NEWS:
The question that I get most often is: "How many books have you written?" Well, I counted them up the other day and the answer is 39. This means that I am working on book 40.
A new publisher, Double Dagger, has taken over from where Service Publications left off and they have published, THE EARTHMOVER IN CANADIAN SERVICE, which is available on Amazon. This book was supposed to be my fourth book for Service Publications when its publisher, Clive M. Law, passed away.
Also now on sale:
The question that I get most often is: "How many books have you written?" Well, I counted them up the other day and the answer is 39. This means that I am working on book 40.
A new publisher, Double Dagger, has taken over from where Service Publications left off and they have published, THE EARTHMOVER IN CANADIAN SERVICE, which is available on Amazon. This book was supposed to be my fourth book for Service Publications when its publisher, Clive M. Law, passed away.
Also now on sale:
One of the 4 people that have influenced me the most in my life passed away last Tuesday. Neil Peart is the only person on the list that I haven't met and now, sadly, I never will. However, that isn't necessary a bad thing because it sometimes isn't good to meet one's heroes. Even though there is no direction connection to WWII engineering there is a strong connection to writing. When I was 15 I started to learn how to play drums and my first influences were more mainstream. It wasn't into I got better that I soon realized that the high standard of musicianship in the band, Rush, was unique; they didn't play down to the lowest common denominator like some others do, instead they played for that one fan that knows every beat and every note. Neil also tried to say with his lyrics as much as possible with the least amount of words. Thus, I inadvertently adopted into my writing. My friend and fellow TL219 author, Andy Johnston, passed away from cancer on Thursday. He was a veteran (post WWII) and a paratrooper who edited a newspaper for British paratroopers living in Canada. He also edited 2 books, `Churchill's Warriors' and `Arnhem Voices', which I really enjoyed reading. I will miss joining him at the legion for a pint or two and hearing his funny stories! May he R.I.P. I was interviewed by MEL Magazine in LA recently about my book on the Grand Bahama Hotel and here is the article: https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/all-you-can-eat-drink-resort-history It feels good to be working on a pure engineering project again. I am finishing off my third book on the 23rd Field Company, R.C.E. This will complete my trilogy on The Storm Boat Kings. Some of you might be asking, "I know about the boat The Storm Boat Kings, but what is the second book on them?" It is: Boats at Arnhem and Other Stories. I know that it isn't a pure book on the 23rd because there are a couple of stories on other engineers, but most of the stories are on the 23rd, which takes the story of Operation Berlin deeper. Included is the story on Sapper Donald Somerville and his quest to find the exact spot of the bridge into the apple orchard. Two years after it was originally published, the second edition of The Arnhem Conspiracy has been published. FYI: every event that the main character performs in the novel ws performed by an engineer during the actual battle. This is my tribute to Royal Engineers at Arnhem and I list who did what in the back. Please watch the video to the right or go straight to the book link below: UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arnhem-Conspiracy-John-Sliz/dp/1927679729/ US: https://www.amazon.com/Arnhem-Conspiracy-John-Sliz/dp/1927679729/ Email me at: thesliz@hotmail.com for any questions, comments or anything else that is on your mind relating to engineers in World War II. |
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INTERESTING PHOTOS (most are of engineers in WWII, but I have slipped in a few photos of other things that I find interesting)
One type of landing craft that the Shipping
Engineer Regiment operated. Like the
assault vehicle below, it isn't pretty. Here a
captured one is being used by the Allies. I
would like to say that it is Americans in Milne
Bay, but I have to double check that.
Thank you to John O’Callaghan who sent
me an email with this info: "the captured
vessel you were unsure of with the double
(catamaran bow) is a Japanese Diahatsu
landing craft. A number were captured in
New Guinea and other Western Pacific
Islands and operated by Australian Army
Transport Units mainly R.A. Engineers. The
photo shows Aussie troops on the vessel, one
of whom is wearing a Brodie (British) style
steel helmet commonly worn by Aussies
through WW2 another is wearing what appears to be an Aussie slouch hat. As you identified this barge was captured at Milne Bay New Guinea after the failed Japanese landing in 1942. I have seen other photos of Diahatsu captured and being used by US troops including in The Aelutian Islands. I hope this has been of interest."
Yes John, it is of interest. Thanks again!
Engineer Regiment operated. Like the
assault vehicle below, it isn't pretty. Here a
captured one is being used by the Allies. I
would like to say that it is Americans in Milne
Bay, but I have to double check that.
