We Have Been Busy...

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As the Veteran Services Officer for the branch, I was asked to provide a WW2 themed equipment and firearms display for the open house held July 19.  With thanks to Movie Armaments Group, guests were able to view and handle a number of deactivated firearms, equipment, ephemera and personal artifacts.  I was pleased to see Mayor Iain Lovatt and Councillor Sue Sherban in attendance, both of whom gave strong support and backing for both the Legion and our artifact restoration project. Well over 200 guests attended the event and our focus and commitment to the community veterans and their sacrifices was evident. 

I was contacted by the Virginia Military Institute to review the book, The Defeat and Attrition of the 12.SS -Panzerdivision Hitlerjugend. This is part II of the examination of the battles of the 12.SS by Arthur W. Gullachsen.  The book is a much needed and long overdue treatise on the zug, kompanie and battalion level actions the Panzergrenadier Regiments of this vaunted and often maligned division.  Given the Canadians frequently battled this unit from 06-June onward as they pushed out of the landing beach in Normandy, the content is particularly relevant. Stay tuned for the final analysis!

Focusing on my home branch, I continue to pursue the improvements and upgrades of our artifacts presentation and display. Although branch funds are challenged at this time, I was granted permission to seek donations from the community and have started reaching out. We are looking to raise $15000 to engage Marathon of History to complete the work. To donate, please contact me at mark@grenadierhistorical.ca

I was asked by Legion executives to inventory and examine their collection and appraise for insurance purposes.  Spending the day with this unique and special grouping of artifacts was a pleasure.  With rare WW I and II items ranging from a Lewis Gun and Sten Gun to original German Luftwaffe and Pickelhaube helmets, the collection is a treasure of local history across all conflicts.  Contact me if your branch is looking for a similar evaluation.

A recent guest on one of our trips connected with me to investigate the service of her father during his time in the German Army (Heer) during WW2. Recently the Deutsche Dienstelle merged with the Bundesarchiv meaning a more convoluted and bureaucratic process. Nevertheless, if the records exist, I will find them and help shed some light on her father’s service.  In addition, our guest provided the names of two uncles who, unfortunately, did not survive the war. Feldwebel Karl fought with the Luftwaffe in Jagdgeschwader 27 and met his end in the defence of Reich in March 1945.  He is buried in Saerbeck.  Obergrenadier Hermann Schaffhauser fought in the Heer and fell in October of 1943. He fell in Kloster Bjelovar and his final resting place is unknown.

Kudos to my friend and colleague, Mark Zuehlke—the eminent Canadian military history author behind the Canadian Battle Series—for recommending me to Michael Long, developer of Battleplan. A few months ago, I was brought on board to research and build a comprehensive timeline of all German units entering the Normandy battlefield from 6 June 1944 through the end of the campaign. Fast forward to today, and I’m now seeing the incredible results of Michael and his team’s work: a highly detailed, tactically rich game that strikes an exceptional balance between action and strategic depth.I’m truly honoured to be part of this project.
Keep an eye on Steam for the release of Battleplan!