Op FAUST 2020 – Cancelled

Dear Members of our RCLS and RCEME Corps team and Participants in the Op FAUST 2020 75^th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.

Given the unfolding global situation regarding COVID-19 and the direction emanating from our government, other national governments and our CAF Leadership we have made the difficult decision to cancel Op FAUST 2020 for this year. We are currently working with the travel agent to attempt to recover as much of our investment as possible while noting that there have already been some expenditures in support of the trip that cannot be reimbursed.

For those of you that have purchased private Trip Cancellation Insurance, for those who have not, and for our serving members, Regular, Reserve and Civilian component; we will shortly publish direction on how best to pursue any potential re-imbursement. It is best that we do this as a group, to make sure maximum benefit for all of us can be derived from this tragic circumstance beyond our control. Thank you for understanding, and if you can identify your situation to me through the chain of command, that would be best.

For our RCLS and RCEME Corps participants we are hoping that we can resurrect Op FAUST for 2021 knowing full well that there will be challenges encountered – some units may not wish to participate in 2021, individual participants may be promoted, posted or unable to participate due to operations etc.

Nevertheless, we do feel that we can accomplish in 2021 much of what we had planned for 2020. Again our goal is to allow our sailors, soldiers and aviators to experience the incredible legacy of our predecessors who served so gallantly and courageously in northwest Europe in support of 1st Canadian Army, and the efforts to save the starving civilian population. Plus we and our Dutch colleagues will still celebrate the Liberation of Holland in various ceremonies and memorial tributes one year later.

On an optimistic note – perhaps there may even be more units or individual who might wish to join us in 2021. We are currently not sure of when the Dutch government might make a decision on cancellation or delay of their current plans but it was considered wise to make our decision now to allow the travel agency the greatest flexibility in recovering costs and to eliminate any uncertainly in the minds of our participants.

I realize that there will be some issues with regard to donations – corporate and individual and with funds raised by units. Once we have a sense of what the reimbursement situation looks like we will then begin an assessment of how to address these donated funds. At present we do not have a clear picture of exactly how this will unfold but whatever does occur it will be done with full transparency and with input from all impacted organizations and individuals.

This cancellation is made with great sadness but hopefully all will understand the magnitude of the current global climate and that cancellation was the prudent decision. Everyone should also be aware that before this decision was made our team consulted broadly with other military organizations who are also impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. We are all proceeding along the same path with the same challenges going forward.

Once again – I wish you and your families continued good health and safe conduct in whatever situations you find yourself.

Should you have any specific questions I would make every effort to answer or respond with whatever information I have available at the time.

John

John B. Page, CD, PLog

Background

In April/May 2020 the Dutch people and a civilian grass-roots organisation called Keep Them Rolling (KTR) will be re-enacting the Liberation of Holland by the Allies, specifically 1^st Canadian Army. A key portion to this is the Humanitarian Mission to save as many Dutch civilians as possible following the Hunger Winter of 1945 – Operation FAUST was the ground portion, and Op MANNA was the aerial delivery of foodstuff to the starving civilian population behind the Nazi German lines, traversing them in orderly, controlled, military convoys…

CFLA intent, is that in conjunction with the Royal Canadian Logistics Service, we will sponsor a Battlefield Tour to coincide with the 75^th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands, specifically commemorating the Humanitarian Aid mission performed by Canadians to save the starving Dutch population…it will be known as Op FAUST 2020. Although details are still being worked, outline plan sees a 10 day Tour of NW Europe concentrating on Holland in late April and early May 2020.

Dutch civilians loading a Canadian-supplied truck with food, following agreement amongst Germans, Dutch and Allies about the distribution of food to the Dutch population. Near Wageningen, Netherlands, 3 May 1945.
Photo by Alexander M. Stirton. Department of National Defence / National Archives of Canada, PA-134417.

Reliving Canada’s Humanitarian Support to Dutch Hunger Video

Watch the Video

Read In Packages

Letter of Can. Amb. Sabine Nolke Download

OP FAUST Read In Package Download

OP FAUST Revisited Plan V1 Download

Op MANNA and FAUST 2020 Concept Paper 15 February 2018 Download

Operation FAUST 2020 Abbreviated Presentation to Senior Serving Logistician 28 August 2018 Download

Readings in Op MANNA FAUST 1944 Download

Op FAUST 2020 Concept Paper 2, 20 December, 2018 Download

Operation FAUST 2020 – Canadian Participation – Overview, 22 March, 2019 Download

Operation FAUST 2020, Presentation for Public, E Beno, March 2019 Download

Canadian RASC units:
-curtesy of Bram Goudkuil

*   CRASC l Cdn Corps Tps -Canadian Royal Army Service Corps, 1st Canadian Corps Troops

This unit was in charge of the operation and delivered most the staff personnel for the HQ of the operation.

