4th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery

Discussion in 'Canadian' started by Kurt Johnson, Apr 1, 2020.

  1. Kurt Johnson

    Kurt Johnson Active Member

    Hi -- I am looking for information about this unit's battle activities around Amersroot-Nijkerk where his task force encountered tough enemy defensive action. Lance-Sergeant Roy Barber (who survived the war) was awarded the Queen of the Netherlands Bronze Cross for his initiative and courageous action in this operation on 18 April 1945. While I have a copy of the recommendation describing the action, I am unsure of what significance this had in the scheme of things. It describes "his troop" -- not sure what size of force he commanded?
    Anyone who is familiar with this incident could be helpful in my understanding of what transpired.
    Cheers Kurt Johnson, Burnstown, Ontario, Canada
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. Kurt Johnson

    Kurt Johnson Active Member

    thanks so much
     
  3. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Kurt - Do you have the full text of the recommendation?

    Got a couple of (Dutch) books about actions in that area.
     
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  4. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

  5. Kurt Johnson

    Kurt Johnson Active Member

    yes, thanks, I found the recommendation -- good. Kurt
     
  6. Kurt Johnson

    Kurt Johnson Active Member

  7. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    I will post the war diary entries for 4th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment, RCA and each of its batteries for April 18, 1945 tomorrow.
     
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  8. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Dryan - They were attached to the Cape Breton Highlanders on the 18th; the War Diary of this battalion also might contain some info as well.
     
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  9. Kurt Johnson

    Kurt Johnson Active Member

    yes I was able to find that on a great Dutch website. thx
     
  10. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

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  11. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here is the war diary for the Cape Breton Highlanders for April 18, 1945:

    DSCF0458.jpg DSCF0459.jpg
     
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  12. Kurt Johnson

    Kurt Johnson Active Member

  13. Kurt Johnson

    Kurt Johnson Active Member

    I don't see a reference to 4th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment which is l/Sgt Barber's unit. The action was concentrated on Amersfoort.
     
  14. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    If you are referring to the Cape Breton Highlanders war diary, I posted this because of the quoted post.
     
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  15. Kurt Johnson

    Kurt Johnson Active Member

    thx so much, bud.
     
  16. Kurt Johnson

    Kurt Johnson Active Member

    thx bud
     
  17. klambie

    klambie Senior Member

    Best detail seems to be here, from 98 Bty Diary:
    War diaries : T-16715 - Héritage

    Appears this was completely a 4 A/Tk Regt show:
    Five Troops of guns from 98 and 82 (SP) Btys (four guns to a Tp)
    Gunners from 16 (Towed) Bty as infantry
    Task force operating independent of other units, under Div control
    H Troop of 82 Bty leads
    You mention via PM his gun was 'Helene', implying he was H Tp

    You can confirm Barber was 82 Bty:
    A/Bdr Barber in 82 Bty Orders
    War diaries : T-16715 - Héritage
    Appointed L/Sgt in 4 A/Tk Regt Orders
    War diaries : T-16715 - Héritage
     
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  18. Kurt Johnson

    Kurt Johnson Active Member


    Hi Kevin: Thanks so much for your great research. I mentioned the story of Helene name for his tank because his sister Joyce said it was a family joke that he married a Helen, the same name as his tank he drove. I understand it was a M-10 tank destroyer -- the recommendation for his Bronze Cross talked about the gun jammed and he got out of his compartment in the open exposed to enemy fire. I recall there were 4 Bys in that Regt. So his rank was first Acting Bombardier -- correct? --- then promoted before this action to L/Sgt. Very interesting to me. Thx again. Kurt
     

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