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Preparing for Italy

Mr. McLean, now in Iran, has spent time becoming familiar with the engine room of his new vessel. He's soon on his way to a new assignment.

A Change of Location

Back in Tunisia, the crews of the landing crafts wait for their next assignment. Mr. McLean is anxious to be doing something constructive and offers his services elsewhere.

The Sicily Landing

It's July, 1943 and the flotilla of landing craft is on the move expecting to see action soon, but not sure where. They were soon on their way to Sicily with each landing craft carrying 150 soldiers to the beach.

A Gruesome Job for a Youngster

At anchor at a Tunisian port, a German Air Force bombing run takes a tragic toll on a nearby tank landing craft, killing everyone on board. Mr. McLean led a group of men from his vessel in the clean-up of the bodies and body parts.

Across the Atlantic and the First Fatality

The convoy of landing craft leaves Norfolk, Virginia. An early fatality awaits the vessels on the other side of the Atlantic.

Training and First Posting To Landing Craft

After basic training in British Columbia and more advanced instruction in Toronto and Halifax, Mr. McLean, with a group of about 30 others, headed for Detroit, Michigan in the Fall of 1942 for some special training. The training equipped them for their first posting aboard landing craft.

The War Begins - Too Young To Enlist

Mr. McLean talks about his reaction when Canada declared war on Germany in September, 1939. He goes on to talk about enlisting in the Royal Canadian Navy shortly after his 16th birthday, lying about his age to do so.

Remembrance and the Younger Generation

Mr. MacDougall is asked if it was worth it and would he do it again.

Trench Warfare

Mr. MacDougall talks about the close fighting in the trenches, the morale of the men, the Hitler Youth and the final few days.

First Attacks and the Battle of the Scheldt

Mr. MacDougall remembers the first attacks that he was involved in and the lasting friendships that were developed on the front lines. He explains the role that the Calgary Highlanders played in the Battle of the Scheldt and recalls the Germans flooding the dikes at the Port of Antwerp. He recalls the terrible living conditions and how poor the Dutch people were during those years.

Victory in Holland

Mr. Durant speaks of the fall of the last German stronghold in Apeldoorn, Holland, and the celebrations that followed.

The Sounds of Fear

Mr. Durant describes the fear that haunted all soldiers and wonders how they ever survived.

Date modified:: 2019-02-19