMG_1551a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="640" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv3gHMk-NZhijmASE5c-0DqriBinaU8MBB6c-qhQ8axuC2nmrTFbTTlopdxTVrgTI-9YSVGGnxLA8ze7z9mT-Iyhy_loSeba0zC9yj5C78aEKm9au1G5fL24XLFa356wwUdt-3R9ZnGEvKnA67_TwQp-Qg8-Pcwiu9X6ppxaKKDbSyrpiu9US6dIOSOfN/w664-h386/IMG_1551a.jpg" width="664" /></a>"... I knew at once the supreme purpose of sea power in a world war ..."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Page 14. Click here to read <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2020/04/passages-they-left-back-door-open-1.html">poignant passages from Shapiro's book</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhny_fDrGYaYJ8v8BeZW50mgC9KA_5vGwjh8zHJp7FvyX61AZM2CIjsatG8BrvFjx6QHZ-P8dEC8GYHz3CPfXDuZKREib_JUloLI2WHOSr-x-Y4KIVO0wzMIfjrRPvgnBU1yb-s7GukEUat0VCg20J8HxDPz3C3-508VKCmywJBPWRf9qMezq3Kgb2u8Tfn/s856/July17-2f.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="467" height="709" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhny_fDrGYaYJ8v8BeZW50mgC9KA_5vGwjh8zHJp7FvyX61AZM2CIjsatG8BrvFjx6QHZ-P8dEC8GYHz3CPfXDuZKREib_JUloLI2WHOSr-x-Y4KIVO0wzMIfjrRPvgnBU1yb-s7GukEUat0VCg20J8HxDPz3C3-508VKCmywJBPWRf9qMezq3Kgb2u8Tfn/w388-h709/July17-2f.jpeg" width="388" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We read above that "Calabria was damaged... railway sidings were destroyed," etc. in the news clip above. My father says the following in memoirs about the invasion of Italy (beginning September 3), 1943, and the extensive damage as seen from his front row seat, i.e., the view from a Landing Craft, Mechanised (LCM) on D-Day Italy - on the toe of the boot:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">"Soon all the boys returned to Malta (in August) and we prepared for Italy, though all our barges stayed in Sicily. We took a Landing Ship Tank (LST) back to Mili Marina, Sicily, and if memory serves me correctly, attacked Italy at Reggio di Calabria across Messina Straits on my birthday, September 6, 1943. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Dad was three days off re D-Day, though he did celebrate his birthday with mates, good weather and vino on the 6th).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There was no resistance. The air force had done a complete job and there wasn’t a whole building standing and the railroad yards were ripped to shreds. How long we worked across the straits I cannot really recall, but perhaps into October.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">One of our stokers set up a medical tent for the civilians at Messina and treated them for sores and rashes. We fed them too but when pregnant women came we had to close up shop.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">From <u style="font-weight: bold;">"Dad, Well Done,"</u> page 35</span><br /><br />A bit of news concerning a friendly (?) rivalry between the U.S. and Canada, and it isn't about a hockey game:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8u9mVfO_Nu9E-EJGG_Vw6OKjykxV7R4N-gIsnvpl_Rt6qKBZTZO8f7-Rtf41QnTosjNYRehzY_nphL65HRu_78ULXpnHmkMQtDRiaLyBE7ErgCcpN9__d55PKD1aPjRjgGfDArcIhqGn1ODRERfp3-wsQQPwz4FGazd5awDM6h_DWT1dKD3v7P-OtSO1/s1053/July17-2g.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="831" height="837" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8u9mVfO_Nu9E-EJGG_Vw6OKjykxV7R4N-gIsnvpl_Rt6qKBZTZO8f7-Rtf41QnTosjNYRehzY_nphL65HRu_78ULXpnHmkMQtDRiaLyBE7ErgCcpN9__d55PKD1aPjRjgGfDArcIhqGn1ODRERfp3-wsQQPwz4FGazd5awDM6h_DWT1dKD3v7P-OtSO1/w663-h837/July17-2g.jpeg" width="663" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>While Canadians in Combined Operations were transporting materials of war to the beaches on Sicily's eastern shore, Canadian troops were busy elsewhere...