"These Canadian Fellows Know Their Job."
Article as found in The Winnipeg Tribune
Full article (larger size) is below w photos
Readers will perhaps know that I have provided a large number of articles (that in some way, directly or indirectly, relate to Canadians who served in the RCNVR and Combined Operations during WW2) that were originally published in The Winnipeg Tribune and available now online in digitized form.
The above article is significant, firstly, in that it mentions two officers - Lieut. Jack E. Koyl of Saskatoon and Lieut. Robert Smith of Regina - one of which (J. E. Koyl) can be linked to several Canadian Navy veterans, including my father, that are mentioned on this website or blog.
LT J. Koyl, back row, left. "On manoeuvres in the Mediterranean..."
Caption for photo is from St. Nazaire to Singapore
Other matters of significance:
We read that during the invasion of Sicily "Canadian naval personnel retained their identity as a Canadian unit" for the first time. They "manned their own flotillas of landing craft." During earlier invasions, i.e., at Dieppe and invasion of North Africa, Canadians were spread among British crews.
We read that "the new Canadian landing force" took the "long way around" Africa to reach their disembarkation point for the upcoming invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky). Memoirs related to the lengthy trip can be found on this site. Stories written by my father include mention of five of the sailors seen in the photo above.
We read that "before the Sicilian invasion" there was "a full-dress rehearsal." An excellent description is provided in the article and says something about the amount of work involved in getting landing crafts loaded with troops to shore. The location of the rehearsal operation is not given but records suggest on Bitter Lakes, Egypt. (Near Kabrit and HMS Saunders).
We read that the Canadian naval forces were praised for their proficiency and deemed ready for "its first big show."
No mention is made in the article about the members of RCNVR and Combined Operations who arrived at HMS Saunders too late to be included in the rehearsal. The delay of S.S. Silver Walnut was caused by regular episodes of engine trouble during the lengthy trip around Africa, well-described in memoirs by Leading Seaman D. Harrison (available on this site).
Further research reveals that the Canadian flotillas were involved with landing British troops and all the materials of war, belonging to Monty's 8th Army, during the invasion of Sicily. The 80th Flotilla of Canadian Landing Crafts was eventually able to land fellow Canadians in their crafts just a few months later during the invasion of Italy (September, 1943).
Below, I have made the article larger without distorting its resolution. Accompanying photographs and caption - from The Winnipeg Tribune - are also provided:
Unattributed Photos GH
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