Friday 2 October 2020 marks 76 years since the day the First Canadian Army launched the Battle of the Scheldt to unlock the shipping route to the port of Antwerp and open a vital supply route to support the Allied advance into Germany. Strong defences and the unique geography of the Scheldt Estuary made this one of the most difficult battlefields of the Second World War. Under Canadian leadership, Canadian, British and Polish troops advanced over a maze of narrow roads, canals, dykes and flooded lowlands.

On 13 September 2020, a well-known ex-member of 34 Combat Engineer Regiment, Sgt Bill Ludlow, celebrated his 100^th birthday. Bill was a member of the 16^th Field Company, RCE, from 1941 to 1945.  Bill is not only one of few living veterans of the Second World War to have served in the same unit as his father, but he also landed in Normandy on D-Day, June 6th, 1944. In recognition of his distinguished and dedicated service, the Regiment established the Ludlow Trophy in 1983 to honour his memory.

A message to the CME Family from the new Chief Military Engineer, MGen K. Horgan.

On 25 August, CWO Stacy Merriam, MB, CD, was appointed the new Canadian Military Engineer Branch Chief Warrant Officer. He replaced CWO Glenn Simpkin, CD and assumed his new responsibility during the Change of Appointment ceremony presided over by the CAF Chief Military Engineer, MGen J.S. Sirois, OMM, CD.

The latest issue, Beaver Tales 21 August is now available. In this issue:

• Announcements, Upcoming Events & Important Information
• Awards, Promotions and Recognitions
• ADM(IE) in the News
• Employee Departures

Beaver Tales, the ADM(IE) biweekly newsletter, is your one-stop-shop for all information IE. Download your copy below.

Beginning in the fall of 1944 through the spring of 1945, close to 175,000 Canadians took part in the campaign to liberate the Netherlands. More than 7,600 made the ultimate sacrifice.

Learn more about Canada’s involvement in the Liberation of the Netherlands.