Canadian Military Oral Histories

User Collection Public

The Canadian Military Oral History Collection is composed of interviews of veterans of WWI, WWII, the Korean War and the War in Afghanistan. Over 370 recordings done by Dr. Reginald H. Roy and his students are the largest holding in this category. Historian Hal Lawrence also donated over 180 recordings that he collected of Canadian Naval personnel.

Collection descriptions

The following are descriptions of the major collections of interviews that make up the collection:

Reg Roy collection

Dr. Reginald H. Roy was the Chair of Military History (1968-1988) and the Social Sciences Research Centre (1970-75) at the University of Victoria. The Reg Roy fonds contains over 370 sound recordings of oral histories conducted over his career and was recognized by Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo in 2005.

Social Sciences Research Centre collection

This is an important subset of the Reg Roy collection of military oral histories and consists of extensive interviews with Major-General George R. Pearkes and other interviews with his family and a number of personal and professional associates for his biography entitled For Most Conspicuous Bravery: A Biography of Major-General George R. Pearkes, V.C., Through Two World Wars (1977).

Hal Lawrence collection

This collection includes approximately 120 interviews conducted by Commander Hal Lawrence in collaboration with National Defence/Défense nationale on the Canadian Navy (1940-1995). Some of these interviews have been transcribed and some are only available as transcripts.

Shawn Cafferky collection

This collection of 14 interviews by military historian Dr. Shawn Cafferky of the University of Victoria's Department of History were conducted in 1997 and refer to the experimental Squadron VX-10, and the testing and use of the Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King helicopter.

Military oral history class interviews

Since 2005, the History Department has offered a Military Oral History seminar course as a component of the Canadian Veterans Oral History Project, a joint project of the Royal United Services Institute of Vancouver Island (RUSI VI) and University of Victoria. The seminar course offers students the opportunity to interview veterans for course credit and the resulting interviews are deposited with University of Victoria Special Collections.

Elizabeth Hazlitte collection

This collection is comprised of six interviews with veterans of WWI conducted from 1983-84 by Elizabeth Hazlitte, a nurse at Victoria's Veteran's Hospital at the Memorial Pavilion.

David Stafford collection

This collection is comprised of nine interviews conducted by Dr. David Stafford, retired history professor at the University of Victoria, for his monograph on clandestine operations in WWII.

Copyright policy

The material is to be used solely for the purpose of research or private study. Any use of the copy for a purpose other than research of private study may require the authorization of the copyright owner of the work in question. The user must assume full responsibility for obtaining copyright permission to publish items in whole or in part.

Although the University of Victoria has permission to make the oral histories available to researchers, the copyright belongs to the interviewees. If extensive passages are used for publication, exhibition or presentation permission from the copyright holder is necessary.

Publication credit

The University of Victoria Special Collections will be given a copy of the book, article, exhibition catalogue, or supporting publication in all cases of publication, exhibition, or presentation of the oral history reproductions. In such cases a credit line citation should read as follows:

University of Victoria, Special Collections, Military Oral History Collection,
[Name of Interviewee], [Record ID Number]

Image: Elizabeth Hazlitte interviewing World War One veteran Egbert Browning in 1983

Resource type

Collection

Subject

Genre

Location

Canada, , Canada

Permalink: http://vault.library.uvic.ca/collections/4a7eade6-d0b7-4807-8cd2-6eb9c5a66937

Collection Details

: Items 789
: Last Updated 2025-04-01

Parent Collections (1)

Military History Collection

Works (789)

581. Berezowski, J. Cecil: my Cold War recollections (March 12, 2011)

Title:: Berezowski, J. Cecil: my Cold War recollections (March 12, 2011)
Description:: Interviewee: Berezowski, Julian Cecil, b. 1929, ABSTRACT: The Interview begins with an explanation of how National Defence originated as a result of a threat of Soviet Bombers. The narrator then shifts his focus to explaining the different roles and formation of field artillery units, which were eventually turned into anti-aircraft units. He also mentions his experiences at artillery militia training camps during the summer in Saskatchewan and in the Winter in Victoria, British Columbia. Following this, the narrator explains how the formation of NORAD affected Canadian defence, which eventually led to the creation of radar stations called the Pine Tree Line and the DEW Line. He then explained what he believed civil defence ideally was and whether Canadian cities were perceived as targets. In turn, this led to an explanation of the Diekfenbunker and different command bunkers throughout Canada. When in the bunker, the narrator explained his role of plotting fallout patterns in case of nuclear attack. Next, the narrator shifted his focus to the threat of missiles, the problems with early warning sirens, and the lack of troops in Canada. Then, the narrator elaborated on his experiences at Staff College where he attended a presentation about sirens in Kansas). This led to an explanation of how civil defence led to the creation of metropolitan Toronto and whether the joining the Militia was 'popular'. Finally, the narrator finishes with an explanation of his experiences in West Germany along the Iron Curtain. 0:00 - 5:24 - Explains how National Defence came about to counter Soviet bombers. 5:24 - 7:28 - Experiences of summer camp as an artillery militia man. 7:28 - 20:45 - Explains the role/formation of field artillery/anti aircraft units in militia. 20:45 - 25:40 - Explains a cooperative agreement between United States and Canada during NORAD formation and how that led to creation of (radar stations). 25:40 - 28:46 - What the narrator believed Civil Defence ideally was and whether Canadian cities were targets. 28:46 - 32:56 - Explaining the Diefenbunker and command bunkers. 32:56 - 35:10 - Explains the procedures when plotting fallout patterns in case of nuclear bombs being dropped. 35:10 - 40:10 - Thoughts on missile threats, warning siren systems, and lack of troops. 40:10 - 46:06 - Overall experience at Staff College (presentation in Kansas about sirens). 46:06 - 54:20 - The creation of metropolitan Toronto as a result of Civil Defence. 54:20 - 57:55 - Thoughts on Militia and whether it was 'popular'. 57:55 - 1 :23:22 - Militia 'callout' to support brigade groups in Germany/ experiences in Germany. 1 :23:22 - 1 :26:59 - What happened in Canada during the Cuban Missile Crisis., An interview/narrative of J. Cecil Berezowski's experiences during the Cold War. Interview took place on March 12, 2011., and Interviewer: Roznowski, Martin
Keyword:: Mid-Canada Line, DEW Line, Metropolitan Toronto (Ont.), Sirens (Signaling devices), Antiaircraft guns, Canada--Canadian Army--Artillery--Drill and tactics, Fallout shelters, Bombers, Radar transmitters, Nuclear warfare, Berezowski, J. Cecil (Julian Cecil)--Interviews, Nuclear warfare--Psychological aspects, Canada--Canadian Army--Royal Canadian Artillery, Air defenses--United States, Ballistic missile early warning system, Intercontinental ballistic missiles, Nuclear bomb shelters, Soviet Union--History--1953-1985, Militia, Artillery drill and tactics, Radar defense networks--Canada, Diefenbunker, Canada's Cold War Museum, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Reserves, Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962, Bunkers (Fortification)--Canada, Soviet Union--Politics and government--1953-1985, Canada--Canadian Army--Reserves, Canada--Canadian Army--Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, Cold War, Radioactive fallout, Kamsack (Sask.), Air defenses--Canada, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Esquimalt, B.C.)--Work Point Barracks, Missile attack warning systems, North American Air Defense Command, Radiation, Nuclear arms control, Antiaircraft missiles, Civil defense, Antiaircraft artillery, Air raid warning systems, North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, and Pinetree Line
Subject:: Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), Canada. Canadian Army, Cold War (1945-1989), Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, and Military history
Contributor:: Berezowski, Julian Cecil, b. 1929 and Roznowski, Martin
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2011-03-12
Rights Statement:: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
License:: This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
Resource Type:: http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
Extent:: 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: Canada, Germany, and United States
Coordinates:: 51.5, 10.5, 39.76, -98.5, and 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional Physical Characteristics:: Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
Physical Repository:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Collection:: Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Genre:: sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), interviews, and reminiscences
Archival Item Identifier:: BCJ_698
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2011-03-23
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2011. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

