Criteria, procedure and quotas of Army valour awards during WW2 1st Cdn Army.
November 30 2003 at 10:55 AM
Recently I have read many award citations and personal accounts of actions by members of 3rd Canadian Infantry Division in NW Europe. Many of these accounts have some personal commentary from the individual award recipient and some go on to state that they were doing their job and many others in the regiment also deserved decorations but what I also found interesting was they mentioned that only a certain amount of decorations could be awarded and that the Regiment met a quota for an action thus no other awards were made.
Would the "quota" be for Periodic versus Immediate awards? What sort of quota are we talking here would it be so many MC's, MM's, DCM, MID's and CCC's? It sounded as if the percieved quota was also for immediate awards for actions. What sort of procedure was followed on the sharp end of Commonwealth forces to determine the entitlement,awarding and any allocation thereof for troops during/after an action?
The more I read and research the more insight into our troops and what they went through during this horrific time in our history. Every Canadian should be indeed proud of what all our troops accomplished.
Looking forward to Clives valour awards CD that is in the works any update Clive?
Can you provide a direct quote or two re: quotas? Are you sure the reference to quotas was not a passing one - ie "Well, Smitty should have got an MM too, but I guess they met the quota that day" is not really evidence that quotas existed, simply an off the cuff statement, rather along the same lines as "well, we were just doing what we were paid to do."
I'm not aware of any quotas being officially handed down re: medal awards. I know that Mahoney's VC was felt to be sufficient for the action that took place at the Melfa crossing, despite the armour commander there also being recommended for one - the explanation I've read was that one VC per action was felt sufficient (never mind that two were awarded for Dieppe,with a third going to a British commando).
Whatever rules did exist, they were unevenly applied.
The book that has these remicenses and citations is
Jean Portugals "We Were There" I will dig up a quote or two Michael and post soon as I do.
PORTUGAL, (Jean E., editor)
WE WERE THERE. A Record for Canada.
(Shelburne, Ontario): The Royal Canadian Military Institute Heritage Society, 1998. Seven volume set (complete). "After 13 years and 750 interviews with veterans from coast to coast, the Record for Canada of the men of 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and Supporting Services who landed on D-Day in Normandy, and Canadian sailors and airmen who supported them from the Beaches to Germany, has been completed in 7 volumes..The author sees it as a detailed human history of the down-the-line officers and men largely forgotten by Canada's postwar citizens. It is their stories, told in their own words, that 'tell it as it was'." Volume 1 covers the navy, volumes 2-6 the army, and volume 7 the RCAF and others.
I have known about Brit medal quotas for years but honestly can't say whether these were written down anywhere or not. There is certainly some policy documents at Archives but I have never delved into these. The quotas almost must exist to maintain the awards as 'special'. We would not wish to emulate the US who awarded 10,000 decorations to just over 6,000 soldiers for the invasion of Grenada in the 1980s. Or the award of the Bronze Stars to the 4 Canadians killed by 'friendly fire'. In reading CMHQ Report 112 (http://www.dnd.ca/hr/dhh/history_archives/engraph/cmhq_e.asp?cat=1) you wil see that the adoption of the CVSM was spurred on by the apparent free issue of ribbons to US personnel and the effect this had on morale (not to mention picking up girls in the pub on a Saturday night).
When Gulf2 settles down it will be interesting to compare the Brit awards ratio to the US awards ratio.
In "We Were There" by Jean Portugal many many post war interviews, personal diaries, war diary entries and award citations are quoted and they do mention quotas being reached by the Regiment in a number of passages especially Infantry regiments remembrances(possibly off the cuff as Michael mentioned) but it is good to know we may be on to something else.
It is worthy to note that British and Commonwealth awards are some of the most tightly controlled and hardest to win of the fighting forces during WW2. The Third Reich lauded millions of decorations on its troops and so did US forces. I am of the mind set that all our troops did an amazing thing during their operations and awards really highlight a glimpse of what many went through. We as historians get a brief window into the trials, tribulations and gallantry of the men on the sharp end.
Are there any details available on the procedure for recommending a gallantry decoration?
Gallantry awards Canadian Army 1939-1945:
CCC Commander in Chief Certificate(would this qualify)
MID Mention in Dispatch
MM Military Medal
DCM Distinguished Conduct Medal
MC Military Cross
DSO Distinguished Service Cross
VC Victoria Cross
Foreign Gallantry Awards: What criteria for the awarding of foreign awards such as below.
USA
Bronze Star
Silver Star
Other??
French
Croix De Guerre avec palme /etoile
The French Croix de Guerre was established on 8 April 1915 to commemorate individual mentions in dispatches during WWI. The medal was again authorized, with changes indicated above, in 1939 for WWII.
b. During WWII, the French Croix de Guerre was awarded to both army units and to individuals. The Croix de Guerre may be awarded at different levels of command. The level of the awarding command determines the appurtenance worn on the ribbon. The bronze palm indicates awarded by the Army; a silver gilt star by a corps; a silver star by a division; and bronze star by a regiment or brigade.
Belgian
Belgian Croix de Guerre palm/lion
a. The Belgian Croix de Guerre was established in 1915 to recognize acts of heroism performed by individuals or by units and was awarded for the period 1914-1918. The medal was again authorized with changes indicated above in 1941 for WWII.
b. During WWI, the Belgian Croix de Guerre was awarded to individuals only. During WWII, it was awarded to army units and to individuals. The Croix de Guerre may be awarded at different levels of command. The level of the awarding command determines the appurtenance worn on the ribbon. A bronze palm indicates awarded by the Army; a bronze lion awarded by a regiment; and a gold lion by the land forces.
Chevalier of the Order of Leopold 11 with Palm
Although not normally near the forward edge of battle, chaplains occasionally risked their lives in areas still under enemy fire to bring in wounded soldiers. Padre Andrew Mowatt of the Queens Own Rifle, was awarded the Belgium Chevalier of the Order of Leopold II with Palm and Croix de Guerre for his heroic action saving wounded in the Scheldt in the Fall of 1944.
Dutch
Bronze Lion- Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw
Instituted on 30 March 1944 this gallantry award ranks next to the Military Order of William and replaced, at the time, the Honourable Mention device Military personnel, civilians and foreigners were eligible and subsequent awards were denoted by a numeral on the ribbon.
Bronze Cross - Bronzen Kruis
Ranking just below the Bronze Lion, this decoration was established on 11 June 1940 for award to the military, to civilians or to foreigners for lesser acts of bravery. Again, subsequent awards were indicated by arabic numerals on the ribbon. The design stems from the 1830's "Metal Cross" (aka Hasselt Cross). The reverse shows the date "1940" and the arms are inscribed "TROUW AAN KONINGIN EN VADERLAND" (Loyalty to Queen and Fatherland).
Knight Officer of the Order of Orange - Nassau with Swords
Instituted by Law of 4 April 1892, signed by Queen-Regent Emma (1890-1898), as an award for "Those Dutch citizens or foreigners who have made themselves particularly deserving towards us and the State or towards Society".
Fourragére and or Lanyards (were any awarded to Canadian units?)
French Fourragére
NETHERLANDS ORANGE LANYARD
Belgian fourragére
Note detailed descriptions are from medal websites on the web.
Mike, Can you clarify what you mean by "procedures" for awarding a gallantry award. There were very specific requirements for awards. They had to be reccomended by the commanding officer, with details of the action, submitted with the reccomendation. The application then wound its way up the chain of command from level to level. Each level of command could support the reccomendation, alter or deny it. In Northwest Europe, Montgomery was the senior authority and he was notoriously stingy in the award of decorations.
What I am interested in is from the initial recommendation up the line for a valour decoration during WW2. Could platoon officers or NCO's make the recommendation? Criteria of say what would deem a MM over an MID or a DCM over the MM? I have seen criteria for the VC around the other awards intrigue me as well. Was there a standard form to file? As you mentioned the award could be quashed up the chain of command and that Monty was stingy with them. Once approved I assume they would be added to the persons personnel file and gazetted at some point.
In an account I read recently of the Ferme de Cardonville battle by Capt. G. Brown he mentioned that he did not get a chance to file reports of the action hence troops missed out on a possible well deserved award for this amazing stand by the John's (Regina Rifles). Granted this is a post war reflection but from the sounds of it the reports it was one hell of a battle.
On the issue of quotas if it was a known quantity for the British wonder how it relate to our forces during the war? Some actual statistics of total awards contrasted between British and Canadian units would be interesting and if a quota or a cap on number of awards was in place that would indeed be interesting.
Foreign awards to the troops, how would they be deemed appropriate? Seeing the USA issue say a Bronze or Silver Star why? The French, Belgian and Dutch awards make sense as 1st Canadian Army fought its way across NW Europe but the USA awards leave me curious.
Thanks for your time it is a interesting topic I am looking forward to Clives CD on Gallantry awards with much anticipation.
There was a standard form for award recommendations; they were minuted by the various levels of command - battalion, brigade, division, corps, army and in the case of the VC (at least) Army Group. Not sure which awards had to go how far up the chain. I've reviewed some of these recommendations in our regimental archives. I would imagine that some recommendations were initiated by a simple memo from, say, a company or battalion commander to his immediate superior. If approved, I would guess the paperwork started at that point?
Re: Would it be possible to get a scan or two Mike?
December 2 2003, 12:29 PM
I have at least 8 photocopies of awards to the Irish Regiment of Canada, sitting on my desk at home, I will try to get one out to you tonight. Just to let you know, DHH in Ottawa has all the award citations.
I think that Clive and Micheal started something with their hard drive crashes, I suffered the same fate but thankfully was able to recover all but a tiny part of my information. Trying to get the harware all reinstalled is proving to be somewhat more of a challenge. As soon as I'm up and funtional again, Iwill send you those scans. Sorry for the delay
Lt. Col. Don McKenzie was awarded the second highest US award the DSC for his actions in Holland, he was killed by a 75mm shell while directing tank fire in support of his battalion.
Nice listing of 48th Highlanders citations, I am also interested in the actual report that went up the line for recommendations.
On the instance of Lt. Col Mackenzie being awarded the DSC, why in that instance would the US have made an award and not a British/Commonwealth award? Trying to appreciate the process of a foreign nation being aware of the feat? That is a question I have had over foreign decorations for sometime. From what I understand only a VC or a MID could be awarded posthumously in British/Canadian gallantry awards. Was his DSC a posthumous award?
It turns out that I have been spelling Lt-Col. MacKenzie's name incorectly. Below is a transcript of the citation for his DSC.
Citation For The Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumous)
Lt/Colonel Donald A. MacKenzie, Canadian Army, for extraordinary heroism in action on 12 April 1945. When the 48th Highlanders of Canada had crossed the Ijssel River and gained their initial objective on the Wilp-Deventer Road, Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie, realizing that this was the turning point of the battle, went forward fearlessly in the face of enemy fire to make a personal reconnaissance in preparation for the second phase of the attack. His plan of attack, based on the information he gained, was eminently successful, and his unsurpassed leadership and daring resulted in the complete rout of the enemy.
Peter those listing are transcripts of the actual supporting document signed by the C.O. and sent up the line for further action. Pat's husband has dressed them up a bit to look more presentable. The originals were typed on 14 inch paper and typed in capital letters. Two of the recommendations were originally for the V.C. but were returned to the unit for amendment to a lower award. It is not too often you see a Lieutenant being awarded the D.S.O.
A Form W3121 was the form used to apply for a decoration. There has been discussion on this forum before about this subject but I couldn't get far enough back in Michael's archive to pull it up.
During WW I two British officers made a hand written report of the actions of a soldier in the 15th BN C.E.F., The report was signed by both officers and was used as supporting evidence for submitting a Form W3121. Also during WW I some medals were not applied for until after the war as the officer who witnessed the action and the soldiers who were involved were taken prisoners. In these cases the awards were given but no citation issued. This led to some confusion in the case of Cpl. McAllister of the 15th Bn as he had performed some heroics as a POW in helping 23 British officers escape for which he suffered a terrible beating. After the war the Company Commander Maj. Osborne submitted a list with the names of a number of soldiers on it and the decoration that he thought they should receive and they were all approved. Cpl. McAllister who had been repatriated to Holland because of his injuries was awarded the D.C.M.
I believe that Lt.Col. McKenzie's D.S.C. (U.S.) was awarded posthumously and have asked one of our museum staff to dig out the citation if possible. According to my research this medal can be awarded posthoumusly.
While discussing this subject with a staff member it has come to light that another 48th Highlander was awarded a U.S. medal while serving in North Africa. Lt. Col. Trumble Warren was awarded the Bronze Star. We didn't find that out until the family brought his medals in for display in the museum.
Oh well, more research, more fun.
Michael if you use the Search function on this forum and type in Aston's Book there is an interesting reply from Clive Law where he quotes from the record the course of an application from the C.O. upward.
Michael click on "Medals CD" Clive gives the information on about half a dozen men from the Irish Regiment.
I have had a telephone reply to my inquiry on Lt.Col. McKenzie's D.S.C. The citation starts off with the remark that it has been awarded POSTHUMOUSLY. Hope to have complete citation up in 10 days or so.
I wonder if the "awarded posthumously" really meant "presented posthumusly". There are many cases of an award - even an 'immediate' award which could take several weeks - being earned but the recipient dies prior to the award.
Clive I'm not sure what your point is but here is a quotation from Dileas by Kim Beattie;
"Just at 3:00 o'clock it happened. A shell shrieked; it smashed into
the earth close to the two 48th officers. Its concussion hurled them
both to the ground. Lt. Pickering was wounded and shaken, but as
he reached to his hands and knees he saw the Colonel was motionless.
He crawled to him. As bits of earth were still pattering back to earth
from the explosion, he heard him say painfully: "See where I'm hit,
Jack."
Lt. Pickering examined his head: he could find no wound-and at
that instant he saw death come. The Colonel had been so terribly
injured internally, he died with the one sentence, and before the dust
had fully settled from the shell burst."
I have spoken to Jack Pickering about the incident and he said it is much as described in the history. I had lunch with Jimmy (the weasel) Counsell and he confirmed the description of the action. He also said that Col. MacKenzie had told him that he had a premonition that he would not come out of this action alive.
American and British/Canadian military cultures ARE different. The American Bronze Star is - and has always been - an "I was there" medal, unless presented with the "V" Device (for gallantry). Their Silver Star is the equivalent of our Military Medal/Military Cross (whatever they're called now ref the Canadian equivalents, I should look this up). I know several RVN vets who came home with Bronze Stars, and they'll tell you honestly they really didn't do anything out of the ordinary for them. They'll also tell you - and this is documented in books - that numerous Silver Stars were awarded where they shouldn't have been, to officers who were simply trying to pad their resumes.
And Jessica Lynch didn't ddo ANYTHING other than endure a short period of captivity while in hospital. Hell, she was un- or semi-concious most of the time, because of her vehicle crash injuries.
OUR system has always been a bit different. Our criteria for awards has always been more stringent... and has, as many have acknowledged, missed those more deserving. Yet When you see an MM, MC, DCM or DSO (let alone a VC!), you KNOW the man wearing it has earned it in ways you can't fathom.
Which makes this whole Bronze Star thing pretty much of a conundrum... the United States Army is making a sincere attempt to honour our people, but with a medal they will dish out to thousands of their own who serve in-theatre. On the other hand, it's NOT a "cheap-shot"... our people (at least on the pointy end of the stick) DID distinguish themselves... yet we're not used to rewarding those who supported them accordingly. It was their JOB...
I think it's fine the Yanks wish to honour our guys... but I think some differentiation between the fighting and support troops should have been made. Bronze Stars with "V" Device (or even Silver Stars!) for the sniper team, perhaps? And perhaps regular Bronze Stars for the support elements?
I do agree that the balance of awards to grunts vs REMF officers and NCOs is way out of balance for OUR system; But take the American gesture at its face value... this is the way that they think. Their offer is NOT insulting.
As in WW2 and Korea, every man who was over there at the Sharp End KNOWS what he did and what he saw... and has the respect of any and all of us who knows what that means. Ultimately, that respect means more... but it doesn't demean the Americans' gesture. I'm just surprised our troops were permitted to accept what they were offered...
In researching the First Special Service Force I noted that the reason why no British/Canadian awards were granted to the 1st Cdn Spec. Serv. Bn. was because no quota of British awards had been granted for the unit because no quota of British awards had been granted to US Fifth Army/ Seventh Army-which only makes sense. Few actually heard of the 1st Cdn Spec. Serv. Bn.- Awards were granted only after they returned back into the Canadian system.
