17th Duke of yorks Royal Canadian Hussars carriers

[John McGillivray]

Hello Stewart, welcome aboard.

This is from the unit history “AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT of the 7th Canadian Reconnaissance Regiment (17th DUKE OF YORK'S ROYAL CANADIAN HUSSARS) in the World War 1939 – 1945” By Capt. Walter G. Pavey


“FROM LEER TO THE NORTH SEA
On the morning of the 30th (April), with the Infantry holding a good bridgehead, the Regiment were given orders to move out in front of the Brigades once again and push on full speed ahead for the North Sea. The order of "March" was "B" Squadron LEFT, "A" Squadron RIGHT and "C" Squadron CENTRE.

The story of the Regiment from here until the end of the war, if it could be put down in terms of efforts exerted, would be very spectacular. However, the going was once again so slowed up by craters and water barriers that the telling makes poor reading.

During the advance from Leer to Oldersum on the left and the Ems Jade Canal on the right, the Regiment took some 250 prisoners and killed great numbers of Germans, over a period of 4 days.

The day before the war ended found "B" Squadron trying desperately to get to Emden through an absolute maze of canals; "C" Squadron waiting for the Engineers to build a bridge so that they could carry out their orders to push on to the North Sea and "A" Squadron, the most northerly troops of the 3rd Canadian Division, having a stiff fight with the enemy as they held the only two bridges over the Ems Jade canal giving access to Aurich. They had got up there after a day of brilliant manoeuver, only to find the old story of blown bridges covered by enemy fire. Unfortunately, though they had taken some 100 prisoners that day, they suffered casualties, themselves, losing Cpl. Morrison and Sgt. Dabbs to the Honour Roll. Shortly after this incident occurred, an envoy from Aurich appeared under a flag of truce and was conducted to 8th Brigade Headquarters. A few minutes later, the orders were given not to move on any further.”

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John