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The History of the Third Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (3LAA)

Discussion in 'WWII General' started by macrusk, Aug 3, 2008.

  1. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    This is the beginning of my postings from the Regimental History of the 3LAA, From 17 August 1940 to 7 May 1945. This is the regiment in which my father served in World War II. He started being mobilized in the militia in August 1939which became part of the 15th Coast Brigade, then the 58th Heavy Artillery Vancouver, British Columbia. This will be a work in progress....

    The Lowlands had fallen, the Maginot Line turned, France overrun and the British Expeditionary Force evacuated through Dunkirk. Britain was now reeling, beaten almost to her knees. Air power, skilfully exploited by the Third Reich, had thrown its weight against soldier and civilian alike wreaking havoc and destruction undreamed of in our generation.

    It was mid-summer in the year of our Lord 1940; the sky over Britain was black with German aircraft. Our airmen, fighting against terrific odds were cutting those tight German formations to pieces but our losses could not go on indefinitely. There were few reserves left. Anti-aircraft artillery regiments must be formed to supplement our air force and to guard England.

    A regiment of light anti-aircraft was formed in Western Canada and named the 3rd Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. It moved to England, and within the space of two years, by its keenness and efficiency, knocked out of the air so many enemy aircraft that it became one of the highest ranking regiments in the whole of the Motherland.

    The 3rd Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was to form part of the Artillery of the Second Canadian Infantry Division. It was composed of a Regimental Headquarters and four Batteries of three Troops, each Troop having a complement of four guns. Each Battery was under command of a Major and was formed to perpetuate the name and district of a particular part of Canada. They were recruited and trained in their respective Military Districts under common of the District Officer Commanding. Regimental Headquarters was formed separate and apart from the Batteries, all to be later married up in England.

    Major B. Russel Ker, the Major commanding the fort at Merry Hill on Vancouver Island, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and placed in command of the Regiment on the 15th October, 1940. Captain Andrew M. Clarke, Staff Captain of Victoria and Esquimalt Fortress, was selected as Adjutant; Lieutenant E. F. Marshall was Orderly Officer; Captain Jeffrey Hale as Regimental Quartermaster; Captain H. Scott as Medical Officer and D. J. O. Richards as Regimental Sergeant-Major. Lieutenant-Colonel Ker had his pick of the Fortress garrisons and his headquarters was staffed in record time. With twenty Other Ranks billeted in Work Point Camp in the municipality of the Esquimalt, he established his headquarters and began the long uphill grind of making civilians soldiers.



    PS I am making multiple short posts as I frequently have a problem with timing out - even with items typed up before posting if they are too long! My source is THIRD CANADIAN LIGHT ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT The History of the Third Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment from 17 August, 1940 to 7 May, 1945, World War II (Identified on cover as: 3 LAA R.C.A.) Calgary, Kellaway Printing. [1955], reprint. No author or publisher identified, and the printer apparently is no longer in business.
     
  2. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    In October, 1940, the Commanding Officer received orders to report to Ottawa and, accompanied by his Adjutant, Captain A. M. Clarke, he inspected each of the Batteries on his way east. The Batteries were turned out smartly dressed, each man was inspected, squads were put through their paces and the state of training proved to be excellent. Lieutenant-Colonel Ker inspected the guards mounted in his honour and was well pleased with the discipline of the Regiment. Morale and keenness had reached a high state; his Regiment was shaping up. He could report to Ottawa that basic training was nearing completion and the Regiment must now enter advanced training in its particular branch of the service. Instructors and equipment could only be had in England. He and the Regiment were looking forward to the time when they would move to the overseas theatre, get at grips with the enemy and play their part in the great drama.

    The Regimental Headquarters proceeded with training and hardening up exercises which included marches, physical training and sports. Christmas time came and with it all the social amenities of the town were made available. Half of the headquarters received leave for Christmas and the balance on New Years, four days at home being enjoyed by everyone.

    Lieutenant-Colonel Ker received embarkation orders and after the New Year he was issued a warning order and authority to grant embarkation leave.

    On 29 January, 1941, the Regimental Headquarters boarded a ship in Victoria, having moved the day before from Esquimalt to begin their eastern journey across Canada to the Atlantic seaboard. At Calgary the 17th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery boarded the same train and met the men with whom they were to spend over four years of overseas service. On the long journey across Canada stopovers were made and one route march carried out to break up the monotony of travel and to wear off that restlessness that comes with the desire to get overseas. Many were looking forward to the sea voyage, but some of them who at the time had never seen the ocean were unhappy with the thought of a rough journey and the nauseating fear of seasickness. Few were disappointed.

