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DCruiser -> (5/10/2001 2:59:00 AM)
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I've got a few suggestions for you, Wild Bill.
I agree with pops about "Tug of War" by the Whitakers (ISBN 0773732268). Denis Whitaker was with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry at Dieppe, and then commanded the battalion during the NorthWest Europe campaign. He and his wife have written three other books together as follows:
Rhineland: The Battle to End the War (ISBN 0-7737-3257-8). This covers Allied Operations to clear the Rhineland in Feb/Mar 45, concentrating on Canadian Operations, but also tying in British and American assaults. Canadian Divisions included the 2nd and 3rd Infantry Divisions and the 4th Armoured Division. I have recently purchased this book, but have not re-read it yet, though I did read the 1st edition years ago.
Victory at Falaise: The Soldier's Story (ISBN 0-00-200017-2). This covers Canadian 1st Army operations down the Falaise highway from Caen to the closing of the gap, including the use of Kangeroos (converted Canadian Ram tanks)during armoured assaults. The authors spend quite some time discussing the actions of Major David Currie in winning the Victoria Cross, during operations at St-Lambert-sur-Dives to plug the Falaise Gap, in concert with the 1st Polish Armoured Division at Chambois (Maczuga). Currie was attempting to slow down the flow out of the gap with a squadron of the South Alberta Regt (15 Shermans) and a company of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, (later joined by a couple of more companies of infantry). The units formed part of the Fourth Canadian Armoured Division. They destroyed seven tanks, twelve 88s, and forty vehicles and killed, wounded or captured 2900 Germans, all on the 20th August.
Dieppe: Tragedy to Triumph (ISBN 0-07-551385-4) Unfortunately, this book is still out of print, but since Rhineland and Tug of War have recently been reprinted, I would'nt be surprised if this is next. Can't describe this in detail, since I haven't read it yet.
Finally, I would like to recommend one more book. It is called "Fighting For Canada: Seven Battles, 1758-1945". This book includes two Canadian World War Two skirmishes, one during the Normandy Campaign and one in Holland. Both are small battles, described in some detail.
The first is about a disaster for the 1st Hussars, part of the 2nd Armoured Brigade supporting the 3rd Infantry Division on 11 June, 1944, at Le Mesnil-Patry. Two squadron of tanks, supported by two companies of the Queen's Own Rifles assaulted units of the 12th SS Hitlerjugend, and encountered 75mm Pak anti-tank guns and Jadgpanzer IV tank destroyers. After heavy fighting, the Germans counterattacked with some armour. The books has excellent maps and an order of battle, which should aid in scenario development.
The second describes an assault by units of the 4th Armoured Division on a fortified dyke held by about 150 German paratroopers in Jan 45. This attack on the polders over soft ground and water included mostly infantry, using Buffalos and canoes, supported by Wasp flamethrowers, Shermans and Stuarts. The maps are not as detailed as for the above battle though.
Hope this helps you out and sorry for the long, long post. By the way, if you can't find the books at Amazon, check Chapters.ca.
Cheers,
DCruiser
[ May 09, 2001: Message edited by: DCruiser ]
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