1st Canadian Parachute Battalion#Operation Varsity
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion
| abbreviation =
| image = File:Memorial-1stCanadianParaBattalion-3-Varaville.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Plaque in Varaville commemorating the battalion. The battalion's cap badge is on the top left corner
| dates = 1942–1945
| country = Canada
| branch = Canadian Army
| type = Airborne forces
| role = Parachute infantry
| size = Battalion
| command_structure = 3rd Parachute Brigade (United Kingdom)
| equipment =
| ceremonial_chief =
| colonel_of_the_regiment =
| notable_commanders = {{plainlist|
- H.D. Proctor, July 1, 1942–Sept. 7, 1942
- G.F.P. Bradbrooke, 1942–1944
- Jeff Nicklin 1944–1945
}}
| identification_symbol =
| identification_symbol_2 =
| nickname = 1 Can Para
| patron =
| motto =
| colors = Maroon beret
| march =
| mascot =
| battles = {{plainlist|
}}
| anniversaries =
| decorations =
| battle_honours = {{flatlist|
- Normandy Landing
- Dives Crossing
- The Rhine
- North-West Europe, 1944–1945
}}
The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was an airborne infantry battalion of the Canadian Army formed in July 1942 during the Second World War; it served in North West Europe, landing in Normandy during Operation Tonga, in conjunction with the D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 and in the airborne assault crossing of the River Rhine, Operation Varsity, in March 1945. After the end of hostilities in Europe, the battalion was returned to Canada where it was disbanded on 30 September 1945.{{Cite web|title=www.canadiansoldiers.com|url=https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/organization/specialforces/1_can_para.htm|access-date=2022-01-19|website=www.canadiansoldiers.com}}
By the end of the war the battalion had gained a remarkable reputation: they never failed to complete a mission, and they never gave up an objective once taken. They are the only Canadians to participate in the Battle of the Bulge and had advanced deeper than any other Canadian unit into enemy territory.Horn, Bernd. Bastard Sons, and Examination of Canada's Airborne Experience 1942–1995. Vanwell Publishing Limited, 2001 Despite being a Canadian Army formation, it was assigned to the British 3rd Parachute Brigade, a British Army formation, which was itself assigned to the British 6th Airborne Division.
Early history
File:1stCdnParachuteBattalionMay1944.jpg transit camp, England, May 1944]]
Colonel E. L. M. Burns was the leading mind behind the creation of a Canadian parachute battalion and fought endlessly for its creation.Horn, Bernd. (1999). A Question of Relevance. Canadian Military History. 8, 27–38. The idea was denied several times because of its lack of relevance in regards to the home army. Burns suggested that the paratroopers would serve as a good way of transporting troops into obscure parts of Canada if a German invasion were to occur. It was not until the stunning accomplishments of the German {{lang|de|Fallschirmjäger}}, and the creation of British and American parachute regiments, that Canada's military granted Burns' request.
On 1 July 1942 the Department of National Defence authorized the raising of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. The battalion had an authorized strength of 26 officers and 590 other ranks, formed into a battalion headquarters, three rifle companies and a headquarters company.{{cite web
| author = History Staff
| title = 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, 6th Airborne Division
| publisher = 89FSS World War Two Re-enactment Group
| year = 2007
| url = http://www.89fss.com/affiliated/1canpara.htm
| access-date = 10 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090106175253/http://www.89fss.com/affiliated/1canpara.htm
| archive-date = 6 January 2009
| url-status = dead
}}{{cite web|title=junobeach|date=21 February 2014 |url=http://www.junobeach.org/e/4/can-tac-par-e.htm}} Later in the year, volunteers were also requested for the recently formed 2nd Canadian Parachute Battalion, which formed the Canadian contingent of the 1st Special Service Force.
