First Canadian Armoured Brigade

[Michael Boire]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am writing the operational history of the First Canadian Armoured Brigade (1CAB) in World War 2, and I need your support.
Though nearly ten thousand young Canadians served in the Brigade's thirteen units , its story has yet to be told. This history will set the record straight.
There is much to tell about the performance of 1CAB. No other brigade in the Canadian Army, infantry or armoured, saw more action. 1 CAB's tank squadrons fought for 532 of a possible 657 combat days from 10 July (Invasion of Sicily) to 8 May 45 (V.E. Day). Though 1CAB never fought in a battle as a complete formation, it did support Canadian, British, New Zealand, and American units in every Allied offensive fought in Sicily and Italy. In Northwest Europe, 1CAB arrived at the end of the campaign but took part in many of the decisive operations mounted by First Canadian Army in 1945, where once again it supported various Commonwealth formations.
Because their recollections are a key element in the story, I would be honored to speak or correspond with any of the Brigade's veterans prepared to share their experiences. They fought a long war against a resolute enemy in three very different places: Sicily, Italy and Northwest Europe. I need to capture the meaning of that experience through their reminiscences. Information from relatives of veterans would be important contributions, as well. The Brigade's units are listed below the signature block.
In addition, recommendations from students of Canada's military history on books to read, archives to visit, and personalities to interview would be most welcome. I am interested in all aspects of 1CAB as well as any wider issues influencing its performance. All contributions are welcome. My numbers and addresses are below. Thank you for your support in telling this great story of brave Canadians serving their country on distant battlefields long ago.

Major Michael Boire, C.D., M.A., bems/ESG.
Assistant Professor, History Department
Royal Military College of Canada
PO Box 17000, Station Forces
Kingston Ontario, Canada K7K 7B4
Tel: (613)-541-6000 x 8781
Fax: (613)-536-4801 E- mail: "boire-m@rmc.ca"

These units formed the First Canadian Armoured brigade (1 CAB):

Headquarters Squadron, 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade (1CAB)
The Ontario Regiment (11 Canadian Armoured Regiment)
The Three Rivers Regiment (12 Canadian Armoured Regiment)
The Calgary Regiment (14 Canadian Armoured Regiment)
1 CAB Signals (Royal Canadian Corps of Signals)
1 CAB Company, 83 Company RCASC (Royal Canadian Army Service Corps)
2 Light Field Ambulance RCAMC (Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps)
1 CAB Workshop (RCEME) (Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers)
1CAB Ordnance Field Park (Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps)
1 Canadian Heavy Recovery Section (RCEME)
1 Canadian Tank Troops Workshop (RCEME)
A Squadron, 25 Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment
1 Canadian Assault Troop, Canadian Armoured Corps