First World War battles

Battle honours in small capitals are for large operations and campaigns and those in lowercase are for more specific battles. Bold type indicates honours authorized to be emblazoned on the regimental guidon.

MOUNT SORREL 2–13 June 16, (Battle of Hill 62) was a local operation by three divisions of the British Second Army and three divisions of the German 4th Army. It was also 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade's first action. Located in the Ypres Salient, 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) east of Ypres, Belgium and 1,100 m (1,200 yd) from Hill 60, the battle took place along a ridge between Hooge and Zwarteleen in a smaller area called the Wieltje Salient. It was notable that the brigade commander Brigadier General Victor Williams was captured, and 5th CMR's commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Baker, Member of Parliament, was killed in action. Baker is buried at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery.^[19][20]

SOMME 1916, 1 July-18 November 16, also known as the Somme Offensive, was fought by the armies of the British Empire and French Third Republic against the German Empire. It took place on both sides of the upper reaches of the River Somme in France. The battle was intended to hasten a victory for the Allies. More than three million men fought in the battle and one million men were wounded or killed, making it one of the deadliest battles in human history.^[21]

Flers-Courcelette 15-22 Sep 16 was two and a half months into the Battle of the Somme. By that stage, the objective was a west-east line between the villages of Courcelette and Flers. The 8th Infantry Brigade with 5th CMR were on the left of 3rd Canadian Division's front providing flank protection, and was also successful in its attack in front of Mouquet Farm. In all, Flers-Courcelette had been far more successful than any British operation during the previous two months. If the employment of tanks had been premature, work was continuing on other weapons and methods.^[22][23]

Ancre Heights 1 October-11 November 16, is the name given to the continuation of British attacks after the Battle of Thiepval Ridge from 26 to 28 September during the Battle of the Somme. The battle was conducted by the Reserve Army (renamed Fifth Army on 29 October) from Courcelette near the Albert–Bapaume road, west to Thiepval on Bazentin Ridge. 5CMR was on the extreme right of 3rd Division flanking 2nd Division. 4th and 5th CMR were to block off Regina Trench from German counter-attacks from the west. Both battalions, met heavy machine gun fire as soon as they left their own trenches. Uncut German wire was a major hindrance to the advance, and one company was virtually eliminated between the opposing trenches. Part of one company reached Regina Trench but was overwhelmed and destroyed. The left forward company of the 5th CMR managed to reach the objective also, established a blocking position, but were driven out early on the morning of 2 October by continuous counter-attacks. Another assault company was impeded by wire and machine gun fire and recorded only 15 survivors, the rest either killed or captured.^[24][25]

ARRAS, 1917, 8 Apr-4 May 17 (also known as the Second Battle of Arras) was a British offensive. From 9 April to 16 May 1917, British troops attacked German defences near the French city of Arras on the Western Front. The British achieved the longest advance since trench warfare had begun, surpassing the record set by the French Sixth Army on 1 July 1916.^[26]

Vimy Ridge, 1917, 9-12 Apr 17 was part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France. The main combatants were the four divisions of the Canadian Corps in the First Army, against three divisions of the German 6th ArmyBattle of Vimy Ridge order of battle. The battle took place at the beginning of the Battle of Arras, the first attack of the Nivelle Offensive which was intended to attract German reserves from the French, before their attempt at a decisive offensive on the Aisne and the Chemin des Dames ridge further south.^[27]

HILL 70, 15–25 August 1917 was fought between the Canadian Corps and four divisions of the German 6th Army along the Western Front on the outskirts of Lens in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France between 15 and 25 August 1917. Lens is immediately north of Vimy Ridge. The lessons of Vimy Ridge were well known to the planning staff, and the battle was fought by many of the officers and men.^[28]

YPRES, 1917 31 July-10 November 17; also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, was a British campaign from July to November 1917, for control of the ridges south and east of the Belgian city of Ypres in West Flanders, as part of a strategy decided by the Allies at conferences in November 1916 and May 1917.^[29]

The First Battle of Passchendaele was fought west of Passchendaele village. The British had planned to capture the ridges south and east of the city of Ypres. Passchendaele lay on the last ridge 5 mi (8.0 km) from the railway junction at Roulers, which was an important part of the supply system of the German 4th Army. During this battle, although wounded, Major George R Pearkes, 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles, age 29 years old and an acting major earned the Victoria Cross(VC) for most conspicuous bravery and skillful handling of the troops under his command during the capture and consolidation of considerably more than the objectives allotted to him, in an attack.