The initial training was carried out at Fort Benning in the United States and at RAF Ringway in England. Groups of recruits were dispatched to both countries with the intention of getting the best out of both training systems prior to the development of the Canadian Parachute Training Wing at CFB Shilo, Manitoba. The group that travelled to Fort Benning in the United States included the unit's first commanding officer, Major H. D. Proctor, who was killed in an accident when his parachute rigging lines were severed by a following aircraft. He was replaced by Lieutenant-Colonel G. F. P. Bradbrooke, who led the battalion until the end of operations in Normandy on 14 June 1944.
England
File:James Hill A179678-v6.jpg (right), commander of the 3rd Parachute Brigade, briefs officers of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, Carter Barracks, Bulford, England, 6 December 1943.]]
In July 1943, the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was dispatched to England and came under the command of the 3rd Parachute Brigade of the British 6th Airborne Division. The battalion then spent the next year in training for airborne operations. Major differences between their previous American training and the new regime included jumping with only one parachute, and doing it through a hole in the floor of the aircraft, instead of through the door of a C-47 Dakota.
Operation Overlord
{{Further|Operation Tonga|Battle of Merville Gun Battery}}
On the evening on 5 June 1944 the battalion was transported to France in fifty aircraft. Each man carried a knife, toggle rope, escape kit with French currency, and two 24-hour ration packs in addition to their normal equipment, in all totalling 70 pounds. The battalion landed one hour in advance of the rest of the brigade in order to secure the Drop zone (DZ). Thereafter they were ordered to destroy road bridges over the river Dives and its tributaries at Varaville, then neutralize strongpoints at the crossroads.
In addition, the Canadians were to protect the left (southern) flank of the 9th Battalion, Parachute Regiment during that unit's attack on the Merville Battery, afterwards seizing a position astride the Le Mesnil crossroads, a vital position at the centre of the ridge.
Lieutenant-Colonel Bradbrooke issued the following orders to his company commanders:
{{Quote box
| quote =C Company (Major H.M. MacLeod) was to secure the DZ, destroy the enemy headquarters (HQ), secure the SE corner of the DZ, destroy the radio station at Varaville, and blow the bridge over the Divette stream in Varaville. C Coy would then join the battalion at Le Mesnil cross roads.
A Company (Major D. Wilkins) would protect the left flank of 9th Btn during their attack on the Merville Battery and then cover 9th Battalion's advance to the Le Plein feature. They would seize and hold the Le Mesnil cross roads.
B Company (Major C. Fuller) was to destroy the bridge over the river Dives within two hours of landing and deny the area to the enemy until ordered to withdraw to Le Mesnil cross roads.
| width = 80%
| align = center
}}
The battalion landed between 0100 and 0130 hours on June 6, becoming the first Canadian unit on the ground in France. For different reasons, including adverse weather conditions and poor visibility, the soldiers were scattered, at times quite far from the planned drop zone. By mid-day, and in spite of German resistance, the men of the battalion had achieved all their objectives; the bridges on the Dives and Divette in Varaville and Robehomme were cut, the left flank of the 9th Parachute Battalion at Merville was secure, and the crossroads at Le Mesnil was taken. In the following days, the Canadians were later involved in ground operations to strengthen the bridgehead and support the advance of Allied troops towards the Seine River.
On 23 August 1944 Lieutenant-Colonel Bradbrooke was appointed to the General Staff at Canadian Military Headquarters in London with Major Eadie taking temporary control of the battalion. Three days later, on 26 August 1944, the 6th Airborne Division was pulled from the line in Normandy. 27 officers and 516 men from the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion took part in the Battle of Normandy and the unit suffered 367 casualties. Of those casualties, 5 officers and 76 men were killed or died of wounds. The unit had to be re-organized and retrained in order to regain its strength and combat-readiness. The Battle of Normandy had brought a major change to the way the war was fought. Airborne troops needed new training to prepare for an offensive role, including street fighting and capturing enemy positions. On 6 September the battalion left Normandy and returned to the Bulford training camp in the United Kingdom. While there, Lieutenant-Colonel Jeff Nicklin became battalion commander.