    On a cool crisp morning in February Regimental Headquarters and the 17th Battery boarded the Duchess of York and got used to hammocks slung from hooks, and the business of living a life in the crowded quarters of a ship. The meals, never too good, were served in three sittings in the room that was also used as their sleeping quarters. As the ship had to wait for a convoy to be assembled this dull routine lasted for twenty-eight days. After three days at the wharf the Duchess moved up into Bedford Basin and the men lived the life of sailors. These hardships did not lessen their interests, no one was up for office nor was there anyone absent without leave. The Duchess sailed on the 17th of February and the men’s spirits soared for there were to be new scenes, new faces, action and new worlds to conquer.
     
  3. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    15th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
    38th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery

    On the 17th of August, 1940, Major R. F. Capel was given orders to mobilize the 38th Field Battery of Winnipeg (NPAM) as a Light Anti-Aircraft unit, which on active service, was to be known as the 15th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery. Recruiting began immediately in the City of Winnipeg and was completed in a few days, as every one was anxious to get in a unit slated for a Division of overseas service. The nucleus of the Battery came from the Artillery training centre of Shilo, Manitoba.

    Major R. F. Capel became the Officer Commanding being directly responsible to the District Officer Commanding of the Military District Number 10 for mobilization, quarters and stores but forming part of the 3rd Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. His second-in-command was an accountant, Captain W. M. Carlyle.

    The Lieutenants of the Battery were also selected from the training centre as well as from the former NPAM Battery. They were B. W. Wood, S. (Stan) Laing, W. O. Sorby, J. Hinchliffe, E. C. (Ted), Lee, R. C. Brian Dixon and R. C. (Bob) Martin. H. W. Chitty was Battery Sergeant-Major and W. Balmer was Battery Quartermaster Sergeant.

    The unit was quartered in a civilian building in downtown Winnipeg called the Barrish Building but the facilities of the city Armouries were also placed at the disposal of the Battery in turn with other units. A great deal of help in training was given by the Artillery training centre in the city.

    Training in the basic and elementary subjects was begun and sports formed a prominent part in both the training and hours of relaxation after an intensive day on the parade square or in the class room; a fundamental and necessary part in the making of a soldier.

    Courses were available in the training centre and advantage was taken of the Vocation School’s offer to throw open courses in electricity for men who were later to become Predictor Numbers. Classes in mathematics were also run, especially trigonometry and geometry, and a high standard was achieved by the personnel of the unit. Their educational background was excellent and the average age at the time of recruiting and training was only 23 years.

    When the cold weather made indoor training necessary, Minto and McGregor Armouries were used for classrooms as well as for parade square work and sports.

    Many inspections were carried out by the Acting District Officer Commanding, Colonel Morton, and his G.S.O. I, Lieutenant-Colonel A. Hunt, who were more than satisfied with the state of training and praised the Battery for its showing.

    Lieutenant-Colonel Ker held a march past during his inspection when he stopped to pay the Battery an official visit on his way to Ottawa and took the salute himself.

    Christmas or New Year’s leave was given to all ranks and in order that every one might enjoy the good fellowship of being together the Christmas dinner for the Battery was held on 21st December. What a bang-up party! The dinner was served by the Officers and Sergeants. There was beer, turkey, four kinds of vegetables, dressing, Christmas pudding, mince pie and all the fixings. It was their first Christmas in the army and every one enjoyed it.

    After the New Year the Battery was warned for overseas service and preparation was begun. All the ranks were granted four days embarkation leave. On the 3rd February, 1941, at 2200 hours the unit entrained and began its eastward journey which was to end in the heart of Germany itself with England as its first stop.

    The scene at the station on leaving home was unforgettable. There were thousands of people on the platform and milling about the station saying good-bye to their loved ones and friends.

    The train, after making a few stops for route marches and exercise, finally arrived in Halifax on the 6th February, 1941. The Battery immediately boarded the Warwick Castle, there to remain two weeks before sailing in convoy for Europe and the scene of operations.
     
  4. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    17th Anti-Aircraft Battery

    On the 17th August, 1940, in the Mewata Barracks in Calgary, Major J. H. R. Thomson began recruiting for active service the 17th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery. This Battery perpetuated the Macleod battery of Alberta. Many recruits came from Macleod and Lethrbidge District and the balance poured in from Calgary and Edmonton.

    The Battery was formed in Calgary in Military District Number 13 and was a separate unit under the District Officer Commanding, Brigadier Matthews. The unit, however, was listed as part of the 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment and part of the Artillery of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division.

