'Born in a Storm' 1970 - Part 1

[Dan Martel]

More from the inimitable Al Ditter.


3 Mech Cdo was formed from the remaining members of the PPCLI and RCR battalions in the summer of 1970, after the units were repatriated.  The official establishment of 3 Mech Cdo occurred during the final brigade parade at Sennelager when the formation rolled past the reviewing stand, on which the outgoing and incoming brigade commanders, Brigadier-Generals Jim Gardner and Bill Leonard, and the Commander of the Canadian Airborne Regiment, took the salute.  The formation parade occurred in a torrential downpour, giving the new unit its unofficial motto; Born in a Storm.  It rained on every battalion parade thereafter and the storm gods were not finally appeased until a year later when, during the rain-soaked handover between Lt.-Col Snider (PPCLI) and the incoming CO, Lt.-Col. Jack Vance (RCR), the sun broke through as soon as the change-of-command certificate was signed.

‘Mixed bag’ doesn’t begin to describe the make-up of the new battalion as the individual rotation policy had brought many soldiers from now-disbanded regiments into the RCR at Fort York and the PPCLI at Fort MacLeod.  When 3 Mech Cdo was formed the Commanding Officer, Lt.-Col Chris Snider, and DCO, Maj. Roger Beauregarde, were PPCLI.  The Adjutant, Capt. Chris Wellwood, was Canadian Guards rebadged to PPCLI via 2 RCR.  The RSM, CWO Danny Cox, was RCR.  The sub-units were similarly structured.        Aldi

Third (Mechanized) Commando of the Canadian Airborne Regiment was formally founded
during the 1970 brigade concentration at Sennelager.

The formation parade was held during a torrential downpour, giving 3 Mech Cdo the unofficial motto 'Born in a Storm'.

The Mk. 19 Centurion was exceedingly tired from overwork.

The M-109 was eventually replaced by the long-barrel version.

As always, a pleasure.
Cheers,
Dan.

[ranrad]

Nice pics.. ahh the memories.. and do i remember that storm.. soaked to the boots..and inside of course was the norm for that day..Sennelager was awash in water and muck... but... there was  rum later... heheheheheheh..gotta remember the good things too..water in your boots huh?? for sure that day.. and that was while standing inside my carrier..how wet did you get?? ranrad

[aldi]

ranrad,

Absolutely sopping!  It's a good thing Smitty, the driver, had good eyes and knew his stuff because the water and steam on my glasses were impenetrable and I had no idea wherethehell we were.  He also had to tell me on the intercom when to salute because I couldn't even see the marker at the side of the track.  But, as you say, it was a great time and memory does a great job of preserving only the good stuff.  aldi

[PatRossiter]

There was a short stand-down after the parade.  My wife had driven up from Deleke to see the parade, so I jumped in the car and went home for a nice hot shower.  On the way we passed a column of Leopards driving along the highway at close to 40 mph.  Comparing them to Canadian Centurions, I was impressed.  Then I saw (in the middle of the column), a Bergepanzer Leopard (recovery vehicle) towing a dead Leopard at the same speed as the rest of the column.  Seeing that I was IMPRESSED!