On and Off Duty [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Jack Bush (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 23, 2000

For 28 years, Major Lloyd Jack Bush served in the Canadian Armed Services. His new memoir, ON AND OFF DUTY, details these years of experience and his exploits during this time. Serving at many postingss both in Canada and overseas, Bush's story recounts experiences peculiar to military life.

"For those that were or are soldiers, ON AND OFF DUTY contains vivid recollections that will certainly make an impact," says Bush. "Civilians with no military experience and no social connections with military life will gain an illuminating look into this unique lifestyle." Included in this collection are numerous photographs from the author's personal collection as well as maps, illustrations, and a glossary of military terms.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Major Lloyd Jack Bush (retired) was born in 1922. He spent the next 15 years in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He attended school there and joined the army in 1941. He served almost 30 years until his final discharge in June, 1971. Now retired, Major Bush lives in Sidney, BC, Canada, with his wife.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

After being on sentry duty from 0200 to 0300 hrs at the gun position, he tries to get some sleep. At 0530 the Section Commander gives his boot a kick and wakes him for Stand To. All ranks Stand To on the gun line and the vehicle park ready for immediate action in defence of their positions and the support of other areas of the infantry battalion that they are supporting. Stand To usually occurs a half hour to one hour prior to sun-up, this being the most likely time of an enemy attack. On orders to Stand Down about an hour later he makes his way down to get breakfast. The men from the B Echelon location, had prepared breakfast and brought it up in piping hot containers. It might consist of scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, bacon, bread and coffee. Back at the gun position he quickly writes a letter and sends it through B Echelon for mailing. Now is the time to inspect the gun and its ancillary equipment for wear and tear as they had done quite a lot of harassing fire during the night. He was somewhat worried that the prolonged harassing fire would allow the enemy to pick up his position but they were in luck and did not get fired upon during the night. At noon hour the word had come down that they would be taking part in an attack by the infantry that they were supporting and they had to be in position by 1600 hrs as the attack H hour was 1630 hrs. On successful consolidation the platoon was to take up a position with the left forward company and to lay a (SOS) belt of defensive fire across the battalion front. The operation was a success and the platoon dug in at its new position. He would be on sentry duty that night. Just as he pulls his blanket up he hears a noise out front. It is the noise from a squadron of enemy tanks. The Section Commander gives the order All guns prepare to fire on my order. He jumps up and heads for the firing line and just then a heavy concentration of enemy mortar fire hits the area. It is so heavy that the ground jumps up and this hits him right in his belly and he has to lay off the ground on his hands and knees. As he settles in behind his gun and waits for the enemy to reach battle site range, he cannot stop himself from remembering way back when he walked through the mine field just off the beach area and the 32 soldiers murdered in a Calvados orchard, the six riflemen also murdered early in June and the enemy tank that ran over a friend of his from another machine gun platoon. Maybe the Tiffies, (Typhoon aircraft in direct support of the ground forces) will be along soon and dust the ass off these tanks.

Product Details

• Paperback: 118 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing; illustrated edition edition (June 23, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552124096
• ISBN-13: 978-1552124093
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,065,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)