7th Canadian Infantry Brigade
| 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade | |
|---|---|
Canadian soldiers aboard LCAs headed for Juno Beach
|
|
| Active | 1915–1918 1940–1946 |
| Country |
 Canada
|
| Branch | Canadian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | 3rd Canadian Infantry Division |
| Nickname(s) | "Water Rats" |
| Engagements |
World War I
World War II |
| Insignia | |
| Formation patch |  |
World War II
The 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the Canadian Army that fought during World War I and World War II. The brigade, along with the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade and the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, formed the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. The division was formed in late 1915 in France, and served on the Western Front until the armistice in November 1918. Later, during World War II, it arrived in the United Kingdom in 1940 and spent three years in garrison duties and training in preparation for the assault landings on Juno Beach in Normandy on 6 June 1944. After fighting in Normandy, the brigade took part in the Battle of the Scheldt. After the war, it served on occupation duties until being disbanded in June 1946.
Formed from excess Canadian soldiers in depots in France, the 7th Brigade was formed as part of the 3rd Canadian Division in late 1915. Its first major action came around Mount Sorrell in June 1916, after which it fought in most of the battles that the Canadians took part in until the armistice in November 1918. The brigade's first commander was Brigadier General Archibald Macdonell. It had four infantry battalions, of which one (the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) had previous trench warfare experience, while the other three were freshly raised. The brigade was supported by a machine gun company and a trench mortar battery.
Formed in late 1940, the 7th Brigade was assigned to the 3rd Division. Consisting of three infantry battalions, it embarked for the United Kingdom in August 1941, arriving in September. After this, the brigade spent three years undertaking garrison duties and training. Its first combat assignment would come on 6 June 1944, when it was assigned to carry out the assault on Juno Beach.
Juno Beach was five miles wide and stretched on either side of Courseulles-sur-Mer. The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division was the assault division, along with the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade under command to provide armoured support for the infantry assault brigades. The 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Harry Wickwire Foster, had been selected to take part in the initial assault. They would land on the left hand side of the beach, supported by the 6th Armoured Regiment (1st Hussars). During the assault the Regina Rifles would land at Courseulles which had the code name Nan Green beach, the Royal Winnipeg Rifles would land on the western edge of Courseulles, which had the code names Mike Red beach and Mike Green beach.
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