Monday, March 2, 2009

Personal History Lesson

Actual photo

My father always mentioned that he had dim memories of tanks, troops, and fighting during WWII in his Sicilian town of Leonforte...I never really followed up on that claim until now. And yes indeed, but surprisingly, they were Canadian troops:
"Meanwhile, the 2nd Infantry Brigade engaged the enemy in Leonforte, a city of 20,000, near Assoro. In the city's dark and narrow streets, fighting turned into house-by-house combat as the Loyal Edmonton Regiment scattered throughout the town. To help them out, Brigadier Christopher Vokes launched a mobile armoured column of four tanks plus a company of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. The assault was so fast and so efficient that the German guard posts at the entrance of the city surrendered. Fierce fighting went on until full surrender of the city and of neighbouring positions."

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