Canadian Machine Gun Corps

Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Active16 April 1917 – 15 December 1936
CountryCanada
BranchCanadian Expeditionary Force (1917–1918)
Canadian Militia (1919–1936)
TypeMachine gunners
RoleDirect and indirect machine gun fire
Part ofCanadian Expeditionary Force (1917–1918)
Permanent Active Militia (1919–1923)
Non-Permanent Active Militia (1919–1936)
Nickname(s)"Emma Gees"
EngagementsFirst World War
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Raymond Brutinel
Part of a series on the
Military history
of Canada
History of...
Conflicts
Installations
Lists
Research

The Canadian Machine Gun Corps (CMGC) was an corps of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and of the Canadian Militia.[1][2][3] It was part of the CEF sent to France during World War I. The Canadian Permanent Machine Gun Brigade was organized in the Permanent Force on 16 April 1917. By 1918, the CMGC consisted of 4 battalions (each of 4 machine gun companies), and 5 independent motor machine gun batteries, attached to each of the 4 Canadian divisions. In addition, the 20th Machine Gun Company CEF served at Vladivostok as a unit in the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force.[4] The Canadian Permanent Machine Gun Brigade was redesignated the Royal Canadian Permanent Machine Gun Brigade on 16 June 1921. The Royal Canadian Permanent Machine Gun Brigade was disbanded on 1 November 1923. The Non-Permanent Active Militia component of the CMGC continued to serve until it was disbanded as part of the 1936 Canadian Militia reorganization, and its roles were transferred to the newly formed infantry (machine gun) battalions.[5][6] The CMGC donated a wall plaque at St. George's Church in Ypres.[7]

History

The Canadian Machine Gun Corps was formed on 16 April 1917 and the official publication of the formation occurred in the Canadians' Routine Order 558 of 22 February 1917. It was initially composed of:

During the Battle of Vimy Ridge the CMGC, with some British units, used a total of 362 Vickers guns. 104 guns went forward with the infantry while 258 were used in the indirect barrage role. Nearly 5 million rounds of ammunition were allocated for the barrage.[9]

Victoria Cross recipient

Lieutenant Hugh McKenzie was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 30 October 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele.[10]

This unit was allied with the Machine Gun Corps of the British Army.

References

  1. ^ The Regiments and Corps of the Canadian Army. Queen's Printer. 1964.
  2. ^ "Canadian Machine Gun Corps". www.canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Canadian Machine Gun Corps, and Royal Canadian Permanent Machine Gun Brigade". 30 November 2007. Archived from the original on 30 November 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  4. ^ Morris, David (1983). The Canadian Militia. Erin, Ontario: The Boston Mills Press. pp. 325–326. ISBN 0-919822-51-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. ^ "1936 Reorganization of the Militia". www.canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Machine Gun Battalion". www.canadiansoldiers.com. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Menin Gate Memorial and St. George's Church". Veterans Affairs Canada. 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  8. ^ "Guide to Sources Relating to Units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force - Machine Gun Units" (PDF). Library and Archives Canada. 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  9. ^ "Infantry Branch". History of War (116): 18. January 2023.
  10. ^ Defence, National (7 March 2019). "Hugh McKenzie". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
Bibliography