4th Canadian Division

Last updated

  • 4th Canadian Division
  • 4th Canadian Infantry Division
  • 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division
4 Canadian Armoured Division patch.svg
4th Canadian Division formation patch
Active
  • 1916 – 1919
  • 1942 – 1946 [1]
  • 2013 – present
CountryCanada
Branch
Type
Size Division
Engagements
Commanders
Notable
commanders

The 4th Canadian Division is a formation of the Canadian Army. The division was first created as a formation of the Canadian Corps during the First World War. During the Second World War the division was reactivated as the 4th Canadian Infantry Division in 1941 and then converted to armour and redesignated as the 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division. [2] Beginning in 1916 the division adopted a distinctive green-coloured formation patch as its insignia. In 2013 it was announced that Land Force Central Area would be redesignated 4th Canadian Division. [3] It is currently responsible for Canadian Army operations in the Canadian province of Ontario and is headquartered at Denison Armoury in Toronto. [4]

Contents

History

First World War

The 4th Canadian Division was formed in Britain in April 1916 from several existing units and others scheduled to arrive shortly thereafter. Under the command of Major-general David Watson, the Division embarked for France in August of that year where they served both in the Western Front in France and in Flanders until Armistice Day. The 4th Canadian Division was a part of the Canadian Corps in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which attacked and defeated the Germans, driving them from the ridge. As a result, the Canadians became known as masters of offensive warfare and an elite fighting force. [5]

In the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917, the 4th Canadian Division was given the job of capturing Hill 145, the highest and most important feature of Vimy Ridge. However, when they attempted to capture the hill, they were hampered by fire from the "Pimple", which was the other prominent height at Vimy Ridge. To capture Hill 145, forces which were supposed to attack the Pimple were redeployed and captured Hill 145.

Infantry units

10th Canadian Brigade:

11th Canadian Brigade:

12th Canadian Brigade:

Pioneers:

Battles and Engagements on the Western Front

1916:

1917:

1918:

Second World War

4th Canadian (Armoured) Division

The 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division was created during World War II by the conversion of the 4th Canadian Infantry Division at the beginning of 1942 in Canada. The division proceeded overseas in 1942, with its two main convoys reaching the United Kingdom in August and October.

The division spent almost two years training in the United Kingdom before crossing to Normandy in July 1944. In the United Kingdom, it participated in war games together with the Polish 1st Armoured Division, and later fought in France, the Low Countries, and Germany; both divisions followed very close paths. The division participated in the later stages of the Battle of Normandy at the Falaise Pocket, the advance from Normandy and spent almost two months engaged at the Breskens Pocket as well as Operation Pheasant. It wintered in the Netherlands and took part in the final advance across northern Germany.

Formation

1944–1945

4th Canadian Armoured Brigade
Formation sign used to identify vehicles of the 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division. 4th Canadian Division 1940-1946.svg
Formation sign used to identify vehicles of the 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division.
10th Canadian Infantry Brigade
Other units

Commanding officers

DateGeneral officer commanding [6]
10 June 1941 – 24 December 1941Major General L.F. Page, DSO
2 February 1942 – 29 February 1944 Major General F.F. Worthington, CB, MC, MM
1 March 1944 – 21 August 1944 Major General George Kitching, DSO
22 August 1944 – 30 November 1944 Major General Harry W. Foster, CBE, DSO
1 December 1944 – 5 June 1945 Major General Chris Vokes, CBE, DSO

David Vivian Currie VC

David Vivian Currie VC was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in command of a battle group of tanks from The South Alberta Regiment, artillery, and infantry of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada at St. Lambert-sur-Dives, during the final actions to close the Falaise Gap. This was the only Victoria Cross awarded to a Canadian soldier during the Normandy campaign (from 6 June 1944 to the end of August 1944), and the only VC ever awarded to a member of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps.

The then 32-year-old Currie was a Major in The South Alberta Regiment. During the Battle of Falaise, Normandy, between 18–20 August 1944, Currie was in command of a small mixed force of tanks, self-propelled anti-tank guns and infantry which had been ordered to cut off one of the Germans' main escape routes.

After Currie led the attack on the village of St. Lambert-sur-Dives and consolidated a position halfway inside it, he repulsed repeated enemy attacks over the next day and a half. Despite heavy casualties, Major Currie's command destroyed seven enemy tanks, twelve 88 mm guns and 40 vehicles, which led to the deaths of 300 German soldiers, 500 wounded and 1,100 captured. The remnants of two German armies were denied an escape route.

