Richardson, Clinton Argue: my Army recollections (August 1, 1989)
An interview/narrative of Clinton Argue Richardson's experiences during World War II. Brigadier Richardson, D.S.O. served with the Calgary Regiment (14th Armoured Regiment). Interview took place in August 1989.
Interviewer: Maltby, Richard Gosse
Interviewee: Richardson, Clinton Argue, b. 1908
Rank: Brigadier. Medals and Honours: Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
ABSTRACT: Brig. Clinton Argue Richardson, D.S.O The Calgary Regiment (14th Armoured Regiment) Born on Oct. 12, 1908 and presently resides in Montreal, Que. (Transcript) Introduction. Originally joined the regiment in Red Deer Alta. and was shortly thereafter commissioned as an acting second lieutenant. The regiment "went active" in 1941. Second Lieutenant Richardson was sent to the Officer Cadet Training Unit Brockville, Ont., but after about a month he was recalled to the regiment as they were about to proceed overseas. In England he was appointed quartermaster, but had to learn the job by doing it. Regular promotions brought him to squadron commander, second-in-command, and finally commanding officer. The regiment left Camp Borden for England in June 1941 and quickly began intensive training on Salisbury Plain. Originally issued with Matilda tanks, then with the heavier Churchill tank. Soon began "infantry-cum-tank" training. In Jan. 1942 finally qualified as lieutenant while carrying on as quartermaster. Many exercises and firing practices in 1942, followed by combined operations exercises on the Isle of Wight. Carried out many experiments in waterproofing tanks. In August they were notified that they were to be part of an assault against Dieppe. As quartermaster he served in the regimental headquarters ship which was sunk, but luckily he was rescued. Due to losses in men and equipment much effort had to be made to rebuild the regiment to its previous standard. Comment that a major difficulty for the tanks at Dieppe was the seawall which was in fact higher than the one built for the pre-invasion exercises on the Isle of Wight. The rock on the beaches was discovered to be quite unsuitable for tracked vehicles. Intensive training carried out at Seaford and Worthing. The regiment, as part of the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, was inspected by the King in Feb. 1943. Issued with Canadian built Ram tanks and, short time with Sherman tanks. After intensive training with the tanks they embarked on landing ships, tank (LST's) and sailed from the Clyde to a destination only announced some time later. Landed on Sicily, July 13, 1943, but saw little action in the early stage of the invasion. Landed in Italy and quickly moved to the eastern side of the country. Advanced across the Foggia Plain and were seen in action against the Germans. Supported the 8th Indian Division. In heavy fighting the supply situation deteriorated. Mule trains were organized, sometimes moving forty miles to reach the unit. By now in command of B Squadron, counting himself fortunate that he was no longer quartermaster. In Dec. 1943 appointed second-in-command of the regiment. Experienced terrible weather in winter 1944 with the result that the tanks had to occupy static positions. At the end of Jan. they mounted two attacks, under constant shellfire, and both were repulsed. Possibly the hardest fighting occurred in May 1944 in the Liri Valley. With the 8th Indian Division they crossed the Gari River and helped break the German Gustiv Line. Advanced to the Hitler Line against heavy opposition. Many losses in tanks and men. On June 11, 1944 assumed command of the regiment. Rest and training south of Rome, then on to the attack on the Trasimeno Line. Very rough and muddy country. Outran their supplies, obtained food from civilian sources. Own tank mined and put out of communication for some time. The enemy dug in on the Arezzo Florence road and the advance was stopped. In mid-July they advanced again, in support of the 8th Indian Division to the lower Arno River, not far from Florence. Rest area, training, leave in Rome. On Aug. 25, 1944 the regiment crossed the Arno under heavy shelling and with the 1/5 Ghurka Regiment advanced as far as the enemy, the poor weather, and worse terrain permitted. As the commanding officer, he visited all the forward positions every day. The battle resolved itself into problems of supply --food and ammunition -- and the rough terrain, with the enemy as badly off. Fortunately the Canadians and the Indians retained their high morale. No real tank warfare in the mountains, rather they acted as a form of mobile artillery. Reads excerpt from the regimental war diary. Intensive training period. they ran reconnaissance, gunnery and driving schools. In Jan. 1945 in action in support of the 56th (London) Division of the 8th Army. Left Italy in March 1945 as part of Operation Goldflake, concentrating in Belgium. Much effort expended in bringing the regiment back to acceptable standards of neatness, drill, and saluting! In April they advanced on Arnhem, through there, and to much confused fighting in support of the British 49th Division. On the move continuously. By April 26 firing had stopped on their front and they realized that the war was over for them. Within a few days they were engaged in cleaning up there area, burying dead animals, opening roads, guarding German prisoners. All tanks and vehicles were freshly painted for the Victory Parade in the Hague on May 21. Subsequently they were engaged in moving prisoners from the Zuider Zee area and in practising for a great many ceremonies and parades. Anxiety to return to return to Canada and too much free time combined to produce some lack of discipline, but increased training time alleviated the problem somewhat. On May 20, 1945 all their tanks were turned into the Ordnance Corps. All key personnel were "frozen" in their jobs pending repatriation. Much sports activity together with frequently held drill sessions kept the troops busy. They began their own newspaper, The Calgary Eye-Opener. On Aug. 19, 1945 the regiment went to Dieppe for a memorial parade. In Sept. ordered to turn in all vehicles and on the 27th the remaining members started for Canada. At Calgary about two hundred, all ranks, marched through the streets to a very warm reception. Offers some statistics, including having received more than a thousand tanks from the Ordnance Corps, fought more than 400 days out of a possible 668 days in an operational theatre, and two tanks survived to complete the whole operational period. (90:00)
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 45.50884, -73.58781
- One original sound cassette (ca. 90 min.) : standard track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- RCA_211
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- September 29, 2010
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2010. 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
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