The decades following the end of the First World War would see Camp Sussex decline as an epicentre of military training in the province. Several of the local militias, like the 8th Hussars and New Brunswick Rangers, would still assemble at the Camp for annual training. Beyond this, the Camp would be relegated to secondary importance, especially as the Great Depression began ravaging the country. With the government tightening the strings on the treasury, funding for the militia would become scarce. Austerity would become the only policy available to many militia’s and their training centres.
However, prior to the onset of the depression, many militia regiments managed to make good use of the Camp. The 8th Hussars Officer’s Bungalow, constructed in 1904 and renovated following the First World War, would become a focal point of community activity in Sussex.
However, prior to the onset of the depression, many militia regiments managed to make good use of the Camp. The 8th Hussars Officer’s Bungalow, constructed in 1904 and renovated following the First World War, would become a focal point of community activity in Sussex.
Situated in Camp Sussex, this building would welcome visitors from the Town of Sussex and officers from other militias, in the process becoming famous for its hospitality. Besides this, a new militia, the 7th Machine Gun Battalion was formed, and did much of their training, in Camp Sussex following the First World War. As one last hurrah before the onset of depression, Canada-wide Merit Cup Competition, an annual cavalry competition, was held in Camp Sussex in 1930. But, with the onset of the Great Depression, funding for the militia would be curtailed. Pay cuts, fewer days training, and for many voluntary training became the norm during the depression years.
However, as the country began moving out of the depression, Camp Sussex would go on to retake its place as the pre-eminent military training centre in Atlantic Canada. As the situation in Europe began to deteriorate in the late 1930s, the militia began to prepare. For the Hussars, this meant new methods of training. The First World War had shown that the use of cavalry in modern war was untenable. So, the Hussars began to mechanize. With some confiscated Model T-4s, the regiment would practice maneuvers in the fields of Camp Sussex.
However, as the country began moving out of the depression, Camp Sussex would go on to retake its place as the pre-eminent military training centre in Atlantic Canada. As the situation in Europe began to deteriorate in the late 1930s, the militia began to prepare. For the Hussars, this meant new methods of training. The First World War had shown that the use of cavalry in modern war was untenable. So, the Hussars began to mechanize. With some confiscated Model T-4s, the regiment would practice maneuvers in the fields of Camp Sussex.
The outbreak of the Second World War would be the catalyst that would reinvigorate the Camp. In the early years of the war, a massive building programme was undertaken. There were not enough beds to house all the soldiers that were being sent to the Camp for training. From 1940-1941, the Camp was expanded to house approximately 10 000 men at a time. To accomplish this, H-hut barracks were constructed on the grounds, covering a significant portion of the Camp. Canteens, officers’ quarters, administrative buildings, latrines, hospital, all the infrastructure that the Camp needed was smashed onto the grounds. Yet, so great was the influx of men, the bell tents still had to be used to quarter some of the men.
During the early years of the war, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, the 4th Canadian Armoured Division, and elements of the 7th Canadian Infantry Division would be trained in Camp Sussex. Each division comprised approximately 10 000 men. The 3rd and 4th were overseas combat divisions, the 7th was a home division. Training included learning to operate heavy weapons like the 2 inch and 3 inch mortars at the McGregor Brook Range, rifle and machine gun practice, amphibious assaults, map reading, administrative tasks, and many other skills essential for combat.
During the early years of the war, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, the 4th Canadian Armoured Division, and elements of the 7th Canadian Infantry Division would be trained in Camp Sussex. Each division comprised approximately 10 000 men. The 3rd and 4th were overseas combat divisions, the 7th was a home division. Training included learning to operate heavy weapons like the 2 inch and 3 inch mortars at the McGregor Brook Range, rifle and machine gun practice, amphibious assaults, map reading, administrative tasks, and many other skills essential for combat.
