Equipment from the Second World War

Heroes Remember

Equipment from the Second World War

Transcript

We knew that the equipment that we were training people on, well, it was the equipment we used. It was WWII stuff which was, some of it was really just upgraded WWI. As we sent troops off to stage through Fort Lewis and then on to Korea and even when we went ourselves, what were we issued? Gas masks. The steel helmet that was referred to irreverently as the “piss pot” (because that’s what it looked like), the great coat—all stuff that came out of WWII. A bolt action Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk 1* with a bayonet that you couldn’t cut cheese with because it was a spike so, and the Sten gun that was notorious for falling apart. The Bren gun was great and as I subsequently found out in Korea, it was a very useful weapon still. But we sent our guys off ready to do battle in Europe— not in the hills in Korea. Boots with hobnails and steel on them to run up and down hills, fatigue shoes that came out of another era made out of canvas with a bit of leather on the toe. Really wretched stuff when you think of it.

Description

Mr. Dixon describes the equipment issued to soldiers during the Korean War, and explains that much of the equipment was the same as what was used during the Second World War.

Graham Dixon

Mr. Dixon was born January 21, 1931, in Montreal, Quebec. During his early childhood years his father passed away, leaving his mother to raise him in downtown Montreal. At the age of 17, Mr. Dixon joined the army and became a member of the Royal 22nd Regiment. Having a strong aspiration to become an officer, he put himself through the ranks learning to speak French and throughout his service, moved up the line from Lance Corporal to Sergeant and then Officer. During active service in Korea, Mr. Dixon held the position of Platoon Commander. When the Korean War ended, Mr. Dixon continued with the Regular Forces under NATO in Germany. In 1958, Mr. Dixon retired from military service.

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