Regimental Photograph Collection
The RCA Museum received a collection of annual photo albums containing hundreds of images from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s from 1 RCHA. Our museum holds roughly 5,000 artifacts that belong to the Regiment. Twelve photo albums show A Battery, 1 RHCA in West Germany in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, stationed at the Canadian Forces Base Lahr, Germany. Note the image below showing Gunners with their new M109A2s from 1986. The albums reflect a busy period for the Regiment with training exercises, parades, and other events, providing a visual record of their deployment in West Germany.
1 RCHA in Lahr, West Germany, 1986.
At the height of the Cold War, Canada had thousands of military personnel, with 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, stationed in West Germany. From 1951 to 1992, the RCA had field artillery, air defence and anti-tank units spread across various Canadian bases in Germany, including Lahr, Baden-Söllingen, and Werl. The four RCHA permanent force units rotated deployments to West Germany from 1951 to 1966.
1 RCHA in Cyprus, 1992.
In 1967, 1 RCHA became the permanent artillery regiment in West Germany. Canadian troops trained to defend against a Soviet invasion of West Germany and supported Canadian and NATO operations in other parts of the world. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Canada reduced its military presence in Europe. 1 RCHA left Lahr, Germany in July 1992, returning to Shilo, Manitoba and then deployed for peacekeeping duty in Cyprus. Canadian Forces Base Lahr remained open until 31 December 1993.
The remaining three albums show deployed 1 RCHA Gunners in Cyprus from August 1992 to February 1993 (Operation Snowgoose) as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). In 1992, the Canadian Forces had approximately 850 personnel in Cyprus, including 1 RCHA. Canadians patrolled the buffer zone between the Greek and Turkish communities, monitoring the ceasefire and providing humanitarian assistance. Canadian military personnel continued to serve in the 1990s and 2000s in Cyprus. Canada still contributes personnel to UNFICYP, although in small numbers.
The fifteen photo albums show 1 RCHA deployed in West Germany from 1951 to 1993 and during Operation Snowgoose in Cyprus from 1992 to 1993. The collection improves our pictorial record of these deployments, advancing the Regimental narrative while reinforcing traditions and values.
By Andrew Oakden