Edmondson, John S.: my Army recollections (August 19, 1979)

Interviewee: Edmondson, John S., b. 1919

ABSTRACT: (Reel 1, Side 1) South Sask. Regiment Attack on Verriers Ridge 20 July 1944. Dr. Roy sets the state on 19 July 1944 with the aid of a map. Disposition of other 6th Infantry Brigadier units - forming-up areas, enemy shelling, start line, etc. Attack delayed by low cloud but proceeded at 3:00 p.m. up a slope, through open fields. No tanks or artillery FOO were to be seen by Edmondson during the attack. D Company, on the right soon in trouble despite there being no major enemy defensive positions. Points out that as a rule attacking troops not relieved until the unit had suffered at least 50% casualties. Still no tank support as S. Saskatchewan reached the crest of the ridge. Heavy opposition by the enemy at the next cross-road. Came under mortar and tank fire from an enemy well dug in. D Coy. on its objective but still in a wheat field and without cover except that provided by the wheat. Unable to contact Battalion H.Q. to request artillery fire and later discovered that Bn. H.Q. had been destroyed. Canadian anti tank guns destroyed by enemy fire allowing enemy tanks to occupy the crest of the ridge. Fire began reaching the S. Saskatchewan. From the left rear. Still no Allied tanks in view. Edmondson eventually able to send wireless message from an abandoned artillery carrier. Withdrew over the crest. Notes that by 1820 hours the Essex Scottish were on their objective. Enemy tanks again attacked. Position of S. Sask. Regiment unknown by Brigade H.Q. Eventually contact re-established at 1900 hrs. Some problems arose regarding the ability of the Essex Scottish to push forward. S. Sask. troops badly scattered. Accurate enemy mortar fire tended to demoralize some of our troops. Losses in our tank/anti-tank forces. The troops hidden in the wheat field finally able to escape enemy tanks which also occupied the same field. Chaotic reorganization after near-panic at battalion H.Q. S. Saskatchewan used to plug a gap in the Canadian line. The confusion partly due to considerable officer casualties. Notes that he was the Black Watch attack and fail. Discussion about occupying reverse slopes. Tanks were ordered in support but not seen by the S. Saskatchewan, (possibly at a distance). Great confusion that day during which Edmondson threatened to shoot two officers in order to restore battle discipline. Note: Four out of five majors in the battalion as well as the C.O. became casualties, leaving Edmondson as temporary commanding officer. Note: Lt. Col. Edmondson, as a Major, commanded D Company in the battle. Note: FOO - an artillery Forward Observation Officer.

Interviewer: Roy, Reginald H.

Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel.

An interview/narrative of John S. Edmondson's experiences during World War II. Lieutenant-Colonel Edmondson served with the South Saskatoon Regiment. Interview took place on August 19, 1979.

In Collection:

• Canadian Military Oral Histories

Contributor

• Roy, Reginald H.
• Edmondson, John S., b. 1919

Subject

• World War (1939-1945)
• Tanks (Military science)
• World War (1914-1918)
• Military history

Language

• eng

Date created

• August 19, 1979

Relation

• Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.

Resource type

• Sound

Rights statement

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Extent

• 4 sound recordings (MP3)

Geographic coverage

• France--Normandy

Coordinates

• 49, 0

Additional physical characteristics

• One original sound tape reel (ca. 90 min.) : 1 7/8 ips., 2 track ; 1 audio cassette copy (ca. 90 min.) in Special Collections.

Physical repository

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Collection

• Canadian Military Oral History Collection

Provider

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Genre

• interviews
• oral histories (literary genre)
• reminiscences
• sound recordings

Archival item identifier

• EJS_428

Fonds title

• Military oral history collection

Fonds identifier

• SC141

Is referenced by

• Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection

Date digitized

• January 16, 2013

Technical note

• Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, 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 2013. 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

•  https://doi.org/10.58066/6qhd-vq42

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Visibility	Actions
	SC141_MilitaryOralHistory_GenericThumbnail		Public	Press to Select an action Download
	Edmondson_J_0428_01.mp3		Public	Press to Select an action Download
	Edmondson_J_0428_02.mp3		Public	Press to Select an action Download
	Edmondson_J_0428_03.mp3		Public	Press to Select an action Download
	Edmondson_J_0428_04.mp3		Public	Press to Select an action Download