3rd Canadian Division

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3rd Canadian Division
Active 1915-1919
Country Canada
Allegiance Allies
Branch Canadian Expeditionary Force
Type Infantry
Engagements Battle of the Somme
Battle of Vimy Ridge
Battle of Passchendaele
Commanders
Current
commander
n/a

The 3rd Canadian Division was a formation of the Canadian Corps during the First World War.

The 3rd Canadian Division was formed in France in December of 1915 under the command of Major-General M.S. Mercer. Its members served in both France and Flanders until Armistice Day. While with 3rd Division at Ypres, Mercer would become the highest-ranking Canadian officer killed in action in World War I. Brigadier V. A. Williams, commanding the 8th Brigade, became the highest-ranking Canadian officer captured in World War I, also at Ypres. Mercer was replaced by Louis Lipsett, who commanded the division until September 1918 shortly before he too was killed in action.

[edit] Infantry units

7th Canadian Brigade:

8th Canadian Brigade:

  • 1st Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles. December 1915 - November 11, 1918;
  • 2nd Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles. December 1915 - November 11, 1918;
  • 4th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles. December 1915 - November 11, 1918;
  • 5th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles. December 1915 - November 11, 1918.[1]

9th Canadian Brigade: (Joined the Division in January of 1916)

Pioneers:

  • 3rd Canadian Pioneer Battalion. January 8, 1916 - May 1917 (Disbanded);
  • 123rd Canadian Pioneer Battalion. March 1917 - June 1918. To the 3rd Canadian Engineer Brigade.[1]

[edit] Battles and engagements on the Western Front:

1916:

1917:

1918:

  • Battle of Amiens – August 8-11
  • Actions round Damery – August 15-17
  • Battle of the Scarpe - August 26-30 (including the capture of Monchy le Preux)
  • Battle of the Canal Du Nord – September 27 – October 1 (including the capture of Bourlon Wood)
  • Battle of Cambrai - October 8-9 (including the Capture of Cambrai)
  • Battle of Valenciennes - November 1-2
  • Capture of Mons - November 11[1]

[edit] Notes