Del Villano, Lorne G.: my Cold War recollections (March 5, 2011)
Interviewee: Del Villano, Lorne G., b. 1937
An interview/narrative of Lorne G. Del Villano's experiences during the Cold War. Interview took place on March 5, 2011.
ABSTRACT: The interview begins with an explanation of where and when the narrator was born, the general background as to why they decided to join the army, and how the beginning of his military career unfolded. The narrator then explains the reasons for Civil Defence which included the governments involvement and how they perceived the survivability of Canadians during an attack. He then explains the different preliminary warnings created by the government to warn against Soviet missiles and bombers (Dew Line, Pine Tree Line). This is followed by an explanation of how training programs and reentry operations were conducted and the equipment/anti radiation procedures that came with it. The narrator then shifts his focus to the overall effects of Civil Defence on militia which resulted in a severe decrease in military morale. Next, came an explanation of how the general public was informed about Civil Defence which included movies, pamphlets, and presentations. This was followed by an explanation of the different people who were part of the militia and what sort of major drills they participated in. Next came an explanation of the Diefenbunker, regional bunkers and whether or not Canadian cities were seen as targets. Lastly, the narrator discusses how Canadian attitudes shifted following the Cuban missile crisis and how they perceived the Soviets and Communism. 0:00 - 12:00 - Place of birth, reason for joining Army, start of military career. 12:00 - 13:26 - Reason for Civil Defence (national survival). 13:26 - 15:00 - Nuclear attack preliminary warnings. 15:00 - 19:50 - Militia Civil Defence training programs/re-entry operations. 19:50 - 23:36 - The effects of Civil Defence on militia. 23:36 - 36: 1 0 - Civil Defence training, re-entry operations, and fallout exposure. 36: 1 0 - 37:50 - How the general public was informed about Civil Defence. 37:50 - 48: 18 - Special Militia Training Program/what kinds of recruits were enlisted. 48:18 - 49:59 - Participation in major operations. 49:59 - 53:22 - Operations during Cuban Missile Crisis. 53:22 - 1 :02:20 - Overall knowledge on the Diefenbunker/regional bunkers. 1 :02:20 - 1 :04:31 - Canadian cities seen as targets and the effects of fallout. 1 :04:31 - 1 :07:07 - Shift of society after Cuban Missile Crisis. 1 :07:07 - 1 :14:30 - Canadian attitudes towards the Soviet Union and Communism. 1:14:30 -1:16:20 - Land planning defence experiences.
Interviewer: Roznowski, Martin
- In Collection:
- Canada--Canadian Army--Personal narratives
- Sirens (Signaling devices)
- Nuclear warfare--Social aspects
- Radiation--Health aspects
- Militia--Canada
- Fallout shelters
- Radiation victims
- Pinetree Line
- Nuclear weapons
- Nuclear counters
- Canada--Canadian Army--Special Militia Training Program
- Radioactive fallout
- Bunkers (Fortification)--Canada
- Nuclear warfare--Safety measures
- Radar defense networks--Canada
- Civil defense warning systems
- DEW Line
- Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962
- Canada--Canadian Army--Reserves
- Civil defense--Canada
- Communism
- Nuclear warfare--Psychological aspects
- Ballistic missile early warning system
- Canada--Canadian Army--Mobilization
- Geiger-Mu?ller counters
- Canada--Canadian Army--Algonquin Regiment
- Diefenbunker, Canada's Cold War Museum
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives
- Radioactive fallout survival
- Cold War
- Radiation
- Radiation injuries
- Missile attack warning systems
- Radiation--Physiological effect
- Del Villano, Lorne G. (Lorne Gary), 1937- --Interviews
- Atomic bomb--Safety measures
- Canada--Canadian Army
- Intercontinental ballistic missiles
- Radiation--Safety measures
- Canada--Canadian Army--Militia
- Civil defense readiness
- Soviet Union--Politics and government--1953-1985
- Diefenbaker, John G., 1895-1979
- Bombers
- Civil defense drills
- Soviet Union--History--1953-1985
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 60.10867, -113.64258
- Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- DVLG_699
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- March 23, 2011
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps and 44 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 2011. 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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