Bateman, Merritt Hayes: my Army recollections (May 28, 1987)

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An interview/narrative of Merritt Hayes Bateman's experiences during World War II. Colonel Bateman served with the Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment (27th Armoured Regiment). Interview took place on May 28, 1987.

ABSTRACT: Col. Merritt Hayes Bateman The Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment (27th Armoured Regiment) Bateman_M_0014_01.mp3 Born on May 21, 1919 in Quyon, Que. Joined the Sherbrooke Fusiliers (Machine Gun) in June 1940. Housed in former cattle barns, some World War I uniforms, Ross rifles, etc. Battle dress, fall 1940. Much emphasis on route marches. As part of War Bond Campaign in 1941 the regiment marched from Sherbrooke to Connaught Ranges near Ottawa, a winding route of some three and one-half weeks duration. (10:00) Civilian attitude towards war: in several villages they did not see one adult! In Aug./Sept. 1941 the unit moved to Newfoundland vice the Regina Rifles who were sent to Hong Kong. Issued Lee-Enfields, Brens, and carriers. U-boats seen at Conception Bay. Asserts that some Germans came ashore in civilian dress to purchase food from local inhabitants. (20:00) All subalterns sent to Camp Borden, Ont. in Jan. 1942 for armoured training as the unit was redesignated 27th Armoured Regiment. Then sent to England on sixteen-week troop commanders course. In the fall of 1942 the regiment became part of the independent 2nd Armoured Brigade. Trained on General Lee and Ram tanks. Issued Shermans not long before D-Day. Each troop initially had one Sherman Firefly for anti tank role (seventeen-pounder gun). (35:00) D-Day seemed like another of many sea exercises until bodies were seen on the beaches. Once ashore the tanks dropped their "Turtles" (sledges attached under each tank, carrying 110 rounds of 75-mm. ammunition) at a rendezvous. (45:00) Bateman_M_0014_02.mp3 Enemy opposition stiff from midnight, June 6. Tank hit at Carpiquet Airport, two killed. Wounded, evacuated to beach. Returned to unit after capture of Caen. Participated in Operation Totalize. Promoted to captain. Special training for direction-finding at night. Criticized 4th Canadian Armoured Division. (10:00) Own unit lacked flexibility. More freedom required to make battlefield decisions. Lost second tank. On Aug. 15 was wounded again. Returned as second-in-command of squadron in Oct. (20:00) By then the regiment was near Nijmegen. Jan./Feb. 1945 crossed into Germany. On Christmas Eve 1944 moved back eighty miles to defend against German Ardennes offensive. Returned to Dutch/German border. Much flooding. During attack on Cleve had to drive along a railway line two to three feet under water, led by a man with a pole! (30:00) Sent to England for armoured tactical course. War ended. Promoted to major. Returned to England in Nov. 1945. Second-in-command of regiment. Returned to Sherbrooke in Jan. 1946 bringing their only Sherman (named "Bomb") to survive European operations. Now a memorial. Demobilized, returned to university. Unsatisfactory. Rejoined army, stayed for twenty eight years. Served as instructor in gunnery with the British forces in Germany. Staff college, Kingston, Ont. Worked with Col. C.P. Stacey (Canadian Army historian) for two and one-half years in England. Member of British Battle Honours Committee. (40:00) Gives details of selection: each unit entitled to eight only. Returned to Canada as Director of Armour (colonel). For four years was "military advisor" in London. Retired.

Rank: Colonel.

Interviewer: Torrie, Tom

Interviewee: Bateman, Merritt Hayes, 1919-2004

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 2 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 49, 0
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
  • 54.75844, -2.69531
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound tape reel (ca. 95 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • BMH_014
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • April 24, 2007
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by JW, 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 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

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