Original Powder Horn Article 1968

GAS GAS GAS

Exercise Vacuum in Suffield Alberta, was designed to test Canada’s drills and equipment against chemical attack and also, to determine if we could fight effectively in a chemical warfare environment. We proved we could continue to fight, but not without considerable effort from all troops participating. The words “GAS GAS GAS” will, for a long time to come, quickly remind us all, including the CO, of our Suffield experiences. On hearing the first cry “GAS GAS GAS”, the Colonel donned his respirator and found he couldn’t breathe. Investigation revealed that the filter had congealed after his batman had washed the respirator in a pail of water – canister and all.

The Battalion was considerably reorganized for this concentration. A British company from the Black Watch and an American company from 2 61st Infantry Battalion, became our B and C companies.

After properly welcoming all of our international reinforcement, (for details see Officer Mess report) we all quickly settled down to practicing our chemical warfare drills and learning how to work together. A company, commanded by MAJ John Sharpe, was the “Canadian” company and was very busy becoming APC experts as all three-rifle companies were completely mounted in APC’s. Our normal C Company commanded by MAJ Doug Williams, mounted on wheels was the enemy force for all exercises. Support Company and Battalion HQ were always very much in evidence, but they had considerable difficulty in keeping up with the APC companies. How the mortar, anti-tank and reconnaissance detachments ever kept up with the rifle companies is still a mystery to most of us.

The concentration was broken into four parts; company training, special chemical warfare trials for the scientists, a battalion exercise and a combat group exercise. Some of the highlights that come quickly to mind are the many prairie fires, the countless antelope, attempting to sleep wearing protective masks, the mud, wind and the problems encountered by the QM Staff were unbelievable as were the maintenance problems for the Maintenance Platoon. Their efforts and accomplishments deserve special recognition.

During the special chemical warfare trials, three distinct trials were conducted. One of the trials involved most of the Battalion walking through a field of mustard gas. The trial was a complete success and proved most interesting. CSM Peter Mitchell was very popular with the scientists as he was unfortunate enough to develop a real blister on his hand. Now he claims to have the most photographed left hand in the Canadian Armed Forces. A second trial involved A Company and it, too, was a complete success; for the soldiers if not for the scientists. The scientists were amazed at how quickly they were able to mask, and really seemed quite disappointed that they didn’t suffer about fifty percent causalities. While CAPT John deSolla may not have impressed them with his speed in masking, they must have been impressed with the length of time he could hold his breath. The last trial for the scientists involved the Pioneer Platoon living in a contaminated area for a rather long period of time. Most of the members of the platoon seemed to be on a special diet for this trial as many of them were seen carrying a rather impressive container of yellowish fluid.

A particularly enjoyable experience during the Battalion exercise was listening to the American and British accents and voice procedures on the Battalion command net. The Americans had their own unique way of reacting to CPL Bill Picken when he attempted to correct their voice procedure. They either ignored him or continued as if nothing had happened or they would just go off the air. Both methods were equally effective. Whilst we jest about the American’s different and more informal voice procedures we all learned to respect their ability as a combat unit and many close friendships were cultivated. Close friendships were also established with the British Company who also proved to be really professional soldiers.

The final Combat Group exercise was really just another Battalion exercise. As most of the other combat units in Suffield came under command route, the Battalion groups were given the interesting task of crossing the South Saskatchewan River. In preparation for the crossing, A Echelon provided some amusement with the veiled speech conversation between OC A Echelon, MAJ Ron Barker and his 2IC, CAPT “Salty” Saunders, concerning the manning of MRT’s with personnel who could pass Battle Physical Efficiency Test No 9 (Swimmers).

The APC’s swam across in surprisingly good order and much of the Battalion followed in either ferries or helicopters. One day’s fighting and many prairie fires later. “Exercise Cease Fire” was given whilst the Battalion was still split by the river. With the thoughts of returning to Victoria foremost in our minds, it took little coaxing to get all personnel and equipment back to our tented camp in preparation for our Hercules flights home. Few people suggested we should do a similar exercise next year, but most agreed that valuable lessons and drills had been learned.