Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Presentation: HMCS Prevost, London ONT, 2024 (1)

 "Dad's Navy Days" and Canadians in Combined Operations

HMCS Prevost, Downtown London, 2024 (1930hrs sharp!)

Doug Harrison's World War 2 Medals

Combined Operations insignia, gun pointing left

Introduction:

A personal challenge to consider -

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.

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.

Photo of Map of Sicily from Combined Operations, a book by Londoner Clayton Marks


Some pertinent items on the map:

The black arrows (lower right) reveal where Allied troops landed during the opening days of Operation Husky 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.

The black arrows (upper right) reveal where Canadian and British troops landed during the opening days of Operation Baytown beginning Sept. 3 '43. The 80th Flotilla was active there as well, the first time a Canadian squadron of landing crafts transported Canadian troops. 

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.

He includes his own detailed reports and rare accounts from other men who were there.

Photos of Table of Contents, pictures and descriptions of hardy landing crafts, accounts from Dieppe,  etc.


The "Workhorse of D-Day Normandy":



A bit of Comb. Ops background from page 14:


About the same time period my father writes the following:

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.

After returning from leave we were put aboard a large passenger liner, Queen of Bermuda, 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 Volendam, with a large number of Air Force men. This was to be an eventful trip.

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.

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.

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. 

At the beginning of the first page of his memoirs he writes:

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.

Clayton writes an overview, my father writes "on navy barges." "I was on one, this is what I remember."

And at the end of that first page he writes:

... 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.”

Signed: Doug Harrison V8809

There are only five people who can say, "Dad, Well Done." His book is from a very personal viewpoint. Thus the name of his book.

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:



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.

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.

Koyl writes:


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."

Allow me to illustrate:




As we work our way to the end of Combined Operations by Londoner Clayton Marks we find...


Comment about FISH, Gannet, GASH (Bailey) and "pass the Irish Mail, please."

Nicknames seemed plentiful: Dad - Cactus and Dogo. A stoker was called Smokey; Roy Burt was called Chocolate


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. 

How did one book lead to others? I offer a photo or two that might help answer that question.

Photo of Clayton, Doug, David Lewis, Al Kirby, Gash Bailey, London.

As found in St. Nazaire to Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War, Vol. 2


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.

Photos of Len with Joe Spencer, Dieppe group, and returning from New Haven, likely on their way to Southampton, likely HMS Tormentor:

As found in St. Nazaire to Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War, Vol. 1

ALC 269 leaving Newhaven August 21, 1942. C. Sheeler, Len Birkness (sp.)
Used with permission, from the collection of Joe Spencer

ALC 269 returning to Southampton from Newhaven. C. Sheeler, Joe Spencer
Dad was "Proud of White Ensign." From the collection of Joe Spencer

Share the two books, volumes St. Nazaire to Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War

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.

Challenges, continued:

Include something about somebody else w a London connection:

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":

8 Canadians (RCNVR/Comb.Ops) Al Adlington first left. From the collection
of Joe Spencer second left. HMS Northney, Hayling Is. Jan., Feb., 1942

Wedding picture. Chuck Rose, Al and his new wife Mary and Mary's sister.
Photo - Glasgow, 1942. Mary travelled to Canada aboard the Ile de France.

The last challenge:

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).


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. 





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. 

Note to Self : Try to come off like an explorer, with a long way to go. 

Reveal details or photos no one has ever seen before. 

AND try not to go all over the map. TOO LATE!! Right??


More to follow.

Please click here to view material for an earlier presentation.

Unattributed Photos GH

Links to Resources: A Focus on Sicily and Italy, 1943 (3)

 The Canadian War Museum, Ottawa Canada

A Multitude of News Articles, e.g. Operation HUSKY

Getting started, tracking down news re "landing craft Sicily"

Introduction:

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.

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.

Below are a few of the articles I've already downloaded, along with a photo or two when opportunity presented itself. Like, right now!

The lovely city of Ottawa

The museum rests beside the Ottawa River, shows off a healthy grass roof
Photo as found at worldconstructionnetwork.com

The view atop the museum, looking toward Parliament Hill. GH

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:



More articles and books about the Dieppe Raid can be found here: Articles: Dieppe Raid 1942 - Rutter/Jubilee (1 - 9).

