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Attack on Hellville (Part 1 of 2)

Heroes Remember

Attack on Hellville (Part 1 of 2)

Transcript
When we went in, we actually fired the guns. We fired the main armament into the hills. The echo of the shells, it was to create sound. Okay we did strafe the waterfront and there were small warehouses and things there, you know, not, just these flimsy things. But anyhow we strafed the waterfront with Bofors and 20mm guns and mortars and everything else like that. And it was basically to create shall I say, let them know that we were an offensive vessel, you know, no question. And of course it did, it had the desired effect. There was one grenade that was thrown at our little party, I was then with about 6 other people, and but I'd never seen a grenade thrown before at that time. This one, little sparks were emitting from it and one of these South African warriors that was with us identified that right away and he yelled out ‘grenade.' It was tossed down from a promenade and so we all dived for cover and I, and fortunately, none of us were, we had time, none of us were injured when it exploded.
Description

Mr. Rusling describes the attack on Hellville with 20mm guns and mortars. It was the first time that he saw a grenade being thrown. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Frank Rusling

Frank Rusling was born in Belton, Lincolnshire, England on January 30, 1922. His father moved the family to the county of Suffolk in England where he grew up. He joined the Royal Navy at the age of 15 because of his love for the ocean. He entered the communications’ department of the navy and trained in visual signalling where he was very successful during his training and very rapidly reached the rank of Yeoman of Signals. The first vessel he was on was the HMS Sheffield. However, he did work on other vessels and travelled to several parts of the world with the Royal Navy. After the war he joined the Canadian Pacific police where he served for 30 years. He now resides in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Meta Data
Medium:
Video
Owner:
Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:
01:44
Person Interviewed:
Frank Rusling
War, Conflict or Mission:
Second World War
Location/Theatre:
North Africa
Branch:
Navy
Rank:
Yeoman of Signals
Occupation:
Signalman

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