27th Canadian Infantry Brigade
Encyclopedia
The 27th Canadian Infantry Brigade (27CIBG) was an Active Force Infantry Brigade
created on May 4, 1951 for service in West Germany sailing to Rotterdam
in November and December of that year. The Brigade was posted near Hanover
and provided contingents for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
.
, there was the Special Force who had specifically enlisted for the Korean War
. In January 1951 another Canadian Army was created for service in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as the Permanent Force was earmarked for defence of North America. Since Canada was the only member of NATO without Conscription
(except for Iceland
), it was decided that the new force would be created by volunteers from the militia who would enlist for three years in their specific units.
The Brigade consisted of three infantry battalions called "PANDA Battalions" (for Pacific and Atlantic). They were the 1 Canadian Infantry Battalion (formed in Valcartier, Quebec on 4 May 1951), the 1 Canadian Rifle Battalion and the 1 Canadian Highland Battalion. Each battalion drew their personnel from five Canadian Militia
infantry regiments of the same type (Line Infantry, Rifle or Highland). Each militia regiment formed a complete PANDA company within that battalion with the headquarters unit being a composite.
A reorganisation of the Canadian Army in 1953 led to a force of 15 infantry battalions; three for Korea, three for Canada, three for Europe and six for rotation.
On 14 October 1953 the First Canadian Infantry Brigade was reactivated and replaced the 27th .In the same year its battalions were redesignated as the Canadian Guards, the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada and the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada.
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
created on May 4, 1951 for service in West Germany sailing to Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
in November and December of that year. The Brigade was posted near Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
and provided contingents for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was the ceremony in which the newly ascended monarch, Elizabeth II, was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylon, and Pakistan, as well as taking on the role of Head of the Commonwealth...
.
Formation
In the early 1950s, Canada had several armies. In addition to the Permanent Force and the Canadian MilitiaCanadian Militia
The Canadian Militia was the traditional title for the land forces of Canada from before Confederation in 1867 to 1940 when it was renamed the Canadian Army.The Militia consisted of:* Permanent Active Militia* Non-Permanent Active Militia...
, there was the Special Force who had specifically enlisted for the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. In January 1951 another Canadian Army was created for service in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as the Permanent Force was earmarked for defence of North America. Since Canada was the only member of NATO without Conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
(except for Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
), it was decided that the new force would be created by volunteers from the militia who would enlist for three years in their specific units.
The Brigade consisted of three infantry battalions called "PANDA Battalions" (for Pacific and Atlantic). They were the 1 Canadian Infantry Battalion (formed in Valcartier, Quebec on 4 May 1951), the 1 Canadian Rifle Battalion and the 1 Canadian Highland Battalion. Each battalion drew their personnel from five Canadian Militia
Canadian Militia
The Canadian Militia was the traditional title for the land forces of Canada from before Confederation in 1867 to 1940 when it was renamed the Canadian Army.The Militia consisted of:* Permanent Active Militia* Non-Permanent Active Militia...
infantry regiments of the same type (Line Infantry, Rifle or Highland). Each militia regiment formed a complete PANDA company within that battalion with the headquarters unit being a composite.
A reorganisation of the Canadian Army in 1953 led to a force of 15 infantry battalions; three for Korea, three for Canada, three for Europe and six for rotation.
On 14 October 1953 the First Canadian Infantry Brigade was reactivated and replaced the 27th .In the same year its battalions were redesignated as the Canadian Guards, the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada and the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada.