ASL MLR2 Troteval Farm by Jim McLeod

: The Canadian Army’s role in ‘Operation Goodwood’ was known as ‘Atlantic’ and like the big attack, ended with less than spectacular results. The Canadian 6th Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division was tasked with capturing the village of Verrieres, which sat atop a ridge of the same name. The assault went in 19 July and after making good progress initially, the Germans counter-attacked in force and badly cut up the leading Canadian battalions, the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders and the Fusiliers Mont-Royal. Pushed back to their original start line, the FMR were ordered to recapture Troteval Farm in preparation for the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry’s attack on the village of Verrieres. The FMR, battered from its previous actions, amalgamated the remnants of the rifles companies into one full strength company and attacked the farm at 2200hrs. Led by Major Jacques Dextraze, the French-Canadians made a spirited assault supported by the tankers of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers and they quickly encircled the German defenders with a pincer attack. Making the final assault with grenade and bayonet, the Fusiliers captured their objective within an hour, thus securing the start line for the ‘Riley’s’ effort on Verrieres Ridge the next morning.