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davidshawnsown · 1 year

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USA HOCKEY TEAM RPF (MODERN AU-Russo-Ukrainian War) - Spies and Combat Shoes (Prologue 2)

(AN: Apologies to all if this chapter has taken time for me to write as I am focused on my baseball fandom while thinking of hockey in the recently concluded NHL playoffs and the 2022-23 season, as well as the USA campaign in the summer World Juniors.)

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO

United States Air Force Academy

1015H MST, January 7, 2022

"MOBILIZATION? Are you freaking me?"

"Major General, that's the content of the letter given to me yesterday," LTGEN Trimbolli has been saying to a Space Force major general who has been visiting the city's local Space Force garrison, which has been active now for months. "That's from First Lieutenant Krieder and the letter has been addressed to the man I have already assigned here for the national mobilization contingent about to be sent to China, Colonel Quinn. This is regarding the fact that CIA and Defense Intelligence, together with their overseas counterparts, have stated that Russia is about to prepare to strike against Ukraine because of Western support for the country and also because of Russia's support for the rebel republics of the Donbass, directly and indirectly. I'm sure the Russian Space Forces are also preparing for that war. This is what that officer recommended I must do for the 892nd with the permission of the Army General Staff and the Joint Chiefs, even if it means that we have to do something about those Russians in the 17th Corps."

When asked by that major general on what should that service do, he stated that the Space Force, already four years old, must be prepared for anything that should come their way, so that the country's space capabilities must be bolstered because of threats from abroad. Motivated by these words, the major general left to meet up with the growing Space Force cadet contingent to the Corps of Cadets of USAFA.

The lieutenant general had already left the Air Force Academy complex earlier after having talks with his Air Force counterparts and is already being driven to the garrison of the 892nd Command HQ in the city.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO

HQ COMPLEX OF 37TH BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM

January 7, 2022, 1245H

Lunchtime's almost over at the barracks of the 37th Brigade Combat Team's camp, wherein the 3rd battalion, made up of Colorado Springs residents and those among family members working in the city from all over the country, has been stationed. They make up the active element of the brigade and is a mixed of motorized and mechanized companies, and a training company as the battalion also serves as the depot battalion recieving mobilization contingents sent by the 892nd Command leadership.

At this time LTG Trimbolli, 892nd Special Command commanding general, has arrived there together with other elements of the command staff. These include a number of veterans of the 17th Corps and its affilated organizations, as well as the affilated 15th Women's Light Brigade, with 6 battalions and a separate company based in Montreal under the Canadian Army soon expected to be upgraded into a battalion. Soon this brigade's organization will expand into seven two-battalion regiments, opting to a future reflagging as a division of two brigades. These officers are:

LTG Kelleher, executive officer

MG Regan, J-1 chief of staff

MG Dillinger, J-3 chief of operations

BG Tobin, J-8 chief legal counsel of the command

CSM Pino, command sergeant major of the 46th and advisor for safety affairs

BG Tummina, commanding general, 15th Women's Light Brigade

BG Carey, executive officer, 15th Women's Light Brigade

COL Haley, 15th Brigade chief of staff

COL Krotz, 15th Brigade PAO chief

Then, as USEC Bettman finished his remarks via Zoom from the Pentagon, the commander spoke to the officers of the 892nd, the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 15th Women's Light Brigade, as well as select officers of the 17th Corps and the following affilated units of the command:

26th Territorial Corps

88th (Light) Corps

4th (Southeastern) Light Infantry Division

209th Armored Division

Collegiate battalions under college service regiments and brigades affilated to the 892nd

16th Minnesota Infantry Division (Mecanized)

37th Light Infantry Division

12th Mountain Division

14th (Western) Armored Division

His address today is regarding the letter given to COL Quinn by 1LT Kreider of the 26th NY, 1st Brigade Combat Team, under the 17th Corps' 25th (Canadian American) Infantry Division serving eastern North America, the other division being the 46th Infantry, serving the western half. It was regarding the fact stated by US and foreign intelligence agencies that Russia is preparing to strike Ukraine as part of its grand plan to prepare to invade the European Union and the United Kingdom, and soon the United States, over their support for Ukrainian democracy after the events of 2013-14. The advice of the lieutenant that served previously with the 37th Brigade's mobilization company years before: that the command be prepared to mobilize with the blessings of the Pentagon given the circumstances while also advising the same for its Canadian counterparts in the 75th Army Corps and the 14th Brigade, its primary mobilization force. Moreover, the 17th Corps would be advised on what to do with the Russians in its ranks, especially the much loved Ovechkin serving in Washington who has been serving, first as a adjutant, then as a second in command and later company commanding officer, and now as battalion XO for the local regiment there. But before that, he addresses them on the letter, saying that the command knows that 1LT Panarin would be a big asset to expose the huge Russian involvement in the command over the past years with many taking up residence in the country. He suggested that the command would send him a letter in reply to help them and their Canadian counterparts know if the majority of the Russian-born officers, NCOs and enlisted who joined the 17th Corps in the past years have supported Putin or not. The lieutenant will be a huge asset to sway their support and the Russian expat communities in the two countries for the Russian opposition should the country be ready to fight Ukraine in the year.

Then the commander spoke on the need to be ready for mobilization.

Speaking to the 3rd battalion staff and its personnel as well as his fellow command officers and HQ staff, he said, "More than ever in this time we need to be ready for mobillzation because of the letter given to me. Russia as we all know is preparing its army for a war unlike any other - a PLANNED INVASION of Ukraine to be held later in the first quarter of the year. We are already coordinating with our Canadian counterparts and all our reserve and affilated units. Thus, ladies and gentlemen, I am now informing the Pentagon that given the cirumstances of the situation facing the world at large, we are now beginning the mobilization of all our brigade's elements - and the WHOLE of the command towards preparing for such a scenario upon us. We must be prepared now for the day Russia would be given the green light to fight in Ukraine, while also persuading those Russians of the 17th Corps to choose to fight for Ukraine or for their countrymen in Russia. We can't lose this chance! This is for not just the Ukrainian people, but also for all of us Americans and peoples of the free world. I am hoping to inform my fellow commanders regarding the decision to mobilize the command in days."

Lieutenant General Kelleher agreed with his commanding officer stating that the country needs to not just intensify supporting Ukraine and its NATO and non-NATO allies, but also to prepare for the scenario of the armed forces and reserve organizations being sent to the country to help in the possible hosilities against Russia and possibly Belarus. This was also the sentiment of Brigadier General Tummina of the 15th Brigade who also hopes that the women of the brigade are to be prepared for any scenario in the coming weeks. The commander of the 892nd Command replied to her saying that given all the women had gone through, both in units under the 37th Brigade and within the 15th, they have what it takes to take on a determined enemy.

As the lieutenant general heard the statements from those gathered, he later said "Then what are we waiting for? The time cannot run out and we have to be prepared as a nation. Ladies and gentlemen, I now ask all of you one thing: prepare the lads of the 1st Battalion of the 37th. The nation must be ready for war, now. Ukraine is asking for assistance, we will provide the men and women ready to fight with her in its time of need. And regarding the 17th Corps' Russians... I will coordinate with the command in New York City and that Panarin guy. He will be a big help to us in this situation."

@careypricey @linskywords @sophie83540 @greymichaela @hartsyhart @dylanduker @penaltbox @owencanpowermybattery @princesstillyenna @macknnons @midnightsoldier187

#team usa hockey #hockey rpf #hockey fic #hockey au #modern au #usa hockey rpf #usa hockey fic #usntdp #usmnt hockey #uswnt hockey #usa hockey #hockey canada #team hockey canada #nhl rpf #phf #professional hockey federation #pwhpa #ukraine au

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k2kid · 3 years

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4TH CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS. SOUTH OF SCARPE 26TH, 27TH, AND 28TH AUGUST, 1918.

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greatworldwar2 · 4 years

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• D-Day: Sword Beach

Sword, commonly known as Sword Beach, was the code name given to one of the five main landing areas along the Normandy coast during the initial assault phase, of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of German-occupied France that commenced on June 6th, 1944.

Following the Fall of France in 1940, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill vowed to return to continental Europe and liberate the Nazi German-occupied nations. The Western Allies agreed to open a Second Front in northern Europe in 1942 to aid the Soviet Union. However, with resources for an invasion lacking, it was postponed. The decision to postpone the invasion was due to wanting to see the Battle of the Atlantic to its closure, the lack of landing craft, invading Sicily in July 1943, and Italy in September following the defeat of Axis forces in North Africa in May 1943 resulted in the postponement of any assault on northern Europe till 1944.

Having succeeded in opening up an offensive front in southern Europe, gaining valuable experience in amphibious assaults and inland fighting, Allied planners returned to the plans to invade Northern France. Now scheduled for June 5th, 1944, the beaches of Normandy were selected as landing sites, with a zone of operations extending from the Cotentin Peninsula to Caen. Operation Overlord called for the British Second Army to assault between the River Orne and Port en Bessin, capture the German-occupied city of Caen and form a front line from Caumont-l'Éventé to the south-east of Caen, in order to acquire airfields and protect the left flank of the United States First Army while it captured Cherbourg. Overlord would constitute the largest amphibious operation in military history. After delays, due to both logistical difficulties and poor weather, the D-Day of Overlord was moved to June 6th, 1944.

The coastline of Normandy was divided into seventeen sectors, with codenames using a spelling alphabet, from Able, west of Omaha, to Roger on the east flank of Sword. Eight further sectors were added when the invasion was extended to include Utah on the Cotentin Peninsula. The Anglo-Canadian assault landings on D-Day were to be carried out by the British Second Army, under Lieutenant General Miles Dempsey. The Second Army's I Corps, commanded by Lieutenant General John Crocker, was assigned to take Sword. 6th Beach Group was deployed to assist the troops and landing craft landing on Sword and to develop the beach maintenance area. Sword stretched about 5 miles (8.0 km) from Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer in the west to the mouth of the River Orne in the east. It was further sub-divided into four landing sectors; from west to east these sectors were 'Oboe' (from Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer to Luc-sur-Mer), 'Peter' (from Luc-sur-Mer to Lion-sur-Mer), 'Queen' (from Lion-sur-Mer to La Brèche d'Hermanville), and finally 'Roger' (from La Brèche d'Hermanville to Ouistreham).

The sector chosen for the assault was the 1.8 miles (2.9 km) wide 'White' and 'Red' beaches of 'Queen' sector, as shallow reefs blocked access to the other sectors. Two infantry battalions supported by DD tanks would lead the assault followed up by the commandos and the rest of the division; the landing was due to start at 07:25 hours; the division would be the last assault division to land. Under the command of Field Marshals Erwin Rommel and Gerd von Rundstedt, the defences of the Atlantic Wall were heavily upgraded; in the first six months of 1944, 1.2 million tons of steel and 17.3 million cubic yards of concrete were laid. The coast of northern France was also studded with four million antitank and anti-personnel mines, and 500,000 beach obstacles. On and behind Sword, twenty strongpoints, including several artillery batteries, were constructed. The coastline was littered with wooden stakes, mines, hedgehogs, and Dragon’s teeth, while along the top of the beach, the Germans had constructed a network of trenches, gun pits, mortar pits, and machine gun nests. Barbed wire surrounded these positions and lined the beach.

The assault on Sword began at about 03:00 with the aerial and naval bombardment of German coastal defences and artillery sites. The landing was to be concentrated on Queen Red and Queen White in front of Hermanville-sur-Mer, other approaches having proven impassable due to shoals. At 07:25, the first units set off for the beach. These were the amphibious DD tanks of the 13th/18th Hussars; they were followed closely by the 8th Infantry Brigade, and by Royal Engineers in AVREs. The engineers set to work clearing mines and obstacles under a steady hail of small arms fire and artillery fire from Périers Ridge just south of Hermanville. Resistance on the beach was initially fairly strong, with wrecked vehicles piling up and casualties mounting; however, with most of their armoured vehicles successfully landed, the British were able to quickly secure the immediate area. By 09:30 the engineers had cleared seven of the eight exits from the beach, allowing the inland advance to begin.

British and French commandos encountered tough resistance in the seaside town of Ouistreham, on Sword's eastern extremity, but were able to clear it of enemy strongpoints. By 13:00, the 1st Special Service Brigade had reached the bridges on the River Orne and the Caen Canal, linking up with paratroops of the 6th Airborne Division, who were holding the bridges, after earlier disabling German gun batteries in a fierce night-time battle earlier. On the western flank of Sword, commandos of the 4th Special Service Brigade moved out to secure Lion-sur-Mer and effect a link up with Canadian forces at Juno Beach, but encountered strong resistance and were pinned down by heavy fire for several hours. Meanwhile, around the main landing area, the men of the 3rd Infantry Division had secured Hermanville-sur-Mer by 10:00, but were finding tougher going as they slowly fought their way up Périers Ridge and moved inland. It was gradually becoming apparent that the British would not be able to make the hook-up with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division necessary to protect its right flank in an immediate assault on Caen. Troops of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry continued down the Hermanville-Caen road, reaching Biéville-Beuville, close to Caen, but were supported by only a few self-propelled guns, their flanks exposed.

The 21st Panzer Division, with its formidable inventory of some 127 Panzer IV tanks, was intended for use as a rapid response force; on the morning of June 6th, however, its commander, Generalmajor Edgar Feuchtinger, was in Paris, and Rommel was in Germany. The division was unable to finalize orders and preparations for a counterattack until late in the day. At about 17:00, two thrusts were launched, east and west of the River Orne. Taking advantage of the gap between the Sword and Juno sectors, elements of the 192nd Panzergrenadier Regiment were able to reach the coast at Lion-sur-Mer by 8:00 p.m.; however, with few flak units and very little support from the Luftwaffe, they too suffered devastating losses to Allied aircraft. When 250 Gliders of the British 6th Airlanding Brigade overflew their positions, on their way to reinforce the Orne bridgehead in Operation Mallard, the Germans, believing they were about to be cut off, retired.

