Name/Title
Capture and holding of Hill 195 Caen Falaise Road Liberation of France Aug 1944 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment (C.G.G.) Presented by The Molson Family - 1945Description
Graphic depiction of the Regiment's last action as part of Phase Two of Operation Totalize August 10, 1944. Operation Totalize was the 4th. Canadian and 1st. Polish Armoured Divisions first major action in Normandy. The Phase Two assault was initially spearheaded by "Halpenny" Force (named after our C/O. LCol Halpenny), which consisted of the 22nd. Canadian Armoured Regiment (CGG) with the Lake Superior Regiment as infantry support. Point 195 was supposed to be a follow up objective of another Regiment ("Worthington" Force comprised of the28th. CAR (BCR), supported by the Algonquin Regiment), who had digressed off target the day before and was virtually wiped out in the process at the wrong location. The CGG took over Point 195 as its now second objective in the Operation.. While it was successful in taking and holding the objective until relieved by the 21CAR (GGFG), we lost 24 tanks in the process - 21 of which were completely destroyed. Lost also were 14 Grenadiers killed and 43 wounded in this action. A unique feature of this engagement was that we faced for the first time, not merely the cream of German veteran infantry, armour and anti-tank guns, but the German experimental Goliath robot tanks - not featured in this otherwise excellent depiction of the highlights of resisting the inevitable German counterattack. So accurate in fact, is this painting that the Guardsmen featured could actually identify themselves. In fact, few wartime paintings depict an action with such complete accuracy.Created By
Zarina CarlevarisCreate Date
August 18, 2022Updated By
R. John Dolbec C/Sgt. (ret.)Update Date
August 6, 2025
