LEST WE FORGET 247 MURK, Karl Walter WWII Karl was born on a farm near Thompkins, Saskatchewan on February 5, 1914. He joined the army in Grenfell, Saskatchewan on November 1, 1941. He was a Lance Bombardier with the 65th Anti-Tank Battery Royal Canadian Artillery. Throughout his time in the military, he was a driver trainer and also a mechanic doing maintenance on all military vehicles (trucks, tanks, motorcycles). Karl’s military service is broken down into four phases. Phase One consisted of mobilization and training in Canada. Phase Two took place in England where the Battery considerably intensified training. Phase Three began in July 1944 when the Battery landed in Normandy and ended in May 1945 with the capitulation of the enemy in Europe. Following this came Phase Four, the occupation of Germany and the long months of waiting in Holland for a new DDay Demobilization Day. During Phase Three, the Battery built for itself an enviable reputation for reliability, versatility, and its fighting qualities. Esprit de corps was not an empty phrase to these men, for pride in their unit was high and morale never low. This was so, in spite of the fact that they had learned early in the battle that their normal role of destroying tanks was but one of many in which they were destined to be used. West of the Rhine, Crusader Towers of the Battery earned high praise after acting as armoured infantry carriers. On the River Maas, their deadly 17-pounders substituted for field artillery. East and West of the Rhine, sorely needed aid was given to the engineers in the construction of the roads, often under enemy shell fire. The boys tried their hand at building bridges. West of the Rhine, Crusader Towers were put to use towing 25-pounders out of the gun positions, and transporting 25-pounder ammunition through heavy mud. At Lith, carrier platoons were formed with carriers and Crusaders as a mobile reserve and at Vught in December 1944 as a mobile anti-airborne force. The men were initiated into the infantry role on the River Mass and again reverted to the role of footslogger in the final days of the war, acting as left flank protection in Germany up to Bad Zwischenahn. The fire power of the Battery was terrific. The three troops employed a total of twelve 17-pounders anti-tank guns, one of the finest weapons of its type developed by any of the nations. In addition to these, the Battery carried and made good use of 23 Brens, 4 PIAT’s, 7 two-inch motors, a plentiful supply of grenades and a considerable number of small arms carried by all ranks including Sten, Rifles and pistols. The high allotment of weapons was augmented still further from time to time through the ingenuity of the men themselves. Except during certain infantry roles, the men never suffered for the lack of transport. The 17-pounders were originally towed by Field Artillery Tractors, later by modified crusader tanks, and finally by American M-9 or M-14 Halftracks. In addition, the Battery employed nine 60 ct’s, nine 15 ctw’s, 15 cwt’s, six 5 cwt’s (jeeps) Four Norton Motorcycles and a halftrack used by the Battery Commander. Communications within the Battery was maintained mainly by five No. 22 wireless sets and sixteen No. 38 wireless sets. Battery strength was approximately 180 all ranks. Karl was a member of the E Troop. A story told to us by Karl is one time when the troop was being bombed, Karl dove under a tank. A medic came along and thought his feet had been blown off, as he was double jointed and his feet were splayed out sideways. continued
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