Independent Force

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Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group

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Component:

Canadian Independent Force (CIF)

Active Dates:

Contributors:

Les Fowler; Borden Battery

Theatre of Operations:

Major Battles:

Location of War Diaries:

	Library and Archives Canada (WD Link)
	CEFSG War Diary Transcription (in progress = IP)

Background:

A request was made by Les Fowler to create a matrix section of the CIF:

The CIF, as Les reported, was a special unit under the command of Brutinel during the last 100 days. It formed and disbanded several times in that period. It comprised of the two Motor Machine Gun Brigades , Cyclist Battalion , 5th Canadian Trench Mortars , 1 Corps Wireless Section , CMMG Mechanical Transport Co. , 101 Machine Gun battalion ,10th Royal Hussars and the Canadian Light Horse. Under Brutinel's command this special unit took orders from no one and fought under their own imitative to great success.

This information was confirmed by Dwight Mercer (Borden Battery) who responded:

The Canadian Independent Force was a special, all-arms unit of unique composition and function and functioned within the Corps. It was also known in part as "Brutinel's Brigade". Its period of operation was September-October 1918.

The CEF Study has several references to this group in both The Brutinel Tapes and in a 1926 document provided by Bruce Tascona/Brett Payne and transcribed by Dwight Mercer.

Sub-Components:

	__ Motor Machine Gun Brigade
	__ Motor Machine Gun Brigade
	__ Cyclist Battalion
	5th Canadian Trench Mortars
	1 Corps Wireless Section
	CMMG Mechanical Transport Company
	101st Machine Gun Battalion
	10th Royal Hussars
	Canadian Light Horse

Primary References:

obtain details from Les and Dwight

Secondary References:

Internet References:

This Page Last Updated On:

Tuesday January 29, 2008 01:17:05 PM -0800