AMIENS 8–11 August 1918, also known as the Third Battle of Picardy was the opening phase of the Allied offensive, later known as the Hundred Days Offensive. The push ultimately led to the end of the First World War. Allied forces advanced over 11 kilometres (7 mi) on the first day, one of the greatest advances of the war, with Gen Henry Rawlinson's British Fourth Army (with 9 of its 19 divisions supplied by the fast moving Australian Corps of Lt Gen John Monash and Canadian Corps of Lt Gen Arthur Currie) playing the decisive role.^[30]

Scarpe 1918 26–30 August 1918, was part of the Hundred Days Offensive. On the first day, 26 August, the Canadian Corps advanced over 5 kilometers and captured the towns of Monchy-le-Preux and Wancourt. Lt. Charles Smith Rutherford VC MC MM of 5 CMR performed actions that would earn him the Victoria Cross(VC). He captured a German party of 45, including two officers and three machine-guns, then captured another pill-box along with another 35 prisoners and their guns.^[31]

ARRAS 1918 26 August – 3 September 1918, also known as The Second Battle of the Somme of 1918 was fought in the basin of the River Somme. It was part of a series of successful counter-offensives in response to the German Spring Offensive, after a pause for redeployment and supply.^[32]

HINDENBURG LINE, 12 September – 9 October 1918, which included the Battle of St. Quentin Canal. As German defences collapsed and the army withdrew, the Allies planned a series of concentric attacks on the Germans (sometimes referred to as the Grand Offensive). Each axis of advance was designed to cut German lateral communications. The main German positions were anchored on the so-called Hindenburg Line, a series of defensive fortifications stretching from Cerny on the Aisne river to Arras.^[33]

The Battle of St. Quentin Canal was a pivotal battle and involved British, Australian and American forces operating as part of the British Fourth Army. Further north, part of the British Third Army, south of the Fourth Army's 19 km (12 mi) front, was the French First Army's 9.5 km (6 mi) front. The objective was to break through one of the most heavily defended stretches of the German Siegfriedstellung (Hindenburg Line), which in this sector included the St. Quentin Canal as part of its defences. The assault achieved its objectives (though not according to the planned timetable), resulting in the first full breach of the Hindenburg Line, in the face of heavy German resistance.^[34]

Canal du Nord 27 Sep 2 October 1918, was a continuation of the Hundred Days Offensive by the Allies against German positions. The battle took place along an incomplete portion of the Canal du Nord and on the outskirts of Cambrai. To prevent the Germans from sending reinforcements against one attack, the assault along the Canal du Nord was part of a sequence of Allied attacks at along the Western Front.^[35]

Cambrai, 1918 8-9 Oct 18 (also known as the Second Battle of Cambrai) was a battle took place in and around the French city of Cambrai. The battle incorporated many of the newer tactics of 1918, in particular tanks. The attack was an overwhelming success with light casualties in an extremely short amount of time.^[36]

VALENCIENNES 1-2 November 1918 was part of the Hundred Days Offensive on 1 and 2 November 1918, it resulted in the capture of Valenciennes from the Germans by Canadian and British forces. The city formed an anchor point for the so-called Hermann Line, and after it came under punishing Canadian artillery fire, over 1800 prisoners surrendered to the attacking Canadian battalions.^[37]

SAMBRE 4 November 1918, was part of the final European Allied offensives of World War I. German resistance was falling away. Unprecedented numbers of prisoners were taken in the Battle of the Selle, and a new attack was quickly prepared. The French First Army and the British First, Third, and Fourth Armies were tasked with advancing along a 30-mile (48 km) front toward Maubeuge-Mons. Together with the American forces breaking out of the forests of Argonne, the attack disrupted German efforts to reform a shortened defensive line along the Meuse. By aggressively pursuing retreating formations, two Canadian divisions were able to roll up three different defensive lines.^[38]

FRANCE AND FLANDERS 1915-18.^[39]

The Western Front was the main theatre of war for Canada during the First World War. Following the outbreak of war in August 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France.