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1R3JmDYzIUFKQDVIz5paWW2K0H3zujb1Dq-r1td7yGsdQu5KXg3AidRQEOkZrjAulsrwGgRBmmlmjgBUl16O_L5rGgyox4mBDNipSMgwNXLbPa7iXwXcsayjK2RbyluomyltafaPMNMFIdXUtoiHmkWHIc0TxlBMl2cds2tRxI_1nypjox8qwgPEuI-Vy/s570/July17-2h.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="463" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1R3JmDYzIUFKQDVIz5paWW2K0H3zujb1Dq-r1td7yGsdQu5KXg3AidRQEOkZrjAulsrwGgRBmmlmjgBUl16O_L5rGgyox4mBDNipSMgwNXLbPa7iXwXcsayjK2RbyluomyltafaPMNMFIdXUtoiHmkWHIc0TxlBMl2cds2tRxI_1nypjox8qwgPEuI-Vy/w520-h640/July17-2h.jpeg" width="520" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>News from another front:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswb_o9KJzGFw-3Rs65wuswMbKcGPCvB7A9qrQKOmmG4zqcscDOf3mpsuTPuJ4_1ge5SPvw8ccx1p9mNGdVkqMo2rKxNW2uwDB0VfCXdTfOOjgT0PnP-pXyzRp-_JopH1-P1wLtvyY0SRGnJ8wILqIz-TyeULty6rfRfC3PvcbhjmefRaWAoKYhDbSVks9/s791/July17-2i1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="791" height="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswb_o9KJzGFw-3Rs65wuswMbKcGPCvB7A9qrQKOmmG4zqcscDOf3mpsuTPuJ4_1ge5SPvw8ccx1p9mNGdVkqMo2rKxNW2uwDB0VfCXdTfOOjgT0PnP-pXyzRp-_JopH1-P1wLtvyY0SRGnJ8wILqIz-TyeULty6rfRfC3PvcbhjmefRaWAoKYhDbSVks9/w657-h575/July17-2i1.jpeg" width="657" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxzGnFLEceSP5RGjl8gbwsqJa3MLaE6pUQu9gKY1bNtKpnc9e_UoVdSB4mXc2PfyS0w1QX7nNvS-PLOZRH1YUTuGfXIQ0xHFZ6w4dOkINqjVjOhj00lkdbrG9SQm5ZDciaMtMzHasUnp_iGz9PAhwCOdTKd8N3UQILvf7XbmkVH477_iuM3jPCZQyG4h7/s1089/July17-2i2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="837" height="854" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxzGnFLEceSP5RGjl8gbwsqJa3MLaE6pUQu9gKY1bNtKpnc9e_UoVdSB4mXc2PfyS0w1QX7nNvS-PLOZRH1YUTuGfXIQ0xHFZ6w4dOkINqjVjOhj00lkdbrG9SQm5ZDciaMtMzHasUnp_iGz9PAhwCOdTKd8N3UQILvf7XbmkVH477_iuM3jPCZQyG4h7/w657-h854/July17-2i2.jpeg" width="657" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And about those "baby flat-tops" mentioned above:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YAA_jEN5DwEyO6KYO2MufxTB6akPdcwpSa5JzNKWU9nqE8bXeWn_5dl1COJWN8OWr_bLyoDE3_JOFXY6s07slhSU5J7y21FTqPTSLCedvKZpCs3SkOs8kRzbE7AVkXik634c4RlFKC1h6V0uEaY7sCGYl0Ip5y8MzQW5xKnxiSJV15oGmxSG5GD_Qnte/s800/030100323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="800" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YAA_jEN5DwEyO6KYO2MufxTB6akPdcwpSa5JzNKWU9nqE8bXeWn_5dl1COJWN8OWr_bLyoDE3_JOFXY6s07slhSU5J7y21FTqPTSLCedvKZpCs3SkOs8kRzbE7AVkXik634c4RlFKC1h6V0uEaY7sCGYl0Ip5y8MzQW5xKnxiSJV15oGmxSG5GD_Qnte/w662-h513/030100323.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">HMS <i>Biter</i> (D97) underway in March 1943, location unknown. On deck are two</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fairey Swordfish strike aircraft. Image was taken by Lt. S.J. Beadell, RN official</div><div style="text-align: center;">photographer, and is from the official Imperial War Museum Collections, FL 2164</div><div style="text-align: center;">Original caption states "on deck are a Grumman Martlet and a Fairey Swordfish."