Last Canadian Victoria Cross Winner Dies and there ain't gonna be no more no more, and there ain't gonna be no more... RIP.I was going to post this. RIP Smoky.
"In Italy on the night of 21st-22nd October 1944, a Canadian Infantry Brigade was ordered to establish a bridgehead across the Savio River. The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada were selected as the spearhead of the attack, and in weather most unfavourable to the operation they crossed the river and captured their objective in spite of strong opposition from the enemy.
Torrential rain had caused the Savio River to rise six feet in five hours, and as the soft vertical banks made it impossible to bridge the river no tanks or anti-tank guns could be taken across the raging stream to the support of the rifle companies.
As the right forward company was consolidating its objective it was suddenly counter-attacked by a troop of three Mark V Panther tanks supported by two self-propelled guns and about thirty infantry and the situation appeared hopeless.
Under heavy fire from the approaching enemy tanks, Private Smith, showing great initiative and inspiring leadership, led his P.I.A.T. Group of two men across an open field to a position from which the P.I.A.T. could best be employed. Leaving one man on the weapon, Private Smith crossed the road with a companion and obtained another P.I.A.T. Almost immediately an enemy tank came down the road firing its machine-guns along the line of the ditches. Private Smith's comrade was wounded. At a range of thirty feet and having to expose himself to the full view of the enemy, Private Smith fired the P.I.A.T. and hit the tank, putting it out of action. Ten German infantry immediately jumped off the back of the tank and charged him with Schmeissers and grenades. Without hesitation Private Smith moved out on the road and with his Tommy gun at point-blank range, killed four Germans and drove the remainder back. Almost immediately another tank opened fire and more enemy infantry closed in on Smith's position. Obtaining some abandoned Tommy gun magazines from a ditch, he steadfastly held his position, protecting his comrade and fighting the enemy with his Tommy gun until they finally gave up and withdrew in disorder.
One tank and both self-propelled guns had been destroyed by this time, but yet another tank swept the area with fire from a longer range. Private Smith, still showing utter contempt for enemy fire, helped his wounded friend to cover and obtained medical aid for him behind a nearby building. He then returned to his position beside the road to await the possibility of a further enemy attack."
If the Governator did this in a movie, it would be called unrealistic. G-d rest Smoky Smith.
They don't make them like that anymore. RIP Smoky Smith.
Last Canadian Victoria Cross Winner Dies and there ain't gonna be no more no more, and there ain't gonna be no more... RIP. And in Germany, they commemmorate the Savio River Massacre :-O
RIP ping.
this guy was some kind of superhero. He put Rambo to shame.
I'm waiting for that fat bitch Carolyn Parrish to say something nasty about Smoky's comments here anytime now. Care to take a shot at a legend, Ms. Parrish, you fat c*nt? Or do you not have the guts??
Smokey = Smoky
God Bless!
Those that have been there, tell me that you never know who will be the best man to enter combat with -- most of the time you are surprised. With some, there is an inner strength and resourcefulness, never suspected to be present, that is awakened by the dangers of war.
Thank God for men like Smoky Smith!
Thank you for reminding us of the Good Canadians.
Just put his name on my calendar for November 11th. It deserves to be repeated and remembered.
Dude, they don't make many people like that in ANY country...
And don't forget the Canadian sniper with a Barrett that saved some US butts out in Afganistan - making kills as far as a mile away. I say he was cast in this guy's mold.
Rest In Peace Smoky
Thank you for your service to King and Country.
No, I don't think that's true. My Dad never won a VC and as I've said before the medals he does have are in his drawer , under his socks , still in their original boxes .
A month ago I took him to the new war museum in Ottawa and he found it amusing he could get in for free . He found a model #54 radio, like the one that was mounted in his carrier and he found the one he carried on his back , model #19 . Like the one that saved his life by becoming armor in a mortar attack. It was shredded , he wasn't . And he found a bren gun carrier complete with flame thrower . No MG. He stood there beside it for a long time and I left him alone for a bit . He was thinking of things that happened long ago in far away places .
In Italy and Europe, the Seaforths, Perths and Irish regiments were part of Hofmister 's 5th Canadian Armored Division . The D-day dodgers. He seemed quite satisfied when we left
What he didn't see I saw in the faces of the young people behind the information desks and in the looks he got as he accosted the volunteers stationed through out the building for information. They smiled and laughed with this chunky 80 year old who limped along like he owned the place . It was more than being just being polite . I'm not sure how to describe it . There was a respect there for this old man who has a habit of talking too loud cause he can't hear like he thinks he can . Everyone else is deaf , not he . Perhaps it was a mix of awe and bewilderment . Perhaps it might have been a look of gratitude .
.My Uncle once said they were amateurs in way over their heads . Fighting professionals and winning . No , they still belong here , the shame is we have too many who don't .
Sounds like Smoky was a real common sense kind of man. Aside from the respect I have for him for his honorable service, I think I would have liked him on a personal level.
Scotch sunrise
RIP
"Liked to kill the enemy with an Indian War club studded with nails""
What a card.