Thank you to John O’Callaghan who sent
me an email with this info: "the captured
vessel you were unsure of with the double
(catamaran bow) is a Japanese Diahatsu
landing craft. A number were captured in
New Guinea and other Western Pacific
Islands and operated by Australian Army
Transport Units mainly R.A. Engineers. The
photo shows Aussie troops on the vessel, one
of whom is wearing a Brodie (British) style
steel helmet commonly worn by Aussies
through WW2 another is wearing what appears to be an Aussie slouch hat. As you identified this barge was captured at Milne Bay New Guinea after the failed Japanese landing in 1942. I have seen other photos of Diahatsu captured and being used by US troops including in The Aelutian Islands. I hope this has been of interest."
Yes John, it is of interest. Thanks again!
The following graves are of men who served with the R.C.E. in WWII and are buried in the same cemetery as my father. I don't know which unit they served in, but anyone does please let me know.
Sapper Donald Somerville being presented with the Legion of Honour from the French Ambassador to Canada. He served in both the 20th and 23rd Field Companies, R.C.E.
Here are Sapper Donald Somerville and Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Juno Beach 2014. I asked Donald what they spoke about, as it looked intense, and he only smiled.
It was good to see Donald on the news the other day. He was interviewed at the VE-Day ceremonies in The Netherlands.
It was good to see Donald on the news the other day. He was interviewed at the VE-Day ceremonies in The Netherlands.
Apparently this is from the school at the Arnhem bridge before it was destroyed. I've compared it to the drawing that I made in, `Engineers at the Bridge' and it looks like it is the top room on the ground floor, which I have marked as a classroom, which this room was used as when it wasn't a dining room. See page 24.
Reynolds' Bridge in Caen, France. It was
built by the 23rd Field Company, RCE
and named after Captain Reynolds who
was killed a few days previously. It looks
like the men are taking off the launching
bay used to help push the bridge into
position. The bridge was built on rollers
and then pushed over the gap. The
launching bay would touch the other
bank first and this would allow it to be
pushed fully onto the other side.
built by the 23rd Field Company, RCE
and named after Captain Reynolds who
was killed a few days previously. It looks
like the men are taking off the launching
bay used to help push the bridge into
position. The bridge was built on rollers
and then pushed over the gap. The
launching bay would touch the other
bank first and this would allow it to be
pushed fully onto the other side.
To me, this soldier on this poster could be of any nation. He certainly could have been a Royal Engineer or a Royal Canadian Engineer. Sappers did what was needed. Anyone got a RE version of this?
A German pontoon bridge. It wasn't much
different than its Allied counterparts.
different than its Allied counterparts.
The easy way to move a pontoon. Men of
the RCE watch a crane unload a
bow pontoon as they prepare to build a
Bailey pontoon bridge.
the RCE watch a crane unload a
bow pontoon as they prepare to build a
Bailey pontoon bridge.
A 1914 floating bridge. Modern military
bridging has become a lot more technical,
but the basic principals are still the same
as in this photo; a structure with a
roadway is supported by floats.
bridging has become a lot more technical,
but the basic principals are still the same
as in this photo; a structure with a
roadway is supported by floats.
A lorry on a raft as the ramps are lifted
and is about to cross a river. This type of F.B.E. raft is a shore to shore raft and didn't need a landing dock.
and is about to cross a river. This type of F.B.E. raft is a shore to shore raft and didn't need a landing dock.
It has been a years since Donald passed
away and miss the guy. Here is an old
post:
World War II Sapper, Donald
Somerville, meets today's sapper in
Petawawa, September 2016. Donald was
with No. 1 Construction Coy., R.C.E., 23rd
Field Company, R.C.E. and 20th Field
Company, R.C.E. in that order. Donald was
the inspiration of my research into my
book River Assault. He was the one who
first told me about the operation. (taken
and supplied by his daughter Darlene)
away and miss the guy. Here is an old
post:
World War II Sapper, Donald
Somerville, meets today's sapper in
Petawawa, September 2016. Donald was
with No. 1 Construction Coy., R.C.E., 23rd
Field Company, R.C.E. and 20th Field
Company, R.C.E. in that order. Donald was
the inspiration of my research into my
book River Assault. He was the one who
first told me about the operation. (taken
and supplied by his daughter Darlene)
I had to do a double take because at first I
thought that these were U.S. Marines against
a Japanese position. Instead, it is a Japanese
engineer using a flamethrower against a
position. Well, I think that it is an engineer,
but I could be wrong. Again, something else
that I have to double check.
thought that these were U.S. Marines against
a Japanese position. Instead, it is a Japanese
engineer using a flamethrower against a
position. Well, I think that it is an engineer,
but I could be wrong. Again, something else
that I have to double check.
