I am making slow and steady progress on developing my existing contribution on the subject of the Canadian contribution to NORTHAG/BAOR
and the Canadian Army Occupation Force (CAOF) which was formed from the wartime 3 Canadian Infantry Division and was based in the Friesland area of Northwest Germany (Emden /Wilhemshaven/Oldenburg) from July 45 to March 46)

I have however a major problem with the Canadian Gunner Regiments (2/12,2/13 and 2/14 Field Regiments RCA, 2/3 A/Tank and 2/4 LAA Regts RCA). They appear to have been hostilities only Regiments which disbanded when they returned to Canada in late Spring 1946

I cannot trace any relevent units in the current Militia (Volunteer) Canadian Army ORBAT

Can any of our Canadian correspondents help?

J,

There was a Canadian Army Historical Report written about the CAOF. It's listed as CMHQ 174 and can be found in pdf here;

http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/his/rep-rap/doc/cmhq/cmhq174.pdf

I think it will answer most of your questions about the Canadian Army's occupation forces. If not, ask away. Always happy to help.

Cheers,
Dan.

Hi Dan
Many thanks a great document and it certainly 'changes history' as written the British way…do you have appendix H…history is only good as those who wrote it down and thank goodness you guys did!
On a different note there is get together this year in Werl just up the road to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Canadian Forces leaving the area…I will be 'on parade'
Regards
Steve

Dan

Thank you very much for this tip

I had in fact already downloaded this document and several other similar Canadian archive ones, they make fascinating reading.

Unfortunately none give details of where the Gunner Regiments I listed were deployed in May 1945 nor where they were subsequently based in the CAOF era from July 1945 to Spring 1946 when 3 Canadian Division finally returned to Canada

J,

It must be me, but I'm not getting the gist of your inquiry. Are you asking where were the artillery regiments of the CAOF deployed prior to its creation? Or are you asking where were the artillery regiments of the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division deployed in May, 1945?

As for returning to Canada, in reality none of the units of the Canadian Army Overseas returned to Canada. The Army instituted a 'point' system for the soldiers serving in Europe, and returned the highest point scoring soldiers first. These men were taken from their war-time units and posted to those units scheduled to return to Canada first. Usually, if possible, soldiers from the same part of the country were posted to return together. So, an infantry battalion mobilized in 1939 from Ontario and returning early, would have been filled with high-point soldiers from all regiments and corps who had opted for return to Ontario.

Low point score soldiers and volunteers were posted to the CAOF, again from any war-time unit in which they happened to be serving. While returning soldiers were allowed to remain in the their war-time uniforms, soldiers in the CAOF were obliged to adopt the uniform of their new regiment.

Cheers,
Dan.

Dan
I am posing two questions

Where were the 3 Canadian Division Artillery Regiments in the last week of the war? (I have traced the locations of the Infantry Battalions and the Recce Regiment)

Secondly where were the Gunner Regiments located in the CAOF era?

Any help you can give would be much appreciated

J,

I went to my Canadian artillery expert with your questions. Unfortunately he is out of the country at the moment and away from his references. From memory he was unable to provide anything concrete.

I'm going to add your questions to my 'list of things to look up.' Hopefully I'll be able to find something for you soon.

Cheers,
Dan.

Dan

Thank you for your offer

The only Canadian Gunner location I know for certain is Wilhelmshaven. A Canadian Regiment (exact title unknown) was on of the last CAOF units to leave Germany in May 1946.

My source is another of the Canadian archive documents you mentioned earlier

No problems over any delay in response, this project has been going for over two years now!!

Steve,

As a matter of fact I do have Appendix H to the report I cited. Years ago, before they were available for free download, I ordered a hard copy of the report. It came with Appendix H, which I've downloaded for you below.



The CAOF Zone is that area from Osnabruck in the south to Wilhelmshaven in the north.

I realize that the main map is hard to read at this size. If you would like a higher resolution copy just send me an e-mail and I will forward one to you.

Cheers,
Dan.

Many thanks I Corps District were south of Osnabrück and took over command of the area Sep 46 when 52nd (Lowland) Division and XXX Corps District disbanded...that is if the records are correct!
Regards
Steve

Dan

Fantastic

Now all we have to do is prove Regiment de la Chaudiere were based in Osnabruck in the CAOF era and named Quebec Barracks

Nice one JPW
One for your BARRACK NAMES IN SCHLESWIG HOLSTEIN - LUBECK Cambrai Barracks the Gordon Highlanders have a Battle Honour with that name!
Regards
Steve

Peter and Steve,

After the end of hostilities most of the Canadian Army units in Germany published unit histories for their members and for posterity. My club's library happens to have the publications produced by the 3rd Infantry Division's three Field Regiments and the LAA Regiment. I couldn't find anything for the A/T Regiment.

The details for the 8 May locations (and the sources) are:

12 Field was in Aurich ('Into Action With the 12th Field 1940-1945' by Capt TJ Bell, MC, No Date).

13 Field was in Westerloog ('The History of 13 Canadian Field Regiment, RCA, 1940-1945' by Lt WW Barrett, No Date).

14 Field was in Plaggenburg ('The History of the 14 Field Regiment, RCA, 1940-1945' by Lt GEM Ruffee, Sept 1945).

4 LAA was in Aurich ('History of 4th Canadian LAA Regiment WWII' No Author, No Date).

I'm still looking so if I find anything for 3 A/T Regiment, RCA, I'll let you guys know.

Cheers,
Dan.

Peter and Steve,

This was actually easier to find. There were several pages devoted to the artillery of the CAOF in Volume 2 of 'The Gunners of Canada' by GWL Nicholson. It's a standard reference here in the colonies, probably harder for you guys to find a copy 'over 'ome.

2/12 Field and 2/13 Field were initially quartered west of Varel. 2/14 Field was located at Rastede. 2/4th LAA's HQ was just outside Wilhelmshaven. 2/3 A/T was located from Varel to Sengwarden. Divisional Artillery HQ was located in Godens Schloss.

In August of 1945 the units went into winter quarters. (I'm guessing that this meant the early locations may have been totally or partially under canvas.) 1/12 Field, 2/3 A/T and 2/4th LAA were placed into Ebkeriege Barracks in Wilhelmshaven. Artillery HQ, 2/13 and 2/14 Field were located at Jever Airport. This was 10 miles NE of the Sea Base. The airport location was later renamed McNaughton Barracks. This was the units locations until the personnel were withdrawn for repatriation.

By the way, check out the District (Landkreis) of Friesland in Lower Saxony. It's almost an exact image of the Canadian occupation area in the map I have. Maybe it's possible that the Occupation authorities used the existing German political divisions to assign occupation zones. Just a thought.

Cheers,
Dan.

Steve,

Good news and bad news on this front. There was a regimental history of the Chaudières published in Europe after the war. The bad news is that it doesn't mention the 3rd Bn at all, just the 1st Bn.

I have no idea where the battalion was located, but I'm still looking.

IF, and it's a big IF, the Chaudières were located in a place called Quebec Barracks, it would have to have been a Canadian designation to honour the Regiment's home province. (If it was a British designation to commemorate the Battle of Quebec, there could have been trouble.)

Cheers,
Dan.