Canadian Military History
Volume 21 Issue 3 Article 4
2015
New Men in the Line An Assessment of Reinforcements to the 48th Highlanders in Italy, January-October 1944
Andrew Brown
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Recommended Citation Andrew Brown "New Men in the Line An Assessment of Reinforcements to the 48th Highlanders in Italy, January-October 1944." Canadian Military History 21, 3 (2015)
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. : New Men in the Line An Assessment of Reinforcements to the 48th Highlanders in Italy, January-October 1944 New Men in the Line An Assessment of Reinforcements to the 48th Highlanders in Italy, January-October 1944
Andrew Brown
“Alex told me that the hundred and forty soldiers following us had arrived in England from Canada only a month earlier. Inadequately trained and unprepared for what awaited them, they had been prematurely shipped to Italy to transfuse our wasted regiment. Marching behind us in their clean, new uniforms, they joked with one another, stared curiously at the debris of war, and sang the brave and foolish songs they had learned in Canada.”1 Farley Mowat, And No Birds Sang.
necdotal evidence, such as the visited Canadian units in Italy, the Aabove quotation, suggests that Abstract: Anecdotal evidence, regimental sergeant major (RSM) of the Canadian Army rushed poorly consisting mainly of soldiers’ the 48th Highlanders complained testimony and widely accepted as trained infantry reinforcements to fact, suggests that Canadian infantry that only seven out of 72 men in a battle during the Second World reinforcements in the Second World recent reinforcement draft were fully War. Widely accepted as fact, the War lacked training. However, a trained.5 common perception of inadequate sample of service records does not Despite such compelling reinforcement training can be support the contention that the testimonies, it is not clear that the army sent masses of untrained men traced back to September 1944, to war. Indeed, the service files of army rushed masses of poorly trained when Toronto sports entrepreneur soldiers killed in Italy with the 48th infantry reinforcements into combat. Conn Smythe issued a statement Highlanders of Canada between When, for example, Ralston pressed to the press lambasting the poor January and October 1944 indicate the RSM for the 72 names, his unit quality of Canadian reinforcements. that the army rushed few men into could provide only 34. Ralston battle. Furthermore, the war diaries Smythe, who had been wounded the of units that provided refresher ordered a review that eventually previous July while commanding training to men in the reinforcement determined that all 34 men had been an anti-aircraft battery in France, stream indicate that the army strove in the army for at least a year, a claimed to have conferred during to ensure soldiers were ready for quarter had over three years under his convalescence with other injured combat. arms, and some were highly trained officers from across the army who specialists.6 More recently, historians agreed that reinforcements were Smythe’s allegations echoed the have questioned the accuracy and appallingly ill-prepared for combat. apparently widespread sentiments consistency of the anecdotal evidence He asserted that an unacceptable of officers fighting in Italy. According suggesting that the degree to which proportion of men had never thrown to an army historical officer’s undertrained soldiers was a problem a grenade, were unfamiliar with report of 20 February 1944, “All remains a gap in the historical the Bren gun, or had never fired, commanders in Italy agree that the record.7 Robert Engen’s examination or sometimes even seen, a PIAT mental and physical qualities of of battle experience questionnaires (Projector Infantry Anti-Tank) gun. their reinforcements are high but completed by infantry officers during His claim alarmed the public and complain that their basic training is the Second World War shows that Cabinet,2 and soon every major frequently inadequate.”4 Later that 59.9 percent of respondents felt that Canadian newspaper reproduced year, when the minister of national the general standard of reinforcement his story, fuelling the concern.3 defence, Colonel J. Layton Ralston, efficiency was “moderate” and
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another 5.6 percent thought it was they joined their battalions. While for combat duty. These files are useful “high,” compared to 26.8 percent a relatively small proportion may because they contain documents who answered “low.”8 While these have been inadequately trained, indicating the exact dates each soldier numbers were not quite a ringing the body of anecdotal evidence spent at every training, holding, endorsement of reinforcement exaggerates the extent of the problem. reinforcement, and operational unit quality, they hardly reflected The personnel files consulted were during his military service.11 unanimous condemnation either. those for all members of the 48th Of the 143 men who died, 89 were Given the lack of clarity on the matter Highlanders who died during the reinforcements who disembarked of reinforcement training, it is useful first ten months of 1944, a period in theatre after the Canadian to examine archived army records when the army was hard-pressed army landed in mainland Italy on to understand better how the army to maintain unit strengths in Italy 3 September 1943. Most of these prepared infantry reinforcements due to unexpectedly high infantry reinforcements followed the same for combat. Evidence drawn from casualty rates. During this period, the training and deployment pattern a sample of personnel files from 48th Highlanders, a justifiably proud (see Figure 1).12 After basic recruit a regiment that fought in Italy, and hardened veteran unit of the 1st and infantry training in Canada the the 48th Highlanders of Canada, Canadian Infantry Brigade in the 1st men were transported to Britain as well as the war diaries of the Canadian Infantry Division, lost 143 where they were usually posted to army’s reinforcement training units, men.9 Their service files, available a Canadian Infantry Reinforcement suggests that Canadian infantry to the public without restriction,10 Unit (CIRU).13 Once called up reinforcements were, for the most provide a sample with which to for service in the Mediterranean part, reasonably well-trained when assess how the army prepared its men Theatre, soldiers then moved to the
https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss3/436 2 : New Men in the Line An Assessment of Reinforcements to the 48th Highlanders in Italy, January-October 1944
1st Canadian Base Reinforcement to joining the 48th Highlanders in the “basic refresher courses” of two, Depot (CBRD) (which, by January field. However, the individual service four and six weeks duration, and 1944, was located in Avellino, Italy) files contain little information about one “advanced training” course.16 In where they trained while awaiting what training the soldiers received in March 1944, all CIRUs implemented call-up for service in a front line unit. the reinforcement units in Britain and a mandatory two-week refresher Reinforcements for the 48th Italy, making it necessary to consult course for all new arrivals. All Highlanders during the first ten the war diaries of those units.14 soldiers who completed the course months of 1944 were, in the majority Infantrymen arriving in Britain then had to pass weapons handling of cases, not as new to the army as from basic training in Canada went tests, known as Tests of Elementary one might expect. While it is true to one of seven CIRUs.15 The war Training (TOETs). Soldiers who that some soldiers had less than diary for 1 CIRU for January to failed the tests received further basic a year in uniform on the day they October 1944 shows that new arrivals training, while the rest continued to reported to the unit, they were were posted to training companies, receive advanced refresher training exceptions. For the 89 reinforcements which in January 1944 conducted while awaiting call-up for service in reviewed, the average time a soldier had been in the army at the moment he joined the 48th Highlanders in the field was almost 26 months. If one examines only the privates, that is the group with the men most recently in uniform, the average time in service does not drop much. Sixty-seven of the 89 soldiers were privates, and as a group they averaged slightly over 23 months in the army. Only 17 had less than a year in uniform when they were “taken on strength” by the 48th Highlanders. The amount of time spent at a CIRU in Britain and at the CBRD
in Italy varied greatly from soldier Joint Imagery Centre ZK 246 Canadian Forces to soldier. Some men spent only a few weeks in the UK, while others spent well over two years there. The average time each soldier spent in Britain was just over ten months, a considerable amount of time during which a man was available for training. Similarly, the time each individual spent at the CBRD in Italy varied greatly, with some soldiers having spent as little as one or two weeks, while others were there for many months. The average time spent at the CBRD was just over six- and-one-half weeks, suggesting that the typical soldier had time to receive a reasonable amount of in-theatre refresher training immediately prior
Basic training at Landsdowne Park, Ottawa, Ontario.
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3-inch mortar and 6-pounder anti- tank gun courses that lasted three and four weeks respectively.21 From early June to early September 1944, however, reinforcements passed through the CIRUs too quickly to receive the full range of continuation training. During this period, the army was under enormous pressure to sustain a steady stream of reinforcements
Library and Archives Canada PA 132776 Canada PA Library and Archives to its infantry units, minimizing the time soldiers could remain
Canadian soldiers train in England. Left: Crossing a rope line high over a group of watching officers, June 1943. Below: Two soldiers climb over a log wall obstacle, November 1941.
Europe.17 Refresher training included exercises on anti-tank ranges, zeroing rifles, firing Sten and Thompson sub- machine guns, throwing grenades, a special one-week mines and booby traps course, battlefield first aid, preparation of defensive positions, individual field craft, and night patrols.18 By April 1944, 1 CIRU held company commanders personally responsible for providing all their troops, including their permanent 177349 Canada PA Library and Archives establishment personnel who could be deployed to operational units, with as much training as possible. The company commanders were also responsible to retest all troops’ individual skills every three months.19 After completing the mandatory two-week refresher course, soldiers at 1 CIRU continued training until they were called forward to an operational theatre. D Company was responsible for providing this ongoing program, which sometimes included low- level collective, or group, training, such as section stalks, night patrols, and minefield drills. The aim was to exercise soldiers continually and keep their skills sharp.20 As time allowed, 1 CIRU also provided some men with specialist training, such as https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss3/438 4 : New Men in the Line An Assessment of Reinforcements to the 48th Highlanders in Italy, January-October 1944
in Britain. Early that summer, on training companies actively seeking for ensuring that, “the physical orders from Headquarters Canadian to identify and rectify major training conditions of personnel and their Reinforcement Units (CRU), all deficiencies.27 By October 1944 1 CIRU level of training is such that they CIRUs reduced the two-week refined the process by making the will be suitable reinforcements.” refresher course to one week.22 companies responsible for providing The battalion commanders were The week-long syllabus included the unit chief instructor with detailed to sign attestations indicating that mostly weapons training and range assessments on inadequately trained each soldier deploying forward was practices. Furthermore, owing to individuals. Each of these assessments, medically and administratively fit and a lack of time, 1 CIRU conducted consolidated by the chief instructor in that their equipment was “complete TOETs for only two of eight drafts “State of Training – Reinforcements” and in satisfactory condition.”32 sent forward during this period, reports, included an affected soldier’s In February, the commander of 1 making it difficult for the unit to name, course number and dates of his Canadian Base Reinforcement Group attest to the combat readiness of training in Canada, and statements (1 CBRD’s superior headquarters), each reinforcement. During this of deficiency.28 On 1 September, Brigadier E.W. Haldenby, issued a “rush” period, 1 CIRU’s commander, a group of senior officers from training instruction that reinforced Colonel C.B. Ware, assessed that most HQ CRU and a liaison officer from the fundamental importance of of these men required additional Canada conducted a visit to 1 CIRU, preparing men for combat, stating refresher training. Still, 1 CIRU did during which the unit chief instructor “our main consideration is testing what it could to make the best use of provided “general criticisms and and completing the basic training of the available time. For example, the suggestions” regarding the training rank and file.”33 unit held classes during the weekends of soldiers in Canada.29 When new drafts arrived at and evenings, and it provided In short, infantry soldiers passing 1 CBRD from Britain, the unit assessed additional training on mines and through Britain on their way to each soldier to identify any training booby traps to soldiers who required Italy received carefully planned deficiencies. Standardized written it. Although the soldiers’ training was continuation training at one of the assessments of incoming drafts after not complete, according to Colonel army’s reinforcement units. Generally January 1944 included the following Ware “no man was despatched who speaking, the longer a soldier stayed headings: numbers arriving, state of had not received instruction in all in Britain, the more training he training, condition of clothing and platoon weapons and had fired each received. Even during the “rush equipment, documents, physical weapon.”23 period” of June-September 1944, standard, source from which draft By mid-September, the situation soldiers received at least a week’s was drawn, and general comments stabilized, and CIRUs received training to refresh their ability to use on military efficiency.34 Completed orders to reinstitute the two-week standard platoon weapons. Outside reports attached to 1 CBRD’s war syllabus.24 This allowed 1 CIRU to the rush period, soldiers received diary indicate that while newly revert to its previous practice of more training – of at least two weeks arrived drafts during the first ten delivering the mandatory two-week to cover the essentials – and often a months of 1944 generally needed course, re-training soldiers whose great deal more for those who spent some improvement, there were not performance during the two weeks months at a reinforcement unit. the sort of serious shortcomings and was insufficient, and providing After departing a CIRU in gaps that would merit the description ongoing training to soldiers who Britain for Italy, all soldiers passed “untrained.” For example, on 7 passed the standard course while through the Mediterranean theatre’s March 1 CBRD assessed a new draft they awaited call-up.25 reinforcement depot, 1 CBRD, where of 320 soldiers who were destined for There is evidence that 1 CIRU they received yet more training before service with the 48th Highlanders. periodically took measures to finally joining their units.30 Although The physical condition of these improve training. For example, the army originally intended that troops appeared “to be quite good” on at least one occasion the unit 1 CBRD only hold reinforcements and their knowledge of fieldcraft managed to take into its ranks as waiting to be called to their units, and camouflage was “fair.” Most, permanent staff a group of officers by 1944, the depot provided new however, had no experience with and non-commissioned officers arrivals with refresher training to the PIAT or the Thompson sub- (NCOs) with recent experience make up for any deficiencies.31 On 22 machine gun (TMSG).35 (It is worth in Italy.26 Furthermore, the unit January, the commandant of 1 CBRD, noting that soldiers arriving in Italy carefully assessed the level of training Colonel G. Hedley Bashar, issued probably lacked training on the soldiers received in Canada prior an order that held the depot’s three Thompson because the army had to arriving at 1 CIRU, with the battalion commanders responsible long since replaced it with the Sten
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gun in all theatres except Italy, where drafts (who came from six different to insufficient time spent in Britain.38 it remained in service.) The troops CIRUs) reported that: Similarly, a late May assessment “had some” mine warfare training, noted that the soldiers in a recently but were not sufficiently trained in approximately 50% of the ORs are arrived draft were generally well- field engineering and small-arms well grounded in basic subjects trained (that is, most troops passed range work. Nonetheless, after being other than TMSG, PIAT & 2” mortar most of the TOETs) but required given TOETs on eight basic subjects, in which training was not complete additional training on some weapons 49 passed all tests, 248 failed one or though all had some knowledge of such as the Thompson and PIAT.39 two tests – not surprising, given most these weapons. They were taught All these new arrivals were to receive men required Thompson and PIAT Sten in UK instead of TMSG. training at 1 CBRD to rectify these training – and only 23 failed more Remainder require more handling deficiencies and prepare each man than two tests.36 in most basic and advanced subjects. for service in the line. Other reports on reinforcements At 1 CBRD there was refresher arriving in Italy paint a similar The group was “in need of a training for individual skills, as well picture of some good skills overall, few more weeks training.”37 In early as physical conditioning and some but a need for additional continuation April, an assessment of newly-arrived collective training. Each week from training to prepare them for frontline troops indicated that while discipline Monday to Saturday training took service. A consolidated assessment and morale were good, their training place from 0800 hours to at least of March 1944 on 11 newly arrived was “not entirely satisfactory” due 1630 hours and included, among
An MFM 4 Service and Casualty Form for a soldier who joined the 48th Highlanders as a reinforcement in June 1944. This soldier arrived in England with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and spent nine months at various Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Units before being sent to Italy.
