Miller, Harold H.: my United Nations Protection Force recollections (November 12, 2007)
Interviewer: Merritt, Elena
An interview/narrative of Sergeant Harold Miller's experiences whilst serving with the United Nations Protection Force. Interview took place on November 12, 2007.
Rank: Sergeant. Medals and Honours: Canadian Forces Decoration; Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina Medal; Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal; Canadian Centennial Medal
Interviewee: Miller, Harold H., b. 1939
ABSTRACT: Interview with Sergeant Harold Miller Conducted by Elena Merritt on 12 November 2007 The interview begins with Sergeant Harold Miller describing his role with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Balkans, UNPROFOR, in the early 1990s. Sergeant Miller explains his family background in the Canadian military, with two brothers serving in the Second World War. Sergeant Miller describes the process of joining the Canadian Forces, having started early with the Cadets. The interview then shifts to the UNPROFOR mission, with Sergeant Miller discussing what the situation was like when he first arrived in the Balkans in 1992 (6:00). Sergeant Miller elucidates his daily routine, which included dispensing water and rations to different companies. Sergeant Miller then describes the training he received for the United Nations mission in the Balkans. As well, Sergeant Miller discusses how he perceived the United Nations mandate and how he felt the mission was very 'short-handed' (25:00). In the second part of the interview, Sergeant Miller explains the support their mission received from the United Nations, the Canadian government, and the Canadian public. Additionally, Sergeant Miller discusses the main obstacles facing the mission and the reaction of the local people to their presence in the Balkans (5:00). Furthermore, Sergeant Miller describes witnessing the ethnic prejudices and ethnic cleansing in the Balkans and how he internalized the events he saw. For example, Sergeant Miller elaborates how he saw a Christmas tree blown up due to the ethnic tension. The interview then shifts to discussing what it was like coming back to Canada after his mission (17:00). Sergeant Miller addresses the emotional hardships from his mission and his family's reaction to his absence (25:00). Sergeant Miller also explains how he copes with the memories of his mission, citing the benefits of getting together with other veterans and discussing their missions. In the conclusion of the interview, Sergeant Miller describes how he remembers his service in the Balkans. Sergeant Miller states, in conclusion, that if he had the opportunity to serve again for the peacekeeping forces, he would.
- In Collection:
- Military education
- Ethnic relations
- Balkan Peninsula--Politics and government--1989-
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Barracks and quarters
- War--Psychological aspects
- Bosnia--Politics and government--1992-
- Bosnia--History--1992-
- Balkan Peninsula--Ethnic relations
- Bosnia and Hercegovina--History--1992-
- Croatia--Politics and government--1990-
- United Nations Protection Force
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Public opinion
- Bosnians
- Croatia--Realtions--Serbia
- Miller, Harold, H., 1939- --Interviews
- Genocide
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Organization
- Families of military personnel
- Psychological debriefing
- Veteran reintegration
- Military convoys
- Mass media and war
- Bosnia and Hercegovina--Ethnic relations
- Basic training (Military education)
- Yugoslavia--History--1992-2003
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Operational readiness
- Yugoslav War, 1991-1995--Croatia
- UNPROFOR
- Yugoslav War, 1991-1995
- Croats
- Bosnia and Hercegovina--Realtions--Croatia
- Balkan Peninsula--History--1989-
- Veterans--Services for
- Border stations
- United Nations--Peacekeeping forces
- Yugoslav War, 1991-1995--Personal narratives, Canadian
- United Nations--Armed Forces
- Yugoslav War, 1991-1995--Bosnia and Hercegovina
- Croatia--Relations--Bosnia and Hercegovina
- Canada--Canadian Army--Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
- Military morale
- Civil-military relations
- Culture conflict
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Military life
- Nationalism--Balkan Peninsula
- Bosnia and Hercegovina--Politics and Government--1992-
- Rules of engagement
- Croatia--History--1990-
- 3 sound recordings (MP3)
- 43.97233, 22.11567
- 60.10867, -113.64258
- Original sound recordings (DVF) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- MH_749
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- November 12, 2007
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 22kHz. 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 2007. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- 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
- DOI
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Miller_H_0749_01.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
Miller_H_0749_02.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
Miller_H_0749_03.mp3 |
|
|
|
Miller_H_0749.JPG |
|