I think they are talking about numbers of awards granted for various formations. So if the Canadians were serving under a British Formation, ex. 1 Cdn Para Bn in the British Airborne Corps- they had to get their quota from the British formation and in effect share their quota.
First Canadian Army probably had a quota allotted to it and therefore that quota-whatever the number-had to be divided up amongst all the Canadian units under its command. In other words there was no continuous flow of awards.
Anyway I am certain about the Force situation but think this is how it worked as well for everyone.
According to the current administrative orders recommendations for valour awards will not "normally" be accepted if they total more than one for every 250 persons under command in an active theatre of operations for a six month period. I don't know how much this has changed since the time frame being discussed, but it shows that quotas are certainly plausible.
Very insightful I would like to find data on 21st AG from 44-45 and see totals awarded over the operations of 21ag and contrast British and Canadian awards. This is worth digging into and getting more information on.
Further to our discussion on the board at Canadiansoldiers.com about the procedures, quotas and criteria for gallantry awards for 1st Canadian Army I have received John Grodzinski's 1st Cdn Army Operational handbook and he has a little bit about awards and he illustrates a awards form titled CFA 1, John includes a blank form and then a completed one for an Lt. Curtis Leroy BLACK troop commander CAC awarded MC (immediate). It details the initial recommendation from Lt. Col. GM Churchill (Commander 1st. Canadian Armoured Carrier Regt. (Kangaroos) right up the line to 4th Brigade CIB Brig. FN Cabeldu, then to 2nd CID Divisional Commander, Corps Commander Simmonds, Army Commander Crerar, right on up to Monty himself, very neat find (unfortunately my scanner is on the fritz at the mo or I would attach it for you). Each commander signs it and dates and forwards to the next level of command.
Also found some mention of quotas in this book as well, it definiately presents an operational theatre quota as it mentions in regard to perodic awards that
were awarded by King that they were to be charged to Operational theatre quotas. Now what faces us is to find out what these "quotas" are. This has proved to be an interesting discussion I would like to find totalsfor awards to Canadian Armed forces during WW2 of all awards.
Michael
What is this handbook you're talking about? I know who Grodzinsky is, as I met him at the Museum here in Calgary some 10 years ago when all he had for an office was a desk in the hallway - but some amazing reference materials he let me photocopy. I've seen his work in the various Army journals but was unaware he had published any books. Can you elaborate? Sounds fascinating!
"Operational Handbook First Canadian Army, 1944 - 1945: Formation Organization, Staff Tech
December 22 2003, 9:00 PM
Hi Michael
John sells them on ebay $25.00 CDN +shipping It is a really nice resource it spiral bound and photocopied a treasure trove of data. Will send you his email direct Michael and if anyone is interested in John's email for enquiry on the book feel free to email me I have no connection with seller other then as a client.
"Operational Handbook First Canadian Army, 1944 - 1945: Formation Organization, Staff Technique and Administration" by John R. Grodzinski, privately published in 1997. This 129 page book describes in great detail the organization of First Canadian Army. Included are detailed orders of battle of all five Canadian divisions and three armoured brigades, lists of all army, corps and divisional commanders and key staff officers, descriptions on logistics (transport, supply, maintenance and medical), air support; personnel matters, such as the personnel replacement system, methods by which awards were made and much more. Includes dozens of period charts and table showing the organization of army, corps, division and brigade headquarters. A must for anyone interested in the history of the First Canadian Army during the Second World War.
I would be delighted to have a copy of Black's citation for my site at http://www.1cacr.org, and for the regimental archives. The old fellows would appreciate it too... I last had lunch with them this November, was their guest speaker, and brought a Kangaroo with me who hadn't seen him chums since 1945.
Please advise via email as to how we can affect this.
This is an interesting topic and related to some current awards research I am doing, so thought I'd revive it. Hope I haven't missed a thread where this has already been covered off. I have found two indirect but official references to quotas for immediate awards in the Regina Rifles war diary:
Memo from 7 Cdn Inf Bde to Regina Rif
13 Apr 45
(2 Regina Rif, 1 C Scot R names noted - Regina Rifs were for MC's, 1 C Scot R not indicated)
'CFsA1 recommending m/n for immediate awards for the period 1-28 Feb are returned herewith.
For the period mentioned this fmn was allotted 30 recommendations. Sixty-three were received, from which 30 were approved and fwded to 2 Cdn Corps. A supplementary list of 20 was also fwded.
Recommendations for Capt Howat and CSM Nimmo were contained in the supplementary list. 2 Cdn Corps has now returned the citations and has declined to consider them as being surplus to the number allotted to this fmn.'
Memo from 7 Cdn Inf Bde to Regina Rif
31 May 45
'Due to the limited number of immediate awards which this bde was permitted to submit for period ending 15 Apr 45 it is regretted that the following recommendations as submitted by you have been returned.
(2 MC's and 1 MM to Regina Rif)
One copy of each CFA1 is att for your records and possible future submission as a periodic award.'
I would expect quotas for periodic awards and am pretty sure I've seen references to those. I will post additional specifics if I come across any. For immediate awards, offical quotas are probably not what many would expect, but that's what this seems to point to. From these two examples, perhaps the Honours and Awards sections of the brigade war diaries would be the place to look for the documents outlining the quotas when they are initially communicated to formations?
Nice find Kevin it has been a while since this thread crossed my mind. Do you Have Service Publications Courage & Service CD? It is an amazing resource for all citations. Makes for good reading and research.
As an interesting aside to the subject of awards we have had a VON visiting due to some health issues in the family lately. Anyways I usually have some books out that I am reading on the kitchen table so we discussed the Canadian Military WW2 on his first visit and he mentioned his father served in WW2 and that they were from New Brunswick. Upon subsequent visits I had gotten into reading Invicta, The Carleton and York Regimental History by Tooley that lay on the table with my current crop of titles. So I say "your originally from NB right, well I happen to be reading the CYR history a NB regiment" and he says "My father was in the CYR and my father should be mentioned in the book". We go on and I say "Jaques what is your last name?" he replies "Senechal" and off we go to check the index. Low and behold his father was listed under wounded along with his Uncle whom also was wounded. In the wounded roll his father had after his name JHW Senechal MM, wow!! his Dad had won a MM at Apeldoorn.
The citation (from Courage & Service CD) for his Dad's action small world eh:
SENECHAL, Joseph Henry Wilfred, Private (Acting Corporal) (G.22232) - Military Medal - Infantry (Carleton and York Regiment) - awarded as per Canada Gazette and CARO/5934, both dated 4 August 1945. Name originally printed as "Senecal"; corrected by CARO/6419 dated 4 March 1946. Immediate award; approved by 3 Canadian Infantry Brigade on 24 April 1945 and passed forward on 25 April 1945; approved by Army on 14 June 1945 and passed forward on 20 June 1945.
On the afternoon of 13 April 1945, "B" Company, Carleton and York Regiment was ordered to attack through "D" Company who were at Map Reference 872029 [Reference Map: 1:50,000 Sheet 33 West Apeldoorn]. "B" Company moved through to the attack and Number 10 Platoon was leading supported by three tanks. Senechal was in command of a section in Number 10 Platoon.
When the platoon was approximately 100 yards across the starting point it came under heavy fire from machine guns and mortars which were located in a group of buildings on the side of the road approximately 100 yards ahead. Acting Corporal Senechal quickly deployed his section into fire positions and directed their fire on to these buildings. The bulk of the enemy resistance appeared to be coming from one particular building. While tank and small arms fire was being brought to bear on this building, Acting Corporal Senechal crawled forward over very exposed ground to within a few yards of it. Then jumping up he ran forward and entered the basement. Almost immediately he reappeared with 12 German prisoners who had been manning three machine guns and 6 Panzerfaust and tank weapons and holding the Company up. This proved to be the core of the enemy resistance and "B" Company was soon able to pass forward and gain its objective. Throughout the entire engagement, Acting Corporal Senechal showed complete disregard for his own personal safety. Many times he had to expose himself to enemy machine gun and mortar fire and also to the fire from our own tanks. By his outstanding courage and fine example he was at all times an inspiration to his men, and his actions are worthy of the highest praise.