    Major J. H. R. Thomson of Calgary was the Officer Commanding and his second-in-command was Captain D. P. (Hardrock) Campbell. The other officers were Lieutenants H. S. Stata, Paul T. Rowe, J. D. Boyd, V. Leech, F. G. (Guy) Pym, G. Madeley and F. Robinson, Charley Pidoux was the Battery Quartermaster Sergeant. A total of 220 Other Ranks were recruited and were formed immediately into three Troops. The Troops in turn were divided into four sections each of which was to man one 40 millimetre Bofors gun.

    The Battery was billeted in Mewata Barracks in the heart of the City of Calgary and training in basic subjects and lectures was begun. Many hours were spent on the parade square, and the men became first-class drill enthusiasts. This was carried over into their guards and their general appearance on and off parade. The 17th Battery shared with other units stationed in the Barracks in the mounting of guards of the thirty-seven men. Civilians used to gather to watch the changing of the guard and would remark on the smartness and turnout of the personnel.

    Colonel Ralston, the Minister of Defence, inspected the men in the latter part of August and although some of them were still at that time partly dressed in civilian clothes, the Battery was complimented on its fine turnout. The men themselves were greatly cheered and pepped up by the Minister’s interest and his encouraging remarks.

    Basic subjects of an elementary type were taught by Instructors and by the Officers who had been sent on courses. The training in the handling of personal weapons was brought up to a high standard. The work done on aircraft recognition was to stand them in good stead when they reached overseas.

    The hardening up process was further advanced through an extensive sports program under Lieutenant Paul Rower. In addition they took forced marches in full equipment.

    Later, on numerous occasions, the District Officer Commanding, Brigadier Matthews, inspected them for state of training and his remarks on the conduct and discipline were always complimentary.

    The 17th Battery was inspected by their Commanding Officer on 14th November, 1940. A ceremonial parade was held and a march past with the Commanding Officer taking the salute. Lieutenant-Colonel Ker watched the training and progress of various squads. The state of training could easily be assessed by the ease and precision with which the squads carried out their drills. Colonel Ker, by his encouraging remarks, showed himself well pleased with the training on basic subjects.

    The morale of the unit at this time was at its highest, they were shaping into a unit and they were indeed proud of their Battery and all were waiting in eager anticipation to go overseas.

    All was not hard work, however, as considerable social activities were carried on. Entertainments were held in the large Barracks itself and dances for the benefit of the men in a rented hall. At Christmas a Battery dinner was served with the usual custom of Officers and Sergeants waiting on tables. It was a new experience for the men and a good time was had by all. All members of the Battery without exception were given four days leave at Christmas or New Years.

    Shortly after New Years the Battery was warned for overseas service and equipment was issued. Canada Badges were sewn on sleeves of tunics and greatcoats, paybooks were made up and all preparations made for an early move. Embarkation leave was granted to all ranks.

    The troop train carrying the Regimental Headquarters came through from the Pacific Coast and the 17th Battery boarded it at midnight on the 31st January, 1941, and started eastward. At Winnipeg the train was boarded by two of the Officers, Lieutenants H. S. Stat and F. G. Pym, who were on course in that city. On the journey eastward route marches were held at North Bay, Ontario, and Riviere du Loupe, P.W., and the train arrived in Halifax on a cold morning in early February at 0900 hours. Immediately the troops detrained and embarked on the Duchess of York. Two evenings were enjoyed off the ship in Halifax, then it moved up into the Basin where it remained for two weeks before sailing in convoy to the United Kingdom.
     
  5. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
    On the 17th August, 1940 Major E. J. B. Edmonds of Vancouver began recruiting for active service the 1st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery at the Seaforth Barracks in Vancouver. It was originally intended that the Battery should form a part of a Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment and be used for anti-aircraft defence along the western coast of Canada. In September the need arose for another Battery for the 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment and the 1st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery became the 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery. The Battery was at first under command of the District Officer Commanding Military District Number 11. Major E. J. D. Edmonds was made Officer Commanding and his Second-in-Command was Captain F. J. Thorne.

    The Lieutenants were mostly drawn from the Non-Permanent Active Militia of Military District No. 11. They were J. D. Overholt, George Avery, T. D. Groves, Norman R. MclLeod, George C. Wallach, S. A. (stew) Bourns, A. Melville and D. S. Gillies. The Battery Sergeant-Major was J. G. Scott and the unit strength was 241 Other Ranks.

    Training was begun on basic subjects and as many of the Non-Commissioned Officers and Gunners had been in the Non-Permanent Active Militia and were familiar with weapons a great deal of training was spent on 13-pounder gun drill as well as its mechanism and deployment. This early training with 13-pounders and the principles of gunnery were a great help to the men of the Battery as they found it very easy to change over from one type of artillery piece to another.

    On 24th September the 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery was moved to Windsor, Ontario, for training. They became part of a great geographical shuffle of troops in Canada about that time, some for necessary quartering, others to fit in with the general movements eastwards of the Divisions slated for overseas service.

