First Special Service Force
Living History Association - Edmonton
First War Centenary 1914 - 1918
First Special Service Force Living History Association
in partnership with:
The University of Alberta
Faculty of Extension
Edmonton Alberta
Canada
The Warrior Tradition in Canada’s History
This topic will be developed on two parallel tracks: First, we’ll be sketching out the characteristics of the warrior, referring to specific individuals—male and female, aboriginal and European—in Canada from the time of the arrival of the first settlers from across the Atlantic. Second, we’ll survey a dozen military actions, both domestic and international, (from the Sudan to the Iraq War) in which Canada had the opportunity to become involved in the period from Confederation to the present. Some of those we chose to enter as a country and others not, though individuals from Canada were involved in all of them. “Warrior” does not necessarily equate with “military” especially as military actions are becoming increasingly mechanized. We’ll look at each of the actions and our response to it to see how they align with the Warrior Characteristics set out in Part 1. From this we will consider if and to what extent the warrior is a part of our national character, especially in the light of diplomatic and peacekeeping personae we present to the world.
01
Brian Mason
January 24, 2014
Help us take part in global commemorations
of the First War Centenary 1914 - 1918
~ You are cordially invited to attend our free educational lecture series ~
02
David Watts
February 21, 2014
First Special Service Force Past and Present
The First Special Service Force or FSSF for short was a short lived yet colorful and legendary unit. Comprised of both American and Canadian troops this regiment was the pinnacle of international cooperation and unity. These men were made of the finest soldiers each country could provide to field an effective and efficient special forces unit to utilize against the might of Nazi Germany. Serving from 1942 to 1944 during the Second World War the unit saw much adversity on the field but lived up to their expectations and earned the title the "Black Devils" from their German counterparts.Seeing action in the Italian Campaign against some of Germany and Italy's most well trained troops this regiment did the impossible. From storming mountain tops and doing the job that forces ten times their number were unable to accomplish, to securing and enabling the push from a tightly contested beachhead, this regiment proved their measure. The FSSF saw action at Monte La Difensa and Anzio before becoming the first Allied unit to enter the city gates of Rome. Today their memory is held by a group of civilians who volunteer their time to recreate and portray what life was really like during this great war. From seminars to full scale battle recreations this living history association strives to maintain the legacy and the memory of the soldiers both of Canada and the world over strove so hard to build.
Death and Life in the Trenches: The 49th
Frank Hasse joined the 49th Battalion (which became the Loyal Edmonton Regiment after the First World War) when it was founded in January, 1915. He was one of a small number of men who fought through the entire war as a front line soldier without being killed or seriously wounded. He kept a diary the whole time which is one of the most observant and articulate accounts to come out of the war from an infantryman’s perspective. Hasse’s experiences provide a unique glimpse of what it was like to live through the war that took the lives of 60,000 Canadians.
Rod Macleod is Professor Emeritus of History and Classics at the University of Alberta. He taught Canadian History there for 35 years. His writings include, Prairie Fire: The 1885 North-West Rebellion (with Bob Beal), All True Things: A History of the University of Alberta 1908-2008 and a history of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment for their museum website. He is currently working on a biography of Sir Sam Steele.
Rod Macleod
March 26, 2014
03
04
Eugene Miakinkov
May 14, 2014
Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way": Political and Military Leadership in World War II from Patton to Hitler
Eugene Miakinkov is a 5th year doctoral student in the department of history at the University of Alberta where he has taught courses in European history and the history of the Second World War. Eugene specializes in Russian Imperial history, and his dissertation explores the origins of Russian military culture in the late 18th century and its implication for the cultural, social, and political development of Russia. In addition to his major field of study, Eugene also has a keen interest in European diplomatic history of the 18th and 19th centuries and military history, especially the history of military thought and military theory.
Hon. Laurie Hawn, PC,CD,MP
June 23, 2014
05
Canada's Military Role in Afghanistan
Allan Cameron
Founding CEO, President Veterans Voices of Canada
Recipient of 2012 Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal
July 18, 2014
06
“Veterans Voices of Canada
and the
Importance of Documenting our Canadian History”