The commander of this unit was: Lt-Col E.A. DeGeer, who was also the commanding officer of the operation.

*   1 Cdn Div Tps Coy – 1st Canadian Divisional Troops Company

This was on 1st Canadian Infantry Division own CRASC unit.

Commanding Officer; Major R.C. Gibbs

*   1 Cdn Inf Bde Coy – 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade Company

This unit fell under the command of 1st Canadian Infantry Division.

Commanding Officer: Major F. Boothroyd

*   3 Cdn Inf Bde Coy – 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade Company

This unit fell under the command of 1st Canadian Infantry Division.

Commanding Officer: Major R.L. Mummery

*   1 Cdn Armd Bde Coy, 83 Coy – 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade Company, 83e Company RCASC

This unit fell under the command of 1st Canadian Corps.

Commanding Officer: Major R.L. Mummery

*   2 Cdn Med Regt P1 – 2nd Canadian Medium Regiment, First Platoon

This unit fell under the command of 1st Canadian Corps, for the duration of Operation Faust.

Commanding Officer: Major R.L. Mummery

*   32 Cdn Corps Tps Comp Coy – No.32 Canadian Corps Troops Composite, Company

This unit fell under the command of 1st Canadian Corps

Commanding Officer: Major E.F.L. Ward

British RASC units:

*   118 Coy – 118th Company, Div

This unit fell under the command of 49th West Riding Infantry Division, “Polar Bears”

Commanding Officer: –

*   460 Coy – 460th Company, Inf Brig

This unit fell under the command of 49th West Riding Infantry Division, “Polar Bears”

Commanding Officer: –

*   482 Coy – 482th Company, Inf Brig

This unit fell under the command of 49th West Riding Infantry Division, “Polar Bears”

Commanding Officer: –

*   483 Coy – 483th Company, Inf Brig

This unit fell under the command of 49th West Riding Infantry Division, “Polar Bears”

Commanding Officer: –

*   930 Coy (G.T.) – 930th Company General Transport

This unit fell under the command of 1st Canadian Corps.

Mainly supplied the 10th Civial Affairs Issues Depot (10 CAID) located in at the ENKA Factory in Ede.

Commanding Officer: Major Bissett

*   1542 Arty Pls. – 1542th Artillery Platoon

This unit fell under the command of –

Commanding Officer: –

*   1578 Arty Pls. – 1578th Artillery Platoon RASC/3th Medium Regiment Royal Artillery

This unit fell under the command 1st Canadian Corps, for the duration of Operation Faust

Commanding Officer: –

Hope that this answered part of your question, on our Youtube-channel we have placed unique footage of Operation Faust.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c_vUopWKBA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDnTH86rAeE

Some YouTube Sites Operation FAUST, MANNA and CHOWHOUND, and Liberation Ceremonies

Canadian Army Newsreel No. 71

Operation FAUST – See 8:53

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8BPJYqyens

Herdenking voedsel droppings Manna/Chowhound Nieuw Terbregge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRBF02UcyPE

Overwinning in Nederland

Found this interesting documentary film on internet. In the beginning British Army trucks under Operation Faust delivering food-rations. Would like to emphasize that the Dutch had almost no trucks and horses / carts of their own when Faust started. This documentary made by Royal Canadian Army clearly proves that…….. http://www.oorloginblik.nl/film/niod/2759455?

Bevrijdingsbeelden 1945

http://www.oorloginblik.nl/film/niod/2759666

Canadian Army Newsreel, No. 73 (1945)

Ships deliver food 5:00, End of the War

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z1s7svmUDY

History-April 27 1945: The crazy trio who helped a starving war-torn Holland

https://www.rcinet.ca/en/2015/04/27/history-april-27-1945-two-crazy-canadians-who-helped-a-starving-holland/

Remembrance Moments: Canada and the Liberation of the Netherlands

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph7AD3EVZn0

Netherlands during (tijdens) WW2 1940-45

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_AbCgN6mXY

Invasion Scenes of Holland (1945)