By the end of D-Day, 28,845 men of I Corps had come ashore across Sword. British losses in the Sword area amounted to 683 men. The British and Canadians were able to link up and resume the drive on Caen the following day, but three days into the invasion, the advance was halted. On June 7th, Operation Perch, a pincer attack by the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division and XXX Corps was launched to encircle Caen from the east and west flanks. The 21st Panzer Division halted the 51st Division advance and the XXX Corps attack resulted in the Battle of Villers-Bocage and the withdrawal of the leading elements of the 7th Armoured Division.

#second world war #world war 2 #world war ii #d day #sword beach #june 6 1944 #june 6 2020 #anniversary #military history #british history #normandy #unsung heroes

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rcmilitaryhistorytoday-blog · 5 years

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On this day, 13th Sept 1759, The Battle of the Plains of Abraham: Wolfe defeats Montcalm, to secure Canada for Britain.

A Soldier's Account of the Campaign on Quebec, 1759 Edited by Robert Henderson

Written by the Sergeant Major of the 40th Regiment’s Grenadiers (part of the Louisbourg Grenadiers), A Journal of the Expedition up the River St. Lawrence was published as a pamphlet in Boston in November 1759. Not only was it the first account to be published on the siege of Quebec , but is one of the few works by a member of the other ranks. While it lacks the flare of officer’s account, it does present one of the best records of the day to day movements of the part of Wolfe’s Army, namely the Louisbourg Grenadiers. The Louisbourg Grenadiers themselves were made up of the Grenadier Companies of the 22nd, 40th, and 45th Regiments who had been left to garrison Louisbourg, captured the year earlier. General James Wolfe, while forming his expedition against Quebec at Louisbourg, personally oversaw the training of the Louisbourg Grenadiers in the "New Exercise", which was an improved infantry drill. As fate would have it, on September 13th , 1759 on the Plains of Abraham, Wolfe would fall mortally wounded next to the Louisbourg Grenadiers. A few days later, Quebec surrendered and the duty fell upon the Louisbourg Grenadiers to form the honour guard and first to enter the walls of Quebec. In his account, the Sergeant Major skips a day around the time of the battle of the Plains and records it incorrectly as occurring on the 14th of September.

"A Journal of the Expedition up the River St. Lawrence;

Containing

A True and Particular Account of the Transactions of the Fleet and Army, From the Time of Their Embarkation at Louisbourg ‘Til After the Surrender of Quebec

by the Serjeant-Major of Gen. Hopson’s Grenadiers

Louisbourg, June 1st, 1759

We embark’d on board the Transport Harwood, bound on the Expedition to Canada ...

The 4th Day we set Sail for the River St. Lawerance, which we made on the 9th Day, and there we lay 'til the 16th, before we got into the River; which is very wide and Mountainous. For about forty Leagues up the River the Depth of Water is 100 Fathoms. The 16th Day we came into seventeen fathom Water; and on the 23rd we join'd Admiral Durell, who had 7 Sail of the Line, with some Frigates with him, which lay as a Guard to Protect the River, at a Place call'd the Island of Coudre… This island is pleasantly situated, lies partly high, and was very well peopled before we came up : - And passing this Island about a League up, we anchor'd, and two of our Boats went in Shore and was attack'd by a small Party of Canadians and Indians, and was obliged to retreat to their Ships.

The 25th we made the out End of the Island of Orleans, and on the 27th we landed on it without the loss of a Man. A small Party of Rangers were almost surrounded by a large Party of Indians; but the Rangers rush'd through them with the Loss of only one Man; what damage the Enemy sustain'd is uncertain.

On the 29th the French sent five Fire Ships down among our Fleet; but, thank God, they did no Damage. The same Day we marched about 6 miles, under the Command of Col. Carlton, and encamped that same Night in Sight of the French Army, and likewise in Sight of the Town – Gen. Monckton’s Brigade and a party of Rangers landed on the South Side; we had a small Attack, by which we had 3 kill'd, 2 wounded and 4 taken Prisoners.

July 1st, the Enemy came against our Detachment on the South-side of the River with floating Batteries; but our Shipping soon drove them off ; --the Damage they suffer'd is not known. Same Day the Louisbourg Grenadiers went a Foraging; we had two kill'd and scalp'd belonging to the 22d Regiment. The same Day we marched to the West End of the Island, in order to join the Louisbourg Battalion. A Party of the Enemy fired out of the woods, and wounded two men.

July the 5th, a Barge between the Island and the main Land, to sound the Depth of Water: The French fir’d four Cannon-Shot at her, and came down on a large Bar of Sand, from whence they fir'd small arms; also five Canoes came down the River, loaded with Indians, who took the Barge, made one Man prisoner, and wounded another belonging to the 22d Regiment. On the same Day their floating Batteries attack'd our Shipping but was soon obliged to quit their Firing. --Gen. Monckton opened a small Battery upon the South Side; The first Day they canonaded and bombarded on both Sides; but lost never a Man.

The 8th, we landed on Quebeck-Shore, without any Interception, and marched up the River about two miles; when the Louisbourg Grenadiers being order'd out to get Fascines, they had scarce set down to take a small Refreshment, and detach’d a small Party of Rangers to guard the Skirts of the Wood, before a large Party of Indians surrounded them, kill'd and scalp'd 13, wounded the Captain-Lieutenant and 9 Privates; they likewise kill'd and wounded 14 of the Royal Americans, wounded 2 of the 22d and one of the 40th Regiment : we got only 3 Prisoners, and kill'd 2 of the Savages.

The third Day our Shipping was drove off by the Enemy's Shells. - We got only some few Prisoners, 'til the 12th Day, when the French built a Battery against us, but had not Time to mount any Guns on it; for we soon demolish'd it with our Field-Pieces and Hawitzers. The fourteenth Day their floating Batteries came out after our Boats, but we soon drove them back again. -The 16th, we set the Town on Fire, about 12 O'clock, which continued burning all that Day.

On the 17th we went out a Fascining, and to make Oars, with a small Party to cover us; --5 were kill'd of which 4 were scalp'd, and we was oblig'd to quit the Wood directly ; the Indians came up very close, and kill’d and scalp'd one Man close by us; the Grenadiers of the 45th Regiment fir’d upon them, and I saw one drop; but the Indians took him off in a minute. We had 5 kill'd, belonging to the 35th Regiment, and one dangerousIy wounded; the 15th Reg. had one wounded very bad; but our People returning upon them, made them fly so fast that they were oblig’d to leave their Blankets and Match-coats, with several other Things, behind them; but we could not get one of them Prisoners. A Deserter came to us, from whom we had an imperfect Account of their Forces; which, however, gave us some Encouragement.

July 18th, the Deserter went out with our Light-Infantry, to show them a Place where to cross the Falls; the Indians fir'd on them, but hurt none: Likewise the same Night some of our Shipping pass’d the Town, and one run ashore on the South Side of the River. The 19th Day the floating Batteries came out to attack Our Shipping round the Harbour; but our Batteries on the Land-Side drove them off, so that the Shipping receiv'd but two Shot. On the 20th an accident happen'd in the Light-Infantry's Camp; a Man sitting in his Tent, with his Firelock by him, taking hold of the Muzzle to pull it towards him, it went off and wounded him in the Thigh so that he died the same Night.

The 21st Day of July all the Grenadiers cross'd over to the Island of Orleans; the Indians attack’d us very smartly, as we was marching to the Water-Side.--Same Day the Enemy open'd two batteries on us, which raked our Camps. Our Troops, with Seamen, stormed a Battery on the S. Side, spiked the Cannon, broke the Mortars, broke into their Magazine, took all their powder, and threw all the Shot and Shells into the Water.

July 22d we set the Town on Fire, which burnt all the next Day: Some of our Shipping went to pass the Town ; but they fir'd so hot, that they were oblig’d to turn back.

The 23d 300 Provincials landed on the Island of Orleans, which was some Reinforcement.

July 25th, the Louisbourg Battalion and three more Companies of Grenadiers, with 3 Companies of Light-Infantry, went round the Island of Orleans. -- The 27th we arrived at our Camp; and we receiv'd News That our Forces on Montmorancy Side had been attack'd the Day before, and likewise got the Better of the Enemy ; we had an Account that we kill'd 300 of them, but the Number of wounded none of us could tell: Our loss was 5 Officers and 32 Privates, 12 of whom were kill'd and the rest wounded. The same Day we went to get our Plunder, which we discovered on our march round the Island, consisting of Gowns, Shirts, Petticoats, Stockings, Coats and Waistcoats, Breeches, Shoes, and many other Articles too tedious to mention and some Cash ; which, if the Things had been sold to the Value, would have fetch'd upwards of 500 l. Sterl. The same Night the French sent five Fire-Floats down, which made great Confusion among our Fleet; but the Men of War sent their Boats and tow'd them ashore, where they burnt out without further Damage.

July 29, Otway’s and Hopson’s Grenadiers went on board the Three-Sisters, Witmore’s and Warburton’s on board the Russell, the rest in flat-bottom Boats and other Vessels, with a full Intent to land on a Part of the French Shore; so as by that Means we might come at the Town :

The First Push we made was on the 31st of July: with 13 Companies of Grenadiers, supported by about 5 Thousand Battalion-men;-- as soon as we landed we fixed our Bayonets and beat our Grenadier's-March, and so advanced on ; during all this Time their Cannon play'd very briskly on us; but their Small-Arms, in their Trenches, lay cool 'till they were sure of their Mark; then they pour 'd their Small-Shot like Showers of Hail, which caus'd our brave Grenadiers to fall very fast: Brave Gen. Wolfe saw that our attempts were in vain, so he retreated to his Boats again: The number of kill'd and wounded that Day was about 400 Men; - in our Retreat we burnt the two Ships, which we had ran ashore on that side to cover our Landing.

The 3d Day of August a Party of Capt. Danks's Rangers went from the Island of Orleans to Quebec Side, a little down the River; they were attack'd by a Party of French, and was smartly engag'd for the Space of half an Hour; but the Rangers put them to flight, kill'd several and took one Prisoner: The Rangers lost one Lieutenant, who died of his Wounds soon after, and 2 or 3 others. They got a great deal of Plunder.

Aug 4th the French made an Attempt of crossing the Falls; but our Train fir'd Hawits and Cohorns so fast, that they were oblig'd to retreat without accomplishing any Thing;----what Damage was done them I know not.

On the 6th a Victualing Ship sail'd from our Fleet, and went below the Falls, the French hove Shot and Shells in great Number at them; but did them no Harm.

The 8th of Aug. two Centinels being at the Falls, they took an Indian and bro't him Prisoner to the General, who sent him on board the Admiral. At 12o'Clock at Night we threw a Carcass and one Shell on the Enemy's Battery of 9 Guns, which blew up their Magazine, Platforms, and burnt with such Violence that some of the Garrison were oblig'd to get into Boats to save themselves from the Flames. The 9th Day we set the Town on Fire, being the 3d Time.

On the 10th the French floated a Thing down in the Form of a Floating-Battery; one of our Ships sent out a Boat to see what it was, and just as the Seamen were going to jump on board, it blew up and kill'd one midshipman and wounded four Sailors…….The same day about 30 Sailors went a Plundering on the South-side of the River, and as they were about their Prey, they was surpriz'd by a Party of Indians and drove off; but they all got safe to their Boats, tho' not without the Loss of their Plunder.

The 11th Instant there was an Engagement between our Scouting-Parties and the Indians, Our People drove them off, we had a great Number wounded, several very badly, but the most slightly; there was but few kill'd: There was one of the 35th Reg. told me, he saw an Indian who fir'd at him, but miss'd him; that he levelled his Piece and fir'd at the Indian and miss'd him likewise; upon which the Indian immediately threw his Tommahawk at him and miss'd him; whereupon the Soldier, catching up the Tommahawk, threw it at the Indian and levell’d him, and then went to scalp him; but 2 other Indians came behind him, and one of them stuck a Tommahawk in his Back ; but did not wound him so much as to prevent his Escape from them.

The 12th Day We had an Account of General Murray's going to land above the Town--He made all Attempt to land twice and was beat off; he made the third Attempt, and landed at the South-Shore with the Loss of about 100 kill'd and wounded. The same Day we had an Account from the Enemy, That Gen. Amherst's Army was taken very badly and that they were oblig 'd to turn back again.

On the 13th we had an Account by one of the French Gunners, who deserted to us that Night, That the enemy had very little provisions; he likewise gave an Account what a Body of French and Indians came over the Falls, the same Side that our Army was on, and that they had four Days Provisions with them, and remain'd there still.

The 14th a Sailor belonging to the Dublin Man of War, endeavour'd to swim over to the French, over the River; but the Current ran so strong, that he was driven on Shore on the Island-Side and was taken up by one of Hopson's Grenadiers and carried to their Quarter-Guard, from whence he was carried on board his own Ship again, stark naked.