</div><div style="text-align: center;">More information about 'baby flat-tops', WWII can be found at <a href="http://navsource.org">navsource.org</a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A future pilot, caught in action:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhENA5-RFin3_x-MMEywKlQ8wcuzusrB_n77VpBvo_LrcOso-Vn_5K8NpA6CnPVRCpZKm82q0KL8z6VTYSFYMTWtHVm6WlLilOrRf7L49BI73NI04bNyrI40AFuoz4EZ-k3z6xUpzHtkAxenkuCaAVB2H0UVfkEodjWaRdmOxYR4khEVZdPLCjiEhR7ACo/s1141/July17-2j1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="749" height="1680" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhENA5-RFin3_x-MMEywKlQ8wcuzusrB_n77VpBvo_LrcOso-Vn_5K8NpA6CnPVRCpZKm82q0KL8z6VTYSFYMTWtHVm6WlLilOrRf7L49BI73NI04bNyrI40AFuoz4EZ-k3z6xUpzHtkAxenkuCaAVB2H0UVfkEodjWaRdmOxYR4khEVZdPLCjiEhR7ACo/w1103-h1680/July17-2j1.jpeg" width="1103" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2jXjUkvlgQfYw7YNXeOhHiRp08wyyUxhxyy5URNojn_pM4cqqWoirJ5ffCevyjgkBQLDZK8dce6UemO4BDXCyQSxP_xy0Pn6i_6c4op6a0xIavSWJtfYneTRsMc-uGkwGi8mj3dCjrDMWCy5waQOodBWnbZk2fllCQljnRz85p78DBgybO3Rlp0cMQY6/s735/July17-2j2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="735" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2jXjUkvlgQfYw7YNXeOhHiRp08wyyUxhxyy5URNojn_pM4cqqWoirJ5ffCevyjgkBQLDZK8dce6UemO4BDXCyQSxP_xy0Pn6i_6c4op6a0xIavSWJtfYneTRsMc-uGkwGi8mj3dCjrDMWCy5waQOodBWnbZk2fllCQljnRz85p78DBgybO3Rlp0cMQY6/w1103-h141/July17-2j2.jpeg" width="1103" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The playing field for the 'U-Boat War' is starting to tilt in favour of Allied forces:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufzu0yhyIatgbyU1IRheO1eB5XHspAUZKkoGor_-MTDgl5kOJhsms4VZsdfWHJCROWQdluSj6EXJilcRkSCW5J7kSn7veSE7R66OhF2w5H6MU8mYK2B59Tfp-Sj4aAyC1wEBMLM10ZBnEP6XvBFGgUwajY1KX0ZIK5B9WzoYWsopSqdmZgqpzIJ0irqfM/s1062/July17-3b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="787" height="892" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufzu0yhyIatgbyU1IRheO1eB5XHspAUZKkoGor_-MTDgl5kOJhsms4VZsdfWHJCROWQdluSj6EXJilcRkSCW5J7kSn7veSE7R66OhF2w5H6MU8mYK2B59Tfp-Sj4aAyC1wEBMLM10ZBnEP6XvBFGgUwajY1KX0ZIK5B9WzoYWsopSqdmZgqpzIJ0irqfM/w661-h892/July17-3b.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnMvPci0g2Tc-NEdEdXXHeu_qf7vVnhQ1tomV6IpPc7-XjjuVtJc2-1nNFtSltIB_O3XuTxfDPj7IuPvtSjEhJabLKpdTd66VI9tvXCHGN1RH651HKeFmnMRg1Nhp-HvkFn4tOXL9IDNllkbAguXtMbhOTmt1G0CqeLyuja2DeWJJzjS4B9J5KxugPsiC/s740/441121-O-ZZ999-001M.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="740" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnMvPci0g2Tc-NEdEdXXHeu_qf7vVnhQ1tomV6IpPc7-XjjuVtJc2-1nNFtSltIB_O3XuTxfDPj7IuPvtSjEhJabLKpdTd66VI9tvXCHGN1RH651HKeFmnMRg1Nhp-HvkFn4tOXL9IDNllkbAguXtMbhOTmt1G0CqeLyuja2DeWJJzjS4B9J5KxugPsiC/w854-h568/441121-O-ZZ999-001M.jpg" width="854" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo and more information re submarine warfare - <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2114035/submarine-warfare-played-major-role-in-world-war-ii-victory/">defense.gov </a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv1VDFMRUhB1NqKdGIvjxB9OZQWNgkMY1brEV5msgZQzWFmjecF1ZHyA-NsgJBrYQGsv2M3o_HhLh16aZHQlbpIed7HsrusGpEHEAsGRZyY-y7Qe-RTfNHoUp21Wayk-mjbyZap0YwRbU-Toln5J4jT1mKYOr9hl7YDW3eo6oqRI9vB-Yc2DtloRb3FYD/s1087/July17-3a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="859" height="837" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv1VDFMRUhB1NqKdGIvjxB9OZQWNgkMY1brEV5msgZQzWFmjecF1ZHyA-NsgJBrYQGsv2M3o_HhLh16aZHQlbpIed7HsrusGpEHEAsGRZyY-y7Qe-RTfNHoUp21Wayk-mjbyZap0YwRbU-Toln5J4jT1mKYOr9hl7YDW3eo6oqRI9vB-Yc2DtloRb3FYD/w662-h837/July17-3a.jpeg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Canadian sailors liked getting pictures from 'back home' as well as posing for one. My father (left) and mate Al Kirby from Woodstock, Ontario, stand on guard somewhere in the United Kingdom:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirm8mgc4BJgyxcAcXK5Lte0AWhpr6JxqAs48SBvY_MbM51Yltz8zQuPBEX699fWrb06SsjYCPQ4PhWHogybyUpj2x-63QvRKQQ6dVYowqMd8g8XqMdXL-LzbwgXtZe4pKfprBtmVVmLEEUgLjpBXstWuEhBuP5LN0pHD0p4MOlUMWArRhCCpy-oFRoc7ES/s1708/IMG_0652.