Royal Regina Rifles: Difference between revisions
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'''The Royal Regina Rifles''' is a [[Primary Reserve]] [[infantry]] [[regiment]] of the [[Canadian Forces]]. Prior to [[1982]] the regiment was known as '''The Regina Rifle Regiment'''. The Royal Regina Rifles are part of [[Land Force Western Area]]'s [[38 Canadian Brigade Group]]. |
'''The Royal Regina Rifles''' is a [[Primary Reserve]] [[infantry]] [[regiment]] of the [[Canadian Forces]]. Prior to [[1982]] the regiment was known as '''The Regina Rifle Regiment'''. The Royal Regina Rifles are part of [[Land Force Western Area]]'s [[38 Canadian Brigade Group]]. |
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The regiment |
The regiment was nicknamed "The Johns" during [[World War II]] because of the high proportion of "Farmer Johns" in its ranks. |
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== |
==History== |
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The regiment traces its lineage to 3 July 1905, when an infantry regiment was authorized in the [[District of Assiniboia]] and the [[District of Saskatchewan]], which later that year became the province of [[Saskatchewan]]. The regiment was eventually organized as the 95th Saskatchewan Rifles, in [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]]. After the [[First World War]] the 95th merged with the 60th Rifles of Canada (in [[Moose Jaw]]) to become the South Saskatchewan Regiment, which expanded to five battalions with the creation of units in [[Weyburn]] (3rd Battalion), [[Moosomin, Saskatchewan|Moosomin]] (4th Battalion) and [[Estevan]] (5th Battalion). |
The regiment traces its lineage to 3 July 1905, when an infantry regiment was authorized in the [[District of Assiniboia]] and the [[District of Saskatchewan]], which later that year became the province of [[Saskatchewan]]. The regiment was eventually organized as the 95th Saskatchewan Rifles, in [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]]. After the [[First World War|Great War]] the 95th merged with the 60th Rifles of Canada (in [[Moose Jaw]]) to become the South Saskatchewan Regiment, which expanded to five battalions with the creation of units in [[Weyburn]] (3rd Battalion), [[Moosomin, Saskatchewan|Moosomin]] (4th Battalion) and [[Estevan]] (5th Battalion). |
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⚫ | On 15 May 1924, each of the battalions became a distinct regiment, and the Regina Rifle Regiment was created from the 1st Battalion following extensive reorganizations of the Canadian Militia. In the 1936 reorganization of the Militia, the Headquarters and A Company of the 12th Machine Gun Battalion, [[Canadian Machine Gun Corps|CMGC]], merged into the Regina Rifles, which existed as a single battalion militia regiment until 1939. |
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[[Image:28 Bn CEF.jpg|thumb|200px|left|The distinguishing patch of the 28th Battalion (Northwest), CEF.]] |
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Details of the 95th Saskatchewan Rifles were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protective duty. |
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The 28th Battalion (Northwest), CEF, was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Britain on 29 May 1915 and arrived in France on 18 September 1915. The 28th Battalion fought as part of the 6th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The 28th Battalion disbanded on 30 August 1920. |
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The 68th Battalion (Regina), CEF, was authorized on 20 April 1915 and embarked for Britain on 28 April 1916, where it provided reinforcements for units in the field until 6 July 1916, when its personnel were absorbed by the 32nd Reserve Battalion, CEF. The [[195th (City of Regina) Battalion, CEF|195th Battalion (City of Regina), CEF]], was authorized on 15 July 1916 and embarked for Britain on 31 October 1916, where its personnel were absorbed by the 32nd Reserve Battalion, CEF,v on 12 November 1916, to provide reinforcements for units the field.<ref>Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.</ref> |
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===Between the Wars=== |
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⚫ | On 15 May 1924, each of the Saskatchewan battalions became a distinct regiment, and the Regina Rifle Regiment was created from the 1st Battalion following extensive reorganizations of the Canadian Militia. In the 1936 reorganization of the Militia, the Headquarters and A Company of the 12th Machine Gun Battalion, [[Canadian Machine Gun Corps|CMGC]], merged into the Regina Rifles, which existed as a single battalion militia regiment until 1939. |
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Details from the regiment were called out on service on 26 August 1939 and then placed on active service on 1 September 1939 as The Regina Rifle Regiment, CASF (Details), for local protection duties. The details called out on active service were disbanded on 31 December 1940. The regiment subsequently mobilized The Regina Rifle Regiment, CASF, for active service on 24 May 1940. It was redesignated the 1st Battalion, The Regina Rifle Regiment, CASF, on 7 November 1940 and embarked for Britain on 24 August 1941. On D-Day, 6 June 1944, it landed in Normandy, France as part of the 7th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, and it continued to fight in North-West Europe until the end of the war. The 1st Battalion was disbanded on 15 January 1946. |
