Summer 1945, Eibergen, Holland: please identify

[Ed Storey]

The derogatory term 'Zombie' was indeed applied to Canadian Army conscripts during the Second World War. Unfortunately due to misunderstanding, prejustice or perhaps a little of both the term was at times loosely applied to the complete Canadian Home Defense Army. I have had Canadian WWII Overseas Veterans openly refer to the Home Defense Regiments and formations as 'Zombie' units. They were surprised to learn that these units contained a good proportion of volunteers who had through no fault of their own not been sent overseas.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks Ed for your detailed references.

Farlew Mowat was a Hasty P's in 1st Div. so he arrived later in the NWE theater of war.

The tie thing was new to the guys just arriving from the maelstrom of Italy.

In turn this opens up a whole new can of worms.... as they were called D Day Dodgers.

Some were called Zombies, some were Home Defense when they wanted to see action and others were called D Day Dodgers.

In the beginning some attacked ghosts in Kiska Alaska when the island had been deserted by the Japanese defenders .Then too many were killed and too many others captured after a month on Hong Kong by the same Japanese .Then there was the mystery of Dieppe.

Even with all the study , the visits of the place , the interviewing of some of the actors , i could never understand the meaning of Dieppe.

Then General Crerar wanted action for the too many restless Canadians that had been in England since 1939 , so there was Sicily and then Italy.

In the end , they finally made it to NWE and the Big show , the one portrayed in the Press made our way thru France, Belgium and then proceeded to liberated Holland.

All the while the RCAF guys had been sustaining dreadly casualties ever since 1939 and the RCN guys rode the North Atlantic in little boats called Corvettes. Unfortunately they were not speedy, comfortable sports cars but utilitarian uncomfortable tools for U Boat hunting . they were quite brave.

So call them Zombies, D Day dodgers , Home Defense Battalions or Corvette riders , doesn't matter.

All that matters now is that they served their country and that they all deserve our admiration.

They certainly have mine.

Robert

[Ed Storey]

Robert, the point of my e-mail was that the wearing of ties by the Canadian ORs in Italy was not new to the Corps when they transferred up to NW Europe, as the Canadians ORs in Italy were the first to embrace the wearing of ties in 1943. Farley Mowat's comment about ties is erroneous or a mistake at best and does not reflect the actualities of the time.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

Robert, the point of my e-mail was that the wearing of ties by the Canadian ORs in Italy was not new to the Corps when they transferred up to NW Europe, as the Canadians ORs in Italy were the first to embrace the wearing of ties in 1943. Farley Mowat's comment about ties is erroneous or a mistake at best and does not reflect the actualities of the time.

Another example of Farley Mowat never letting the facts interfere with a good story. For this reason, I do not give his writing or remarks too much authority. He left the Army as a very bitter man and retreated to writing as his own self-medication. Three generations read his books as gospel, and see what happens.

But - I loved The Grey Seas Under, the story about oceangoing tugboats out of Halifax. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...rey_Seas_Under

[Robert Bergeron]

Point taken gents.I take in stride all your comments and of course invite them .I am no Farley Mowat hugger.Just a lover of canadian military history.

I just started reading some of Mowat's accounts of his war service over the Xmas holidays, taking a break from the more serious work as a candidate of the Toronto Staff College.

It is fun to venture out of the official history accounts of the Canadian Forces.

I was foretold of his exagerations , inventions and other mindgames.

I caught him redhanded when he said the soldiers were preparing their equipment ,, ''Stens '', rifles and grenades before assaulting a Sicilain town...i knew they had the Thompson not the Sten at that time.

But then he wrote '' No bird sang '' in 1975 nearly 30 years after his service.

Still he has my admiration because he went to war for liberty, justice and freedom from tyranny for theirs, our father's and our children.

Cuddo's to one hell of a Hasty P , that drinking, swearing, exagerating Farley !!

[marco]

Hello all,

I recently found a copy from the regimental history from 15th Canadian Field Regiment RCA and just finished reading the 300 page book.

This regiment consisted of:
RHQ
44th LAD, RCEME
E Troop RC Signals
17th Battery 15th Canadian Field Regiment
95th Battery 15th Canadian Field Regiment
110th Battery 15th Canadian Field Regiment

On May 26th 1945 this regiment moved from Barssel, Germany to Neede, Holland.
RHQ, 17th and 95th Batteries were quartered in Neede, 110th Battery went to Eibergen.

In the 110th Battery personnel list, E Troop, there is a BSM C. Mitchell, might be the person refered to by "Mitch Claude".
Concerning "Dusty", there is no one named "Miller" in 110th Battery but there is a Lt. W.C. Miller in 17th Battery and a L/Cpl W.E. Miller in E Troop Sigs.

Hope this helps.

Marco

[Bert Smeenk]

On the photo taken in Mai 1945 are sitting two Canadian soldiers. I am not familiar for searching soldiers, but yesterday I have got a name about the man sitting on the right site.
The information about him:
Comd. Post Staff:
M34913 BSM C. Mitchell TBSM

Sorry for all the wrong information, but there was not more. Who can help me to find family of this man. He was in 1904, and cannot live anymore. But he had in 1945 a son who was 16 years old.

Please, if you have information mail me

Thanks for all