Howard, Arthur P.: my naval experiences (February 26, 2005)

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ABSTRACT: Lieutenant-Commander Arthur Howard Royal Canadian Navy AP_Howard.mp3 0:00-6:00 -- Begins with a short account of Howard's life before the navy, growing up in Springhill, Nova Scotia during the depression. Joined the navy in 1937 as a boy seaman. 6:00-11:00 -- Time in England at HMS Victory for signalman's training. Service in Royal Guard and aboard HMCS Skeena ferrying Royal family members on east coast during Royal visit. Represented Canada (Royal Guard) in New York for Worlds fair, 1939. Declaration of war. 11:00-12:30 -- Reasons for joining the Navy. 12:30-19:30 -- Early escorting on east coast of convoys, no action. 24 May, 1940 discovered through messages/maps that ship was headed to England - discussed toughness of instant departure, specifically on married men. Ship retrofitted over 2 days, included gun from 1897 - dispatched for Dunkirk operation. 19:30-23:30 -- Then began escorting convoys to/from England to/from 30 degrees West. Difficulty in convoy protection and ASW, difficulty with equipment - ASDIC and depth charges only. 23:30-29:00 -- Problems in serving in the Atlantic - dampness, food, weather, etc. Discussion of what helped, what kept men going, kept morale up etc. 29:00-34:30 -- Recount of SC 107, loss of 15 ships in approximately 2 day period to 19 U-boats - Howard and Captain never leave bridge of ship. Eventually reinforced, U-boats disperse. Arrived in Liverpool; city under attack. 34:30-37:30 -- Aftermath of SC 107 and criticism of Piers. Trouble with convoys with German air presence. Usage of ahead firing weapons (i.e. Hedgehog). 37:30-47:00 -- Effectiveness, also the development of Hunter Killer groups and the creeping attack. Role of new radar and carriers in turning the Battle of the Atlantic. Discussion of the changing tide in the Battle of the Atlantic - Howard's personal opinions on what shifted the advantage. 47:00-51:00 (end) -- How convoy escorts reacted to U-boats and attacks and a final story of 'porpoise' torpedoes and the luminosity of the Mediterranean.

Interviewer: DeBeck, Ned

An interview/narrative of Arthur Howard's experiences during World War II. Lieutenant-Commander Howard served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on February 26, 2005.

Interviewee: Howard, Arthur P.

Rank: Lieutenant-Commander.

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Date created Relation
  • Part of the Military Oral History Class collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 52.16045, -0.70312
Additional physical characteristics
  • Original recording (MP3) on compact disc (CD-R) in Special Collections.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • HAP_437
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • March 26, 2005
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 kHz. Digitized by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2005. 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 Howard_A_0437_01.mp3 Public