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My first thought when I saw this was that it was something out of The Lord of the Rings or some other fantasy movie. Apparently this is an IJA engineering vehicle that had 9 different variations depending on the role that it was required. It is not pretty! I have to find out what this one did. Maybe it is some kind of assault vehicle. Notice the machine guns. Were those spikes used to lift barbwire?
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So far I haven't come across that many
photos on Japanese engineers, but this
one caught my eye. It is an improvised
foot bridge made of local resources that
wasn't solid so the engineers are putting
their backs into it. Now, that is seeing the
job to the end. The Japanese engineers
were strong at building bridges and
fortifications and weak at building roads
and airfields. Judging by this photo and
from what I have read so far, they relied
more on manual labour than heavy
machinery. Um, I can see why.
(photo credit: Gettyimages)
photos on Japanese engineers, but this
one caught my eye. It is an improvised
foot bridge made of local resources that
wasn't solid so the engineers are putting
their backs into it. Now, that is seeing the
job to the end. The Japanese engineers
were strong at building bridges and
fortifications and weak at building roads
and airfields. Judging by this photo and
from what I have read so far, they relied
more on manual labour than heavy
machinery. Um, I can see why.
(photo credit: Gettyimages)
It bugs me when I see a scene in movies
that has a guy step on a mine and then
tells the others to stand back. Ugh! A WWII
mine was either triggered or not; it either
sits waiting or goes boom.
Here Sapper W.H. Lindstorm of the 2nd
Field Coy., R.C.E. looks for mines in
Belgium on October 5th 1944. His buddies
must have complete confidence in him
because if he accidently triggers a mine
they will be hit too.
that has a guy step on a mine and then
tells the others to stand back. Ugh! A WWII
mine was either triggered or not; it either
sits waiting or goes boom.
Here Sapper W.H. Lindstorm of the 2nd
Field Coy., R.C.E. looks for mines in
Belgium on October 5th 1944. His buddies
must have complete confidence in him
because if he accidently triggers a mine
they will be hit too.
Okay, you are probably saying, "Nice
photo John, what does this have to do
with engineering?" Well, just after WWII
Japanese engineers started a 3 year
project to stop the erosion of Mt. Misen.
You can't see, but all the way up are
massive concrete barriers that blend I
into the beautiful landscape and there is
even a dam. No trees were cut down and
the concrete surfaces were designed to
be unseen. It is quite an impressive work
of engineering! Again, a job needs to be
done and the engineers come through.
Keep in mind this is just across the bay
from Hiroshima.
FYI: during our two week stay in Japan I
had total faith in Japanese engineering,
even during the earthquakeind
photo John, what does this have to do
with engineering?" Well, just after WWII
Japanese engineers started a 3 year
project to stop the erosion of Mt. Misen.
You can't see, but all the way up are
massive concrete barriers that blend I
into the beautiful landscape and there is
even a dam. No trees were cut down and
the concrete surfaces were designed to
be unseen. It is quite an impressive work
of engineering! Again, a job needs to be
done and the engineers come through.
Keep in mind this is just across the bay
from Hiroshima.
FYI: during our two week stay in Japan I
had total faith in Japanese engineering,
even during the earthquakeind
Again, I am at a site that I have been
reading about since I was a kid. This, if you
don't recognise it, is the A-bomb Dome in
Hiroshima. The world's first a-bomb
exploded just above and to the left of this
building, destroying everything, but this
and few other buildings made of concrete.
Needless to say that all of the homes built
of wood were destroyed.
I've always had a love of history and at
this spot a lot of history happened so it
was quite the experience and was worth
the 12 hour flight! Seeing local school
children praying at Peace Park (across
the river) was moving.
Sorry that there is no engineering angle to
this, but I am sure that you will all agree
that this is worthy of an exception.
reading about since I was a kid. This, if you
don't recognise it, is the A-bomb Dome in
Hiroshima. The world's first a-bomb
exploded just above and to the left of this
building, destroying everything, but this
and few other buildings made of concrete.
Needless to say that all of the homes built
of wood were destroyed.
I've always had a love of history and at
this spot a lot of history happened so it
was quite the experience and was worth
the 12 hour flight! Seeing local school
children praying at Peace Park (across
the river) was moving.
Sorry that there is no engineering angle to
this, but I am sure that you will all agree
that this is worthy of an exception.
Nice of the Germans to leave two
shells buried in the road. Sapper F.
Roland of the 2nd Field Company,
R.C.E. looks at two 150kg shells in
Furnes, Belgium.
shells buried in the road. Sapper F.
