111 results returned
within occupation Machine Gunner
The Haystack Sniper
Mr. Champoux describes how, after finding a rare treat in a windmill, he and his comrades were the victims of sniper fire.
A Three Day Battle in Holland
Mr. Champoux describes how, after the Winnipeg Riffles lost a lot of their men (on what seemed to be an island but was actually just across a wide river), the Canadian Army decided to send troops by water to encircle the Germans.
An Unexpected Feast Near Calais
Mr. Champoux describes what happened when he was on night patrol on a farm near Calais and caught a civilian stealing their jerry cans of fuel for his tractor.
Converting a Tank Into a Flame Thrower
Mr. Champoux describes how the allies transformed what he considered to be a useless tank (the Churchill) into an efficient flame thrower and shape charge delivery system. The flame thrower was used to penetrate German Pill Boxes that were firing on Dover from Calais.
The Bombing of Calais
Mr. Champoux describes the Allied bombing of Calais. It was necessary to oust the Germans because they had taken the city and refused to give it up.
A Real Treat - Ice Cream
Mr. Champoux describes going to Belgium to get ice cream - a real treat. They got extra and shared it with their comrades.
Polish Division
Mr. Champoux describes the Polish Division - soldiers who managed to get out of Poland and who fought fiercely against the Germans because their families were at still home in Poland.
Destruction on the Falaise Gap
Mr. Champoux continues to describe the destruction on the road of the Falaise Gap. Many German soldiers were taken prisoner at this time and Allied soldiers were betting “Invasion Money” on how many prisoners they could capture.
Falaise Gap
Mr. Champoux describes how the Germans were attempting to escape. He also describes the destruction on the road of the Falaise Gap.
Mines in the English Channel
Mr. Champoux describes the mines he experienced in the English Channel as he was going over to the D-Day landing. He also describes how the Navy cleared a path to the Beach for them.
Crossing of the English Channel
Mr. Champoux describes the crossing of the English Channel on the way to France as part of the D-Day invasion. Due to rough seas, one of the moorings on the Bren guns broke.
Training After “The Raid” and Before D- Day
Mr. Champoux talks about their special training in Wales and Scotland after the raid to the Russian front. He also talks about how the type of training they were undergoing led them all to believe that something big was about to happen (D Day).