Canadians Fight for Grammichele

On the 15 of July 1943, elements of the 1st Canadian Division were tasked to take Grammichele, a town of 13,000 people. Reconnaissance groups of The Three Rivers Regiment approached the town at approximately 9 am with Infantry following behind. Unknown to the Canadians was that the defenders from the Herman Goring Division were expecting them. As the vehicles from the Three Rivers Regiment drew closer the German force opened fire with an array of artillery and anti-tank weaponry.

The Canadians were able to return fire on the German positions quickly and the The Three Rivers Regiment knocked out a number of flak guns and three German panzers. The infantry began to close in on the town and pushed the German defenders out who came under Canadian artillery fire during their retreat.

Huron Brant, a Mohawk soldier with the Hasting and Prince Edward Regiment was awarded the Military Medal for his brave actions after charging an enemy force of about 30 strong with his Bren gun. Bernard Mongomery would personally award him the medal during a ceremony in Catanzaro.

The skirmish at Grammichele cost 25 casualties for the Canadians and was their first ground encounter with German forces in Italy. This also showed the success of the mechanized and coordinated Canadian force in combat.

Sources:

Stacey, C. P., and G. W. L. Nicholson. Official History of the Canadian Army in the Second World War. Vol. 2. Ottawa: Duhamel, 1966.