Roland of the 2nd Field Company,
R.C.E. looks at two 150kg shells in
Furnes, Belgium.
Members of No. 86 Bridge Company,
R.C.A.S.C. practice with a Kapok Footbridge,
which was one of the many bridge types
that they carried. Photo taken in the UK in
1943.
R.C.A.S.C. practice with a Kapok Footbridge,
which was one of the many bridge types
that they carried. Photo taken in the UK in
1943.
A great shot of the walkway on a
Triple-Single Bailey Bridge. This one
was in Caen and called London Bridge.
The North Nova Scotia Highlanders
are shown here crossing on 18th July
1944. Notice the rope handrail. I
wonder how much weight it could
hold and if a man trip and fell against
it, would it stop him?
Canadian reporter for the BBC, Stanley Maxted. The BBC archive says that this
photo is him recording live from Arnhem
on September 20th, 1944, but that is not
true. This is a stock photo of him,
probably taken earlier in the war while
he was working in London.
photo is him recording live from Arnhem
on September 20th, 1944, but that is not
true. This is a stock photo of him,
probably taken earlier in the war while
he was working in London.
A Sherman tankdozer. I am pretty sure
that this is a post WWII photo. The
Canadian Army in Europe needed more
of these in WWII. Actually, the R.C.E.
needed more of these because too
many sappers were killed in D4, D7
and D8 angle and bulldozers. Even the
armoured D7s didn't give that much
protection.
that this is a post WWII photo. The
Canadian Army in Europe needed more
of these in WWII. Actually, the R.C.E.
needed more of these because too
many sappers were killed in D4, D7
and D8 angle and bulldozers. Even the
armoured D7s didn't give that much
protection.
Members of the 18th Field Company,
R.C.E. are doing a curious thing to the
Bailey bridge over the Schipbeek Canal
at Bathmen, Netherlands on April 9th
1945. They are laying an addition layer
of wood to the roadway. The
bridge was a 110 foot triple single and
was rated at Class 40, which means
that tanks could cross it.
R.C.E. are doing a curious thing to the
Bailey bridge over the Schipbeek Canal
at Bathmen, Netherlands on April 9th
1945. They are laying an addition layer
of wood to the roadway. The
bridge was a 110 foot triple single and
was rated at Class 40, which means
that tanks could cross it.
The road bridge and the railway bridge at Nijmegen shortly after the German frogman attack on them. The Germans wanted to isolate the Allied troops on The Island by destroying the bridges. They blew a huge hole in the road bridge and knocked out the centre span of the railway bridge. The 23rd Field Company, R.C.E. built a temporary footbridge over the collapsed span so that it could be used as an emergency evacuation route.
The road bridge was captured by the Guards Armoured Division during Operation Market Garden and one of the division's engineers was with the lead tanks and gave a running commentary on its capture and on the explosives that they found inside the bridge's piers. This is all in, `Bridging the Club Route'.
The road bridge was captured by the Guards Armoured Division during Operation Market Garden and one of the division's engineers was with the lead tanks and gave a running commentary on its capture and on the explosives that they found inside the bridge's piers. This is all in, `Bridging the Club Route'.
A bridging demonstration by the 9th
Field Squadron for the British press in
early 1943. The boats that are used to
support the roadway are F.B.E. or
Folding Bridging Equipment. This
bridge was able to handle all light
vehicles, but no tanks or heavy lorries.
Field Squadron for the British press in
early 1943. The boats that are used to
support the roadway are F.B.E. or
Folding Bridging Equipment. This
bridge was able to handle all light
vehicles, but no tanks or heavy lorries.
1st April 1945, a member of the 7th
Field Company, R.C.E. sweeps for
mines in The Netherlands. The was
one of many tasks that the engineers
still had to preform long after the war
had ended.
This is a F.B.E. Class V Raft with a 6 pdr
gun aboard. The engineers are making
sure that the load is in the right spot so
it is well balanced. The problem of an
unbalanced load is obvious. The gun's
carrier awaits on the other side. It will
hook the gun up and drive off.
gun aboard. The engineers are making
sure that the load is in the right spot so
it is well balanced. The problem of an
unbalanced load is obvious. The gun's
carrier awaits on the other side. It will
hook the gun up and drive off.
In World War I there were special bridging
and transport platoons. Here is the one
for the 2nd Infantry Division C.E. This was
taken in March 1919. In WWII the bridging
would have been with the Field Park
Company, R.C.E. and then eventually as
separate Bridging Platoons. Each division
had one.
and transport platoons. Here is the one
for the 2nd Infantry Division C.E. This was
taken in March 1919. In WWII the bridging
would have been with the Field Park
Company, R.C.E. and then eventually as
separate Bridging Platoons. Each division
had one.
