ABSTRACT: Capt. George Edward Moodie Ruffee, M.C. Royal Canadian Artillery Ruffee_G_0128_01.mp3 Born on Feb. 3, 1922 in Wolfville, N.S. His family was of a military bent, father serving in both World Wars and in the militia between. He joined the King's Canadian Hussars (armoured car), a militia regiment, at the age of fifteen as a bugler, then became a boy soldier at Camp Aldershot, N.S. Discusses militia training, uniforms, etc. The regiment was called up on Aug. 29, 1939 and immediately began guard duty in the Annapolis Valley. The unit was demobilized in Dec. and eventually converted to an artillery unit in May 1941: the 87/88th Field Battery, R.C.A. As a second lieutenant he proceeded overseas in Sept. 1942 after training at Camp Borden and Petawawa. Posted to 34 Battery, 14th Field Regiment, R.C.A. of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. Defense of the south coast of England. Describes Exercise Spartan, an international affair of considerable value. Firing, deploying the guns, and combined operations in Scotland where they first mounted guns in landing craft. Taught to fire in a rolling ship. He trained with commandos who were originally slated to land in France from a submarine, but later appreciation of the beach defenses cancelled that operation. Finally they were issued with 105-mm. self-propelled guns (Priests) for which gunners and drivers had to be retrained. Vehicle accidents. Waterproofing vehicles. (35:00) Ruffee_G_0128_02.mp3 In June 1944 they boarded their landing craft, tank and remained there in very crowded conditions for five days. Sailed on June 5, 1944, a trememdous sight. Went into action in support of the infantry landing on the beach, then pulled off, to land at about 9:00 a.m. Heavy traffic congestion. Inland three of the Priests and the command post tank were hit by a German 88mm. gun which fired only four rounds. Heavy fighting: at one time the Germans were on three sides. Re-issued with twenty-five-pounders. The unit was bombed by our own Air Force, wagon lines seriously damaged, but no casualties. The Polish Armoured Division was not so lucky. In action at Boulogne, Cape Gris Nez, and the Seine. Moved into Belgium where considerable fighting occurred. (20:00) Nijmegen. Ruffee_G_0128_03.mp3 Incident at the observation post. Holland, Germany, crossed the Rhine, Hochwald Forest. Personally found zombies (N.R.M.A. men) well trained and useful. In Emden at the end of the war. Anecdote about a gun position and the capture of a large number of German prisoners. Returned to Canada. University where he took a M.A. in history. Rejoined the army. 1st Light Battery (Para), R.C.A. Joined 81st Field Regiment as a captain. Korea. (45:00) Heavy Chinese attack on May 2/3, 1953. Brought fire down on his own position more than once. Many casualties on both sides. Awarded the Military Cross. Upon return to Canada contracted polio, but was able to stay in the Army as a personnel officer. Ruffee_G_0128_04.mp3 Directorate of ceremonials, National Defence Headquarters. Staff officer at NORAD, Tacoma, Wash. Retired. Employed by the provincial government. (15:00)

An interview/narrative of George Edward Moodie Ruffee's experiences during World War II and the Korean War. Captain Ruffee, M.C. served with the Royal Canadian Artillery. Interview took place on July 28, 1987.

Interviewer: Torrie, Tom

Rank: Captain. Medals and Honours: Military Cross (MC)

Interviewee: Ruffee, George Edward Moodie, b. 1922

In Collection:

• Canadian Military Oral Histories

Contributor

• Ruffee, George Edward Moodie, b. 1922
• Torrie, Tom

Subject

• World War (1939-1945)
• North American Aerospace Defense Command
• V-E Day (1945)
• Military history
• World War (1914-1918)

Language

• eng

Date created

• July 28, 1987

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

• England
• Germany

Coordinates

• 52.16045, -0.70312
• 51.5, 10.5

Additional physical characteristics

• One original sound tape reel (ca. 105 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. 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

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

Archival item identifier

• RGEM_128

Fonds title

• Reginald Herbert Roy fonds

Fonds identifier

• SC104

Is referenced by

• Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds

Date digitized

• July 23, 2007

Technical note

• Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by AN, 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 2007. 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/10.58066/55ys-vh09

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