French Canadian Units

Discussion in 'Canadian' started by dhlacroix, Aug 5, 2016.

  1. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    There were three Field Batteries which served under 20th Field Regiment, RCA in Canada during the war. The history of the 72nd Field Battery is straight forward but that of the 24th and 75th is quite convoluted as shown below:

    72nd Field Battery, RCA

    Mobilized at Coaticook, PQ in 10/41
    Moved to Camp Petawawa, Ontario in 1/42
    Came u/c 20th Field Regiment, RCA at Camp Petawawa in 3/42
    See 20th Field Regiment

    24th Field Battery, RCA
    75th Field Battery, RCA


    Mobilized as 24th/75th Field Battery, RCA 16/7/40 with 24th Fd Bty personnel at Granby, PQ
    and 75th Fd Bty personnel at Cowansville, PQ
    Moved to Camp Petawawa, Ontario in 3/41
    24th/75th Field Battery, RCA moved to Camp Sussex, NB in 5/41
    Attached to 8th Cdn Inf Bde at Camp Sussex from 5/41 to 7/41
    Attached to 12th Cdn Inf Bde at Camp Sussex from 8/41 to 9/41
    Did gunnery practice at Camp Tracadie, NB in 9/41
    Attached to 12th Cdn Inf Bde at Camp Sussex 9/41 to 12/41
    Split on 5/11/41 at Camp Sussex into 75th Anti-Tank Battery, RCA and 24th Anti-Tank Battery, RCA
    Both attached to 18th Field Field Regiment, RCA at Camp Sussex 1/12/41
    Both moved to Camp Petawawa in 1/42
    Both 75th and 24th Batteries reduced to cadre 19/1/42 as personnel transferred to 2nd Medium Regiment, RCA
    Cadres absorbed into CATC (A2) at Camp Petawawa on 19/1/42
    24th and 75th Field Batteries, RCA reformed at Camp Petawawa 26/1/42 as French speaking
    24th and 75th Field Batteries came u/c 20th Field Regiment, RCA in 3/42
    See 20th Field Regiment

    20th Field Regiment, RCA

    HQ formed at Camp Valcartier, PQ 2/3/42 as a Francophone unit with 24th, 72nd and 75th Field Batteries
    Served under 15th Cdn Inf Bde at Camp Valcartier 3/42 to 7/42
    Moved to Camp Tracadie 7/42 for gunnery practice
    Came u/c HQ 7th Div Artillery RCA at Camp Tracadie in 7/42
    Moved to Camp Debert, NS in 10/42
    Returned to Camp Tracadie in 8/43
    Moved back to Camp Debert in 9/43
    Left 7th Div Artillery and Camp Debert in 10/43
    Arrived at Prince George, BC in 10/43 and came u/c 15th Cdn Inf Bde Group
    Moved to Camp Nanaimo, BC in 1/44
    For the period 1/44 to 4/44 each battery served under separate Battalion groups in the Brigade
    24th Field Battery served under Royal Rifles of Canada Combat Team from 1/44 to 3/44
    24th Field Battery served under Prince Albert Volunteers Combat Team from 3/44 to 4/44
    72nd Field Battery served under Prince Edward Island Highlanders Combat Team from 1/44 to 3/44
    72nd Field Battery served under Royal Rifles of Canada Combat Team from 3/44 to 4/44
    75th Field Battery served under Fusiliers du St. Laurent Combat Team from 1/44/ to 4/44
    Note: during the period 1/44 to 4/44 the Combat Teams moved to different location in the Area
    Locations included Port Alberni, Courtenay as each took a stint at the Combined Operations School
    Moved to Camp Wainwright, Alberta in 5/44 and joined 6th Div Artillery RCA for training
    Moved to Prince George, BC in 10/44 under 6th Div Artillery RCA
    Moved to Camp Valcartier in 12/44
    Disbanded at Camp Valcartier 31/12/44
     
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  2. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    There were two Francophone Anti-Aircraft Regiments and ten Francophone Anti-Aircraft Batteries that served in Canada during the war. The 24th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA was a Francophone unit from its formation in June 1942, but the 26th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA under Botwood Defences in Newfoundland was converted from an Anglophone Regiment to a Francophone Regiment in December 1943. Both the Headquarters and Gun Operations Room changed personnel at the time and during October to December 1943, the Anglophone Batteries returned to Canada and Francophone Batteries were sent to replace them. This was with the exception of 29th AA Troop, which remained at Lewisporte with a swap of personnel only. Nine of the ten AA Batteries served with these two AA Regiments. The exception was the pre-war 3rd AA Battery, which remained at Levis under Military District No. 5 until it was used to form 60th and 61st AA Batteries.