Here is an American light tank crossing a
10-ton Ponton Bridge during a test at Fort
Knox, Kentucky. Notice how the tank is
not in the center of the bridge and how
the 10-ton pontons are too close to the
water. More in `Allied Assault Rafts'.
10-ton Ponton Bridge during a test at Fort
Knox, Kentucky. Notice how the tank is
not in the center of the bridge and how
the 10-ton pontons are too close to the
water. More in `Allied Assault Rafts'.
The 23rd Field Company, RCE clearing
the rubble for a new road in Caen. The
road would be named `Andy's Alley' by
the engineers, but would later be named,
`Ruin de 6 Juin' by the City of Caen.
For those who have read, `The Storm
Boat Kings' you would know which
member of the 23rd that is in this photo.
the rubble for a new road in Caen. The
road would be named `Andy's Alley' by
the engineers, but would later be named,
`Ruin de 6 Juin' by the City of Caen.
For those who have read, `The Storm
Boat Kings' you would know which
member of the 23rd that is in this photo.
A R.C.E. sapper checks a mine during a
demonstration of the new Polish mine
detector in the UK, 1943. I believe that it
would have been the No. 3 version of the
detector. The RCE didn't see widespread
usage of the No. 4 until mid to late 1944.
The sapper is from 9th Field Squadron,
R.C.E.
demonstration of the new Polish mine
detector in the UK, 1943. I believe that it
would have been the No. 3 version of the
detector. The RCE didn't see widespread
usage of the No. 4 until mid to late 1944.
The sapper is from 9th Field Squadron,
R.C.E.
Members of Le Regiment de la
Chaudieres cross the Ijssel River at
Zupthen on April 7th, 1945. The boat that
they are using was not standard for the
Canadian army in WWII. The pneumatic
boat seems to have been either
borrowed from the Americans or
liberated from the Germans. For all of
the infantry boats used by the Allies in
Europe during WWII see, `Allied Assault
Boats'.
Chaudieres cross the Ijssel River at
Zupthen on April 7th, 1945. The boat that
they are using was not standard for the
Canadian army in WWII. The pneumatic
boat seems to have been either
borrowed from the Americans or
liberated from the Germans. For all of
the infantry boats used by the Allies in
Europe during WWII see, `Allied Assault
Boats'.
Tunnelers on The Rock. I wonder if my
maternal grandfather is one of the men
in this photograph? It was his unit.
maternal grandfather is one of the men
in this photograph? It was his unit.
A photograph of Monty's bridge. The
first part of the bridge is the launching
bay and will be dismantled once the
bridge has been pushed into position.
The part of the bridge still on the bank is
on rollers so it can be pushed easily.
first part of the bridge is the launching
bay and will be dismantled once the
bridge has been pushed into position.
The part of the bridge still on the bank is
on rollers so it can be pushed easily.
Building a Bailey bridge in Caen,
Normandy. This was called Monty's
bridge. The section on left is the
launching bay and is used to help push
the bridge into position by being higher
than the part that the bridge rests on.
Normandy. This was called Monty's
bridge. The section on left is the
launching bay and is used to help push
the bridge into position by being higher
than the part that the bridge rests on.
A camera with a killer view. Italy, May
1944. I would like to see the footage from
this camera.
1944. I would like to see the footage from
this camera.
Left to right: General Simonds, Monty and
General Crerar somewhere in Northwest
Europe.
General Simonds was regarded as one of
the best Corps commanders that the Allies
had in WWII. He was in command of II
Canadian Corps and General Crerar was in
command of the First Canadian Army.
Something tells me that Monty is not
happy about his army commander having
a smoke in his presence.
General Crerar somewhere in Northwest
Europe.
General Simonds was regarded as one of
the best Corps commanders that the Allies
had in WWII. He was in command of II
Canadian Corps and General Crerar was in
command of the First Canadian Army.
Something tells me that Monty is not
happy about his army commander having
a smoke in his presence.
I didn't know that a VC winner is buried in
the same cemetery as my father. They
must have only recently put up this sign.
the same cemetery as my father. They
must have only recently put up this sign.
Donald was a member of both the 20th
Field Company, R.C.E. and the 23rd Field
Company, R.C.E. in WWII. I first
interviewed him for the Storm Boat Kings
and during this he told me that Operation
Duck was far worse than Operation Berlin.
Years later, I interviewed him for River
Assault and soon we talked on a regular
basis about all of his wartime experiences.