    Training was now stepped up and more Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers were sent on courses now readily available in the larger camps in Central Canada. The Ford Motor Company made for the Battery, from scrap metal, a dummy 40-millimetre anti-aircraft gun. It was hauled by a horse and great practice was received in putting it in and out of action.

    The Battery fitted in well with the civilian population and were feted and treated with great hospitality not only by their fellow Canadians but by our friends, the Americans of Detroit, Michigan, many of whom went out of their way to make things more pleasant for both officers and men. It is to be remembered that this time America was not at war, but there were many who came to Canada and volunteered for active serve with the Canadian forces.

    Every Sunday fleets of cars were supplied by the clubs of Windsor: the Gyro, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce and many private citizens as well. These took the enlisted men to Niagara Falls, Jack Miner’s Bird Sanctuary and Detroit, Michigan, as well as on educational tours to a number of factories such as Ford’s and the Heinz factory at Leamington.

    The first battle was decisively won when many of the men took unto themselves wives from among these friendly and hospitable citizens of Windsor, Ontario.
    In the fall of 1940, strikes broke out in the factories of General Motors Company in Windsor. The 16th Battery placed guards and picquets on the whole works and it was six weeks time before the unit was removed from its commitment.

    Morale was of the highest but every one was anxious to push on, get overseas and at grips with the enemy.

    Basic training progressed very well, sports forming a large part and Tests of Elementary Training were completed by the men in record time. Each man’s progress was charted and when Lieutenant-Colonel Ker inspected the Battery on his way to Ottawa, his remarks on their high state of training and physical fitness were very complimentary.

    On 8th February, 1941, the Battery started eastwards again and upon arriving in Halifax boarded the Orontes. Within twenty-four hours a number of the unit fell ill with German Measles. The convoy with the rest of the Regiment sailed without them. The Battery was placed in quarantine and three days later the men were moved off the ship and taken to a large Divisional Camp then being build at Debert, Nova Scotia. There was no heat in the quarters and the water pipes had burst so the following day they were moved into the Artillery section of the camp and spent six weeks waiting for another ship. On the 10th of April, having again embarked, this time on the ship Batory, they left for Great Britain and arrived off Gourock on the 19th.
     
  6. 4th wilts

    4th wilts Member

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    this has been very interesting macrusk,i was wondering if any british l.a.a regts were part of canadian units,or were attached to them.cheers,lee.
     
  7. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    Hi Lee, from what I have read since Canadian Corps or Units often served in combined British/Canadian/Commonwealth Army Groups there were certainly times when a British Artillery unit would be attached to the same division. I'll be adding this over at WW2Talk on the 1st Medium thread, but in Italy in preparation for the attack on the Gothic Line in Italy.

    "That Sir Oliver and his planners well recognized the effectiveness of massed artillery in territory where its full capabilities could be realized, was shown by the impressive gun power allotted to the opening phase of Operation "Olive." Besides the 1st Canadian Divisional Artillery, the C.C.R.A. 1st Canadian Corps would have under command the 1st AGRA and the artilleries of the 5thh Canadian Armoured and the 4th British Division -- in all, ten field regiments (two of them self-propelled), and one heavy and four medium regiments.* To the 1st Canadian AGRA was giaven the responsibility of coordinating all counter-battery on the Eighth Army's front;"

    "* Units of the Royal Artillery under Canadian command were the 3rd Medium and 32nd Heavy Regiments under command 1st Canadian AGRA; the 22nd, 30th and 77th Field Regiments of the 4th British Divsiion; and the 24th Army Field Regiment (S.P.) R.H.A. under command of the C.R.A. 1st Canadian Division."
     
  8. 4th wilts

    4th wilts Member

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    thanks macrusk,im banned over there,but i will keep an eye on that particular thread,cheers.lee.:).
     
  9. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    Part II
    Mobilization and Training in England

    Regimental Headquarters and the 17th Battery disembarked at Gourock in Scotland on the 27th February, 1941, and entrained for Colchester where they were to come under the command of the 1st Canadian Anti-Tank and Light Anti-Aircraft Training Brigade. They were welcomed at the station by then Lieutenant-Colonel, later Brigadier, G.N. McCarter, the Brigade Commander; Major J.W. Barrie, the Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General, and Major J.N. Lane, the Brigade Major.

    The 15th Battery arrived overseas on 1st March, 1941, and on 13th March the 534d Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Battery joined the Regiment. This latter Battery, which came from the 4th Canadian Field Regiment, had a nucleus of Officers and N.C.O.’s who had been trained in Light Anti-Aircraft Gunnery at the 224th British Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment at Aberystwyth in Wales. It had as its Officer Commanding Major C.E. Woodrow with Captain J.R. Pepall as Second-in-Command. The other two officers were Lieutenants C.R. Osler and C.W. Couch. With the arrival of the 16th Battery on the 20th April the Regiment became a complete unit.