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other subjects, weapons lectures Some soldiers also received and practice on ranges, physical advanced instruction on fitness, mine warfare lectures, ten- mines.44 mile route marches, and individual To ensure training and section fieldcraft training. Night was relevant, 1 CBRD training included marches and periodically sought patrol practices.40 In April, 1 CBRD feedback from line units increased the pace of training so on reinforcement quality. that within three weeks all available In late February 1944, a reinforcements would be fully 1 CBRD delegation visited trained and ready to join their units. various line units where, Brigadier Haldenby also ordered interestingly, there was all 1 CBRD battalion commanders little serious criticism Joint Imagery Centre ZK 697A Canadian Forces to hold an eight-day field exercise regarding basic skills. The without delay. He directed that units commanding officer of the maintain “a high standard of patrol Royal Canadian Regiment and fieldcraft training” and that (RCR) advised that some they make every soldier capable of troops needed more marching ten miles within two hours training in night fighting, for “hardening” purposes. Night night patrols, and “taking training was to occur at least two over positions.” Brigadier nights per week.41 Dan Spry, commander Major Paul Triquet joined 1 Canadian Base Reinforcement Training regimes tailored to of 1st Canadian Infantry Depot as the second-in-command of 1st Battalion. As a the requirements of specific groups Brigade, opined that units recent Victoria Cross recipient his battle experience would have been useful in preparing new troops for combat. were also provided by 1 CBRD. In needed more men with February 1944, for example, a group specialist qualifications, of reinforcements for the Royal such as snipers, mine and booby-trap The army also sought to ensure 22nd Regiment proved to have handlers, and demolition experts, training at 1 CBRD met front-line an “excellent” level of weapons though he also noted that “some needs by posting veterans into the training, but needed more practice personnel have arrived unfamiliar depot as instructors. In January in fieldcraft, battle drill and night with the use of grenades and tommy 1944 the 48th Highlanders alone operations. A custom two-week guns.” Brigadier T. Eric Snow, sent seven NCOs to 1 CBRD on program saw the troops improve commander of 11th Canadian Infantry an exchange program.47 Later, rapidly.42 Officers also received Brigade, advised that some personnel in June 1944, the army planned special attention. In mid-February in a recent draft had not passed all to exchange officers and NCOs 1944, 1 CBRD implemented a plan TOETs.45 During another visit to between operational field units and to optimize officer readiness to units in late March, front line officers 1 CBRD’s permanent staff. The aim lead men in battle. The unit kept were more critical of reinforcement was to furnish reinforcements with reinforcement officers fully involved training, advising 1 CBRD that new relevant, high-quality training, while in the troops’ training regimes. soldiers lacked expertise on the PIAT, providing less stressful employment These officers were responsible for the Thompson SMG, mortars, and the to soldiers who had served in the teaching basic subjects, planning and Vickers machine gun. (While not to line for prolonged periods. At the executing exercises, and rehearsing be dismissive of these complaints, the same time, the scheme would allow men in the conduct of reconnaissance Vickers and two of three mortar types instructors from the reinforcement and fighting patrols. In addition, in service – the 3-inch and the 4.2-inch depots to gain valuable combat once a week, officers attended cloth- – required specialist training). Too experience.48 On 21 September, the model exercises at night, participated many reinforcement soldiers also had Royal 22nd Regiment’s Major Paul in radio handling exercises, and poor weapons maintenance habits.46 Triquet, a national hero who was wrote papers on general military These commentaries underscore awarded the Victoria Cross the subjects.43 Other programs at 1 CBRD two points: that 1 CBRD actively previous December for his heroism included one and two-week specialist sought feedback from units on how and leadership in battle, joined courses that qualified individuals to improve training, and, while 1 CBRD as the 1st Battalion’s second- as mortarmen, machine gunners, units reported some problems, the in-command.49 On 7 October, the signallers, and stretcher bearers. deficiencies were not grave. 48th Highlanders sent another two
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Infantrymen of the 48th Highlanders of Canada advancing on Point 146 during the advance on the Gothic Line near the Foglia River, Italy, 28-29 August 1944.
