Might Be Accused of Being a Quitter
Heroes Remember
Might Be Accused of Being a Quitter
Transcript
Description
Mr. Gilday talks about battle fatigue, and how he suffered from it.
Tom Gilday
In Ottawa he ended up volunteering for parachuting and hazardous duties. He then was part of a group that became the first Special Force; half Canadian and half American. He was then appointed as Battalion Commander. His crew fought and took over many mountain ranges that the Germans were protecting. They attacked at night and painted their faces black, they were known to the Germans as the ‘Devil's Brigade'. After being on the line for eight months during the Italian Campaign it was decided he would run a Recruit Training School. He then opened and ran the first Canadian Army Leave Transit Camp in Oyster Work. The camp was later moved to a larger camp in Nijmegen. In 1945 Mr Gilday was appointed General Staff Officer and placed in charge of the city of Amsterdam. He stayed there for six months and then returned home.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 01:21
- Person Interviewed:
- Tom Gilday
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Location/Theatre:
- Northwest Europe
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- 1st Special Service Force
- Occupation:
- Battallion Commander
Related Videos
Surprise Attack
Mr. Gilday talks about one of the FSSF's most famous missions, the assault on Monte La Difensa in Italy, south of Cassino.
A Ghostly Fight
Mr. Gilday talks about the battle on the top of the mountain, the FSSF's first time in battle.
The Mind Is A Funny Thing
All the training in the world doesn't prepare you for the real thing, and how the mind will tuck away some of the bad experiences one encounters.
Black Devils, ‘There's More to Come
Mr. Gilday talks about some of their activities while holding the line at the Anzio beachhead.
That’s War
Mr. Gilday talks about casualties in the field and how one handles it.
Society of Our Own
Mr Gilday talks about the work he was doing, and then coming home. He goes on to talk about the connection he feels with others who served in the war.
We’re Still Looking After Each Other
Mr. Gilday talks about the lifelong bond he feels with his men and how they watch out for one anther.
- Date modified: