There were Canadian Centaurs:
link
The 1st Centaur Battery R.C.A. was formed on 6 Aug, under the command of
Maj. D.M. Coopere, R.C.A. The battery comprised a Headquarters and three
troops, each troop manning one Sherman O.P. tank and four 95 mm. Tank Centaur
tank was heavily armed, mounting a Q.F., 95 mm. Tank Howitzer, Mk. 1, and two
7.92 mm. Besa machine-guns. Twin Vickers G.O. machine-guns gave anti-aircraft
protection, and auxiliary weapons carried included a Thompson and a
Sten machine carbine, a smoke bomb thrower and ear smoke emitters, and an
assortment of grenades of various sizes.
48. R.C.A. personnel to bring 1 Cdn Centaur Bty to strength were posted from
12 C.B.R. Bn, and on 14 Aug the Canadian battery completed taking over from
X Armoured Bty R.A. in the RANVILLE area. A British officer
(Capt. E.J. Leapard, R.A.) who had been with the guns since D-Day, remained on
attachment to the Canadian unit as Battery Captain, together with 15 R.A.
Sigs personnel, and one R.E.M.E. fitter (gun). A few days were spent in
getting the gun crews thoroughly familiar with their new jobs, ready to carry
out the role of 6 Airborne Div Arty, which was:-
(1) Maximum harassing fire on the enemy's administrative machinery.
(2) Vigorous and immediate retaliatory fire.
(W.D., 1 Centaur Bty, R.C.A., 10 Aug 44)
49. On 17 Aug the guns of the battery came into actin near BRÉVILLE, as
Operation "PADDLE" began. For this operation 1 Cdn Centaur Bty, under control
of 53 (W.Y.) Light Regt R.A., was in support of 6 Airlanding Bde. Three days
later the Canadian battery, left on the west side of the DIVES River when the
Airlanding Brigade went forward, came under command of 1 Belgian Bty, and on
21 Aug moved to VARAVILLE in support of Royal Netherlands Bde
(ibid: 20 Aug 44).
50. The River DIVES was crossed on 22 Aug, and that afternoon the Canadian
guns went into action again at a point (441094) south of DEAUVILLE, using an
O.P. established in one of the town's hotels. Steering and brake trouble had
left five Centaurs stranded along the road, and two of the unit's three
Shermans had been put out of action by mines. Next day the battery, leaving
Belgian command, moved to the LA HAIE TONDUE rendezvous (see para. 30) and on
the afternoon of 24 Aug crossed the TOUQUES River in support of an Armoured
Recce Regt (ibid: 24 Aug 44. Designation of unit not given). Further
breakdowns had reduced the battery's total armour strength to one Sherman, two
Centaurs and one Cromwell tank, the last-named borrowed from the Recce Regt.
51. For the assault on BEUZEVILLE on 25 Aug (see para. 35) 1 Cdn Centaur Bty
gave effective support to 3 Para Bde, carrying out a fire plan of 60 rounds
per gun. Then the unit moved forward again (26 Aug) with Dutch infantry
riding on its tanks and vehicles. Outside PONT-AUDEMER (774063) its guns went
into action once more, as targets were engaged for the Armd Recce Regt and for
armoured cars of the Belgian Group. As 49 (W.R.) Div moved in to take over
the area (see para. 36), the battery moved to a new position (718106) to the
rear of TOUTAINVILLE.
52. The short but active life of 1 Centaur Bty R.C.A. was almost over. On
28 Aug the unit was reorganized as a six-gun battery, the six surplus gun
crews being returned to 2 C.B.R.G. But with the removal of 6 Airborne Div
from an operational role, the need for the employment of the S.P. battery
ceased. On 29 Aug orders were received for the disbandment of the unit,
effective 30 Aug (ibid: Appx 2). Tanks were handed over to the British
(259 Delivery Squadron R.A.C.), and the remaining personnel went to 2 C.B.R.G.
By 2 Sep 44, 1 Centaur Bty R.C.A. had ceased to exist. Its obituary notice
may be found in the following War Diary entry:
During its short life B.R.A. states that it performed a
very useful purpose, and although originally immobile it
was able to keep up with the advance of 6 Airborne Div and
give useful fire support.
(W.D., A.Q. Branch, Adm H.Q.,
First Cdn Army, 30 Aug 44.)
53. The foregoing report was begun by Capt. T.M. Hunter and was revised and
completed by Maj. G.W.L. Nicholson. The material contained in it has been
checked by Major W.H. Hemphill, D.A.A. and Q.M.G., Cdn Liaison Sec, H.Q.
6 Airborne Div, and by Major J.A. Clancy, M.C., who was with 1 Cdn Para Bn
through the entire Normandy campaign.
(C.P. Stacy) Colonel,
Historical Officer
CANADIAN MILITARY HEADQUARTERS