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World War 2 Remembered - Loyal Edmonton Regiment - 1944 Q2

May 1, 2019
Last Updated on: May 1, 2019

1944 – April to June

The 2nd quarter of 1944 saw The Loyal Edmonton Regiment, along with the rest of the 1st Division, leave the Adriatic front, with little regret, and move to the west side of Italy near Cassino. Here the Canadian Corps would take part in the breaking of the Gustav and Hitler Lines, opening the way to Rome.

World War 2 Remembered - Loyal Edmonton Regiment - 1944 Q1

January 31, 2019
Last Updated on: January 31, 2019

1944 – January to March

The 1st quarter of 1944 saw the Adriatic front settled into static warfare. The two sides faced each other, peering over their barbed-wire entanglements, minefields, trip wires, shattered farmhouses and villas, and shell-pocked fields, sodden with the winter rains. Activity on both sides consisted of mortar and artillery fire and patrols, patrols, patrols. The Loyal Edmonton Regiment faced three months of hardship and casualties not unlike the trench warfare of the First World War, but without the trenches.

World War 2 Remembered - The Loyal Edmonton Regiment - 1943 Q4

November 4, 2018
Last Updated on: January 31, 2019

1943 – October to December

The 4th quarter of 1943 saw The Loyal Edmonton Regiment continuing to fight its way up the eastern coast of Italy against stiff German opposition. They took part in major battles such as Colle D’Anchise, The Gully and Ortona.

World War 1 Remembered - 49th Canadian Overseas Infantry Battalion - 1919 Q1

January 31, 2019
Last Updated on: January 31, 2019

1919 – January to March

In this article we describe the 49th Battalion’s journey home to Edmonton and highlight some key statistics. We also look ahead a little at the changes to the infantry in Edmonton following the 1920 reorganization to the Non-Permanent Active Militia and how the 49th Battalion was to be remembered.

World War 1 Remembered - 49th Canadian Overseas Infantry Battalion - 1918 Q4

November 4, 2018
Last Updated on: January 31, 2019

1918 – October to December

In the final days of the war, Allied forces on the Western Front continue on the attack and making dramatic advances. The war ends with the 49th Battalion marching victoriously through the streets of Mons.

World War 1 Remembered - 49th Canadian Overseas Infantry Battalion - 1918 Q3

July 18, 2018
Last Updated on: July 18, 2018

1918 – July to September

July was a very quiet period for the 49th. However, August saw all the Allied forces on the Western Front on the attack and making dramatic advances. It was the start of Canada’s Hundred Days of the war.

World War 2 Remembered - Edmonton Regiment - 1943 Q3

July 18, 2018
Last Updated on: July 18, 2018

1943 – July to September

The previous quarter ended with The Edmonton Regiment on board the Durban Castle, leaving the British Isles on 28 June 1943. The battalion was soon to be a part of Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. By the beginning of September they were on mainland Italy.

World War 1 Remembered - 49th Canadian Overseas Infantry Battalion - 1918 Q2

April 10, 2018
Last Updated on: April 10, 2018

1918 – April to June

March saw the beginning of a major German Spring Offensive and Canadian infantry battalions were each holding wide frontages in order to permit British troops to strengthen other sectors that were seriously threatened by the German attacks. For the 49th Battalion, April was highlighted by strong battle patrols in order to maintain control of No Man’s Land and obtaining identification and prisoners. For most of May and June the battalion was back in a rest area were training now focused on a return to mobile warfare, emphasizing the attack, reorganization, consolidation and withdrawal.

World War 2 Remembered - Edmonton Regiment - 1943 Q1

January 11, 2018
Last Updated on: April 10, 2018

1943 – January to March

For the Edmonton Regiment, in England, the first quarter of 1943 was much the same as the previous two years, another day and another exercise. The training however had changed focus and it must have been obvious to all that it was for a specific purpose.

World War 2 Remembered - Edmonton Regiment - 1943 Q2

April 10, 2018
Last Updated on: April 10, 2018

1943 – April to June

The second quarter of 1943 saw changes in organization and equipment for the Edmonton Regiment, a move to quarters in Scotland and training that emphasized offensive operations and assault craft landings. It was obvious the Canadians were preparing for a movement “overseas”.