Pitts, Herb: my armed forces experiences (April 4, 2005)
PublicAn interview/narrative of H. C. Pitts's experiences during the Korean War. Major-General Pitts served with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Interview took place on April 4, 2005.
Interviewer: Miller, Bryce
ABSTRACT: Major-General H.C. Pitts (Cassette 1) Born in 1929 in Nelson BC. Attended the Canadian Services College in 1948, spending 2 years at Royal Roads and 2 years at RMC in Kingston. Trained as Armoured Corps Cadet. Commissioned in 1952 into Lord Strathcona's Horse at 19 years old. Upon Arriving in Korea was ordered into the first Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry as a Platoon Commander. Became member of advance party as an observer to join Pt battalion of the British Norfolk's brigade. Arrived back to Canadian lines 2 weeks later. Returned to D company in forward position overlooked by Hill 355. Describes times leading patrols in the valley." Describes forming P Company of the Royal Canadian Regiment. Discusses time on the hook." Recalls experience running barbed wire for which he won the Victoria Cross. Sent to NCO school as an instructor. Rejoined battalion as the base plate officer of the PPCLI mortar platoon. Fired in support of RCR when the Chinese attacked hill 187. Discusses friendly fire incidents. Goes into greater detail of family history, why he joined the military. Describes training at military college. Discusses moral of troops. (Cassette 2) Discusses equipment. Describes levels of interaction between Canadian and British and American troops. Discusses relationship with senior officers. Discusses motivation and ideology of soldiers. Explains "Forgotten War" stigma.
Interviewee: Pitts, Herb, b. 1929
Rank: Major-General.
- In Collection:
- 4 sound recordings (MP3)
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Two original audio cassettes in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- PH_442
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- November 16, 2012
- 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. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. 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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Pitts_H_0442_01.mp3 | Public |
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Pitts_H_0442_02.mp3 | Public |
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Pitts_H_0442_03.mp3 | Public |
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Pitts_H_0442_04.mp3 | Public |
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Pitts_H_0442.jpg | Public |
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