In December 1944, the battalion was again sent to mainland Europe—on Christmas Day they sailed for Belgium, to counter the German offensive in the Ardennes what became known as the Battle of the Bulge.
The Ardennes and Holland
{{Main|Battle of the Bulge}}
Image:C-47 transport planes release hundreds of paratroops.jpg
On 2 January 1945, the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was again committed to ground operations on the continent, arriving at the front during the last days of the Battle of the Bulge. They were positioned to patrol during both day and night and defend against any enemy attempts to infiltrate their area. The battalion also took part in a general advance, taking them through the towns of Aye, Marche, Roy and Bande. The capture of Bande marked the end of the fight for the Bulge and the battalion's participation in the operation.
The battalion was next moved into the Netherlands in preparation for the crossing of the River Rhine. They were active in carrying out patrols and raids and to establish bridge heads where and when suitable. Despite the heavy shelling of the Canadian positions, there were very few casualties considering the length of time they were there and the strength of the enemy positions. During this time, the battalion maintained an active defence as well as considerable patrol activity until its return to the United Kingdom on 23 February.
On 7 March, the battalion returned from leave to start training for what would be the last major airborne operation of the war, Operation Varsity, the crossing of the Rhine.
Operation Varsity
{{Main|Operation Varsity}}
The 17th U.S. Airborne and 6th British Airborne divisions were tasked to capture Wesel across the Rhine River, to be completed as a combined paratrooper and glider operation conducted in daylight.
The 3rd Parachute Brigade was tasked
- To clear the drop zone (DZ) and establish a defensive position road at the west end of the DZ.
- To seize the Schnappenburg feature astride the main road running north and south of this feature.
File:Canadian Army Photographers 1st Canadian Parachutes Battalion.jpg attached to the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion.]]
1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was ordered to seize and hold the central area on the western edge of the woods, where there was a main road running north from the Wesel to Emmerich, and to a number of houses. It was believed this area was held by German paratroopers. "C" Company would clear the northern part of the woods near the junction of the roads to Rees and Emmerich. Once this area was secure, "A" Company would advance through the position and seize the houses near the DZ. "B" Company would clear the South-Western part of the woods and secure the battalion's flank. Despite some of the paratroopers being dropped some distance from their landing zone, the battalion managed to secure its objectives quickly. The battalion lost its commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Jeff Nicklin, who was killed during the initial jump on 24 March 1945. Following the death of Nicklin, the last unit commander was Lieutenant-Colonel G.F. Eadie until the battalion's disbandment.
The outcome of this operation was the defeat of the German I Parachute Corps in a day and a half. In the following 37 days, the battalion advanced {{convert|285|mi|km|disp=flip}} as part of the British 6th Airborne Division, encountering the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on 15 April.{{cite book|last=Celinscak|first=Mark|title=Distance from the Belsen Heap: Allied Forces and the Liberation of a Concentration Camp|year=2015|publisher=University of Toronto Press|location=Toronto|isbn=9781442615700}}
The battalion took the city of Wismar on 2 May to prevent Soviet troops from advancing further west in their attempt to occupy Denmark.
{{Cite news
| author = Star Staff
| title = Great Confusion In Costal Area
| work = The Montreal Star
| publisher = The Montreal Star Company Limited
| issn = 0842-1331
| page = 4
| date = 3 May 1945
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montreal-star-great-confusion-in-coa/172163516/
| access-date = 11 May 2025
| via = Newspapers.com
{{Cite news
| author = AP Staff
| title = Nazi Resistance Collapses In Entire Baltic Pocket
| work = The Province
| publisher = Southam Inc.
| location = Vancouver
| issn = 0839-3311
| agency = The Associated Press
| page = 1
| date = 3 May 1945
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-province-nazi-resistance-collapses-i/172169294/
| access-date = 11 May 2025
| via = Newspapers.com
{{Cite news
| last1 = Worthington
| first1 = Peter
| author-link = Peter Worthington
| title = Salute to 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion
| work = The Kingston Whig-Standard
| publisher = Sun Media
| location = Kingston, Ontario
| issn = 1197-4397
| page = 9
| date = 4 October 2010
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kingston-whig-standard-salute-to-1st/172257200/
| access-date = 12 May 2025
| via = Newspapers.com
}} It was at Wismar that the battalion met up with the Red Army (the only Canadian army unit to do so during hostilities, other than a Canadian Film and Photo Unit detachment).
