Hi all, I joined this forum in hopes of finding more information on my great uncle. I have his dog tag (a red disc) and after applying to Library Archives with his service # I'd received his service records (in 2006) and although it was amazing to receive such a packet I still feel there are unanswered questions I have. I realize they may never be, but in any case I'm still exploring different avenues. Since this site is very new to me i'm not sure where to begin, so thought i would leave a message and maybe i'll get some reply's about which direction of these rooms to take. #29901 Tpr Malcom MacKenzie Died June 7th 1944 Hometown - Upper Musqudobit, Nova Scotia. Buried in Beny-sur-Mur France. He started with the Halifax Rifles, and I believe he was associated with the North Nova Highlanders and the Sherbrooke Fusiliers. Thanks in advance to anyone who may reply.
Browse North Nova Scotia Highlanders Search Details Trooper Malcolm Mackenzie of Upper Musquodoboit KIA France 7 June 1944 Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment - RCAC Corporal Malcom MacKenzie of Upper Musquodoboit - KIA France - Listed below (non official publication) - yet not in CWGC ? Listed As Casualties Left Same soldier? If different why not listed CWGC. Trooper locally promoted (not establishment) and listed as Trooper KIA - or some other explanation?
I have listed that above already ! Search Details Just wish to confirm that the photograph of Corporal Malcolm Mackenzie is the same soldier. Listed as Trooper in records.
Wow! Thanks guys. This is the first chance i've had to check back. I certainly appreciate all of your posts and research. I know he had used the rank of corporal and trooper. On the dog tag i have it was CPL and then it was etched over those letters with TPR. It also states in his records that he requested to go back to the rank of trooper. I'm unsure why this was. My biggest question I guess is trying to trace his footsteps to understand where abouts, or which part of the battle he was killed in, which tank he was assigned too...or what direction I can take to find that info. That photo provided, is in fact my Uncle Mack Thanks again, Lori in NS.
I haven't. I'll check out your link now. Thank you. Is there a way to know or be alerted to, if you have responses on this thread without just coming back to check?
Mackenzie Your uncle was almost certainly killed in or around Authie on June 7th. The Sherbrookes lost 21 men that day, including 6 who were murdered at the Abbaye d'ardenne by the 12th SS. He was not among that group. The Sherbrookes had 21 tanks destroyed on the 7th and 7 more damaged. A strong assumption that Trooper Mackenzie was in one of those crews. Any additional details you could supply on which tank, troop or commanders would be helpful. At 1410, "B" Squadron of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment made contact with the 6th Panzer Company east of Authie, and soon after, "A" Squadron to the west engaged the 5th Panzer Company. "A" Squadron lost two Shermans within minutes; Lieutenant Fitzpatrick moved his tank - the sole survivor of his troop - to a firing position south of Authie to find his breech mechanism had failed. When his tank was hit, two men were killed and a third wounded. Lieutenant Windsor's troop was also forced to withdraw, though his tank was also hit and his crew baled out, to be taken prisoner. "B" Squadron, with eleven tanks, engaged the 6th Company at several hundred yards range and exchanged fire successfully, knocking out several German tanks and forcing the other to withdraw. Attempting to advance, they ran into anti-tank obstacles and were bogged down, though they were able to extricate themselves after a few anxious minutes of exposure to anti-tank and artillery fire. The five survivors withdrew to Gruchy.The infantry attack on Authie went in behind the tanks, in a "V" formation, two companies "up" and one in reserve. The Canadian official history states succinctly that platoons of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, with some troops of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa and some tanks, "fought hard (in and around Authie) but were overrun; only a few men got away." At 1410, "B" Squadron of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment made contact with the 6th Panzer Company east of Authie, and soon after, "A" Squadron to the west engaged the 5th Panzer Company. "A" Squadron lost two Shermans within minutes; Lieutenant Fitzpatrick moved his tank - the sole survivor of his troop - to a firing position south of Authie to find his breech mechanism had failed. When his tank was hit, two men were killed and a third wounded. Lieutenant Windsor's troop was also forced to withdraw, though his tank was also hit and his crew baled out, to be taken prisoner. "B" Squadron, with eleven tanks, engaged the 6th Company at several hundred yards range and exchanged fire successfully, knocking out several German tanks and forcing the other to withdraw. Attempting to advance, they ran into anti-tank obstacles and were bogged down, though they were able to extricate themselves after a few anxious minutes of exposure to anti-tank and artillery fire. The five survivors withdrew to Gruchy. The infantry attack on Authie went in behind the tanks, in a "V" formation, two companies "up" and one in reserve. The Canadian official history states succinctly that platoons of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, with some troops of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa and some tanks, "fought hard (in and around Authie) but were overrun; only a few men got away."
This thread will you additional context and some idea of the intense combat on June 7th. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/nw-europe/37622-north-novas-buron-authie.html
