Canadian Motor Battalion using C15TA

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Julian Weber

Thank you so much. Operation Goldflake was a good hint. Found another one:

ttps://legionmagazine.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/PA-142073_Feb13-1945.jpg

Caption says: "Armoured truck of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division crossing the Guillotiers Bridge over the Rhone River during Operation Goldflake."
Source: https://legionmagazine.com/en/2012/0...te-february-2/

The current URL of this article: https://legionmagazine.com/on-this-date-february-2/

IMG_6450.jpeg
Armoured truck of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division crossing the Guillotiers Bridge over the Rhone River during Operation Goldflake.
13 February 1945
PHOTO: BARRY G. GILROY, DND, LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA PA-142073

I read that most if not all bridges in Lyon over the rivers were demolished by the retreating German Army in September 1944. The pont de la Guillotière was no exception. But the US Army Engineers were able to lay a Bailey bridge over the collapsed section so it could be used again. This French webpage describes the destruction of the bridges in Lyon: https://museemilitairelyon.com/2021/...lyon-detruits/

The caption led me to the record at the LAC: http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redire...01520&lang=eng, sadly there is "No digital object". But the Context of this record lead me to a pdf file containing a few pictures which could be the one in question. The photo sown above is on the right side, it is also featured in Gregg’s book. The photo on the left shows another C15TA towing the largest trailer I have seen behind one.

General Motors 15cwt. armoured truck of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division crossing the Guillotiers Bridge over the Rhone River during Operation 'Goldflake'
Date: c.a.20 Mar 1945
1 Can Corps en route through France.jpg