12-11-05, 16:03
|
|
|
Hello All,
This from the Winnipeg Sun today ... 
Quote:
November 12, 2005
Courage honoured
Veterans recall war's toll, why they fought
By BOB HOLLIDAY, STAFF REPORTER
Pipers lead the parade of veterans from remembrance ceremony in Bruce Park to the St. James Legion yesterday. (JON SCHLEDEWITZ, Sun)
The Royal Winnipeg Rifles were the first Allied-command regiment to reach its objective on D-Day.
And, although the regiment -- nicknamed "The Little Black Devils" -- suffered casualties that fateful day, the worst was to come five days later, said Norm Donogh, one of several veterans honoured at Remembrance Day ceremonies at Vimy Park yesterday.
On June 11, 1944, 58 members of Donogh's and other Canadian regiments were murdered by the Nazis.
"We'd taken Putot-en-Bessin, but the Nazis brought up the 12th SS Division, and the regiment was overrun," said Donogh, who had been wounded two days earlier.
"Many were captured or wounded, but 58 were murdered, taken out and shot. Eight support staff were also shot."
SS MURDER VICTIMS
Major Fred Hodge was the first SS victim, said Donogh.
"He refused to talk. He would only give them his rank and serial number," said Donogh.
The Rifles were part of one of the last pitched battles in Holland, liberating the town of Appingedam. Their efforts were recognized yesterday as the town's mayor sent representative Jack Jager to lay a wreath at the newly erected memorial containing the names of SS murder victims.
About 500 people attended yesterday's event at Vimy Park. A kilometre away, another crowd of about 500 watched the unveiling of a plaza dedicated to the memory of three Victoria Cross recipients who once lived on Pine Street, now known as Valour Road.
Robert Shankland, a boarder at 733 Pine St., enlisted in the Cameron Highlanders in 1914 and was awarded his VC for actions while fighting in France. He also fought during the Second World War and retired as a lieutenant-colonel.
Fredrick William Hall lived at 778 Pine St. before enlisting with the Black Devils. He was killed April 24, 1915, as he crawled toward a wounded man about five metres from the trenches near Ypres, Belgium.
Leo Clarke was awarded the VC posthumously for almost single-handedly turning back a German counter-offensive on Sept. 9, 1916. He was killed a few weeks later.
"All the legends, the heroes lived on this street," said Leonard Erstelle Jr., who travelled from the North End to the former bus loop at Sargent Avenue and Valour for the dedication. "My dad was in the service, I'm here to remember."
On Portage Avenue, George Metcalf watched his comrades enter the St. James Legion following a 1.3-kilometre parade from ceremonies at Bruce Park.
"This is the first time I didn't complete the parade," said Metcalf, one of 12 cousins from Portage la Prairie to join the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Dressed in period uniform as a Canadian commando, Paul Pastien stood out from the 400-plus parade participants.
Pastien served for six years in the Canadian Armed Forces during the 1980s with the Governor General's Foot Guards, the 3 Royal Canadian Regiment and, later, the 1 RCR.
"People are not aware of the sacrifices still being made by our military to rid the world of tyranny. We all need to play a role in reminding others what Remembrance Day is all about," said Pastien.
|
|