    Intensive training began under the direction of Brigadier McCarter and all ranks fell to with a keenness and interest which impressed even the English instructors who had been attached to the unit for training purposes. Within the space of a few weeks both officers and men were polishing off the rough edges of gun drill on mobile mountings. The complicated drill with Predictors was mastered in a short space of time and by the middle of March, Officers and Other Ranks were sent for advanced training on Predictors at English training schools.

    During the first three months in England the Regiment was inspected on many occasions. The following high ranking officers visited and inspected the unit in turn in addition to the regular visits of the Brigade Commander: Colonel J.L. French, Colchester Garrison Commander; Brigadier J.C. Murchie, Brigadier General Staff, Canadian Military Headquarters; Brigadier J.H. McQueen, Deputy Quartermaster General, accompanied by Brigadier F.R. Phelan, Deputy Adjutant General, Canadian Military Headquarters; Brigadier J.C. Stewart, D.S.O., Royal Artillery; Major General Price Montague, Canadian Military Headquarters; the Commander Royal Artillery, 2nd Divisions, Brigadier R.A. Fraser; Brigadier A.E.D. Tremaine; the Hon. Dr. R.J. Manion, and Lieutenant-General A.G.L. McNaughton, the Corps Commander. The Regiment was highly complimented by the inspecting officers who were amazed at the ease with which the Canadians adapted themselves to their new task and the speed with which they moulded themselves into smooth working gun teams.
     
  10. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    Light Anti-Aircraft guns were very scarce in England at that time and as the manufacture of them was a long process each gun issued to the Regiment had to be kept in use at all times. Meal hours were staggered to make this possible and after training hours the Regiment used to send a Troop at a time with guns to deploy along the coast near Clacton-on Sea but they had to be back in time to start training in the morning. This sort of training was carried out to make the men familiar with handling the gun and to make use of the gun in off hours. The men called this night training “Duck Shooting” and the name stuck. It was on such an occasion on the night of 6/7th August, 1941, when the 16th Battery was deployed at Walton-on-Naze that they heard and aircraft approaching the coast. The searchlights illuminated the target and they identified it as a Junkers 88, opened fire, hit it with three rounds of H.E. and watch it crash into the sea. The townspeople were greatly delighted and the Gunners were congratulated on all sides.

    Training progressed rapidly. In addition to gun and predictor drill, siting and deployment were introduced. The first mobile schemes were conducted on a Troop level but later on they were carried out on a Battery, Regiment and even Brigade level. The 17th Battery went on once scheme with the 49th British Infantry Division in Suffolk and Norfolk counties and gained a great deal of valuable experience.

    In July and August the Regiment went to practice firing camps. The 17th and 38th Batteries went to the 13th Light Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp at Alberayron, Wales, and the other two Batteries visited 10th Light Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp at St. Agnes in Cornwall. The success achieved by all ranks gave a boost to their morale and the fine report of the Camp Officers on the ability of the Regiment as a whole and each Battery in particular was merely a true forecast of the high standard that the Regiment was later to attain.
     
  11. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    When the unit returned to Colchester, due to their high standard of training and their fine showing at practice camp, they were immediately despatched to protect fighter airdromes and important factories and industrial areas south of London and also the coast of Kent. The 17th Battery took over tasks at Kenley and Tolworth, the 38th Battery at Farnborough and Bromley, the 53rd at Croydon and Biggin Hill and the 16th at Gatwick and Red Hill. In some cases they used their own guns while in others they took over equipment then on the airdromes or factories.

    The airdromes under the protection of the Regiment were used daily for raids and sweeps over France and the lowlands. Men like Malan, Finucane and Bader, who made R.A.F. history in this war, flew from these airdromes and the men felt that they were part of the great plan for the defeat of Germany and the protection of England. Although manning of gun sites day and night in all kinds of weather is a very monotonous job, the pride that they showed in their gun, its surrounding emplacements, their billets and their own appearance showed that their morale was on a very high level indeed.

    On the 9th February, 1942, the Regiments was relieved of its commitments and it returned to Goojerat Barracks in Colchester for a brush up in training after such as long spell on the guns. This took the form of intensive work in mobile training. On the 27th February, 1942, the Regiment took part in its first scheme which was called “Repulse.” It was designed to illustrate the deployment of an Anti-Aircraft Regiment with a Division and was held in the Colchester area.

