by Mark Zuehlke
12 Alexander Ross, Slow March to a Regiment (St. Catharines, ON: Vanwell, 1993), 211-12.
13 “I Canadian Corps Intelligence Summary,” No. 271, April 17, 1945, RG24, vol. 109421, Library and Archives Canada, 1.
14 Irish Regiment of Canada War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, n.p.
15 “An Account of the Attack on the Otterloo area of 16/17 Apr 45 by Lieut J Hobson, the Divisional Interrogator,” RG24, vol. 10941, Library and Archives Canada, 1.
16 “Gordon Bannerman account re: Sergeant Humble,” possession of author.
17 Gordon Bannerman, www.gordiebannerman.com (accessed February 24, 2009).
18 17th Field Regiment, RCA War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 15.
19 “Canadian Army Overseas Honours and Awards Citation Details,” Directorate of Heritage and History, Department of National Defence, www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/gal/cao-aco/details-eng.asp?firstname=Roland&lastname=Bouchard&rec=id213 (accessed October 20, 2009).
20 The Governor General’s Horse Guards, 1939-1945, 217.
21 Irish Regiment of Canada War Diary, April 1945, n.p.
22 The Governor General’s Horse Guards, 1939-1945, 218.
23 www.metsystems.np.ig.org/irish/ (accessed March 29, 2009).
24 17th Field Regiment, RCA War Diary, April 1945, 15.
25 Bannerman, www.gordiebannerman.com.
26 17th Field Regiment, RCA War Diary, April 1945, 16.
27 Bert M. Hoffmeister, interview by B. Greenhous and W. McAndrew, transcript, Directorate of Heritage and History, Department of National Defence, n.d., 119-20.
28 Bannerman, www.gordiebannerman.com.
29 History of 17th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, 5th Canadian Armoured Division (Groningen: J. Niemeiser, 1946), 77-78.
30 Ross, 217-18.
31 37th Field Battery, 17th Field Regiment War Diary, possession of author, n.p.
32 History of 17th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, 5th Canadian Armoured Division, 77-78.
33 Bannerman, www.gordiebannerman.com.
34 History of 17th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, 82-83.
35 37th Field Battery War Diary, n.p.
36 The Governor General’s Horse Guards, 1939-1945, 218-19.
37 Bannerman, www.gordiebannerman.com.
38 Gordon Wood, The Story of the Irish Regiment of Canada, 1939-1945 (Heerenveen, Holland: Hepkema, 1945), 64.
39 “Canadian Army Overseas Honours and Awards Citation Details,” Directorate of Heritage and History, Department of National Defence, www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/gal/cao-aco/details-eng.asp?firstname=Walter&lastname=Asseltine&rec=id62 (accessed October 21, 2009).
40 Ross, 218.
41 Bannerman, www.gordiebannerman.com.
42 History of 17th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, 5th Canadian Armoured Division, 80.
43 Irish Regiment of Canada War Diary, n.p.
44 The Governor General’s Horse Guards, 1939-1945, 219.
45 Johan van Doorn, conversation with author, October 22, 2009.
46 Stacey, The Victory Campaign, 579.
47 Douglas E. Delaney, The Soldier’s General: Bert Hoffmeister at War (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 2005), 214.
48 British Columbia Dragoons War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 18.
49 “Report on Operations of the Cape Breton Highlanders, Holland, for period 27 March 1945 to the 8th May 1945,” 145.2C5013(D2), Directorate of Heritage and History, Department of National Defence, 1.
50 Reginald H. Roy, Sinews of Steel: The History of the British Columbia Dragoons (Toronto: Charters, 1965), 394-95.
51 Calgary Regiment War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 18.
52 Douglas How, The 8th Hussars: A History of the Regiment (Sussex, NB: Maritime Publishing, 1964), 331-32.
53 “Period 12 Apr 45-19 Apr 45, Dealing with the Breakthrough at Arnhem and the Thrust to the Zuider Zee,” 20020045.1641, Canadian War Museum, 16.
54 J.E. Oldfield, The Westminster’s War Diary: An Unofficial History of the Westminster Regiment (Motor) in World War II (New Westminster, BC: n.p., 1964), 192.
55 Lt. Col. J.M. McAvity, “2nd Canadian Armoured Regiment, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians): Account of Operations, 12 Apr 45-19 Apr 45,” 141.4A2013(1), Directorate of Heritage and History, Department of National Defence, 3-4.