{{Cite book
| last1 = Conlin
| first1 = Dan
| title = War Through the Lens: The Canadian Army Film and Photo Unit 1941-1945
| publisher = Seraphim Editions
| location = Niagara Falls, Canada
| year = 2015
| pages = 133, 135-136
| isbn = 978-1927079379
| url = https://canadianfilmandphotounit.ca/2015/06/06/war-through-the-lens-by-dan-conlin-by-dan-conlin/
{{Cite news
| author = Star Staff
| title = Canadians link with Russians
| work = Toronto Daily Star
| publisher = Toronto Star Limited
| issn = 0319-0781
| page = 1
| date = 3 May 1945
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-canadians-link-with-rus/171597438/
| access-date = 3 May 2025
| via = Newspapers.com
}} Germany surrendered unconditionally on 8 May and the battalion stayed in Wismar for two more weeks, before being flown back to England.
{{Cite news
| author = Herald Staff
| title = 'Toopy's' V.C.
| work = The Calgary Herald
| publisher = Southam Inc.
| page = 2
| date = 4 October 1945
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/calgary-herald-toppys-vc/172160404/
| access-date = 11 May 2025
| via = Newspapers.com
}}
The 1056 members of the battalion sailed for Canada on {{SS|Île de France}} on 31 May 1945, and arrived in Halifax on 20 June.
{{Cite news
| author = CP Staff
| title = 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Home As Unit
| work = The Hamilton Spectator
| publisher = Southam Inc.
| location = Hamilton, Ontario
| issn = 1189-9417
| agency = The Canadian Press
| date = 20 June 1945
| page = 10
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-1st-canadian-para/172156712/
| access-date = 11 May 2025
| via = Newspapers.com
}} They returned as a unit and were the first group to return to Canada as such a military entity.
{{Cite news
| last1 = Thomas
| first1 = Syd
| title = Parachute Battalion Is Given Happy Welcome
| work = The Windsor Evening Star
| publisher = The Star Publishing Company of Windsor Limited
| location = Windsor, Ontario
| issn = 0839-2277
| agency = The Canadian Press
| page = 9
| date = 21 June 1945
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-windsor-star-parachute-battalion-is/172157784/
| access-date = 11 May 2025
| via = Newspapers.com
}} They paraded through Halifax that day, and about 330 of them returned to Toronto and paraded from Union Station to the University Avenue Armouries.
{{Cite news
| author = Star Staff
| title = Canada's Heroic Paratroopers Are Welcomed To Toronto
| work = Toronto Daily Star
| publisher = Toronto Star Limited
| issn = 0319-0781
| edition = Home and Sport
| page = 1
| date = 23 June 1945
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-canadas-heroic-paratro/172159919/
| access-date = 11 May 2025
| via = Newspapers.com
Battle honours
Long after the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was disbanded, the Canadian Airborne Regiment was granted the perpetuation of both the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion and the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion (was also known as the 2nd Canadian Parachute Battalion: the Canadian component of the First Special Service Force aka The Devil's Brigade) and consequently was granted the following battle honours:
= 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion =
- Normandy Landing
- Dives Crossing
- The Rhine
- North-West Europe 1944-1945{{Cite web|last=Defence|first=National|date=2018-02-16|title=Perpetuations|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/history-heritage/official-military-history-lineages/lineages/regiments-perpetuations.html|access-date=2022-01-20|website=www.canada.ca}}
Victoria Cross
One member of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, Corporal Frederick George Topham, a medical orderly, was awarded the Victoria Cross.
