Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regmt D-Day

[Stevenn]

Hi all.

Can anyone confirm number of tanks and organisation of Sherbrooke Fusiliers on D-day?
Apologies if this sounds like a repeat of previous threads.

I have read previous threads/posts and have my own primary documents which pose a number of questions:

1. War Diary of Fort Garry Horse June 1944 for 15 June makes reference to FGH switching to 4 tank troop based on "Sherbrooke Fusiliers have used 4 tank troop with great satisfaction" which implies the Sherbrookes used this formation earlier in the month. So was this organisation used from D-Day?

2. I have Loading list from D-day LCTS for Sherbrook Fusiliers from War Diary and it is slightly different to a list posted from Gilbert's book 'Bloody Buron' in another thread.
Main difference is LCT 1723 which shows a recovery tank instead of 2 Humber scout cars per Gilbert. With 6 Sherman MkIII, a Vc, a 15cwt vehicle and a 5 cwt car as well in LCT (plus ARV), is it possible that this LCT is theoretically overloaded?

On first reading loading list, I read it as 5 x Sherman mk 111 as the 5 is indistinct on my copy and could either be a 5 or 6. There are also 5 porpoises and only 41 personnel....

Any light anyone can shine on these questions would be appreciated.

Cheers

Steve

[maple_leaf_eh]

Steve:

As a former member of the Sherbrooke Hussars, which perpetuates the Sherbrooke Fusiler Regiment, I am pleased that you have taken such a close interest in its wartime history.

Have you read the Jackson book on the 27th Armoured? It is a red cloth covered hardcover privately published in the early 1960's. Some of your answers may be found there.

FWIW, Sherman tank Bomb is undergoing repaint and minor repairs before it will be relocated to the armouries at 315 William Street in late September. It had been on display in a municipal park where it was vandalized on schedule every 24th of June (the nationalist French-Canadian holiday).

[c dressel]

Hi Terry,
Just wondering what holiday june 24 is, the only one I can thinkof is in May

[Stevenn]

Hi Terry

I have not read this regimental history and a quick internet search Abe/Stone etc shows it to not be available.
In the past regimental histories I have bought have often been frustrating in their lack of information, but I would pursue a copy of Jackson if it had info I am seeking.

It is clear from my reading and research that 2CAB and 4 CAB's role in Normandy has been largely unrecognised (outside of Canada!). They bore a lot of fighting, were not always the best led or trained and suffered heavy casualties as a consequence. Bit like the Australians in North Africa...

For example 4CAB had no exercises after Mar 44 and then BCR were expected to breakthrough German lines and seize Pt 195 at night during Totalize.0

Alos SFR were not at full strength at Authie on 7 June as some tanks had only just come ashore from LSTs, so their performance is even more significant in giving 12th SS a bloody nose.

Cheers

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by c dressel

Hi Terry,
Just wondering what holiday june 24 is, the only one I can thinkof is in May

You are too much of an Ontario Wasp! St-Jean Baptiste is the big beat-the-chest pi$$-up day for waving blue Quebec flags and bragging about their downtrodden history. And I can say these things because I was born in the province and still have a nonresident vote.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Stevenn

Hi Terry

I have not read this regimental history and a quick internet search Abe/Stone etc shows it to not be available.

In the past regimental histories I have bought have often been frustrating in their lack of information, but I would pursue a copy of Jackson if it had info I am seeking.

It is clear from my reading and research that 2CAB and 4 CAB's role in Normandy has been largely unrecognised (outside of Canada!). They bore a lot of fighting, were not always the best led or trained and suffered heavy casualties as a consequence. Bit like the Australians in North Africa...

For example 4CAB had no exercises after Mar 44 and then BCR were expected to breakthrough German lines and seize Pt 195 at night during Totalize.0

Alos SFR were not at full strength at Authie on 7 June as some tanks had only just come ashore from LSTs, so their performance is even more significant in giving 12th SS a bloody nose.

Cheers

One thread to pick up is the history of Sherman tank Bomb. She landed on DDay and survived through to VEDay. Once you find references to her, you will start to learn the names and personalities of the SFR.