582. Neroutsos, John: my Cold War recollections (March 12, 2011)

Title:: Neroutsos, John: my Cold War recollections (March 12, 2011)
Description:: Interviewer: McKeigan, Cameron, Rank: Brigadier-General. , Interviewee: Neroutsos, John, b. 1932, An interview/narrative of John Neroutsos's experiences during the Cold War. Interview took place on March 12, 2011., and ABSTRACT: The interview conducted with Brig. Gen. John Neroutsos on 12 March 2011 begins with Neroutsos’ entry into the RCAF Reserve in Montreal in 1950. He begins his recollection by describing Canadian relations with the Soviets at the time of his joining up. He then describes his experience flying with 438 Squadron in Montreal, and its role in Canadian defence and the early stages of NORAD. Following his thoughts on Montreal, Neroutsos describes his duties at his next posting as a communications officer in 411 Squadron in Toronto. He then discusses his return to Montreal, becoming CO of 401 Squadron, and the near-disastrous effects of Unification on the Reserves. Following that is a discussion of how the Reserves coped with a minimal budget and barely sufficient manpower, and the various classifications of pay within the Reserves. There is then a dialogue of the Total Force concept employed by the Canadian Forces during his time as commander of the Air Reserve Group in Winnipeg in the mid-1980s, and the subsequent revitalization of the Reserves. Neroutsos also voices his opinions on the Reserves relationship with NATO and the USAF, before discussing the differences between serving in the Reserves now versus when he was a pilot. He ends the interview with some background on the origins of the Reserves. 0:00-0:30 - Introduction 0:00-3:30 - Joining the RCAF and education 3:30-7:45 - Canada and the Soviets during and after WWII 7:45-11:30 - Work in Montreal and flying for the 438 Reserve Sqdn. 11:30-13:30 - Responsibilities in Montreal 13:30-16:00 - Reserves and auxiliary presence in Canadian defence 16:00-17:00 - Formation of NORAD 17:00-19:30 - Transfer to 411 Sqdn. in Toronto 19:30-22:30 - Responsibilities in Toronto 22:30-24:00 - Reserves operations in Toronto 24:00-24:30 - CO of 401 Sqdn. in Montreal 24:30-26:50 - Integration and the struggle for survival of the Reserve 26:50-29:00 - Integration and 401 Sqdn. and the revitalization of the reserve 29:00-31:00 - University Reserve Training Plan and after it was cut 31:00-33:20 - More on integration, creation of the Air Reserve Group 33:20-37:20 - Change to Otter aircraft and helicopters, paramilitary divisions within air force 37:20-42:20 - Staff officer in Air Reserve Group (ARG) in Winnipeg 42:20-45:40 - Contribution of the Reserves to Canada 45:40-51:15 - Reserves' struggle to maintain a raison d'etre, total force 51:15-52:05 - Reserve classifications 52:05-53:30 - Retirement from the Reserve in '83, recalled to Winnipeg as a General, Project 2010 53:30-59:30 - Commander of the ARG 59:30-1:00:30 - Responsibilities of ARG, mainly logistics 1:00:30-1:03:40 - Outstanding issues of the Reserves, focus on the future, manpower 1:03:40-1:07:30 - Problems with manpower in the Reserves 1:07:30-1:1:09:40 - RCAF and the USAF 1:09:40-1:13:00 - RCAF in NATO and NORAD 1:13:00-1:16:20 - 'Mess life' then and now 1:16:20-1:17:20 - Signing the release form and discussion of the Oral History Project 1:17:20-1:19:50 - Some background on the early squadrons of the Reserves 1:19:50-1:20:24 - Conclusion
Keyword:: Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Organization, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Military life, Neroutsos, John, 1932- --Interviews, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Air Transport Command, Helicopters, Canada--Foreign relations--United States, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Reserves--Pay, allowances, etc., Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Air Command, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Squadron, 438, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Air Defence Command, Military helicopters, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Squadron, 401, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Squadron, 411, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Squadron, 401, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Squadron, 411, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Finance, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Soviet Union--Foreign relations--Canada., Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Reserves, Paramilitary forces, Canada--Foreign relations--Soviet Union., Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Squadron, 438, Canada--Canadian Armed forces--Wing, 1, Cold War, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Kiowa (Observation helicopter), Bell helicopters, Canada--Dept. of National Defence, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Reserves, North American Air Defense Command, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Personal narratives, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Air Reserve Group, United States--Air Force, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Finance, Otter (Transport planes), United States--Foreign relations--Canada, and Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Military life
Subject:: Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force, United States. Air Force, Military history, and Cold War (1945-1989)
Contributor:: McKeigan, Cameron and Neroutsos, John, b. 1932
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2011-03-12
Rights Statement:: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
License:: This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
Resource Type:: http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
Extent:: 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: Canada and United States
Coordinates:: 60.10867, -113.64258 and 39.76, -98.5
Additional Physical Characteristics:: Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
Physical Repository:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Collection:: Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Genre:: reminiscences, sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), and interviews
Archival Item Identifier:: NJ_687
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2011-03-12
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2011. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