training due to a lack of time, it was in September and October 1944. There is one group of men who do not appear to have received
Library and Archives Canada PA 177533 Canada PA Library and Archives adequate training at 1 CBRD during this period – men transferred to infantry from other corps. In late August 1944, the army implemented a concerted remustering program to help meet the growing need for NCOs to 1 CBRD to assist in the pool in Italy. Throughout the infantry reinforcements.59 While training of personnel remustered to month, 1 CBRD barely kept up most basic infantry training for infantry.50 Other operational units with demands.54 On 4 September, remustered soldiers occurred in almost certainly did likewise. 1 CBRD received authority to deploy Britain, 1 CBRD trained those soldiers For a brief period, 1 CBRD tradesmen and non-trade specialists, who transferred to the infantry corps even sent formed groups forward such as cooks and drivers, for while already serving in Italy.60 to operational units to receive General Duty (ie. infantry) service, Furthermore, in early October the training. In mid-June 1944, Major- if required for emergencies.55 The army sent a group of 496 members of General Chris Vokes, commander war diary contains no indication the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps of 1st Canadian Infantry Division, that the depot ultimately took such (RCOC) and the Royal Canadian authorized 1 CBRD to attach to each desperate measures, nor does it Electrical and Mechanical Engineers of the division’s infantry battalions a indicate whether or not the unit sent (RCEME) from Britain to Italy for 100-man company of reinforcements drafts forward before training was conversion training.61 The training for two weeks of training.51 On 18 completed. 1 CBRD fully expected, provided to this group was not June, the companies left 1 CBRD however, that specialist courses extensive. Unfortunately, 1 CBRD to join the field units of all three would be cancelled in order to free learned only at the last minute that brigades.52 That evening, the 48th men for immediate combat service.56 it was responsible for training these Highlanders greeted their company Furthermore, on 18 September, troops; on 6 October, just two days and prepared to execute the training 1 CBRD’s commander, Colonel before the soldiers arrived, 1 CBRD’s scheme. At this time, the unit (indeed, J.H. Christie, advised his battalion chief instructor alerted the unit that the entire Canadian Corps) was in commanders that “the situation in the training of these men “appears to reserve, and therefore presumably the forward area is such that it is be the responsibility of 1 C.B.R.D.” had the capacity to train its future vitally important to send forward He issued a rudimentary training reinforcements. Some of the officers every available officer and man.” He plan, consisting of only three weeks’ in this company of trainees – which ordered 1 CBRD to recall all men on instruction on elementary skills and the 48th Highlanders embraced by leave, review all cases of personnel procedures.62 Even this program naming E Company – remained declared “unavailable,” complete was difficult to implement owing with the unit until mid-July before all outstanding dental work, and to a shortage of instructors.63 Thus, returning to 1 CBRD.53 resolve all disciplinary cases without soldiers remustered to infantry and During September and October delay.57 The pressure to produce as trained in Italy in October may have 1944, however, 1 CBRD was hard- many infantry reinforcements as been inadequately trained. pressed to furnish units with enough possible continued until at least the It is not clear from the 48th reinforcements, and this may have end of October, when the Canadian Highlanders’ war diary to what affected the quality of training. Corps was finally taken out of the extent, if any, the remustered soldiers Indeed, by September 1944, high line and the pressing requirement were a burden on the unit. The casualty rates and the attendant for reinforcements eased.58 If ever entry for 11 September laments the demand for new troops had all but there was a period when 1 CBRD was arrival of a draft of four officers, depleted the infantry reinforcement hard-pressed to provide adequate none with combat experience, and https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss3/442 8 : New Men in the Line An Assessment of Reinforcements to the 48th Highlanders in Italy, January-October 1944
90 men, most of whom – aside from each soldier’s documents, verify his assessment of incoming drafts, those returning from convalescence personal equipment as complete, and soldiers still generally needed a bit – were remustered to infantry. issue his unit badges and flashes. more training after the two-week Nevertheless, a surprising number Units were to give each soldier course, a minimum standard will be of reinforcements arriving at the 48th “smartening up drill,” consisting of taken as including at least two more Highlanders between the middle “general tactical hints” and weapons weeks training at 1 CBRD. Additional of August and the end of October handling tests. Finally, units were time at each location needs to be had previous service in the unit. to place particular emphasis on allowed for arrival and departure The regiment’s war diary notes that educating the new soldiers on procedures, say one week before most of the men in a reinforcement “unit history and customs.”69 Such and after training at each location. draft of one officer and 48 men who instructions hardly seem to reflect This gives a total of eight weeks for arrived on 13 August “had been significant concern at the brigade a soldier to pass through a CIRU and with the Battalion before.”64 On 9 level for the reinforcements’ state of 1 CBRD and be considered trained September the regiment received a training. Similarly, a war diary entry to minimally acceptable standards. draft of one officer and 53 men. The for 10 September notes that the RSM Taking this benchmark, the following officer was one of the E Company was busy “making life supremely categories have been established: trainees attached to the battalion miserable” for a draft of newly during the early summer, while arrived reinforcements, indicating a. Soldiers with less than eight about half of the men “had served that “from morning to night under weeks total in the UK and at with the battalion before but had RSM CROSSLEY’s critical eye they 1 CBRD are assessed as probably been