The 15th of Aug. Captain Gorham returned from an Incursion, in which Service were employ 'd, under his Command, 150 Rangers, a Detachment from the different Regiments, Highlanders, Marines, &c. amounting in the whole to about 300, an arm'd Vessel, three Transports, with a Lieutenant and Seamen of the Navy to attend him, of which Expedition they gave the following Account:

"That on the 4th of August they proceeded down to St. Paul’s Bay, (which is opposite to the North Side of this Island) where was a Parish containing about 200 men, who had been very active in distressing our Boats and Shipping --At 3 o 'Clock in the Morning Capt. Gorham landed and forced two of their Guards; of 20 Men each, who fired smartly for Some Time; but that in two Hours they drove them all from their Covering in the Wood, and clear'd the Village which they burnt, consisting of about 50 fine Houses and Barns; destroy'd most of their Cattle, &c. That in this one Man was kill'd and 6 wounded ; but that the Enemy had two kill'd, and several wounded, who were carried off.— That from thence they proceeded to Mal Bay, 10 Leagues to the Eastward on the same Side, where they destroyed a very pretty Parish, drove off the Inhabitants and Stock without any Loss; after which, they made a Descent on the South Shore, opposite the Island of Coudre, destroyed Part of the Parish of St. Ann's and St. Roan, where were very handsome Houses with Farms, and loaded the Vessels with Cattle; after which they returned from their Expedition."

The same Day 1 of our Schooners went from the Fleet below the Fall, and the French fir'd 8 or 9 Shot at her; but miss'd her. This Day a Party of young Highlanders came to the Island of Orleans from Gen. Monckton’s Encampment; on Purpose to destroy all the Canaada-Side.-- The same Day our People set one of the Enemy's Floating-Batteries on Fire; --and in the Night General Monckton set the Town on Fire, (being the 4th Time) and the Flames raged so violently, that 'twas imagin'd the whole City would have been reduc'd to Ashes.

August 18th, a Sloop and Schooner went below the Falls ; the French hove Shot and Shells at them, but did 'em no Damage. The same Day the Enemy hove a Bomb from the Town, which kill'd one Man and wounded 6 more,--one Man had his Arm cut off by a Piece of the same Shell.

On the 20th the Louisbourg Grenadiers began their March down the main Land of Quebeck, in order to burn and destroy all the Houses on that Side---- On the 24th they were attack’d by a Party of French, who had a Priest for their Commander; but our Party kill'd and scalp'd 31 of them, and likewise the Priest, their Commander ; They did our People no Damage. The three Companies of Louisbourg Grenadiers halted about 4 Miles down the River, at a Church called the Guardian-Angel, where we were order'd to fortify ourselves till further Orders; we had several small Parties in Houses, and the Remainder continued in the Church.----The 25th , began to destroy the Country, burning Houses, cutting down Corn, and the like: At Night the Indians fired several scattering Shot at the Houses, which kill'd one of the Highlanders and wounded another ; but they were soon repulsed by the Heat of our Firing. --It was said that the Number of the Enemy consisted of 800 Canadians and Indians. Sept 1st we set Fire to our Houses and Fortifications, and marched to join the Grand Army at Montmorancy; the 3 Companies of Grenadiers ordered to hold themselves in Readiness to march at a Minute's Warning.

The 26th a Serjeant of the 35th Regiment deserted across the Fall, and our people fir'd several Grape-Shots after him; notwithstanding which he got clear off to the Enemy.

The 27th of August some of our Shipping went past the Town, which fir'd so hot at them with Shots and Bombs, that one would have thought Vessel to pass ; but they receiv'd little or no Damage. The 29th, 5 Sail went to pass the Town, up the River; the Town fir'd very warm all the Time of their passing, and I was very well informed, That only 15 of their Shot took Place out of all their Firing; Likewise the 30th Instant four of our Ships pass'd the Town, where they kept a continual Firing ; but did us very little Damage.

Sept. 1. all the Sick and Women that was on Montmorancy-Side, came over to the Island of Orleans; on the 2d Intant a a large Body of Wolfe’s Troops came over, with the Louisbourg Grenadiers, and encamped that Night on the same Island.

The 3d Day all the Army left Montmorancy-Side and we set all the Houses and Fortifications on Fire, and then we embark'd in flat-bottom Boats and came above the Fall; the French fir'd very brisk all the Time of our passing, but did us no Damage, and we went over to Point Levee and encamped there.

Sept. 4th the Louisbourg Grenadiers and the Remainder of the Army, cross'd over to Point-Levee from the Island of Orleans, and encamped there.--The Same Day 4 Men came from Gen. Amherst's Army; they was 26 Days on their Journey, and inform’d us, That we had got Ticonderoga, and likewise Crown-Point.

Sept 5th about 5 or 6000 Men Marched up the River on Point-Levee Side, to go above the Town, and carried one Month's Provision up in Sloops· The same Day one of the Royal-Americans, who was taken Prisoner by the French-Indians the 31st of July last, made his Escape and came to the Porcupine Sloop of War, that lay a little below the Fall; he informs us That there is no more than about 300 Indians that carries Arms; but that there are a great number of Women and Children, that they were very scant of Provisions; likewise that he himself had been 48 Hours without any thing to eat: He further said, that the Enemy they were very numerous in their Intrenchment", consisting of at least, 14,000 Men of which 11,000 were Canadians and the rest Regulars, the latter of whom were heartily tir'd with the Siege.

Sept. 6th the Schooner Terror of France went above the Town, in the middle of the Day, as she pass'd they kept up a constant Fire at her, and she receiv'd five of their Shot; one in her Jib, two in her Mainsail and 2 in her Foresail; but lost none of her Hands, nor did she sustain any further Damage.

The whole Army being on Point-Levee Side, the main Body were order'd to get ready to march above the Town, on the South Side, and to take only one Shirt and one Pair of Stockings, besides what we had on. We marched up the River about 8 Miles, and then embark'd on board the Men of War and Transports that were up the River: the Number that embarked was 3349 Men, with a Party of the Train of Artillery.

Sept. 10. the Weather being very wet, and the Troops very much crowded on board the Men of War and Transports, the General thought proper to land us on the South Side again; which was a great Decoy to the French : We marched to the Church of St. Nicholas, under the Command of General Monkton, where we halted. The next Day we received intelligence of a small Number of French and Indians, who were driving some Cattle;......we dispatched a Party of 500 Men, who took the Cattle, but the Enemy got off.

The 12th we received Orders to embarked on board our Ships again.

The 13th we had Orders to land ; so we fell down the River in the Ships and Boats till we came a little above the Town, where the Enemy least suspected us (for where the Enemy thought we should have landed, they had about 600 Horse; but what Number of Foot we could not say; we could perceive that they was intrench'd and had 5 Floating-Batteries to intercept our Landing.)

On the 14th we landed, at break of Day, and immediately attacked and routed the Enemy, taking Possession of a Battery of 4 24-Pounders, and one thirteen Inch Mortar, with but an inconsiderable Loss. We then took Post on the Plains of Abraham, whither M. Montcalm (on hearing that we had landed, for he did not expect us) hasted with his whole Army (consisting of Cavalry as well as Infantry) to give us Battle; about 9 o'Clock; we observed the Enemy marching down towards us in three Columns, at 10 they formed their Line of Battle, which was at least six deep, having their Flanks covered by a thick Wood on each Side, into which they threw above 3000 Canadians and Indians, who gauled us much; the Regulars then marched briskly up to us, and gave us their first Fire, at about Fifty Yards Distance, which we did not return, as it was General Wolfe's express Orders not to fire till they came within twenty Yards of us --They continued firing by Platoons, advancing in a very regular Manner till they came close up to us, and then the Action became general: In about a Quarter of an Hour the Enemy gave way on all Sides, when a terrible Slaughter ensued from the quick Fire of our Field Pieces and Musquetry with which we pursue'd them to the Walls of the Town, regardless of all excessive heavy Fire from all their Batteries. The Enemy lost in the Engagement, Lieut. Gen. Montcalm, (who was torn to Pieces by our Grape Shot) 2 Brigadier-Generals; one Colonel; 2 Lieutenant-Colonels ; and at least 130 Officers and Men kill'd and 200 taken Prisoners at their very Sally-Ports, of which 58 were Officers. On our Side was killed the brave and never to be forgotten General WOLFE; with 9 Officers, 4 Serjeants and 44 Privates ; wounded, Brigadier-General Monckton , Colonel Carlton, Quarter-Master-General; Major Barre, Adjutant-General; and 50 Other Officers, with 26 Serjeants and 557 privates.-- This Action was the more glorious, as the Enemy were at least 12,000 strong, besides 500 Horse; whereas we, at the utmost, did not consist of above 3500, some of whom did not engage;--for at the Time of the Engagement Colonel Scott was out burning the Country with 1600 Men; Col. Burton was at Point-Levee with 2000 Men; and on the Island of Orleans there were 1500; whereas our whole Army, at our first embarking at Louisbourg, did not exceed 8240 Men.

At Ten o'Clock at Night we surpriz'd their Guard and took Possession of their Grand Hospital, wherein we found between 12 and 1500 Sick and Wounded.

We lay on our Arms all Night, and in the Morning we secured the Bridge of Boats which the Enemy had over Charles River, and possessed ourselves of all, the Posts and Avenues that was or might be of any Consequence leading to the Town, and broke Ground at 100 Yards Distance from the Walls; we likewise got up 12 heavy 24-pounders; six heavy Twelve Pounders, some large Mortars, and the 46 inch Hawitzers, to play upon the Town, and we had been employed three Days, intending to make a Breach, and storm the City Sword in hand, but we were prevented by their beating a Parley, and sending out a Flag of Truce with Articles of Capitulation, and the next Day- being the 17th of September, we took Possession of the City, where we found 250 Pieces of Cannon, a Number of mortars, from 9 to fifteen Inches, Field-Pieces, Hawitzers, &c. with a large Quantity of Artillery-Stores.

M. Vaudreuille, the Governor-General of New-France, stole out of the City before the Capitulation; leaving only about 600 Men, under the Command of Mon. Ramsay, by whom the Capitulation was signed. The poor Remains of the French Regulars, with about 10,000 Canadians, retired to Jaques Quartiees under the Command of M. Levy; but the Canadians deserted him in great Numbers, and came in and surrendered themselves.

Sept 19th the French Garrison were embarked on board Transports: Such of the Inhabitants as would come in and take the Oaths of Allegiance, were permitted to enjoy their Estates.

Brigadier General Murray is Governor of the Town, and the whole Army left to Garrison it.

During the whole Siege from first to last, 535 Houses were burnt down, among which is the whole eastern Part of the lower Town (save 6 or 8 Houses) which make a very dismal Appearance. We also destroyed upwards of Fourteen Hundred fine Farm-Houses in the Country, &c. FINIS"

Source. Access Heritage website.

#seven years war #battle of the plains of abraham #military history

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aroundtheworldinsearchofcoke · 5 years

Text

Day Sixteen: Journey’s End

[Illustrated Version: https://aroundtheworldinsearchofcokev.blogspot.com/2019/07/day-sixteen-journeys-end.html]

Today we went to the bridge at Arnhem, to the Airborne Museum at Oosterbeek at to the cemetary at Oosterbeek. We then spent the afternoon in Arnhem. I’ve decided to focus on the history today, as it explains much of what I want to say better than a blow-by-blow account.

---

The British 1st Airborne Division dropped on Oosterbeek on the morning of 17 September 1944 - about five miles from their objective of Arnhem. The RAF had feared possible anti-aircraft guns around the Rhine Bridge, and refused to drop any closer.

Shortly after landing, General Roy Urquhart, having made his headquarters in a hotel recently evacuated by Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model, left to reconnoiter the area. By evening, he had not returned, and a dispute had broken out over who was to be in command while he was gone. He'd designated Brigadier Lathbury, but he was not the ranking officer. 1st Airborne command fell into paralysis.

In the mean time, a hodge-podge of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Parachute Regiment had reached the bridge and dug in. They were under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John Frost, who expected to have to hold the bridge for three days until XXX Corps arrived.

By the next day, he'd recieved no reinforcements from either Oosterbeek or the south. A reconnaissance column of the 9th SS Panzer, commanded by Victor Graebner, charged the bridge that morning but was without support and destroyed - Graebner was killed. But more and more of the SS were mobilising and moving in. The sitaithon became worse and worse.

Eventually, Urquhart returned to Oosterbeek - he had had to hide to evade German patrols. An attempt was made to relieve Frost, but by now the Germans had reached Arnhem in force. It was repulsed. The paratroopers on the bridge were doomed.

The Paras fought on until the end, and Arnhem was heavily damaged. At last, on the early morning of the 21st, Frost surrendered. At about five in the morning, a final radio transmission reported ‘out of ammunition; god save the King.’ The last hope of ending the war in 1944 died with them.

With Arnhem retaken, the SS scented blood. They began to push on the Oosterbeek pocket. John Barskeyfield, now a sergeant, manned an anti-tank gun and knocked out several tanks - it was enough to win the Victoria Cross. It was not enough to save his life. He died on the 20th of September, aged 21.

By now, XXX Corps had finally reached the southern bank of the Rhine, and the Polish had secured Driel. Horrocks advised an attempt to relieve the 1st Airborne to be performed by the Poles - Sosabowski, now commanding them, refused. He had never believed in Market Garden, and now perceived an attempt to sacrifice them in a doomed charge in boats in darkness over the Rhine. Correspondingly, XXX Corps sent some of its infantry - all it achieved was to trap even more men on the wrong side of the river - but Sosabowski’s refusal to send his brigade in made him an easy scapegoat for the ultimate failure of Market Garden, and he lost his command.

At last, the Allies bowed to the inevitable. Operation Berlin saw infantry of XXX Corps rowing over the Rhine to relieve their comrades in the 1st Airborne - or what remained of them. Of a division of around ten thousand men, only two thousand made it back over the river - another two thousand were killed, and the rest taken prisoner. Urquhart’s division had been effectively destroyed for no material gain.