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1708" data-original-width="1150" height="985" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirm8mgc4BJgyxcAcXK5Lte0AWhpr6JxqAs48SBvY_MbM51Yltz8zQuPBEX699fWrb06SsjYCPQ4PhWHogybyUpj2x-63QvRKQQ6dVYowqMd8g8XqMdXL-LzbwgXtZe4pKfprBtmVVmLEEUgLjpBXstWuEhBuP5LN0pHD0p4MOlUMWArRhCCpy-oFRoc7ES/w661-h985/IMG_0652.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyQIOVXwNOXGTxEFWSqYFbSy4TR79L4OXS4ifHjr14gMPwp3QO4oZqrhrGkOVYubUWjI-9sQsiQOgPTE06F1RtXl_UtpSj10xSmfYTrmMuqwzb_83LNeppg7nOSz7UL_wjBYXg2gV4E_rR-kWa6CA7_KyZpG7Exa59teh-nAAVOvLuV1aNiPZQtTftC5T/s1543/13774_original%20copy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1543" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyQIOVXwNOXGTxEFWSqYFbSy4TR79L4OXS4ifHjr14gMPwp3QO4oZqrhrGkOVYubUWjI-9sQsiQOgPTE06F1RtXl_UtpSj10xSmfYTrmMuqwzb_83LNeppg7nOSz7UL_wjBYXg2gV4E_rR-kWa6CA7_KyZpG7Exa59teh-nAAVOvLuV1aNiPZQtTftC5T/w661-h420/13774_original%20copy.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Landing Ship for Tanks (LST) unloads vast supplies upon its own (Rhino)</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">bridge (center) while an LCM (right) approaches the shore. Source unknown</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>More to follow from <b>The (Montreal) Gazette.</b><br /><br />Please click here to view <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/06/research-three-months-in-mediterranean_16.html">Research: Three Months in the Mediterranean, 1943 (10)</a><br /><br /></div><div>Unattributed Photos GH </div></div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935967516796806643.post-70335960942163145742023-06-30T18:34:00.001-04:002023-06-30T18:34:46.377-04:00Articles: London Man Creates Online Archive (re Combined Ops)<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Little Known Stories of Canadians </b><b>in Combined Operations</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Building His Website </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">F</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">or Almost Seven Years</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSOjkLkddmJqi0l3GRd7hKPx3AA1UK2jKEAQALAmXm1G7M4zm3FbLCd2n_JvFUgmR8FTaDWsRyR4x_8fZrGVsNVNXikCuiYULLwN2NP3on6wHVcv9fjiKIP510WbtsHyz93ZJPQvOkamY00fd7IZQMOqfbqke1WfRTxIkBjezNw-3gNLLa-s3nXPCUXvrD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="936" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSOjkLkddmJqi0l3GRd7hKPx3AA1UK2jKEAQALAmXm1G7M4zm3FbLCd2n_JvFUgmR8FTaDWsRyR4x_8fZrGVsNVNXikCuiYULLwN2NP3on6wHVcv9fjiKIP510WbtsHyz93ZJPQvOkamY00fd7IZQMOqfbqke1WfRTxIkBjezNw-3gNLLa-s3nXPCUXvrD=w662-h372" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eight Ontarians from the first two divisions of Canadian sailors who volunteered</div><div style="text-align: center;">for Combined Ops, at HMS Northney, Hayling Island, England, in February 1942.