My father, Don (John Donihee) Mateer, RCE

[John McGillivray]

Originally Posted by Mark W. Tonner

On approx 30 Sep 44, the 'Divisional Enginners' (of which 9th Canadian Field Squadron, R.C.E. were a part) of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division, were operating in the area about Bergen-Op-Zoom, The Netherlands.

I thought that the 4CAD only reached Bergen-op-Zoom on the 27th of October. At the end of September they should have being in the area south of the Scheldt.

Some additional information

8th to 10th Sept. – Crossing of Ghent Canal at Moerbrugge Belgium by 4th Canadian Armoured Division. Bridge completed over the Ghent Canal by first light on 10 Sept. The bridge site was heavy shelled by the Germans during construction.

13th Sept. – 4CAD attempt to break into the Breskens Pocket across the double canal at Moerkerkke. The Algonquin Regt. was able to cross the canals; however, the 9th Field Sqn. was unable to build a bridge due to heavy resistance by the Germans.

13th Oct. – 8th and 9th Field Sqns build a 120ft bridge across the Leopold Canal at Strooibrug Belgium.