Berezowski, J. Cecil: my Cold War recollections (March 12, 2011)
PublicInterviewee: Berezowski, Julian Cecil, b. 1929
ABSTRACT: The Interview begins with an explanation of how National Defence originated as a result of a threat of Soviet Bombers. The narrator then shifts his focus to explaining the different roles and formation of field artillery units, which were eventually turned into anti-aircraft units. He also mentions his experiences at artillery militia training camps during the summer in Saskatchewan and in the Winter in Victoria, British Columbia. Following this, the narrator explains how the formation of NORAD affected Canadian defence, which eventually led to the creation of radar stations called the Pine Tree Line and the DEW Line. He then explained what he believed civil defence ideally was and whether Canadian cities were perceived as targets. In turn, this led to an explanation of the Diekfenbunker and different command bunkers throughout Canada. When in the bunker, the narrator explained his role of plotting fallout patterns in case of nuclear attack. Next, the narrator shifted his focus to the threat of missiles, the problems with early warning sirens, and the lack of troops in Canada. Then, the narrator elaborated on his experiences at Staff College where he attended a presentation about sirens in Kansas). This led to an explanation of how civil defence led to the creation of metropolitan Toronto and whether the joining the Militia was 'popular'. Finally, the narrator finishes with an explanation of his experiences in West Germany along the Iron Curtain. 0:00 - 5:24 - Explains how National Defence came about to counter Soviet bombers. 5:24 - 7:28 - Experiences of summer camp as an artillery militia man. 7:28 - 20:45 - Explains the role/formation of field artillery/anti aircraft units in militia. 20:45 - 25:40 - Explains a cooperative agreement between United States and Canada during NORAD formation and how that led to creation of (radar stations). 25:40 - 28:46 - What the narrator believed Civil Defence ideally was and whether Canadian cities were targets. 28:46 - 32:56 - Explaining the Diefenbunker and command bunkers. 32:56 - 35:10 - Explains the procedures when plotting fallout patterns in case of nuclear bombs being dropped. 35:10 - 40:10 - Thoughts on missile threats, warning siren systems, and lack of troops. 40:10 - 46:06 - Overall experience at Staff College (presentation in Kansas about sirens). 46:06 - 54:20 - The creation of metropolitan Toronto as a result of Civil Defence. 54:20 - 57:55 - Thoughts on Militia and whether it was 'popular'. 57:55 - 1 :23:22 - Militia 'callout' to support brigade groups in Germany/ experiences in Germany. 1 :23:22 - 1 :26:59 - What happened in Canada during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
An interview/narrative of J. Cecil Berezowski's experiences during the Cold War. Interview took place on March 12, 2011.
Interviewer: Roznowski, Martin
- In Collection:
- Mid-Canada Line
- DEW Line
- Metropolitan Toronto (Ont.)
- Sirens (Signaling devices)
- Antiaircraft guns
- Canada--Canadian Army--Artillery--Drill and tactics
- Fallout shelters
- Bombers
- Radar transmitters
- Nuclear warfare
- Berezowski, J. Cecil (Julian Cecil)--Interviews
- Nuclear warfare--Psychological aspects
- Canada--Canadian Army--Royal Canadian Artillery
- Air defenses--United States
- Ballistic missile early warning system
- Intercontinental ballistic missiles
- Nuclear bomb shelters
- Soviet Union--History--1953-1985
- Militia
- Artillery drill and tactics
- Radar defense networks--Canada
- Diefenbunker, Canada's Cold War Museum
- Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Reserves
- Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962
- Bunkers (Fortification)--Canada
- Soviet Union--Politics and government--1953-1985
- Canada--Canadian Army--Reserves
- Canada--Canadian Army--Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
- Cold War
- Radioactive fallout
- Kamsack (Sask.)
- Air defenses--Canada
- Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Esquimalt, B.C.)--Work Point Barracks
- Missile attack warning systems
- North American Air Defense Command
- Radiation
- Nuclear arms control
- Antiaircraft missiles
- Civil defense
- Antiaircraft artillery
- Air raid warning systems
- North American Aerospace Defense Command
- NORAD
- Pinetree Line
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 51.5, 10.5
- 39.76, -98.5
- 60.10867, -113.64258
- Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- BCJ_698
- 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
This page supports the Zotero and Mendeley browser extensions simply click on the extension widget in your browser to save the objects citation.
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Visibility | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Berezowski_C_0698_01.mp3 | Public |
|
|
|
Berezowski_C_0698.jpg | Public |
|