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Left to Right: Al 'Addy' Adlington, London; Joe Spencer, Toronto; Chuck Rose,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Chippawa; Doug Harrison, Norwich; Art Bradfield, Simcoe; Don Linder, Kitchener;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Joe Watson, Simcoe; Jake Jacobs, Ontario. (Submitted by Gord Harrison,</div><div style="text-align: center;">with permission from Joe Spencer)</div></div><div><br /></div><b>Introduction:</b><br /><br /><div>The following online news article about my Combined Operations site came about after I contacted CBC reporter <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/author/angela-mcinnes-1.4716951">Angela McInnes</a> prior to Remembrance Day November, 2021. I called, Angela answered, and I commenced to provide a few details re the archive. She was interested, called back later for a lengthy interview and the rest is history. Part of the interview became part of CBC Radio coverage of Remembrance Day (I've been told that I have a great face for radio!) and the online story became part of <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/london-ont-man-creates-online-archive-uncovering-little-known-stories-of-canadians-in-combined-operations-1.6245080">CBC News website</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>It follows below:</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>London, Ont., man creates online archive uncovering little known stories of Canadians in Combined Operations<br /><br />Gord Harrison has been building his website for almost seven years</b><br /></span><div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It began in November 2010.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Retired elementary school teacher Gord Harrison, 72 (at time of interview), was sifting through a filing cabinet of written material left behind by his late father, Doug.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Doug had written numerous columns for his hometown's newspaper, The Norwich Gazette, throughout the 90s. For a time, he had served as president of that area's Legion. Harrison's hope was to add something pithy for his own community newspaper column dedicated to that year's Remembrance Day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Instead of a quote, Harrison discovered a brown Manila folder he hadn't seen before. Inside were 45 pages of handwritten notes detailing Doug's career as a volunteer reservist for the Canadian Navy during the Second World War.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Before then, Harrison thought he knew everything there was to know about his father's life during that time.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-yGkwumhVWkOwOhsiVK1J2DYh7e9XhlrD07y059Y0km6Tg-W0r_0dEG_NfEAn7m5CKKJfwOKoer5nhpgfTLsWo1ATV0kR4qQtth9VMEjcUjQFxstW6Q7trQf3szfiFbpdyLUTeM7tSNhGXlcTVxvp19DVEJ58zwanwQqEk6FelQnodMwAG2pILqjnrNX/s943/144%20copy%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="661" height="946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-yGkwumhVWkOwOhsiVK1J2DYh7e9XhlrD07y059Y0km6Tg-W0r_0dEG_NfEAn7m5CKKJfwOKoer5nhpgfTLsWo1ATV0kR4qQtth9VMEjcUjQFxstW6Q7trQf3szfiFbpdyLUTeM7tSNhGXlcTVxvp19DVEJ58zwanwQqEk6FelQnodMwAG2pILqjnrNX/w662-h946/144%20copy%203.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Canadians in Combined Ops 'at their ease' aboard ocean-going vessel with their</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">landing crafts hanging from davits. Left to Right (back): unknown; </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">C. Powers;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lloyd Evans, Ottawa; Don Westbrook, Hamilton. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Left to Right (front): Don</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Linder, Kitchener; unknown; Doug Harrison, Norwich (From the collection</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">of </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lloyd Evans. Submitted by Gord Harrison)</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"I actually thought he was in the Merchant Marine, and that was a big mistake," said Harrison. "He had a different type of career than I imagined. Natural curiosity took over."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">According to Harrison, Doug was one of a small percentage of Canadian men enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve who took on special duties in Combined Operations in the 1940s.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Combined Operations Command was a British offensive organization combining the army, navy and air force.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">From 1941 to 1945, Doug took on duties that included landing craft or barges directly on hostile shores during dangerous raids and invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Normandy, France. He wasn't a part of the Dieppe Raid, but many of his contingent were, including Londoner Lloyd G. Campbell.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"[My father] was so angry. He had lost his mates, you know, and I think that survivor's guilt and anger lasted a long, long time," said Harrison.</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvivnYwnWIl8ntbXkyTXDvDI2f7b6zFv3qmf7-UA3xbddvDZJc1d_iKDs6BPP3JhPWJ6bGxYvi-lEAIgI5Uyd4uJ6BBQ8FrGYtJ3g3pTIeDf8d8cPK2DL6hOuqAtVtmUvQ0IK5TFej4uqC4sudv7e7MZOPIXKowwl35usI8HTRmiqP8H9IKLMYmOsnSOk/s2086/convoy%20Sicily%20to%20Malta%20J%20Spencer%20in%20boat%202nd%20in%20foreground%20copy%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2086" data-original-width="1484" height="927" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvivnYwnWIl8ntbXkyTXDvDI2f7b6zFv3qmf7-UA3xbddvDZJc1d_iKDs6BPP3JhPWJ6bGxYvi-lEAIgI5Uyd4uJ6BBQ8FrGYtJ3g3pTIeDf8d8cPK2DL6hOuqAtVtmUvQ0IK5TFej4uqC4sudv7e7MZOPIXKowwl35usI8HTRmiqP8H9IKLMYmOsnSOk/w660-h927/convoy%20Sicily%20to%20Malta%20J%20Spencer%20in%20boat%202nd%20in%20foreground%20copy%202.jpeg" width="660" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A Canadian flotilla of landing crafts approach Valetta's Great Harbour, Malta</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">after the invasion of Sicily; Photo taken in August, 1943. (Submitted by Gord</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Harrison, with permission from Joe Spencer)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">As Harrison pored through his father's stories, he decided to research the background of Combined Ops and share what he learned in the form of a </span><a href="http://wavynavy.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial;">blog</a><span style="font-family: arial;">. He's been posting regularly since February 2015.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"It's helped me form this vision in my head of what history is like," said Harrison. "It's like a jigsaw puzzle that's alive.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The website has helped him to connect to veterans and memoirists as far as Scotland and Sicily. As part of his research, Harrison has traveled across the country several times to visit the Combined Operations training school on Vancouver Island.