evacuated through wounds march, salute and do arms drill and not well-trained; or sickness.”65 On 28 September, tests of elementary training in small b. Soldiers who spent eight to 12 the unit welcomed back ten of its arms.”70 While such treatment of weeks total in the UK and at soldiers who had been hospitalized new arrivals was no doubt necessary 1 CBRD were probably trained then temporarily posted to other to establish the unit’s standard of to the minimal acceptable units.66 On 5 October, one major and discipline, the emphasis on marching standard. Still, in order to err on 24 non-commissioned reinforcements and saluting is not what one would the side of caution, these soldiers arrived, “all of them Highlanders expect if the unit was concerned with are assessed here as having a of long standing.”67 Finally, on 27 preparing undertrained troops for questionable level of training; October, 43 reinforcements arrived, combat. c. Soldiers who spent between 12 “all but six of whom were previously The training at the CIRUs and at and 20 weeks in the UK and at with the Battalion.” Two were new 1 CBRD may not have been perfect, 1 CBRD – that is, having received officers who had served previously particularly for those men rushed between three and five months of in the unit as NCOs.68 It is therefore through those units. But, as we have refresher training – are assessed possible that the high number of seen, many of the 48th Highlanders’ as probably well-trained; and experienced reinforcements balanced reinforcements spent a considerable d. Soldiers who spent over 20 the challenges of absorbing poorly- amount of time at either or both weeks, or five months, in the UK trained remusters. locations. Still, to arrive at informed and at 1 CBRD are assumed to be Certainly the 48th Highlanders’ generalizations about the level of well-trained. war diary for the period January to training for soldiers reinforcing the October 1944 says very little about 48th Highlanders, a few benchmarks Figure 2 captures the results of 89 the overall quality of reinforcements, need to be established before reinforcements assessed according and the few instances in which interpreting the data contained to these criteria. reinforcement training is mentioned in the personnel files. do not highlight poor readiness. The For the purposes of this Figure 2: Training State of Reinforcements war diary for March 1944 contains study, a soldier will be Well-trained 39 (44%) instructions from 1st Canadian considered trained to Over 20 weeks in UK or at CBRD Infantry Brigade that detail the the minimal acceptable Probably well-trained 24 (27%) brigade commander’s expectations standard if he completed 12-20 weeks in UK or at CBRD for processing newly arriving – at the very least – the Questionable 15 (17%) reinforcements. Units were to hold mandatory two-week 8-12 weeks in UK or at CBRD new troops in rear areas for up to course provided by Probably not well-trained 11 (12%) four days, but not less than 24 hours, the CIRUs. Because, Less than 8 weeks in UK or at CBRD during which staffs were to review as shown by 1 CBRD Total 89 (100%)
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Private Stanley Rodgers of the 48th Highlanders of Canada, who holds a PIAT anti-tank weapon, resting north of the Conca River en route to Rimini, Italy, September 1944.
Another group, numbering just under 20 percent, had a questionable level of training. Interestingly, these numbers correspond closely with the opinions expressed by the infantry Library and Archives Canada PA 189919 Canada PA Library and Archives officers reported in Robert Engen’s study. Finally, it is worth noting that information in the personnel files reviewed for this study reinforce an important, but perhaps under- appreciated, and objectionable, aspect of the army’s manpower management during the Second World War: the fact that the army heavily pressured conscripts raised under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) to volunteer for service overseas. As Daniel Byers explains in his article “Mobilising Canada: The National Resources Mobilization Act, the Department of National Defence, and Compulsory Military Service in Canada, 1940-1945,” while the government obliged NRMA conscripts, or “Zombies,” to serve only in defence of the homeland, the army soon realized that pressuring conscripts to “go active” was an This analysis is subjective. effective way to increase the number Amongst other factors, certain 2 represent precisely how well trained of men for overseas service. Army personnel may have experienced reinforcements were when they training centres deliberately mixed extenuating circumstances that arrived at the 48th Highlanders. The conscripts and volunteers in the same resulted in reduced time for training. results are strong enough, however, training platoons, encouraged the A soldier posted to a CIRU or 1 CBRD to suggest a trend. That is, most volunteers to pressure the conscripts, may have spent part of his time reinforcements (roughly 70 percent) and implemented a wide array of there in detention, or in hospital, or were well-trained, based on the fact other measures designed to pressure a combination of both, though such that they spent a minimum of three the NRMA men to volunteer for circumstances have been accounted months training in the reinforcement active service. The efforts were often for where possible. Similarly, because system. With somewhat greater brutal and coercive, and sometimes the personnel files rarely indicate confidence, one can conclude that a included the threatened or actual use how each soldier spent his time at relatively small proportion of soldiers of violence. They were also effective, each unit, some men were likely (slightly over 10 percent) were with some training units achieving occupied with duties other than probably not well-trained when taken 100 percent volunteer rates.71 Fully training for possibly considerable on strength by the 48th Highlanders, a quarter of the reinforcements to lengths of time. Therefore, it is not because they passed through the the 48th Highlanders in the sample claimed here that the results in Figure reinforcement system too quickly. considered for this paper (22 of 89) https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss3/444 10 : New Men in the Line An Assessment of Reinforcements to the 48th Highlanders in Italy, January-October 1944
A Canadian soldier fires a PIAT anti-tank weapon at a training school west of Ortona, Italy, 10 January 1944.
