 |
| Grandpa and Grandma Smith's three sons, my dad Harry, my father David, and my Uncle Neil Lauritz Smith. |
A few years back I was sitting with Claigh in the dollar theater in our
St. Charles community watching the World War II movie "Memphis Belle."
As a scene of a fierce air battle unfolded, they showed a young gunner
sitting in the bubble under the rear of the plane. The plane was shot
down. The tears flowed as I was filled with deep sadness and a small
sense of just what my Uncle Neil experienced at the young age of
eighteen. For the next few days, I thought of my Grandma Venice and
Grandpa Havelock and wondered at their anguish when they received word
that their boy was shot down over Germany.
On September 10, 1939,
the Canadian Parliament declared war on the German Reich. World War II
left it's mark on many families throughout the world. My Grandpa and
Grandma sent two sons to war.
 |
| Harry Havelock Bills Smith III and brother Neil Lauritz Smith |
The
first of the brothers to enlist was Harry who enlisted in the Canadian
Armed Forces July 31, 1943. He was soon followed by Neil who enlisted in
the Royal Canadian Air Force on August 18, 1943. Underage but
determined and with his father's permission, Neil made his way to
Calgary. Only 17 1/2 years old, he was the youngest boy to enlist from
Coutts. In a short seven months he received his wings and Sargent
stripes. In April 1944 he left for Europe after a visit home to see his
family. Harry was home during the same time. This would be the last
Grandpa and Grandma would have their three sons together in this life.
Neil served as the Mid-Upper Gunner in a
Lancaster Bomber
 |
| My Uncle Neil's flight crew - In this photo, Neil is in the front row on the right. |
Much to his dismay, Harry's service was more of a supportive role for
those on the field of battle. Due to a severe case of Polio as a child,
his arms were weak. He was only 5' 2 3/4" tall and weighed 190 pounds.
While noting his weight and physical limitations, "determined",
"thoroughly conscientious", "persistent", "can be depended upon", "an
excellent chap", "pleasing personality", "straightforward",
"cooperative", "first rate man", "intelligent", "thoroughly capable",
"with much ability", "quite ambitious", "disappointed at his allocation
[but] his attitude is excellent", "highly regarded by other men in his
platoon" are direct quotes from various reviews in his military record.
In
England Harry served for some time as a clerk before becoming a driver
with the Army Corp of Engineers. While he was in areas that were bombed,
he never saw battle. He did suffer night terrors recreating his
experience "under fire" throughout his life. Dale reports that one time
when he was playing with toy soldiers, creating bomb sounds, Dad told
him just how terrifying it was to hear bombs falling. This was a rare
admission by dad. We can remember his telling us often with a twinkle in
his eye, "I won the Battle of the Bulge single-handed. When the Germans
saw me coming over the hill, they died laughing." Like many of the men
who went to war, he did not burden us with the horrors he saw.
Stationed
at an airbase, Harry drove a large gravel truck. It was his
responsibility to fill in bomb craters and keep runways in good repair.
After Canadian forces liberated Holland, Harry was transferred to aid in
the liberation of POW camps. He drove ambulance. He felt great concern
that they avoid bumps and jarring due to the suffering of the ones they
were transporting and the need to keep them as stable as possible. This
was no easy task with the condition of the war damaged roads. Perhaps
the most frightening experience Dad had during his war service was when
his ambulance was separated from the main convoy. It all ended well but
there were some tense moments before he made his way back to the camp.
The
time in Europe made strong impressions upon dad. I remember him talking
of devastated landscape, empty department stores, the starving people
and the "black" bread that was tough to eat because of the un-milled
seed. The soldiers were well fed. Dad could trade his cigarette rations
for candy for the Dutch children or eggs for a German family he tried to
help. While he did what he could, he felt the sadness of being able to
do so little to alleviate the suffering. [For as long as I can remember,
Dad and Mom were diligent in storing a years worth of food and
supplies. This was not about hoarding but being prepared. And it was not
about just being prepared for ourselves, but for any around us who had a
need.]
In the meantime, November 16, 1944 found Neil's Lancaster
in the skies over Düren, Germany. In one day the city of Düren was
completely destroyed by Allied air bombings leaving approximately 3,000
residents dead. Casualties of the Allied forces were few. Uncle Neil's
bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire from the ground and crashed that
day.
Just over a year later, Harry made his way by train to Düren
in hopes of verifying his brother's death. It is possible that he had
received a copy of a report issued in October The local Germans and
possibly the American soldiers stationed there were very helpful and
were able to guide him to the site. The plane had come down near a
military barracks surrounded by flack guns. It is likely these were the
guns that hit the Lancaster.
According to official reports, one
body was left intact in the plane which was later identified as Sargent
Leaman. It is unclear who buried the remains of the rest of the crew in
three graves but it is believed that the graves were marked by American
forces and reported to the British. Dad found some small bones and teeth
in the wreckage and buried them along side the graves. He recorded
numbers that were visible on parts of the wreckage to be used as
identifiers. According to Mom, Harry tenderly set stones around the
graves of the crew and spent quiet time alone reflecting on the loss of
his younger brother. He took this photograph for his mother and father.
Later the remains were removed to the Rheinberg War Cemetery in
Germany. It wasn't until Jan 6, 1950 that the military confirmed that
Dad had correctly identified the site.
 |
| While in Europe, Harry
also located graves for two other Alberta boys, taking pictures for
their families. I am confident this was a blessing to those grieving the
loss of sons. |
Harry was discharged 2 August 1946. He received the
France and Germany Star, the
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, and the
War Medal 1939-1945.
War is such an ugly thing. The evil and lust for power that exists in the hearts of some
will bring them before the judgment bar of a just God. They will be
held to account for the destruction they cause. They will feel the full
weight of the anguish they brought upon others. They will be left to
themselves.
I am grateful for good men who give their all for the
cause of freedom. Some like my Grandpa and Grandma sacrifice sons and
daughters. Some lose brothers or sisters. Others lose fathers and mothers. Perhaps the greatest sacrifices are the ones made by brave men and
women like my Uncle Neil. He gave away his future in a freedom fight for others.
As
the world becomes darker and more distant from the God who created her,
I too want to be on the front lines of freedom fighters. I may never face a
gun battle but I know the fight with sin is real and I pray for the
strength and guidance to meet each day strong in the cause of truth and
liberty.
I pray none of my grandchildren will ever see war but if
the cause is just and they must, may they will be armed and ready. I
hope they live today becoming selfless men and women of honor. I
pray are firm in the faith of their fathers as they grow in wisdom and
spiritual power. May they ever stand firm in their individual places as ones who
love God and his children and follow the example of the righteous Nephites
and their worthy leader Chief Captain Moroni.
[Alma 48]
There
are times when we must face a fight. It is critical that we know when
those times are and that we are prepared to stand with those who would
defend the rights and freedoms of God's children wherever they are and
in whatever circumstance they live. The greatest opportunities to
declare freedom are in the opportunities to testify of the power of
redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ. We must be in tune with the
Spirit to know our place and our time.
To know the love of God is for me the greatest of blessings for
perfect love casteth out fear. [1 John 4:18]
Did Uncle Neil remember the love and the testimonies of his mother and
father as he fell from the sky to his death? Did he feel the assurance
that he was in the hands of God? I hope so.
I have confidence in a
loving Father in Heaven and in my Savior Jesus Christ. I want my
children and grandchildren to share in that confidence as they make
their way through the challenges of life.
My favorite celebrate "freedom" Praise:
