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I am posting this in order to learn more about my grandfather's experiences in WW2 as a member of a pioneer platoon.
My grandfather was in the Regina Rifles, going ashore on D-day and fighting until the end of the war (except for a period of recovery from a sniper's bullet to the leg). He hardly talked about his experiences because it was obviously too painful for him. Though, I will never forget the one time he broke down in front of me, telling me about "all the bodies." He is a man that I admired very much and would like to learn more about. Now that he passed away a couple years now I am curious about finding out more about what his experiences might have been like day to day.
I think that much of my grandfather's time in the war was spent in the pioneer platoon. I know that pioneers generally dealt with mine clearing, but I have never seen any personal accounts of such a task during the war. It seems like an unsung role.
There are some areas that I am most interested in. If anyone out there can give me any new information, general or specific, I would love to hear it. Here are some areas I am particularly interested in:
1) What were the most common duties of a pioneer in a Canadian infantry battalion in WW2?
2) Does anyone out there have personal experience with the WW2 pioneer platoon of the Regina Rifles?
3) What would the role of pioneers have been on D-day?
4) What were the casualty rates of pioneer platoons in Canadian infantry battalions in Normandy?
5) How would I find out more about such information?
I have not posted my grandfather's name for privacy's sake, but if anyone feels that they or someone they know may have crossed paths, feel free to contact me. Otherwise, any general discussion on pioneers would also be of interest.
Thanks.
My grandfather was in the Regina Rifles, going ashore on D-day and fighting until the end of the war (except for a period of recovery from a sniper's bullet to the leg). He hardly talked about his experiences because it was obviously too painful for him. Though, I will never forget the one time he broke down in front of me, telling me about "all the bodies." He is a man that I admired very much and would like to learn more about. Now that he passed away a couple years now I am curious about finding out more about what his experiences might have been like day to day.
I think that much of my grandfather's time in the war was spent in the pioneer platoon. I know that pioneers generally dealt with mine clearing, but I have never seen any personal accounts of such a task during the war. It seems like an unsung role.
There are some areas that I am most interested in. If anyone out there can give me any new information, general or specific, I would love to hear it. Here are some areas I am particularly interested in:
1) What were the most common duties of a pioneer in a Canadian infantry battalion in WW2?
2) Does anyone out there have personal experience with the WW2 pioneer platoon of the Regina Rifles?
3) What would the role of pioneers have been on D-day?
4) What were the casualty rates of pioneer platoons in Canadian infantry battalions in Normandy?
5) How would I find out more about such information?
I have not posted my grandfather's name for privacy's sake, but if anyone feels that they or someone they know may have crossed paths, feel free to contact me. Otherwise, any general discussion on pioneers would also be of interest.
Thanks.