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The regiment mobilized the 3rd Battalion, The Regina Rifle Regiment, CASF, for active service on 12 May 1942. It was subsequently redesignated the 2nd Airfield Defence Battalion (The Regina Rifle Regiment), CASF, on 19 July 1943 and served in Canada in a home defence role as part of Pacific Command. It was disbanded on 15 November 1943. On 1 June 1945, a third Active Force component of the regiment, the 4th Battalion, The Regina Rifle Regiment, CIC, CAOF, was mobilized for service with the Canadian Army Occupation Force in Germany. The 4th Battalion was disbanded on 4 April 1946. The 2nd (Reserve) Battalion did not mobilize.<ref>Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.</ref> |
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During the Second World War members of the regiment received 14 [[Military Medal]]s with one bar to that award, seven [[Distinguished Service Order]]s, seven [[Military Cross]] awards, a [[British Empire Medal]], an [[Africa Star]], three French [[Croix de Guerre]], and a Netherlands [[Bronze Lion]]. Many more were [[Mentioned in Dispatches]]. |
During the Second World War members of the regiment received 14 [[Military Medal]]s with one bar to that award, seven [[Distinguished Service Order]]s, seven [[Military Cross]] awards, a [[British Empire Medal]], an [[Africa Star]], three French [[Croix de Guerre]], and a Netherlands [[Bronze Lion]]. Many more were [[Mentioned in Dispatches]]. |
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Its first taste of combat came in [[Normandy]], landing on [[Juno Beach]] on [[D-Day]], during which it was the first Canadian regiment to successfully secure a beachhead. It later faced the [[12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend|12th SS Panzer Division ''Hitlerjugend'']], which was almost completely annihilated by the British and Canadian forces. The regiment later entered [[Caen]]. |
Its first taste of combat came in [[Normandy]], landing on [[Juno Beach]] on [[D-Day]], during which it was the first Canadian regiment to successfully secure a beachhead. It later faced the [[12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend|12th SS Panzer Division ''Hitlerjugend'']], which was almost completely annihilated by the British and Canadian forces. The regiment later entered [[Caen]]. |
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===Post War=== |
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Four battalions were raised during World War II: |
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*1st Battalion, Canadian Active Service Force, mobilized 24 May 1940, moved to the [[United Kingdom]] in August 1941 as part the [[3rd Canadian Infantry Division]], fought in Northwest Europe from June 1944 to May 1945. Disbanded 15 Jan 1946. |
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*2nd (Reserve) Battalion, did not mobilize. |
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*3rd (Active) Battalion, mobilized 12 May 1942. Did not leave Canada. Redesignated "2nd Airfield Defence Battalion (The Regina Rifle Regiment)" 19 July 1943. Disbanded 15 November 1943. |
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*4th Battalion, [[Canadian Army Occupation Force]], raised 1 June 1945, Disbanded 4 April 1946. |
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In 1946, the regiment reverted to a single-battalion militia regiment. |
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In 1946, the regiment reverted to a single-battalion militia regiment. During the Korean crisis of 1951, the regiment raised two companies for the Active Force. These companies, along with companies raised by four other rifle regiments, founded the 1st and 2nd Canadian Rifle Battalions, which became the Regular Force battalions of the [[Queen's Own Rifles of Canada]]. |
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On 4 May 1951, the regiment mobilized two temporary Active Force companies designated "E" and "F" Company. "E" Company was reduced to nil strength upon its personnel being incorporated into the 1st Canadian Rifle Battalion for service in Germany as part of the [[27th Canadian Infantry Brigade]] on North Atlantic Treaty Organization duty in Germany. "F" Company was initially used as a reinforcement pool for "E" Company. On 15 May 1952, it was reduced to nil strength, upon its personnel being absorbed by the newly formed 2nd Canadian Rifle Battalion for service in Korea with the United Nations. "F" Company was disbanded on 29 July 1953. The 1st and 2nd Canadian Rifle Battalions which became the Regular Force 1st and 2nd Battalions of the [[Queen's Own Rifles of Canada]].<ref>Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.</ref> |
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''Royal'' was added to the regimental title on 5 July 1982, and the name was shortened to the Royal Regina Rifles on 24 October 1984. |
