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Sketches of the Restigouche

The Graphic

        THE NORTH SHORE IN CANADA
THE MAKING OF A BATTALION (Part Four)

        THE REGIMENT GOES TO SEA

        1943 opened with more exercises to perfect further the difficult technique of assault landings. Interspersed with these amphibious "schemes" were large-scale manoeuvres with other divisions and corps. The biggest of these was Exercise, "Spartan" which was intended to test endurance. Although the exercise proved a severe test the Battalion carried out the assigned role satisfactorily. This operation called for long marches with little sleep or food. Other exercises, in which the unit took part, were designed along similar lines.

        Later in the year, Lieutenant-General HRH the Duke of Gloucester visited the Regiment in training. During his tour of inspection the Duke complimented Lieutenant-Colonel Buell on the fine showing made by the men.

        Gradually the tempo of training speeded up, more and more attention was paid to the intricacies of assault landings. Finally, on the 11th August the Battalion moved to Monks' Common - Near Horsham - and began preparation for a month's training at Combined Operations Training Center at Inversay, Scotland.

        September 1943, found the North Shore on Lock Fyne, in Argyllshire, Scotland. This base was regarded as "the finishing school" for invasion units. The month spent at this center was devoted entirely to assault landing exercises under the closest possible approximation to actual battle conditions. Some casualties resulted from this type of training, fortunately none of them fatal. When the unit finally left this base for the South of England it was trained at a very high pitch. The remaining months before invasion were devoted to keeping it up to that high standard and making the million and one detailed preparations for the great assault.

        After a brief stopover near Eastleight, Hants, the Regiment moved to Boscombe, near Bournemouth, for the winter. Just before this move the Regiment sent five officers to reinforce the Carleton and York Regiment in Italy. These officers had been with the unit a long time and their many friends were sorry to see them go. Of the five, two gave their lives; Lieutenant Paul Cogger and Lieutenant William Corbett - of the others, Lieutenant W.H. Pell and Lieutenant L.A. Watling became later, Majors and Company Commanders in their new unit. The fifth, Captain J. M. Nicholson, Medical Officer, was promoted to a Major and subsequently commanded a Field Dressing Station in Italy.

        PRELUDE TO ASSAULT

        During the first few months of 1944, more large-scale amphibious exercises were held. Among these were Exercise, "PIRATE"; Exercise, "VIDI"; Exercise, "GOLDBRAID". During this period also a competition was held to determine the best Rifle Company in the 3rd Canadian Division. It involved a series of tests, including cross-country marches, cliff-scaling, mine-gaping, house-clearing and firing. Able Company swept through the Battalion, and Brigade elimination contest and finally emerged with the Divisional Championship. At the time Able Company commanded by Major J.A. MacNaughton with Captain Leon Belliveau as Second-in-Command. The Platoon Commanders were Lieutenant M.M. Keith.

        At the end of February Field Marshall Montgomery, (Then a General) inspected the Regiment. Following the inspection he addressed the troops - calling them to give their best in the coming struggle.

        In the spring the Regiment moved again, this time to Ensworth. Later another move was made to Chilworth - which was to be the last camp occupied by the Battalion before Invasion. While at Chilworth the Regiment was again inspected by a "Distinguished Visitor" this time it was His Majesty King George VI, who came to see the Battalion on the 25thApril. Shortly after this, on the 13th day of May, the Battalion was inspected by the Supreme Allied Commander, General Eisenhower. At the conclusion of his inspection he ordered the troops to break ranks and gather around his Jeep. He then spoke on the task that lay ahead. It was inspiration to hear this distinguished officer and when the troops marched off the field each man felt that not many days remained until the great test would come.

       

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