Huber, David H.: my United Nations Protection Force recollections (November 10, 2007)
PublicInterviewer: Merritt, Elena
An interview/narrative of Sergeant David Huber's experiences whilst serving with the United Nations Protection Force. Interview took place on November 10, 2007.
ABSTRACT: Interview with Sergeant David Huber Conducted by Elena Merritt on 10 November 2007 The interview begins with Sergeant David Huber briefly describing his service with the United Nations peacekeeping mission UNIIMOG in 1988. Sergeant Huber served as a medical assistant with UNIIMOG. Sergeant Huber then gives background to his military service by describing his grandfather's military service in World War Two. Sergeant Huber explains how he started his service with the Canadian military after high school and his family's reaction to his choice. The interview then shifts to Sergeant Huber's more recent service with UNIIMOG in Iran. Sergeant Huber describes what the situation was like when he first arrived in Iran (6:00). Sergeant Huber also explains his daily routine as medical assistant in Iran, outlining the types of common injuries and the climate. As well, Sergeant Huber portrays the rushed training he and his group received before they went into Iran (14:00). Subsequently, Sergeant Huber discusses the UNIIMOG peacekeeping mandate and how it operated on the ground (26:00). Furthermore, Sergeant Huber explains the mission's lack of support from the United Nations, Canadian politicians, and the Canadian public. Sergeant Huber also discusses the completion of the UNIIMOG mission and whether or not it can be seen as a 'success' (35:00). Additionally, Sergeant Huber discusses the reaction of the local people to peacekeeping force's presence in Iran and his interactions with the Iranian military personnel. Sergeant Huber continues by explaining the atmosphere in Iran during 1988, being filled with hatred and propaganda. For example, Sergeant Huber describes murals on the walls of a community pool which showed obscene cartoons about the United States (43:00). Sergeant Huber explains how he and his fellow colleagues coped with the conflict they witnessed (51:00). Sergeant Huber describes that he and his colleagues would either not talk about it or would laugh it off. He discusses passing through the Iranian battlefields and seeing 600 dead bodies on the ground. Sergeant Huber also talks about the rabid dogs in Iran, and the danger they caused. In the final part of the interview, Sergeant Huber discusses his return from Iran to Canada (1:02). Sergeant Huber then explains his disrespect for the United Nations following his service and his memories of the UNIIMOG mission in Iran.
Interviewee: Huber, David H., b. 1964
Rank: Sergeant. Medals and Honours: Canadian Forces Decoration; East Timor Medal; United Nations IranIraq Military Observer Group; Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal
- In Collection:
- Civil-military relations
- Public opinion
- Rabies in dogs
- Huber, David H., 1964- --Interviews
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Medical care
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Airborne Regiment
- UNIIMOG
- Prejudices
- Propaganda, Iranian
- United Nations--Public opinion
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Medical supplies
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Operational readiness
- Culture conflict
- Iraq--Foreign relations--Iran
- Border patrols--Iran
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Peacekeeping forces, Canadian
- Propaganda, Anti-American
- United Nations--Peacekeeping forces
- Boundary disputes
- Mass media and war
- United Nations--Iran Iraq Military Observer Group
- United Nations--Armed Forces
- Psychological debriefing
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Military life
- Armed forces--Iran
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Public opinion
- Military morale
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Non-commissioned officers
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Iran
- Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988--Boundary disputes
- Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988--Armistices
- Medical assistants
- Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988
- Iran--Foreign relations--Iraq
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Medical assistants
- Public relations
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 60.10867, -113.64258
- Original sound recording (DVF) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- HD_748
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- November 10, 2007
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 16 kHz. 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
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