As the war progressed, the A34 Special Officer’s Training Centre was established at Camp Sussex. It was under the command of Brigadier Milton Gregg, a recipient of the Victoria Cross in the First World War. The British Army had experienced a high rate of casualties among their junior officers. As such, the A34 training centre would train the CANLOAN officers; these officers volunteered to be loaned to the British Army. Approximately 650 officers would be sent to Camp Sussex to be trained under Brigadier Gregg before being shipped to British Regiments.
The close of the Second World War would ring the death-knell for Camp Sussex. As the Canadian Army was repatriated home, the operation of the Camp came under government scrutiny. Size was a problem; the Camp simply did not have enough room to accommodate both the soldiers and the land needed for training. So, an old idea was revived, Gagetown New Brunswick would be selected as the new Canadian Forces Base for New Brunswick. In the meantime, Camp Sussex would still be used. The 8th Hussars had 6 Sherman tanks located at the Camp, they trained with these until they were removed by the government in the late 1950s.
. For a while, the Black Watch was headquartered in the Camp following the end of the War.
When CFB Gagetown opened in 1958, military training began to be concentrated there. For Camp Sussex, this saw much of its infrastructure taken away. Some of the H-huts were towed across Trout Creek and converted into residential complexes. One training hall became the York Arena in Fredericton, another became the Kings County Stadium. The Gas Hut were taken to Peter Street and made into a home. The tank hanger now houses the Agricultural Museum. Finally, the land itself was sold to the Town of Sussex in the early 1970s. The Gregg Armouries on Leonard Drive, which houses B Squadron of the 8th Canadian Hussars, is the only military connection to what was the premier training base in Atlantic Canada. And so, after 100 years of military service, thus ended Camp Sussex.
When CFB Gagetown opened in 1958, military training began to be concentrated there. For Camp Sussex, this saw much of its infrastructure taken away. Some of the H-huts were towed across Trout Creek and converted into residential complexes. One training hall became the York Arena in Fredericton, another became the Kings County Stadium. The Gas Hut were taken to Peter Street and made into a home. The tank hanger now houses the Agricultural Museum. Finally, the land itself was sold to the Town of Sussex in the early 1970s. The Gregg Armouries on Leonard Drive, which houses B Squadron of the 8th Canadian Hussars, is the only military connection to what was the premier training base in Atlantic Canada. And so, after 100 years of military service, thus ended Camp Sussex.
The Battle of Montecchio 30-31 August 1944 By Matthew Gamble
By early summer, 1944, Axis forces in Italy were on the backfoot. Allied breakthroughs at Anzio and Cassino meant that German forces were at risk of being surrounded and cut-off. However, disagreements between British and American commanders over who would be first to liberate Rome gave German forces time to retreat to the Gothic Line and consolidate their defences. As a result, a new line of dangerous fortifications needed to be breached by the allies.
The 8th New Brunswick Hussars were to play a role in this operation. On the 29th of August, 1944, the Regiment moved into position in the hills south of the picturesque town of Foglia. Their objective: cross the valley below and occupy the high ground before occupying the town of Montecchio. The Germans had other plans, and elements of the German 10th Army were hastily digging-in in preparation for the inevitable Canadian offensive. A formidable 14-foot anti-tank ditch was dug, and machine-guns and anti-tank guns were positioned on the high ground with interlocking fields of fire. Montecchio lay surrounded by these formidable defences. It would not be an easy fight.
The 8th New Brunswick Hussars were to play a role in this operation. On the 29th of August, 1944, the Regiment moved into position in the hills south of the picturesque town of Foglia. Their objective: cross the valley below and occupy the high ground before occupying the town of Montecchio. The Germans had other plans, and elements of the German 10th Army were hastily digging-in in preparation for the inevitable Canadian offensive. A formidable 14-foot anti-tank ditch was dug, and machine-guns and anti-tank guns were positioned on the high ground with interlocking fields of fire. Montecchio lay surrounded by these formidable defences. It would not be an easy fight.
