Maj Gen George Kitching

Maj.-Gen. George Kitching, C.B.E., D.S.O.

Royal Canadian Regiment

Record ID: 00000210
Kitching, George, Maj.-Gen., C.B.E., D.S.O., 1910-
My Army recollections [sound recording] / by George Kitching ; interviewed by James Murphy
3 sound cassettes (ca. 225 min.) : standard mono. Summary of tapes also in archives.
Tapes are in the Dr. Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Tapes may not be used in publication without permission.
Three original sound tape reels (ca. 225 min.) : 3 3/4 ips, 2 track, mono. also in archives.
Archives also holds interview with brother, Lt. Hugh Kitching.
Recorded on original sound tape reels, Sept. 28, Oct, 2, and 12, 1977, Victoria, B.C.

(Reel 1, Side 1) Communications used by the 4th Canadian Armoured Division, provided by the skillful and well-trained Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. Canadian wireless sets superior to those of the British in almost every way, however they were always subject to the operators remaining alive! Communications did break down on Aug. 14, 1944 due to bombing by our own forces, the cause most often due to concucussion. Makes a comparison of German and Allied tanks. The Sherman tank was a good work horse, if under-gunned. Armoured division tactics with reference to Operation Totalize. Too much congestion. Criticism by the Corps Commander of the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade caused a sense of grievance within all armoured units. Discusses some of the unit commanders, including that of Brigadier E.L. Booth whom he believes had a premonition of death. When he was in fact killed there was a hiatus in orders since it remained unknown for several hours. Absence of control had its effect. Feels that a lack of quick replacement of senior officers let down the troops. Anti-tank warfare. Huge dummy tanks produced in the hope of fooling the enemy. (45:00)
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