Canadian 5th Infantry Brigade
Encyclopedia
The 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade was mobilized on 1 September 1939 as part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division
. The brigade was formed before the declaration of World War II, and the battalions were promptly fleshed out by volunteers. Further expansion of the brigade was hindered by a temporary halt in recruitment and uncertainty about overseas deployment. Consequently, brigade headquarters were not actually formed until May / June 1940.
After the Dieppe Raid
the brigade, with the 2nd Canadian Division, moved to Normandy
in time to serve with the British 2nd Army. They participated in the advance along the Channel Coast with the Canadian 1st Army, including the liberation of Dieppe. The division saw heavy action in the Netherlands
in late 1944, and took part in the final offensives in 1945.
. The 5th Infantry Brigade's order of battle
was as follows
2nd Canadian Infantry Division
The 2nd Canadian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the First Canadian Army, mobilized on 1 September 1939 at the outset of the Second World War. It was initially composed of volunteers within brigades established along regional lines, though a halt in recruitment in the early months of...
. The brigade was formed before the declaration of World War II, and the battalions were promptly fleshed out by volunteers. Further expansion of the brigade was hindered by a temporary halt in recruitment and uncertainty about overseas deployment. Consequently, brigade headquarters were not actually formed until May / June 1940.
After the Dieppe Raid
Dieppe Raid
The Dieppe Raid, also known as the Battle of Dieppe, Operation Rutter or later on Operation Jubilee, during the Second World War, was an Allied attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe on the northern coast of France on 19 August 1942. The assault began at 5:00 AM and by 10:50 AM the Allied...
the brigade, with the 2nd Canadian Division, moved to 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 time to serve with the British 2nd Army. They participated in the advance along the Channel Coast with the Canadian 1st Army, including the liberation of Dieppe. The division saw heavy action 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 late 1944, and took part in the final offensives in 1945.
Organization
In 1939, the second division was organized along regional lines, like the 1st Canadian Infantry Division1st Canadian Infantry Division
The 1st Canadian Infantry Division was a formation mobilized on 1 September 1939 for service in the Second World War. The division was also reactivated twice during the Cold War....
. The 5th Infantry Brigade's order of battle
Order of battle
In modern use, the order of battle is the identification, command structure, strength, and disposition of personnel, equipment, and units of an armed force participating in field operations. Various abbreviations are in use, including OOB, O/B, or OB, while ORBAT remains the most common in the...
was as follows
Fifth Canadian Infantry Brigade – Quebec
- The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of CanadaThe Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of CanadaThe Black Watch of Canada is a reserve infantry regiment in 34 Brigade Group, Land Force Quebec Area. The regiment is located on rue de Bleury in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and is currently commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bruno Plourde...
– Montreal, Quebec - Les Fusiliers Mont-RoyalLes Fusiliers Mont-RoyalLes Fusiliers Mont-Royal is one of the oldest surviving units of the historical regiments of the Canadian army. It celebrated its regimental centenary in 1969. The unit was created on November 5, 1869...
– Montreal, Quebec - Le Régiment de MaisonneuveLe Régiment de MaisonneuveLe Régiment de Maisonneuve is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces.The regiment is Canada's twenty-sixth most senior reserve infantry regiment, and comprises one battalion serving as part of the Land Force Reserve.-History:...
– Montreal, Quebec - Le Régiment de la ChaudièreLe Régiment de la ChaudièreThe Régiment de la Chaudière is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces.-Insignia:The regimental insignia consists of two crossed machine guns, surmounted by a beaver supporting a fleur-de-lys...
(Mitrailleuses) – Levis, QuebecLévis, QuebecLévis is a city in eastern Quebec, Canada. It is located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, opposite Quebec City. A ferry links Old Quebec with Old Lévis, and two bridges, the Quebec Bridge and the Pierre Laporte Bridge, connect western Lévis with Quebec City. The Société de transport de...
Fifth Canadian Infantry Brigade 1944–45
- The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of CanadaThe Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of CanadaThe Black Watch of Canada is a reserve infantry regiment in 34 Brigade Group, Land Force Quebec Area. The regiment is located on rue de Bleury in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and is currently commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bruno Plourde...
- Le Régiment de MaisonneuveLe Régiment de MaisonneuveLe Régiment de Maisonneuve is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces.The regiment is Canada's twenty-sixth most senior reserve infantry regiment, and comprises one battalion serving as part of the Land Force Reserve.-History:...
- The Calgary HighlandersThe Calgary HighlandersThe Calgary Highlanders is a Canadian Forces Land Force Primary Reserve infantry regiment, headquartered at Mewata Armouries in Calgary, Alberta, Canada...
- 5 Canadian Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
See also
- Military history of Canada during the Second World WarMilitary history of Canada during the Second World WarThe Second World War officially began on September 1, 1939, with the German invasion of Poland. Britain and France declared war on the Nazi Third Reich on September 3, 1939...
- Military history of CanadaMilitary history of CanadaThe military history of Canada comprises hundreds of years of armed actions in the territory encompassing modern Canada, and the role of the Canadian military in conflicts and peacekeeping worldwide. For thousands of years, the area that would become Canada was the site of sporadic intertribal wars...
- Canadian ForcesCanadian ForcesThe Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...