    The 3rd Regiment ceased to be under command of 1st Anti-Aircraft Brigade on the 19th March, 1942, at which time it moved to Bexhill-on-Sea in the 2nd Canadian Division’s area. With Regimental Headquarters at Cooden Beach the Regiment became a forward defence for fighter airdromes and English coastal towns which at that time were receiving many attacks from enemy sneak raiders. The success of the unit in re-siting guns and changing the fire plan at a moment’s notice confused the enemy and was instrumental in their being able to knock down a large percentage of enemy raiders attempting to achieve surprise attacks on the English watering places on the south coast.

    As the tactical situation allowed, Batteries in turn were sent off to a firing cmap where they got practice by firing at a sleeve or drogue towed behind and aircraft.

    Besides providing protection for the immediate Divisional area the Regiment lost no opportunity to move with the Division on schemes thus developing their deployment to a high state of efficiency. On 20th April 1942, when the Division went on exercise “Beaver” in Littlehampton-Burpham-Hendon area the Regiment provided anti-aircraft protection for the Divisional Headquarters, routes and debussing areas, returning again to operational tasks at the conclusion of the scheme. A month later they took part in exercise “Tiger.”

    The 53rd Battery went to Clacton firing camp in 1942, to give a demonstration of anti-aircraft and anti-tank shooting. In attendance at the shoot were General Sir Alan Brooke, General Sir Bernard Paget of the Home Forces, General Pyle of Anti-Aircraft Command, and Lieutenant-General A.G.L. McNaughton, the General Officer Commanding 1st Canadian Corps. After putting on an excellent exhibition the Battery returned to their Divisional area and deployed near Bexhill.

    In June the Regiment got its first taste of combined operations when four Officers and one hundred and forty Other Ranks went to the Isle of Wight on exercise “Simmer.”

    In spite of operational tasks, schemes and trips to firing camps the unit found time for quite an extensive sports program under the able direction of Lieutenant P.T. Rowe. On 15th July, 1942, the Regiment, which by that time had moved and re-deployed in the Crawley area, held a sports day on the Crawley Recreation Grounds before a large crowd of sports enthusiasts. The final standing showed the 38th Battery team to be the winners.
     
  12. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    Operation “Jubilee” took place in the month of August. A force made up of Headquarters 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, 4th and 6th Canadian Infantry Brigades and detachments from other arms and services plus commandos and a party from Royal Marine Commandos, supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, landed on seven beaches in the Dieppe area, France, at 0528 hours on the 19th August, 1942, after crossing the channel without loss.

    The 3rd Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment sent 10 Officers and 236 Other Ranks, who were allotted different tasks, in support of Infantry battalions. For this operation the personnel were divided into five parties. The task of the first beach party was to provide anti-aircraft protection on the beach. It was made up of 3 Officers, namely: Major C.R. Ostrander, Officer Commanding Anti-Aircraft Group, Captain P.T. Rowe, Captain Perly-Robertson, and 49 other ranks from the 16th Battery. They embarked on a Tank Landing Craft along with personnel from the Toronto Scottish Regiment on the 18th August, 1942, and proceeded to France. The night was spent in cleaning light machine guns and loading magazines, as well as instructing the light anti-aircraft personnel in the handling of hand grenades 100 round Bren magazines. By 0630 the E3aster German coastal Battery had not been taken by the Commandos. Major Ostrander was then informed that the craft would touch down in 15 minutes but it stopped one mile off-shore and was sent to a navy pool with seven others. Until 1200 hours fighting was going on in the town and in the air, with the destroyers constantly firing inland. The anti-aircraft gunners had a chance to engage a few enemy aircraft, and along with Oelikons manned by Naval personnel and Vickers machine guns manned by the Toronto Scottish, one Focke Wolfe 190 was destroyed and another damaged. At 1200 hours orders were received to return to England. This party had no casualties.
     
  13. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    The second party’s task was to capture an anti-aircraft gun in order to investigate a new type of gun sight that the Germans were using. This party was composed of 2 Officers and 24 Other Ranks from the 16th Battery. They embarked with the Royal Regiment of Canada, to whom they were attached. When the craft landed, the beach was strewn with bodies in and out of water and up the seawall. It was continuously swept by machine gun as well as sniper fire and the men that reached the wall were treated with hand grenades dropped from the cliff above and with mortar fire. At approximately 1100 hours the craft was ordered to return. Of this party only seven Other Ranks returned – Lieutenant F.B. Carpenter, Lieutenant J.D. McFetridge and the seventeen Other Ranks were reported missing.

    From the nominal roll of officers and Other Ranks of 3rd Canadian L.A.A. Regiment Killed or Wounded – Appendix B & C – those reported killed, wounded, and missing on 19 August 1942.

