By the time of the invasion of Sicily, the Canadians had been training in Britain for 2 years. The only combat that any Canadians had seen was a small contingent had participated in the failed Dieppe Raid on the coast of France. Now, the Canadian newspapers and politicians were calling for their troops to be used. This long period of inactivity could cause the Canadian troops to loose their fighting ability.
At the last minute of the planning for
Operation HUSKY, Churchill recommended that the Canadian troops be used in the invasion of Sicily. Eventually, the
1st Canadian Division was substituted for the 3rd British Division. The Chief of the Imperial General Staff immediately sent word of inclusion of Canadian troops in Operation HUSKY to the Allied commander in the Mediterranean Theatre.
The
1st Division consisted of 3 infantry Brigades and an Armoured Brigade and totaled 18,347 men at full strength. The Division was equipped with 12,265 pistols and rifles, 1,302 machine guns, 359 mortars, 436 PIATs (Anti-Tank projectile), 307 artillery guns, and 3,347 vehicles.
The 1st Canadian Division was part of the British 8th Army that fought in Sicily in July-August 1943.
Custermen
Reference book: "The Canadians in Italy, 1943-1945" Vol II by Nicholson.
Link: www.custermen.com