Alligators and Buffaloes

[John McGillivray]

In CMHQ report 188 it states that the Buffaloes used in the Scheldt by 9th CIB were from the 5th Assault Regiment RE of the 1st Assault Brigade, and not from 11th RTR.

Para 128

“128. Actually 9 Cdn Inf Bde had transported the necessary complement of tracked landing vehicles some 40 slow and tedious miles to the docks north of Ghent, where training with these unfamiliar "vehicle-craft", or buffaloes, on the Terneuzen Canal began in some haste on 6 Oct. Allotting the appropriate assault scales was no small problem. The solution gave each of the two forward infantry battalions six L.Vs.T. Mk II to carry personnel, and 39 or 40 Mk IVs for smaller vehicles. Similar allotments were made for Tactical and Main Brigade Headquarters, one heavy mortar platoon and one machine gun company. Nothing larger than a carrier could be taken aboard and in personnel strength companies were limited to 90, including their officers. The force was divided into four groups: the Assault Group, comprising Nth N.S. Highrs, H.L.I. of C. and Tactical Brigade Headquarters; the Follow-Up Group, with S.D. & G. Highrs, one platoon of "D" Coy, C.H. of O. (M.G.) and their 4.2-inch mortars, "C" Coy C.H. of O. (M.G.), and Main Brigade Headquarters; the Build-Up Group including one company of 23 Cdn Fd Amb and the rest of the jeeps, carriers and anti-tank guns; and the Residue Group. (See Appx "A" to this report.) Both the equipment and the specialized assistance required were supplied by 5 Aslt Regt R.E. of 1 Aslt Bde (79 Armd Div) which had the task of landing 9 Cdn Inf Bde on the beaches. Additional sappers of 18 Cdn Fd Coy R.C.E. and 149 Aslt Pk Sqn R.E. were to be responsible for preparing and maintaining exits from the beaches for vehicles, marking the routes, fixing beacons and making smoke. (Battle Narrative, Historical Officer, H.Q. 3 Cdn Inf Div.)”

From APPENDIX "A"

9 Cdn Inf Bde Gp
H.L.I. of C.
Nth N.S. Highrs
S.D. & G. Highrs

(a) With Under Command
"C" Coy, C.H. of O. (M.G.)
One platoon "D" Coy, C.H. of O. (M.G.)
One section 18 Cdn Fd Coy
One company 23 Cdn Fd Amb
One platoon, R.C.A.S.C.

(b) In Support
15 Cdn Fd Regt, R.C.A.
19 Cdn Army Fd Regt (S.P.), R.C.A.
10 Med Regt with u/c 20 Bty of 59 Hy Regt (155 mm guns)
342 H.A.A. Bty and C.T.P. 557 S.L. Bty
5 Aslt Regt, R.E. of 1 Aslt Bde
Elements 149 Aslt Bde

http://www.forces.gc.ca/dhh/downloads/cmhq/cmhq188.pdf