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">His work led him to find a previously unseen photo of his father belonging to the Imperial War Museum. It also helped to reconnect him to his father's lost duffel bag, which had wound up in the hands of a collector in Ottawa.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"He just typed in the name that was on the duffel bag and the volunteer number, and it led him to my website," said Harrison. "It was kind of a happy occasion on Father's Day of this year."</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MLt9dZDIe4n80DCtsmwdFIJzafk6s3fM6saIJ2Gm1F89J4gCzcgzJ7bLhVAYZcq1v3yvcx2zkOtakagsKRLEnpADontfLhdHIBIGeeiTObvYCdV8a_3WmK_3ilFUtBijRz6lX6_FOLcGlxn1DpxDzlnZqxuDlUN6IhzfQ3cmwth5VoP8zr6QySbmDVWI/s740/0-2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="541" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MLt9dZDIe4n80DCtsmwdFIJzafk6s3fM6saIJ2Gm1F89J4gCzcgzJ7bLhVAYZcq1v3yvcx2zkOtakagsKRLEnpADontfLhdHIBIGeeiTObvYCdV8a_3WmK_3ilFUtBijRz6lX6_FOLcGlxn1DpxDzlnZqxuDlUN6IhzfQ3cmwth5VoP8zr6QySbmDVWI/w661-h904/0-2.jpeg" width="661" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gord Harrison, son of Doug Harrison, happy to open this gift on Father's Day,</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2021, from a collector of militaria. The collector had purchased an assortment</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">of military items many years ago in Hamilton and it included Doug Harrison's</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WWII </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">navy duffel bag. It depicts film star Betty Hutton in a bit of Navy blue.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Submitted by Gord Harrison)</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Most recently, a filmmaker reached out to Harrison for help in researching the invasion of Italy. Harrison's father was involved in that operation for 30 days.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">He plans to make a trip overseas to share what he's learned about what it was like for the Canadians who landed crafts on those beaches.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"It's a feeling of accomplishment," he said. "I'm kind of in the story. My dad's in the story. It's kind of nice to be able to have that connection between my dad and I."</span><br /><br />My trip to Sicily is upcoming. I will easily find GEORGE Beach at modern day Fontane Bianche and perhaps be also able to locate the cave in which 50 - 60 Canadian sailors survived for a few weeks during Operation Husky (beginning July 10, 1943, 80 years ago this month). </div><div><br /></div><div>If I find the cave (aka 'The Savoy' to Canadian sailors) readers will learn about it here first. Unless it hits CBC News!</div><div><br /></div><div>[Please click here to learn more about <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2023/04/research-about-trip-to-sicily-1.html">research re my trip to Sicily (1)</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Stay tuned, I say.<br /><br />Please click here to view <a href="https://wavynavy.blogspot.com/2016/01/norwich-sailor-sees-mediterranean.html">another article that features details about Combined Operations.</a><br /><br /></div><div>Unattributed Photos GH </div>G. Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188849799366728069noreply@blogger.com0