From the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade War Diary:
June 14
"Beginning at 0900 hours, the brigade commander, Brig R A WYMAN, today conducted a conference of regimental and staff officers on lessons learned in operations to date. The three regimental commanders in turn outlined the story of the first week's fighting in NORMANDY, insofar as their respective units were concerned; squadron and troop commanders were called on, as became appropriate during the course of the CO's narratives, to describe actions in which they had been concerned. The pooling of information served not only to provide material for a synthesis of lessons learned, but to put all units of the brigade in the picture as to what each had accomplished or undergone. The conference was adjourned by the brigade commander at 1230 hours, to be resumed tomorrow morning."
June 15
"The conference on lessons learned during the first week of operations was continued this morning , with the locale, as yesterday, the lawn of the chief residence in the village. All troop leaders who contributed this morning to the pool of ideas were definite in their preference for a four-tank troop as against the three-tank troop provided by war establishment. All regimental officers were equally definite, speaking in the light of their experience to date, in preferring to share out the available Sherman VC's with 17pdr guns to the smallest sub-unit, on the basis of one per troop, rather than to concentrate them in 17pdr troops or 17pdr squadrons. Two troop commanders outlined a tactic which they had found workable ,- the use of a Sherman VC as a troop commander's vehicle, moving in rear of the three Sherman III's in a four-tank troop, and giving support to the other three tanks of the troop with the superior range, hitting power and armour-piercing performance of the 17pdr gun. The results of the two sessions, yesterday's and today's were summarized in conclusion by Col J F BINGHAM, Bde 2 i/c, and will be incorporated in a formal report to higher authority."
From the Fort Garry Horse War Diary:
June 15
"The meeting at 2 Canadian Armoured Brigade continued today. The decision was made all Squadrons would adopt the four tank troop organization as opposed to the three tank troop which has always been used in this Regiment. The Sherbrook Fusiliers have used the four tank troop with great satisfaction, and their experiences in the tactical handling of it as related to us will be invaluable. The best organization within this troop is thought to be 3 Sherman IIIs up (75mm) with the 1 Sherman V (17)pr in reserve carrying the Tp Ldr.
The meeting ended with Col Bingham summorizing the two morning lessons. Meeting of all Sqn ldrs and 2i/cs this afternoon to discuss new organization."
June 16
"All Squadrons reorganized on the four Tk Troop basis today. Some tactics were practised today, but when our movement drew enemy mortar fire on forward infantry positions, the training was discontinued."
From the Sherbrooke Fusilier War Diary:
June 21
"The Unit is now operating on a 49 tank basis. This gives each squadron 3 troops of 4 tanks with 3 tanks in Sqn HQ and the regular 4 tanks in RHQ. Most of the officers consider this a better organization as it is smaller and much easier for the Sqn commander to handle during battle."
From the First Hussars War Diary:
June 15
"The CO (LT-COL R.J.COLWELL) called the officers in for a discussion on troop tactics and exchange of ideas of handling the situation, which troop leaders had experienced."
July 13
"The Regt is nearly up to full strength in tanks and is being organized as follows: "RHQ" with the same four tanks and each fighting Sqn with four troops of four tanks each and "HQ" with three tanks, making a total of nineteen tanks for each Sqn."
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