War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (Parts 1 - 3)

Two WWII Veterans Share Details About Common Interests

One Writes From Australia, the Other From Canada

Introduction:

Prior to the 50th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid in August, 1992, correspondence began between two WWII veterans living on opposite hemispheres about five decades after the end of the war. Some of the letters between them fell into my hands a few months ago, I'm certainly glad for that, and details therein have been shared below in three posts. 

The veterans have connections to the Dieppe Raid, the invasion of Sicily and more, including a unique link to my father, a member of RCNVR and Combined Operations from 1941 - 45. If questions arise as you peruse the three entries, please contact me for more information. Links to the entries and my email address are provided below.

Part 1. War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (1)

"...my Flotilla landed 8th Army (aka Monty's) tanks in Howe (sic) the most

Eastern of the landing beaches. We did ship to shore..." Details from a letter

by SFO Cyril Masterman, RANVR, Comb. Ops. Map is from St. Nazaire to

Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War 1941- 1945, Vol. 1, pg. 179

Part 2. War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (2)

Valentine tanks being offloaded from a landing craft (small LCT) during

combined operations training at Inveraray in Scotland, 9 October 1941.

Photo - War Office Photogr. Capt. W.T. Lockeyear, H14592. IWM.

Part 3. War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (3)

Front cover art as found on Combined Operations

by Clayton Marks, London Ontario

I tip my hat to Mr. Steve Marks of London ONT, son of writer Clayton Marks, for sharing the letters with me from Mr. Cyril Masterman of Queensland, Australia.  

Questions or comments related to the letters, LCTs (landing crafts (for) tanks), the blog, the destructive powers of an 80 knot wind, and the Canadian role in Combined Operations can be addressed to the Editor of 1000 Men, 1000 Stories at gordh7700@gmail.com

Please click here to view War Correspondents: News Article from The Hamilton Spectator, July 14, 1943

Unattributed Photos GH