For his part, Montgomery was content to claim that the operation was ninety percent successful. Nobody else saw it in such optimistic terms. Sosabowksi and Ramsey’s concerns were vindicated, and the Canadians began the bitter task of clearing the Scheldt Estuary. Monty’s reputation among the Americans, never great to begin with, never really recovered. American historians have savaged him (and often by extension, the British Army) ever since.

Market Garden was perhaps the nadir of Anglo-American cooperation. To the Americans, the British soldier was slow, unintelligent and at worst, dishonest, relying on Americans to do the bleeding for him. To the British, the American GI was unprofessional, impetuous, overly gung-ho and more than a little pompous. These stereotypes have persisted in the works of many historians to this day.

Yet the fact remains that all of the troops deployed in the battle performed to the best standard they could. Time and time again, they were let down by high command - particularly Browning and Gavin. They had been given a plan that was optimistic, rushed and made no account for the existence of opposition. Given what was asked, that they managed to be ‘ninety percent successful’ is itself astounding.

The Germans enacted a terrible revenge on the Dutch, who had supported the Allies every step of the way. The civilian population of Arnhem was forcibly removed, and nearly all food production, already meagre, was directed away from the Netherlands. Let this be clear; this was not wartime shortage, but a deliberate policy of punishment by Adolf Hitler, who had given up the last of his pretence of civility in an insane attempt to bring Europe down in flames with him. The Hunger Winter killed twenty thousand. This was not famine. It was murder.

Today the Netherlands are rebuilt. The road from Neerpelt to Arnhem can be driven in about two hours, three at most. The area has never forgotten Market Garden, and the road is pockmarked with memorials and museums to those September days. None of these are more stark then the rows of white headstones in graveyards along the way.

Over a thousand men still lie in Oosterbeek. Each grave is the same at a glance, with only the names and inscriptions distinguishing them in death. Many have epitaphs from family - wives, brothers, sisters and parents. Most are in their twenties. Many are eighteen or nineteen. Lieutenants barely out of college commanded men at thirty or even older.

Historians, particularly military historians, like the word ‘only.’ When compared to the titanic battles on the Eastern Front, onlythirty thousand were killed, wounded or captured. Yet every single person who died meant something to somebody. They were somebody’s son, somebody’s daughter, somebody’s girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, husband, father or mother. They worked for somebody. They had friends and enemies. They lived and breathed and loved and lost. For some the end came instantly, for others only days.

Perhaps the most famous of the war poets was Wilfred Owen, who died on the 4th of November 1918, just a week before the war ended. One of his most famous works was Anthem for Doomed Youth- written for the men in the trenches of the First World War, but I feel is still fitting for the men dropped into Arnhem in 1944;

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?

Only the monstrous anger of the guns.

Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle

Can patter out their hasty orisons.

No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;

Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—

The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;

And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?

Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes

Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.

The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;

Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,

And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

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malloryrunsthis · 6 years

Text

One of the best spam emails I’ve ever received

Hello, Good day and compliments, I know this letter will definitely come to you as a surprise, but I implore you to take the time to go through it carefully as the decision you make will go off a long way to determine my future and continued existence. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Sgt Marcus Graves, in 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division here that Patrols the Helmand Province, Afghanistan. I am desperately in need of assistance and I have summoned up courage to contact you.

I am presently in Afghanistan and I found your contact particulars in an address journal. I am seeking your assistance to evacuate the sum of $26m (Twenty Six Million United States Dollars) to you, as far as I can be assured that it will be safe in your care until I complete my service here. This is no stolen money and there are no dangers involved.

SOURCE OF MONEY:

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I have now found a secured way of getting the package out of Afghanistan for you to pick up. I do not know how long I will remain here, as I have been lucky to survive 2 suicide bomb attacks by Pure Divine intervention. This and other reasons put into consideration have prompted me to reach out for help. If it might be of interest to you then Endeavor to contact me immediately and we would work out the necessary formalities but I pray that you are discreet about this mutually benefiting relationship.

I promise to give you 40% of the total sum as your own share and 60% for me. I hope I am been fair on this deal,

The only telephone access we have here is radio message which is for our general use and is being monitored; therefore all communication will be via email till we finish our assignment.

Please keep it to yourself even if you are not interested.

Respectfully,

Sgt Marcus Graves,United States

Soldier:Afghanistan

I like this one because it really paints a picture, doesn’t it? “I can’t be scamming you because we’re scamming someone TOGETHER.”

#not running related #spam #junk email

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bigwizzgoldfinger-blog · 4 years

Photo

St Enoch Presbyterian Church W.W.1 war memorial and roll of honour. Duncairn, Belfast

All information is provided in good faith but, on occasions errors may occur. Should this be the case, if new information can be verified please supply it to the author and corrections will then be made.

Erected by this congregation in honour of those who Volunteered in the Great War 1914-1918

These all died.

Thomas Rainey AGNEW. Stoker 1st Class SS/113435, Royal Navy on HMS Vangard. Born 1892 to Samuel and Dorothy Agnew, of 138, Spamount Street., Belfast. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.

Robert BOYD. Rifleman 582, 10th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 1879 to Mrs. Jeannie Boyd of 17 India Street, Belfast. Killed in action 1 July 1916 aged 37 years. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

William Hatchell BOYD. 2nd Lieutenant, 9th Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Born 1887 to the Rev. Samuel T. Boyd, B.A., and Mrs. Boyd, of Dublin. Killed in action 9 September 1916 aged 29 years. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

John BOYLAN. Private 12558, 15th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 1898 to John and Annie Boylan, of 166, Alexandra Park Avenue, Belfast later of 23 Annadale Street, Belfast. Killed in action 1 July 1916 aged 20 years. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

Hugh BROWN. 2nd Lieutenant, 6th attached 1st Royal Irish Rifles. Killed in action 31 July 1917. Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

John Brown. Royal Irish Rifles. Unable to find the correct record for this person recorded with the CWGC

James CAMERON (Military Medal). Sergeant 160496, 50th Canadian Infantry. Born 1892 to James and Sarah Cameron, of 52, Brookhill Avenue, Antrim Road, Belfast, Ireland. Formerly of Ballymena, Co. Antrim. Died 5 June 1917 aged 25 years. At rest in Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

William CARLISLE. Rifleman 11211, 1st Royal Irish Rifles. Husband of Elizabeth Carlisle, of 14, Court Street, Belfast, Ireland. Killed in action 23 October 1916, aged 24 years. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France

John CARSON Rifleman 24/991 2.3rd New Zealand Rifles. Killed in action 15 October 1917. At rest in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Jack CRICHTON Lance Corporal, (Private) 642640, 4th Canadian Infantry. Died of wounds 5 July 1917 Downview Avenue, Belfast. At rest in La Targette Britisg Cemetery, Neuville-Sain- Vaast, France

William CLARKE. Private 18818, 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Only son of Robert And Agnes Clarke of 40 Christopher Street, Belfast. Killed in action 3 July 1916 aged 22 years. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

James Wilson CORDNER. (Military Cross) Lieutenant 2nd Royal Irish Rifles. The Manse, Drumbo. Killed in action 16 April 1918. At rest in Minty Farm, Cemetery, Belgium. He was onetime assistant minister at St. Enoch’s Presbyterian Church, Belfast and became a minister in the United Free Church in Lisburn. London Gazette dated 3 August 1915. Royal Irish Rifles. The undermentioned to be temporary Second Lieutenants James Cordner. Dated 7th June, 1915. Edinburgh Gazette dated 22 July 1918. Military Cross Citation. T./Lt. James Wilson Cordner. Royal Irish Rifles. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while in charge of a wiring party. He wired 500 yards of newly captured trenches in daylight in full view of the enemy and under heavy fire. His coolness and determination were an inspiration to his men. At rest in Minty Farm Cemetery, Belgium.

Hampton CRAWFORD. Corporal, (Private) 25239, 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Son of Samuel and Mary Ann Crawford of 3 Trinity Street, Belfast. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. CWGC have his rank as Private

David FERGUSON. 14599, 9th Royal Irish Rifles. Killed in action at the battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. At rest in Serre Road Cemetery No 2, Somme, France.

Frederick George FRENCH. Private 874792, 27th Canadians. Son of Thomas and Anne Jane French of 26 Cumberland Street, Belfast. Killed in action 10 April 1917 aged 31 years. At rest in Nine Elms Military Cemetery, Thelus, France.

Stewart FULTON. U S National Guards ?. Residing with his parents at 11 Rosewood Street, Belfast. Killed in action. (No further information available).

Frederick William GIRVAN. Captain, 8th Devonshire Regiment. Son of Robert and Isabella Girvan of 115 Cavehill Road, Belfast. Later of 24 Easton Gardens. Killed in action 26 October 1917 aged 24 years. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial, Belgium.

R GRIBBEN. The CWGC have only two R Cribben’s (no varients)

Robert GRIBBEN. Stoker 1879T, Royal Naval Reserve of HMS Queen Mary. Son of William and Eliza Gribben, of Larne; husband of Maggie Gribben, of Larne, Co. Antrim. Killed at sea 31 May 1916 aged 39 years. Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.

Robert GRIBBEN. Rifleman 23/1393, 1/3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Son of James Gribben, of The Race Course, Lower Broughshane, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. Died 17 June 1917 aged 28 years. At rest in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord France.

Archibald McMillan HANNA. 15th Royal Irish Rifles. Residing at 27 Court Street, Belfast. Killed in action 1 July 1916. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

Charles HANNA. Private 745394 2nd Canadian Infantry. Son of William and Catherine Hannah. Killed in action 6 November 1917. At rest in Oosttaverne Wood Cemetery, Belgium.

Arthur HEENAN. Private 8966, 1st Royal Irish Rifles. Son of John and Mary Jane of 8 Suir Street, Belfast. Killed in action 9 May 1915 aged 26 years. Commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

John KELLY. Lance Corporal, (Private) 10489 6th Royal Irish Rifles. Residing at 278 Crumlin Road, Belfast. Killed in action 10 August 1915. Commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey including Gallipoli.

William John LAVERTY. Rifleman 949, 1st Garrison Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. Born at Drumagh, Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland. Husband of Minnie Ann Laverty, of 36, Willow Bank Gardens, Antrim Rd., Belfast, Northern Ireland. Died in India 10 November 1916 aged 47 years. At rest in Cawnpore Cantonment New Cemetery, India.

Thomas Edwin LOWRY. Lance Corporal, 10/15177, 10th Royal Irish Rifles. Husband of Minnie Lowry, of 33, Matlock Street, Belfast, Ireland. Died 12 June 1918 aged 23 years. Laid to rest as Thomas Edward Lowry 15 June 1918 Plot P Grave 300 at the Belfast City Cemetery. His wife is also interred in the grave and she is named as Mary Ann.

James MURPHY. Sergeant 5/12045, 5th Royal Irish Fusiliers. Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Murphy, of 23, Jennymount Terrace, York Road, Belfast. Later of 96 Henry Street, Belfast. Killed in action 10 March 1918 aged 23 years. At rest in Jerusalem War Cemetery, Palestine including Gaza.

Alfred McCLELLAND. 2nd Lieutenant, 5th Royal Irish Rifles. Son of James and Charlotte Miriam McClelland of 34 Shore Road, Duncairn, Belfast. 1911 his occupation was an office apprentice. At the time of his death his parents were residing at 105 Cavehill Road, Belfast. Died of wounds 13 October 1917 aged 24 years. At rest in trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenerck, Nord France.

Hugh Beggs McCLURE. Sapper 64264 150th Field Coy, Royal Engineers. Born 17 February 1885 at Mead street, Larne to Thomas Beggs and Margaret Jane Gleghorn McClure, nee Meekin the residence of his parents. They later resided at 8 Newington Street, Belfast, Ireland Husband of Maud, nee McClure of 63 Everton Street, Belfast. He was married on the 13 April 1911 at Magheramore Presbyterian Church, County Antrim. His wife died at Maternity Hospital in Belfast 9 October 1915 of heart failure and septicaemia after child birth. His son Lorrimer Drummond Mclure died aged 5 weeks at his grandparents Robert and Ellen McClure residence 197 Crumlin Road, Belfast on the 28 October 1915. On the 11 February 1915 aged 29 years he joined the Royal Engineers and then was posted to the R.E. Depot, Chatham, civilian occupation painter. On the 30 November 1915 he was posted to France. He was killed in action 6 October 1916 aged 30 years. His effects went to his father in law Robert McClure, retired compositor. At rest in Pond Farm Cemetery, Belgium.

Two of his brothers were also serving in the war.

James McClure, married, was serving as Sapper 89976, 145 Army Troops Coy, Royal Engineers Some notes from James’s army record. Born 19 October 1880 at Inver, Larne to Thomas and Margaret Jane Gleghorn McClure, nee McMeekin. He enlisted at into the Royal Engineers at Larne and joined at Londonderry as Sapper 7156 on the 24 November 1900 aged 20 years, occupation painter. He married Elizabeth Jane McClean at St Michael the Archangel, Aldershot, Surrey on the 23 April 1904. He was aged 24 years and stationed at Stanhope Lines, Aldershot. His wife was aged 29 and she resided at Alexander Road, Aldershot. At some time, his wife died and he remarried in 1913 to Tabitha Hunt. On the 23 November 1912 he was discharged from the army on the termination of the 1st period of engagement. No other records to show when he was called to the colours. His birth certificate show he was registered as James. When he remarried he used the name of Jams McMeekin McClure

Robert was Born 8 December 1890 to Thomas Beggs McClure and Margaret Jane Gleghorn McClure nee McMeekin of Back Road, Larne. His father was a house painter. Serving as Private 18229 12th Central Antrim Regiment, Royal Irish Rifles, Ulster Division at Masters Stores, Base Depot, Le Havre, France. Both demobilized to Class Z Army Reserve Some notes from Robert’s army record. He joined up at Larne, County Antrim 15 September 1914 aged 24 years and 9 months, occupation, painter. He was posted the same day to Clandeboye Estate Army Training Camp, near Bangor, County Down. His parents Thomas Beggs and Margaret McClure of 8 Newington Street, Belfast were his next of kin. He embarked to join the BEF in France 15 September 1914 and left 18 January 1919, having one period of leave. On the 16 February 1919 he was demobilized at Dublin to his residence at 5 Newington Avenue, Belfast after serving 4 years and 155 days. On the 24 October 1927 he wrote to the army requesting a character reference for employment purposes. His residence at that time was 21 Frampton Street, Strandtown, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Robert Harper McELRATH. Private 25459, 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Born 1886 to James and Mary McElrath, of "Mill Farm", County, Antrim. Died 21 October 1918 aged 32 years. At rest in Dadizeele New British Cemetery, Belgium.

