Blackadder1916
Army.ca Veteran
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FortYorkRifleman said:That sounds like a nightmare. I had always assumed nuclear war went hand in hand with the Air Force and never knew ground units were involved. I have very little knowledge of nuclear weapons and always assumed they just came out of silos. . . . . . I still have a long ways to go in regards to all of this on top of learning about CAF history, specifically Infantry regiments as I am currently applying as an NCM for the Regular Force (hopefully PPCLI)
If you are interested in the mindset of the times (well, mostly from the American military institutional viewpoint), this gem from youtube may help. "The Big Picture" was a weekly program produced by the US Army and shown on US network television. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr4o6CAeU1k
"Troop Test Smokey" referred to in the program included 43 Canadians, a platoon from 2nd Bn, QOR.
A report on the test is found at http://www.dtra.mil/Portals/61/Documents/1957%20-%20DNA%206004F%20-%20Shot%20SMOKEY%20-%20Operation%20PLUMBBOB.pdf
Describes the activities of DOD participants in the atmospheric nuclear
test, SMOKY, conducted on 31 August 1957 as part of the PLUMBBOB series,
The various levels at which DOD personnel participated within the Nevada
Test Organization and Desert Rock projects are described. Those projects
related to DOD mission activities are described as to purpose, agency,
results, operation, and radiological safety aspects.