Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Sicily

Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry “C” Company, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry – Leonforte, Sicily 1943 By Paul Goldstone Mostly volunteers from Winnipeg and Vancouver, the Patricias were sent to England in 1939 with the 1st Canadian Division, and spent the next three years training. “C” Company was under the command of Captain R.C. Coleman. In 1943 the 1st Canadian Division was sent to the Mediterranean to participate in the Allied invasion of Sicily.

Landing on 10th July 1943, “C” Company first saw action when Lieutenant Colin McDougall’s platoon surprised and dispersed a larger Italian force. On 21st July, marching in sweltering heat, “C” Company approached the main German defence line at Leonforte. A town sitting atop a steep ridge, Leonforte was a strategically important road and rail junction, and was held by elements of 104. Panzergrenadier Regiment. An attack by the Edmonton Regiment had failed, and the Patricias were called up to take the town the next morning.

It was a difficult mission – the only approach to the town was by a bridge (blown up by the Germans) over a ravine. Sappers hurriedly erected a bridge across the ravine while the men of ‘C” Company checked their weapons and prepared themselves for battle. At 0645 hours the attack was to commence, but it was delayed by German shellfire. At 0900 Coleman was ordered to get moving and take Leonforte at all costs. Coleman decided on an audacious plan of attack. Riding on Shermans of The Three Rivers Regiment and quads towing 6-pounder anti-tank guns (some men sitting astride the barrels), the company dashed across the bridge and into the town.

Such was the breakneck speed across the bridge, the Germans barely got an opportunity to fire and only one man was hit in the rush. Surprised by the sudden attack, German outposts at the entrance to the town were overrun. “C” Company thrust up the main street of Leonforte, led by Sherman tanks. The lead Sherman bumped into a German panzer, which the Sherman destroyed at point blank range. The burning panzer unfortunately now blocked the street. The Patricias moved past, clearing the town in house-to-house fighting. Lieutenant McDougall’s platoon seized the railway station, and then repelled two German counter-attacks to try and retake the station.

However, with the armour blocked the advance onto high ground just beyond Leonforte was halted. By afternoon, the panzer blocking the street had been pushed aside, and the Shermans moved forward again to get the advance moving, only for a German self-propelled gun to knock out the first tank and stop the others. However, another Company of the Patricias went forward to continue the advance and drive the Germans from the high ground with a bayonet charge. The battle for Leonforte can be refought, using a Canadian Rifle Company (North Africa pages 194 to 199) with armoured support attacking Panzergrenadiers in a Hold the Line scenario. Paul All Photographs from the Canadian National Archives.