Landing Craft Towed Away

Heroes Remember

Landing Craft Towed Away

Transcript

The ramp had been shot off by the artillery so that it was stuck in the ground and we couldn’t move. And then they shot the motor out anyway. The navy very calmly came in and hooked on on both sides of us and towed us even though we were being dive-bombed by Stukas all the way. But I couldn’t understand these Germans the German pilots, because there was a barrage balloon above our ship. It was about fifteen hundred feet high. Why they didn’t shoot that down so that they would be able to avoid the chain that was holding the balloon up but they didn’t and as a result their diving hit on either side sprays of water got us wet but nothing else. Then finally we got a bunch of wounded came aboard our ship and we were towed back all the way back to Britain.

Description

As the raid comes to an end, Mr. Hart describes the condition of his landing craft and how it had to be towed back to Britain.

David Hart

Mr. Hart was born in Montreal, Quebec on July 8, 1917. One of seven boys, Mr. Hart joined the army reserves and high school cadets later graduating from college as an accountant. Joining with the Fourth Divisional Signals in 1937, he then joined active service August 1939. Mr. Hart continued on with his service as a signalman with the Royal Canadian Corps Second Divisional Signals taking part in The Dieppe Raid as a sergeant. For his part in this historical event, Mr. Hart received the Military Medal for bravery, awarded to him by His Majesty King George VI at Buckingham Palace. Upon returning to Canada, Mr. Hart continued on with his accounting career. Having great pride for his service, Mr. Hart has returned to Dieppe six times and with this being the 75th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, along with his wife and son, he will be joining the Canadian delegation in recognition of this commemorative event. At 100 years of age, Mr. Hart continues to enjoy life with his wife of 99 years of age, still residing in their own home. Mr. Hart continues to promote the importance of the Dieppe Raid so that Canadians will truly understand the sacrifice that was given during this battle. He and his wife now reside in Montreal, Quebec.

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