The South Alberta Regiment (SAR) was a regiment of the Canadian Army that existed from 1924 to 1954. Originally infantry, in February 1942 it became an armoured unit. During World War II the Regiment fought from July 1944 to May 1945 in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.
The South Alberta Regiment mobilized in 1940 as part of the 4th Canadian Infantry Division.[5] When the division was reorganized as an armoured formation to satisfy demand for a second Canadian armoured division, the South Alberta Regiment was named 29th Armoured Regiment (The South Alberta Regiment) and received Ram tanks in February 1942.[6] The unit was again renamed as 29th Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment (The South Alberta Regiment) in January 1943.[7]
Major Currie (left, with pistol in hand) of the South Alberta Regiment accepting the surrender of German troops at Saint-Lambert-sur-Dives, France, 19 August 1944.Sherman tanks of the South Alberta Regiment in recently liberated Bergen op Zoom, 29 October 1944
Major David Vivian Currie of the SAR received the Victoria Cross for his actions near Saint-Lambert-sur-Dives, as the allies attempted to seal off the Falaise pocket. Currie was one of only 16 Canadians to receive the Victoria Cross during World War II. It was the only Victoria Cross awarded to a Canadian soldier during the Normandy campaign, and the only Victoria Cross ever awarded to a member of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. Lieutenant Donald I. Grant took a photograph of the event that would become one of the most famous images of the War (see at right). Historian C. P. Stacey called it "as close as we are ever likely to come to a photograph of a man winning the Victoria Cross."
The Freedom of the City was exercised by the South Alberta Regiment in Nanaimo, British Columbia, in April, 1941.[10]
The SAR is now incorporated by amalgamation in the reserve reconnaissance regiment the South Alberta Light Horse.[7]
The South Alberta Regiment descended from the Calgary Rifles, which had been raised in 1910. In 1920 the Rifles split into two new regiments, the Calgary Regiment and the Alberta Regiment. In 1924 the Alberta Regiment again divided, forming the South Alberta Regiment and the North Alberta Regiment. The North Albertas disbanded in 1936 while the South Albertas continued through World War II.[7]
Lineage of the South Alberta Regiment
1914
31st Bn, CEF
1920
Disbanded
1st Bn (31st Bn, CEF), The Alberta Regt
1924
1st Bn (31st Bn, CEF), The South Alberta Regt
C Coy, 13th MG Bn, CMGC
1936
The South Alberta Regt
1940
The South Alberta Regt, CASF
1940
1st Bn, The South Alberta Regt, CASF
2nd (Reserve) Bn, The South Alberta Regt
1942
29th Armd Regt (The South Alberta Regt), CAC, CASF
2nd (Reserve) Bn, The South Alberta Regt (MG)
1945
29th Armd Recce Regt (The South Alberta Regt), RCAC, CASF
^Graves, Donald E. (2004). South Albertas: A Canadian Regiment at War. Friesens, Altona, Manitoba: Robin Brass Studio Inc. p. 18. ISBN1-896941-39-7.
^Graves, Donald E. (2004). South Albertas: A Canadian Regiment at War. Friesens, Altona, Manitoba: Robin Brass Studio Inc. pp. 57–58. ISBN1-896941-39-7.
^Vogel, Robert., Copp, Terry (1983). Maple Leaf Route: Falaise. Alma, Ontario: Maple Leaf Route. p. 111. ISBN0-919907-02-4.((cite book)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Stacey, C.P. (1966). The Victory Campaign: The Operations in North-West Europe 1944-1945. Ottawa, Canada: Queen's Printer and Controller of Stationery. p. 428.
