The New Brunswick Hussars had been mobilized in 1940. They spent the next year training in Canada. Then, having been attached to the 5th Armoured Division in 1941, they continued with their training schedule as armoured soldiers in Great Britain. The Hussars would not see combat action until 1943, when the 5th Armoured Division was deployed to Italy under Operation Timberwolf at the end of 1943.
Originally, it was decided early in 1943 that the Canadian contribution to the Italian campaign was to have been temporary. The Canadians were to contribute a contingent of soldiers for the invasion of Scilly, then be withdrawn afterwards. However, this was not to be the case. Prime Minister Mackenzie King, along with the Minster of Defense, had been lobbying the British government to commit a Canadian corps, consisting of the 1st Canadian Division and 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division, to the Italian peninsula. The tenacity of these Canadian politicians saw the British relent. As such, Operation Timberwolf was created to oversee the logistics required to transport the nearly 30 000 men from England to the staging grounds in North Africa and Italy.
As part of the 5th Armoured Division, the 5th Armoured Regiment had just completed a series of training exercises in October 1943. The expectation that more training was on the way was altered when Lieutenant-Colonel Robinson informed the men that they were deploying under Operation Timberwolf. As a result, the regiment had to turn in their equipment, in the process being outfitted with new equipment from the United States. Their old equipment was left behind for others to make use of. By mid-November, the necessary preparations had been completed and the regiment could embark on the first leg of Operation Timberwolf. Officially, Lieutenant-Colonel Robinson had informed the regiment that they were deploying to Ireland, but this was not to be the case.
As part of the 5th Armoured Division, the 5th Armoured Regiment had just completed a series of training exercises in October 1943. The expectation that more training was on the way was altered when Lieutenant-Colonel Robinson informed the men that they were deploying under Operation Timberwolf. As a result, the regiment had to turn in their equipment, in the process being outfitted with new equipment from the United States. Their old equipment was left behind for others to make use of. By mid-November, the necessary preparations had been completed and the regiment could embark on the first leg of Operation Timberwolf. Officially, Lieutenant-Colonel Robinson had informed the regiment that they were deploying to Ireland, but this was not to be the case.
The regiment made its way to the Port of Liverpool. From there the regiment set sail through the Irish Sea. However, as England dropped into the background and Ireland never materialized, rumours swirled through the ranks as to where Operation Timberwolf was really taking them. The men made the most of their time on board, as long as they were not suffering from seasickness. Outside of sunbathing and enjoying some leisure time, the Hussars engaged in various drills and activates to stave off indiscipline. Finally, land come into view during the latter half of November and the regiment was informed that they were soon to be passing through the Straits of Gibraltar. Not soon after, the regiment’s ship made temporary port at Algeria.
While in port, the regiment was temporarily divided, with Headquarters personnel setting sail into the Mediterranean for their journey's end. The rest of the regiment remained in Algeria for a brief stay. While there, they took in the sights of the country, and partook in some celebratory exploration of the city. While they enjoyed themselves, they knew it would not last forever.
While in port, the regiment was temporarily divided, with Headquarters personnel setting sail into the Mediterranean for their journey's end. The rest of the regiment remained in Algeria for a brief stay. While there, they took in the sights of the country, and partook in some celebratory exploration of the city. While they enjoyed themselves, they knew it would not last forever.
By this time, many of the men had a more concrete idea of just where the regiment was being deployed to. With Headquarters having arrived at their destination, the rest of the regiment boarded ship and embarked for the final leg of the journey.
As December broke over the Italian coast, the men saw their destination, Italy was on the horizon. Once there, the remainder of the regiment trekked from the Port of Naples on the west coast to their rendezvous point on the eastern side of the country at Matera. There they were armed with British equipment. Unfortunately, the equipment was too decrepit to make extensive us of. Thankfully, the men had time to make what repairs they could, and in the meantime, they received some new tanks to bolster their numbers. Finally, with the regiment armed and armoured they could say that their role in Operation Timberwolf had been achieved, the Hussars had arrived in Italy.
To find out more about Operation Timberwolf, or about the 8th Hussars in general, stop by the 8th Hussars Museum located in the historic Sussex Train Station along Broad Street.
As December broke over the Italian coast, the men saw their destination, Italy was on the horizon. Once there, the remainder of the regiment trekked from the Port of Naples on the west coast to their rendezvous point on the eastern side of the country at Matera. There they were armed with British equipment. Unfortunately, the equipment was too decrepit to make extensive us of. Thankfully, the men had time to make what repairs they could, and in the meantime, they received some new tanks to bolster their numbers. Finally, with the regiment armed and armoured they could say that their role in Operation Timberwolf had been achieved, the Hussars had arrived in Italy.
To find out more about Operation Timberwolf, or about the 8th Hussars in general, stop by the 8th Hussars Museum located in the historic Sussex Train Station along Broad Street.
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