Between 1915 and 1917 there were several offensives along this front. The attacks employed massive artillery bombardments and massed infantry advances. Entrenchments, machine gun emplacements, barbed wire and artillery repeatedly inflicted severe casualties during attacks and counter-attacks and no significant advances were made.

The unstoppable advance of the Allied armies during the Hundred Days Offensive of 1918 caused a sudden collapse of the German armies and persuaded the German commanders that defeat was inevitable. The German government surrendered in the Armistice of 11 November 1918, and the terms of peace were settled by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.

Normandy Landings (6 June 1944)

The narrative of D Day has been well recorded, but the subsequent battles tend to be underreported. The 27th Armoured Regiment (Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment) (SFR), loaded their Landing Craft, Tank in Ostend, UK on 3 June.^[54] The regiment was equipped with waterproofed Sherman and Sherman Firefly tanks, pulling "Porpoise" sledges filled with supplies. After a 24hr weather pause, they landed to the west of Bernières-sur-Mer of Juno Beach just after noon on 6 June 1944 with the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade (CIB). The SFR was their assigned tank force to exploit through the bridgehead created by the assault infantry and tanks of the 8th CIB. The beach was congested with other troops, and progress was slow getting inland to their assembly area near Beny-sur-Mer.

With about 3 hours of daylight remaining and three companies of North Nova Scotias riding on their tanks, the SFR passed through the assault battalions’ forward lines and fought their way southward toward their preplanned D-Day objectives. The North Nova Scotia's reached Villons-les-Buissons by dusk and ran into more German resistance. When it was evident that their objectives were still about four miles beyond near Carpiquet, they formed all-around defences around La Mare for the night. Behind them the brigade was fighting bypassed German positions in the assembly area.

Authie (7–8 June 1944)^[55] Starting from their exposed but advanced positions, on 7 June a force including all SFR squadrons pushed out in four prongs towards a cluster of villages south of Villons and Les Buissons, including Buron and Authie; A Sqn right, HQ and C Sqn centre, B Sqn left, and Recce Troop exploring the enemy's rear area. The advance-to-contact included tank-on-tank combat. Significant numbers of German half-tracks and other lighter armoured vehicles were destroyed.^[56] The SFR lost several tanks including most of the Fireflies which were commanded by junior officers. A number of men were killed, wounded, missing and captured.^[57][58][59] Twenty-three Canadian prisoners including six SFR soldiers were killed by their captors at the Ardenne Abbey massacre. After the war, the German commander Brigadefuhrer Kurt Meyer was convicted of war crimes.^[60][61][62]

The SFR's Anglican padre Capt Walter L Brown, Bishop's University, Huron University College of Orillia was one of two Canadian padres killed in Normandy. After landing on the 6th and throughout the day of the 7th, Brown was helping the medical officer at the regimental aid post. On the evening of 7 June, he responded to a message that, "the padre is needed at the front". Travelling by Jeep, Brown, his batman and driver Lt Grainger, and a passenger LCpl Greenwood, turned a corner and immediately encountered a German patrol. There was an exchange of fire. Greenwood was killed and Grainger was injured. Brown was seen surrendering and later reported missing. His body was identified on 10 July at a casualty collection point. The regimental padre observed marks on his chest suggesting Brown was possibly bayonetted by his captors.^[63][64]

The battle did not change the front substantially. However, this action and the next month of skirmishing blunted half an enemy division, prevented them from attacking into the beachhead, and remained a preoccupation for the German leadership. B Sqn started with fifteen tanks and ended with five, including "Bomb". The SFR and the North Nova Scotia Highlanders are the only Canadian units with the Authie battle honour.

Caen (8–9 July 1944) Operation Charnwood

The advance to Caen renewed in early July 1944. To the West the Americans had cleared large areas of western Normandy and pushed out of their bridgeheads. Although the Canadian and British divisions were strong, the thick hedges of Normandy favoured the defenders, especially around Caen. If anything, the comparative stalemate kept the Germans from moving troops away from Caen.

