A Regiment’s Sacrifice: Defeating Hitler’s Army
Back row L-R: CQMS A. Moncreiff, Sgt. C.S. Hayward, and CQMS G. Lunt.
Front row L-R: Sgt. W. Turner, CSM G. Quinn, Sgt H.T. Murray, and Sgt. L.G. Thomson.
Westmount, Quebec – 30 September 2024: This October marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Leopold Canal, and to commemorate the role the RMR played in this battle and in remembrance of our comrades who were killed, wounded, and/or taken prisoner, the RMR museum will be presenting a temporary exhibit titled: A Regiment’s Sacrifice: Defeating Hitler’s Army. The exhibition will be held in the Warrant Officers’ & Sergeants’ Mess in the armoury and will run from 01 – 10 November 2024. Admission is free, schools and group visits welcome.
The Battle of Leopold Canal took place from October 6th, 1944 until the 13th of October 1944 as the opening act to the Battle of the Scheldt (Oct 2 – Nov 8 1944) and Operation Switchback (Oct 6 – Nov 3 1944). Located right on the border between Belgium and the Netherlands, the Leopold Canal was a difficult landscape for battle, which was used to the German’s advantage. This attack required tactics, skill and the element of surprise, and although the RMR was not initially supposed to be a part of this battle, their service would help lead to the liberation of North-West Europe, a major turning point for the eventual Allied victory in 1945.
So why was the RMR involved? How did their role lead to the eventual liberation of North-West Europe? Who were the men who fought so gallantly and lost their lives for the Allied war effort? In the following weeks leading up to the opening of the exhibit, we will be releasing different stories answering these questions and more on the RMR website as a lead up to the exhibit opening.
