SMITH, MAXWELL ANDREW CLIFFORD

Assigned to the regiment on August 8, 1940. Original member.

Among the first to land in France with the 4th Canadian Armoured Division.

Reported missing in action on September 14, 1944.

Killed in action on September 14, 1944 during the battle for Molentje (near Moerkerke), Belgium.

Major A.K. Stirling statement: "At approx 2230 hrs 14 Sep 44 "C" Coy which was under my comd accompanied the three other rifle coys of the bn (battalion) in the crossing of the Leopold Canal at Moerkerke Map Ref 935036, 1/25.000, sheet 21 SW Zeebrugge SW. The Coy made a successful assault crossing and attacked the enemy positions on the far bank. One platoon lined the bank while the other two went forward clearing the enemy and taking up a position along a line of trees stretching from a point about 20 yds from the canal to point approx 200 yds further inland. Just before daybreak the enemy started counter-attacking the position and under cover of darkness succeeded in infiltrating between the forward platoons and the one on the bank. These counter attacks continued throughout the morning. These attacks were accompanied by heavy mortar and artillery fire. I had been with the two forward platoons and thad returned to the platoon on the canal bank just before the counter attacks started. We fought off various enemy attacks on our position observing and firing upon the enemy who had succeeded in occupying part of one of the forwarded platoons position along the line of trees directly between us and the forward platoons. At any sign of movement from our position the enemy would open up with SAA automatic fire accompanied by mortar and shelling. Attempts were made to contact the forward platoons by shouting, but this no results. By this time the platoon along the bank had suffered 12 casualties and a few were shocked by the mortar and shelling fire. A smoke screen was laid down by our own arty accompanied by HE both from our own and from the enemy. This fire came down directly on our position and on our forward platoons. During the time this was laid down we observed the men from the other coys withdrawing across the canal about 300 yds from us. Since the others were withdrawing and we had so few able-bodied men left we were forced to do likewise taking our wounded with us. The two forwarded platoons being cut off were unable to witdraw."

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