{{Cite news
| author = Citizen Staff
| title = Toronto Medical Orderly Given VC For Treating Casualties Under Fire
| work = The Evening Citizen
| publisher = Southam Inc.
| location = Ottawa
| issn = 0839-3222
| date = 3 August 1945
| page = 3
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-1945-cpl-topham-fred-r/162411813/
| access-date = 11 May 2025
| via = Newspapers.com
}} The Toronto native was the eleventh and youngest Canadian Victoria Cross winner in the Second World War.
{{Cite news
| last1 = Karr
| first1 = Jack
| title = I'll go into hiding until this blows over–New V.C.
| work = Toronto Daily Star
| publisher = Toronto Star Limited
| issn = 0319-0781
| date = 3 August 1945
| page = 3
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-1945-cpl-topham-fred-r/162411813/
| access-date = 11 May 2025
| via = Newspapers.com
}} His life-saving actions in the drop zone, while under intense gun fire, and while badly wounded, saved the life of at least one paratrooper.
{{Cite news
| author = CP Staff
| title = Youngest V.C.
| work = The Winnipeg Tribune
| publisher = Southam Inc.
| agency = The Canadian Press
| page = 8
| date = 3 August 1945
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-winnipeg-tribune-youngest-vc/172151471/
| access-date = 11 May 2025
| via = Newspapers.com
}} This heroic action occurred east of the Rhine river, near Wesel, Germany, on 24 March 1945.
{{Cite web
| last1 = Stewart
| first1 = Iain
| title = The Victoria Cross and other campaign medals awarded to corporal Frederick Topham, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, have been saved for the Canadian nation
| work = THE VICTORIA CROSS: BRITAIN'S HIGHEST AWARD FOR GALLANTRY
| location = London
| date = 6 February 2005
| url = http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbtopham.htm
| access-date = 11 May 2025
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250216093305/http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbtopham.htm
| archive-date = 16 February 2025
| url-status = live
}}
See also
Notable people
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
- {{Cite book
| last1 = Boegel
| first1 = Gary
| title = Boys of the Clouds: An Oral History of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion 1942–45
| publisher = Trafford Publishing
| location = Victoria, British Columbia
| year = 2005
| isbn = 978-1412059411
| url = https://www.amazon.ca/Boys-Clouds-Parachute-Battalion-1942-1945/dp/1412059410
}}
- {{Cite book
| last1 = Hartigan
| first1 = Dan
| title = A Rising of Courage: Canada's Paratroops in the Liberation of Normandy
| publisher = Drop Zone Publishers
| location = Calgary
| year = 2000
| isbn = 978-1894255066
| url = https://www.amazon.ca/Rising-Courage-Paratroops-Liberation-Normandy/dp/1894255062/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&sr=1-1
}}
- {{Cite book
| last1 = Horn
| first1 = Bernd
| last2 = Wyczynski
| first2 = Michael
| title = Tip of the Spear: An Intimate Account of 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion
| publisher = Dundurn Press
| location = Toronto
| year = 2002
| isbn = 978-1550023886
| url = https://www.amazon.ca/Tip-Spear-Parachute-Battalion-1942-1945/dp/1550023888/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&sr=1-1
}}
- {{Cite book
| last1 = Willes
| first1 = John A.
| title = Out of the Clouds: The History of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion (Kindle Edition)
| publisher = Literary Agents International Inc.
| location = Toronto
| edition = 3rd
| year = 2025
| asin = B0DT1ZSK55
| url = https://www.amazon.ca/Out-Clouds-Canadian-Parachute-Battalion-ebook/dp/B0DT1ZSK55/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&sr=1-1
}}
External links
- [https://1stcanparamuseum.com/ 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Virtual Museum]
{{Authority control}}
Category:1st Canadian Parachute Battalion
Category:Canadian Airborne Regiment
Category:Army units and formations of Canada in World War II
Canadian Parachute Battalion 01
Category:Military units and formations of Canada in World War II