56 Lord Strathcona’s Horse War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 5.
57 8th Princess Louise’s (New Brunswick) Hussars War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 14.
58 Lord Strathcona’s Horse War Diary, 5.
59 J.M. McAvity, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians): A Record of Achievement (Toronto: Brigdens, 1947), 231.
60 “I Canadian Corps Intelligence Summary,” No. 275, April 21, 1945, RG24, vol. 109421, Library and Archives Canada, 1.
23: SOUND TACTICAL PLANS
1 James Riley Stone, interview by William Thackray, May 13 and 20, and June, 3,10, and 17, 1980, University of Victoria Special Collections.
2 Ernest Morgan Keith MacGregor, interview by Rick Aylward, July 22, 1986, University of Victoria Special Collections.
3 Stone interview.
4 G.R. Stevens, A City Goes to War (Brampton, ON: Charters, 1964), 346.
5 ——. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry: 1919-1957, vol. 3 (Griesbach, AB: Historical Committee of the Regiment, n.d.), 241.
6 Reginald H. Roy, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, 1919-1965 (Vancouver: Evergreen Press, 1969), 434-35.
7 Robert Woodhouse Dudley, interview by Cameron Falconer, March 16, 1983, University of Victoria Special Collections.
8 Thomas H. Raddall, West Novas: A History of the West Nova Scotia Regiment (n.p., 1947), 299-302.
9 C.P. Stacey, The Victory Campaign: The Operations in North-West Europe, 1944-1945, vol. 3 (Ottawa: Queen’s Printer, 1960), 587-90.
10 Paul Douglas Dickson, A Thoroughly Canadian General: A Biography of General H.D.G. Crerar (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007), 411.
11 Stacey, The Victory Campaign, 587-90.
12 Ibid., 590-91.
13 “Report No. 32 Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters: The Concluding Phase of Operations by the First CDN Army: Part III,” Department of National Defence, December 10, 1949, para. 357.
14 Ibid., paras. 363-78.
15 Regina Rifles War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 10-12.
16 “Report No. 32, Part III,” paras. 372-73.
17 Bruce Tascoma and Eric Wells, Little Black Devils: A History of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (Winnipeg: Frye Publishing, 1994), 187-88.
18 Royal Winnipeg Rifles War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 8-9.
19 Tascoma and Wells, 189.
20 Royal Winnipeg Rifles War Diary, 9.
21 Reginald H. Roy, Ready for the Fray: The History of the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s), 1920 to 1955 (Vancouver: Evergreen Press, 1958), 417-26.
22 “Report No. 32, Part III,” para. 386.
23 North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 11.
24 Will R. Bird, North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment (Fredericton, NB: Brunswick Press, 1963), 554.
25 Queen’s Own Rifles War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 11.
26 W.T. Barnard, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, 1860-1960: One Hundred Years of Canada (Don Mills, ON: Ontario Publishing Group, 1960), 260.
27 “Report No. 32, Part III,” paras. 380-81.
28 H.M. Jackson, The Sherbrooke Regiment (12th Armoured Regiment) (Montreal: Christian Bros. Press, 1958), 175.
29 Bird, North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, 554-55.
30 North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment War Diary, 12.
31 Bird, North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, 555.
32 “1st Bn The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada: Operation ‘Plunder,’ Phase 4,” 145.2Q2011(D6), Directorate of Heritage and History, Department of National Defence, 3-4.
33 “Memorandum of Interview with Brig. J.M. Rockingham, DSO and Bar, Comd 9 CDN INF BDE and other officers, given to Hist Offr 3 CDN INF DIV 4 May 45: Operation Duck,” RG24, vol. 10987, Library and Archives Canada, 1.
34 “RCA 3 CDN INF DIV: OP ORDER NO. 2, OP ‘Duck,’” RG24, vol. 10914, Library and Archives Canada, 1-2.
35 Stacey, The Victory Campaign, 596.
36 “Memorandum of Interview with Brig. J.M. Rockingham,” 1.
37 “Report No. 32, Part III,” para. 388.
38 “Memorandum of Interview with Brig. J.M. Rockingham,” 2.
39 North Nova Scotia Highlanders War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 23.
40 Highland Light Infantry War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 13.
41 1st Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry of Canada: 1940-1945 (Galt, ON: Highland Light Infantry of Canada Assoc., 1951), 111.
42 William Boss, Up the Glens: Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, 1783- 1994, 2nd ed. (Cornwall, ON: Old Book Store, 1995), 260-61.