583. Anderson, John: my Cold War and Gulf War recollections (March 15, 2011)

Title:: Anderson, John: my Cold War and Gulf War recollections (March 15, 2011)
Description:: ABSTRACT: Reason for joining the navy — 0:41 Discussion of his degree /ROTP program — 3:08 Use of his degree in career — 4:01 Early Training — 4:20 Desire to be an Admiral / Early Career Aspirations — 6:06 Operations Officer Experiences / HMCS BONAVENTURE — 7:32 Lack of Interdiction Operations life in the "NATO BOX" — 8:53 Convoy to Europe — 9:25 Focus of CANADA in 1980 — 10:48 Threats in 1980 — 11:00 Strategic Missile Capability — 11:40 Anti-Air Warfare — 12:13 ASW AirCraft Carrier — 13:00 Air Defence in Canada as primarily self defence — 13:29 Need for Area Air Defence, introduction of Iroquois Class — 13:46 1980 Mid Life Update Focus — 14:15 Future of the Navy & 280s — 14:30 Russian Surface Combatants & Bonaventure Air Assets — 15:00 Air Defence Problem, Anti-Ship missile — 16:05 Introduction of 280s — 16:30 Coalition Exercises — 18:10 Director of Maritime Requirements Sea — 19:54 Acquisitions at DMRS (CPF, Tropic Class, Sea King Replacement) — 21:58 Defence Research Program — 23:13 Themes from cold war to today — 23:13 Requirements for other less conventional strategies — 27:44 Boarding Party Operations — 28:35 NATO Role in ASW development — 29:55 Using NATO to justify acquisitions — 31:36 NATO and the cyclic relationship — 33:06 Director Maritime Doctrine and Ops — 34:33 Role in Operation Friction — 36:58 Added Weapons — 42:33 Task Group Reasoning — 44:56 Strongpoint of NATO — 45:19 Task Group Reasoning ?? 45:43 Acceptance of Recommendation by Government — 46:15 Role Once Operation Friction Was in Motion — 46:48 Turning Point in Command — 48:17 Tactics and Strategy Preparation — 49:44 No Doctrine, but general doctrine and inherent flexibility — 50:28 Naval co-operation in staff work — 52:15 Public Perception of Navy in 1980 — 53:05 Perception during Op Friction — 53:47 Command Structure Change — 55:10 Command Was Clear — 56:39 His structure, HQ Structure was static — 57:39 Admiral George's Comments on Operation Friction — 57:55 Athabaskan Trump Conversion — 58:34 Communication — 59:19 Dusty Miller's Selection — 1:00:35 Capable AOR — 1:10:10 Communications through Maritime Requirements — 1:02:08 Communications not NATO, but Canada — 1:03:22 Operation Friction Affect on the Future — 1:03:43 CDS Atmosphere — 1:05:56, Interviewer: Roberts, Evan, Interviewee: Anderson, John, b. 1941, and An interview/narrative of John Anderson's experiences during the Cold War and the Gulf War. Interview took place on March 15, 2011.
Keyword:: Soviet Union--Armed Forces, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Maritime Command, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--H.M.C.S. Venture (Naval Officers Training Centre ), Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--H.M.C.S. Stadacona., Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Halifax, N.S.), Anti-submarine warfare, Military Liaison Officer, Fraser (Destroyer), University of British Columbia--Regular Officer Training Program, Ballistic missile defenses--Soviet Union, Airborne warning and control systems, Persian Gulf War, 1991--Naval operations, Canadian, Canada--Dept. of National Defence--Headquarters, Antisubmarine aircraft, Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--Personal narratives, Command of troops, Anderson, John Rogers, 1941- --Interviews, North Atlantic Treaty Organization--Armed Forces, Restigouche II (Destroyer), War games, Naval, Strategic forces, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Operational readiness, Anti-submarine warfare--Equipment and supplies, Saskatchewan (Destroyer), Antiaircraft missiles, Operation Friction, 1991, Submarines (Ships), Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Toronto (Downsview), Ont.), Canadian Forces College, Canada--Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, New Glasgow (Frigate), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Organization, Miller, Duncan E., 1948-, Iroquois I (Destroyer), Tribal Class Update and Modernization Project (TRUMP), Guided missiles, Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--H.M.C.S. Discovery, Fleet ballistic missile weapons systems, Public opinion, Algonquin (Destroyer), Canada--Chief of the Defence Staff, Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--Destroyer Squadron, 1st, Strategic weapons systems, Canada--Politics and government--1980-, Bonaventure (Aircraft carrier), Athabaskan II (Destroyer), Naval maneuvers, Consultants, George, Robert Earl, 1940-, Boarding parties, Soviet Union--Politics and government--1985-1991, Naval convoys, Huron (Destroyer), North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Cold War, Civil defense, Sonar, Iroquois Class (Destroyers : 1970-), Royal Naval College of Canada (Halifax, N.S.), Intercontinental ballistic missiles, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Drill and tactics, Aircraft Carriers, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Equipment, St. Croix II (Destroyer), Persian Gulf War, 1991, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization--Military Committee
Subject:: Military history, Cold War (1945-1989), Persian Gulf War (1991), and Canada. Canadian Armed Forces
Contributor:: Roberts, Evan and Anderson, John, b. 1941
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2011-03-15
Rights Statement:: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
License:: This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
Resource Type:: http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
Extent:: 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: Canada and Middle East
Coordinates:: 60.10867, -113.64258 and 33.13906, 35.85869
Additional Physical Characteristics:: Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
Physical Repository:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Collection:: Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Genre:: sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), interviews, and reminiscences
Archival Item Identifier:: AJ_695
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2011-03-15
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2011. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

584. Maze, Randy: my Canadian Navy recollections (March 15, 2011)

Title:: Maze, Randy: my Canadian Navy recollections (March 15, 2011)
Description:: ABSTRACT: The interview covers the beginning of Maze’s Naval Career, and then carries into the situation in East Timor, the referendum held by the UN and the results upset Indonesia. The Indonesian Army Invades East Timor and essentially destroys the country, which is when the Australian led U.N. Mission got involved to get the Indonesian Forces out of the Country and help rebuild and support the people and infrastructure. The HMCS PROTECTEUR was in charge of refuelling all of the naval vessels involved. The crew also partook in humanitarian work such a building schools and a reception centre. 0:00 – 3:03 Early Naval Career 3:03-7:00 Background info on the Crisis in East Timor 7:00 –9:17 Invasion by Indonesia 9:17 – 11:43 Getting Ready to Go In! 11:34-14:32 Setting Sail 14:34-17:03 Australia 17:03-35:21 East Timor 38:11- 39:55 Sent Home 44:12- 51:31 Humanitarian Work 51:31-1:06:29 Miscellaneous and End Questions, Interviewee: Maze, Randy, An interview/narrative of Randy Maze's experiences whilst serving with the Canadian Navy. Interview took place on March 15, 2011., and Interviewer: O'Brien, Erin
Keyword:: Refugees--Timor-Leste, East Timorese, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--H.M.C.S. Venture (Naval Officers Training Centre ), Indonesia--Angkatan Darat, United Nations--Security Council--Resolutions--1246, Humanitarian intervention, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Maze, Randy--Interviews, Timor-Leste, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Esquimalt, B.C.), Huron (Destroyer), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Maritime Command, International relief, Peacekeeping Forces, Canadian, Refugee camps--Timor-Leste--Dili, Protecteur (Auxiliary oiler replenishment ), Operation Toucan, 1999, War relief, United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), Humanitarian assistance, Canadian, Royal Naval College (Great Britain), International Forces East Timor, Mackenzie (Destroyer), Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--Personal narratives, Chaleur II (Minesweeper), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Maritime Forces Pacific--Headquarters, United Nations--Peacekeeping forces, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Royal Re?giment, 22e, Peacekeeping Forces, Australian, United Nations--Security Council--Resolutions--1257, and Canada--Dept. of National Defence--Headquarters
Subject:: Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Military history, and United Nations
Contributor:: O'Brien, Erin and Maze, Randy
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2011-03-15
Rights Statement:: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
License:: This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
Resource Type:: http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
Extent:: 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: Great Britain and Canada
Coordinates:: 60.10867, -113.64258 and 54.75844, -2.69531
Additional Physical Characteristics:: Original sound recording (M4A) also available.
Physical Repository:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Collection:: Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Genre:: interviews, reminiscences, oral histories (literary genre), and sound recordings
Archival Item Identifier:: MR_690
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2011-03-31
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2011. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

