4 CMBG in action from 1968 to FallEx 1976
The Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group was a formation of the Canadian Army, then Mobile Command of the unified Canadian Forces. It was part of the European formation known as Canadian Forces Europe. The formation served as the main forward deployed land element of Canada’s armed forces, and was stationed in West Germany from 1957 until it was disbanded in 1993.
4 CMBG become a reserve attached to either the VII (US) Corps or II (GE) Corps when it relocated to Lahr in Southern Germany. 4 CMBG operated a large force of Canadian tanks and armoured fighting vehicles and remained in place as one of NATO’s Cold War tank formations. When the 1st Canadian Division was reactivated in 1989, 4 CMBG became the forward deployed brigade of the division assigned to the Central Army Group. The end of the Cold War brought the final draw down of Canada’s military presence in Europe when the Brigade was disbanded in 1993.
By the mid 1960s, 4 CIBG’s manpower totalled 6,700 men; it featured three mechanised infantry battalions, a reconnaissance squadron equipped with both armoured vehicles and helicopters, artillery equipped with both fire support and tactical nuclear weapons, and an extensive logistic operation. The extent of the Canadian operation led to the British describing it as “a light division”. The brigade was renamed 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in May 1968.
(DND Photo)
Canadian M113A1’s of 4 CMBG in West Germany wind their way down a mountain road past a typical rural German farm building during Exercise “Keystone”, the annual fall NATO exercise held in the Weser River area, 1968.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4234065)
RCD Centurion tank on the range, Germany, c 1970.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4234065)
RCD Centurion tank on the range, Germany, c 1970.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4922183)
Fallex 71, Centurion tanks, RCD, and American M47 Patton tanks, Ex Reforger III, on a railway siding in Germany, 9 Oct 1971.
REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany) was a specific NATO exercise which was typically conducted sometime in late September or early October. Fallex (Fall exercises) was a Canadian thing (Americans never used the term) denoting the period during which the Brigade travelled to Hohenfels and Graf and conducted intensive individual, unit and brigade training. Fallex usually culminated with participation in REFORGER.
FALLEX was Canadian sub-unit, unit, Bde training in the Canadian sector for REFORGER. After FALLEX training there was typically a deployment for a day or so to a non-tactical or more relaxed leaguer area for unit elements; then, the Canadian Bde Group participated in the final tactical NATO REFORGER FTX under NATO command. Further to that, individual unit and then Bde training as part of the work up training for REFORGER would go by other FTX names. In the minds of many Canadian soldiers it was all the same Fallex deployment and training away from Lahr.
Reforger name was coined by American forces based on the large number of complete units or even brigades that as Mike noted above “returned to Germany” from the USA — for the period of FALLEX. It obviously applied to the British and Canadians as well, doing the same reinforcement but on a smaller scale.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692202)
Centurion tank speeding past cows on an exercise in Germany.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692196)
M113 C & R Lynx momentarily hung-up on the river bank during the Exercise Reforger III in Germany, 25 Sep 1971. The Lynx is being recovered by a an M113, while another M113, 66B, waits to cross, armed with a 106-mm M40A1 Recoilless Rifle.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692201)
Members of 4 Service Battalion repairing a broken track on an M113 C & R Lynx during Fallex, 25 September 1971.
