Dougan, John Alpine: my Army recollections (July 27, 1987)

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ABSTRACT: Maj. John Alpine Dougan, M.C. and Bar The Loyal Edmonton Regiment Dougan_J_0058_01.mp3 (Side 1) Born on Apr. 7, 1921 in Lethbridge, Alta. Attended the University of Alberta in 1939 where he was a member of the Canadian Officers Training Corps. In March 1942 he joined the Loyal Edmonton Regiment as a private and was later posted to the Officer Cadet Training Unit at Gordon Head, Victoria. Graduated in July 1942 as a second lieutenant. Comments on training and conditions. (10:00) Currie Barracks for advanced training. Overseas as a reinforcement officer (lieutenant). After posting to the 48th Highlanders as an exchange officer for three months he returned to the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and trained in Scotland prior to the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. Commanded 16 Platoon in D Company near Leonforte (35:00). First action was the establishment of a successful roadblock well forward of the main Canadian positions. Destroyed vehicles, captured prisoners, and withdrew. (45:00) At Hill 736, near the Salso River, terrain was extremely rough and thus exhausting. Wounded, but able to continue until the objective was taken. Evacuated to North Africa. Awarded the Military Cross. Rejoined "D" Company near Campobasso. General comments regarding the attitude of reinforcements compared to the original members of the unit, many of whom were toughened and skilled in the outdoor life of Alberta; they were survivors. As the war progressed a somewhat different condition prevailed. Vino Ridge, a sharp action before Ortona. (30:00) The company was reduced to eighteen effectives. Heavy casualties in Ortona; describes house-to-house fighting. (35:00) Wounded in the knee on Dec. 24, 1943, but, before being evacuated, insisted on staying with the unit for Christmas. Promoted to captain. For a time was chief instructor at a street-fighting school in Ortona. Made second-in-command of "C" Company early in 1944. Liri Valley/Hitler Line. (40:00) On patrol saw evidence of heavy Canadian casualties. (45:00) Dougan_J_0058_02.mp3 Describes very strong defences many tank casualties, recent visit to the same area. Battle at the Gothic/Rimini Line, considered a major opportunity to break through the German defences on the Adriatic. (10:00) Commanded "C" Company, Aug. 1944. In Sept. attacked Monte Luro which was captured without too much trouble. (20:00) Fought in the villages of San Martino and San Fortunato near Rimini. Heavy fighting at the latter ended in a withdrawal by the Canadians. Wounded again, but not evacuated. Personal view of fighting. "C" Company attacked again and captured a position from which they could direct artillery fire on the enemy. Rubicon River. (40:00) Dougan_J_0058_03.mp3 (Side 2) Promoted to major, officer commanding "A" Company. Began the advance across diked rivers. Fairly standard operations. Senio River. In March 1945 moved to northwest Europe. Leave in London. First action in Holland near Arnhem. Semiofficial truce in order to supply food to the Dutch population. Regiment chosen to take part in the Victory parade in Berlin. Worked hard to change a fighting unit into a "parade unit". In the event only "A" Company was chosen to go, but, as Maj. Dougan was ill, he could not take part. Married in Aug. (10:00) Anecdote re non-commissioned officers who were absent without leave at his wedding. Comments on the distinguished record of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. Left the Army in Nov. 1945. After Oxford he joined the Department of External Affairs. Describes some activities of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment Association. (27:00)

An interview/narrative of John Alpine Dougan's experiences during World War II. Major Dougan, M.C. served with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. Interview took place on July 27, 1987.

Rank: Major. Medals and Honours: Military Cross (MC) and bar

Interviewer: Torrie, Tom

Interviewee: Dougan, John Alpine, b. 1921

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Maj. Dougan, retired in 1978, was Canadian High Commissioner in Guyana (1967-70), New Zealand (1970-74) and Malaysia (1976-78). See Canadian Who's Who, 1988. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, c1988, v. XXIII, p. 227.
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 3 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
  • 54.75844, -2.69531
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound tape reel (ca. 165 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • DJA_058
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • May 31, 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

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file details Dougan_J_0058_02.mp3
file details Dougan_J_0058_03.mp3