Land Force Central Area and 2013 reactivation

The LFCA was created on 1 September 1991, taking command of what was previously Central Militia Area and the Regular Force Army units and formations in Ontario from the northern Lakehead region to the border with Quebec. At that point in time, the six subordinate militia districts were reorganized into four: Northern Ontario District, London District, Toronto District, and Ottawa District each one garrisoned by a brigade of militia troops and a small number of regular support staff. [10] Later that decade, in 1997, the four reserve force districts were again reorganized into three brigade groups.

At the time of its creation in the early-1990s, it was housed on the grounds of the former base and subsequently moved ca 1993 to the Place Nouveau office tower at Yonge Street north of Finch Avenue; this was controversial as the offices of the area commander, Major-General Brian Vernon, were lavishly renovated, attracting political criticism and attention from the Auditor General of Canada.[ citation needed ]

In 2013, the LFCA was renamed the "4th Canadian Division". With this change of name, the formation was also granted the identifying patch and historical lineage of the division that fought in the two world wars. [11]

Present day organization

4th Canadian Division organization in 2020 4th Canadian Division Structure.png
4th Canadian Division organization in 2020

The division is headquartered in Toronto and covers the province of Ontario.

3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group

3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group CFB Borden
3 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group HeadquartersRegular Support StaffBorden, Ontario
The Attawapiskat Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Attawapiskat, Ontario
The Bearskin Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Bearskin Lake, Ontario
The Constance Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Constance Lake, Ontario
The Eabametoong Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Fort Hope, Ontario
The Fort Albany Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Fort Albany, Ontario
The Fort Severn Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Fort Severn, Ontario
The Kasabonika Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Kasabonika Lake, Ontario
The Kashechewan Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Kashechewan, Ontario
The Kingfisher Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Kingfisher Lake, Ontario
The Kitchenuhmaykoosib Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Big Trout Lake, Ontario
The Lac Seul Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Lac Seul, Ontario
The Mishkeegogamang Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Mishkeegogamang, Ontario
The Moose Factory Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Moose Factory, Ontario
The Muskrat Dam Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Muskrat Dam, Ontario
The Neskantaga Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Neskantaga, Ontario
The Peawanuck Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Peawanuck, Ontario
The Sachigo Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Sachigo Lake, Ontario
The Sandy Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Sandy Lake, Ontario
The North Caribou Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers North Caribou Lake, Ontario
The Wapekeka Detachment of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Wapekeka, Ontario
The Webequie Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Webequie, Ontario
The Wunnumin Lake Detachment of the Kingfisher Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol Canadian Rangers Wunnumin Lake, Ontario

Abbreviations

Commanders

See also

Related Research Articles

The Mississauga Horse was a cavalry regiment of the Non-Permanent Active Militia of the Canadian Militia. In 1936, they were amalgamated with The Governor General's Body Guard to form The Governor General's Horse Guards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Canadian Division</span> Canadian Joint Operations Command formation based in Kingston, Ontario

The 1st Canadian Division is a joint operational command and control formation based at CFB Kingston, and falls under Canadian Joint Operations Command. It is a high-readiness unit, able to move on very short notice, and is staffed and equipped to meet Canada’s military objectives to counter any potential threat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Canadian Division</span> Canadian Army formation

The 2nd Canadian Division is a formation of the Canadian Army in the province of Quebec, Canada. The present command was created 2013 when Land Force Quebec Area was re-designated. The main unit housed in this division is the Royal 22nd Regiment based at CFB Valcartier near Quebec City, which is the biggest regiment in the Canadian Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Canadian Division</span> Canadian Army formation

The 3rd Canadian Division is a formation of the Canadian Army responsible for the command and mobilization of all army units in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, as well as all units extending westwards from the city of Thunder Bay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Canadian Division</span> Canadian Army formation

The 5th Canadian Division is a formation of the Canadian Army responsible for the command and mobilization of most army units in the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador; as well as some units in Kingston, Ontario. The division is recognized by the distinctive maroon patch worn on the sleeve of its soldiers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Governor General's Horse Guards</span> Regiment in the Canadian Army Primary Reserve

The Governor General's Horse Guards is an armoured cavalry regiment in the Primary Reserve of the Canadian Army. The regiment is part of 4th Canadian Division's 32 Canadian Brigade Group and is based in Toronto, Ontario. It is the most senior reserve regiment in Canada, and the only household cavalry regiment of Canada's three household units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sherbrooke Hussars</span> Canadian military unit

The Sherbrooke Hussars is a Primary Reserve armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment</span> Military unit of Canada

The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. The regiment is part of 33 Canadian Brigade Group, one of four brigade groups of 4th Canadian Division. The regimental headquarters and one company are at 187 Pinnacle Street in Belleville and on Willmott Street in Cobourg, with another rifle company in Peterborough. The Peterborough Armoury houses what was traditionally B Company or Moro Company. Moro Company also serves as the headquarters for the regiment’s Assault Pioneer Platoon. Normally, the regiment deploys as a composite, Ortona Company, while the headquarters and administration form Somme Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey and Simcoe Foresters</span> Military unit