(Mittelbayerische.de Photo)
German postcard, Siegenburg in the Hallertau – Market Square around 1905.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4922182)
M113 C & R Lynx & M113, Ex Reforger III, Germany, 9 Oct 1971. Siegenburg, Marienplatz, Loibl brewery, District of Kelheim, Lower Bavaria.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692197)
Canadians were supported with these German M48 AVLBs during Ex Gutes Omen, Germany, 25 Sep 1971.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4922176)
Canadians were supported with these German M48 AVLBs during Ex Gutes Omen, Germany, 25 Sep 1971.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692198)
M113 APC’s crossing the Danube river in Germany using a double story Medium Girder Bridge laid by 4 Engineer Field Squadron, 25 Sep 1971.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4922178)
Ex Gutes Omen, southern Germany, M113 C & R Lynx climbing a bank of the Danube river, 25 September 1971.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4922179)
Ex Gutes Omen, southern Germany, M113 APC armed with a 106-mm recoilless rifle, climbing a bank of the Danube river, 25 September 1971.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692199)
Ex Gutes Omen, southern Germany, M113 APC armed with a 106-mm recoilless rifle, climbing a bank of the Danube river, 25 September 1971.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4940583)
Engineers using the blade of an M113 as a dining table during Exercise Canadian Club, 25-28 September 1972, 4 CMBG, Germany.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4940551)
A Centurion stands sentry during the early morning fog, Exercise Canadian Club, 25-28 September 1972, 4 CMBG, Germany.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4940549)
A Centurion preparing to make a water crossing, Exercise Canadian Club, 25-28 September 1972, 4 CMBG, Germany.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692398)
A Centurion tank prepares to move up to the border during Exercise Reforger IV in Northern Germany, 22-25 January 1973.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4694262)
4 Service Battalion Forward Repair Group working maintaining a Centurion tank, 1973.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692417)
RCD Centurion tank (possibly Robert Cable and Fred Lavelle), caught up during a crossing of the Rippach creek, between Gelchsheim and Riedenheim, Germany, 24 Jan 1973.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692413)
Centurion caught in a ditch, RCD, Lahr, Germany, (possibly Robert Cable and Fred Lavelle, 24 Jan 1973.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692410)
Centurion tank, Ex Reforger IV, RCD, passing by the old Town Hall (Rathaus) of Gelchsheim, lower Franconia, 24 km S-S-E of Würzburg, Germany, Jan 1973.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692400)
Ex Reforger IV, 155-mm M109 SP Howitzer, CS 15 A, A Battery 1 RCHA, silouetted against a German skyline, 22-25 January 1973.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692396)
Centurion tank engaging the enemy, Ex Reforger V, Sep 1973.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4619700)
Centurion, Royal Canadian Dragoons on Ex Reforger V, Sep 1973.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816325)
Centurion armoured recovery vehicles (ARV), Ex Reforger 74, Germany, Oct 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4728205)
Ex Reforger 74, A Centurion tank passing through an old town in Bavaria, Germany, Oct 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816330)
Ex Reforger 74. It wasn’t all bad news for a Centurion tank crew that had broken down in the village of Zimmern, Germany. They were taken in by a German family and for the three days they were there during the exercise, there was lots of fresh food available, and whatever comfort the barn afforded from the constant drizzle and cold. Sgt. Grand, kneeling, passes the plate to Mrs. Pfister while Mrs. Pfister holds the “refreshments”. At the rear standing is Sgt Linden Grant, and MCpl Rowland, and feeding the elder daughter of the Pfisters (who served as the translator) is Cpl Breault, October 1975..
