PAUL TRIQUET

“WHEN THE ENEMY COUNTER-ATTACKED HE AGAIN TOOK COMMAND OF THE SITUATION AND GATHERED THE REMNANTS OF THE TROOPS, ORGANISING THEM SUCCESSFULLY IN A DEFENSIVE LINE. AT ALL TIMES HIS CHEERFULNESS AND PERSONAL DISREGARD FOR DANGER WERE APPARENT”
Major ‘Snuffy’ Smith

Paul Triquet glanced at the weapon he’d just taken from an enemy prisoner. The young German officer, shaken to his core, had appeared all too willing to relinquish his Walther P38 pistol in return for escaping the incessant Allied bombardment. The artillery had opened fire at 06:00 on 14 December, 1943, but now it was the turn of the Canadian 1st Division’s Royal 22e Régiment (the ‘Van Doos’), including Triquet’s C Company, to begin advancing on the staunchly defended positions ahead. Though the initial surrender of a small contingent of forces had instilled new confidence into the Quebeckers, the day was only just beginning.

It wouldn’t be the first time Triquet would have to prove himself, nor would