Name/Title
1956 - Copy of painting "Hill 195" - Presented to The Sergeant's Mess by The Grenade Club in memory of the boys who fell in World War II by artist M. BeaupreDescription
*** Original is in Officers Mess and should be described as part of Molson Foundation and WW2 War Artist initiative ***
*** Is there a connection between the artist M Beaupre and Corporal JAD Beaupre (D26098) who was CGG / 22CAR soldier during WW2 ***
"HILL 195"
The action opened on the morning of August 8, 1944, when the Canadian Army staged an offensive to break out of the bridgehead at Caen and thus take part in the destruction of the 7th German Army in what was later to become known as the Falaise Gap. The 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment (Canadian Grenadier Guards) were in the lead as the 4th Canadian Armored Division passed through the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division to continue the advance.
By five o'clock that night the Regiment had taken the town of Cintheaux and had consolidated the area. The next morning the Guards working with the Lake Superior Regiment, captured Bretteville-le-Rabet. This move proved to be the prelude to the battle of Hill 195, which was the first large scale major battle in which the Regiment was engaged.
At six o'clock next evening orders were received to seize and hold a piece of ground 4, 500 yards south of Bretteville-le-Rabet - - this point was Hill 195.
After a night move to a forming-up area, the advance continued the following morning, through an orchard, a small hamlet called St. Hilaire Farm and finally led to a wheat field a slight distance away from the crest of the Hill. While No. 2 Squadron experienced little difficulty, No. 1 and No. 3 Squadrons which followed, were subjected to direct anti-tank fire from the right and four tanks were set ablaze. Despite this fire both Squadrons reached the summit of the Hill.
Enemy Counter-Attacks
The plan was for No. 3 Squadron to continue the attack at a point 2, 000 yards to the south, designated as Pt. 206. Just as the final plans were being formulated, however, the enemy mounted his counter-attack on the left flank with six tanks and approximately 300 infantry.
Withering anti-tank fire was directed against the elements of No. 2 Squadron and Regimental Headquarters which were grouped around the objective. Five were set ablaze and, as a supporting troop of four tanks came up it had two tanks knocked out. The gravity of the situation was evident.
Orders were given that the position must be held and the tanks of all squadrons regrouped and developed an over- powering hail of fire towards both flanks and the front. By this time enemy high explosive and anti-tank fire was being directed upon our tanks from all sides and a great deal of difficulty was experienced in caring for the many wounded who had escaped from the blazing Shermans.
Elements of the enemy infantry were detected advancing on both flanks and by determined and well-directed fire, these were dispersed and routed at the cost of many in dead and wounded.
Shortly after noon the counter-attack had been repelled at great cost to the enemy in men and equipment, Hill 195 had been seized and was still in the hands of the Grenadiers. But the task had not been completed without loss. A total of sixteen tanks had been destroyed, twenty-eight men wounded and eight killed.
The position was held for the remainder of the day despite continual heavy enemy high explosive fire and was not relinquished until two days later when the 21 Canadian Armoured Regiment relieved the Grenadiers.Created By
Zarina CarlevarisCreate Date
August 2, 2022Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
May 7, 2025
