The 11th Canadian Armoured (Ontario) Regiment

Discussion in 'Canadian' started by Uncle Target, Feb 25, 2021.

  1. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    In November 1944 "A" Squadron, was sent to relieve an American unit of the 88 Div on Monte Grande, along with the British 1st Infantry Division. Sharing Farm buildings with the RHQ of the 67th Field Regiment.
    They took over over the U.S. tanks in situ, as movement by armour over the snow-blocked mountain trails was impossible.
    No 9 Troop of 11 CAR commanded by Lt Black were attached to 67th Field Regt to provide artillery support with Harassing Fire. The 67th gave technical support to modify the tank guns and turret registration, providing equipment and instruction on how to control their fire in the same way as artillery.
    Below are two photographs believed to be Lt Black with some of his men at the rear of 67th FR RHQ at San Clemente.
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. Temujin

    Temujin Member

    Thank you for posting the photo’s. Below is from “The History of the Ontario Regiment” on that time period


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  3. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Thanks for the History it reveals things that I was unaware of but which match those of others. Put together they make an interesting story that I am working on.
    Those simple words "tank house" have cropped up again. I have them mapped on my crude sketch of the area as they are of great significance in other parts of the story.
    It might take me a while to sort but I will be in touch.
     
  4. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    The war diaries for the 11th Armoured Regiment (Ontario Regiment) for November 1944 start here if you need more details:

    War diaries : T-12704 - Héritage

    The take-over is mentioned starting on November 5th, 1944.
     
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  5. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    I could kick myself for not posting this thread earlier, It didnt occur to me that there were so many Canadians in the forum with interest in 11 CAR.
    My interest in them is (at the moment) very specific regarding their tenure at Monte Grande. I was surprised to find in #2 that they were manning tanks on various junctions and vulnerable points. These tanks were left behind by an American Unit (unknown at present) who were in or attached to the 88th (Blue Devils) Division and were unable to move due to the deteriorating weather conditions. None of the British or American reports, diaries or stories have mentioned them with exception of the 67th to whom one troop of 11 CAR were attached, (requesting and receiving technical assistance in using their guns as artillery) but they of course heavily influence one's assessment as to how the area was defended so effectively by 1st Infantry Division.
    I have sketched the location so many times pinpointing where I would place anti tank guns, machine guns etc having difficulty understanding why 1st Div didnt seem to do it, assuming that they must have been desperately under strength to ignore the positions. Now I know that there were tanks there, not knocked out but manned and mobile.
    It also came as a surprise that it was not mentioned to his family by one of the 67ths best known officers, who was born in Calgary.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2021
  6. Temujin

    Temujin Member

    I’ve already shared this with Chris “off line” but thought I’d post up some of the information from 1 Cdn Armoured Brigade war Diaries

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  7. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    I should read more about them. They're noteworthy in Canada for having a good collection of running vehicles and hosting multiple tank events a year at their museum site. It's not a patch on TankFest but it's the biggest live armoured vehicle event in Canada. One of the events is always "Aquino Day" which is in commemoration of a very tough day for the regiment in Italy.

    Battle of Aquino
     
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  8. Temujin

    Temujin Member

    Found “some” information on the US Forces being relieved, but still looking for the unit that “owned” the US tanks that the Canadian’s were “loaned”

    349th Infantry Regiment
    88th Infantry Division Blue Devils

    Historical Narratives 1944
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  9. Temujin

    Temujin Member

    Chris, I found the US Units. The TANKS (Shermans) belonged to the 760th Tank Battalion and the Tank Destroyers (M10) belonged to the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion.

    All from the 1st Cdn Armoured Brigade War Diaries.......I’ll also send you by e-mail more information that gives GR’s of all Tanks and Tank Destroyers

    Note: In next post 760 Tk Bn was part of 5th US Army - Army Troops
    805 TD Bn, was part of 2 Corps - Corps Troops


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    Cheers
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2021
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  10. Temujin

    Temujin Member

  11. Temujin

    Temujin Member

    From the History of the 5th US Army

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  12. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    So it seems that there was quite a Canadian commitment at Monte Grande.
    They left not long after 1st Division went to Palestine to rebuild the infantry brigades.

    The Indian Division moved into the area in the spring with their "Screw Guns" as the 8th Army advanced from the east to take the Po Valley.

    The Blue Devils in Italy, Farewell Screw Gun and The Impossible Victory were all recently read but the key is in the letters photographs, stories and albums of the men who were there. One day it may all come together, hopefully for the Centenary of WW2.

    There is a drone video of the area on YT with a short b&w shot of men appearing from a shelter I think one of them has a Canadian Cap badge. They follow the Boston Bye way opened up by the 88th Div.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2021
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