5th Canadian (Armoured) Division
 |
| 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division | |
|---|---|
 5th Canadian Armoured Division formation patch | |
| Active | 1939-1945 |
| Country | Canada |
| Allegiance | Allies |
| Branch | Canadian Army |
| Type | Armoured |
| Nickname(s) | The Mighty Maroon Machine |
| Engagements | Italian Campaign North-West Europe |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Bert Hoffmeister |
5th Canadian (Armoured) Division was a Canadian division during World War II. Following its redesignation from '1st Canadian Armoured Division', the bulk proceeded overseas in one main convoy, arriving in the UK at the end of November 1941.
The 5th Armoured spent two years of the war uneventfully in the UK, finally transferring to the Mediterranean in November 1943 to join I Canadian Corps. The division moved without its tanks and vehicles, inheriting heavily used equipment as a legacy from the British 7th Armoured Division who they relieved in Italy. The majority of the vehicles were completely worn out, having first been issued in North Africa or were two-wheel drive - useless in Italy. It took several months for the division to be fully equipped with new vehicles, including M4 Shermans. Only the 11th Infantry Brigade was committed prior to 31 Jaunuary, 1944.[citation needed]
The 5th Armoured took part in the Italian Campaign until the end of 1944 seeing notable action on the Hitler Line after the Allied breakthrough at Cassino in May 1944 and also during Operation Olive on the Gothic Line in August 1944. During the latter battle its single infantry brigade was augmented by a second, which was raised using reinforcements and units serving in other roles. Among them was 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards - 1st Canadian Division's armoured recce unit. As with other Allied armoured divisions in the Mediterranean, local resources were used to establish an additional infantry brigade, the 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade.[citation needed]
In January 1945, the division moved by truck, train, and naval transport to Belgium via Livorno and Marseille. After arriving, it disbanded the 12th Brigade, and re-equipped to join the First Canadian Army in time to participate in the final offensives across the Rhine.[citation needed]
Commanding officers
- Jun 1941 to Jan 1943 Major-General E.W. Sansom
- Jan 1943 to Oct 1943 Major-General C.R.S. Stein
- Oct 1943 to Jan 1944 Major-General G.G. Simonds
- Jan 1944 to Mar 1944 Major-General E.L.M. Burns
- Mar 1944 to Jun 1945 Major-General B.M. Hoffmeister
Formation
Organization until July 1944 and after March 1945
5th Canadian Armoured Brigade
- 2nd Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians))
- 5th Armoured Regiment (8th Princess Louise's (New Brunswick) Hussars)
- 9th Armoured Regiment (The British Columbia Dragoons)
- The Westminster Regiment (Motor)
11th Canadian Infantry Brigade
- 11th Independent Machine Gun Company
- The Perth Regiment
- The Cape Breton Highlanders
- The Irish Regiment of Canada
- The Governor General's Horse Guards
- 11 Canadian Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
Other Units
- 17th Field Regiment, RCA
- 8th Field Regiment (Self-Propelled), RCA
- 4th Anti-tank Regiment, RCA
- 5th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA
- "G" Squadron, 25th Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment (The Elgin Regiment), Royal Canadian Armoured Corps
- 1 Cdn Field Squadron, RCE
- 10 Cdn Field Squadron, RCE
- 4 Cdn Field Park Squadron, RCE
- 5th Canadian (Armoured) Divisional Signals, RCSigs
- No. 5 Provost Company, Canadian Provost Corps
Organization July 1944 until March 1945
5th Canadian Armoured Brigade
- 2nd Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians))
- 5th Armoured Regiment (8th Princess Louise’s (New Brunswick) Hussars)
- 9th Armoured Regiment (The British Columbia Dragoons)
11th Canadian Infantry Brigade
- 11th Independent Machine Gun Company (Princess Louise Fusiliers)
- The Perth Regiment
- The Cape Breton Highlanders
- The Irish Regiment of Canada
- 11 Canadian Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
12th Canadian Infantry Brigade (raised in August 1944)
- 12th Independent Machine Gun Company (Princess Louise Fusiliers)
- The Westminster Regiment (Motor)
- 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards (from 1st Canadian Infantry Division)
- The Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment (from Corps anti-aircraft assets)
- 3rd Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment (The Governor General's Horse Guards)
- 12 Canadian Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots)
Other Units
- 17th Field Artillery Regiment
- 8th Field Artillery Regiment (Self-Propelled)
- 4th Anti-tank Regiment
- 5th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
- "G" Squadron, 25th Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment (The Elgin Regiment), Royal Canadian Armoured Corps
- 1 Cdn Field Squadron, RCE
- 10 Cdn Field Squadron, RCE
- 4 Cdn Field Park Squadron, RCE
- 5th Canadian (Armoured) Divisional Signals, RCSigs
- No. 5 Provost Company, Canadian Provost Corps