Veterans Affairs Canada
www.vac-acc.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Institutional links
VAC
Canada Remembers
- Remembrance Resources
- Anniversaries and Features
- History
- Records & Collections
- Memorials
- Heroes Remember
- Experience Vimy
- The Canadian Virtual War Memorial
- The Books of Remembrance
- Community Engagement Partnership Fund
- Cenotaph/ Monument Restoration Program
- Medals and Decorations
- Links
VA Portfolio
Stay Informed
Get Connected
RSS Feeds
Facebook
YouTubeAccountability
Heroes Remember
Italian
- Wounded in Action
- Smokey was injured by a piece of shrapnel near Mt. Etna. He speaks about being injured and returning to action.
- Shoe Mines and S-Mines
- When the German’s were retreating from a position the only thing they left behind were mines. Smokey tells us about two types of mines they used.
- Mouse Holing
- Smokey talks about the procedure of "Mouse Holing" used in the Battle of Ortona.
- Winter in Italy
- Smokey describes some of the conditions they faced during the winter of ‘44.
- Taking Prisoners
- Smokey tells us about patrolling for and taking prisoners in the winter of ‘44.
- "Green" Reinforcements
- "Green" soldiers were soldiers that hadn't seen battle. Smokey talks about losing all his men in a battle at Pontecorvo.
- Winning Victoria Cross
- Mr. Smith describes the encounter with German troops across the Savio River in Italy for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He goes on to tell of receiving his medal from King George VI in his private apartment at Buckingham Palace. The video concludes as he speaks about his return to Vancouver and the hero's reception he received.
- Too Young to Die
- Mr McCrindle describes the loss of a young 16 year old man where Mr. McCrindle's troops were being billeted. This broke his heart and he disobeyed orders by helping the family get a coffin for the boy.
- Ortona
- Mr. Dowie describes a tactical system they learned while in Ortona which was called "mouse-holing".
- Fighting in Ortona
- Mr. Dowie describes knocking down a church on Christmas Day in 1943 and then holding a reconciliation supper with the 1st German Parachute Division in 1998 at that same church.
- Guarding a Tank in No Man's Land
- Mr. Dowie describes guarding a tank for three days in No Man's Land.
- Entering Rome
- Mr. Dowie describes being under constant fire for 282 days in Italy and then entering Rome.
- Tanks in Italy
- Mr. Dowie describes Italy through the eyes of a tank driver and the impact of D-Day on the Italian Campaign. They were called D-Day Dodgers.
- The Bombing of Monte Cassino
- Mr. Godden describes the Allied bombing of the Germans at Monte Cassino where hundreds of Allied bombers atacked the Germans, but could not break their position.
- From Italy to France
- Mr. Durant talks about many of his Italian missions and battles. Also, about his involvement in the Devil's Brigade.
- The Sounds of Fear
- Mr. Durant describes the fear that haunted all soldiers and wonders how they ever survived.
- Victory in Holland
- Mr. Durant speaks of the fall of the last German stronghold in Apeldoorn, Holland, and the celebrations that followed.
- Leaving Camp
- Mr. Robitaille talks about being with the Royal Canadian Regiment at the Valcartier camp.
- Darkness Comes Early (Part 1 of 3)
- Mr. Robitaille tells the story of his reconnaissance mission at Santa Maria.
- Darkness Comes Early (Part 2 of 3)
- Mr. Robitaille tells the story of his reconnaissance mission at Santa Maria.
