Friendly Fire at Falaise Gap

We weren’t there too long. We moved up the other side of Caen and we stayed there for a while and then we made the breakthrough to Falaise Gap. Actually, our unit didn’t stop fighting. We whittled past it. But just at the time we were putting that raid on, the RAF got off target. I, at that time, the WAG and I had sent me back because I had been shot at the night before and got buggered up a little bit and I was getting a new one. Well, I was in this little echelon right alongside a first field dressing station. Well, we saw the Lancs coming over, that’s alright, then we see their bomb bays open up over here and we heard a whistle over our heads. We promptly go down the road. I went back about two miles after that one. But I think the closest thing to land was probably a half mile from where I was, but from there on it really raised hell with things. I think the whole damn thing was a boo-woo by Montgomery, because he did not want any liaison, with, from ground air. If we'd have had that, it would have never happened. It took us a little while to get squared around there. I think it was the next day, we took off and went right through and Falaise was in the bottom like this, and there was a road along the hillside. We took off and went on through, and they left the infantry to mop up the bottom. But there was scads of motor vehicles, tanks, horses. You couldn’t... there was a vehicle, oh from, pretty near from here to the wall for about 10-12 miles. Our Tiffies had got in and shot them up good. Interviewer: These are the Typhoons? Typhoons, that’s right!

Mr. Allingham describes being nearly bombed by Allied aircraft, and then describes the devastation of the retreating German army by Typhoon bombers, all at Falaise Gap.

Ronald Allingham

Mr. Ronald John Allingham was born July 16, 192 in Vernon, British Columbia. He was the eldest child with 3 brothers. With his father being an orchard grower, Mr. Allingham spent most of his young life working in the orchard; reaching a grade 8 level of education. Growing up during the “Dirty 30's” Mr. Allingham understood the significance of war being declared and on August 1, 1940 made the decision to join the Army and enlisted as part of the British Columbia Dragoons, B Squadron. After receiving basic training in Vernon, Mr. Allingham travelled to Duncan, BC to obtain more training, however, had a setback and took very ill. As health improved, Mr. Allingham had missed his opportunity for service with the army and was made part of the artillery under the 13th Field 78th Battery; a choice that later proved to be very satisfying. Mr. Allingham went overseas and in 1945 discharged from the service.