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816313)
Centurion armoured vehicle-launched bridge (AVLB), 4 Field Sqn, RCE, Ex Reforger 74, Wellheim, the district of Eichstätt in Bavaria, Germany, Oct 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816324)
Ex Reforger 1974, 155-mm M-109 self-propelled howitzer of 1 RCHA moving past a German house in Bavaria.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4631327)
106-mm M40A1 Recoilless Rifle mounted on an M113, Ex Reforger 74, 3rd Mechanized Commando, The Canadian Airborne Regiment, Oct 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4631322)
Centurion, Ex Reforger 74, crane lifting engine, Germany, Oct 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816309)
Centurion, Ex Reforger 74, Germany, Oct 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816317)
Ex Reforger 74, M113 APC with a Centurion tank broken down in a German sugar beet field in Bavaria, October 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816296)
Ex Reforger 74. A Lynx of 3 Mechanized Commando pauses in a small-town German street during Ex Reforger 74. Driver is Cpl Lorne Brown with 3 Mech Cdo and crew commander is MWO Michael Bond, October 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816336)
M113 with .50 cal MG, Ex Reforger 74, Germany, 1 R22eR, Oct 1974. Cpl Côté, one of the 194 militiamen attached to 4 CMBG for the exercise, listens to instructions from Pte Barry of 1 R22eR. October 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816337)
Centurion tanks (with an audience), Ex Reforger 74, Germany, Oct 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816307)
Bell CH-136 Kiowa, 444 Sqn, Ex Reforger 74, Germany, Oct 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816308)
Ex Reforger 74 in Germany. A German mother and family are more distracted by the photographer than by the No. 444 Squadron helicopters in the front yard – with the exception of the small child mother is holding, October 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816297)
M113 of 1 R22eR,guarded by 3 Mech Cdo soldiers, Ex Reforger 74, Germany, Oct 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816326)
M113, R22eR, Eilheim, Ex Reforger 74, view from a medieval castle tower, Germany, Oct 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816327)
A Canadian 3/4 ton truck stands waiting during a pause in Ex Reforger 74 near Wilheim in West Germany. In the background is a German shooting outpost where hunters sit and wait for the game to pass by, and at right are the remains of an ancient house, 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4619725)
Reforger 74. 3 Mechanized Commando vehicles camouflaged on exercise in Northern Germany, 10 October 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4619726)
Reforger 74, RCD HQ Squadron 5-ton gas fueled truck followed by an M548 cargo carrier and other vehicles, moving into a hide, Germany, 10 Oct 1974.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692424)
Fallex 75, M113, R22eR, 106-mm recoilless rifle, Ex Certain Trek, South of Wurzburg, 20 Oct 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692422)
Centurion, RCD, Ex Regensprung, Regenstauf, Germany, 19 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748878)
Centurion armoured vehicle-launched bridge (AVLB), Ex Regensprung, Lahr, Germany, 9 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4822866)
Centurion, roadside repairs, Ex Grosse Rochade, Germany Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748921)
Fallex 75, 155-mm M109 SP Howitzer, 4 CMBG, Grosse Rochade, Germany, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748920)
Fallex 75, 155-mm M109 SP Howitzer, 4 CMBG, Ex Grosse Rochade, Germany, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748920)
Fallex 75, M548 cargo carrier, 4 CMBG, Ex Grosse Rochade, Germany, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748880)
A 155-mm M109 self-propelled Howitzer of 1 RCHA moves onto a German Army Ferry, on Exercise Grosse Rochade, Bavaria, Germany, 16-18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN Nos. 4748912)
M548 boarding a German assault ferry, Ex Grosse Rochade, Danube River, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748895)
Fallex 75, M548 cargo carrier moving on to a German Army Ferry, Ex Grosse Rochade, 15-18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748904)
Centurions and M113, Ex Grosse Rochade, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4692433)
4 CMBG Linemen, Ex Certain Trek, SW of Wurzburg, Germany, 20 Oct 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748900)
HQ & Sig Sqn 4 CMBG, Ex Grosse Rochade, Germany, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748898)
4 CMBG, Ex Grosse Rochade, Cpl Beauchamps fuels German Army motorcycle, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748905)
M113 APC , Ex Grosse Rochade, Danube, GE Ferry, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748913)
Fallex 75, M113 APC , Ex Grosse Rochade, Danube, GE Ferry, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN Nos. 4221652)
