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The War Diaries of the 29th Canadian Armoured Reclonnaissance Regiment (South Alberta Regiment) Aug

Discussion in 'Western Europe 1943 - 1945' started by ArcticWolf, Jun 28, 2010.

  1. ArcticWolf

    ArcticWolf Member

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    I've been going through some war diaries of the South Alberta Regiment which my Dad served in "A" squadron. Thought you would like to see what was written on Aug 18-20th 1944.

    On August 16, the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division set out to take Falaise. The following day, its ruins finally fell. Meanwhile, the 4th Canadian and the 1st Polish Armoured Divisions hurried to block the German line of retreat just east of the town. As American and Free French forces sped from the south toward Chambois, the 4th Canadian Armoured occupied Trun from the north on August 18. While the division prepared a line of defence along the Falaise Trun Chambois highway to bar the Germans from breaking out of the pocket, most of the 1st Polish Armoured took up position further east to head off the imminent enemy attempt to break in and extricate their comrades. The rest of it drove on to Chambois and there joined forces with American troops on August 19.

    The Falaise Gap was closed at last, but a few small and dispersed openings remained to be plugged by the Canadians and Poles. And for that task they were on their own, trying to fend off two converging enemy forces bent on their destruction. The bulk of the 1st Polish Armoured Division to the east of the Canadian line occupied a wooded hill which its General named "Maczuga," or "mace." It was here that the Poles intended to force the Nazis into submission. But there would be a battle of epic proportions. Throughout August 20, German units able to slip past the Canadians, together with SS troops on the other side of the gap, stormed the Polish position ceaselessly. Surrounded, and running low on food, fuel, and ammunition, the Poles held fast until relieved the next day by The Canadian Grenadier Guards. In all, they lost 2,300 men. But in a stunning display of valour, the unwavering Polish soldiers had sealed the fate of the German forces in Normandy.

    By then, the Canadians to the west had ended the enemy hopes of retreat. Exceptional heroism and sacrifice had been in abundance here as well. On August 18, armoured cars of The South Alberta Regiment and infantry from The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada left Trun for the village of St. Lambert Sur Dives, just north of Chambois. Through it ran the last road out of the pocket.

    Over the next two days, outnumbered and isolated Canadians waged war against a desperate enemy. It was David Currie, the thirty-two year old commander of the South Alberta Regiment, who made the difference. With all his officers either killed or wounded, Currie popped up all along the Canadian line, shouting encouragement to his thinning ranks and directing the fire of his few remaining guns. He even single-handedly knocked out one of the giant German Tiger tanks. "We knew at one stage that it was going to be a fight to the finish," one of Currie's men later recalled, "but he was so cool about it, it was impossible for us to get excited."

    When it was all over, Currie and his tiny band of soldiers had destroyed seven enemy tanks, 12 of the fearsome 88's, 40 vehicles, and had killed, wounded, or captured almost 2,000 Germans. For his "courage and complete disregard for personal safety . . . his conspicuous bravery and extreme devotion to duty", Major David Currie was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration in the British Commonwealth.
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    sarsgt, Triple C, 4th wilts and 3 others like this.
  2. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    AW, that is an amazing piece to have. You are fortunate to be able to own such a thing. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Wait until macrusk sees this.
     
  3. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    :)I am thrilled to see this and to read it! Thank you for sharing. I look forward to more!!!
     
  4. ArcticWolf

    ArcticWolf Member

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  5. ArcticWolf

    ArcticWolf Member

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    Here was some info I found on Major David Currie in regards with his Victoria Cross :)
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  6. Joss61

    Joss61 Member

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    Thank you very much for sharing this, those documents are so full of precious informations.
    Interesting to see that this citation mention a Tiger when we can not see any wreck of this kind of panzer in St Lambert Aera. My guess is that it is probably a Mark IV or a SPG like we can see in St Lambert main street or on the roads close to the village.
    Regards.
    Joss
     
  7. Joss61

    Joss61 Member

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    Attached Files:

  8. Joss61

    Joss61 Member

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  9. ArcticWolf

    ArcticWolf Member

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    No problem Joss I got your pm m8!

    ~S
     
  10. Poppy

    Poppy grasshopper

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    Nice work Wolfman.
     
  11. jackfrost

    jackfrost recruit

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    Great Posts ArticWolf - these guys were real heros and it's nice to see their story being shared.

    If not too much trouble, could you post the War Diary of the 29th Canadian Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment (SAR) for the rest of August 21st?

    My Grand Uncle, Trooper Bill Pachal, served in B Sqdn was KIA on Aug 21st and is probably mentioned in the records on Aug 21st.
     
  12. ArcticWolf

    ArcticWolf Member

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    Hi Jack

    Sorry I haven't been around lately.....work and family is nuts.

    I looked through the diaries and this is all I can find about Wm. Pachal and another crew member killed which actually happened Aug 20 from what the record says.

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    I highly recommend that you pic up the book "South Alberta's A Canadian Regiment At War" by Donald E Graves. You can order through Chapters via internet and they will ship to you free of charge. I just got mine in a couple weeks ago. It's a awesome book!!

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    I also have a lil tribute on my facebook to the SAR which you can view here:
    http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.30756303174.43475.627048174&type=3&l=81c51fdd0b
     
  13. Filip D. WILLEMS

    Filip D. WILLEMS New Member

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    Good afternoon, I am Master Sergeant Filip Willems, Belgian Defense.
    My town Zelzate, Belgium, was liberated by Canadian Forces on September 19, 1944.

    The units were the Argylll & Sutherland Highlanders and the South Alberta (Tank) Regiment.

    I would like to know more about the SAR's history please. We are requesting all kinds of information since we are in the process to inaugure a memorial for the liberation of our town, next year september 2023. At the same time we would like to create a little book with the information.
    We would like to publish a condensed history of the unit, stories, photo's taken in Belgium.

    Maybe also the diaries from 15-25 september 1944 please.


    Respectfully ,
     
  14. Temujin

    Temujin Active Member

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    I put the link to the War Diaries of the 29th Recce Regiment (South Alberta Regiment) on the other post your started

    1st Polish Armoured Division / Canadian Forces September 1944


    And here are ALL the war dairies of the 29th Cdn Recce Regiment, just put this number into the link to Heritage Canadiana (link below) and then you can go to their War Diairies for the entire war

    T-12765

    T-12766

    T-12767

    T-12768

    Link to Heritage Canadiana

    Héritage
     
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2022
    Filip D. WILLEMS likes this.
  15. Temujin

    Temujin Active Member

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    Jack, here is a link to July and Aug that you can review.

    https://u5o4e4.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/29th-Armoured-Regiment.pdf
     
  16. Filip D. WILLEMS

    Filip D. WILLEMS New Member

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    Everybody thanks for your help so far. :thumbup:
     

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