The battle of Orne began when the Canadians pushed out to the towns of Buron and Gruchy. Two SFR squadrons were attached to two battalion-strength infantry battlegroups. Once into the village of Buron, A Sqn's tanks helped the infantry fight house to house. The German defenders stubbornly fought to the last man rather than withdraw. On the afternoon of 7 July, the SFR and two British M10 self-propelled anti-tank gun troops destroyed 14 counterattacking tanks. By nightfall on the 8th, A Sqn's five remaining tanks had the high ground south of Buron. By 9 July the German defences outside Caen collapsed. The SFR CO himself (LtCol Mel Gordon) and his HQ were the first tanks into Caen.

Crossing the Orne

While somewhat anticlimactic compared to other battles, the assault crossing of the Orne River by SFR tanks provided hard-pressed infantry battalions with much needed close support as they struggled to secure the crossing in depth.

Official war artist Major Will Ogilvie produced a dramatic panchromatic watercolour of the tanks, entitled, "Tanks of the 27th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment) Cross the Orne Near Caen by Ferry, 19 July 1944".^[65] Modern-day researchers, writing in French, have identified numerous crossings pushed by Canadian engineers over the Orne River, including photo comparisons to the Ogilivie work.^[66][67]

Faubourg de Vaucelles

The Canadian infantry continued their fight clearing the Faubourg de Vaucelles suburb of Caen, south of the Orne River. Just as the SFR's tanks reinforced the infantry, the enemy's withdrawal allowed them to harden their defences, which could have been disastrous for the attackers. The battle turned when a strong British force hooked around behind the built-up area from the northeast and linked up with the Canadians.

Bourguébus Ridge^[68]

As high command pressure grew for bolder strategic gains, the Canadians were grouped into larger and larger manoeuver formations. Over two weeks’ of fighting in mid-July, Canadian infantry were thrown toward the small towns and dominating high features south of Caen, including Verrières Ridge. Available tank squadrons were paired with attacking battalions. The SFR's battles were between the Orne River and nearby Bourgébus Ridge. Across the division's frontage, Canadian casualties were very heavy. When the SFR was pulled back, A Sqn was down to six tanks and the other squadrons not much better. While the overall operation did not achieve all of its objectives, the Germans had had to contain aggressive attacks across a wide front and were left so badly weakened that the next battles were decisive.^[69]

Operation Totalize and 7–9 August 1944

During Operation Totalize, A Sqn commanded by Major Sydney Radley-Walters was in a support position with six 75 mm Shermans and two 17-pounder Sherman Fireflies in a walled Chateau compound 44 near Gaumesnil. SS-Hauptsturmführer Michael Wittmann, known as the "Black Baron", led a heavily armoured counterattack on 8 August attempting to drive a seam between British and Canadian formations. The SFR tanks were placed behind the chateau's stone walls with holes knocked out for firing positions. The tanks were about 300m broadside to the German platoon's axis of advance. When they opened fire, the Canadian tanks destroyed two Tiger I tanks, two Panzer IVs and two self-propelled guns while British tank fire destroyed three other Tigers. The German counterattack collapsed.^[70] At the time, the tank crew doctrine was to attack the most dangerous target first. A British Firefly crew later claimed to have killed Wittmann and his crew in their Tiger I tank. However, proximity and forensic examination of the holes more strongly supports that he was killed by the Sherbrooke tanks.^[71]

The intensity of the break-out battles can be seen in the number of replacement vehicles that had to be brought forward. At the beginning of August the 27th Canadian Armoured Regiment had 63 fit Sherman 75mm and Firefly 17-Pounder tanks. In the next two-and-a-half weeks, 23 were lost or damaged by enemy action, and half of those were repairable. Thirteen more were out of action for 2nd line maintenance, or work that was beyond the immediate capability of the unit's mechanics or facilities. Two were in 1st line maintenance, or temporarily out of the line for manageable repairs. Thirteen replacement tanks were received, either newly arrived from stocks in UK or repaired from battlefield salvage. Therefore, on 18 August, the SFR could field 38 fit tanks not including the two at the regimental Light Aid Detachment (LAD) on two-days availability. Though not a perfect count, this was enough to theoretically field three squadrons of four troops. Each troop could field three tanks each, plus four for the headquarters squadron. Other regiments involved in heavy combat equally received large numbers of replacement tanks in short order.^[72]

Clair Tizon (10–14 August), The Liaison (14–16 August), Falaise (11–23 August), and Falaise Road

While the British and Canadians were holding the enemy in the east of the Normandy bridgehead, the Americans were able to break through German lines in the west. Meanwhile, the Germans started moving in another Army Group and redeployed others to attack the Americans. Seeing an opportunity to entrap the enemy, the Canadians were ordered to relentlessly drive south.