585. Allen, Robin: my Canadian Navy recollections (March 16, 2011)

Title:: Allen, Robin: my Canadian Navy recollections (March 16, 2011)
Description:: ABSTRACT: The interview starts with Captain Allen going over his early naval career and his current engagements within the Navy. He proceeds to describe the social situation in Somalia before the UN got involved, including the beginnings of UNISOM I and Operation Cordon. He proceeds to describe the process it took for the crew to get ready for departure and arriving in Somalia only to have Operation Cordon. The interview then begins to cover Operation Restore Hope and the Humanitarian work done by the crew of the PRESERVER; including the work done for the Joint Staff HQ, the Hospital and the Orphanage. At the end of the interview Captain Allen covers some questions such as the issue of Piracy and how he as a veteran was affected by the Airborne scandal. 0:00 – 12:01 – Introductions and Early Naval Career. 12:30 – 13:56 – Situation in Somalia. 14:19 – 23:54 United Nations/ UNISOM I/ Getting Ready to Go to Somalia 23:56 - 1:16:34 American led Coalition, and Operation Restore Hope 39:30- 44:57 Joint Task Force Head Quarters on the PRESERVER 52:13- 55:43 Doing Jobs They’re Not Trained For 55:57- 1:01:10 Medical and Working on the Hospital 1:01:13-1:03:30 Working on the Orphanage 1:03:30- 1:08:50 Working with the NGO’s 1:08:51- 1:15:37 Helicopters 1:15:38-1:16:34 Everything Fell Apart 1:16:34- 1:42:34 End Questions and Tying Up Loose Ends, Rank: Captain. , An interview/narrative of Robin Allen's experiences whilst serving with the Canadian Navy. Interview took place on March 16, 2011., Interviewer: O'Brien, Erin, and Interviewee: Allen, Robin, b. 1942
Keyword:: Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Somalia, Somalia--Economic conditions--1960-, Teachers--Somalia, Somalia Affair, 1992-1997, Allen, Robin, 1942- --Interviews, Red Cross and Red Crescent, Famines--Somalia, Droughts--Somalia, Preserver (Auxiliary oiler replenishment ), War--Relief of sick and wounded, Humanitarianism, Baledogle (Somalia), Helicopters, Mombasa (Kenya), United Nations Operation in Somalia, United States--Embassy (Somalia), Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--Personal narratives, Operation Restore Hope, 1992-1993, Military helicopters, Operation Cordon, 1992-1993, Pirates--Somalia, Mogadishu (Somalia), Somalia--Politics and government--1991-, Piracy--Somalia, Non-governmental organizations, Somalia--Social conditions--1960-, Somalia--History--1991-, Operation Deliverance, 1992-1993, Civil war--Somalia, Hospitals--Somalia--Mogadishu, Suez Canal (Egypt), Brigands and robbers, Somalis, Orphanages--Somalia--Mogadishu, Victims of famine, Mogadishu, Battle of, Mogadishu, Somalia, 1993, and Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives
Subject:: Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Somalia Affair (1992-1997), United Nations, and Military history
Contributor:: O'Brien, Erin and Allen, Robin, b. 1942
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2011-03-16
Rights Statement:: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
License:: This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
Resource Type:: http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
Extent:: 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: Canada and United States
Coordinates:: 39.76, -98.5 and 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional Physical Characteristics:: Original sound recording (M4A) also available.
Physical Repository:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Collection:: Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Genre:: sound recordings, reminiscences, interviews, and oral histories (literary genre)
Archival Item Identifier:: AR_689
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2011-03-31
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2011. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

