ryan_box024-tld_f38_08

Appendix "B"
for Cornelius Ryan
Your name J.E.H. LEBLANC
Major
[insert] See p.3 - first wave [end insert]

EXTRACT OF NOTES TAKEN FROM
NORTH SHORE (NB) REGT WAR DIARIES
PREPARED BY
CAPT BERNARD J. McELWAINE
PIONEER PLATOON COMMANDER
ST JOHN NB and LONDON, ENG.

[underline] PRELUDE TO ASSAULT [end underline]

During the first few months of 1944, more large-scale amphibious
exercises were held. Among these were Exercise, "PIRATE"; Exercise,
"FABIUS III"; Exercise, "VIDI"; Exercise, "GOLDBRAID". During
this period also a competition was held to determine the best Rifle
Company in the 3rd Canadian Division. It involved a series of
tests, including cross-country marches, cliff-scaling, mine-gaping,
house-clearing and firing. Able company swept through the Battalion,
and Brigade elimination contest and finally emerged with the Divisional
Championship. At the time Able Company was commanded by Major
J.A. MacNaughton with Captain Leon Belliveau as Second-in-Command.
The platoon Commanders were Lieutenant F.F. Moar, Lieutenant Cyril
Mersereau and Lieutenant M.M. Keith.

At the end of February Field Marshall Montgomery, (Then a
General) inspected the Regiment. Following the inspection he
addressed the troops - calling on them to give their best in
the coming struggle.

In the spring the Regiment moved again, this time to Emsworth.
Later another move was made to Chilworth - which was to be the
last camp occupied by the Battalion before Invasion. While at
Chilworth the Regiment was again inspected by a "Distinguished
Visitor" this time it was His Majesty King George VI, who came
to see the Battalion on the 25th April. Shortly after this,
on the 13th of May, the Battalion was Inspected by the Supreme
Allied Commander, General Eisenhower. At the conclusion of
his inspection he ordered the troops to break ranks and gather
around his Jeep. He then spoke on the task that lay ahead. It
was inspiration to hear this distinguished Officer and when
the troops marched off the field each man felt that not many
days remained until the great test would come.

[underlined] THE NORTH SHORE'S STORY [end underlined]

This account of the North Shore's battle history is but
an outline - or background picture - against which each battle
and campaign should be viewed. The reconstruction of these
battles - in retrospect - does not really do justice to the
spirit, the bravery, and the great sacrifices made by all ranks
of the Battalion. Many, who fell in the heat of battle, have
only a white cross to show for their contribution to the
North Shore's reputation in action. Others, who did fine and
splendid things under fire, have no chronicler to tell their
story now. Those with them then have also given all.

.../2..