75 years ago, the guns of the Second World War fell silent. The Hussars already knew in late April, early May of 45 that the war was all but done, just tell the Germans that.
From the War Diary of 03 -05 May, 1945, this is what is written.
3 May 45. Thunder showers predominate throughout the day. The regiment chiefly spent the day reorganizing personnel and generally getting sorted out after the recent operation. The tank crews enjoyed a much longed for shower and change of clothing. Capt R.H. Dunn and Lt J.J.M. Scovil left for England for a period of duty as instructors.
Major G.R.H. Ross was ordered to proceed to GODLINZE (3831) and take command of a force to be designated the “ROSS” Force. It was composed of the following: “C” Squadron 8NBH who were moved from HEVESKES (4824) and a Dutch Independent Company. The task was to patrol the area and to act as an anti invasion force as the enemy were still in strength on the FRISIAN ISLANDS. By dusk the force was complete and situated as ordered. Attached as appendix is the order denoting the boundaries and and sectors of the “ROSS” force.
Holland 1/100,000 4 May 45. The weather was very changeable with heavy showers GRONINGEN W Sheet M1 throughout the day. 2 Officers and 30 Other Ranks left at 0300 hrs MR 218067 on privilege leave to the UK along with 4 Other Ranks on EMDEN L1 rotational leave to Canada. Lt- Col J. W. Eaton held an “O” GRONINGEN Sheet M1 E Group at 1330 hrs, attended by all squadron and echelon
commanders at which he stated that the present role of the division was an occupational force with the task of holding and patrolling the coast line from the Ems River to Ijssel River, our regimental task until the 6 May 45 being to patrol the sector of coast from 383398 to 40296 occupied by the “ROSS” Force. Lt–Col J. W. Eaton stated that all captured staff cars in the regiment must be registered and controlled by an officer of field rank. “V” Day celebrations will be supervised as much as possible to avoid accidents. Due to a number of tanks being bogged down and left separate from the squadrons in the last actions, considerable difficulty arose over delivery of rations to these crews. A meeting of the 2 ICs of squadrons is to be held by the Quartermaster to discuss the problems of rations. The squadron commanders were asked for further nominations of awards resulting from the last actions. “A” and “B” Squadrons spent the day doing maintenance, painting and general refitting of tanks. Capt J.W. Stobbart, Auxiliary Services, has arranged to show a film twice a week for all ranks. At 2230 hrs the long awaited for message was received from Rear 5 Cdn Armd Bde, “Cancel all offensive operations, cease fire at 0800 hrs 5 May 45”. The “ROSS” Force was situated as follows: one troop “C” Squadron and one platoon Dutch Independent Company at SPIJK (4033) and one troop “C” Squadron and one platoon Dutch Independent Company at ZIJLDIJK (3434). The remainder and force HQ were stationed at GODLINZE (3831). The enthusiastic Dutch were allowed to do all patrols under supervision of the “C” Squadron troop leaders concerned. The patrol reports were nil. A dance was held by the officer’s mess during the evening.
05 May 45. The day dawned amidst scattered showers with a cold, strong breeze blowing. The day was chiefly spent by the maintaining of vehicles and by personnel having their clothing cleaned etc., and the resumption of the out of action schedule. The “ROSS” Force spent a quiet day. All reports of any unusual activity being received. During the afternoon the “ROSS” Force was relieved by the BCDs and “C” Squadron returned to their former quarters at PATERSWOLDE (2106). A regimental officers mess is now functioning. As a result of the two operations many new faces were amongst the Officers and men.
After everything was said and done, the Regiment would spend another eight months in Europe before returning home to Sussex in late January 1946.
Sgt. Don Abbott
8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s)
Historical Archives NCO
From the War Diary of 03 -05 May, 1945, this is what is written.
3 May 45. Thunder showers predominate throughout the day. The regiment chiefly spent the day reorganizing personnel and generally getting sorted out after the recent operation. The tank crews enjoyed a much longed for shower and change of clothing. Capt R.H. Dunn and Lt J.J.M. Scovil left for England for a period of duty as instructors.
Major G.R.H. Ross was ordered to proceed to GODLINZE (3831) and take command of a force to be designated the “ROSS” Force. It was composed of the following: “C” Squadron 8NBH who were moved from HEVESKES (4824) and a Dutch Independent Company. The task was to patrol the area and to act as an anti invasion force as the enemy were still in strength on the FRISIAN ISLANDS. By dusk the force was complete and situated as ordered. Attached as appendix is the order denoting the boundaries and and sectors of the “ROSS” force.
Holland 1/100,000 4 May 45. The weather was very changeable with heavy showers GRONINGEN W Sheet M1 throughout the day. 2 Officers and 30 Other Ranks left at 0300 hrs MR 218067 on privilege leave to the UK along with 4 Other Ranks on EMDEN L1 rotational leave to Canada. Lt- Col J. W. Eaton held an “O” GRONINGEN Sheet M1 E Group at 1330 hrs, attended by all squadron and echelon
commanders at which he stated that the present role of the division was an occupational force with the task of holding and patrolling the coast line from the Ems River to Ijssel River, our regimental task until the 6 May 45 being to patrol the sector of coast from 383398 to 40296 occupied by the “ROSS” Force. Lt–Col J. W. Eaton stated that all captured staff cars in the regiment must be registered and controlled by an officer of field rank. “V” Day celebrations will be supervised as much as possible to avoid accidents. Due to a number of tanks being bogged down and left separate from the squadrons in the last actions, considerable difficulty arose over delivery of rations to these crews. A meeting of the 2 ICs of squadrons is to be held by the Quartermaster to discuss the problems of rations. The squadron commanders were asked for further nominations of awards resulting from the last actions. “A” and “B” Squadrons spent the day doing maintenance, painting and general refitting of tanks. Capt J.W. Stobbart, Auxiliary Services, has arranged to show a film twice a week for all ranks. At 2230 hrs the long awaited for message was received from Rear 5 Cdn Armd Bde, “Cancel all offensive operations, cease fire at 0800 hrs 5 May 45”. The “ROSS” Force was situated as follows: one troop “C” Squadron and one platoon Dutch Independent Company at SPIJK (4033) and one troop “C” Squadron and one platoon Dutch Independent Company at ZIJLDIJK (3434). The remainder and force HQ were stationed at GODLINZE (3831). The enthusiastic Dutch were allowed to do all patrols under supervision of the “C” Squadron troop leaders concerned. The patrol reports were nil. A dance was held by the officer’s mess during the evening.
