Myu Dad served with Smokey in the Seaforth Highlanders and knew him before the war. Smokey was one of the best atheletes to come out of New Westminister B.C. a sprinter, lacrosse and baseball player of some repute.
When Smokey and the boys were cut off by high water on the German side of the Savio River, they hunkered down in the basement of an Italian farmhouse. As luck would have it, they came across a large supply of vino and proceeded to have a party. When the Krauts crashed the festivities, Smokey naturally convinced them to bugger off. Smokey was a neat guy. After he received his V.C., he was placed under protective custody in London because he would head to the nearest Pub, flash his V.C. and drink all night for free.
Thank you for sharing that with us.