    Rank Name Casualty Remarks

    Lieutenant Frank B. Carpenter Killed Prev reported missing - buried Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery (Hautot-Sur-Mer) Seine-Maritime France Grave Reference E. 75 - Son of Frank and E.S. Carpenter of Winnipeg, Manitoba
    A/BDR James Charters Presumed Killed Prev reported missing - commemorated Brookwood Memorial Panel 23, Column 2 at Brookwood Military Cemetery; Age 22, Son of James and Isabel Charters, of Vancouver, British Columbia. His brother Ralph David also died on active service with RCAF.
    GNR J.E. Dessureault Killed Prev reported missing - buried Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery, Grave Reference G. 57
    L/BDR Lucien J. Fournier Killed Prev reported missing - buried Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery, Grave Reference E 77
    GNR Percy S. Fox Wounded
    GNR Isaac Hartlin Killed Prev reported missing - commemorated Brookwood Memorial Panel 23, Column 2; Son of Mr. & Mrs. E. Hartlin of Spryfield, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia.
    GNR William J. McMullen Presumed Killed Prev reported missing - commemorated Brookwood Memorial Panel 23, Column 2; Age 38, Son of Archibald adn Mary McMullen, of Benburb, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland
    A/BDR G.A. Northgraves Killed Prev reported missing - commemorated on Brookwood Memorial Panel 23, Column 2; Age 22; full name George Allen Northgraves; A/BDR Northgraves original unit of service 11th Anti-Aircraft Battery; joined the 16th Battery in June 1940. On September 14, 1942, his father Denton Northgraves of McConnell Road, Chilliwack, British Columbia received a cablegram informing him of his son's death.
    GNR Henry John Rowe Wounded
    SGT Mark R Rushton Wounded
    GNR Kenneth M. Stuart Killed Prev reported missing - buried Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery, Grave Reference G 4; full name Kenneth MacDonald Stuart; Age 19; Son of Cyrus and Laura Stuart, of Hall's Harbour, King's Co, Nova Scotia
    GNR Morris Robert Vick Killed Prev reported missing - buried Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery, Grave Reference E 23; age 26; Son of James Herbert and Annie Louise Vick, of Listowel, Ontario.

    From the nominal rolls, listed under Force “France”, I have presumed the following to have been captured at Dieppe, particularly as this is the description of GNR R.V. Waddy who I know was captured at Dieppe.

    Rank Name Casualty Date

    Lieutenant John D McFetridge Released POW Wounded 19 May 1945
    GNR Earl K. Davis* Released POW Wounded 21 Apr 1945
    GNR Lorne V Davis* Released POW Wounded 25 Apr 1945
    GNR Jack H. France Released POW 19 Apr 1945
    GNR Nelson E Longeuay Released POW 21 Apr 1945
    A/BDR H.A. Slader Released POW 27 May 1945
    GNR E.H. Smith Released POW Wounded 19 Apr 1945
    GNR E.A. Underwood Released POW Wounded 11 May 1945
    GNR R.V. Waddy Released POW 16 May 1945 - deceased July 1, 2004 at age 83; Legion member Cowichan, British Columbia. Please see thread "Horror Beyond Dieppe" for his story.
    GNR G.A. Williams Released POW Wounded 20 Apr 1945

    *Gunners Earl and Lorne Davis’ Service numbers are K16038 and K16037 respectively, indicating a close relationship since they must have
    enlisted at the same time)

    In many cases the additonal burial data and other information from Veterans Affairs Canada website under Canada Remembers - The Canadian Virtual War Memorial. In some cases there is a photo of the individual.
     
  14. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    The third party which was composed of 1 Sergeant and 6 Other Ranks from 16th Battery was on special duty with Captain Harrel of the British Intelligence Service. They did not land and returned without casualties.

    The fourth party, composed of 3 Officers, Captain G.C. Wallach, Lieutenant S.A. Bourns, Lieutenant J.R.C. Dowdell and 54 Other Ranks from the 17th Battery was under command of Lieutenant-Colonol Gosling, the Commanding Officer of the Toronto Scottish Regiment. It was allotted the task of forming 5 anti-aircraft detachments of 4 Bren guns each, which were to be inside the perimeter of the Toronto Scottish Vickers machine guns in order to protect the pavilion on the beach from aircraft attack.

    The craft arrived off the coast at 0645 hours, where it remained for six hours. Anti-aircraft protection was provided by two twenty millimetre guns manned by Naval personnel and eight Vickers light machine guns manned by the Toronto Scottish Regiment. Our personnel did not set up the Bren guns, as it was necessary to keep the ammunition for their task. At approximately 1200 hours, the craft was ordered to return to England, without having landed, as another Tank Landing Craft which had landed at their point of disembarkation had been sunk by a German Coastal Battery. No casualties were suffered by this party.

