Canadian Armour Passing Through Ortona
Charles Comfort, 1944
Oil on canvas
Canadian War Museum
19710261-2152

A new exhibition honouring Fredericton’s role in the liberation of Italy, opened in the Fredericton Region Museum on August 8, 2024.

“New Brunswick Goes to War: The Liberation of Italy” marks the 80th anniversary of the New Brunswick’s engagement in several intense and costly battles in Italy, including Ortona, the Liri Valley, and the Gothic Line. August 8 marks the 80th anniversary of the Breaking of the Gothic Line, which is historic because it was led and planned by the Canadian Corps: 1st Canadian Infantry Division, 5th Canadian Armoured Division, and the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade – all of whom are represented by local individuals featured in “New Brunswick Goes to War: The Liberation of Italy”. In this new exhibition, we commemorate those—both at home and abroad—who answered Canada’s call to defeat Nazi Germany.

Great Britian declared war against Germany on September 3, 1939. Although their declaration did not automatically commit Canada, as had been the case in 1914, there was never serious doubt about our response: the government and people were united in support of Britain and France. Parliament debated the matter, and when Canada declared war against Germany seven days later, on September 10 1939, enlistment of volunteers in New Brunswick had already commenced.

Members of the Carleton and York Regiment in Italy, c. 1944 PANB, P543-3

“New Brunswick Goes to War” / Le Nouveau-Brunswick part en guerre commemorates New Brunswick’s contribution to the liberation of Italy: from the Invasion of Sicily in July 1943, to the Battle for Ortona in December 1943, and the breaking of the Hitler and Gothic Lines in May and August of 1944. Fredericton was deeply impacted by the Italian campaign due to the high number of local soldiers who departed early in 1939 for duty with the 1st Canadian Division. Little did they know what their future would hold. Biographies on each of these individuals can be found on the accompanying on-line catalogue: “New Brunswick Goes to War” / Le Nouveau-Brunswick part en guerre

New Brunswick’s Carleton and York Regiment, as well as 90th Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Canadian Regiment, and 8th Hussars, played important roles in the liberation of Italy. Although Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini lost power, resulting in an armistice on September 3 1943, German forces proceeded to occupy Italy and fought to maintain military control. As a result, our brave soldiers faced the harshest defenses that Nazi forces could muster, and are credited with clearing a pathway for the liberation of Rome on June 4, 1944.

The Fredericton Region Museum is honoured to have worked in partnership with a long list of dedicated volunteers to make this exhibition  possible. We are also grateful to financial support provided by the Government of Canada (Veterans Affairs Canada), City of Fredericton, Province of New Brunswick (Archaeology and Heritage Branch), and the York-Sunbury Historical Society.

For more information, please contact:
Alena Krasnikova, Executive Director
Fredericton Region Museum www.frederictonregionmuseum.com
Email: frederictonregionmuseum@gmail.com or phone 506-455-6041
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