Hadel, Ed: my Korean War recollections (March 15, and 22, 2013)
An interview/narrative of Ed Hadel's experiences during the Korean War. Trooper Hadel served with the Canadian Army. Interview took place on March 15 and 22, 2013.
ABSTRACT: Mr. Hadel was born in a small hamlet north of Edmonton. He joined the Canadian Army Special Force in August of 1950 after hearing about some acquaintances who had joined up. He was assigned to Lord Strathcona's Horse Regiment, an armored regiment, as a trooper. He received his training at Camp Borden. Mr. Hadel remembers the training process not being quite what he anticipated. He feels it was quite 'slapped together' and insufficient in some areas. Moreover, he did not have a particularly high opinion of the corporals assigned to train them or of the camp staff. Mr. Hadel become the tank's operator and was responsible for loading the main cannon and operating the tank's radio. He was also a very good shot, and often worked as the tanks gunner. The Strathcona's were sent to Korea in April of 1951 after staging briefly at Fort Lewis, the battalion shipped to Korea. The formation staged at Pusan for a few days and exchanged their M10 tank destroyers for Sherman tanks before moving towards to the front. On the way to the front, Mr. Hadel's tank's track was blown off by a mine, necessitating repairs. After arriving at the front, the bulk of the time was spent providing close fire support with the tanks cannon to infantry making patrols or attacking the enemy. Sometimes, the troop accompanied the infantry on patrol. The presence of tanks at the front encouraged Chinese shelling, so the hills occupied by the Strathcona's were often under mortar fire, much to the behest of the infantry. Mr. Hadel related a good many anecdotes concerning life at the front, interactions with the men and officers of the regiment and situations Mr. Hadel found himself in. After his tour, Mr. Hadel left the military and perused a career with the CPR as a mechanic. He has since returned to Korea as a visitor. He was deeply affected by the UN cemetery and the recognition he received from the Republic of Korea Marines on duty there as honor guards. (Interview 1) 00:00:00-00:07:55 – Biographical information and enlistment. 00:07:55-00:23:46 – Training and composition of the squadron. 00:23:46-00:40:55 – In Korea; incidents incl. Loss of track to a mine, and destruction of tank in accidental fire. 00:40:55-01:08:09 – Sea voyage to Korea and various incidents at the front. Almost shooting a Chinese POW, clearing a dud round from the tank, hitting Chinese troops with cannon fire, almost killing friendly officers while on sentry duty (Interview 2) 00:00:00-00:19:16 – Incidents in Korea, mostly pertaining to officers and NCOs. Hadel's Sergeant suffers a head injury when the tank loses control heading down steep hill. 00:19:16-00:45:33 – Replacement by 'B' Squadron, return home, post-war career, reasons for decision to leave army. 00:45:33-00:48:02 – Return to Korea, how the country has changed. 00:48:02-01:11:01 – Anecdotes concerning officers of regiment, use of Korean labor. 01:11:01-01:25:16 – Revisiting Korea, trains, Seoul, the UN memorial cemetery, relations between North and South Korea today. 01:25:16-01:42:46 – Miscellaneous anecdotes concerning KVA, the front and money-making schemes.
Rank: Trooper.
Interviewee: Hadel, Eddie Robert, 1931-
Interviewer: Fish, Cameron
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 36.5, 127.75
- 40, 127
- Original sound recordings (MP3) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- HE_779
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- April 19, 2013
- 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 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
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