Robert Christopher Simser
HMCS Athabaskan
Hunters in the Night
The dark cloak of night hung over the eastern coast of Korea, the great Pacific appearing to be no more than a void with fog occasionally swirling into its depths. Despite its apparent vastness the ocean was quiet with the exception of waves which lapped up against the shoreline. The stillness created a sense of security along the iron tracks of the Hamyong railroad, which lay just to the side of the coastline (1). Yet offshore in the deep darkness of the water, a large shape could barely be made out as it slowly drifted down the coast. It was the boogieman in the night which the North Korean and Chinese railroad workers feared, it was a Canadian destroyer.
Lying just out of sight of the mainland, the HMCS Athabasken was prowling the shoreline in search of Communist trains. The crew members were at their battle stations, both the larger QF 4-inch guns and the multitude of Bofors aimed in the direction of the tracks. Seated at one of the single anti-aircraft guns was a seaman with a medium complexion and a distinct curved nose with a scar. He wore a pair of headphones through which directions were given, his brown eyes continuously fixated on the dark shoreline. Only in his mid-twenties, Robert Simser of Ottawa was committed to his task. His partner, Jack Fair, also an Ontario man was just to his right helping to man the gun. Together they worked as an integral team to keep the piece fed and could provide a hail of devastating fire which would set an enemy locomotive ablaze. Yet this goal of train hunting required their absolute discipline, which is why scarcely a word was uttered by them or anyone else aboard the ship as it cut through the sea. |
After hours of quiet, orders were finally relayed through the communications system of the ship. A trail of steam has been spotted in the night; the Officers believe it is a train (1). Without hesitation the two gunners swing their Bofors into action, the other guns of the ship simultaneously joining in the salvo (1). More orders come through the line, an adjustment is given, the gun is lowered (1). Firing continues until the order to cease fire comes through. Then there is an utter silence as the engines cut out, an object has been spotted in the distance, it might be a hostile craft (1). For a period, they coast silently until the all clear is given and everyone can relax. Tensions are lowered as food is brought to the beleaguered gunners in a moment of respite before they continue their hunt (1). As they are all aware, the job is not without its dangers, an enemy submarine or land-based gun could easily sink them, which is why the patrol is being performed at night (1).
Following the brief reprieve, Robert and Jack resume their post, once again waiting for the order to fire. For a second time in the night it is given, and once again they unleash a hail of rounds upon what the spotter believes is a train (1). Firing ceases, but it is too dark and foggy to make out what they hit, so the gunners have to wait impatiently as they continue on (1). Midnight comes and goes and eventually they sail back to the area, visibility now beginning to improve (1). When they reach their previous heading an illumination round is fired and to their delight, a derailed Communist train lays upon the tracks (1). Once again firing resumes, ensuring the supplies and equipment are thoroughly pulverized rendering them useless to enemy forces (1).
Korean Waters
The excitement of such a success is expressed in the smiles of the crew, Robert proudly having been on a turret helping to secure their bounty (1). It was a welcome victory for the salty sailor, who had spent and would spend many nights on patrol without hitting an enemy target. When not scanning the shore for elusive trains, he spent time finding ways to pass the monotony. Smoking cigarettes with fellow sailors or working on embroidery seemed to help ensure his sanity from October of 1952 to December of 1953 as the Athabaskan went about its third tour in Korean waters.
It was all very different from his hopes of simply dawning a “little blue uniform” and “white hat” which he thought would help impress the ladies when he enlisted in Ottawa (2). Instead he spent his days inside of a steel hulk among other young sailors in the often frigid waters of Korea. Yet the navy paid better than the odd jobs he worked prior to the war and following the tour in Korea, certainly gave him a leg up on those who hadn’t served in theatre. This was especially true as he was published in newspapers across the world on several occasions, making him somewhat of a celebrity by navy standards. |
Sources:
(1) S., H. “Night Train From Songjin.” The Crowsnest, Jan. 1954, pp. 4–7. https://navalandmilitarymuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CFB-Esquimalt-Museum-Crowsnest-Volume06-Number-03-Jan-1954.pdf
(2) “Robert Simser - US Army Canadian Navy Veteran.” Museumofmilitaryhist, 6 Oct. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=baYL227zR-8.
(1) S., H. “Night Train From Songjin.” The Crowsnest, Jan. 1954, pp. 4–7. https://navalandmilitarymuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CFB-Esquimalt-Museum-Crowsnest-Volume06-Number-03-Jan-1954.pdf
(2) “Robert Simser - US Army Canadian Navy Veteran.” Museumofmilitaryhist, 6 Oct. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=baYL227zR-8.