''Royal'' was added to the regimental title on 5 July 1982, and the name was shortened to the Royal Regina Rifles on 24 October 1984. |
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[[Image:RRR Camp Flag.jpg|thumb|300px|The camp flag of The Royal Regina Rifles.]] |
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==Perpetuations== |
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The Royal Regina Rifles perpetuate the 28th Battalion (Northwest), CEF, the 68th Battalion (Regina), CEF and [[195th (City of Regina) Battalion, CEF|195th Battalion (City of Regina), CEF.<ref>Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.</ref> |
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Those battle honours in CAPITALS are emblazoned on the unit appointments. |
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'''The Great War''' |
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MOUNT SORREL; SOMME, 1916, '18; Flers-Courcelette; Thiepval; Ancre Heights; ARRAS, 1917, '18; Vimy, 1917; Scarpe, 1917, '18; HILL 70; YPRES, 1917; Passchendaele; AMIENS; Drocourt-Quéant; HINDENBURG LINE; Canal du Nord; Cambrai, 1918; PURSUIT TO MONS; FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1915-'18. |
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'''The Second World War''' |
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NORMANDY LANDING; Bretteville-l'Orgeuilleuse; CAEN; The Orne; BOURGUÉBUS RIDGE; Faubourg de Vaucelles; FALAISE; The Laison; The Seine, 1944; Calais, 1944; THE SCHELDT; Leopold Canal; Breskens Pocket; THE RHINELAND; Waal Flats; Moyland Wood; THE RHINE; Emmerich-Hoch Elten; Deventer; NORTH-WEST EUROPE, 1944 45. |
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== Regimental lineage == |
== Regimental lineage == |
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* Mount Sorrel |
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* Somme, 1916, '18 |
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* Flers-Courcelette |
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* Thiepval |
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* Ancre Heights |
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* Arras, 1917, '18 |
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* Vimy, 1917 |
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* Scarpe, 1917, '18 |
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* Hill 70 |
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* Ypres, 1917 |
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* Passchendaele |
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* Amiens |
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* Drocourt-Quéant |
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* Hindenburg Line |
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* Canal du Nord |
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* Cambrai, 1918 |
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* Pursuit to Mons |
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* France and Flanders, 1915–'18. |
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* Normandy Landing |
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* Bretteville-l'Orgeuilleuse |
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* Caen |
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* The Orne |
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* Bourguébus Ridge |
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* Faubourg de Vaucelles |
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* Falaise |
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* The Laison |
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* The Seine, 1944 |
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* Calais, 1944 |
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* The Scheldt |
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* Leopold Canal |
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* Breskens Pocket |
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* The Rhineland |
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* Waal Flats |
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* Moyland Wood |
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* The Rhine |
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* Emmerich-Hoch Elten |
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* Deventer |
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* North-West Europe, 1944–45. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
Revision as of 20:17, 13 December 2011
The Royal Regina Rifles | |
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Active | 15 May 1924 – present |
Country | Canada |
Branch | Militia |
Type | Rifles |
Role | Light infantry |
Part of | Royal Canadian Infantry Corps |
Garrison/HQ | Regina |
March | "Lutzow's Wild Hunt" |
Commanders | |
Colonel-in-Chief | Anne, Princess Royal |
Abbreviation | RRR |
The Royal Regina Rifles is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. Prior to 1982 the regiment was known as The Regina Rifle Regiment. The Royal Regina Rifles are part of Land Force Western Area's 38 Canadian Brigade Group.
The regiment was nicknamed "The Johns" during World War II because of the high proportion of "Farmer Johns" in its ranks.
