Eckenfelder, George V.: my Army recollections (August 7, 1987)

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Interviewee: Eckenfelder, George V., b. 1910

Interviewer: Torrie, Tom

ABSTRACT: Capt. George V. Eckenfelder Royal Canadian Corps of Signals Eckenfelder_G_0066_01.mp3 Born in Alberta on May 22, 1910. Graduated from university in 1933 with a degree in civil engineering. Employed in a junior supervisory position in the unemployment camps. Later joined Calgary Power as an engineer. Enlisted in the 13th District Signals (militia) in 1938 and went "active" as a second lieutenant with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division signals unit in May 1940. Gives a description of the divisional signals establishment. Trained at Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ont. Remembers there was considerable telephone equipment, but wireless equipment in very short supply. Moved to Debert, N.S. after six months. Posted to 14th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery where the importance of field signals training was emphasized. Overseas in July 1941. (30:00) Eckenfelder_G_0066_02.mp3 Describes the inadequate barrack facilities at Aldershot. Much telephone training as wireless equipment still not adequate. Great improvement when No. 11 sets were issued, a stable, robust wireless set. In Feb. 1943 was sent to North Africa for battle experience with the British 1st Army, although too late to take part in any fighting. Comments on British technical officers who, he considers, were better trained than Canadian ones. On course the instructors were the best; not always so in the Canadian Army. Comments on discipline. (45:00) Due to the heat training started at 5:00 a.m. and lasted until 1:00 p.m. when the afternoons became free. Returned to England in Aug. 1943. Posted to the 7th Infantry Brigade as a captain. Comments on Brig. Churchill Mann and Brig. Harry Foster, both of whom he held in high regard. Spent three months training on the Isle of Wight, then to a concentration area north of Southampton where, with a minimum of confusion, they moved directly to their ships for the invasion. (10:00) Describes the trip to France and D-Day as part of the Brigade Headquarters. (20:00) Eckenfelder_G_0066_03.mp3 Comments on the progress of the advance in Normandy. Recalls his experience of being captured by a group of by-passed Germans who, despite occupying a large cave and strong defensive position, after a day, surrendered to him as senior officer prisoner. After Falaise the 3rd Division moved on to Boulogne and Calais. (31:00) Captured coast defence guns during which attack "flail" tanks were used to open the minefields. Describes a major German underground telephone exchange. (35:00) Was present at interesting interrogations of prisoners accused of "war crimes". Moved to the Scheldt Estuary, remaining there until Nov. 1944. Comments on Belgium; the entire division were guests of the citizens of Ghent for two days. Nijmegen. (45:00) Transferred to Army Troops Headquarters. Work not as interesting, but more comfortable. Describes the sight of starving people in Amsterdam. Returned to Aldershot. Mentions Canadians rioting over delays in repatriation. Returned to Canada in Sept. 1945. Rehired by Calgary Power as an engineer. Eckenfelder_G_0066_04.mp3 Expresses admiration for the British civilian population during air attacks. (12:00)

An interview/narrative of George V. Eckenfelder's experiences during World War II. Captain Eckenfelder served with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. Interview took place on August 7, 1987.

Rank: Captain.

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Considerable background noise, occasionally to the point of voice obliteration.
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 4 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic Coverage Coordinates
  • 54.75844, -2.69531
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound tape reel (ca. 105 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
Physical Repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • EGV_066
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • June 1, 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 AN, 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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file details Eckenfelder_G_0066_04.mp3