The article featuring Jack Dean continues:


More information concerning the story of Lt. R. J. McRae mentioned above can be found here: Passages: From 'Combined Operations'

Lt. McRae became a POW at Dieppe, 1942. Above is
"the drawing of my experiences as a POW pianist."

'Table of Contents' of St. Nazaire to Singapore: Canadian Amphibious War
reveals entries provided by Robert McRae, Jack Dean and more, incl.
D. Harrison, my father. The book is online at the University of Alberta.
Highly recommended!

The article/interview featuring Jack Dean continues:


My father mentions crossing paths with Jack Dean during Operation TORCH, i.e., the invasion of North Africa, and my father's take on the episode can be found here.

Jack Dean continues:


.   .   .   .   .




Another news article about  "500 Men Take Part" can be found here.

"Careful Planning Ensures Success" continues":



A drawing showing British troops inside a Landing Craft, Assault (LCA) at
6.30am on D-Day, about an hour before they are due to land in Normandy.
Photo Credit - The D-Day Story


For more information concerning the Sicily and Italian Campaigns and associated news articles, please click here and make use of the "Search the Newspaper Archives" feature provided.

Please click here to view Links to Resources: A Focus on Sicily and Italy, 1943 (2)

Unattributed Photos GH

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

War Correspondents: News Article from The Hamilton Spectator, July 14, 1943

 Louis V. Hunter (V for Victory?) Hits Porches in Hamilton ONT

News from the First Week of Operation HUSKY, Sicily 1943

A featured article follows below by Louis V. Hunter (circled) as
found in the July 14, 1943 issue of the Hamilton Spectator
Photo Credit - The Winnipeg Tribune,  July 28, 1943


Introduction:

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.

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 Hamilton Spectator:



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.

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:

Map as found in the book "Combined Operations" by Clayton Marks, from
London ONT, a member of RCNVR and Combined Operations Page 76

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.

My father, also a member of RCNVR and Combined Ops, spent three
months in the Mediterranean, incl. 30 days near Messina in September

Combined Operations by C. Marks has been reprinted.
Email gordh7700@gmail.com for details

Mr. Hunter continues:


The first members of RCNVR to volunteer for duties with the Combined Op organization (i.e., Combined Operations Command) did so at HMCS Stadacona, 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 Northney I-IV 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.

Personnel of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps treating "casualties"
during the final rehearsal for Operation JUBILEE, the raid on Dieppe. England,
August, 1942. Left is a landing craft personnel (LCP), right is a landing craft
assault (LCA). Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3194481

Lt. Cmdr Bartlett posted several news articles (a few have been shared in various posts scattered throughout this blog). 

That being said, readers may find some interest in an article from The Winnipeg Tribune about officer Bartlett:


And a bit more information (re dramatic news!) about the fate of Lt. Cmdr. Bartlett can be found here! (i.e., under the posting of the same article found above) Good grief! A POW?

Mr. Hunter's article continues:


Ratings mustered along the starboard side of HMCS Assiniboine at sea, circa
Sept. 1940. Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3396583
(Are the ratings taking a peak at a map on the officer's iPhone?)


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.

"The right shore at the right time" was a very worthy
goal for those who manned landing crafts. 


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:

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. (From  "Dad, Well Done", page 31)

Hunter's article continues:


Splicing the mainbrace: distribution of rum ration aboard HMCS Arvida
to celebrate the news of the surrender of Italy. St. John's, Newfoundland,
8 Sept.1943. Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3201113)
Members of the 80th Flotilla celebrated with vino at that time.

Dad missed the rum, I'm sure of it, but he made up for it later! Please link to "Loading Coal and Unloading Rum."

Louis V. Hunter concludes his article with the following three sentences:


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. 

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).

GEORGE Sector, guarded by 6 Italian pillboxes (blue squares with arrow
and blue dot), was soon an active transport center. Map as found at the
"Museum of Allied Landings in Sicily," Catania. GH

Pillbox closest to the tip of the red arrow, see map above. Photo was taken
by Gord H. on Sept., 2023 in Fontane Bianche. Another also found.

Please click here to view War Correspondents: News Article from The Ottawa Citizen, Dec. 1998

Another entry soon to follow.

Unattributed Photos GH