Significant Dates in Canadian Military History Today in History 18/8/1917 For their actions at Hill 70 (15-18 Aug), Private Michael O’Rourke and Private Harry Brown of the 7th Battalion, C.E.F., earn themselves the Victoria Cross . 18/8/1917 At Hill 70, Sergeant Frederick Hobson of the 20th Battalion, C.E.F., dug out the Lewis gun, and got it back into action against the attacking enemy soldiers. When the gun jammed, Sergeant Hobson, though wounded, left the gunner to clear the stoppage and advanced alone to confront the Germans. For his actions Sergeant Hobson earn themselves the Victoria Cross (Posthumous). 18/8/1941 The first female medical officer for the RCAF Dr Jean Davey is appointed. 18/8/1941 No. 1 Tunnelling Company claims it shot down an enemy aircraft with machine-gun fire at Canterbury, England. 18/8/1944 Major David V. Currie, with the 29th Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment (South Alberta Regiment), earned the Victoria Cross for his efforts on 18 August 1944 to capture and hold the village of St Lambert-sur-Dives during the fighting to block the escape route of large German forces cut off in the Falaise pocket. 18/8/1944 HMC Ships Ottawa, Kootenay and Chaudiere sink the German submarine U-621 while on patrol in the Bay of Biscay. 18/8/1917 At Hill 70, Major Okill Learmonth of the 2nd Battalion, C.E.F., threw himself into the defence by standing on the parapet of the Canadian trenches and hurling hand grenades at the enemy attackers. For his actions Major Learmonth earned themselves the Victoria Cross (Posthumous).
Posted on: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 12:41:38 +0000