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[Canadian Army Newsreel Musical intro.]
Narrator: Crown Prince Olav of Norway,
accompanied by Sr Comptroller Waitley of the ATS and
Maj Genl the Hon. P.J. Montague attended recently a passing out
ceremony held at a British...
Two hundred and eighty cadets were lined up on parade and
Prince Olav took the salute of graduation.
Among them were 11 cadets from the Canadian Women's Army Corps,
the first to graduate from a British ATS … troop.
The girls were inspected and presented a fine picture
with their hat bands and flashes a spotless sight,
their buttons gleaming.
Then, Prince Olav congratulated the cadets on their graduation.
Most of the CWACs are to be employed in administrative jobs,
releasing officers for field units.
With a Canadian officer cadet as a platoon commander,
the CWACs marched past with their British sisters,
the steady position of their marching bearing testimony
to the thoroughness of their training.
Lt. Charmaine Sansom greeted her father,
Lt. Gen. Sansom and was congratulated.
Col.Meehan of Toronto with his wife who
was among the graduates.
One major general and 11 lieutenants
- chins up, girls.
Brig. Rutherford was one of the chairmen of the Cambrai Days
sports meet held by Fort Garry Horse.
In the last war,
Lt. Doug Straun, now a colonel, added a glorious page to the
history of the regiment when he charged across the canal
at Cambrai ahead of the tanks and penetrated deep
into the German rear.
For this feat, Lt. Straun received the Victoria Cross
and the regiment has since celebrated every anniversary
of the day with a sports meet.
Supervisor Millington of the YMCA was director of events.
At the end of the day when the scores had been added up,
Brigadier Rutherford awarded the prizes.
Major Mindold, captain of the winning team,
received the solid silver trophy made in the workshop
from two tin kettles.
… captured, the Canadians pressed onward.
Carpiquet was the immediate objective.
An operational plane hovered overhead, searching for
enemy gun positions.
Nearing Gambatesa, the body of a dead
Italian peasant woman was passed,
victim of the retreating enemies' shell fire.
As the Carlton and York captured Gambatesa in a push
with other Maritime troops,
the French Canadians moved into Chelsea
and the advance continued toward Campobasso.
Mule trains operated by North African Arabs
kept a continual flow of supplies to the front line.
Positions were frequently checked.
Rain and enemy fire slowed the advance
but the mule borne wireless equipment kept the detachment
in contact with the … and rear headquarters for further orders.
At a Canadian infantry brigade headquarters,
Brig. M.H.S. Penhale of Ottawa
had a few final words with a senior officer.
In 1942, Brigadier Penhale was appointed to the
headquarter staff of the First Canadian Army.
It has now been announced that he has been made
Brig. General Staff at CMH2 London to succeed
Brig. Roger who is to assume command of an infantry brigade.
There were plenty of diversions on the road to Campobasso
and the forward speed tended to depend on how quickly
the staffers were able to repair the roads
and bridges destroyed by the Germans.
During the last stage of the drive on Campobasso
the advance was made through mountain country.
The artillery set up their Howitzers and dug slip trenches
for protection against enemy shellfire.
Private E.T. Noble mounted guard with a Bren gun
while Staff Sergeant Lewenton spotted enemy positions
in the valley below.
Campobasso was now within view and its fall climaxed
two weeks of serious fighting.
Since landing at Reggio in September,
the Canadians had advanced 500 miles to Italy.
The Germans hastily evacuated Campobasso
and the population cheered the Canadians
as they moved triumphantly in.
Campobasso was soon nicknamed Canada Town
and the RCMP directed traffic at the local Piccadilly Circus.
Gunner McGilligan of Calgary had a shoeshine
while other Canadians bought souvenirs for the folks at home.
Lance Corporal Lord asked the shortest route
to the Beaver Club, not just off Trafalgar Square
but as near to it as the boys can make it out in Italy.
Cpl. Davis and Sgt. Carver enjoy a nice cup of tea
while Privates Benson and Williams write home to Toronto.
The Beaver Club has its own barbershop
and Lance Corporal Walsh gets all prettied up.
Canadians have left their imprint on Campobasso
and one of these days, some town in Germany
will become another Canadian town.
The fighting French of the Navy and Army
as well as airborne and commando troops
were on parade for a special investiture of Canadians
who distinguished themselves at Dieppe.
General Matinée,
chief of the French military mission in Great Britain,
was accompanied on his inspection by
Major General Montague, Major General Vanier
and high ranking French officers.
Then as the citation was read,
the General decorated each man.
In charge of light Ack-ack during the landing,
Lt. Col. Guy Gostling, now a brigadier,
received the Croix de Guerre avec palme de vernier.
So did Pvt. Charles Highland who shot down an enemy
aircraft attacking at low level.
Captain George Buchanan who set a great example
of bravery and coolness,
received the Croix de Guerre avec Palme de bronze.
Captain Ross Campbell who was wounded in the face
when leading his men across a bridge under enemy fire.
Sergeant Sousshar continued doing a job to which he had
been assigned though seriously wounded in the leg.
Also decorated was Private Gordon Buchanan
who was blinded in the operation.
He alone received the traditional accolan.
Private Stanley Cowley regrouped the section
which had suffered severe casualties and continued
to lead them in action,
showing complete disregard for his own safety.
Under intense enemy fire,
Private Harvey Seaton crossed the beach
and although wounded continued to fire
until ordered to withdraw.
Maj Clarence Ostand received the
Croix de Guerre avec Palme de bronze.
He was in charge of a tank landing craft.
Fitting indeed was this investiture for Canada
has inherited the great traditions of both
France and Great Britain.
And someday soon,
Frenchmen and Canadians will be marching
side by side into France itself.