Carrier Assault?

[Steve Guthrie]

Hi there

Sorry if this is a repeat, but wasn't someone looking for this information? Hanno?

In the 17th Hussars (7th Recce) history, I found this tidbit:

"One of the jobs allotted the Regiment during this attack (Buron, Gruchy and Authie 9 July 1944) was the task of 'mopping up' as the Infantry overran enemy positions. For this Lt.Don Ayer was given command of all the carriers in 'B' Squadron's Scout troops. Unfortunately, the infantry were having a Hell of a time. At Buron, the Highland Light Infantry had already recieved 400 Casualtie, while at Gruchy, the S.D.G. had been stopped by very heavy machine gun fire just outside the town. Lt. Ayer, who, with his 15 or 16 carriers, was waiting for the SDG's to push on, saw this. So, without hesitation, he charged right through them, in real old cavalry style, right into the middle of an enemy Company position. With grenades and Bren guns (not to mention the 'Ayer pistol') firing at point blank range, they drove the enemy from his dugouts, killing dozens, wounding others and capturing 25 or 30 prisoners"

Steve

It's too bad that Gen. Dallaire didn't show such elan in the Congo.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Steve Guthrie
Sorry if this is a repeat, but wasn't someone looking for this information? Hanno?

Steve, never mind the repeat, it's fascinating stuff. I came across a similar posting by J.McGillivray on another forum which I posted in the thread Carrier charge at Gruchy. Also see Mark Tonner quote from Up The Johns!, The Story of The Royal Regina Rifles in the thread Regina Rifles Regiment.

H.

[Steve Guthrie]

Hi there

In case anyone is wondering, Lt. Ayer earned fame for pistol shooting when early on in Normandy, was incensed when the Germans attempted to recover a Panther from right under the noses of his Section. Unable to contact the gunners, he pulled his .380 revolver and engaged the enemy with all 6 rounds.

Steve

[John McGillivray]

The more I read about what the Canadian troops did during the two World Wars, the more blown away I become. My daughter is a student at McGill, so I have been getting her to take out books from the University Library for me. That is were I found the Regimental Histories of 2 Cdn HAA, 7th Recce etc. Books like these contain a lot more detail then that you would usually find in the histories on most book store selves.

An example of this is the counterattack by the Canadian Scottish at Putot on 8th June. The Canadian Scottish Companies were widely dispersed before they were sent to Putot. One company was in Vieux Cairon and was engaged in a fire fight with troops from the 25th SS Pz Gn Regt. They had to disengage from Vieux Cairon, make a forced march at quick time of about 10km with full combat order to get to Putot, when go directly into the attack against German troops of the 26th SS Pz Gn Regt. After they retook Putot, they had to consolidate their positions and repel two or three counterattacks by the 12th SS. These Canadians were not inferior troops!

Here is the link to the McGill Library.

http://aleph.mcgill.ca/F/?func=file%26file_name=start-1

If you type in “Regimental Histories” under Keyword Search you will find more then 500 listings.