William McGOOKIN. Private 17806, 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Son of William and Rachel McGookin, of Black Hill, Cookstown, County Tyrone. Killed in action 1 July 1916 aged 19 years. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

James Bailie McQUOID. Corporal 9681, 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Son of William and Elizabeth McQuoid, of 94, Chief Street, Belfast. At rest in Shrapnel Valley Cemetery, Turkey including Gallipoli.

David NELSON. Private 420210, 43rd Canadian Infantry. Born in Belfast on the 30 July 1880 to Samuel and Annie McDowell Nelson of 32, Marsden Gardens, Cavehill Road, Belfast, Ireland, husband of Margaret who later re-married to Mr Kelly. Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belfast.

Samuel PATTON. Private 3422, 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Born in the Shankill area of Belfast. Killed in action 16 May 1915. His grandmother Anne M was granted a war gratuity 17 September 1917, revised 1 October 1919. Commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France.

William PATTON. Private 17460 Durham Light Infantry. Son of John Patton of 53 Cambrai Street, Belfast. Killed in action 7 July 1917 aged 38 years. At rest in Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, Belgium.

Paul Gilchrist POLLOCK. Lance Corporal 15780, 14th Royal Irish Rifles. Son of John and Marion J.F. Pollock, of Duncairn, Antrim. Killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916 aged 20 years. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

John Singleton Henry ROBINSON. Captain, 13th attached to 12th Welsh Regiment Born in Newtown Ards, County Down, Ireland. Killed in action 24 September 1918. At rest in Marteville Communal Cemetery, Attilly, France

Joseph ROY. Private 13457, 15th Royal Irish Rifles. Son of John. 1901 residing with his father and siblings at 27 Christopher Street, Belfast. 1911 residing at the home of his married sister Mary and her husband George French ay 34 Ballycastle Street, Belfast. Died 25 June 1918. His brother Robert and sister Mary French were both granted a war gratuity 13 September 1919. At rest in Sarralbe Military Cemetery, Moselle France.

Thomas SILLARS. Lance Corporal 17/1301, 8th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 27 November 1888 to John and Anne Jane Sillars, nee Smith at 158 Argyle Street, Belfast. Husband of Annie Victoria Sillars, nee Black of 3, Ballyclare Street, Belfast. Died 2 July 1916. His widow was granted a war gratuity 1 August 1917 revised 15 November 1919. At rest in Grandcourt Road Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France.

Thomas Arnold STEAD. Driver 785526, A Battery, 312th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Son of Sidney and Edith Alice Stead, of 30, Jarrow Road, Sharrow, Sheffield. Died 29 September 1918 aged 20 years. At rest in Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery, Nord, France.

Robert James THOMPSON. Rifleman 3408, 15th Royal Irish Rifles. Son of James and Mary Ann of 35 Hanover Street, Belfast. Killed in action 22 November 1917 aged 21 years. Commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord France.

John Arthur TREW. Rifleman 689, 12th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 17 April 1895 to Arthur and Annie Trew, nee Young of 15, Clovelly Street, Belfast. Died 25 July 1918 aged 23 years. Commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium. Birth registered as John Trew, residing at 57 Willow Street, Belfast .

Frederick Ramsey WALKER. Military Cross. 2nd Lieutenant 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. formerly Sergeant Major. Husband of Josephine Margaret Walker, of 107, Donegall Street., Belfast. Awarded Medaille Militaire (France). Fought in the Boer War 1899 -1902 Died in Scotland 6 January 1917. At rest in Dalry Cemetery, Edinburgh, Scotland.

The following extract is credited to Dukie News Issue 8. June 2017 Frederick was born in the military barracks in Tipperary on 27 July 1882. His father Tom was a staff sergeant in the 25th (the King’s Own Borderers) Regiment of Foot at the time and his mother was recorded as Mary Susanna (nee Lawson). He was orphaned sometime after between 1891 and 1893; and coming from a military background he was duly admitted to the Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Chelsea on 26 May 1893. On leaving the school on 8 August 1896 aged just 14 he joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s).

https://doyrms.alumni-online.com/StaticFiles/DoyrmsITW_0000000957.pdf

Extract credited to the newspaper The Scotsman Lt Walker who was born in Tipperary in Ireland and joined the army as a boy soldier when he was 13 years old. He died suddenly at Dreghorn camp, in Colinton, Edinburgh, on 6 January, 1917, aged 34. When he died, The Evening Despatch of 10 January, 1917 reported that a large number of people accompanied the cortege from camp to the cemetery, preceded by pipe and brass bands of his battalion and followed by six hundred men from different battalions. There was a graveside service, and shots were fired.

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breakingnewsalert1 · 5 years

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Canadian Army Holds Polite Rifle Speed Drill Challenge

Over the past several weeks, soldiers of the Canadian Army have been talking smack and posting videos on just how fast they can field strip their C7 rifles. The gun, a variant of the M16A3 made by Colt Canada, is the country’s primary infantry rifle.

In early February, a soldier of the Canadian Grenadier Guards threw the gauntlet down with a 47-second run, but many pointed out she didn’t do a function check and put the optic on backward at first.

Les membres du CGG peuvent assembler une C7 en 47sec. Si votre régiment ne répond pas à ce défi, vous acceptez qu'ils sont les meilleurs. The Canadian Grenadier Guards is better than your unit at assembling a C7, make us change our mind.

Posted by 2e Division du Canada / 2nd Canadian Division on Friday, February 8, 2019

Then, a corporal of The Brockville Rifles came in at 42 seconds.

Challenge accepted / Défi Accepté

Even though he’s from 4th Canadian Division – 4e Division du Canada, Cpl Zeiman from The Brockville Rifles like any good Canadian Army Corporal can’t pass up a challenge.In his response to Canadian Grenadier Guards in 2e Division du Canada / 2nd Canadian Division, Cpl Zeiman managed to assemble the C7A2 in 44 seconds with his functions test!He is currently taking all challengers and is eager to see the response.Think you can beat him?Good Luck!#Infantry #Joinus #Fast*********************************************************Même s’il est membre de la 4e Division du Canada, le Cpl Zeiman de Brockville Rifles, comme tout bon caporal de l’Armée canadienne, ne peut ignorer une opportunité de prendre part à un défi.En réponse au défi lancé par les Grenadier Guards de la 2e Division du Canada, le Cpl Zeiman a réussi à assembler le C7A2 en 44 secondes avec son test de fonctionnement!Il continue à pousser tous les intéressés à prendre part et est impatient de voir les résultats.Pensez-vous pouvoir le battre?Bonne chance!#Infanterie #Rejoins_nous #Vite

Posted by 33 Canadian Brigade Group | 33e Groupe Brigade du Canada on Thursday, February 21, 2019

This soldier from the 34th Combat Engineers Regiment seems to be pretty fast with a time of just under 34 seconds.

C7 CHALLENGE

Vous pensez que vous pouvez faire mieux? Montrez-nous.CHIMO!#C7CHALLENGE2e Division du Canada / 2nd Canadian Division34 Combat Engineer RegimentCanadian Grenadier Guards

Posted by 34e Régiment du génie de combat détachement Rouyn on Friday, February 22, 2019

However, in the four-way video below, a soldier with the Les Fusiliers du St-Laurent, a reserve unit in Quebec, pulls a time of under 30.

Le gagnant du Challenge C7

Parmi ceux qui ont répondu à notre défi C7, quelle unité sera le plus rapide ? Among those who answered our C7 challenge, which unit will be the fastest?

Posted by 2e Division du Canada / 2nd Canadian Division on Thursday, March 14, 2019

More on the C7A2 below, from a Colt Canada rep who is also a Canadian Forces reservist.

youtube

The post Canadian Army Holds Polite Rifle Speed Drill Challenge appeared first on Guns.com.

from Guns.com https://ift.tt/2HyLzBc from Blogger https://ift.tt/2U5ty3a

#guns

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greatwar-1914 · 7 years

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April 9, 1917 - Battles of Arras and Vimy Ridge Begin

Pictured - Canadian machine-gunners dig into shell-holes at Vimy Ridge.

On April 9, Easter Monday, British forces begin a month-long attack on the Hindenburg line, designed to coordinate with a French offensive launched by Robert Nivelle. For five days the Royal Flying Corps had patrolled the skies, taking hideous losses to reconnaissance German trenches and clear German scouts out of the air. Seventy-five British pilots had died in less than a week.

A five day bombardment lifted in the morning, and then a number of underground mines exploded, signalling British and Canadian troops to head over the top. Their initial assaults went well: on the right flank, the Third Army pierced the Hindenburg Line 3 miles inwards at Neuville Vitasse, capturing a German gun park and over 5,600 German prisoners. On the left flank, the German defences at Fampoux fell, and British troops achieved an advance of 3.5 miles, the greatest advance in one day on the Western Front since November 1914.

The Canadians also fought spectacularly, beginning a battle that remains etched in Canadian history as symbolic of transition from a mere dominion to a truly independent nation (although a large portion of Canadian soldiers were British-born). The CEF’s 1st and 2nd divisions went 4,000 yards beyond their main objective, securing the towns of Thélus and Farbus. The 3rd Division was halted by concentrated German gunfire, but the 4th Division captured Hill 145, the highest point on the dominating Vimy Ridge.

Vimy had been fought over many times before, but so far in the war no Allied force, neither French nor British, had been able to conquer it. Canada’s conquest is one of the greatest single-day achievements in the history of the war, but at a dear price: over 11,000 Canadians would be dead before the end of the week as they attempted to build on their first-day success.

By nightfall even the third German trenchline was in British hands. Part of the reason for success came from the employment of a “creeping barrage,” a sophisticated artillery tactic where the shellfire “crept” in front of the infantry, who advanced behind, taking advantage as the guns stunned the defenders and destroyed their defenses. The man in charge of the artillery was Brigade Major Alan Brooke, who in World War II would be the Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

The German third line, however, was massively fortified and held off the repeated assaults from the attackers. British and Canadian Tommies threw themselves against the German line again and again, but to no avail. The tanks that had been meant to protect the infantrymen had broken down or gotten stuck in the mud. Horse-drawn guns pulled up to blast the Germans from close range also could not traverse the sludgy terrain. By nightfall the attackers gave up until the next day, trying to sleep through an unexpected snowfall.

Among the dead that day was English poet R.E. Vernede. A 41-year old Londoner, he had refused a desk job after being wounded at the Somme in 1916 and returned to the front. In his poem “A Listening Post,” he had expressed his confidence in the rightness of the Allied cause:

“And yonder rifleman and I

Wait here behind the misty trees.

To shoot the first man that goes by

Our rifles ready on our knees

How could he know that if we fail

The world may lie in chains for years

And England be a bygone tale

And right be wrong, and laughter tears?”

#ww1 #ww1 history #ww1 centenary #1917 #history #world war one #first world war #great war #vimy ridge #canada #canadian history #arras

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esprit-de-corps-magazine · 4 years

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Poland and Canada – Freedom and Security: A Century Of Experience

By H.E. Ambassador Andrzej Kurnicki, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canada

World War I and Camp Kościuszko at Niagara-on-the-Lake

On November 11th our Canadian friends honour their wartime compatriots who served and payed the ultimate price for freedom in the world. For Poles this date has significance as well. More than commemorating Armistice Day and the end of World War I, it also marks Poland’s regaining of independence after 123 years of statelessness. On that day in 1918 the dream of generations of Poles was fulfilled: Poland was reborn on the map of Europe. The heroism and dedication of its soldiers, combined with a joint effort of the entire nation, made this moment possible. Yet it would not have occurred without the aid and support of our allies. Canada was among them.

In 1917 at Niagara-on-the-Lake Canadian authorities established a military facility called Camp Kościuszko, designed to train a Polish army-in-exile consisting of volunteers keen to fight for a free Poland during World War I. Over 22,000 Polish recruits, including 700 from Canada, trained at this site. They subsequently joined General Haller’s Blue Army alongside their Polish expatriates in France. This military contingent played an important role in securing Polish independence and in shaping the borders of a newborn state. The contribution of our Canadian friends is much appreciated and shall remain so in the collective memory of Poles and Polish diaspora.

The 100th anniversary of Poland’s victory in the Battle of Warsaw. Opposing the Red Tyranny

Marshall Józef Piłsudski succeeded in forming an alliance with Symon Petliura (1879-1926), President of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. Petliura sought to preserve an independent Ukrainian state and thus formed a political and military alliance with Poland in order to defend Ukraine against its eastern aggressor. Polish and Ukrainian forces launched an attack on Kyiv, which was finally freed from Bolshevik control in early May 1920 and subsequently returned to the legitimate Ukrainian government.

During those dramatic days of mid-August 1920, the Poles succeeded not only in stopping the Red Army’s advance on Warsaw, but also in regrouping their forces in preparation for a massive counter-offensive.

