Canadian Special Forces and Light Infantry in World War Two`

[Bfalcon.cf]

ty, i will check it out

 

[Michael Dorosh]

If you want to conduct a simple comparison of war records to identify the major activities of units, you may want to start by comparing battle honours. The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was authorized the following battle honours for the Second World War:

Monte Camino (5-9 Dec 43)
Monte-La Difensa--Monte La Remetanea (2-8 Dec 43)
Monte Majo  (3-8 Jan 44)
Anzio (22 Jan - 22 May 44)
Rome (22 May - 4 Jun 44)
Advance to the Tiber (22 may - 4 Jun 44)
Italy 1943-44
Southern France (15-28 Aug 44)
North-West Europe, 1944

Awards pubished in Canadian Army Orders Issue No 559, 2 Sep 57
Dates from Canadian Army Orders, Issue 503, 10 Sep 56

Comparative battle honour lists for active infantry regiments may be found on my site here:

http://regimentalrogue.com/battlehonours/rcic.htm

Bear in mind, those honours are for 2 Canadian Parachute Battalion, not the 1st, which fought in France and Holland.  The ones listed are for the SSF, which was administratively known as 2nd Canadian Parachute Battalion.

 

[George Wallace]

Whew!

I'm glad you caught that.  1 Can Para was not in Italy or Southern France, so it sure looked funny to me.

GW

 

[Michael OLeary]

That list of battle honours is as quoted in the Orders, of which I have a copy in front of me. Since the unit is also annotated as disbanded, it is possible that the honours for both battalions had been rolled into one list and the "1st" was being considered to perpetuate the "2nd."

(When I get a moment I will scan the list and post a link.)

 

[Michael Dorosh]

That list of battle honours is as quoted in the Orders, of which I have a copy in front of me. Since the unit is also annotated as disbanded, it is possible that the honours for both battalions had been rolled into one list and the "1st" was being considered to perpetuate the "2nd."

(When I get a moment I will scan the list and post a link.)

If that was true, there would be honours for Normany Landing,  Divisionisiones Crossing, The Rhine, and The Ardennes.  Also, North West Europe would be 1944-45 not just 1944. 

http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/traditions/ww2battlehonours.htm

These were all awarded to 1 Can Para and are absent from your list.  The ones you have are solely for 2 Can Para Bn.

 

[Bfalcon.cf]

why did finland have overall the best footsoldiers? (or so i've heard)? were they better than canada's footsoldiers?
how would u compare them?

 

[Michael Dorosh]

why did finland have overall the best footsoldiers? (or so i've heard)? were they better than canada's footsoldiers?
how would u compare them?

http://www.battlefront.com/cgi-bin/bbs/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=23

Why don't you ask some yourself?  Go to the above forum (registration is free) and ask.  There are several English speaking gentlemen from Finland who post there. Not war vets, but some of them have served in the Finnish Defence forces and would be happy to cover their side of the question.

 

[Bfalcon.cf]

thats great, ty dude

 

[Bfalcon.cf]

What would you say the main role of the Canadian troops in the normandy campaign was? How did they ever defeat the germans?

 

[Michael Dorosh]

What would you say the main role of the Canadian troops in the normandy campaign was? How did they ever defeat the germans?

At what point in time?

6 June 1944 - gain a lodgement and secure locations inland like Buron, Carpiquet airfield, etc.  The first objective was met quickly - though not cheaply- and the secondary objectives were not met for 4 weeks or so.

By the time Caen was taken, the objective was the Verrierres Ridge, on the road to Falaise.  This was a bloody affair (Operation Spring et al). 

During this period, the objectives changed - after the Mortain counter-offensive, the German 7th Army was staggering back to the gap between Falaise and Argentan.  The Canadians' mission was then to close the gap.  This was accomplished, though to what degree of success is still being debated by historians.

After that, the pursuit to the Seine.  This was done ahead of schedule (D +90 was the anticipated date that an assault crossing of the river would need to be made). 

By 1 September 1944, the Germans had retreated well away from the Seine, and the Canadians turned their attention to the Channel Ports (including Dieppe), ending the Battle of Normandy.

 

[Bfalcon.cf]

Why do you think the Germans were not able to push the allies back into the  sea, or at least stall them for a much greater length of time? What do you think was the greatest skill the Canadians used to defeat the germans (not including artillery, or bombers)

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Why do you think the Germans were not able to push the allies back into the  sea, or at least stall them for a much greater length of time? What do you think was the greatest skill the Canadians used to defeat the germans (not including artillery, or bombers)

I'd suggest you read the topic on FIELDS OF FIRE by Terry Copp.  Better yet, read the book - also John English's book on the Canadians in Normandy.  As this is now way off topic, I'm going to shut it down.  If you have any serious questions about what you read in those books, feel free to start another thread.