05 May 45. The day dawned amidst scattered showers with a cold, strong breeze blowing. The day was chiefly spent by the maintaining of vehicles and by personnel having their clothing cleaned etc., and the resumption of the out of action schedule. The “ROSS” Force spent a quiet day. All reports of any unusual activity being received. During the afternoon the “ROSS” Force was relieved by the BCDs and “C” Squadron returned to their former quarters at PATERSWOLDE (2106). A regimental officers mess is now functioning. As a result of the two operations many new faces were amongst the Officers and men.
After everything was said and done, the Regiment would spend another eight months in Europe before returning home to Sussex in late January 1946.
Sgt. Don Abbott
8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s)
Historical Archives NCO
Canadian Forces Europe and the 8th Canadian Hussars By Matthew Gamble
Following the calamity of the Second World War, Europe stood divided. The Western Allies occupied much of Western Europe, while Eastern Europe fell into the Soviet orbit. Soon, tensions between the two camps became irreconcilable, and a tense standoff developed. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and others, responded with the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Collective security was institutionalized under Article Five of the Treaty; thus, an attack on one member would be considered an attack on all. This principle came to form the cornerstone of security architecture in Europe. As part of its NATO commitments, Ottawa established Canadian Forces Europe, a military formation to be stationed in West Germany, the frontline of the Cold War.
It was not until December 1958 that the Regiment was informed it would join the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group in Germany the following year. Preparations began in the new year and continued throughout the spring and summer. Major Brennan's advance party left for Germany in late September 1959, while Lieutenant-Colonel Radley-Walters and the main force departed from Quebec City several weeks later. By mid-November, the Hussars were stationed at Fort Beausejour, just west of Iserlohn in West-Central Germany. The Fort was described as "a neat and cozy complex of barrack blocks, hangars, messes, and canteen, with a postage stamp-size training area in back."
While in Germany, the Regiment was to keep in top shape, as there was a very real danger that the Cold War could turn hot at a moments notice. Soldiers conducted intense training, and polished their skills in tank gunnery, camouflage, small arms, and crew training. The Centurion tanks were pushed to their limits, with a few almost being lost in a bog on one occasion. Meanwhile, various military exercises were conducted with NATO allies, and such excursions often brought the Hussars into the streets of German towns and villages. Additional time was filled with sports and competitions including boxing, volleyball, and softball. The Regiment returned to Canada in 1962, but three years later, 'C' Squadron would return to Germany to provide reconnaissance for 4 Canadian Infantry Brigade Group until 1970.
While in Germany, the Regiment was to keep in top shape, as there was a very real danger that the Cold War could turn hot at a moments notice. Soldiers conducted intense training, and polished their skills in tank gunnery, camouflage, small arms, and crew training. The Centurion tanks were pushed to their limits, with a few almost being lost in a bog on one occasion. Meanwhile, various military exercises were conducted with NATO allies, and such excursions often brought the Hussars into the streets of German towns and villages. Additional time was filled with sports and competitions including boxing, volleyball, and softball. The Regiment returned to Canada in 1962, but three years later, 'C' Squadron would return to Germany to provide reconnaissance for 4 Canadian Infantry Brigade Group until 1970.
In 1987, the 8th Canadian Hussars were once again deployed to Germany, this time to CFB Lahr, relieving the Royal Canadian Dragoons. Although the Cold War was winding down, the Regiment remained on alert. By this time, the organizational sophistication of NATO had increased substantially, as did the scope and scale of military exercises. The Regiment took part in several large maneuvers, the most notable of which being the annual Reforger exercises, which simulated rapid deployment of military forces to Germany in event of a major conflict with the Soviet Union and/or its allies. Yet, the Regiment's time in Germany was also filled with sports of all kinds. Particular emphasis was placed on team building and competitive sports, and various trophies and awards were often up for grabs. At the same time, a high premium was placed on positive engagement with local communities, and the Regimental armouries were occasionally opened up to the public. All of these moments have been well-documented by Regimental photographers, and the photos are on file at the museum archive, both in print and digitally.
When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, the Regiment had at its disposal 77 Leopard C1 tanks, 20 Lynx armoured reconnaissance vehicles, 36 M113 armoured personnel carriers, 2 M577 command vehicles, and 6 Bergepanzer armoured recovery vehicles. Indeed, in the event of a major conflict, the 8th Canadian Hussars would have formed the armoured backbone of Canadian forces in Germany. By 1993, a major drawdown of forces was taking place across the continent, and Canadian Forces Europe was disbanded. The Hussars subsequently returned to Canada with another overseas deployment under their belts. CFB Lahr subsequently closed its doors for the last time in 1994.