T h e F o r t y - Niner July 1941 FOURTY NINER NUMBER 33 July 1941 25c Per Copy EDITORIAL VEGREVILLE BOY’S RUNNING ACCOUNT 1st BN. EDMONTON REGIMENT VICTORY LOAN AND RECRUITING PARADES HASSE’S WAR DIARY ANNUAL BANQUET 2nd BN. EDMONTON REGIMENT ANNIVERSARY WANDERING BOY NEWS FROM BRANCHES LADIES’ AUXILIARY NEWS AND VIEWS LAST POST We, the old-guard Forty-niners Out of which the new line grew, Now affirm association With you Forty-niners new. T h e F o r t y - Niner July 1941 T h e F o r t y - Niner July 1941 ALBERTA -------------------- -A Good Place To Spend Your Leave ... AND After the Victory -A Good Place To Spend Your Life! EVER-AS ALWAYS LAND OF BEAUTY AND LAND OF OPPORTUNITY GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA EDMONTON Page 1 T h e F o r t y - Niner July 1941 The Forty-Niner Number Thirty-Three EDMONTON,ALBERTA July, 1941 THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR words as these: The state or the man that fights against the Nazis is entitled to our support. Whoever fights with the Nazis is our foe. The When last we wrote for this page we stressed the necessity for war news seems to convey the comforting fact that the Russians are equipment of all kinds on land, on sea and in the air. Since that time fighting well. The Germans are losing men and are losing and (January, 1941), much has been accomplished; more guns, tanks and wearing out valuable material and that is all to the good. ships have been coming to hand and we are today much better off Meanwhile Britain gets a well-earned breathing space which she will than we were six months ago, but we are still far from being fully make the best use of. British aeroplanes range over Germany and the equipped and we are still woefully undermanned. invasion ports, blasting factories, shipping, railways and military In the last six months we have been kicked out of Libia, Greece and installations and one hopes that the civilian population in Germany Crete. In every case the story has been the same—shortage of is not being entirely overlooked. Gradually the thought will penetrate equipment and men on land, on sea and in the air. Not only that, but these square heads that victory grows remote. Then will come these defeats have cost us a great deal, not only in trained manpower disillusionment and ultimate collapse; for, bear this in mind, the but in the loss of equipment which we could ill afford to lose. It follows, German is no superman, indeed he is a very ordinary fellow, cock-a- therefore, that not only for replacements but for a reasonable parity hoop when things are going his way and very abject and apologetic with the enemy (without which victory will be the more difficult), we when the boot is on the other foot. still need men and equipment. We ought to know. Let us now take a look at our enemy. The Germans are said to have 6,000,000 men under arms, plus a very complete equipment on land 49er WRITES POEM J. P. and in the air. Not only that, but an industrial development in the home country and in conquered countries which provides not only for Simcox, Killam, Alberta, is a poet of some merit as the verses below replacements but for new material. This industrial development is will show. This poem appeared in the Journal after the time of the qualified by many factors, such as sabotage in the conquered attack on the convoy which the “Jervis Bay” was shepherding. Simcox countries, under nutrition and sabotage in the home country and the has a number of poems written and has or intends having them over-riding effects of the British blockade. German equipment published in booklet form. Proceeds he intends donating to some war production will begin to suffer, indeed it is now suffering from these fund or relief. conditions. It is in the realm of strategy that the Germans are likely to come a The Captain of the Jervis Bay cropper. They have over-run many countries and have widely O wondrous deed that feeds anew the flame extended their field of operations and lengthened their lines of Of England’s greatness, and her right to fame. communications and supply. To the astonishment of the whole world O noble soul, that counts this life as naught, they have now launched an attack on Russia. Why they have So right prevail, and England’s purpose wrought. deliberately chosen to add a new and powerful enemy, a further O vision clearer, seeing beyond the sky enlargement of their fronts and a further lengthening of their Of earthly happenings, courage to defy communications is a mystery. Was it pure lust of conquest, or is there The little shafts of death’s vast armory. behind this amazing event some outstanding fundamental necessity And laughing, welcome th’ uneven fight which left them no choice? Is it lack of foodstuffs or oil? Are they really ’Gainst greater weapons. This is greater sight. launching themselves on an attempted conquest of the whole world? Death yields to life, which every terror mocks At this moment we cannot say what Russia is really capable of but Life conquers death. O blessed paradox. this is clear — that, if Russia can avoid a decisive defeat by following a policy of defense in depth, Germany may become entangled in O greater love of England, to uphold Russia to such an extent that she will jeopardize her whole military Her honor; thus enhanced a hundredfold. position. What Germany must have hoped for, and what she may yet Nelson and Raleigh, Drake and Frobisher, accomplish, is a quick defeat and such a complete submission as will Sir Richard Grenville, all who fought for her put Russian resources in food and minerals at the disposal of Now can you to their glorious company Germany. The acquisition of these Russian resources and their Of those who made her mistress of the sea. prompt utilization would to some extent, offset United States aid to So long these shores such heroes are defending, Britain. The tally of great deeds shall be unending. Meanwhile, Russia seems to be holding out to the extent at least that she has not suffered a decisive defeat. Thank God for England. And men like this What is really happening we cannot know as both these nations are Who suffer death for all that England is. the most accomplished liars above ground. It is a curious thing that Untarnished shall her sword and buckler be, we should be hoping for the victory of Russia when we all know that And death and glory lead to victory. the Russian ruling class is the most unprincipled gang of murderers ever let loose upon the world, with the possible exception of the Nazis. Page 2 Winston Churchill has succinctly stated our position in some such T h e F o r t y - Niner July 1941 Edmonton Regiment Overseas Busily Engaged In Varied Training Ted Horton, former Vegreville Newspaper Man with Regiment describes activities of boys in last year— Picks up narrative from time thought going to Norway - Disappointed didn’t get to France - Get experience with German Bombers As a result of enemy action the budget of news concerning companions in the Second Canadian Infantry Brigade, the the new Battalion designed for the last issue of this magazine Seaforth Highlanders of Canada and the Princess Pats were seems to have been lost, so as a result this particular sheaf of inspected by the Governor - General Designate of Canada, news contains most of the wheat and not a little of the chaff Major-General the Right Honourable Earl of Athlone, K.G., which has resulted from a whole year’s training in England. G.B.B., G.C.M.G., G.C., D.S.O. and Princess Alice. They were If you recall the magazine of a year ago you will remember accompanied by Maj. Gen. McNaughton. The new Governor- that at the time that narrative closed the Regiment had just General was pleased with the fitness of the western troops returned from almost going to Norway and that it was again and with their smartness in appearance and drill. settled down to barrack life in the Aldershot command. Salisbury and Rain Blime Gives ’em ’ell One bright morning we found that a motley collection of But it was not long left in peace. Preparations were being buses, thirty-passenger buses owned by private coaching made for the colours to be presented to the new Regiment and firms awaited us lined around the parade square. These were as a fore-runner of that, in order to make sure that officers to be our transportation, we hoped—to the sea and thence to and men would be letter perfect on the parade square a France but we were doomed to disappointment. Canadian Guard’s R.S.M. was allotted to us for drill instruction. The troops were not called into action in France just then— Sergeant-Major was all a Guard’s S.M. is supposed to be and instead away we went to famous Salisbury Plains where his peculiar word of command—still being mimiced by the further training was given us. boys—caused something of a sensation at first. However, he We viewed historic old Stonehenge as we flitted by and knew his ceremonial and was impressing upon the officers, the more erudite of the troops gave long and quite detailed men and N.C.O.’s of the regiment many of the finer points of stories of its original purpose.