Brecht, while 4 CIB took Merxam, just outside of Antwerp. Although Canadians were fight- ing just beyond Antwerp, 1 Army Tac HQ had an Army Sigs Exchange that opened on the 7th. After driving the Germans out of the Antwerp suburbs, 2 CID began to move toward South Beveland. At the same time, 3 CID moved into position to assault the Breskens Pocket by forcing the formidable barrier of the Leopold Canal. Another threat to the opening of the shipping channel were the for- midable gun batteries on Walcheren Island. On a suggestion by LGen Simonds, who had taken command of 1 Army in the absence of Gen Crerar, the dykes holding the sea water back were breached by RAF heavy bombers on 3 October. Very soon, the island appeared from the air as “a saucer filled with water.” Although the opening of the port of Antwerp was a priority, the majority of the Al- lied resources went to the British 2nd Army and the US 1st Army operating to the east of 1 Army. Consequently, 2 Corps, which had the responsibility to take South Beveland and the Breskens Pocket had only two useful divisions, 2 and 3 CID, because the ground over which the assault had to take place was not suitable for operations by 4 CAD. The British 1st Corps with the Polish 1st Armoured Division attached was assigned the task of protecting the left flank of the British 2nd Army. 2 CID began on 2 October 1944 to advance northwest out of Antwerp towards South Beveland. At first all went well and within four days the leading el- ements of 2 CID were within three miles of Woensdrecht, the key town leading to the South Beveland Peninsula. The Germans were alert to the danger and moved troops, includ- ing the 6th Parachute Regiment, guns, and tanks into the area. Suddenly, what had be- come an advance into Hoogerheide, a mile from Woensdrecht, became a defensive battle as the Germans mounted a counter-attack on 8 - 9 October. In an instant, the Germans had saved the key to the Peninsula, and forced 2 CID into a series of costly attacks. The R Regt C, on 9 - 10 October, had limited success to- wards cutting the Peninsula west of Woens-
clerks. It was noted that their standard of work was extremely high and they were put on shift work immediately. By 7 September, the officers had a dance to which Brig S.F. Clark attended. He was well informed on the ability of CWAC switchboard operators. Earlier in the war, he had been GSO 1 at CMHQ, London, when the first CWAC clerks arrived to replace males for field duty. He was given a month to break the women in but after a week their performance was so superior that he couldn’t get rid of the men fast enough. On 3 November, the Burgo- master of Antwerp presented Army Sigs a bronzed statuette of “Jimmy” that today occu- pies a place of honour in the Vimy Officers’ Mess. On 9 November, 126 LAD was disbanded after serving with Army Sigs since April 1942. The War Diary recorded, “Good show, RCEME.” On 8 December, the Diary noted that the communications between Army Sigs and 5 Div Sigs had closed down as 5 CAD was going home; the reaction was, “That makes one to go!” On 13 December, LCol W.O. Peffers ar- rived to assume command, having filled-in near the end of 3 Div Sigs and then 5 Div Sigs. On 1 January 1946, the second CWAC incre- ment went off duty for the last time; the War Diary recorded, “All in all the girls during their six months work with the unit deserve much praise and put on a very good show.” From then until the 16th there was a steady stream of personnel going home. It was noted on the 6th that the group going by train from Nijmegen to Calais left at 1925 hours with “no lights, no heat, no nuthin.” The final entry on 16 Janu- ary 1946 was, “Unit disbanded. Thus endeth FCAS (F - g Canadian Army Signals ?) until the next battle for freedom or something. Thus also endeth a necessary evil ie War Diary. Weather colder and clear.” The 3rd Division CAOF, including 3 Div Sigs (CAOF), was formed on 1 June 1945. LCol On 3 November 1945, the Burgomaster of Antwerp presented 1 Army Signals a bronze statuette of which today occupies a place of honour in the Vimy Mess.
R.L. Houston, formerly CR Sigs 4 CAD, to Bad Zwischenahn on 8 July, to command the RC Sigs, as the 3rd Division began to carry out its role as part of the Allied Occupation Force. It was not long before the difficulties of administering such a small force so far from Canada caused the Canadian Govern- ment to withdraw the force beginning in April 1946. On 12 June 1946, 3 Div Sigs (CAOF) was disbanded. Although the war stopped on 6 May 1945, fatal casualties to signal personnel due to old minefields, vehicle accidents, and illness con- tinued until the last Signaller left Europe. The list of fatali- ties included: Army Sigs: Sigmn A. Ford and J.H. Gaskin; L of C Sigs: Lt A.M. Heffernan, Sigmn F.C. Croshaw and J.P.K. Waites; 1 Div Sigs: LCpl R.G. Sweeting, Sigmn E.J. Kennedy and M.V. Shields; 3 Div Sigs: Lt E.L. Davison, M.T. Low, and F.G. Rundle; 4 Div Sigs: Sigmn F.E. Rogers, and A.H. Randall; 5 Div Sigs: Sigmn W.S. Metcalfe; 2 CAB: Sigmn C.H. Burgess; 2 SW: Sigmn A.R. Hunter. Total RC Sigs casualties in Northwest Europe were 170 deaths and 310 wounded compared to the total of Canadian Army casualties, 11,338 deaths and 33,001 wounded. Very few of the of those decorated for gallantry or a job well done were recorded in the War Diaries. Appendix 29 contains the names of all those decorated during the Sec- ond World War, but it was not possible to pick out only those who served in Northwest Europe. Through- out the Campaign, those dec- orated for gallantry have been recorded as they occurred based on citations and the date of the award, but since over 200 awards were made in 1946, 1947, and even a few in 1948, it was impossible to as- Johnston, Sgt D.H. Green- field; 3 Div (CAOF) Sigs: S.B. France and Germany Star War Medal with MiD cribe these awards to any par- ticular action.