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.
Posted on 08/03/2005 12:08:31 PM PDT by Loyalist
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??
RIP Smokey Smith. Thank you for your service.
Ping.
Smokey = Smoky
God Bless!
RIP Sergeant Smith. Salute.
(Busted back to Private NINE times.. Jeez.. :)
Hard working, hard fighting, but hard drinking as well. At least when he was young. ;)
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!
"And that's all there is to it."
Smokey Smith used to appear with his mates at Victory Square in Vancouver every November 11th in my years in Vancouver.
He was one of a kind - a tremendous fellow!
He joins the hallowed dead.
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.
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