The story in `Boats at Arnhem and Other
Stories' about Bob Tate's bridge into the
apple orchard was born out of Donald
trying to remember exactly where the
bridge was. During my last visit to Arnhem
I took a number of photos of where the
old apple orchard was and showed
Donald. He looked at them for the longest
time and marked up a map for me, which
he gave to me on my next visit.
Field Company, R.C.E. and the 23rd Field
Company, R.C.E. in WWII. I first
interviewed him for the Storm Boat Kings
and during this he told me that Operation
Duck was far worse than Operation Berlin.
Years later, I interviewed him for River
Assault and soon we talked on a regular
basis about all of his wartime experiences.
The story in `Boats at Arnhem and Other
Stories' about Bob Tate's bridge into the
apple orchard was born out of Donald
trying to remember exactly where the
bridge was. During my last visit to Arnhem
I took a number of photos of where the
old apple orchard was and showed
Donald. He looked at them for the longest
time and marked up a map for me, which
he gave to me on my next visit.
Now, what is odd with this picture? The
boat is a Storm Boat and yes, it was fully
capable of transporting jeeps, anti-tank
guns and other things of the same size and
weight. The problem is that there must not
be any wind at all because the jeep's
windscreen is up and the roof is on. This
was a risky way to travel and could very
easily lead to an accident. Balancing the
load was the key and any shift could lead
to the boat overturning. For
example: during the Battle of Leer where a
jeep was being transported this way and
the boat capsized. The wind caught
the windscreen pushed the boat the
wrong way. A full account of this incident
and many other R.C.E. related stories are
in `River Assault'.
boat is a Storm Boat and yes, it was fully
capable of transporting jeeps, anti-tank
guns and other things of the same size and
weight. The problem is that there must not
be any wind at all because the jeep's
windscreen is up and the roof is on. This
was a risky way to travel and could very
easily lead to an accident. Balancing the
load was the key and any shift could lead
to the boat overturning. For
example: during the Battle of Leer where a
jeep was being transported this way and
the boat capsized. The wind caught
the windscreen pushed the boat the
wrong way. A full account of this incident
and many other R.C.E. related stories are
in `River Assault'.
Major General Sansom in 1942 inspecting what I thought was one of the strangest tanks ever built, the Grant/Lee tank. Yes, a tank finally had a 75mm gun to compete with the newer German types, but it was on the side and not in the main turret. Advantage was still with the Germans.
Photo taken on July 11, 1944 in Caen,
France. It was here that the Canadian
Armoured Forces' newspaper was
published. Fyi: I used an article they did on
Operation Berlin for the Storm Boat
Kings. This article was provided to me by
the late George King of the 23rd RCE.
France. It was here that the Canadian
Armoured Forces' newspaper was
published. Fyi: I used an article they did on
Operation Berlin for the Storm Boat
Kings. This article was provided to me by
the late George King of the 23rd RCE.
Post WWII and a lot closer than Europe.
This is the US base on Grand Bahama
Island that tracked a lot of NASA's space
vehicles. When I was on the island in
1972 everyone was talking about this so
called, "secret" missile base. Note the
names of
the astronauts who went through the
station during its day. Ham the Monkey
must have gotten more than a few
bananas from the island.
This is the US base on Grand Bahama
Island that tracked a lot of NASA's space
vehicles. When I was on the island in
1972 everyone was talking about this so
called, "secret" missile base. Note the
names of
the astronauts who went through the
station during its day. Ham the Monkey
must have gotten more than a few
bananas from the island.
I forgot that I had this photo. This is from
a couple of years ago when Sapper Donald
Somerville toured The Netherlands in the
back of lorry with his daughter. Yes, he
was from the 23rd Field Company, R.C.E.
as the writing says. On the side of the
truck are the words Storm Boat Kings.
Geez, can you guess why I like those
words?
a couple of years ago when Sapper Donald
Somerville toured The Netherlands in the
back of lorry with his daughter. Yes, he
was from the 23rd Field Company, R.C.E.
as the writing says. On the side of the
truck are the words Storm Boat Kings.
Geez, can you guess why I like those
words?
The authors of the first two volumes of
a resource that I use heavily, `The History
of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers'.
Here they are on February 5th, 1963
showing the Volume I, which is mostly
about the Canadian Engineers in WWI and
up to WWII. Volume II is about the Royal
Canadian Engineers in WWII. Both are
not Shakespeare and can be quite dull.
However, both are great resources and a
must for any RCE researcher.
The author of Volume III, Ken Holmes, has
helped me a lot over the years and is now
working on Volume IV.
a resource that I use heavily, `The History
of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers'.