586. Lerch, Slade G. J.: my Afghanistan recollections (March 21, 2011)

Title:: Lerch, Slade G. J.: my Afghanistan recollections (March 21, 2011)
Description:: Interviewer: Keithley, Leif, ABSTRACT: Starting with a bit of background biography about Captain Lerch the interview moves into his first deployment to Afghanistan. A discussion concerning the military role in Afghanistan occurs concerning the interaction with local, the use of Emergency Contingency Funds, and Village Medical Outreach. Cpt. Lerch continues with detailing his experience in the field by using examples such as the use of interpreters and eavesdropping on enemy electronic communication and then in full contact with hostile forces and the tactics deployed by the convoy group. Cpt. Lerch comments on the increasing level of IEDs and the hit and run tactics used by the Taliban. A brief description of life at the Kandahar Air Field and in the coalition environment is concluded by Cpt. Lerch being mostly occupied with work to have much off time. Cpt. Lerch’s 2nd tour in Afghanistan was a new role in the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team. In this role Cpt. Lerch was embedded with a number of other Canadian Forces soldiers in an Afghan National Army company with the goal of increasing their ability as an effective force. Cpt. Lerch describes the difficulties in such a task, communication, differences in culture, and remoteness of the operation are discussed as obstacles. Another encounter with Taliban is discussed where Cpt. Lerch was forced to take command of a situation and establish a firebase with the help of ANA soldiers after an IED attack. With an upcoming 3rd tour in Afghanistan Cpt. Lerch explains he will be back augmenting an American force in kinetic operations. A discussion on the handover of duties to the Americans pending Canada’s withdrawal leads to comments on ANA company operations and experiences while in the operational mentor role. Finally ending the interview are reflections on lessons learned from Afghanistan which may be applied to future conflicts. 0:00 – 2:00 – Intro and short biographical information. 2:00 – 9:30 – Initial deployment, re-rolled into manoeuvre battalion, supporting ANA. 10:00 – 15:00 – Comments on PRT’s duties, experience with Americans, Emergency Contingency Funds, incident outside KAF with locals swarming broken vehicle. 15:00 – 16:00 – Repurposing of roles in the field. 16:00 – 18:00 – Village Medical Outreach. 18:00 – 26:00 – Steady state operations, patrolling polling stations, frustrating nature of combat, story of radio contact with enemy using Icom scanner, use of interpreter, Taliban tactics. 26:45 – 30:30 – Tactics used when in contact with enemy, increase in IEDs, challenge of identifying enemy. 31:00 – 36:00 – Comparison to Bosnia, story about encounter with Afghans at checkpoint, difficulty with terrain, dispatched wrecker to free vehicle needs escort. 36:00 – 46:00 – Life at KAF, day to day operation planning, coalition atmosphere. 46:30 – 49:30 – Start of 2nd tour, Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team, embedded into ANA company. 49:30 – 51:30 – Comments on communication and importance of interpreter. 51:30 – 57:00 – Handoff and deployment to outpost with the ANA. 57:00 – 1:02 – Issues of cooperation with ANA, quality of ANA company commander varies drastically, extortion of supplies and diesel fuel by ANA company commander. 1:02 – 1:07 – Story of convoy leaving outpost, just desserts for bad ANA company commander, drone air support on large convoys. 1:07 – 1:14 –ANA company patrol, coming under fire and IED attack, taking command, investigation for more IEDs. 1:15 – 1:20 – Upcoming 3rd deployment, handover of Canadian duties to Americans, join ANA-American force, exit strategy, comments on solving problems in a tribal culture and establishing strong security and credible government. 1:20 – 1:25 – Comments on difference between ANA and ANP, challenges they face, fragmented tribal nature, ancient society. 1:25 – 1:27 – Inkblot theory of strong points and bleed off effect. 1:27 – 1:33 – Motivations of a soldier, training to fall back on under fire, IED hunting and risks of secondary IED. 1:33 – 1:38 – Comparison and contrast of CF to ANA, issues with mentorship, ANA do things the Afghan way. 1:38 – 1:39 – Riot between ANA companies, ANA commander doles out punishment with a steel rod. 1:39 – 1:43 – Lessons learned, lost lives, closing thoughts., Interviewee: Lerch, Slade Gestur John, b. 1969, Rank: Captain. , and An interview/narrative of Slade Lerch's experiences during the War in Afghanistan. Interview took place on March 21, 2011.
Keyword:: Afghanistan--Afghan National Police, Taliban--Tactics, Afghan War, 2001-, Civil-military relations--Afghanistan, Communications, Military, Combat patrols, Kabul (Afghanistan), Improvised explosive devices, Counterinsurgency, International Security Assistance Force (Afghanistan)--Village Medical Outreach, Mortars (Ordnance), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Taliban, United States--Army--Kinetic operations, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Mentoring, Culture conflict, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team, Special forces (Military science), Afghan War, 2001- --Personal narratives, Canadian, Tactics, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry--Battalion, 3rd, Integrated operations (Military science)., Afghanistan--History--2001-, Military convoys, Provincial Reconstruction Team, Translators, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Medical care, Eavesdropping, Kandaha?r (Afghanistan), Kandahar Airfield (Afghanistan), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Joint Task Force Two, Uninhabited combat aerial vehicles, Mentoring, Predator (Drone aircraft), Soldiers--Recreation, Afghanistan--Politics and government--2001-, Afghanistan--Afghan National Army, Lerch, Slade G. J., 1969- --Interviews, Communications, Military--Equipment and supplies, Emergency contingency funds, Asymmetric warfare, Panjwa?ii (Afghanistan : District), and Afghanistan National Security Forces
Subject:: Afghan War (2001-2021), Soldiers, Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Military history, and Afghan Wars
Contributor:: Lerch, Slade Gestur John, b. 1969 and Keithley, Leif
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2011-03-21
Rights Statement:: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
License:: This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
Resource Type:: http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
Extent:: 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: Canada and United States
Coordinates:: 39.76, -98.5 and 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional Physical Characteristics:: Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
Physical Repository:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Collection:: Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Genre:: oral histories (literary genre), sound recordings, interviews, and reminiscences
Archival Item Identifier:: LSGJ_683
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2011-03-21
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2011. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

587. Bebbington, Kenneth Martin: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 22, 2011)

Title:: Bebbington, Kenneth Martin: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 22, 2011)
Description:: Interviewer: Wood, Jim, An interview/narrative of Kenneth Martin Bebbington's experiences whilst serving with the Canadian Forces. Interview took place on March 22, 2011., ABSTRACT: Interview began with a brief description of growing up in Regina, Saskatchewan, followed by an explanation of the circumstances that led to enlistment in the Canadian Forces. Description of work at the clay tile plant in Regina. Upon completion of basic training at CFB Cornwallis, Kenneth Bebbington was assigned to helicopter maintenance duties on the HMCS Provider and HMCS Protector. Posted to CFS Alert in the early 1980s. Description of service conditions and recreational pursuits in the Arctic, as well as listening to radio traffic between Canadian and Soviet aircraft. Recalls listening to radio traffic during the Soviet operations in Afghanistan. This was followed by a promotion and assignment to CFS Carp, the Ottawa Diefenbunker, where Bebbington was responsible for the maintenance of communications equipment. As a senior NCO, he also oversaw the “enemy force” element of training exercises intended to test the security and defences of the facility. Describes several of these exercises in detail, the solid construction of the facility, its outdated equipment in the 1980s, and the absence of senior government officials from training exercises. Closes with comments on the closing of CFS Carp, the dismantling of its equipment, and assignment to other duties in CFB Edmonton and Ottawa. Brief follow-up question on the possible effects of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) on the radio equipment at CFS Carp. 0:00 – 2:10 – Growing up in Regina and circumstances leading to enlistment. 2:10 – 7:07 – Service on HMCS Provider and HMCS Protector. 7:07 – 17:30 – Posting to the Canadian Arctic station at CFS Alert. 17:30 – 24:10 – Discussion of service at CFS Carp. 24:10 – 57:30 – Training exercises to test the Diefenbunker defences. 57:30 – 1:01:45 – Closing of CFS Carp. 1:01:45 – 1:03:40 – Assignment to other duties. 1:03:40 – 1:09:27 – Discussion of EMP; general comments on Diefenbunker., and Interviewee: Bebbington, Kenneth Martin, b. 1947
Keyword:: Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Cornwallis, N.S.), Alert (Nunavut), War games, Canada--Canadian Army--Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, Canada--Canadian Armed forces--Radio installations, Helicopters--Maintenance and repair, Radio, Military--Equipment and supplies, Military education, Diefenbunker, Canada's Cold War Museum, Military training camps, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Forces Station (Alert, N.W.T.), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, Radio, Sea King (Helicopter), Alert (N.W.T.), Bebbington, Kenneth Martin, 1947- --Interviews, Protecteur (Auxiliary oiler replenishment ), Afghanistan--History--Soviet occupation, 1979-1989, Communications, Military--Equipment and supplies, Provider (Auxiliary oiler replenishment ), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Civil defense drills, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Recruiting, enlistment, etc., Cold War, Military helicopters--Maintenance and repair, Airplanes, Military--Soviet Union, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Forces Station (Carp, Ont.), Electromagnetic pulse, Radio--Equipment and supplies, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Ottawa, Ont.), Communications, Military, Naval auxiliary vessels, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Edmonton, Alta.), Radio, Military, and Military maneuvers
Subject:: Canada. Canadian Army, Military history, Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, and Afghan Wars
Contributor:: Wood, Jim and Bebbington, Kenneth Martin, b. 1947
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2011-03-22
Rights Statement:: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
License:: This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
Resource Type:: http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
Extent:: 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: Afghanistan and Canada
Coordinates:: 33, 66 and 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional Physical Characteristics:: Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
Physical Repository:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Collection:: Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Genre:: interviews, oral histories (literary genre), sound recordings, and reminiscences
Archival Item Identifier:: BKM_701
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2011-03-22
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2011. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