    The fifth party consisted of 1 Officer, Lieutenant J.R. Ferguson, and 51 Other Ranks from the 53rd Battery and 1 Officer, Captain Nobleston, and 51 Other Ranks from the 38th Battery. The task allotted was first to provide anti-aircraft protection for the Tank Landing Crafts and secondly to help in unloading tanks. The party was divided into two Battery groups and embarked on two Tank Landing Craft with Calgary Tank Regiment. They were given 25 Bren guns and 125,000 rounds of ammunition per craft.

    The crafts were scheduled to land at 0700 hours but did not. Throughout the morning the gunners were busily engaged in firing at enemy aircraft. At noon, they returned to England without loss.

    The remainder of the Regiment which had stayed in England were busy, too. Guns were deployed at Bognor Regis and Selsey as a precaution against enemy attacks on landing points for boats returning from Dieppe. Several Junkers 88’s and Dornier 217’s raided Bognor and Selsey area at 1600 hours. Although the gun detachments of the Regiment were made up mainly of drivers and cooks they made a creditable showing scoring nineteen hits on the enemy aircraft and shooting three down into the sea, expending in all 214 rounds of ammunition.

    On the 23rd August a large representation of all ranks attended a Memorial Service at Brookwood for those who made the supreme sacrifice at Dieppe.
     
  15. 4th wilts

    4th wilts Member

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    this has been a pleasure to read macrusk,thanks for letting us have a look.cheers.lee.
     
  16. diddyriddick

    diddyriddick Member

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    Nice post, Mac. As usual, thanks for sharing it.
     
  17. afcbob

    afcbob recruit

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    Hi, August 28, 2008
    My father, Archie Sudbury, is the President of the 16th Battery, 3rd LAA Regiemnt here in Vancouver. Every year in late April for the since 1955 the Association gets together for a reunion.
    Dad was in the militia from 1937 to 1939 out of Bessborough Armouries, when war started manned the guns at Ferguson point, went to Windsor and was one of the group with measles. Sailed on the Batory, served in ADGB in the south until returning just before Dieppe to get his commision, his gun crew went to Dieppe, a couple still around. After returning in 1943 voluntered for special service and landed morning of June 6 on Juno Beach. Returned late Aug. 44 to 38th Battery and led "F" Troop (self propelled bofors all the way from France to Germany at wars end. Was the only one who actually landed on Hune 6th that ended up at wars end with the 3rd LAA.

    I am putting together a DVD of the Batteries history from 1934 to wars end. As well as working on a web site dedicated to the 16th. If you eed some infor etc drop me aline.
     
  18. STURMTRUPPEN

    STURMTRUPPEN Member

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    interesting history of the third canadian light anti aircraft regiment dude pm me with other stories about canadas involvment in ww2
     
  19. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    I was positive that I had done a posting here to afcbob about my Dad and the 3LAA. I can't send him a line as he has not made enough posts!!! Any chance a moderator can take pity on me to send him a PM advising him to please contact me or come back here as yes I have hundreds of questions!

    I am very far behind on this but shall have posts back up and running soon see Free Fire Zone macrusk to OZ as I shall explain there why I am so far behind!
     
  20. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    Well here we go again!!

    In September the Regiment deployed with the 16th Battery on Thorney Island and Merstham Airdrom, the 17th at Bognor Regis, the 38th in Littlehampton, and the 53rd at Selsey. During the month there was much enemy air activity and a number of enemy aircraft brought down.

    During the autumn months the Batteries in turn were sent to firing camps again. In December the drivers were sent to Rothesay, Scotland, for training in the waterproofing of Vehicles, and landing tactics.

    The new year opened with Exercise “Falcon” which was supervised by the Corps Commander Royal Artillery. It consisted of a move to a concentration area, deploying to cover Infantry Brigade areas and lastly deploying to protect Divisional routes. Although the scheme lasted only one day much valuable experience was gained.

    A new War Establishment was introduced on 19th January, 1943. Troops were increased from four to six 40 millimeter Bofors guns each and the Regiment as a whole was reduced to three Batteries. As a result the 53rd Battery went to form part of a new regiment, the 11th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment.

    Three more exercises followed in quick succession, “Elm”, “Sparton” and “Welsh”. Of these, “Sparton” was carried out on much the largest scale. On 7th March the 2nd Division concentrated east of Liphook. The exercise was to practice troops in a break through from a bridgehead. The Batteries of the Regiment deployed with their respective Brigades and the Division took up positions on the Hogsback between Farnham and Guilford. When the breakthrough started the Thames River was crossed and the advance halted along the line Grand Union Canal. When the exercise ended on the 12th March all ranks were weary but confident that they knew their job.
     

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