Mr. Sommerville speaks about a time his crew drove over a mine, inflicting wounds to his fellow crewman and recalls his sheer luck in escaping injury.
Building Bridges Across the Orne River
Moving into France, Mr. Sommerville describes building bridges so that the fighting could continue.
A Tradesman During Wartime
Mr. Sommerville describes the unique role he played in working with concrete; building roads and structures for the units to which they were affiliated.
War is Not a Picnic
Killing people is not easy, especially when you are up close and personal with the enemy.
The Dumbest Guy in the World
Mr. Ryan survives the firing squad once again, after being charged with sabotage, by playing the simpleton.
Are All Canadian Soldiers Farmers?
Registering as a farmer while a prisoner of war meant having a slightly easier time.
Prison Camp’s Open Door Policy
Building and using escape tunnels is quite a process and was only used by those with important information.
Changed to Chains
The initial reprisals of three months in ropes turned to a year and three months in chains.
Roped for Reprisals
When German military found some of their own, hand bound and executed on the shores of Dieppe, they decided to bind the prisoners.
The “Dieppe Murderers”
Mr. Ryan paints a picture of the conditions of the prison camp he was taken to.
German Directives Leave Canadian Commandos Alive
A technicality lets the Canadian commandos escape the firing squad upon their capture.
Crafts with Cordite
“Down time” leads to dangerous “fun time” at base camp.