Act of remembrance staged in memory of Battle for Hitler Line fallen

A small commemoration was held in Belfast on Saturday, May 23 to remember the heroism of those who fought in the bloody Battle for the Adolf Hitler Line.

The event at Dunmore Park took place instead of the annual commemoration in Carrickfergus.

The North Irish Horse commemorate one of the hardest fought battles in the history of a local Army regiment in the east Antrim town, but this year’s event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many members of what is now B (North Irish Horse) Squadron of The Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry died in action during the battle, on May 23 1944.

The North Irish Horse Regiment went into action supporting Canadian infantry in Italy in 1943. The battle achieved its aim, but at a terrible cost, with over 1,000 Canadians killed or missing and 34 officers and men of the North Irish Horse Regiment killed, 36 injured and 25 tanks destroyed.

Detailing this year’s act of remembrance, a spokesperson for Combat Recce - The Scottish & North Irish Yeomanry, said: “Normally, OC B Squadron would have the honour of leading the men and women of his Squadron on parade through the town of Carrickfergus. Normally, with pomp and ceremony we would remember the sacrifice made that day so long ago. Today we could not.

“Today however, a small group, representing B Squadron, the Association and the regiment conducted an act of remembrance in Dunmore Park in order that the occasion be marked. You, and all those who would ordinarily mark the occasion were with us in spirit as we remembered.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you.