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Being
the only francophone horse artillery unit on the continent, 5e Régiment
d’ artillerie
légère du Canada (5 RALC) share French originally, then
British, and finally Canadian traditions. 5 RALC contributed notably to
NATO, to United Nations Peacekeeping missions throughout the world, to
territorialy defense, aid to civil power and to the community in general. Its
history takes root from Canadian military history.
The
authority to form 5 RALC was granted on 6 May 1968. The original manning
was done primarily by members of 3 RCHA “X” Battery to form the first
battery of the same name (three C1 105mm howitzers). “X” Battery fired
its first round on 6 February 1969. During the ceremony for the
presentation of the new colors to the regiment, on 13 February 1969, it
officially took its place within the Canadian Army. During this
spectacular ceremony, the new mountain howitzer, the 105mm L5, was
consecrated at the Grande-Allée Drill Hall, in the presence of the
Honorable Huges Lapointe, Lieutenant-Governor and Lieutenant-General W.A.B.
Anderson, OBE, CD, Commander of Mobile Command. “Q” Battery joined
“X” Battery and by August 1969, the regiment was approaching
full strength. Its manning came also partially from RCHA, plus some
members from “X” Battery.
Following
the kidnapping of Sir James Richard Cross, British Commerce Commissary,
and Pierre Laporte, Quebec labor minister, by a Front de Libération du
Québec cell, (a terrorist organization), 5 RALC participated at the
“October Crisis”, in October 1970. The regiment’s task was to
protect Quebec City and its vicinity.
On
26 January 1973, 5 RALC received confirmation of its official designation
as a Royal Canadian Horse Artillery unit. In 1976, during the Montreal
Olympic Games, 5 RALC supported the security of this international event.
A
new battery was formed in 1977: “V” Battery (air defence). Equipped
with the “Blowpipe” surface to air
missile, “V” Battery also had several 40mm “Boffins”. This battery
became 58th Air Defence Battery, 6 RAC
on 19 September 1992.
On
two occasions, 5 RALC deployed in Cyprus, first, October 1980 to March
1981 and September 1987 to March 1988. Also, on three more occasions, we
sent a battery to Cyprus with other units.
On
9 July 1983, the regiment celebrated its 15th
Anniversary and was granted Freedom
of Quebec City. It was
exercised for the first time in 1984. That year saw the regiment’s
involvement in several activities such as the opening of Fort No 1 de la
Pointe Lévis, arrival of the Tall Ships, and Corporation Quebec 84.
“X” Battery fired the Gun Salute for his Holiness, the Pope John Paul
II. During that year, “R” Battery was created and 5 RALC became the
largest artillery unit within The Royal Regiment.
The
replacement of the regiment’s 105mm C1 howitzers by the M109A3
self-propelled howitzers was finalized during the period 1985-86. From 27
August until 2 September 1986, 5 RALC traveled to Norway for Exercise
BRAVE LION.
1988
was the culmination of 20 years of hard work and the regiment celebrated
its 20th anniversary with
several grand ceremonies. In 1989, the regiment took part in the
ceremonies celebrating the formation of 1st Canadian
Division.
The
troubles that brought the “OKA Crisis” in 1990, also saw the
involvement of 5 RALC into Operation SALON.
“X”
and “R” Batteries were restructured into infantry companies, while
“W” Battery, from the Field Artillery School
10A3-1
joined the regiment and deployed with “Q” Battery in Blainville,
with 105mm C1 guns.
5
RALC celebrated its 25th
anniversary in 1993, and had a 235-page book published about its first 25 years. During
the fall that same year, 5 RALC sent a mortar platoon with GT 12e RBC to
the Former Yugoslavia, taking part in OP CAVALIER for a 6-months.
5
RALC is involved actively within the community of the Greater Quebec City
region, for instance, with the Cystic Fibrosis organization and Maison
Partage. We are proud of our roots, French and British, and of our place
within The
Royal Regiment. |