43 “Memorandum of Interview with Brig. J.M. Rockingham,” 2-3.
44 North Nova Scotia Highlanders War Diary, 24.
45 “Memorandum of Interview with Brig. J.M. Rockingham,” 3.
46 Highland Light Infantry War Diary, 14.
47 “Memorandum of Interview with Brig. J.M. Rockingham,” 3.
48 Stacey, The Victory Campaign, 596-97.
49 “Report No. 32, Part III,” para. 412.
50 “J. Walter Keith Account,” unpublished reminiscence, possession of author, 19.
51 “Actions at Leer and North of Groningen, Prepared by 1st BN Regina Rifle Regiment,” 145.2R11011(D5), Directorate of Heritage and History, Department of National Defence, 13.
52 “J. Walter Keith Account,” 19.
53 Stacey, The Victory Campaign, 597.
24: CROSSROAD AMBUSHES
1 C.P. Stacey, The Victory Campaign: The Operations in North-West Europe, 1944-1945, vol. 3 (Ottawa: Queen’s Printer, 1960), 598-99.
2 R.L. Rogers, History of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment (Montreal: Industrial Shops for the Deaf, 1954), 265.
3 H.M. Jackson, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s), 1928-1953 (Montreal: Industrial Shops for the Deaf, 1953), 211-12.
4 “Canadian Army Overseas Honours and Awards Citation Details,” Directorate of Heritage and History, Department of National Defence, www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/gal/cao-aco/details-eng.asp?firstname=WilliamGarrison&lastname=Whiteside&rec=id3924 (accessed October 26, 2009).
5 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 11.
6 G.L. Cassidy, Warpath: From Tilly-la-campagne to the Kusten Canal (Markham, ON: PaperJacks, 1980), 361-63.
7 Algonquin Regiment War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 18.
8 “Report No. 32 Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters: The Concluding Phase of Operations by the First CDN Army: Part III,” Department of National Defence, December 10, 1949, para. 438.
9 Ibid., para. 453.
10 Cassidy, 364.
11 “Report No. 32, Part III,” para. 456.
12 “Memorandum of Interview Given by Lt. Col. G.M. Robinson: The Final Punch, Operations and Activities of 4 CDN ARMD DIV, 30 Mar-5 May 45,” RG24, vol. 10935, Library and Archives Canada, 4.
13 “Memorandum of Interview Given by Brig. R.W. Moncel, COMD 4 CDN ARMD BDE: The Final Punch-Operations and Activities of 4 CDN ARMD BDE, 30 Mar-5 May 45,” RG24, vol. 10992, Library and Archives Canada, 3.
14 Stacey, The Victory Campaign, 599.
15 Lake Superior Regiment (Motor) War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 31.
16 Stacey, The Victory Campaign, 599.
17 Rogers, 266.
18 A. Fortescue Duguid, History of the Canadian Grenadier Guards, 1760-1964 (Montreal: Gazette Printing Company, 1965), 345.
19 Stuart Louis Johns, telephone interview by author, June 3, 2009.
20 Duguid, 345.
21 Johns interview.
22 Lake Superior Regiment (Motor) War Diary, 30-31.
23 Robert M. Foster, et al., Steady the Buttons Two by Two: Governor General’s Foot Guards Regimental History, 125th Anniversary: 1872-1997 (Ottawa: Governor General’s Foot Guards, 1999), 221.
24 “Memorandum of Interview Given by Lt. Col. G.M. Robinson,” 4-5.
25 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 27.
26 Algonquin Regiment War Diary, 20.
27 Geoffrey Hayes, The Lincs: A History of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment at War (Alma, ON: Maple Leaf Route, 1986), 127.
28 Rogers, 268.
29 “Report No. 32, Part III,” paras. 504-06.
30 Jackson, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 217.
31 Stanley, 301-02.
32 Stacey, The Victory Campaign, 601.
33 Roy Farran, The History of the Calgary Highlanders, 1921-54 (Calgary: Bryant Press, 1954), 209.
34 David Bercuson, Battalion of Heroes: The Calgary Highlanders in World War II (Calgary: Calgary Highlanders Regimental Funds Foundation, 1994), 239.
35 Farran, 209.
36 “Report No. 32,” paras. 565-66.
37 R.W. Queens-Hughes, Whatever Men Dare: A History of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, 1935-1960 (Winnipeg: Bulman Brothers, 1960), 178.
38 Charles Goodman, interview by author, Saanichton, BC, January 27, 2009.
39 Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 15.
