Take no prisoners

Black and white images of building ruins

We went to Arras first and through the Canal du Nord, and then

Soldiers walk through a dry canal

through the Hindenburg Line. The 46th reinforced and the

Blimps in the air over soldiers and military vehicles

Hindenburg Line was taken ahead of us and we went up behind and

A soldier flying in hot air balloon

went through the Hindenburg Line. The night before, we were shown

Soldiers tiptoe in the trenches

maps of the front line and everything, the German front line.

Soldiers stand around table in field looking at maps.

And we were ordered to go over the top and take no prisoners.

Firearms and bayonets ready, soldiers run up and down trenches

There were hundreds of prisoners taken that weren’t shot.

Back in the trenches, soldiers moving swiftly

I saw one corporal shoot a German, or rather shoot a German

Soldier shoots and hits German in the trench. Bullet hole visible in helmet

prisoner, and then shoot him. That’s the only one I saw shot.

Elderly man and woman speaking to soldier

Now I went into a farmhouse, it was out in the open, and an old man and woman were at the door and they pointed down the stairs,

Two German soldiers surrender as soldier looks on with firearm pointed at prisoners

and I found two Germans down there lying on a mattress and I ordered them upstairs. What happened to them I don’t know.

Still image of men and women walking

I guess they were taken prisoner. I don’t know how many prisoners we took. We were weak at that time, that’s why the order was given to take no prisoners. And then we took the city of of Valenciennes. There was nobody there.

Closing shot is of soldiers walking in single file amid ruins

Mr. Anderson describes the many locations in which he saw action, with emphasis on the Hindenburg Line and the handling of prisoners.

George Anderson

George Anderson was born in Gateshead, England on May 16, 1887. He and his wife emigrated to Canada to join his wife’s family in Saskatchewan. Interested in the military, he joined the South Saskatchewan Regiment as a militiaman in 1911. On March 14, 1916, he enlisted for overseas service with the 210th Battalion at Moose Jaw, despite having poor vision in one eye. Mr. Anderson then joined the 46th Battalion as a sergeant. He fought in several major battles; Amiens, Arras, Canal du Nord, Hindenburg Line (Drocourt- Queant), and Valenciennes, but was able to remember little of his action. He returned home to an empty house, divorcing his wife soon after. He rejoined the militia as a Regimental Sergeant Major, and served Canada during the Second World War training combat troops. After the war, he resided in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 1:35
Person Interviewed:: George Anderson
War, Conflict or Mission:: First World War
Location/Theatre:: Europe
Battle/Campaign:: Arras
Branch:: Army
Units/Ship:: 210th Battalion
Rank:: Sergeant
Occupation:: Infantryman

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