We saw the first shell from the big German railroad gun as it came toward us tumbling in the air and sounding like a train going through a tunnel. I like many others dove for any hole we could find. At the time I found it funny that I and so many men had been afraid of a noise that was harmless to us.
A short while later, I saw the jeeps flying the Red Cross's and bringing back the wounded. I was to learn, if one wished to survive this war, one had to learn and understand the many sounds made by both the enemy and our side.
We were to learn some noises the hard way. As our regiment settled near Basse and as the companies were digging in, a salvo of mortar rounds landed in the B Coy area setting the Coy carrier on fire and wounding Pte. Turner, while Maj. Monk, Pte. Armstrong and CSM Fraser went to give aid to Tuner, another salvo caught them all above ground wounding Pte. Armstrong and several others in the Coy including Pte. Bougner, Tompkins and Lieut....., in this gallant effort.
Bravery in a case like this does not always pay off. It is hard not to help one of your comrades, but it is not wise to always do so as most barrages of artillery and motor fire very seldom last more than five or six minutes.
Sgt. George Caya, (M.M.) and the men of 7 Platoon, "A" Company, Algonquin Regiment. Being carried to action on Sherman Tanks in Germany, January 25th, 1945, by the South Alberta Regiment.
"The Warpath Days as Seen by Sgt. G. L. Caya, M.M. "- $29.95 Cdn. + shipping & handling
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