The Bolshevik Army in some crucial instances outnumbered the Poles four-to-one. On 15 August 1920, the feast day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Poles attacked on the left flank; a day later they began an attack on the right wing from the Wieprz line. The enemy was completely surprised and failed to mount any significant resistance. Referred to by later historians as ‘The Miracle on the Vistula’, the ‘Manoeuvre from Wieprz’ was an operational masterpiece prepared by Marshal Piłsudski and his Chief of Staff, General Tadeusz Jordan Rozwadowski.

The elite cavalry forces of the Red Army (Budyonny’s 1st Cavalry Army) were intercepted and defeated by their Polish counterparts at the Battle of Komarów near Zamość, one of the largest cavalry battles since the Battle of Leipzig (1813), and one of the last cavalry battles in history. Though Budyonny’s army managed to avoid encirclement, it suffered heavy losses and its morale plummeted.

Distinguished historian Norman Davies gives full credit to the Polish soldiers and military leaders of the Polish-Bolshevik War of 1920. In August of that year, the Red Army—sure of victory and pledged to carry the Revolution across Europe —was crushed by a devastating Polish counter-attack on the Red Army position just 15 km east of Warsaw.

Several British and American military historians have argued that the failure of the Red Army to destroy the Polish forces in 1920 decisively put an end to Bolshevik ambitions for an international revolution in Europe. The Miracle on the Vistula remains one of the most crucial conflicts of Western civilisation against Red tyranny.

The Battle of Britain, 303 Squadron and John Kent

In World War II the Polish-Canadian brotherhood in arms was further strengthened on several battlefields.

As the Battle of Britain wore on, the shortage of trained pilots became critical. To meet this need, Poles in exile were accepted into R.A.F. squadrons, and two Polish fighter units, nos. 302 and 303, were formed. Once committed to action, the Poles flew and fought superbly, shooting down 203 enemy aircraft with a loss of only 29 pilots. Czech Sergeant Josef Frantisek, also of Squadron 303, was the top-scoring pilot with 17 confirmed victories. No. 303 Squadron became the most successful Fighter Command unit in the battle, shooting down 126 German planes in only 42 days. Commanding the Polish R.A.F. Squadron 303 was Canadian Group Captain John Kent of Winnipeg, whom Poles affectionately called ‘Johnny Kentowski’.

ORP [Polish Naval Ship] Ślązak [Silesian] and the Dieppe Raid

On 19 August 1942, the Allies launched a major raid on the French coastal port of Dieppe. ‘Operation Jubilee’ was the first major engagement of the Canadian forces in the European theatre of the war, and was designed to test the Allies’ ability to launch amphibious assaults against Nazi forces in continental Europe.

There is important aspect of the Dieppe Raid that serves to illustrate the brotherhood in arms that existed between Canadian soldiers and Polish seamen. On 19 August 1942 the Polish Destroyer ORP Ślązak provided important support for Allied forces during the raid on the coastal city. It proved to be one of the most spectacular actions of Polish warships in the entire history of the war.

The commander of the ship, Captain Romuald Nałęcz-Tymiński, despite the fact that he lost four of his crew members and his ship was heavily damaged by German artillery, decided to disobey Royal Navy orders to stay back from shore, and in the process saved 85 Canadian soldiers by evacuating them from the roiling waters off Dieppe, many of them were members of the Royal Regiment of Canada. For his heroic behavior Captain Nałęcz-Tymiński was awarded Britain’s Distinguished Service Cross. He was hailed as a hero both in Canada and in his homeland of Poland.

The Battle of the Falaise Gap – General Stanisław Maczek and The 1st Canadian Army

Through the combined efforts of General Stanisław Maczek and the Commander- in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces General Władysław Sikorski, who was also the Prime Minister of the Polish government-in-exile, the 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade (originally formed in 1937) was reborn on 25 February 1942, this time as the 1st Polish Armoured Division under Maczek’s command. The division landed in Normandy on 1 August 1944, with 16,000 men and some 400 tanks.

On 5 August, Maczek’s troops were placed under the command of Lieutenant-General Guy Simonds of The II Canadian Corps with clear military objectives: to crush German resistance and reach Falaise. General Maczek and his men were now well prepared to take on the German foe. Following the Polish defeat in the September campaign of 1939, payback time had finally arrived for the anxious Poles.

The division was a component of Lieutenant-General Guy G. Simonds’ II Canadian Army Corps of the Canadian 1st Army, under Lieutenant-General Henry D.G. Crerar. On 14 August, Simonds’ II Corps began ‘Operation Tractable’, a renewed effort to take Falaise. The Polish 1st and the Canadian 4th Armoured Divisions were given the task of breaking through German lines in order to cut off enemy supply lines and road junctions.

Poles and the Canadians were fighting together on ‘Operation Totalize’ (7-10 August) and Tractable (14-16 August). On 17 August, the British Commander-in-Chief, General Bernard Law Montgomery, ordered the Canadian 4th and Polish 1st Armoured Divisions to advance through Trun and take Chambois.

On 18 August, elements of the Polish 1st Division linked up with Americans of the 90th Infantry Division (a unit of the Third U.S. Army under the command of General George S. Patton) and were able to capture the high ground on the path of the main German SS Panzer escape route. On 19 August 1944, the First Polish Armoured Division found itself ahead of the 1st Canadian Army as it was about to attempt its great thrust forward in order to close the Falaise Gap. By the end of the battle for Falaise, the German army in France had been decimated. Some of the German units that the Poles confronted were the same ones they had faced in 1939.

The German army in France never fully recovered from the losses it suffered at Falaise. And now, too, the road to Paris lay open to the Allies. For General Maczek and the men of his 1st Polish Armoured Division, the battles of Chambois and Hill 262 represented their greatest victory in the West and a long-overdue revenge against the Germans.

The battle had cost the Polish 1st Armoured Division 1,300 troops killed and almost 4,000 wounded. Although 30,000 to 40,000 Germans had managed to make their escape across their remaining crossing at St. Lambert before the Falaise salient had closed completely on 21 August, more than 10,000 Nazi soldiers had been killed and 50,000 were taken prisoner.

After the battle, Lieutenant-General Crerar, Commander-in-Chief of the 1st Canadian Army, sent the following telegram to General Maczek:

‘First Canadian Army is very proud because of the fact that Polish Armoured Division is a part of us. If in the future we all continue to fight as at the present time, the mutual celebration of final victory should not be much delayed.’

Soldiers of both countries collectively helped liberate the Netherlands and Belgium. Our troops shed their blood at the Battle of Monte Cassino. And Poles fondly remember the 26 pilots of the RCAF who perished over Poland while flying support missions, inter alia during the Warsaw Uprising.

Poland, Canada and NATO

Polish-Canadian partnership was not only forged on battlefields, but through political channels and important diplomatic initiatives. Canada’s support for Poland’s accession to NATO is a prime example. Poles and Polish diaspora do not forget that Canada was the first country to accept Poland as a full member of the Alliance.

This year, as we celebrate the 71st anniversary of the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, we also recall 21 years of Poland’s membership in NATO. International security remains the cornerstone of our bilateral and diplomatic relations.

We value Canada’s active political and military engagement in support of European security: Through both NATO’s current Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia (which is comprised of military personnel from Albania, Canada, Czech Republic, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain), and earlier, through deployment of Canadian troops in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, as part of NATO’s Operation Reassurance initiative. In Latvia current cooperation between our units, aimed at strengthening NATO’s eastern flank, is also exemplary and has yielded significant results in terms of the collective implementation of our forces. Moreover, Polish and Canadian soldiers work to strengthen NATO’s southern flank in Romania while simultaneously conducting joint NATO training and advisory missions in Iraq and Ukraine. Cooperation between the Polish and Canadian Armed Forces is remarkable and continues to develop through joint training activities involving our respective land forces.

Ceremonies to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II were hosted by Poland on 1 September 2019. Polish President Andrzej Duda, accompanied by the Governor General of Canada Julie Payette and 40 other heads of state and governments, paid tribute to the victims and heroes of this terrible conflict. The number of such prominent leaders in attendance was particularly significant given recent attempts to obscure and manipulate the reasons for the outbreak of war.

Conclusion

The stability of Polish democracy – one of the oldest in the world – derives to a large extent from Polish democratic, libertarian and parliamentary traditions that date back to the fifteenth century and the Jagiellonian dynasty.

Modern Poland, then, has only really enjoyed independence for just 31 years. Even so, since 1989 Poland has undergone serious structural changes which have given us free, democratic parliamentary and presidential elections, a new constitution, economic prosperity, memberships of NATO and the EU.

Poland and Canada have always stood – and shall remain standing – shoulder to shoulder with our allies and friends in defense of our borders, security, universal values, the rule of law, and human rights. W

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davidshawnsown · 7 years

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COMMEMORATIVE MESSAGE IN HONOR OF THE 16TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE TELEVISION PREMIERE OF BAND OF BROTHERS

Ladies and gentlemen, to all the people of the United States of America and Canada, to all our remaining living veterans of the Second World War of 1939-1945 and of all conflicts past and present and their families, to our veterans, active servicemen and women, reservists and families of the entire United States Armed Forces and the Canadian Armed Forces, and to all the uniformed military and civil security services of the Allied combatants of this conflict, to all the immediate families, relatives, children and grandchildren of the deceased veterans, fallen service personnel and wounded personnel of our military services and civil uniformed security and civil defense services, to all our workers, farmers and intellectuals, to our youth and personnel serving in youth uniformed and cadet organizations and all our athletes, coaches, judges, sports trainers and sports officials, and to all our sports fans, to all our workers of culture, music, traditional arts and the theatrical arts, radio, television, digital media and social media, cinema, heavy and light industry, agriculture, business, tourism and the press, and to all our people of the free world:

On this day in 1941, the controversial anti-Jewish laws were enacted in Slovakia clearing the way for a full blown attack against the Jewish communities in that country.

It was also on this day in 1944 when Bulgarian communists plus fellow supporters of the opposition to the Bulgarian fascist government, led by the Fatherland Front, overthrew it through a coup d’etat in Sofia.

And in 1991, Tajikistan broke away from the Soviet Union to become an independent republic.

Today marks the formal admission of California as a constituent member of the United States in 1850.

And ladies and gentlemen, today, we mark as one people the 16th year anniversary since the 2001 premiere of the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, based on the real stories of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR, 3rd BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), XVIII Airborne Corps, United States Army, during the Second World War in the European Theater of Operations, from their vanguard actions as part of their division from the Normandy airborne landings up to the assault on the Eagle’s Nest, all the way fighting in almost every battle of the war from 1944 to 1945 and written into a book by the late Stephen Ambrose. Today, only a few veterans are left of the once great company of 200 who served in the war, whose stories were retold on television and have now entered our culture of today, for these stories of bravery and courage in times of war have become part of our lives.

It was the first of what is now four series produced by HBO based on the stories of veterans of the United States Armed Forces – what we now know as the HBO War Series, with a fourth, Masters of the Air, coming soon to TV screens everywhere, preparing to join the ranks of this great franchise of dramas that honor the service of those who fought for their country in times of war. As we prepare for its premiere let us once more recall the vailiant men who have inspired these stories and honor them with our words and actions, especially those of the Second World War who are the inspiration behind Band of Brothers and The Pacific. These series have indeed honored the memory of those who fell in battle for the freedom and independenc e of our people and the future of our United States of America, and showed the world the true spirit of the fighting American soldier, defender of democracy and independence and a warrior determined to stand for the sake of his beloved people and country.

May this historic anniversary and the memory of these Band of Brothers of Easy Company remain forever in the memories of our generations of today and tomorrow!

And may the memory of all the heroes who have inspired these stories be remembered forever and preserved for the posterity and inheritance of our generations of today and tomorrow!

As the men of Easy Company would always say: WE STAND ALONE TOGETHER!

ETERNAL GLORY TO THE MLLIONS OF THE FALLEN AND THE HEROES AND VETERANS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN EUROPE AND THE PACIFIC FROM 1939-1945, WHOSE LEGACY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BY ALL THE GENERATIONS TO COME!

ETERNAL GLORY TO ALL THOSE WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR THE FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE OF OUR WORLD AGAINST FASCISM, NAZISM AND IMPERIALISM IN THE FIELDS OF BATTLE, THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS, AND IN THE HOME FRONT!

LONG LIVE THE VICTORIOUS MEN AND WOMEN IN THE SERVICE OF THE ALLIES OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN EUROPE, NORTHERN AFRICA AND THE ASIA-PACIFIC!

LONG LIVE ALL THE ALLIED MILITARY VETERANS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR!

LONG LIVE THE INVINCIBLE AND FOREVER VICTORIOUS PEOPLE OF THE FREE WORLD AND ALL OUR SERVING ACTIVE AND RESERVE SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN AND VETERANS OF THE ARMED SERVICES OF ALL THE COMBATANT ALLIED COUNTRIES THAT HELPED WIN THIS GREAT WAR AGAINST FASCISM, NAZISM AND IMPERIALISM, AS WELL AS ALL OUR ACTIVE AND RESERVE SERVICE PERSONNEL, CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AND VETERANS OF THE POLICE, FIREFIGHTING, FORESTRY, BORDER CONTROL, CUSTOMS AND RESCUE SERVICES AS WELL AS OUR YOUTH OF TODAY AND THE CHILDREN OF OUR TOMORROW WHO WILL CARRY ON THE LEGACY OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE THEM, ESPECIALLY TO THE MILLIONS OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO TOOK PART IN THIS GREAT WORLD WAR!