were either conscripted under the NRMA then went active, or chose to volunteer for General Service when it was clear that they were about to be conscripted (for example, after having received call-up notices).
Farley Mowat’s quote at the 205264 Canada PA Library and Archives beginning of this paper refers to a draft that arrived at his unit, the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, on 24 December 1943. The other two infantry regiments in the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, the 48th Highlanders and the Royal Canadian Regiment, also received drafts the same day.72 In fact, 14 of the 89 reinforcements reviewed for this paper were part of the 24 December draft reinforcing the 48th Highlanders. But whereas Mowat scrutiny of the training provided to historian, C.P. Stacey, that “no learned that the soldiers arriving at remustered soldiers would be equally commanding officer ever admits that his unit had apparently “arrived in important. Nonetheless, it is difficult the reinforcements his unit receives England from Canada only a month to accept that soldiers who generally have been properly trained.”74 By earlier,” the soldiers arriving at the spent a fair amount of time training 1944 the Canadian infantry battalions 48th - at least the 14 whose records in the reinforcement system arrived in Italy were hardened and veteran were examined here - spent on at their units utterly incapable of units, fighting a determined and average over 15 months in England. basic tasks. resourceful enemy in difficult terrain And, to a man, they also spent about Explaining the anecdotal and weather conditions that favoured six weeks at 1 CBRD before joining evidence of the reinforcements’ the defenders. Units such as the the 48th Highlanders in the line. The allegedly poor readiness is difficult. 48th Highlanders had through grim same is probably true for the troops Some complaints were probably well- experience developed techniques Mowat greeted.73 founded. Ten percent of the soldiers tailored to these difficult conditions. It By and large the reinforcements examined here did not spend enough would be surprising if reinforcements arriving at the 48th Highlanders time in the reinforcement system to did not lack the specialized skills during the first ten months of 1944 receive adequate refresher training. resident in these veteran outfits. spent enough time training in Britain Some observers of these personnel In addition, other critics may have and Italy to be reasonably well- may have painted all reinforcements complained of poor reinforcement prepared for combat. This contradicts with the same brush. For brief periods quality in an effort to convince the the mass of anecdotal information of time, the CIRUs and 1 CBRD (from government to send NRMA soldiers which maintains that the army rushed early June to early September 1944, overseas to support the fighting units. reinforcements into battle before they and September to October 1944 Conn Smythe, for one, concluded his were ready. Nonetheless, additional respectively) were challenged to famous public criticism of the quality research regarding reinforcement keep the stream of reinforcements of reinforcements by calling for training is required to confirm or flowing, and soldiers passing taxpayers to insist that the government refine the results presented here. through those units during those support the fighting units by ordering The examination of a larger sample periods likely received abbreviated the NRMA men overseas.75 Perhaps of data, such as for all three infantry training regimes. Furthermore, there others were tempted to decry poor units in the 1st Canadian Infantry may be some truth to the notion, reinforcement training to mask Brigade, would be valuable. Further as suggested by the army’s official other problems that resulted in poor
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battlefield performance, such as weak 3. Daniel G. Dancocks, The D-Day Dodgers: Second World War (Montreal & Kingston: The Canadians in Italy, 1943-1945 (Toronto: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2009), leadership at low levels. Finally, C.P. McClelland & Stewart Inc., 1991), p.250. p.177. Stacey relates that some infantry 4. Canadian Military Headquarters 9. The list of soldiers killed was obtained officers suggested that soldiers may (CMHQ), Historical Section, Report from the Canadian Virtual War Memorial No.178, “Canadian Operations in Italy, registry.
