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Over Seas
with
Bill “BOOTS” |
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We Take a
Hit
by Bill Johnson
I drove a Sherman tank, over 30
tons it held 60 to 70 gallons of gas plus ammo for the 75 mm gun and two
machine guns. A very explosive mixture. They had a tendency to blow up
from a good shot or as the British used to put it (Brew up) I have become
attached to these tanks. The infantry do not like to be around them as
they are big and noisy and attract too much enemy fire. However, we are of
help to them at times; such as when they have to cross an open field to
take out the enemy that are using the houses for protection. We act as
artillery and send a few explosive rounds in to the buildings. That
usually settles the matter or at least makes their job easier.
We are fighting on the Gothic
line and we have stopped, while our officer leaves to walk to another
troops officer, to discuss the situation. We sit there quietly waiting for
him to return. We watch a group of mortar shells land about a hundred
yards in front of us so we pull in our heads just in case, but nothing
else follows so we sit back and relax.
About five minutes later, we
take a direct hit, dead center on the front. It is impossible to say what
happened. My recollection is I had gone blind, as all I could see is total
white in front of me. The wireless operator yells, “ fire” and we all bail
out. As my head came out I happily realized, I can see! But, as my feet
hit the ground, I felt teeth rattling around so I poked my fingers in to
my mouth to see how many teeth were knocked out. To my surprise, it is
only my partial plate. Then a group of mortar shells landed around us. We
got to the back of the tank and see it is not on fire. The white that I
saw was dust and dirt. The wireless operator thought it was smoke. We
jumped back in and I noticed that a steel ammo box we had welded in front
had taken the hit and probably soaked up some of the explosion. It seemed
to have totally disappeared. There go our kit bags! They were in the ammo
box. We check for damage, the motor runs but our major gun had been
damaged from the explosion and will not recoil all the way, making it
impossible to reload.
I explained the situation to the
officer, when he returns, and then asked him for a drink for the boys. I
knew he has a bottle of whisky hidden away somewhere. We got out our mugs
in anticipation. He got out the bottle and poured us a drink. We looked in
our mugs and then looked at each other. It looked as though he measured
the drink, a whole one-ounce laying limply in the bottom of the mug. We
find out later he had been a pharmacist. We then wait the night out with
other crippled tanks. |
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Grand Opening of Whit's Gym It
rained, for good luck, to Dustin Whitmore on the grand opening of Whit's
Gym on June 30th. Whit's Gym is a family fitness facility, open 7 days a
week. Dustin wanted to bring his gym home to Apsley, so those who want to
keep in shape, don't have to travel too far. With his fitness education
and experience, over $40,000.00 invested in new equipment, open hours to
benefit workers(6am to 9pm during the week), and a bright state-of-the-art
facility to work-out in, we wish him much success! Whit's Gym is located
at 296 Burleigh Street. |
We
would like to congratulate our daughter Carly Evans on a job well done.
She graduated gr. 8 on June 26th 2007, with the honour of being
Valedictorian. As well as receiving the Ontario Principal's Award, the
Academic Excellence Award and the Honour Roll Award. We are very proud.
Love, Mom, Dad, Caitlyn and Mackenzie Also thank you to our teachers,
principal, and staff at Apsley Central P.S.. Over the years our children
have been very lucky to have great people watching over them. They say it
takes a village and that is so true. With big changes ahead for our school
I know our "Village" will rise to the occasion. Hope everyone enjoys their
summer! Rick & Chris Evans & Family.