The Grey and Simcoe Foresters is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. Within the Canadian Army, it is part of the 4th Canadian Division's 31 Canadian Brigade Group. Due to the restructuring of the British Army, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment was amalgamated into The Mercian Regiment, as its 2nd Battalion, leaving The Grey and Simcoe Foresters as the only remaining unit in the Commonwealth of Nations known to be distinctly designated as a regiment of Foresters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">20th Battalion (Central Ontario), CEF</span> Military unit

The 20th Battalion, CEF was a unit of the First World War Canadian Expeditionary Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment)</span> Military unit

The Queen's York Rangers (RCAC) is a Canadian Army Primary Reserve Royal Canadian Armoured Corps regiment based in Toronto and Aurora. The regiment is part of 4th Canadian Division's 32 Canadian Brigade Group. The regiment consists of one cavalry squadron, as well as the Headquarters and Training Squadron. The regimental family also includes The Queen's York Rangers Band (volunteer), along with two Royal Canadian Army Cadet corps and a Royal Canadian Air Cadet squadron. The unit mottos are pristinae virtutis memor – 'remembering their glories in former days' – and celer et audax – 'swift and bold'. Among its own members and those of other regiments, the unit is referred to as the Rangers. The name is abbreviated as QY Rang, and sometimes pronounced KWY-rang.

The 13th Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force was an active service battalion during the First World War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">12th Armoured Brigade Combat Team (United Kingdom)</span> British Army formation

The 12th Armoured Brigade Combat Team, formerly the 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade, is a regular brigade of the British Army which has been in almost continuous existence since 1899 and now forms part of 3rd Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">41 Canadian Brigade Group</span> Brigade of the Canadian Army

41 Canadian Brigade Group is a Canadian Army formation of the 3rd Canadian Division. The formation is composed of Army Reserve units within the province of Alberta and the Northwest Territories. The headquarters of the brigade is in Calgary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">II Canadian Corps</span> Military unit

II Canadian Corps was a corps-level formation that, along with I (British) Corps and I Canadian Corps, comprised the First Canadian Army in Northwest Europe during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Canadian Corps</span> Canadian Army corps during the Second World War

I Canadian Corps was one of the two corps fielded by the Canadian Army during the Second World War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4th Canadian Infantry Brigade</span> Brigade of the Canadian Army

The 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the Canadian Army active during World War I and World War II. Raised in 1915, the brigade formed part of the 2nd Canadian Division and fought on the Western Front between 1916 and 1918. The brigade was re-raised in 1939 for service during World War II and subsequently took part in actions at Dieppe in 1942 and then in north-west Europe during 1944 and 1945.

The 18th Battalion, CEF, was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the Great War.

The 15th Battalion, CEF was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Great War. The 15th Battalion was authorized on 1 September 1914, embarked for Britain on 26 September 1914 and arrived in France on 15 February 1915. The battalion fought as part of the 3rd Canadian Brigade, 1st Canadian Division in France and Flanders throughout the war. The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920.

The 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade was a brigade-sized infantry formation of the Canadian Army which saw service in both World Wars. During the First World War, the brigade formed part of the 4th Canadian Division where it served on the Western Front as part of the Canadian Corps. During the Second World War, the brigade served this time as part of the 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division of the I Canadian Corps in the Italian Campaign and later in North-West Europe along with the rest of the First Canadian Army.

References

  1. "4th Canadian Armoured Division – Quartermaster Section".
  2. "www.canadiansoldiers.com". canadiansoldiers.com.
  3. M.Dorosh (24 July 2013). "CSC: Clarification on the Canadian Army's Historic Insignia Announcement". canadiansoldierscom.blogspot.ca.
  4. Official LFCA-JTFC Web Site
  5. Honey, K., (9 April 2002). A once-proud history, slipping away Archived 11 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine . The Globe and Mail. Retrieved on: 2 September 2008.
  6. 1 2 "4th Canadian (Armoured) Division". Canadian Soldier. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  7. Defence, National (5 November 2018). "The Royal New Brunswick Regiment". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  8. "www.canadiansoldiers.com". www.canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  9. "Juno Beach Centre – First Canadian Army, 8 May 1945". Junobeach.org. 8 May 1945. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
  10. "Domestic Military Organization 1900–1999". Canadian Soldiers.com. 22 February 2013.
  11. "Restoring the Canadian Army's historical identity". Department of National Defence. Archived from the original on 14 July 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  12. Government of Canada, National Defence (3 October 2016). "Commander 4th Canadian Division and Joint Task Force Central – Canadian Army". www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 15 April 2022.