4th Canadian Armoured Brigade
Encyclopedia
As of 1942 the 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade comprised:
And their supporting units, including:
Arriving in Normandy
in July 1944, the brigade saw service in the battles that took the Canadians from Caen
to Falaise
. Unlike their peers in the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade
, the 4th almost always fought in support of its affiliated 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade.
Following the Normandy campaign
the brigade saw service in Belgium
, the Netherlands
, and Germany
before being disbanded in the Netherlands
in 1946.
Commanding officers:
- 21st Armoured Regiment (The Governor General's Foot Guards)
- 22nd Armoured Regiment (The Canadian Grenadier Guards)
- 28th Armoured Regiment (The British Columbia Regiment)
- 1st Battalion, The Lake Superior Regiment (Motor)
And their supporting units, including:
- 12 Canadian Field Ambulance
Arriving in Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
in July 1944, the brigade saw service in the battles that took the Canadians from Caen
Caen
Caen is a commune in northwestern France. It is the prefecture of the Calvados department and the capital of the Basse-Normandie region. It is located inland from the English Channel....
to Falaise
Falaise, Calvados
Falaise is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.-History:The town was the birthplace of William I the Conqueror, first of the Norman Kings of England. The Château de Falaise , which overlooks the town from a high crag, was formerly the seat of...
. Unlike their peers in the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade
2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade
-History:Soon after 3rd Canadian Tank Brigade assumed the designation in summer 1943 of the original 2nd Canadian Tank Brigade, the new 2nd Tank was redesignated and reorganized as 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade. Although reorganized as an armoured brigade, no motor battalion served under its command...
, the 4th almost always fought in support of its affiliated 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade.
Following the Normandy campaign
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
the brigade saw service in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
before being disbanded in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
in 1946.
Commanding officers:
- E. L. M. BurnsE. L. M. BurnsEedson Louis Millard "Tommy" Burns, was a Canadian Army Lieutenant General and diplomat.-Early Education:...
(1942–1943) - Desmond SmithDesmond Smith (Canadian general)James Desmond Blaise Smith CBE, DSO, CD was a Canadian general active in World War II in both the Italy and Netherlands campaigns. Smith was born in Ottawa, Ontario on 2 October 1911. He studied at the Royal Military College and graduated in 1933. On graduation he was promoted to lieutenant and...
(1943–1944) - Eric Leslie Booth (1944)
- Robert MoncelRobert MoncelRobert William Moncel, OC, DSO, OBE, CD was a Lieutenant-General of the Canadian Army and former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. He was the youngest general officer in the Canadian Army when promoted to Brigadier General on August 17, 1944, at the age of 27.-Early life:Born in Montreal, Quebec,...
(1944–1946)