2 of 18:
Many people know about the #American and #British forces committed to Operation Market Garden. Some know about the #Irish Guards and the #Polish Brigade. But many don’t know about the #Canadians who fought during the operation.
Many people know about the #American and #British forces committed to Operation Market Garden. Some know about the #Irish Guards and the #Polish Brigade. But many don’t know about the #Canadians who fought during the operation.
3 of 18:
At the time of Market Garden, Canadian forces were advancing from #Belgium to the #Netherlands. While Canadian units were not involved in the Battle of #Arnhem, a number of Canadian Officers, like this one Ashton Kerr, were.
At the time of Market Garden, Canadian forces were advancing from #Belgium to the #Netherlands. While Canadian units were not involved in the Battle of #Arnhem, a number of Canadian Officers, like this one Ashton Kerr, were.
4 of 18:
To explain how this happened, let’s go back to the fall of 1943.
To explain how this happened, let’s go back to the fall of 1943.
5 of 18:
By this time, the #British military had been fighting for years. Casualties mounted. The British Army couldn’t replace the officers as quickly as they were being taken out of the fight.
By this time, the #British military had been fighting for years. Casualties mounted. The British Army couldn’t replace the officers as quickly as they were being taken out of the fight.
6 of 18:
Meanwhile, #Canada had a surplus of officers. The Canadian forces had been fighting on only one major front at the time (Europe), and many capable officers were awaiting their ticket to Europe while filling homeland defense roles in Canada.
Meanwhile, #Canada had a surplus of officers. The Canadian forces had been fighting on only one major front at the time (Europe), and many capable officers were awaiting their ticket to Europe while filling homeland defense roles in Canada.
7 of 18:
The CANLOAN System (“CANLOAN” is a portmanteau, not an acronym, btw) was developed as a means of providing the Brits with officer while also giving Canadian Officers opportunity to serve in the European Theater.
The CANLOAN System (“CANLOAN” is a portmanteau, not an acronym, btw) was developed as a means of providing the Brits with officer while also giving Canadian Officers opportunity to serve in the European Theater.
8 of 18:
The System required volunteers – no one was going to fight with the Brits who didn’t want to go.
The System required volunteers – no one was going to fight with the Brits who didn’t want to go.
9 of 18:
673 Canadian Officers volunteered for CANLOAN. Each were given ID numbers starting with the letters “CDN”. They were sent to #England for training before being assigned to #British units.
673 Canadian Officers volunteered for CANLOAN. Each were given ID numbers starting with the letters “CDN”. They were sent to #England for training before being assigned to #British units.
10 of 18:
In September 1944, a number of #CANLOAN Officers were assigned to the 1st Battalion Border Regiment, the 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, and to the 7th Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers – all of these were glider battalions within Airborne Divisions.
In September 1944, a number of #CANLOAN Officers were assigned to the 1st Battalion Border Regiment, the 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, and to the 7th Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers – all of these were glider battalions within Airborne Divisions.
11 of 18:
23 such Canadian Officers dropped into #Arnhem with the 1st #Airborne Division. Here are their names. #RIP
23 such Canadian Officers dropped into #Arnhem with the 1st #Airborne Division. Here are their names. #RIP
12 of 18:
At the end of Market Garden, only 3 of the 23 CANLOAN Officers in 1st Airborne Division were evacuated back across the Rhine (including these two Lieutenants, Alex Harvie and Philip Turner). The other 20 were either killed in action or became prisoners of war. #POW
At the end of Market Garden, only 3 of the 23 CANLOAN Officers in 1st Airborne Division were evacuated back across the Rhine (including these two Lieutenants, Alex Harvie and Philip Turner). The other 20 were either killed in action or became prisoners of war. #POW
13 of 18:
At Arnhem, there is now a war cemetery and the CANLOAN Officers buried there who died during Market Garden have a maple leaf on their headstones. #RIP
At Arnhem, there is now a war cemetery and the CANLOAN Officers buried there who died during Market Garden have a maple leaf on their headstones. #RIP
14 of 18:
This website has a list of the Canadian Officers who served with Brit Regiments during WWII war-experience.org/canloan-listin…
This website has a list of the Canadian Officers who served with Brit Regiments during WWII war-experience.org/canloan-listin…
15 of 18:
A special commemoration in 1968 brought CANLOAN #veterans and family members to the #UK and Europe. The #London Mayor spoke at the luncheon:
A special commemoration in 1968 brought CANLOAN #veterans and family members to the #UK and Europe. The #London Mayor spoke at the luncheon:
16 of 18:
“… in 1944 when the war was at its height, 673 young officers came over to help us, for our need was very great.” [as stated above, 673 = the total number of #WWII CANLOAN officers]
“… in 1944 when the war was at its height, 673 young officers came over to help us, for our need was very great.” [as stated above, 673 = the total number of #WWII CANLOAN officers]
17 of 18:
In #Ottawa, at a park by the Rideau River, is a #memorial on which you can find the names, CDN numbers, and the British Regiments of 128 CANLOAN Officers who died during the war.
In #Ottawa, at a park by the Rideau River, is a #memorial on which you can find the names, CDN numbers, and the British Regiments of 128 CANLOAN Officers who died during the war.
Final:
Our friend @K_D_Campbell has a thread coming on this subject and we thank our friends at @CAFinUS for keeping the memory of our CANLOAN officers alive. #MarketGarden #WWII
Our friend @K_D_Campbell has a thread coming on this subject and we thank our friends at @CAFinUS for keeping the memory of our CANLOAN officers alive. #MarketGarden #WWII
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