Here they are on February 5th, 1963
showing the Volume I, which is mostly
about the Canadian Engineers in WWI and
up to WWII. Volume II is about the Royal
Canadian Engineers in WWII. Both are
not Shakespeare and can be quite dull.
However, both are great resources and a
must for any RCE researcher.
The author of Volume III, Ken Holmes, has
helped me a lot over the years and is now
working on Volume IV.
The Polish mine detector was the main
detector used by the Canadians in WWII
and this version was the last to be used.
detector used by the Canadians in WWII
and this version was the last to be used.
Left: Bridging the Canal du Nord, near Arras September 1918, with a Inglis Bridge. This would be the Mark I version. The Mark II version was tried in WWII, but it couldn't take the weight of the new tanks. Still, it was used until the Bailey Bridge came along.
Please forgive my vanity, but I had to post this. Someone asked me recently how many books
I had written so I started counting. Not pictured here are a couple of the revisions of `The
Wrong Side of the River' and`Assault Boats on the Waal'. The original covers are shown.
Starting from the top left the 30 books are in chronological order of publication. Yes, 30! I
couldn't believe it either. The first was published in December 2006 and the last in April 2016.
Most of the books are small, where I focus on one subject, and one is combination of two of
them. `War Establishments of the R.C.E. in WWII' contains both parts of `Encyclopedia of the
R.C.E. in WWII'.
I had written so I started counting. Not pictured here are a couple of the revisions of `The
Wrong Side of the River' and`Assault Boats on the Waal'. The original covers are shown.
Starting from the top left the 30 books are in chronological order of publication. Yes, 30! I
couldn't believe it either. The first was published in December 2006 and the last in April 2016.
Most of the books are small, where I focus on one subject, and one is combination of two of
them. `War Establishments of the R.C.E. in WWII' contains both parts of `Encyclopedia of the
R.C.E. in WWII'.
This is a McNaughton Tube many years later. These were put into airfields and other places in southeast England after Dunkirk as an anti-invasion device. When detonated they would blow a hole in the ground 9 feet deep, 20-25 feet wide and as long as the pipe was filled with the explosive compound. No. 1 Tunnelling Company put them in as a request from the British and then was sent elsewhere, also at a request from the British. The Company became very busy. They reopened mines all around the UK, the worked in Gibraltar, Sicily, Italy and then were in Germany when the war ended. They disbanded in The Netherlands soon after.
Who took them out? I know that L/Sgt. Potter and a troop from 261st Field Park Company, RE removed some from a coastal town (his account of this is in `A Token Force') and some claim that it was the R.C.E. who took them out. At the end of war the only R.C.E. personel still in the UK capable of doing this kind of work were the 5th, 6th and 7th Aritsan Works Companies so it was probably them and whatever R.E. units were around. The problem is that whoever took them out missed some and a number of long tubes filled with explosive chemicals were still in the ground until 2006 when they were discovered under an airfield. These were remotely detonated, but the question remains, are there still more in the ground?
Who took them out? I know that L/Sgt. Potter and a troop from 261st Field Park Company, RE removed some from a coastal town (his account of this is in `A Token Force') and some claim that it was the R.C.E. who took them out. At the end of war the only R.C.E. personel still in the UK capable of doing this kind of work were the 5th, 6th and 7th Aritsan Works Companies so it was probably them and whatever R.E. units were around. The problem is that whoever took them out missed some and a number of long tubes filled with explosive chemicals were still in the ground until 2006 when they were discovered under an airfield. These were remotely detonated, but the question remains, are there still more in the ground?
Here is a group of miners from Kirkland Lake. The photo was taken in 1940 and I am lead to believe that these men are volunteering for Colin Campbell's section in the R.C.E. Sixty-four miners from Ontario joined the Minister of Public Works, Colin Campbell, and formed the core of what was to eventually become No. 1 Tunnelling Company, R.C.E.
The original unit was a section of 12th Field Company, R.C.E. went overseas with them. When the company expanded into the Special Tunnelling Company, R.C.E. miners were taken from other R.C.E. units already overseas to complete its compliment. A second company was also formed in the U.K. It became No. 2 Tunnelling Company, R.C.E.
Towards the end of the war both companies were renamed Drilling companies and they were reorganized to meet its new duties. Tunnelling companies in WWII were far different than those in WWI.
The original unit was a section of 12th Field Company, R.C.E. went overseas with them. When the company expanded into the Special Tunnelling Company, R.C.E. miners were taken from other R.C.E. units already overseas to complete its compliment. A second company was also formed in the U.K. It became No. 2 Tunnelling Company, R.C.E.
