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Elmer Schauer
Rank: Lance Corporal
Name
Elmer Schauer
Nationality
Canadian
Unit

13th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery

Location
Juno Beach, Normandy, France
Date
June 6th, 1944
Survived the war?
Yes
3rd Canadian Infantry Division

3rd Canadian Infantry Division

My Dads words

In 1944, we were on standby, we were not allowed to leave our barracks, we knew something was about to happen very soon.  On June 6, 1944 we boarded ships to cross the English Channel . I remember the smell of bread baking. The chaplain gave a sermon before embarking on our landing craft which held about 75 men. Our landing craft made a run for the beach in France . The channel was so rough with 5 ft waves coming over the craft. When we landed we followed a rope , hand over hand . The water so deep it came over the radio I carried in my hands and damaged it. Our artillery was still on the barges and they couldn’t get close to shore because of the rough seas . I borrowed a radio from an Englishman so I could radio in our co-ordinates . We could see the Germans firing from church steeples . My position was forward observation.

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star

Elmer Schauer showed particular courage on June 8, 1944, while in the Artillery Observation Post at Putot-en-Bessin as a signaler. The OP was established in a slit trench on an exposed flank of the company area with the tank parked about 50 yards to the rear under cover. At the time, the FOO and ABLE were manning the Artillery Observation Post while Schauer with two other members of the crew were at the Sherman Tank. The company position came under heavy mortar and artillery fire, during which time the enemy attacked and succeeded in infiltrating in and around the position.

As the Artillery Observation Post was in an exposed position, the enemy subjected it to heavy machine gun fire. Schauer saw the predicament and on his own initiative crawled out from underneath the tank, climbed up on the turret and with the help of Braham and Toy brought down direct fire with the 75 mm gun of the tank onto the enemy, succeeding in completely neutralizing the fire from this sector. He then provided further covering fire for the Artillery Observation Post officer who was able to direct artillery fire on other enemy troops. For this action Schauer was awarded the Croix-de-Guerre Etoile de Bronze.

I’m aware I’ve given you more than you asked for, but we are so proud of my Dad. He just passed away last year at 99 years old.

Story provided by Elmers' daughter Brenda and his son Russel.

Lester Schauer

lester schauer 001Elmer's brother Lester, did not survive the war as he got killed in Italy read his story here.

3rd Canadian Division

The 3rd Canadian Division is a formation of the Canadian Army responsible for the command and mobilization of all army units in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, as well as all units extending westwards from the city of Thunder Bay.

It was first created as a formation of the Canadian Corps during the First World War. It was stood down following the war and was later reactivated as the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division during the Second World War. The second iteration served with distinction from 1941 to 1945, taking part in the D-Day landings of 6 June 1944. A duplicate of the 3rd Canadian Division was formed in 1945 to serve on occupation duty in Germany, and was disbanded the following year.

In 2013, Land Force Western Area, a peacetime military organization in western Canada, was ordered to be redesignated as 3rd Canadian Division. On 6 June 2014, the 3rd Canadian Division adopted the insignia, traditions and history of the previous formations.[1] From the middle of 1916, the division has been identified by a distinctive French-grey patch worn on the uniforms of its soldiers.

Veteran's personal medals
Croix de Guerre
Croix de Guerre
1939-1945 Star
1939-1945 Star
France and Germany Star
France and Germany Star
Defence Medal
Defence Medal
Volunteer Service Medal
Volunteer Service Medal
War Medal 1939-1945
War Medal 1939-1945
Veteran's personal file
13th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery
Personal photographs

Click on a picture for enlargement

  • February 28, 2019
  • Legion section Rimbey Alberta, Canada

Remember each and every sacrifice, made for your freedom!

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