588. Crober, Francis Paul: my Bosnian War recollections (March 22, 2011)

Title:: Crober, Francis Paul: my Bosnian War recollections (March 22, 2011)
Description:: ABSTRACT: 00:00-17:00 – Statement of names, places and collection of oral consent. Crober discusses his career prior to Bosnia. Some discussion of strategic factors affecting the Bosnia deployment (Transport, Forces Reorganization, Political Factors, Winding down of Germany) 17:00- 22:00 - Discussion of motivation to go to Bosnia, discussion of his duties in Bosnia as operations officer and how he came about getting them and how he executed them. 22:00 – 24:48 – Some initial discussion of other UNPROFOR personnel with which Crober was working. 24:48-27:33 - Discussion of incidents in Sarajevo. Italian Aircraft being shot down; Canadian involvement in relieving a blockade into Sarajevo and political factors affecting the CF in Bosnia; Discusses effect on Morale. 27:33-31:26 - Inital discussion of CF operations around Sarajevo, including operations around the two hospitals in Sarajevo. Discussion of inter-ethnic relations on the ground in Bosnia. Mentions a man called Victor. 31:26 – 45:35 – Discussion of 7th Muslim Brigade, Muslims from elsewhere who had come to fight with Bosniac Muslims. Mentions importance of the UN mission to protecting Bosnian Muslims. Draws comparison with current operations in Libya. Discussion of use of air evacuation of casualties. Discussion of 7th Muslim Brigade attack on humanitarian convoy. Mentions defence of Benedictine monastery from 7th Muslim Brigade attacks. Egyptian commander. Discussion of composition of the 7th Muslim Brigade. Mentions that many JNA infantry were Muslim and very good. Discusses a few incidents involving the 7th Muslim Brigade, whom he describes as including a number of fundamentalists “of the kind we are very familiar with today.” Discussion of being held hostage, along with several UN staff officers. “Nobody from [The other groups] would think of doing that”. Izebegovic’s intervention and subsequent execution of hostage takers “shot while escaping”. Talks about 7th Muslim Brigade abusing women and subsequent standoff. Lesson of “East meets West” and digression on Islam and Europe. Discussion of 7th Islamic brigade being kicked out. Talks about being rescued by Danny Furman, an ex-Mossad UN Civil Affairs staff officer, digression on the situation of Jews in the former Jugoslavia. 45:35 –49:00 – Discussion of living conditions in Sarajevo and issues surrounding supply of gas to the city. Comparison with the living conditions in Vukovar, due to Serb shelling. Discussion of depiction of Serbs as aggressors in Bosnia and Kosovo. Crober emphasises that all sides were involved in heavy Ethnic cleansing and mass-murder. 49:00-53:00 – Differences between other UN missions and Bosnia. Crober points out that a “regular UN deployment” was quite a rare thing. Discussion of British army in Cyprus and the conditions on the ground there being different from other deployments. Discusses the different types of UN peacekeeping and peacemaking operations going on in Bosnia at the time. 55:30 – 67:59 – Discussion of professionalism. Large amount of praise for the leadership of Colonel Calvin at Medak. Discussion of dated equipment, although weapons were good and training even better, even in times of restraint. Discussion of incidents at hospitals where the R22eme had a company (Part of CANBAT 2 under 12 RBC). Discussion of the conditions there and how things were hushed up. Discusses how the R22eme company at the hospital was under-staffed and “beat into the ground” as a result of being under staffed and under over stretched. Leadership issues in CF are also talked about. Emphasis on need for UN peacekeepers to be well trained soldiers along with need for good training. Crober goes into further discussion of CANBAT 2’s operations. Discussion of political interference on the kind of tasks they could and could not do. Discussion of use of non-infantry troops as infantry and of the stresses of operating in a theatre like Bosnia. 68:00 – 69:56 - Digression on PTSD and how it affected the job of the Strathcona’s (Canadian armoured regiment) CO at the time, discussion of PTSD debrieifings and how soldiers deal with what they see and who they will tell about their experiences. Touches on issue of compartmentalization in order to stay sane. 69:57-72:22 – Discussion of how the CF changed after Bosnia and the Cold War. Discussion of how politicians were unresponsive to CF’s needs. Discussion of how staff system changed, improvements in training, complete change in the Army since 1990. 72:22-78:38 – Discusses working with other UNPROFOR contingents. Crober expresses a lot of admiration for the British Army, knew “how to handle them.” Discusses effect of not working with British Army. Discussion of Canada in relation into the United States when it comes to defence relations. French are discussed as being very good in Bosnia, due to their being French Foreign Legion. Dutch and Belgians were conscripts and were not particularly good. Digression on how conscripts are not very good at peace-keeping, due to their lack of experience and motivation. Names other contingents that had conscripts. Scandinavian contingents are spoken of very highly. 78:38- 79:00 – Digression re time Crober has left. Crober offers to respond to further questions by email and agrees to answer a couple more questions during Porta’s interview. 79:00 – 83:17 - Further discussion of working with ethnic paramilitary factions. Discussion of meeting Mladic, dangers of Snipers, discussion of Croatian massacres at Vares and Stupni-Do. 83:17 - 84:55 - Discussion of how Crober is reluctant to be associated with the UN. Crober has very harsh criticism for the UN representative in Bosnia. 84:55 – 86:18 End of interview, signing of release form, Porta confirms Crober’s permission to keep the interview, in light of some the statements he made during the interview. Crober re-affirms his permission. End of interview., Interviewer: Porta, Rowan, An interview/narrative of Francis Paul's experiences in the former Yugoslavia. Interview took place on March 22, 2011., and Interviewee: Crober, Francis Paul
Keyword:: Sarajevo (Bosnia and Hercegovina)--History--Siege, 1992-1996, Kosovo (Republic), Medicine, Military, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Transport, Snipers, Bosnia and Hercegovina--History--1992-, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Political activity, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Royal Re?giment, 22e, Vukovar (Croatia)--Bombardment, Yugoslav War, 1991-1995--Personal narratives, Canadian, United Nations--Peacekeeping forces, Vares? (Bosnia and Hercegovina), Serbia--History--1992-, Stupni Do Massacre, Vares? (Bosnia and Hercegovina), October 1993, Yugoslav War, 1991-1995, Militia movements, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Régiment blindé du Canada, 12e, Paramilitary forces, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Bosnia and Hercegovina--Politics and Government--1992-, United Nations Protection Force, Yugoslav War, 1991-1995--Atrocities--Bosnia and Hercegovina, Peacekeeping Forces, Canadian, Calvin, James, Bosnia and Hercegovina--Armija--Muslimanska brigada, 7, Canada--Canadian Army--Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona's Horse) (Royal Canadians), 2nd, Great Britain--Army, Yugoslav War, 1991-1995--Blockades, Croatia--History--1990-, Sarajevo (Bosnia and Hercegovina), Bosnia and Hercegovina--Ethnic relations, Yugoslavia--Ethnic relations, Crober, Francis Paul--Interviews, Civil-military relations, Serbs, Mladic?, Ratko, Hostages, Yugoslav War, 1991-1995--Atrocities--Croatia, Integrated operations (Military science), Command of troops, Women, Abuse of, Massacres--Bosnia and Hercegovina, Medak Pocket Operation, Croatia, 1993, Transport of sick and wounded, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Organization, Operation Harmony, 1992, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Battle Group, 2, Military morale, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Medical care, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Operational readiness, Multinational armed forces, Airlift, Military, Hospitals--Bosnia and Hercegovina--Sarajevo, and Genocide
Subject:: Yugoslav War (1991-1995), Military history, Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, United Nations, Kosovo War (1998-1999), and Siege of Sarajevo (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina : 1992-1996)
Contributor:: Crober, Francis Paul and Porta, Rowan
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2011-03-22
Rights Statement:: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
License:: This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
Resource Type:: http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
Extent:: 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: Yugoslavia, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina--Sarajevo, and Great Britain
Coordinates:: 43.84864, 18.35644, 60.10867, -113.64258, 44, 19.75, and 54.75844, -2.69531
Additional Physical Characteristics:: Original sound recording (WMA) also available.
Physical Repository:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Collection:: Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Genre:: reminiscences, sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), and interviews
Archival Item Identifier:: CFP_692
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2011-04-01
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2011. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