History
The regiment traces its lineage to 3 July 1905, when an infantry regiment was authorized in the District of Assiniboia and the District of Saskatchewan, which later that year became the province of Saskatchewan. The regiment was eventually organized as the 95th Saskatchewan Rifles, in Regina. After the Great War the 95th merged with the 60th Rifles of Canada (in Moose Jaw) to become the South Saskatchewan Regiment, which expanded to five battalions with the creation of units in Weyburn (3rd Battalion), Moosomin (4th Battalion) and Estevan (5th Battalion).
The Great War
Details of the 95th Saskatchewan Rifles were placed on active service on 6 August 1914 for local protective duty.
The 28th Battalion (Northwest), CEF, was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Britain on 29 May 1915 and arrived in France on 18 September 1915. The 28th Battalion fought as part of the 6th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The 28th Battalion disbanded on 30 August 1920.
The 68th Battalion (Regina), CEF, was authorized on 20 April 1915 and embarked for Britain on 28 April 1916, where it provided reinforcements for units in the field until 6 July 1916, when its personnel were absorbed by the 32nd Reserve Battalion, CEF. The 195th Battalion (City of Regina), CEF, was authorized on 15 July 1916 and embarked for Britain on 31 October 1916, where its personnel were absorbed by the 32nd Reserve Battalion, CEF,v on 12 November 1916, to provide reinforcements for units the field.[1]
Between the Wars
On 15 May 1924, each of the Saskatchewan battalions became a distinct regiment, and the Regina Rifle Regiment was created from the 1st Battalion following extensive reorganizations of the Canadian Militia. In the 1936 reorganization of the Militia, the Headquarters and A Company of the 12th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, merged into the Regina Rifles, which existed as a single battalion militia regiment until 1939.
The Second World War
Details from the regiment were called out on service on 26 August 1939 and then placed on active service on 1 September 1939 as The Regina Rifle Regiment, CASF (Details), for local protection duties. The details called out on active service were disbanded on 31 December 1940. The regiment subsequently mobilized The Regina Rifle Regiment, CASF, for active service on 24 May 1940. It was redesignated the 1st Battalion, The Regina Rifle Regiment, CASF, on 7 November 1940 and embarked for Britain on 24 August 1941. On D-Day, 6 June 1944, it landed in Normandy, France as part of the 7th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, and it continued to fight in North-West Europe until the end of the war. The 1st Battalion was disbanded on 15 January 1946.
The regiment mobilized the 3rd Battalion, The Regina Rifle Regiment, CASF, for active service on 12 May 1942. It was subsequently redesignated the 2nd Airfield Defence Battalion (The Regina Rifle Regiment), CASF, on 19 July 1943 and served in Canada in a home defence role as part of Pacific Command. It was disbanded on 15 November 1943. On 1 June 1945, a third Active Force component of the regiment, the 4th Battalion, The Regina Rifle Regiment, CIC, CAOF, was mobilized for service with the Canadian Army Occupation Force in Germany. The 4th Battalion was disbanded on 4 April 1946. The 2nd (Reserve) Battalion did not mobilize.[2]
During the Second World War members of the regiment received 14 Military Medals with one bar to that award, seven Distinguished Service Orders, seven Military Cross awards, a British Empire Medal, an Africa Star, three French Croix de Guerre, and a Netherlands Bronze Lion. Many more were Mentioned in Dispatches.
The regiment suffered 356 fatal casualties by 7 May 1945.
Its first taste of combat came in Normandy, landing on Juno Beach on D-Day, during which it was the first Canadian regiment to successfully secure a beachhead. It later faced the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend, which was almost completely annihilated by the British and Canadian forces. The regiment later entered Caen.
Post War
In 1946, the regiment reverted to a single-battalion militia regiment.
On 4 May 1951, the regiment mobilized two temporary Active Force companies designated "E" and "F" Company. "E" Company was reduced to nil strength upon its personnel being incorporated into the 1st Canadian Rifle Battalion for service in Germany as part of the 27th Canadian Infantry Brigade on North Atlantic Treaty Organization duty in Germany. "F" Company was initially used as a reinforcement pool for "E" Company. On 15 May 1952, it was reduced to nil strength, upon its personnel being absorbed by the newly formed 2nd Canadian Rifle Battalion for service in Korea with the United Nations. "F" Company was disbanded on 29 July 1953. The 1st and 2nd Canadian Rifle Battalions which became the Regular Force 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada.[3]
Royal was added to the regimental title on 5 July 1982, and the name was shortened to the Royal Regina Rifles on 24 October 1984.
