The Canadians Who Attacked Hitler's Europe

Don Antoine | Sep 13, 2013

Sicily July 10, 1943 - As of May 1943, the Axis powers, Italy and Germany, had been defeated in North Africa. The time had come to carry the war into Italy and the continent of Europe. This would be the first occasion the Canadians would be committed to battle in World War 2.

The Canadians would land at Pachino on the south east corner of Sicily; the Americans would land 50 miles away, on the south side of Sicily; and the British 8th Army would be in between (known as the Dessert Rats)

The initial landing would be made by the first brigade of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division (known as the Old Red Patch from World War 1). This brigade was composed of the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCRs), the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment (Hasty Ps), and the 48th Highlanders. We would clear the beaches so the rest could land.

The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment has had a Brigade reunion in their armories in Belleville on July 10 each year. This year was the 70th anniversary. This was a reunion of Veterans. The 48th had a small group this year, all over 90 years of age.

The RCRs brought a complete platoon of Afghanistan veterans. The Hasty Ps had veterans from Afghanistan and WW2.

The 48th groups were all from the Italian campaign. Little was spoken about the WAR, all about health and the ages of these old vets - all saying “See you next year”.

After the service a reporter asked me how the old vets felt about the new young veterans from Afghanistan.

I told him that length of time in war meant nothing; many young Canadians lost their lives in their first attack.

I told him of Herb, the youngest of the four Hollywood brothers overseas. When he arrived in Italy, the Canadian troops where down in strength by one third of their required strength and had received no reinforcements for months. Herb was trained as an anti-aircraft gunner and was sent to the Infantry. I spoke to him for a few minutes on his way up to the front. A few days later, I saw a white cross “H. Hollywood, Seaforth Highlanders, RIP”. He was killed in his first attack.

The other local veteran of the Italian Campaign is Howard Raymo, who was wounded twice, with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment.

During the laying of the wreaths the Padre spoke out: "This Anniversary, of something that happened 70 years ago, is not the reason we are here today. This day is in remembrance of the things that happened after - where 45,000 young sailors, airmen and soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice."

We shall remember them.