Clair Tizon was a series of infantry and tank engagements to capture bridges south of Caen.^[73] After the massed infantry and armour attacks south from Caen, the Canadians were ordered to attack along a parallel axis as a way of diluting German defenders. The Liaison was a series of leapfrog battles to clear a long narrow river valley further west of the Caen to Falaise road. Infantry battalions were paired with squadrons from the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade to move past each other from one objective to the next. The SFR was ordered in because it had worked feverishly to replace lost crews and tanks following its last battles. Falaise was the bigger battle to close off two trapped German armies.

After reviewing the last two months of fighting, the commander of II Canadian Corps, Lieutenant General Guy Simonds decided that to keep the enemy off balance, he needed to leapfrog German lines with half-squadrons of tanks, mechanized engineers, self-propelled artillery and infantry in armoured personnel carriers, grouped into fighting columns. Although highly classified in wartime, the Allies also had the German plans because of Top Secret intercepted signals decoded with ULTRA.

Column after column of Canadians fought day after day to wear down the German defences. Nearby Polish and British divisions pressed hard. The Americans formed a big hook that trapped the Germans in the Falaise Pocket. Two SFR squadrons and their battalions actually entered the town of Falaise on 16 August. By 21 August, SFR tanks and infantry of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, closed one of the last routes in or out of the pocket near Hill 258 northeast of Trun, near Les Champeaux. Nearly fifty thousand Germans were killed, wounded or captured. The battle of Normandy was over, but the pursuit of retreating Germans had just begun.

Operation Kitten, Operation Paddle

The closure of the Falaise Gap brought dramatic enemy capture and destroyed numbers, but the enemy was far from defeated. Their rearguard operations slowed the SFR and the various ever-changing brigades and regiments it supported. In the weeks that followed, the SFR refitted with replacement tanks and crews, worked on lessons learned, and halted when ordered due to fuel shortages.

Clearing the Channel Coast

Antwerp-Tournout, Belgium (September and October 1944)

As the Germans retreated from France into Belgium and the Netherlands, Allied supply lines became longer. The port of Antwerp was needed by the Allies to improve their logistics challenges, but the approaches to Antwerp were still controlled by the Germans.^[74] The first step in a four-part battle was to clear the area north of Antwerp and secure access to South Beveland.

The SFR was attached to the I British Corps, with individual squadrons supporting different British infantry brigades' attacks. Initially daily advances gained bridges and valuable ground between the dominating canals. The operations were distinctive for the large numbers of disorganized prisoners taken while suffering limited friendly casualties. Despite the teamwork of the British, Polish and Canadians to clear the banks of the Scheldt, the enemy consolidated their resistance along the only axis available. The fighting was fierce. The well-entrenched German forces made it difficult for the Allied Forces to advance.^[75]

The Scheldt (October and November 1944) Operation Switchback, Operation Vitality, and Operation Infatuate

Following the comparatively conventional battle for Antwerp, the action to clear the Scheldt Estuary was anything but simple.^[76] Canadian and British forces, mostly infantry supported by artillery, and direct fire from tanks, struggled across terrible conditions to clear German defenders little by little from the shores and islands between Antwerp and the North Sea. It was one of the most distressing periods for the Canadian Army in WW2.

The Lower Maas

Through November and December after the intense actions to clear the Scheldt, the Canadians were ordered to move towards the Meuse (Maas) delta, a comparatively quiet sector held by the American 82nd Airborne and replace a British Guards regiment, which gave the SFR time to rest and receive training on new techniques. The front was still active, but generally static due to badly damaged roads, large flooded areas, and winter conditions. Throughout January and February 1945, the whole regiment or individual squadrons were moved around the 2nd and 3rd Canadian Infantry Division areas, and were often assigned direct and indirect fire tasks against enemy positions.^[77]

In early January 1945, LtCol Gordon left the SFR and LtCol FT Jenner assumed command for the balance of the war.