40 Queens-Hughes, 178-79.
41 George G. Blackburn, “The History of the 4th Field Regiment” (n.p., 1945), n.p.
42 George G. Blackburn, The Guns of Victory: A Soldier’s Eye View, Belgium, Holland, and Germany, 1944-45 (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1997), 454-55.
43 Stacey, The Victory Campaign, 603.
44 “Report No. 32, Part III,” paras. 635-37.
45 George E. Broomhall, “Second World War Letter Collection of Captain George E. Broomhall,” 20060029-001, Canadian War Museum, May 2, 1945, 1.
46 “Brigadier W.C. Murphy Diary,” RG24, vol. 20405, Library and Archives Canada, 41.
47 Jean V. Allard, The Memoirs of Jean V. Allard (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 1988), 117-18.
48 “Report No. 32, Part III,” para. 652.
49 Blackburn, “History of the 4th Field Regiment,” n.p.
50 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade War Diary, May 1945, WO 179/Canadian Forces/4th Infantry Brigade, UK National Archives, 3-4.
51 South Saskatchewan Regiment War Diary, May 1945, Library and Archives Canada, 2-3.
52 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade War Diary, 4-5.
25: BITTEREST BATTLE
1 “Report No. 32 Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters: The Concluding Phase of Operations by the First CDN Army: Part III,” Department of National Defence, December 10, 1949, paras. 669-73.
2 Bert M. Hoffmeister, interview by B. Greenhous and W. McAndrew, Directorate of Heritage and History, Department of National Defence, n.d., 120.
3 Bert M. Hoffmeister, letter to Daniel T. Byers, March 1, 1991, appended to “Operation ‘Canada,’ The Canadian Attack on Delfzijl, April 23-May 2, 1945,” Bachelor of Arts thesis, 1991, Wilfrid Laurier University, 41.
4 Hoffmeister interview.
5 Perth Regiment War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 13-15.
6 Ibid.
7 Irish Regiment of Canada War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 13.
8 Reginald H. Roy, Sinews of Steel: The History of the British Columbia Dragoons, (Toronto: Charters, 1965), 407-08.
9 “11 CDN INF B
DE: The Battle for Delfzijl, Appendix 6,” 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 1-4.
10 Perth Regiment War Diary, 15.
11 “Report No. 32, Part III,” paras. 679-82.
12 J.E. Oldfield, The Westminster’s War Diary: An Unofficial History of the Westminster Regiment (Motor) in World War II (New Westminster, BC: n.p., 1964), 197.
13 Westminster Regiment (Motor) War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 27.
14 Oldfield, 197-98.
15 Ibid., 198.
16 Irish Regiment of Canada War Diary, 14.
17 “5th Canadian Armoured Division Intelligence Summary, No. 131, 25 Apr. 45,” RG24, vol. 10941, Library and Archives Canada, 1.
18 Perth Regiment War Diary, 16.
19 “The Operations 8th New Brunswick Hussars for Period 25 Apr-5 May, covering the Regiment’s activities in the area of Delfzijl,” 20020045.1641, Canadian War Museum, 2.
20 Westminster Regiment (Motor) War Diary, 28.
21 Ibid., 28-30.
22 Irish Regiment of Canada War Diary, 15-16.
23 Terry Copp, Cinderella Army: The Canadians in Northwest Europe, 1944-1945 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2006), 279.
24 Perth Regiment War Diary, 17-18.
25 Stafford Johnston, The Fighting Perths: The Story of the First Century in the Life of a Canadian County Regiment (Stratford, ON: Perth Regiment Veterans’ Assoc., 1964), 118.
26 Perth Regiment War Diary, 19-20.
27 Cape Breton Highlanders War Diary, April 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 23-24.
28 “The Operations 8th New Brunswick Hussars,” 3.
29 “The Westminster Regiment (Motor) Report on Operations for Period 24 Apr-1 May 1945, Operation Canada,” 145.2W1011(D1), Directorate of Heritage and History, Department of National Defence, 5-6.
30 Oldfield, 204-05.
31 Irish Regiment of Canada War Diary, 16.
32 Cape Breton Highlanders War Diary, May 1945, RG24, Library and Archives Canada, 1.
33 Alex Morrison and Ted Slaney, The Breed of Manly Men: The History of the Cape Breton Highlanders (Toronto: Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies, 1994), 320-21.
34 Cape Breton Highlanders War Diary, May 1945, 1-3.