Towards the end of the war both companies were renamed Drilling companies and they were reorganized to meet its new duties. Tunnelling companies in WWII were far different than those in WWI.
Any idea what this is? Look closely and you will see that the pipe is being driven into the ground. This was called a McNaughton Tube and was used by No. 1 Tunneling Company, R.C.E. to destroy airfields and anything else that needed to be destroyed from the ground up. They left quite the hole in the ground. The ditch would have been 9 feet deep and 20 to 25 feet wide for as long as the pipe was laid.
L/Sgt. Potter of the 261st Field Park Company, Royal Engineers (Airborne) removed a large number of these after the war. See page 38 of, `A Token Force'. They were used in South-East England as a defense against the threat of a German invasion. They would have been blown in the enemy's face.
L/Sgt. Potter of the 261st Field Park Company, Royal Engineers (Airborne) removed a large number of these after the war. See page 38 of, `A Token Force'. They were used in South-East England as a defense against the threat of a German invasion. They would have been blown in the enemy's face.
I have studied not only the Royal Canadian Engineers, but the Royal Engineers, The US Army Corps of Engineers and the German engineers of WWII. My focus for the British and American engineers has been mainly on Operation Market Garden. It has only been recently that I have been studying the German engineers. My Market Garden Engineer Series contains the following titles: The Wrong Side of the River, Basic Function, Engineers at the Bridge, Assault Boats on the Waal, A Long Tradition, Bridging Hell's Highway, A Token Force and Commander Royal Engineers. I hope to add another title to this series soon. See the Market Garden Engineer Series page.
The equipment that the engineers used is of great interest to me. My book on Allied boats, Allied Attack Boats, and the three booklets I did for Service Publications, Engineer Assault Boats in Canadian Service, Non-Bailey Bridging in Canadian Service and The Bailey Bridge in Canadian Service reflect my passion for engineer equipment. I have a few more engineering equipment projects in various stages right now so expect something in the new year. See the R.C.E. page.
Someone once said that `a writer writes' and I work hard to live up to that. In addition to the history stuff I have written a couple of novels and three travel books. The novels are: Nowhere to Run and The Code of History. Both are action/adventure are available from me or on Amazon. See the Projects' page. FYI: Nowhere to Run is loosely based on my own cousin's mysterious disappearance.
I am currently working on a third novel. The three travel novels are also available online. Please see the Project's page for details.
What is next for me? I am currently working on a third novel, the 9th book in the Market Garden Engineer Series and Part II of the Encyclopedia of the R.C.E. in WWII. Oh yes, I have to start working on a travel book about my recent trip to Poland and Hungry this summer.
Below are some pictures of the R.C.E. in WWII. The top left photograph is of my late grandfather's unit, No. 2 Drilling Company, R.C.E. (some say that it is 3rd Battalion, R.C.E.). Is he in the photo? I don't know. If anyone comes across the name, Hugh Barton, sometimes Corporal, sometimes Sapper, please contact me.
Unless noted otherwise, all photos on this website are from the National Archives and Library Canada and should be credited that way.
The equipment that the engineers used is of great interest to me. My book on Allied boats, Allied Attack Boats, and the three booklets I did for Service Publications, Engineer Assault Boats in Canadian Service, Non-Bailey Bridging in Canadian Service and The Bailey Bridge in Canadian Service reflect my passion for engineer equipment. I have a few more engineering equipment projects in various stages right now so expect something in the new year. See the R.C.E. page.
Someone once said that `a writer writes' and I work hard to live up to that. In addition to the history stuff I have written a couple of novels and three travel books. The novels are: Nowhere to Run and The Code of History. Both are action/adventure are available from me or on Amazon. See the Projects' page. FYI: Nowhere to Run is loosely based on my own cousin's mysterious disappearance.
I am currently working on a third novel. The three travel novels are also available online. Please see the Project's page for details.
What is next for me? I am currently working on a third novel, the 9th book in the Market Garden Engineer Series and Part II of the Encyclopedia of the R.C.E. in WWII. Oh yes, I have to start working on a travel book about my recent trip to Poland and Hungry this summer.
Below are some pictures of the R.C.E. in WWII. The top left photograph is of my late grandfather's unit, No. 2 Drilling Company, R.C.E. (some say that it is 3rd Battalion, R.C.E.). Is he in the photo? I don't know. If anyone comes across the name, Hugh Barton, sometimes Corporal, sometimes Sapper, please contact me.
Unless noted otherwise, all photos on this website are from the National Archives and Library Canada and should be credited that way.