The Rhineland and the Hochwald (February – March 1945) Operation Veritable

As late winter arrived, significant Canadian forces, with attached British divisions mounted Operations Veritable and Blockbuster to push into heavily defended German territory. Once more, the SFR was parcelled out to attacking brigades and regiments to fight the infantry onto their objectives. Mobility was hindered by sodden terrain, heavy forest, well-fortified defences and highly motivated defenders. With the general disappearance of enemy armour and more conventional tank fighting, the SFR's role was characterized by shock and firepower for the infantry, whose progress was regularly aided by Kangaroo APCs, flail minesweeping tanks, and flame-throwing tanks. Lesson learned from the costly Normandy campaigns.^[77]

Early in the morning on 1 March 1945, supported by artillery fire and a troop of tanks from the Sherbrooke Fusiliers, The Essex Scottish Regiment attacked the northern part of the forest. On the left flank, Major Fred Tilston led C Company into well-defended enemy trenches. The last stage of the attack crossed soft ground where the tanks could not follow. Despite counterattacks and shortages of grenades and ammunition, the position was held. Tilston was badly wounded and refused evacuation until relieved by the one remaining company officer. His actions earned the Victoria Cross.^[78]

Xanten (February – March 1945) Operation Blockbuster

As winter ended, the First Canadian Army intensified the drive to overwhelm and defeat the Germans, starting with pushing them out of the area between the Meuse (Maas) to the west and the Rhine to the north and against the Ninth US Army to the south. The opening attack of Operation Blockbuster saw the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade including the SFR and Fort Garry Horse, with infantry battalions from the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade riding on the tanks or in Kangaroos, attacking fiercely defending German positions. The last objective was Xanten, achieved in early March after fighting which the official histories described as the most grim and gruelling of the war.^[79]

The Rhine Liberation of Arnhem

The Rhine River was both a physical obstacle for the advancing Allied armies, but a psychological barrier for the defending Germans. By establishing themselves on the eastern side of the Rhine, the Allies proved that they could control German territory and defeat the Third Reich.

Emmerich-Hoch Elten (March – April 1945)

Working from a previously earned Canadian bridgehead, squadrons of the SFR supported Canadian infantry clearing the German town of Emmerich on the eastern shores of the Rhine River. Even though this was a significant point of resistance for the Germans, the Canadians were well-practiced in their roles by this point in the war, and what might have been a weeks long set piece battle in Normandy was completed within days. Hoch Elten is a local high feature which was strongly defended, but overtaken.^[77]

Zutphen (April 1945)

Once more, the SFR was dispatched to support attacking Canadian infantry battalions clearing resilient defenders.^[80] Often carrying the foot soldiers on the tanks, the SFR provided direct and indirect fire against the enemy. As each obstacle was encountered, the close fighting relationships between tank troops and squadrons, A Squadron in particular, with particular battalions saw enemy positions destroyed or forced their retreat. Zutphen was notable for the close cooperation between pioneers and tankers to create small water crossings which were then successfully exploited.^[77] The Zutphen battle honour was given to six infantry regiments and a reconnaissance unit, but the only armoured unit recipient was the SFR.

Deventer (April 1945)

Despite feelings that the war had been won, the enemy still showed resilience. The Dutch town of Deventer was still stoutly defended. Canadian infantry and a handful of SFR tanks from B Squadron engaged the enemy who quickly fled.^[81] Although this was the last battle honour awarded the SFR, the remainder of April and May saw sharp enemy defensive actions and Canadian dashes to seize territory, with the associated drain on lives, men and material.^[77]

North-West Europe 1944–1945

LtCol S. Radley-Walters assumed command in July 1945. The Regiment was disbanded on 15 February 1946.^[82][83]

Another new regiment is formed

The guidon of the Sherbrooke Hussars

The history of The Sherbrooke Hussars from 1965 to present has been distinguished by success by surviving. The Canadian Army doctrine changed in the 1950s from mobilizing units in Canada for overseas service, to maintaining standing forces in Europe. As a NATO Charter signatory, Canada's focus was to support first the 27th Infantry Brigade in Germany and later 4th Canadian Mechanized Brigade. The role of reserve units changed to training individual soldiers to augment the regular force.^[90]