18. WD 1 CIRU entries for March and April passed all TOETs, and 244 failed two or sustained effort to remuster significant 1944. fewer of the eight tests. numbers of troops. Between April 1944 19. Chief Instructor 1 CIRU, “ITRs,” 18 April 40. 10 Coy Training Syllabus for period 28 and January 1945, the army remustered 1944, WD 1 CIRU. February to 4 March, 3 Bn 1 CBRD, WD 12,638 other ranks and 396 officers to 20. Chief Instructor 1 CIRU, “Trg Procedure,” 1 CBRD, and, 3 Bn Training Syllabus for the infantry. Stacey, Arms, Men and 18 October 1944, WD 1 CIRU. week ending 29 July 1944, 3 Bn 1 CBRD, Governments, pp.425 and 437. 21. WD 1 CIRU, 19 June 1944. WD 1 CBRD. 60. For example, the 4 June 1944 entry in the 22. Commanding Officer 1 CIRU, “Disposal 41. Minutes of 12 April 1944 1 CBRG Training 1 CBRD war diary notes that 115 men of Drafts,” 5 October 1944, WD 1 CIRU, Meeting, 14 April 1944, WD 1 CBRD. who had recently remustered from other and, WD 1 CIRU, 11 September 1944. The 1 CBRD war diary, and a number Corps were undergoing training. Also, in 23. Commanding Officer 1 CIRU, “Disposal of weekly training summaries contained the first week of October alone, the army of Drafts,” 5 October 1944, WD 1 CIRU. therein, indicate that units followed the remustered 46 men in Italy and sent them 24. WD 1 CIRU, 11 September 1944. direction to conduct night exercises and to 1 CBRD for conversion training. WD 25. Chief Instructor 1 CIRU, “Trg Procedure,” increased route marching by a few hours 1 CBRD, 7 October 1944. 6 October 1944, WD 1 CIRU. per week. 61. Stacey, Arms, Men and Governments, p.438; 26. WD 1 CIRU, 25 February 1944. The extent 42. 1 CBRD Chief Instructor, “Reinforcement 1 CBRD, “Arrival of Rfts – Adm Details,” to which this occurred is not clear from Training,” 24 February 1944, WD 1 CBRD. 6 October 1944, WD 1 CBRD. the war diary. This is an area that would 43. Commander 1 CBRG, “Trg Instruction 62. 1 CBRD Chief Instructor, “Training of benefit from additional research. No 2–Offr Trg,” 11 February 1944, WD Personnel of Various Arms Remustered 27. Commanding Officer 1 CIRU, “Disposal 1 CBRD. In fact, the Commander of 1 to C.I.C.,” 6 October 1944, WD 1 CBRD. of Drafts,” 5 October 1944, WD 1 CIRU. CBRG ordered that all reinforcement 63. WD 1 CBRD, 7 October 1944. For example, this document contains officers be subject to this regime. 64. WD 48th Highlanders, 13 August 1944. short descriptions of the quality of every 44. Chief Instructor 1 CBRD, “Training – 65. WD 48th Highlanders, 9 September 1944. draft that arrived at 1 CIRU between 3 Courses,” 17 February 1944, WD 1 CBRD. 66. WD 48th Highlanders, 28 September 1944. June and 6 September 1944. 45. 1 CBRD report, “Visit to Forward Area, 67. WD 48th Highlanders, 5 October 1944. 28. Chief Instructor 1 CIRU, “Trg Returns,” late February 1944,” WD 1 CBRD. 68. WD 48th Highlanders, 27 October 1944. 4 October 1944, WD 1 CIRU. 46. Captain W.B. Gammie, “Visit to Units,” 27 69. 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, 29. WD 1 CIRU, 1 September 1944. March 1944, WD 1 CBRD. This document “Memorandum No.13,” 6 March 1944, 30. There were two CBRDs in Italy. 1 CBRD is inscribed with an unsigned minute WD 48th Highlanders. Of note, the held and trained infantry reinforcements, from someone at 1 CBRD stating “More paragraph regarding this “Reinforcement while 2 CBRD held and trained all other time to be spent on maintenance & Drill” was the document’s fifth subject, arms. Both units were subordinate to the weapon handling.” following paragraphs for Leave, ABCA Canadian Base Reinforcement Group 47. LAC, RG 24-C3, vol.15,296, War and Information Rooms, Recreational (CBRG). By January 1944, the army co- Diary, 48th Highlanders of Canada, Facilities, and Mail Instructions. located the CBRG and both CBRDs at Canadian Active Service Force [WD 48th 70. WD 48th Highlanders, 10 September 1944. Avellino, Italy. Meanwhile, 1 CBRD’s Highlanders], 1942/03-1944/04, for 23 71. Daniel Byers, “Mobilising Canada: The 4th Battalion deployed forward to be January 1944. Volume 15,297 contains the National Resources Mobilization Act, close to the field units and to serve as the unit’s war diary for the period May 1944 the Department of National Defence, and final gate through which reinforcements to August 1945. Compulsory Military Service in Canada, passed before they joined their battalions. 48. Lieutenant-Colonel Michael S. Dunn, 1940-1945,” Journal of the Canadian Army Headquarters [AHQ], Historical “Exchange of Offrs & ORs–FUs and Historical Association 7, no.1 (1996), Section (GS) Report No.53, “Canadian PEs Rft Bns,” Canadian Section General pp.185-201. Organization in Theatres of Operations, Headquarters 2nd Echelon Allied Armies 72. Various 48th Highlanders personnel files 1939-1945,” 11 June 1952, para.10, p.7. Italy (AAI), 7 June 1944, WD 1 CBRD. showing soldiers as Taken on Strength
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