Canadian Armoured Corps, 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade – BD jacket

Original WWII Canadian Armoured Corps (CAC) – 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, battle dress jacket. This jacket, worn by a Major in the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, remains in good condition. The collar has been tailored, a common modification for officers of this rank, and is very neatly done. It features printed Canadian Armoured Corps insignia, embroidered Major rank pips on the shoulder straps, and four years of service stripes. The interior is maker-stamped Hyde Park Clothes Limited, Montreal, dated 1943, and marked size 13.

Dieppe & Beyond
The 14th Canadian Tank Regiment (Calgary Regiment) took part in the Dieppe Raid, with 417 men landing. Only two returned to England; 12 were killed, and 161 captured. Of 30 tanks, 27 were abandoned on the beach. The unit was re-equipped by October 1942.

By March 1943, Churchill tanks were phased out in favor of Ram and Sherman tanks. The Three Rivers and Ontario Regiments transitioned accordingly, with the last Churchills returned by May 1943. Light reconnaissance was done using universal carriers.

On 1 June 1944, the 1st Canadian Assault Troop was formed in Italy to support tank operations, joined by the 5th Assault Troop for the 5th Armoured Division.

Operation Goldflake
In early 1945, the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade moved from Italy to North-West Europe with I Canadian Corps. They received new Shermans, including Fireflies, as their 105mm Shermans were not standard in First Canadian Army.