LONG LIVE THE VALORIOUS, INVINCIBLE AND LEGENDARY AMERICAN NATION, ITS EVER-VICTORIOUS PEOPLE, AND THE ACTIVE AND RESERVE SERVING MEN AND WOMEN IN SERVICE OF ITS ARMED FORCES!

LONG LIVE THE VETERANS OF THE UNIFORMED MILITARY AND CIVIL SECURITY AND DEFENSE SERVICES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

GLORY TO THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, GUARDIAN DEFENDERS OF OUR DEMOCRATIC WAY OF LIFE, OUR FREEDOM AND OUR LIBERTY AND GUARANTEE OF A FUTURE WORTHY OF OUR GENERATIONS TO COME!

And to the entire HBO War Fandom, especially the fans of Band of Brothers, who will celebrate for all time this historic anniversary of the beginning of such a series of programs that have always honored the memory of the men and women who fought for our United States of America:

LONG LIVE EASY COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 506TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 4TH BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM AND NOW 3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM, 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION (AIR ASSAULT), XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS, UNITED STATES ARMY… THE “BAND OF BROTHERS”!

CURRAHEE! AIR ASSAULT! ARMY STRONG!

MAY OUR ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS THESE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

1545h, September 9, 2017, the 241th year of the United States of America and the 150th of Canada, the 242nd year of the United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps, the 123rd of the International Olympic Committee, the 121st of the Olympic Games, the 76th since the beginning of the Second World War in the Eastern Front and in the Pacific Theater, the 72nd since the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and the victories in Europe and the Pacific, the 5th since the attacks on Benghazi, the 12th of Operation Red Wings, the 42nd of the TV program Battle of the Network Stars, the 70th of the United States Department of Defense and the United States Armed Forces and the 50th of the modern Canadian Armed Forces.

Semper Fortis

John Emmanuel Ramos

Makati City, Philippines

Grandson of the late Philippine Navy veteran PO2 Paterno Cueno, PN (Ret.)

(Requiem for a Soldier) (Honor by Hans Zimmer)

(Slavsya from Mikhail Glinka’s A Life for the Tsar)

(Victory Day by Lev Leshenko)

(Last Post) (Taps) (Rendering Honors)

#hbo war #band of brothers #easy company #hbo war fandom #the pacific #generation kill #masters of the air

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k2kid · 4 years

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Soldiers letters do not stand on their own. They impart small, discrete, often obscure, snippets of information that connect the writer with the people of his hometown, unit, and his social circle. They can often give clues that lead to a broader understanding of the writer and his experiences during his service. The letters also give the reader an insight into the activities of other soldiers, usually acquaintances, friends, and families This would particularly be the case for soldiers that grew up and enlisted in the rural areas of Canada, such as Bruce County.

Private Joseph Edgar McAfee, regimental number 651738[i] was from Glamis, Ontario, 15 kilometers from Paisely, Ontario. The Paisley Advocate covered the news locally and published, at least, two articles relating to the McAfee family. On October 16, 1918 it published a letter from this soldier to his mother where he relates the circumstances of his wounding.

Letters from the Soldiers

IN HOSPITAL IN WALES

Mrs. H. McAfee of Greenock, received the following letter recently from her son, Pte. Edgar McAfee:

Dear Folks–

Just a few lines to let you know of my whereabouts, and hoping you are fine and everything O.K. as it leaves me at present. This is the fourth hospital I have been in since I was wounded. Thinks this place is on the coast of the Irish Sea. What I have seen of the country appears to be very pretty.

Did you get the letter I wrote from the hospital in France? I was sorry I did not get to the hospital Bertha was in, but maybe I will get a chance again. I was sound asleep a week ago to-night about 12 o’clock when the nurse came and said, “Hi Canada, do you want to go to Blighty?” Imagine my surprise, as I thought I would be going back up the line in a day or two. So we took the train down to a seaport on the English Channel, got on the boat from there and came up through Chatham and the outskirts of London to a hospital in Cardiff city, stayed there in bed till yesterday and then came down here. I like this place fine. I am up now and able to get around well only I cannot wear my boot on my left foot yet. We get good rations here, lots of sleep and a free concert in the hospital every few nights given by the local town. And a couple of days ago a woman came around and gave me a kit from the Canadian Red Cross Society, consisting of writing material, shaving outfit and teeth cleaning powder.

The worst of is I will likely have to go back to the reserve at Witley, but its is a good rest anyway. I haven’t heard anything about the fellows around home fared out. N. McDermid got wounded in the leg.

Did I tell you how I got hit? Don’t believe I did. Well, every time we go in the line there are always so many left out of the machine gun courses, etc., and if they are going into battle these men have to act as stretcher-bearers. Well I was left out of the trip to the battle in front of Arras, but followed up and took in wounded. Everything went along O.K., was on the go practically all day and night. The second day I, along with three other chaps, was scouting over the previous day’s battle ground for any wounded, and there was a bunch of reinforcements passing us going into action, and all of an instant a German aeroplane swooped dow[n] and fired on us with a machine gun. I heard the bullets swish down and felt my toe sting, so beat it back and put my field dressing on, then went back to the ambulance and it was not time till I was miles away from the din of battle.

Our platoon sergeant was hit in the same way on the Amiens front, only he was in a trench. Let me know in your next letter if Jack Dobson is still living. I helped to carry him out of a shell hole. A dud shell had struck one of his legs. A dud is a defective shell that does not explode.

I have a few German souvenirs to send home. They are not much, but would be nice to keep.

Have you lots of wood cut for the winter? It’s one thing [for] certain, the war won’t last any more than a year, but I expect there will be a lot of hard fighting yet. It sure has been swaying our way lately. The German soldiers are getting very disheartened. If there had been lots of fight in them they sure would have got me in the Amiens battle.

Think that is all for now.

Paisley Advocate. October 16, 1918. Contributed by Jim Kelly.

Above: Paisley Advocate. October 16, 1918. Contributed by Jim Kelly.

The letter is full of details relating to the experience of McAfee’s wounding and from an examination of his service records we can correlate the events and people to which he relates with dates and locations.

Having enlisted with the 160th Bruce Battalion at Tiverton, Ontario on February 11, 1916, McAfee stayed with this battalion until it was used for reinforcing battalions in active service on the continent. Having arrived in England on October 17, 1916, it was not until March 28, 1918 that McAfee started his assignment with the 18th when he was shipped to France and passing through the Canadian Infantry Base Depot at Etaples to the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp he joined the 18th Battalion “in the field” on April 13, 1918.

The area of Telegraph Hill. It is due south of Tilloy-les-Mofflaines and half way distant to Neuville-Vitasse.

The activities of the Battalion had been terribly busy during the latter part of August 1918. It was operating at Telegraph Hill, south-east of Arras and the War Diary relates in some detail the activities on August 26, 1918.[ii] An attack began at 3:00 AM that day which met with mixed success, resulting in 10 men killed in action with 15 wounded.

The following day was not as active but resulted in 15 men killed with 150 wounded. The 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade (4th CIB) compresses their War Diary for the 3 days of August 26 to 28, 1918 into one brief entry, with the telling statement, “Starting at Zero hour followed a period of prolonged and most bitter fighting for three days, which continued until the Brigade was relieved…”[iii] This entry gives some idea of the tenor of the combat the units of the Brigade was experiencing. The War Diary states that from August 26 to 31, 1918, the total casualties incurred by the Brigade were 11 officers and 146 ranks killed and 50 offices and 999 other ranks wounded.[iv]

On August 27, 1918 McAfee is wounded. As he went over the rear area of the battlefield he is attacked by a German Air Force fighter. He offers specific details showing how the German Air Force was used tactically to interdict troops on the ground. It was, perhaps, attracted by the large group of reinforcements moving up into action on the line and McAfee becomes a victim of its efforts to kill and wound the troops on the ground. It succeeded in wounding Private McAfee’s left foot hitting, luckily, the flesh and not the bone. The 4th CIB War Diary expressly relates on how the use of enemy aircraft was used to interdict the ground forces at this time stating, “The enemy aircraft [was] active at times, and hindered the advance or our Supports by Machine Gun fire and the use of light bombs.”[v]

This wound begins the process of casualty evacuation beginning with McAfee putting, “…my field dressing on, then went back to the ambulance and it was not time till I was miles away from the din of battle.” His initial medical treatment occurred at the 4th Canadian Field Ambulance. From there he is transferred on August 28, 1918, to No. 18 General Hospital, Camiers, France, and by the August 31, 1918, he is being treated at the 3rd Western General Hospital at Cardiff, Wales. On September 27, 1918, he is transferred to Woodcote Park Military Convalescent Hospital at Epsom.[vi]

He relates some of the details of his treatment and care and expresses that, “The worst of is I will likely have to go back to the reserve at Witley, but its is a good rest anyway.” Witley Camp was used for reconstituting and the convalescence of soldiers in preparation of a return to fighting. This camp had an organization that assessed the medical status of a soldier and, depending on the severity or nature of the wound or illness, a soldier’s classification may result in a return to Canada for discharge. From McAfee’s tone it sounds like he wants to return to active service.

His letter relates some of the news of the soldiers he served with. Private Neil McDermid[vii] was also from Glamis, Ontario and had enlisted with the 160th Battalion and enlisted in March 1916. They were both the same age at the time of enlistment (21-years) so they probably knew each other well. He was wounded on the same day as McAfee, suffering a gunshot wound to the right leg and hand. Though McDermid would survive the war and be discharged on May 31, 1919, he died of heart failure on September 8, 1919 at the age of 25-years.

Above: Farm Record Card of death of McDermid and news clipping about his death. Source: Walkerton Telepscope. September 18, 1919. Contributed by Jim Kelly.

He also mentions John (Jack) Dobson[viii]. This soldier was also wounded August 26, 1918, in unusual circumstances. It appears he was hit by an unexploded shell, which shattered his leg. Dobson apparently effected his own amputation in the field, and it is not clear if this occurred before or after McAfee rendered aid to his comrade. Dobson, also, was a member of the 160th Battalion. He had enlisted in January 1916 at Chesley, Ontario. He was 25-years old at enlistment, but these men may have served in the same company or platoon and became familiar with each other.

Above: Photograph of Dobson, John: Service no. 651436 (Military Medal) and clipping relating to his wounding. Source: Hopkins, J. (1919). Canada at War: A Record of Heroism and Achievement 1914-1918. 1st ed. Toronto: The Canadian Annual Review Limited, p.386.

One wonders what McAfee felt when he found his comrade with his shattered leg, harmed by the passage of a large, heavy, rapidly moving projectile, and not from the effects of an explosion. This type of wounding may have been rare, but not unheard of.

McAfee ends the letter relating that he has a “few German souvenirs” and that, in his estimation, the collection does not amount to much. Given the letter is written in the fall, he is looking to winter and wonders after how the wood supply is like at his home. Finishing off with a prediction of the outcome of the war, he reflects that is the German army had higher morale he would not have survived combat, a bit of an unusual correlation to make, but perhaps a bit of reassurance and bravado to buck up the spirits of his parents to offset the news of his wounding.

This letter gives details that reinforce the idea of community and connection. All three men in the letter, the author and the men mentioned, were from the same area of Bruce County and had been further connect by their initial service and training with the 160th Battalion. Their connection extended into active service together with the 18th Battalion CEF in France. Their connection was further cemented by their wounding occurring close at had on August 26 for Dobson and August 27 for McDermid and McAfee. They were connected by three distinct characteristics and with McDermid and McAfee being from the same rural town their connection was probably closer, perhaps friends. Regrettably, McAfee’s letter does not give any intimation or details as to the nature of his relationship with McDermid.

The letter illustrates the speed and efficiency of the Imperial medical services with McAfee in England approximately 4-days after his wounding. It also illustrates the secondary support of organizations, such as the Red Cross, with it giving him items of comfort and value so he can be comfortable and communicate with his family and friends.

Even after his and his comrades wounding, McAfee is eager to go back and fight again, apparently afraid of the delay a visit to Witley Camp would cause. As he notes at the end of the letter, “It’s one thing [for] certain, the war won’t last any more than a year, but I expect there will be a lot of hard fighting yet.” He may be worried he will not make back into the line to assist his comrades when they are wounded or as a combat soldier.

The McAfee family, however, must have been highly relieved. The had already lost one son, their eldest, Private John McAfee, was killed in action at Hill 70 on August 15, 1917 while serving with the 2nd Canadian Machine Gun Company. Having lost one son to the war, they must have been thankful to hear such news from their other son. McAfee’s letter gives them the information they need to be reassured and gives us a glance at the life and experience of one man from a small town in Ontario.

[i] Library and Archives Canada. RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 6562 – 43. Item Number:143532.Accessed August 15, 2020.

[ii] August 26, 1918 18th Battalion War Diary Entry: At 3:00 a.m. following intense 5 min. barrage Bn. jumped off TILOY [sic] TRENCH in front of TELEGRAPH HILL in support of 21st Cdn. Bn. The artillery preparation was good. Owing to getting lost in the darkness, the tanks detailed to go over with the Bn. failed to turn up per schedule, so the Unit was without their assistance in the initial kick-off.MINORCA TRENCH, a difficult nut to crack, was set as the first objective, and SOUTHERN AVENUE TRENCH as the second objective. Both positions were won by 8.00 a.m. “D” Coy. holding the last named defence line in conjunction with the 21st Cdn. Bn. “A” Coy. remained in GORDON TRENCH, and “B” Coy at the first objective, MINORCA TRENCH.

Up to this time the casualties had been far smaller than anticipated, although Lieut. McHardy had gone only a short distance from the Assault trench when he sustained mortal shrapnel wounds.