Perpetuations
The Royal Regina Rifles perpetuate the 28th Battalion (Northwest), CEF, the 68th Battalion (Regina), CEF and [[195th (City of Regina) Battalion, CEF|195th Battalion (City of Regina), CEF.[4]
Battle honours
Those battle honours in CAPITALS are emblazoned on the unit appointments.
The Great War
MOUNT SORREL; SOMME, 1916, '18; Flers-Courcelette; Thiepval; Ancre Heights; ARRAS, 1917, '18; Vimy, 1917; Scarpe, 1917, '18; HILL 70; YPRES, 1917; Passchendaele; AMIENS; Drocourt-Quéant; HINDENBURG LINE; Canal du Nord; Cambrai, 1918; PURSUIT TO MONS; FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1915-'18.
The Second World War
NORMANDY LANDING; Bretteville-l'Orgeuilleuse; CAEN; The Orne; BOURGUÉBUS RIDGE; Faubourg de Vaucelles; FALAISE; The Laison; The Seine, 1944; Calais, 1944; THE SCHELDT; Leopold Canal; Breskens Pocket; THE RHINELAND; Waal Flats; Moyland Wood; THE RHINE; Emmerich-Hoch Elten; Deventer; NORTH-WEST EUROPE, 1944 45.
Alliances
Regimental lineage
1905 | Regt of inf. authorized | ||||||
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1907 | 95th Regt | ||||||
1908 | Became a rifle regt | ||||||
1909 | 95th Saskatchewan Rifles | ||||||
1912 | 95th Regt | 105th Regt | |||||
1913 | 95th "Saskatchewan Rifles" | 60th Rifles of Canada | |||||
1914 | 28th Bn, CEF | ||||||
1915 | 68th "Overseas" Bn, CEF | ||||||
1916 | Absorbed by 32nd Reserve Bn, CEF | 195th "Overseas" Bn, CEF | |||||
Absorbed by 32nd Reserve Bn, CEF | |||||||
1919 | 12th Machine Gun Bde, CMGC | ||||||
1920 | Disbanded | 1st Bn, The South Saskatchewan Regt | 2nd Bn, The South Saskatchewan Regt | 3rd Bn, The South Saskatchewan Regt | 4th Bn, The South Saskatchewan Regt | 5th Bn, The South Saskatchewan Regt | |
1924 | The Regina Rifle Regt | The South Saskatchewan Regt | The Weyburn Regt | The Assiniboia Regt | The Saskatchewan Border Regt | 12th Machine Gun Bn, CMGC | |
1936 | The Regina Rifle Regt | ||||||
1940 | 1st Bn, The Regina Rifle Regt, CASF | 2nd Bn, The Regina Rifle Regt | |||||
1942 | 3rd Bn, The Regina Rifle Regt, CASF | ||||||
1943 | 2nd Airfield Defence Bn (The Regina Rifle Regt), CASF | ||||||
Disbanded | |||||||
1945 | 4th Bn, The Regina Rifle Regt, CIC, CAOF | ||||||
1946 | Disbanded | The Regina Rifle Regt | Disbanded | ||||
1951 | "E" Coy, The Regina Rifle Regt | "F" Coy, The Regina Rifle Regt | |||||
Absorbed by 1st Canadian Rifle Bn | |||||||
1952 | Absorbed by 2nd Canadian Rifle Bn | ||||||
1982 | The Royal Regina Rifle Regt | ||||||
1984 | The Royal Regina Rifles | ||||||
2024 |
See also
References
- www.regiments.org - The Royal Regina Rifles
- www.reginarifles.ca - The Regina Rifles in WW II
- Juno Beach - The Regina Rifles on D-Day
- Mein, Stewart A.G. Up The Johns! : The story of the Royal Regina Rifles. [Regina] : Senate of The Royal Regina Rifles, 1992.
- regimentalrogue.com
- Regina Amoury
- ^ Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
- ^ Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
- ^ Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
- ^ Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
- ^ "The Royal Regina Rifles". Official Lineages: Volume 3, Part 2: Infantry Regiments. Directorate of History and Heritage. October 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2011.