On 15 February 1965, the 7th/11th Hussars was amalgamated with The Sherbrooke Regiment (RCAC). The Sherbrooke Regiment's Sherman tanks were returned to stores. Regimental headquarters was established in Sherbrooke, with 'A' and 'B' Squadrons. Personnel from outlying areas were encouraged to commute for training. On 5 July 1967, Queen Elizabeth II presented new colours (a guidon) on Parliament Hill in the presence of thousands of spectators.^[91][92]

Throughout the period, members of The Sherbrooke Hussars deployed on Exercise Reforger 'call-outs' to Germany, including a formed Jeep light armoured reconnaissance troop attached to the 8th Canadian Hussars. Other operational deployment included United Nations missions in Middle East UNEF and UNDOF as support trades, such as drivers, Cyprus UNFICYP as peacekeepers, and extensively in the Former Yugoslavia UNPROFOR. A member of the regiment, Corporal David Galvin, attached to 12^eRBC, was killed when his Cougar armoured car rolled over on 29 November 1993.^[93][94] Several members of the regiment served in Afghanistan, including at least one soldier who was wounded by an improvised explosive device.^[95] Although individual contributions were significant, the regiment did not meet the detailed criteria for the Afghanistan theatre honours. Elsewhere, personnel served in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.^[96]

Reserve units in Canada face constant challenges of personnel attraction and retention. Often an employer will be reluctant to allow a reservist to leave their job to attend extended training courses or an operational deployment. One effort to reward cooperative employers has been through public recognition through the Canadian Forces Liaison Council. In 2005, the Most Supportive Employer in Quebec was the federal Department of Citizenship and Immigration on behalf of their employee, Captain Simon Hallé of the Sherbrooke Hussars.^[97]

National Defence budgets have always set the tone for training and recruiting tempo. For example, in April 2010, both the Sherbrooke Hussars and les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke were required to reduce their operating funds by 40% in the middle of their training year.^[98]

In 2019, the regiment perpetuates its Eastern Township roots as a bilingual unit in the Army Reserves. As a member of the Armoured Corps, the Sher H trains for, among other things, mounted reconnaissance, convoy escort and vehicle checkpoint establishment using the TAPV and G Wagen. Its unofficial motto is "see without being seen".

Through the Strengthening the Army Through the Reserves (StAR) project, it will be assigned a mission task,^[99] which is still in the analysis stage, to acquire chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) detection expertise. Two additional Regular Force cadre were posted to Sherbrooke to facilitate the capacity. Other units across Canada have been assigned significant mission tasks in three strategic approaches. Currently validated missions include force protection, convoy escorts, Arctic response company groups, and territorial battalion groups; newly identified missions like infantry platoons, reconnaissance, direct fire support, assault pioneers, mortars, influence activities, persistent surveillance system, and long-haul trucking; and exploring future missions such as assault troop, light urban search and rescue, light engineer bridging, cyber threats.

The Sherbrooke Hussars has used a variety of operational vehicles:

- the Sherbrooke Regiment was issued late wartime-production M4A2 (76mm) Wet Stowage HVSS M4A2E8 Sherman tank^[100] (retired in 1963);

- the Cougar AVGP (Armoured Vehicle General Purpose);

- Canadian made GMC M135 2+1⁄2-ton Cargo ("Deuce and a Half");

- Canadian made Dodge M37 3⁄4-ton truck;

- the M38A1 1⁄4-ton truck, the M151A2 1⁄4-ton truck; and the Volkswagen Iltis 1⁄4-ton truck;

- Canadian made M35 series 2+1⁄2-ton 6×6 cargo truck known as the MLVW;

- Canadian-produced standard transmission, 12v, 4x4, 1-ton Dodge Power Wagon W200 trucks differing slightly from the American Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle series; and,

- various 1+1⁄4-ton GM commercial vehicles Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle;

The current service vehicle is the Mercedes G-Wagen 1⁄2-ton truck, and the operational support vehicle is the MilCots commercial pattern extended cab 4x4 truck. There are six assigned for the echelon as fuel can hauler, ammo truck, squadron sergeant major's resupply and canteen, 1st line mechanic, and administration sergeant in place of the retired LSVW. In fall 2017, the transition to a new vehicle began, the TAPV, 18-ton Textron Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle.^[101]