Braidwood, Robert: my World War II experiences (March 12, 2015)
An interview/narrative of Robert Braidwood's experiences during World War II. Interview took place on March 12, 2015.
ABSTRACT: Military Oral History Project Interview Summary Narrator: Braidwood, Robert Title: The Second World War the soldiers History Interviewer: Interviewed by Taylor Youngblood Extent: 1 sound recording mp3 format, 1 hour and ten minutes Interview Date and Location: 12 March 2015, Victoria B.C. Synopsis: This interview with Ernest Braidwood describes the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry involvement in the Sicilian Campaign and the Italian campaign in the Second World War. Starting with his training and enrolment in Victoria B.C, he then was in Britain, Wales and Scotland for almost three years practicing schemes. He then went over to Sicily for the campaign. He explains the transport on the boat and how a large storm helped the P.P.C.L.I because the Germans were not expecting them. Braidwood was the head of transportation for the P.P.C.L.I he was responsible for taking care of the vehicles used for transportation and obtaining goods. He was also responsible for controlling the P.P.C.L.I traffic through Italy and Sicily. Although he was not in the battles himself, he explains battles such as the Gully (the gorge) and Ortona. He explains the terrain, weather, healthcare, and much more in Italy and Sicily. The P.P.C.L.I was taken out of Italy to join the Netherlands Campaign. Braidwood states that it was a different war and the P.P.C.L.I were fighting inferior quality of German troops compared to Italy. He argues that the Netherlands was rushed because of the Canadians not wanting the Germans to gain control of the waterways. Towards the interview Braidwood discusses the Italian campaign further as well as life after the war. Log: 57.109- 2:05 Joining the service and training 3:13- 7:14 England, Wales and Scotland 7:14- 27: 13 Sicily Campaign, Health Care, relations with officers, 27:13- 37:45 Italy, relations with German POW, the Gully battle, Ortona, discussing his job in transportation. 37:42- 46:19 Commuting to the Netherlands, Traveling through France, Battles in the Netherlands. 46:19- 47:57: The end of the war. 47:57- 1:10:32 After the war, thoughts on “D-Day dodgers”, comments on Italian Terrain, Canadian Vehicles, being back in Canada after the war. Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 7:14- 8:23 Story on a storm on the way to Sicily and how that helped the P.P.C.L.I 14:39- 17: 17 Story of him being set up In Sicily and was under fire 17:43- 18:40 Braidwood helping a German parachutist who was stuck in a tree 24:50- 26:12 Anecdote of the time he had to hide in a trench 28:48-30:01 Taking German POW for transportation 30:010 32:40 Discussing the gully Battle in Italy 46:19- 47:57: The end of the war Subject Key Words: Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Second World War Canadian Army Sicily Operation Husky Wales Scotland Military Transport Health Services Italian Weather Italian Terrain Gully Battle Ortona Battle Paratroopers Edmonton Regiment Second Brigade Headquarters in Italy First Canadian Division Netherlands Belgium Netherlands campaign V.E day Second World war, Equipment Hitler The S.S German Prisoners of War in Canada The Fall of France Malaria
Interviewer: Youngblood, Taylor
Interviewee: Braidwood, Robert
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- Original sound recording (AIFF) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- BB_826
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- May 6, 2015
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps. 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 2015. 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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