The German resistance had been slight but at this point was considerably strengthened. At 1. o’clock, the Bn. was ordered to capture the village of GUIMAPPE. Personal reconnaissances in broad daylight and under sever fire by Major C.M.R. Graham and Capt. D.A.G. Parsons, M.C., O.Cs respectively for “D” and “C” Coys. were first conducted. Waiting until artillery support, inadequate as it was to meet the situation, had been obtained, “C” & “D” Coys at 4.00 p.m. advanced and captured the ruined town. Casualties in the face of both terrific machine gun and artillery barrages laid down by the enemy were fairly heavy.

Lieut. Brackin [sic], who had done brilliant work up to this moment, was instantly killed by a shell and Capt. Parsons and Lieut. Edwards sustained wounds that resulted in their immediate evacuation.

Resultant of the progress, “C” and “D” Coys occupied and consolidated STAG TRENCH, and “A” and “B” Coys moved forward to RAKE AND GORDON TRENCHES respectively. At. 11 p.m. “A” Coy under the fine leadership of Lieut. Spence, went forward, despite most stubborn opposition, and captured CALVARY TRENCH. Unfortunately, the achievement went for naught, as the Unit on their immediate left was held up and the Coy. at 3.00 a.m., 27th, after 4 hours of desperate fighting was compelled to withdraw temporarily to RAKE TRENCH. Approx. all ranks 10 killed & 15 wounded. 1 O.R. ret. from leave & 1 O.R. on leave. 2 O.Rs ret. from army rest camp.

[iii] 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade’ diary entry for August 1918 War Diary, p. 15.

[iv] 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade’ diary entry for August 1918 War Diary, p. 16.

[v] 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade’ diary entry for August 1918 Appendix 31, p. 5.

[vi] McAfee must have written the letter before his transfer to Epsom, though, but the time of its publishing, he was in Epsom, south of London, England.

[vii] Library and Archives Canada. RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 6690 – 30. Item Number: 143206.

[viii] Library and Archives Canada. RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 2553 – 36. Item Number: 357483.

Soldiers letters do not stand on their own. They impart small, discrete, often obscure, snippets of information that connect the writer with the people of his hometown, unit, and his social circle.

#160th Battalion #4th Canadian Infantry Brigade #Arras #Chesely Ontario #family #German Air Force #Glamis Ontario #interdiction #Paisley Advocate #Paisley Ontario #TELEGRAPH HILL #Tiverton Ontario #Witley Camp

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cyberbullyingreport · 4 years

Text

Fake Sgt. Harry Mangum and Florida Engineering Group Emails

Overseas scammers claiming to be a member of the U.S. Army stationed in Afghanistan have been spamming me lately with a classic dead Nigerian prince type message. The trick is to find someone dumb enough to believe them and send them their banking info for transfer at which point their account gets cleaned out. This particular message claims to be from an email address at feg-inc.us which belongs to a company called Florida Engineering Group. The IP address was based in Germany. That IP was 144.76.149.18. THE MESSAGE READS: Hello, Good day and compliments, I know this letter will definitely come to you as a surprise, but I implore you to take the time to go through it carefully as the decision you make will go off a long way to determine my future and continued existence. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Sgt Harry Mangum, in 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division here that Patrols the Helmand Province, Afghanistan. I am desperately in need of assistance and I have summoned up courage to contact you. I am presently in Afghanistan and I found your contact particulars in an address journal. I am seeking your assistance to evacuate the sum of $26m (Twenty Six Million United States Dollars) to you, as far as I can be assured that it will be safe in your care until I complete my service here. This is no stolen money and there are no dangers involved. SOURCE OF MONEY: Some money in US DOLLARS was discovered and concealed in barrels at a location in Helman Province when we conducted a foot patrol and it was agreed by all party present that the money be shared among us.This might appear as an illegal thing to do but I tell you what? No compensation can make up for the risks we have taken with our lives in this hellhole. The above figure was given to me as my share and to conceal this kind of money became a problem for me, so with the help of a Canadian contact working with the UN here (his office enjoys some immunity) I was able to get the package out to a safe location entirely out of trouble spot. He does not know the real contents of the package as he believes that it belongs to an American who died in an air raid, who before giving up trusted me to hand over the package to his close relative. I have now found a secured way of getting the package out of Afghanistan for you to pick up. I do not know how long I will remain here, as I have been lucky to survive 2 suicide bomb attacks by Pure Divine intervention. This and other reasons put into consideration have prompted me to reach out for help. If it might be of interest to you then Endeavour to contact me immediately and we would work out the necessary formalities but I pray that you are discreet about this mutually benefiting relationship. I promise to give you 40% of the total sum as your own share and 60% for me. I hope I am been fair on this deal, The only telephone access we have here is radio message which is for our general use and is being monitored; therefore all communication will be via email till we finish our assignment. Please keep it to yourself even if you are not interested. Respectfully, Sgt Harry Mangum, United States Soldier:Afghanistan #spam #scam #fraud #harrymangum #floridaengineeringgroup http://dlvr.it/RKcLlp

#Cyberbullying #CyberStalking #Impersonation #Cologne #Germany

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ww1revisited · 5 years

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Courcelette is a village some 10 kilometres north-east of the town of Albert, just off the D929 road to Bapaume. Courcelette British Cemetery, signposted in the village, is approximately 1 kilometre west of the village on the south side of a track (suitable for cars) from the secondary road from Courcelette to Pozieres.

Courcelette British Cemetery

The commune and the village of Courcelette were the scene of very heavy fighting in September 1916. On the 15th September 1916, the village was included in the extreme left of the Allied attack and was taken by the 2nd Canadian Division supported by tanks, with the 4th and 6th Brigades storming the outer trenches and the sugar factory, and the 5th Brigade seizing the village. It was destroyed by German artillery after its capture and remained very close to the front line until the German retreat in the following spring. The cemetery was begun in November 1916 (as Mouquet Road or Sunken Road Cemetery), and used until March 1917. The original 74 burials are now parts of Plot I, Rows A to F. On 25 March 1918, Courcelette passed into German hands, but was retaken on 24th August 1918.

Courcelette British Cemetery

The cemetery was greatly enlarged after the Armistice when almost 2,000 graves were brought in, mostly those of men who died around Courcelette and Pozieres in 1916. There are now 1,970 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 1,180 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to nine casualties five believed to be buried among them.

Courcelette British Cemetery

The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

Courcelette British Cemetery

Number of Burials by Unit

Canadian burials

398

Australian burials

215

Royal Field Artillery

Royal Fusiliers

King’s Royal Rifle Corps

Dorsetshire Regiment

Northumberland Fusiliers

South Staffordshire Regiment

Cheshire Regiment

Royal Berkshire Regiment

Lancashire Fusiliers

Royal Engineers

King’s Liverpool Regiment

Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Manchester Regiment

Norfolk Regiment

Northamptonshire Regiment

Machine Gun Corps

Middlesex Regiment

Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

East Surrey Regiment

East Yorkshire Regiment

Essex Regiment

Gordon Highlanders

Royal Scots – Lothian Regiment

Royal Sussex Regiment

Royal West Kent Regiment

Suffolk Regiment

Bedfordshire Regiment

Black Watch

Border Regiment

Queen’s – Royal West Surrey Regiment

Royal Army Medical Corps

Royal Irish Fusiliers

Royal Irish Rifles

Identified burials

788

Unidentified burials

1177

Total burials

1965

Silent Cities on WW1 Revisited website: Courcelette British Cemetery #Somme #WW1 Courcelette is a village some 10 kilometres north-east of the town of Albert, just off the D929 road to Bapaume.

#1916 #Courcelette #CWGC #First World War #Great War #Silent Cities #Somme #WW1 #WW1 Battlefields #WW1 Revisited

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itsiotrecords-blog · 7 years

Link

http://ift.tt/2tzii0V

Militaries names their operations some pretty weird names — would you have guessed that Operation Viking Snatch was intended to stop weapon smuggling? The idea of naming military operations has been around for less than a hundred years. It began with Germany in World War I, and the idea of giving secretive names to operations that could be used over radio communication took off. There’s no set recipe as to how operations are named, and that can lead to strange names like…

#1 Operation Beastmaster This operation sounds like something straight out of the ’80s, but you won’t be seeing Marc Singer here. Back in 2006, the United States military needed to clear what they nicknamed “IED Alley East.” Serviceman from the 6th Iraqi Army Division, 1 st Brigade and 4th Battalion were sent into a suburb in Ghazaliya, Baghdad to clear three neighborhoods. Sunni insurgents were trying to force out the large numbers of Shia civilians living in northern and eastern Baghdad. Before the operation even got off the ground several soldiers took over security in Ghazaliya weeks before the sweep. Operation Beastmaster was a success and over a three-day period the army arrested an important target and found stockpiles of weapons and pieces of roadside bomb making equipment.

#2 Operation Deliverance This Deliverance had nothing to do with Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty or Jon Voight, but was carried out in 1993 by Canadian Forces. Their mission was a peacekeeping operation in Somalia and part of the United Nations mission there. On December 3rd, 1992 Canada sent almost 1500 troops, a helicopter division and the HMCS Preserver, a supply ship, to Somalia. By May this had turned into a political disaster called the Somalia Affair, which lead to marches and protests in Somalia, Kenya, and North America after a Somali teenager was beaten to death by Canadian soldiers. It led to the 1995 disbandment of the Canadian Airborne Regiment and the resignation and dismissal of several officials in the chain of command. Even though most of the mission was a failure, it did free a captured Canadian journalist and took down Somali warlord Mohamed Tiger I. Barre.

#3 Operation Nickel Grass Although it sounds like an operation to take advantage of the marijuana laws in Colorado, Operation Nickel Grass was really an American operation to airlift supplies to Israel. On October 6th, 1973 forces from Egypt and Syria attacked Israel. Known as the Yom Kippur War, the Soviet Union started to airlift supplies to Egyptian and Syrian forces while Jordan and Iraq also sent aid. Facing an Arab oil embargo, President Nixon ordered the launch of the operation to support the Israelis. The next day the first military airlift arrived at the Lod Airport with almost a hundred tons of ammunition. Over the month long operation almost six hundred missions were flown to deliver equipment to Israel. The last mission took place on November 14th, with the operation giving Israel much needed military relief.

#4 Operation Rainbow Operation Rainbow sounds like a happy operation to bring peace to a country that has been though a lot, but between May 12th and 18th 2004 over a hundred Palestinian civilians and fighters were killed. It was the largest offensive in Gaza since the late sixties, and its goal was to stop rocket attacks and find tunnels used to smuggle weapons into the Gaza Strip from Egypt. The operation was launched after thirteen Israeli soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack in Zeitoun and Rafah. The Israel Defense Forces found and disabled three tunnels, arrested wanted terrorists and secured the borders of Gaza to keep out weapons. The military considered the operation a success, but civilian causalities made it controversial.

#5 Operation Thundercat This was not an operation to rebuild Thundra, but we’re sure Jaga would have approved if that were the plan. At the end of July 2005, solders from the 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and the Iraqi Army 1st and 3rd Brigade 6th division conducted a series of missions to disrupt insurgents. This operation was primarily a mission for the Iraqi Army to gather intelligence and capture and detain opposing forces, but the United States did provide them with assistance and added firepower. The operation captured almost two hundred insurgents, and also captured a computer network used by the insurgents to plan and execute missions.

#6 Operation Exercise Unified Spirit This isn’t an operation to get you excited about your team winning the big game, but a training exercise for NATO held on a regular basis. Starting in 1998 in the Canadian province of Newfoundland, it focused on helicopter and surface attacks against land forces. In 2000 over thirty thousand NATO troops completed Exercise Unified Spirit and Joint Task Force Exercise. That year it took place in the waters of the Caribbean and off the east coast of the United States. This operation is held to train forces to plan and conduct NATO led peacekeeping missions, regardless of what country they’re called to in the future.

#7 Operation Woodshed As much as we would have liked Ron Swanson to be a part of Operation Woodshed, he was not part of the mission to capture and kill Iraqi insurgents in July of 2007. Iraqi forces and their allies coordinated an air strike on Samood Village. On July 26 th they killed eleven insurgents and captured 13 people suspected of terrorism.

#8 Operation Beaver Cage Operation Beaver Cage was an operation carried out in North Vietnam during 1966 through 1967. The United States Navy and Marines had a joint operation on the coast of Ben Hai River in Quang Nam. The goal was to search for rat tunnels that led to the river. The tunnels were suspected to have been built by a North Vietnam division led by Pham Ngoc Thao. These tunnels were used to move supplies and launch surprise attacks. Operation Beaver Cage’s purpose was to push the Vietnamese out of the tunnels to a location where they could be taken prisoner. Over eighteen tunnels were destroyed and a number of prisoners were captured in 10 different locations, while guns, ammo and grenades were seized. 40 Viet Cong soldiers were also killed and, despite seven American deaths, the operation was considered a success.

#9 Operation Focus Although the name is vague on the details of their focus, Operation Focus was an airstrike initiated by Israel in 1967 that started the Six Day War. On June 5th, Israeli Air Forces led by Major General Mordechai Hod were ordered to attack the Egyptian Air Force. By lunchtime four hundred and fifty aircraft from Egypt, Jordan and Syria were destroyed. Eighteen airfields in Egypt were also disabled, making this operation one of the most successful air strikes in history.

#10 Operation Grizzly Forced Entry While the name brings to mind a grizzly bear forcing its way into a home, the forced entries were being done by American soldiers in Iraq in August 2004 as they searched homes for high value targets. The goal of this counterinsurgency raid was to find insurgents suspected of attacking coalition forces in the city of Najaf, a smaller city south of Baghdad that’s a major destination for pilgrims.

Source: TopTenz

#IoTRecords

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