589. Drent, Jan: my Cold War and Gulf War recollections (March 22, 2011)

Title:: Drent, Jan: my Cold War and Gulf War recollections (March 22, 2011)
Description:: Interviewer: Roberts, Evan, An interview/narrative of Jan Drent's experiences during the Cold War and the Gulf War. Interview took place on March 22, 2011., Interviewee: Drent, Jan, and ABSTRACT: Joining the Navy — 0:41 University, and UNTD (University Naval Training Division — 1:28 Use of his degree in career — 2:17 Motivation for Joining the Navy — 2:35 Career Aspirations — 3:06 Early Sea Command — 4:16 Anti-Submarine Warfare — 4:55 Capelin Fish and Fisheries Patrols — 6:00 Boarding Parties — 10:00 NATO Training & Operations — 12:00 Attachment to Moscow as a military attaché — 14:00 Submarine Threat — 19:10 Directing Staff at RN Staff College — 20:20 Defence Analyst Posting / Integration of Government Fleets — 26:05 NATO and It's Influence on the Canadian Navy — 34:12 Work at Brussels NATO Headquarters and Standardization — 41:42 The diminishing Soviet Threat / Force Goals and Cooperation at NATO — 45:20 Advantages of NATO — 54:48 NATO isn't Everything — 59:00 Public Perception of the Navy in 1980s — 1:00:27
Keyword:: Provider (Auxiliary oiler replenishment ), Drent, Jan Jansz, 1935- --Interviews, Qu'Appelle II (Destroyer), Naval attache--Iceland--Helsinki, Persian Gulf War, 1991--Naval operations, Canadian, Annapolis II (Destroyer), Columbia II (Destroyer), Royal Naval College of Canada (Halifax, N.S.), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Equipment, Crusader (Destroyer), Stettler (Frigate), Canadian Forces Language School, Restigouche II (Destroyer), Chaudiere II (Destroyer), Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--Personal narratives, Antisubmarine aircraft, University Naval Training Division, Standardization, Canada--Dept. of National Defence--Headquarters, Persian Gulf War, 1991, Military attache, Operation Friction, 1991, North Atlantic Treaty Organization--Influence, NATO Headquarters, Fishing--Canada, Naval attache-- Russia (Federation)--Moscow, Anti-submarine warfare, Cold War, Saskatchewan (Destroyer), Soviet Union--Armed Forces, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Operational readiness, Boarding parties, Naval attache--Poland--Warsaw, Fisheries--Canada, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--H.M.C.S. Discovery, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Organization, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Maritime Command, Capelin fisheries, Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--H.M.C.S. Stadacona., Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Soviet Union--Politics and government--1985-1991, Public opinion, Canadian Forces College, Anti-submarine warfare--Equipment and supplies, and Athabaskan II (Destroyer)
Subject:: Military history, Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Cold War (1945-1989), and Persian Gulf War (1991)
Contributor:: Drent, Jan and Roberts, Evan
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2011-03-22
Rights Statement:: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
License:: This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
Resource Type:: http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
Extent:: 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: Canada and Middle East
Coordinates:: 33.13906, 35.85869 and 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional Physical Characteristics:: Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
Physical Repository:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Collection:: Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Genre:: sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), interviews, and reminiscences
Archival Item Identifier:: DJ_696
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2011-08-09
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2011. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