Fallex 75, M113 C & R Lynx and 2-1/2-ton truck boarding a German assault ferry, Ex Grosse Rochade, Danube River, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photos, MIKAN No. 4748911)
M113 C & R Lynx and 2-1/2-ton truck boarding a German assault ferry, Ex Grosse Rochade, Danube River, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photos, MIKAN No. 4748894)
M577 CP, Ex Grosse Rochade, Danube, Germany, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748897)
155-mm M109 SP Howitzer, 1 RCHA, Ex Grosse Rochade, Danube, Germany, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 474880)
155-mm M109 SP Howitzer, 1 RCHA, Ex Grosse Rochade, Danube, Germany, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748866)
155-mm M109 SP Howitzer, Ex Regensprung, Lahr, Germany, 9 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748867)
155-mm M109 SP Howitzer, Ex Regensprung, Lahr, Germany, 9 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748879)
4 CMBG, Ex Grosse Rochade, Germany, ferry over the Danube, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748893)
4 CMBG, 4 Service Battalion trucks being ferried across the Danube River during Exercise Gross Rochade, Bavaria, Germany, Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748892)
4 CMBG, Ex Grosse Rochade, Germany, ferry over the Danube, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4728207)
Fallex 75, RCD Centurion tank on Ex Certain Trek, South of Wurzburg, Germany, 20 Oct 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4619742)
Fallex 75, RCD Centurion tank on Ex Certain Trek, South of Wurzburg, Germany, 4-20 Oct 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4822869)
Centurion, Ex Grosse Rochade, Germany, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748902)
M113A1 APC pulling off the road, French Army EBR Scout Cars, Ex Grosse Rochade, Bavaria, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748903)
M113, Ex Grosse Rochade, Germany, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4619730)
Fallex 75, RCD M113s, Ex Certain Trek, South of Wurzburg, 20 Oct 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4619738)
M113s, RCD, Ex Certain Trek, South of Wurzburg, 20 Oct 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4619741)
M113s, RCD, Ex Certain Trek, South of Wurzburg, 20 Oct 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4822861)
Fallex 75, 1 RCHA 155-mm M109 SP Howitzer, Ex Grosse Rochade, 4 CMBG, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4748899)
4 CMBG HQ & Sigs 2.5-ton truck cam, Ex Grosse Rochade, Germany, 18 Sep 1975.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4631312)
4 CMBG convoy, Fallex 76, Michelsneukirchen, Germany, 1976.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKA No. 4814242)
Fallex 76, A 4 CMBG cook truck set up in a farm yard during the exercise in Bavaria, Germany, 1976.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4631313)
4 CMBG, putting up radio antenna, 19 set mast and guy ropes, Fallex 76, Germany, 1976.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4814247)
4 CMBG, R22eR soldier & M113, Fallex 76, Germany, 1976.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4594347)
Fallex 76, 155-mm M109 SP Howitzer cam, RCHA, Germany, 1976.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4631311)
155-mm M109 SP Howitzer cam, RCHA, Reforger 76, Sep 1976, Germany.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4594345)
M113 line up, Germany, Reforger 76, Sep 1976, Germany.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4619747)
Fallex 76, M113 Dozer on AVLB bridge, 4 CMBG, Germany.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4631310)
O Gp, 3 Mech Cdo, Fallex 1976, Germany.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4814250)
4 CMBG, 3 Mech Cdo, Carl Gustav, Fallex 76, Germany, 1976.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4814249)
4 CMBG, Carl Gustav team, Germany, 1976.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4631314)
Fallex 76, M113 and German Marder passing in fog, Germany, 1976.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4631320)
Fallex 76, 4 CMBG solders preparing for the day’s exercises, Lahr, Germany, 1976.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4814247)
Fallex 76, R22eR soldier on guard duty during the exercise in Bavaria, Germany, September 1976.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4814251)
Fallex 76, Bavaria West Germany. Two Canadians soldiers have a quick lunch during the exercise, September 1976.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4619745)
M113, Ex Lares Team, 1976. The ruins of the Kallmünz Castle can be seen above the town on a cliff near the Naab River. The MPs are at the Junction st2165 to Schmidtmühlen and st2235 to Burglengenfeld at Kallmünz, about 12 km southeast of US Army Garrison Hohenfels (information courtesy of Mr. Tamas Nagl)
(Helinlechner Photo)
The ruins of the Kallmünz Castle above the town of Kallmünz on a cliff near the Naab River, Germany.