Colour photo of troops of The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada

colourphotooftroopsofthequeensowncameronhighlandersofcanada2.jpg

1st battalion The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada formed part of 6 Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division advance down a hill near Haut-Mesnil. The leading soldier is armed with a Bren light machine gun, which is unloaded, and the troops are not keeping sensible distance between each other, strongly indicating that is a posed shot for the camera.

Haut-Mesnil was liberated during operation Operation Totalize by The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (10 Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Armoured Division) on the 8th of August 1944.

On the 14th of August 400 Polish and Canadian troops in the Haut-Mesnil area became casualties with 65 dead during a friendly fire incident during a raid by heavy bombers of RAF Bomber Command.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Queen's_Own_Cameron_Highlanders_of_Canada

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Totalize