590. Fitch, Edward: my Bosnian War recollections (March 23, 2011)

Title:: Fitch, Edward: my Bosnian War recollections (March 23, 2011)
Description:: Interviewee: Fitch, Edward, Interviewer: Porta, Rowan, An interview/narrative of Edward Fitch's experiences in the former Yugoslavia. Interview took place on March 23. 2011., and ABSTRACT: File 1 00:00-02:42 – Initial narrative, declaration of consent. Fitch begins discussing his service in Bosnia. Discusses RMC and training; begins discussing the duties of military engineers in the CF. End of first file due to telephone interruption. File 2 00:00-04:35 – Fitch resumes interview. Mentions how his 29 years of prior service in the CF all helped him with his duties. Resumes his discussion of CF military engineering duties. Fitch mentions that being skilled in his profession and as a soldier as being a very important in Bosnia, as it enabled him to stand up to the “thugs in that country” [Bosnia]. Just before end of second file, Fitch is asked about his specific duties in Bosnia. End of second file. File 3 00:00-04:07 – Interview resumed, Fitch discusses his duties in Bosnia. Fitch discusses the transformation from UNPROFOR to IFOR. As chief engineer for UNPROFOR and later deputy chief engineer in IFOR, working under British Brigadier-General John Moore-Bick, and the general nature of his duties. 04:07-08:12 - Digression on operation Storm, includes discussion of how UN operations were run in Bosnia, compares UN command in Bosnia to using Paris in the First World War as a headquarters. Discusses the politics of the UN and its ineffectiveness. Question about how politics interfered with his work, before interview is again interrupted. File 4 00:00 – 09:38 – Further discussion of how politics of UN affected Fitch’s duties. Discussion of the Agrokomerc army under Fikret Abdic and how his forces and their families ended up being forced into area around Koplensko – well armed and cornered. Fitch describes finding them as “living on the road” in a “concentration camp.” Discusses how conditions in Koplensko were made better, even when he had to go behind UN headquarters back, due to political considerations. Discusses how people in Koplensko were evacuated. 09:38 – 13:10 – Discussion of how explosive ordnance collection and weapons was organised in Koplensko. Discusses the types of ordinance that were collected in these areas. Discusses how Croatian police behaved and related to the people within the Koplensko camp. 13:10 – 20:29 – Discussion of issues presented by mines and unexploded ordnance. Discussion of clearing unexploded ordnance from a hotel outside Sarajevo that was later to be an IFOR military compound. Discusses injury of a local child and local harassment. Discussion of role of NGOs and local paramilitary groups in demining, mentions use of dogs. Mentions how mine clearance could be a difficult task when it came to demining conflict areas. Digression on impossibility of guaranteeing absence of unexploded ordnance. Discusses how local mine clearance groups drawn from militias could be very unreliable. 20:30 – 26:45 – Discussion of mines and booby traps being deliberately laid for UN personnel. Mentions how one of these booby traps had been laid in a “pre-meditated act of murder” which killed sergeant Ralph, a Canadian soldier. Discussion of British Scorpion armoured reconnaissance vehicle being blown up by a mine. Discussion of Canadian officer losing both legs while driving over a mine in a jeep. 26:45 – 41:59 – Discussion of rebuilding bridges “knitting the country back together.” Discussion of various types of bridges (Bailey Bridges, PMP, Mabey-Johnson, pontoon bridges, Acrow bridge). Discussion of advantages of the Mabey-Johnson bridge over the Bailey bridge design, also mentions using these bridges in Canada. Discusses complexities of rebuilding some of the bridges in the area. Gives example of a bridge being rebuilt over a hairpin turn. Further discussion of the engineering challenges presented by some of the bridging sites. Digression on one German engineer losing toes to a mine at a bridging site near Sarajevo during a reconnaissance. Discussion of Romanian contingent as doing anything asked of it. Digression on how Italian and Romanians could speak with one another and how their languages are similar. 42:00 – 48:03 – Discussion of pre-deployment training given to individuals deployed on UN peacekeeping missions. Mentions taking personal steps to prepare himself while being at CFB Chilliwack. Mentions that things got better later on. Discussion of mine awareness and unexploded ordnance awareness and how this was a high priority, to the point that people would never leave a paved road for their own protection. 48:04 – 52:00 – Digression on the history of mine warfare to explain anti-personnel and anti-tank mines. Fitch uses this to segway into a discussion of how hard it was to detect certain types of mine due to their low metal content, even when it came to using dogs. Discussion of wide distribution of mines among troops in certain of the local paramilitary factions. 52:00 – 61:51 – Discussion of leadership challenges in a multinational element like IFOR. “Forging peace in Europe for the next one hundred years,” Fitch discusses how former Warsaw Pact military personnel were introduced to NATO-style headquarters and operating standards, example of Hungarian engineers learning to work independently and thriving “Knitting Europe back together.” Use of friendly rivalry to encourage contingents to work together, as in the example of how French and Germans built a Mabey-Johnson bridge in as fast a time as possible. On the topic of how it was to work with other contingents, Fitch mentions that there were variations with regard to what it was like to work with some contingents versus other countries. File 5 00:00 – 06:14 – Discussion of professional lessons learned as a result of deployment to the former Yugoslavia. Fitch mentions that the most important thing he learned was “how to function in a multinational environment.” Fitch talks about “technique for working in highly political, dysfunctional multi-national headquarters,” namely lateral networking and “friendly subterfuge.” Fitch discusses the use of “NATO standard” to get things done in these situations. Fitch discusses how this technique was later useful during his postings to NDHQ. 06:14 – 20:14 – Further discussion of the interaction with local factions on the ground. Discussion of how it was difficult to describe what was occurring on the ground to his father who was a Veteran of the Second World War. Discussion of the ethnic aspects of Yugoslavia and heavy presence of history and the various ethnic differences. Fitch discusses a type of society in which a “gangster mentality” which was kept in check by an “imposed rule of law” and how after Tito’s disappearance situations spiralled out of control in a vicious circle. Essentially every faction was equally ruthless, spurred on by the “gangster elements.” Despite this, there were still bonds linking people from different backgrounds. 20:14 – 21:25 – End of interview, confirmation of release form being signed, Major-General Fitch is thanked.
Keyword:: Agrokomerc, United Nations--Peacekeeping forces, Multinational armed forces, North Atlantic Treat Organization, Bosnia and Hercegovina--Politics and Government--1992-, Mines (Military explosives), Scorpion (Armored military vehicle), United Nations Protection Force, Military engineering, Military field engineering, Bosnia and Hercegovina--History--1992-, International cooperation, War wounds, Abdic?, Fikret, IFOR (Organization), Explosive ordnance disposal, Royal Military College of Canada, Paramilitary forces, War--Psychological aspects, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Combat Engineer Regiment, 1, Canada--Dept. of National Defence--Headquarters, Bailey bridges, Peacekeeping Forces, Canadian, Command of troops, Military bridges, Military engineers, Koplensko Camp (Croatia), Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Chilliwack, B.C.), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Hercegovina)--Vojska--Ordance and ordnance stores, Yugoslav War, 1991-1995--Personal narratives, Canadian, Land mines, Multinational work teams, Booby traps, Croatia--Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova--Temeljna policija, Operation Storm, 1995, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Political activity, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Operational readiness, Bridges--War damage, Moore-Bick, John, 1949-, Fitch, Edward (Ed)--Interviews, Bridges--Design and construction, United Nations--Political activity, Truss bridges, Pontoon bridges, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Military construction operations, Mines (Military explosives)--Detection, Integrated operations (Military science), and Antitank weapons
Subject:: Military history, Siege of Sarajevo (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina : 1992-1996), Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, United Nations, and Yugoslav War (1991-1995)
Contributor:: Porta, Rowan and Fitch, Edward
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2011-03-23
Rights Statement:: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
License:: This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
Resource Type:: http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
Extent:: 5 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: Bosnia and Herzegovina--Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, and Canada
Coordinates:: 44, 19.75, 43.84864, 18.35644, and 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional Physical Characteristics:: Original sound recordings (WMA) also available.
Physical Repository:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Collection:: Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider:: University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
Genre:: oral histories (literary genre), sound recordings, reminiscences, and interviews
Archival Item Identifier:: FE_693
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2011-04-01
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2011. Migration metadata by KD and MT.