ww2 Service and support Canadians soldiers transfered to infantry units

[nicolas75]

Hello to all

I was told that to cope with losses in the normandy campaign, services and support Canadians soldiers were transfered to infantry units within their division in ETO

Is that true ?

Thanks

[byterock]

Yes. Though not as extensive as US culls.

Mostly on a volunteer basis with soldiers already in the ETO.

There was a general manpower shortage in all units int the CA at the time so they really did not have that many to cull from.

The big controversy was the use of 'Zombies' at the front

https://thediscoverblog.com/2018/10/...s-zombie-army/

[nicolas75]

Thanks for the very informative answer !

[peter monahan]

Farley Mowat in one of his books on the Italian campaign - And No Birds Sang or The Regiment - he alludes to the cooks and typistsand drivers being thrown into the line too as casualties mounted. In WWI there were fitness levels from A1 to B5 to describe soldiers who had regimental duties in combat battalions, so presumably in WWII some men would be deemd fit for HQ or admin type work but not for the fox holes or patrol. These too were likely transferred [within their units] to more active roles to replace casualties.

[Paul Harrison]

It was not just service support arms that filled Infantry positions. A number of years back I parted with a named canvas badged BD to a Rifleman in the QOR of C, 3 CID. The member joined the RCA in 1940, and was transferred to the QOR in late Dec 44, finishing the war w the QOR. BD is now in Holland. (Also back about 15 years ago, three soldiers remains were recovered, also in Holland. They were Linc & Welland, but had been transferred to the Battalion a couple of months prior from the RCASC if I recall).

[nicolas75]

Interesting answers. Thanks