Tragedy on the Gothic Line — part 5 of 5

Laurence (Laurie) Wilmot was born in 1907 and was working as a minister in rural Manitoba when war broke out in 1939. He increasingly felt the need to become actively involved and to serve overseas. He finally was able to transfer from his parish work to active duty with the Canadian Chaplain Corps. He saw front line action in Italy and NW Europe, and was awarded a MC for his service.

As the West Nova Scotia Regiment move up to engage the enemy at the Gothic Line in Italy in1944, Laurie tells a tragic story of a stubborn colonel who exercised a baffling use of his power of command. The story appears in five sequential chapters, and is the fifth and final video chapter featuring Laurie Wilmot. These videos are just a few of the thousands in the Testaments of Honour collection created by Blake Heathcote.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• WW2
• WWII
• Italy
• Nova
• Scotia
• Gothic
• Tragic
• 1944
• Padre
• Heathcote
• Wilmot
• Battle
• Testaments
• Honour
• Blake

[FOKKERization]

thank you for your hard work on the field, and for sharing Sir, very enlightining vision about the waste of lives which incapable CO`s are responsible for. War makes casualties, but wasting lives lives like that... Some things never change unfortunatly

[bheathcote]

Thank you for your thoughts. It's terrific of you to have been there, and to have shared the feelings of that appalling situation. Best wishes, Blake

[dash9898]

it is unbelieveable how war can bring out the evil in people and the good. Thank you Mr. Wilmot for your bravery and your determination.

It's too bad a person dosen't know the name of the CO who gave those terrible orders, he's worst than hitler.

[bheathcote]

I do know the name of the CO. His punishment was that he was reprimanded for his actions, and removed from command of the unit. However he continued to serve and had a long career in the army. Which is even more tragic.

[bheathcote]

Best watched in the smaller frame size.

[markanic1]

My father (also from Manitoba) fought through the Gothic Line with the Perth Regiment. I just visited the Gothic Line in Italy last month. The Italian people have not forgotten the sacrifices made by so many for the freedom of others.

[neldroid]

the padre was an angel on earth

the lord was his protection

god bless him

god bless him for reliving such a tragedy

so that we will never forget all of the

sacrifice

[rumrich]

Thank you sir for your bravery and helping the wounded men that were sent into the hail storm of the gothic line

[TheGodParticle]

thank you, we shall never forget.

[ibanezrg470]

That was amazing...thankyou sir...

[highlownigga973]

thanks for your sacrofice