Canadian Forces Europe was the Canadian Forces military formation in Europe during the Cold War. The CF assisted other NATO allies in watching the military activities of Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union.
Canadian Forces Europe (CFE) consisted of two formations in West Germany, Canadian Forces Base Lahr, with the 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1957–1993), and No. 1 Air Division RCAF at Canadian Forces Base Baden-Soellingen, which later became 1 Canadian Air Group. Both formations closed in the early 1990s with the end of the Cold War. CFB Baden also held one Battalion of Infantry.
Canadian Forces Europe 1989 units
Besides units of army and air force Canadian Forces Europe also contained a number of multi-service commands and units: Canadian Forces Europe (CFE), CFB Lahr Canadian Forces Element, HQ CENTAG, in Heidelberg Canadian Forces Element, HQ 4 ATAF, at Ramstein Air Base Canadian Forces Element, HQ AMF (L), in Mannheim Canadian Forces Element, NATO Airborne Early Warning Force, E-3A Component, at Geilenkirchen Air Base National Support Unit, at Geilenkirchen Air Base Communications Group Europe, CFB Lahr Communications Squadron Lahr Communications Squadron Baden-Söllingen Canadian Forces Network, CFB Lahr Canadian Forces Hospital Europe, CFB Lahr Base Hospital Lahr Base Hospital Söllingen 35 Dental Unit, CFB Lahr Detachment Söllingen, 35 Dental Unit CFB Lahr Base Post Office Base Transportation Section Base Maintenance (Land) Section Base Supply Section Base Construction Engineering Squadron Lahr Base Ground Operations Section Lahr Military Police Section CFB Baden-Söllingen Base Post Office Base Transportation Section Base Maintenance (Land) Section Base Supply Section Base Construction Engineering Squadron Baden-Söllingen Base Ground Operations Section Baden-Söllingen Military Police Section 311 Forward Mobile Support Unit, providing general logistic support to CFE Forward Storage Site, for units that would have been dispatched to Germany in case of war, in Zimmern ob Rottweil Ammunition Depot Lahr Ammunition Depot Söllingen Training Area Langenhard
Canadian Army
Canada had maintained a presence in Europe as part of the NATO forces since 1951, when 27 Canadian Infantry Brigade was initially deployed to Hannover attached to British Army of the Rhine (BAOR). This formation, which was formed primarily with Militia units, eventually moved to a permanent base at Soest in 1953. To begin with, it was intended to rotate brigades to Germany - 27 CIB was replaced by 1 Canadian Infantry Brigade Group in October 1953, which in turn was replaced by 2 Canadian Infantry Brigade Group in 1955, and then 4 Canadian Infantry Brigade Group in 1957. The arrival of 4 CIBG saw a significant reinforcement of the formation's capabilities; prior to this each brigade had only been equipped with a squadron of main battle tanks. The arrival of 4 CIBG saw a full armoured regiment equipped with Centurions and an independent brigade reconnaissance squadron with Ferrets. In 1959, when 4 CIBG's tour was due to end, a change was made in the reinforcement policy for West Germany. Instead of whole brigades rotating every two years, the decision was made to keep 4 CIBG and its associated brigade units in place, instead rotating the major combat elements to Germany every three years.
The brigade was headquartered in Soest. Individual units were stationed both at Soest and other towns in North Rhine-Westphalia: Soest - BHQ, 1 x infantry battalion, service units Hemer - 1 x infantry battalion, artillery regiment Werl - 1 x infantry battalion, engineer regiment, field ambulance Iserlohn - armoured regiment
In 1962, the brigade was reinforced with the addition of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps helicopter recce troop, equipped with nine CH-112 Nomad helicopters. By the mid 1960s, 4 CIBG's manpower totalled 6,700 men; it featured three mechanised infantry battalions, a reconnaissance squadron equipped with both armoured vehicles and helicopters, artillery equipped with both fire support and tactical nuclear weapons, and an extensive logistic operation. The extent of the Canadian operation led to the British describing it as "a light division".
The brigade was renamed 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in May 1968.