First Enemy Encounter As An Infantryman
Heroes Remember
First Enemy Encounter As An Infantryman
Transcript
Description
Mr. Hyde, now a machine gun operator in his new infantry unit, recalls his first encounter with the enemy.
Gilbert John Hyde
Mr. Hyde's father was an electrician with the Moose Jaw Power Company and also a Veteran of the First World War. Mr. Hyde was an only child. He enlisted on 18 October 1938, two weeks after his 18th birthday with the PPCLI. Basic training was taken in Winnipeg before sailing from Halifax to Scotland in December 1939. On arrival, Mr. Hyde went directly to Aldershot in England where he spent several months in further training. Mr. Hyde then moved from being a military police officer to the job of dispatch rider - to a signaller assigned to a signals battalion with the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards. That was followed by a 3 ½ year stint on a Bren Gun carrier. The squadron was eventually posted to Scotland and eventually sailed for Sicily where Mr. Hyde participated in the landing there and went on to a number of battles in Italy before returning to Sicily, where his troop, the PLDG, received several awards, including a battle honour and a commendation from the Divisional Commander and the British 8th Army Commander.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 03:45
- Person Interviewed:
- Gilbert John Hyde
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Location/Theatre:
- Italy
- Battle/Campaign:
- Italian
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards
- Rank:
- Corporal
- Occupation:
- Machine Gun Operator
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Mr. Hyde's father, a Veteran of the First World War, was a significant influence in his enlisting in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) only two weeks after his 18th birthday in October 1938.
A Quick Lesson In Regiment’s History
Mr. Hyde talks about his knowledge of the PPCLI when he enlisted and how much more did he learned in his early days with the regiment.
Canada’s Forces Strength In September 1939
Mr. Hyde looks back at the day Canada declared war on Germany and considers the state of the Canadian forces at that time.
An Ocean Experience To Remember
Mr. Hyde’s ocean crossing from Halifax to Scotland in December 1939, was an experience most of us would do almost anything to avoid.
In Britain For The Battle Of Britain
Mr. Hyde's brigade had been in England for some months as Hitler's air force began that stage in the war known as the Battle of Britain. He sets the scene for his experiences during those early days of the Second World War.
Different Regiment - Still A Waiting Game
By the spring of 1943, Mr. Hyde has been moved to "A" Squadron, 4th Canadian Battalion, 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards and is in Scotland waiting for word on their next move.
Landing on the Beaches of Sicily
Mr. Hyde’s squadron reached Sicily and he describes their going ashore.
On To "The Boot"
After some six weeks in Sicily, the order came to cross the Strait of Messina to mainland Italy. On arrival, thousands of Italian soldiers willingly surrender to allied forces. As the squadron moves inland, the worst kind of attack - friendly fire - takes its toll.
A New - and Dangerous - Job
In the autumn of 1943, Mr. Hyde requested a change in his responsibilities. He wanted out of signals. His commanding officer made him a commander of an armoured car and promoted him to Corporal. He describes his vehicle and tells of the slow and dangerous work of probing for land mines along the roads of southern Italy.
Ortona Stalemate
A stalemate at Ortona made reconnaissance unnecessary. But, two events that took place during the time around Ortona are still clearly recalled by Mr. Hyde. The first was the experience of a "standing patrol".
A Moment In Time To Live With Forever
Spring 1944 brought a renewal of offensive action along The Gustav Line. Mr. Hyde recalls an incident that always haunted him where he shot a member of the Hitler Youth.
Safely Through Close Calls
Like so many Canadian Veterans who served at the front, Mr. Hyde realizes how close he came - several times - to losing his life or, at the very least, receiving serious injuries. He tells the story of an incident along the Hitler Line in Italy. He escaped uninjured. His buddy beside him didn't fare as well.
Unhappy Soldiers!
The Americans took Rome. Shortly after, Mr. Hyde's reconnaissance unit was informed it would be converted to an infantry unit. All hell broke loose over a three day period, seldom spoken of in Canadian military history accounts.
A Tough Question - A Troubling Answer
More than half a century after his service for Canada during the Second World War, Mr. Hyde is asked a difficult question. His answer is clear and to the point.
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