Interviewer
Claire Rhein
Files
Description
S. Leonard Goodman discusses his service in the Canadian army and in the combined First Special Service Force in World War Two. He recalls that the fact that he could speak Icelandic may have helped him get into the Force, due to plans for a diversionary invasion of Norway called Project Plough. Goodman discusses the types of training he underwent including jump training, close combat, amphibious, skiing, and demolition. He talks about his experiences overseas at the Anzio beachhead in Italy, the Battle for Monte La Difensa, and in Southern France. Goodman also describes the similarities and differences between the Canadian and American troops and how their relationship developed throughout training and the war. He also talks about when the Force was disbanded, recalling that he was transferred to a military police unit in England to guard Canadian military defectors. Good briefly discusses the Force reunions and the film The Devils Brigade.
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Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945; First Special Service Force; Canadian Military; U.S. military; Hand-to-hand combat; Military training; Battle of Anzio; Fort Harrison, Montana; Saskatchewan, Canada; Anzio, Italy; Monte La Difensa; Military, specialized missions; U.S. military servicemen; Canadian military servicemen; Reading Gaol
Original Date
8-16-1986
Time Period
Twentieth century
Geographic Coverage
Montana
Language
eng
Original Collection
First Special Service Force Oral History Project, OH 151, Archives and Special Collections, Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula
Digital Publisher
University of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library
Rights
Copyright to this collection is held by the interview participants and by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula. Permission may be required for use. For further information please contact Archives and Special Collections: (406) 243-2053 / library.archives@umontana.edu
Oral History Number
OH 151-008, 009
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
2 sound cassettes (02:00:00 min.) analog + 1 transcript (31 p.: 28 cm.)
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
01:25:24 minutes
Local Filename
OH_151_008_009.mp3; OH_151_008_009.pdf
Citation
Goodman, S. Leonard, "S. Leonard Goodman Interview, August 16, 1986" (1986). First Special Service Force Oral History Project. 6.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/firstspecialserviceforce/6