In the battle to come, B Squadron, with infantry support provided by the Cape Breton Highlanders, was to take Point 120, a prominent knoll to the west of the town. Meanwhile, A Squadron, with infantry support provided by the Perth Regiment, was to take Point 111, the edge of a long ridge in the area. Finally, C Squadron, supported by the Irish Regiment of Canada, was to take the high ground surrounding Tomba di Pesaro.
The attack began at 1730 hours on the night of the 30th, and was met by feeble German resistance. The Canadians had caught the Germans off-guard as they hurriedly tried to man their positions. Seizing the opportunity, Major Howard Keirstead and his tank advanced down the valley to join the Cape Bretons. This time, the Germans were prepared, and the Major’s tank faced a wall of enemy fire. Captain Bob McLeod and his tanks were eager to join the battle, but were held up in a traffic jam by a Provost. McLeod continued by motorcycle under fire in a bid to find Keirstead, who ordered the tanks moved up. With the tanks still being held up by the Provost, McLeod made a call to Colonel Somerville, seeking permission to get his tanks moving again.
The attack began at 1730 hours on the night of the 30th, and was met by feeble German resistance. The Canadians had caught the Germans off-guard as they hurriedly tried to man their positions. Seizing the opportunity, Major Howard Keirstead and his tank advanced down the valley to join the Cape Bretons. This time, the Germans were prepared, and the Major’s tank faced a wall of enemy fire. Captain Bob McLeod and his tanks were eager to join the battle, but were held up in a traffic jam by a Provost. McLeod continued by motorcycle under fire in a bid to find Keirstead, who ordered the tanks moved up. With the tanks still being held up by the Provost, McLeod made a call to Colonel Somerville, seeking permission to get his tanks moving again.
The Cape Bretons encountered fierce German resistance at Point 120. Despite tank support from the Hussars, the enemy was not to be dislodged. Nevertheless, A Squadron, under the command of Frenchy Blanchet, found more success at Point 111. Artillery fire proved very effective at neutralizing German gun emplacements, and the hill was taken without heavy casualties.
The next day brought the inevitable German counterattack. The line held, and the Regiment consolidated its gains, with Cliff McEwen and C Squadron reinforcing Point 111. From the high ground, they pounded enemy positions in and around Montecchio. The fire was effective, and the Irish Regiment easily mopped up remaining German resistance. Outflanked, the Germans defending Point 120 quickly fell soon after.
The next day brought the inevitable German counterattack. The line held, and the Regiment consolidated its gains, with Cliff McEwen and C Squadron reinforcing Point 111. From the high ground, they pounded enemy positions in and around Montecchio. The fire was effective, and the Irish Regiment easily mopped up remaining German resistance. Outflanked, the Germans defending Point 120 quickly fell soon after.
Lacking infantry support, A Squadron encountered much heavier resistance as they attempted to take the high ground at Point 136. Ten Hussar tanks were knocked out by enemy fire, and the attack was blunted. Major Blanchet and his tanks were forced to fall back into a defensive position until infantry support arrived. After linking up with the Perths, the Hussars were finally able to take Point 136 from its exhausted defenders.
From their newly-conquered commanding positions above the valley, the Hussars took stock of the cost of their conquest. Burnt out tanks littered the valley, and the Regiment spent the next several hours digging graves. The grim cost of war.
Fighting in and around Montecchio was just a taste of what was to come in later battles, as the Allies breached the formidable defences of the Gothic Line.
To find out more about this story, and the 8th Hussars in the Italian campaign, visit the 8th Hussars Museum on 66 Broad Street, in the historic Sussex Train Station.
From their newly-conquered commanding positions above the valley, the Hussars took stock of the cost of their conquest. Burnt out tanks littered the valley, and the Regiment spent the next several hours digging graves. The grim cost of war.
Fighting in and around Montecchio was just a taste of what was to come in later battles, as the Allies breached the formidable defences of the Gothic Line.
To find out more about this story, and the 8th Hussars in the Italian campaign, visit the 8th Hussars Museum on 66 Broad Street, in the historic Sussex Train Station.
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