Two Calgary Highlanders stand by the banks of the Bow River, Calgary, before departing for the war. They are humourously depicting Canada's equipment shortages at the beginning of the war... too many volunteers, not enough uniforms!

A...tten...tion!

Canadian infantrymen at the liberation of Caen, 1944.  Probably a posed photo (unless the photographer was feeling particularly suicidal).  Somewhere along the way, these lads seem to have acquired an old French-built Hotchkiss Mle1914 machine gun, a very useful piece of kit of WW1 vintage, but used by the French Army in 1939-'40.  This example, presumably, had been recycled into German use in 1940, and again into Canadian use in 1944.  Note also the "Turtle" helmets, the first major modification on the old British Brodie "tin hat".  The Canadians were to the fore in adopting this pattern of helmet.  Best regards, JR.

Canucks at Caen, 1944.

Major David V. Currie (left, with pistol in hand) of The South Alberta Regiment, 4th Canadian Armored Division, accepting the surrender of German troops at Saint-Lambert, France, on August 19, 1944.
