Comments
Really enjoyed the article on Jeff Nicklin, quite interesting when you get down to the human factor in leadership, and the stories that are never heard. Its quite obvious that Nicklin was a leader who had the interests of his men first hand. Another individual of the Battalion which I have not heard much of is the RSM , Wendel James Clark and his relationship with the officers and men of the Battalion. He was the first RSM of the battalion and a prewar member of the RCR. Maybe someone out there has a few similiar stories of Clark.
R.Rice
Written by Rice.RG@forces.gc.ca on Jan 05, 2009
The Real Jeff Nicklin – Bill Jenkins, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion
Firstly, I want to commend Colonel Bernd Horn on his article which appeared in the last issue of the Maroon Beret. This comprehensive article, “Bradbrook, Nicklin and Eadie – A tale of Command” delves deeply into every aspect of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion since its formation in 1942 to its conclusion in 1945. The way in which Colonel Horn explains how these three commanding officers, each in their own individual styles, brought one success after another throughout the entire life of the Battalion was most remarkable.
However; in his analysis of the characteristics of each CO. I submit there is undue emphasis on Jeff Nicklin as an over-powering disciplinarian. I agree Jeff was strict and tough but that was only one side of him. On the other hand, every move or decision he made was fully intended for the develo0pment of all the men under his command. IF we look at Jeff’s other side we see something entirely different - in wit:
A week before D. Day, Jeff recognized that the troops were very apprehensive and down in spirit; they were somber and obviously worried about that which was ahead of them in the next week. They had never been in battle before and they knew this was going to be a tough assignment.
Jeff became aware of all their feelings and he wanted to do something to get their minds into a more pleasant state. He called the RSM and enquired if the NCOs would like a game of football against the officers. This, of course, was just what the NCOs were delighted to hear and the RSM said they would meet us on the field in twenty minutes.
In the first play of the game, Jeff took the ball and was making a wide end run. There was only one sergeant between him and the goal posts. This sergent weighed about 140 pounds but was a star for the Glace Bay Miners. This was an English Rugby team that was very well known through the Atlantic Provinces. With Jeff weighing about 220 pounds coming at full speed, the sergeant threw himself down in front of his opponent. Jeff tripped over him, went flying through the air, landed on his right side and broke his shoulder blade; that of course, was the end of the game and we rushed him off to hospital. The medical team performed surgery and put a huge cast across both his shoulders and down his back. Five days later, Jeff led the Battalion on a parachute invasion into France and stayed with his troops throughout the entire campaign. This was the real Jeff Nicklin.
A week or so after retuning to Carter Barracks, Jeff called me to his office and gave me something in the order of the following instructions: “I want you to take my staff car, choose a friend to accompany you, purchase a load of sweets, cigarettes, fresh fruit and anything else you think our wounded men would appreciate. Find out all the hospitals to which our men were sent and if there is anything they require. Give each one my warmest regards and express my personal appreciation to them for their tremendous efforts. Tom Jackson and I had a very satisfying trip and we were pleased to represent our commanding officer. This was the real Jeff Nicklin.
On our return to Bulford and Carter Barracks, the Battalion began to prepare for the Rhine crossing. However this operation was put on hold because we were assigned to go to Belgium. This operation was to stop the enemy from proceeding westward toward the capital, Brussels. Here was another characteristic shown by Jeff Nicklin. He knew that on the day before Christmas the Battalion would move down to Folkstone to embark on the S.S. Canterbury and sail across to Ostend. Therefore he ordered the usual Christmas dinner for the entire Battalion. Here was the occasion where Jeff and his officers served the men. This turned out to be a really great party—enjoyed by everyone especially the real Jeff Nicklin.
After completing our mission in the Ardennes, the Battalion returned to Carter Barracks to prepare for the “beginning of the end” or the Rhine crossing. This operation, scheduled for March 24, was to be the biggest airborne attack the world would ever witness. The central dropping zone was a large field surrounded by a wooded area in which the enemy were firmly entrenched. As Jeff was descending a gust of wind carried him into the woods and into a large tree. He was shot fifteen feet above the ground with a barrage of machine gun bullets spread across his middle. Seeing Jeff there in that state, was a sight I shall never forget; it turned my stomach. I was almost ready to quit. This was certainly the worst day in my military career. I knew where Major Fraser Eadie had landed so I reported this gruesome incident to him. At that moment he became the Commanding Officer of the Battalion.
He led us over two hundred and fifty miles from Wesel to Wesmar where we met the Russians on may 2nd. For us, the war came to an end on that day. Several days later we returned to Bulford and then back to Canada.
In reviewing the history of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion one must agree that it had a most interesting record. As Colonel Bernd Horn pointed out in his closing statement in The Maroon Beret - when comparing the three Commanding Officers, Nicklin was required to take the veterans of Normandy and bring them back to earth so they could properly prepare for the next battle”. That was the real Jeff Nicklin.
PS A new DVD entitled “Jeff Nicklin, Hero of the Gridiron and the Battlefield” has been released by The War Amps of Ottawa. This documentary provides an excellent portrayal of Jeff’s life both as a national hero for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion.
Written by Bill Jenkins on Feb 28, 2008
In September of 1983 I was a Paratrooper in the 1/508 Inf. 82nd Abn Division (USA)
I was lucky enought to train at Pettawawa and make my three jumps in Canada and recieve the red Maple leaf wings.
Written by David on Feb 22, 2008
Very Nice A tribute to Airborne
Written by Gerald McAneney on Jul 30, 2007
Your site is very nicely done. I wish you the best of success with it. It is important to keep the airborne community informed.
Marlene
ARAC - Web Manager
Written by Marlene Schmidle on Jun 19, 2007