    3rd Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA

    Details called out 26/8/39 at Lévis, PQ with two 13-pounder 9-cwt AA guns
    Details became CASF 1/9/39
    Converted to Battery from Details 1/1/41
    Four Bofors replaced the 13-pounders 3/11/42
    Disbanded 19/1/43 at Lévis to form 60th AA Battery, Type H, RCA and 61st AA Troop, Type L, RCA

    12th Anti-Aircraft Troop, Type L, RCA

    Authorized as No. 3 Anti-Aircraft Machine-Gun Troop, RCA
    Converted to 12th Anti-Aircraft Troop, Type L, RCA 12/12/41
    One officer and two NCOs were taken on strength from No. 3 AA MG Troop at Fort Martiniere, PQ along with 9 NCOs
    and ORs from District Depot No. 5 and 59th Heavy Bty, RCA.
    Above cadre transferred to A-23 Coast and AA Artillery TC at Citadel Hill, Halifax for six-weeks cadre training
    Moved to AA Staging Camp at Camp Debert, NS 3/42
    Converted to 12th Anti-Aircraft Battery, Type 4L, RCA 13/4/42
    Joined 24th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA at Arvida, PQ in 6/42
    While at Arvida the Battery had four troops of 4 40mm Bofors in each and served at Chute a Caron and Ile Maligne
    Converted to 12th Anti-Aircraft Battery, Type 3L, RCA in 6/43
    A Special Mission of 4 Bofors helped defend the Quebec Conference 8/43 to 9/43
    Converted to 12th Anti-Aircraft Battery, Type 2L, RCA in 10/43
    Moved with Regiment to Camp Shilo, Manitoba in 8/44 for farm duty
    Moved with Regiment to Camp Valcartier, PQ in 12/44
    Disbanded 15/1/45 at Camp Valcartier

    17th Anti-Aircraft Battery, Type M, RCA

    CO & eight NCOs became the cadre for the Bty on transfer from 3rd AA Bty, 105th Hvy Bty & 59th Hvy 1/12/41
    Moved from Lévis, PQ to A-23 Coast and AA Artillery TC 1/12/41
    Cadre returned to Quebec 1/42 after cadre training
    Battery moved to Arvida, PQ in 1/42 and manned four 3-inch 20cwt guns at Ile Maligne and Chute a Caron
    Battery joint 24th Anti-Aircraft Regiment at Arvida in 6/42
    Converted to 17th Anti-Aircraft Battery, Type 2H, RCA in 6/43 the four 3-inch guns were replaced by 8 3.7” AA guns
    Moved to Camp Valcartier, PQ in 10/43, leaving the Regiment
    Moved to Gander, Newfoundland in 10/43 and joined the 26th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA
    Moved to Artillery AA Reinforcement Camp at Bedford, NS in 3/45
    Disbanded at Bedford, NS 15/4/45

    29th Anti-Aircraft Troop, Type L, RCA

    Converted to 29th Anti-Aircraft Troop, Type LS, RCA on 15/6/43 with 6 Bofors 40mm AA guns in action by 12/43
    This Troop served as an Anglophone unit from 3/42 to 12/43, located at Lewisporte, Newfoundland 6/43-12/43 under
    26th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA
    In 12/43 the Anglophone personnel were swapped with Francophone personnel organized at Camp Valcartier in 11/43
    Moved to Bedford, NS in 11/44 at AA Reinforcement Camp
    Disbanded at Bedford on 30/11/44

    41st Anti-Aircraft Battery, Type 2H, RCA

    Cadre training began at A23 Coast Defence and AA Artillery 11/5/42
    Moved to A23 Heavy AA Wing in Aldershot, NS in 5/42
    Moved to AA Staging Camp in Aldershot in 6/42
    Moved to Arvida, PQ and joined 24th AA Regiment, RCA in 8/42
    Equipped with 8 3.7” AA guns at Arvida
    Moved with Regiment to Camp Shilo, Manitoba in 8/44 for farm duty
    Moved with Regiment to Camp Valcartier, PQ in 12/44
    Disbanded 15/1/45 at Camp Valcartier

    52nd Anti-Aircraft Troop, Type L, RCA

    Cadre formed at A23 Coast and AA Artillery RC at Light AA Wing, Airport, Halifax, NS 15/6/42
    Cadre moved to AA Staging Camp, Aldershot, NS in 7/42
    Troop moved to Gaspé, PQ in 9/42 under Gaspé Defences with four 40mm Bofors guns
    Troop came u/c 22nd AA Regiment, RCA in 10/42
    Troop came u/c 24th AA Regiment, RCA at Gaspé in 7/43
    Moved to Camp Valcartier, PQ in 11/43
    Converted to 52nd Anti-Aircraft Battery, Type 4L, RCA 5/11/43
    Moved to Bedford, NS - AA Artillery Reinforcement Camp in 11/43
    Moved to Gander, Newfoundland in 12/43 and joined 26th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA with 16 Bofors
    Moved to Bedford, NS - AA Artillery Reinforcement Camp in 6/45
    Disbanded at Bedford, NS 30/6/45

    53rd Anti-Aircraft Battery, Type H, RCA

    Cadre formed at A23 Coast and AA Artillery RC at Heavy AA Wing, Aldershot, NS 15/6/42
    Cadre moved to AA Staging Camp, Aldershot, NS in 7/42
    Moved to Dartmouth, NS in 8/42 and attachment to 1st Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA for training
    Moved to AA Artillery Staging Camp at Bedford, NS in 11/42
    Moved to Gaspé, PQ and joined 24th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA in 1/43 manning 4 3.7” AA guns
    Moved to Arvida, PQ in 6/43
    All personnel and four guns were transferred to 17th AA Battery and Battery disbanded 15/6/43

    60th Anti-Aircraft Battery, Type H, RCA

    Battery formed at Levis, PQ and attached to 61st AA Troop, RCA during formation 15/2/43
    Converted to 60th Anti-Aircraft Battery, Type 2H, RCA 23/3/43
    Moved to Giffard, PQ in 7/43 and joined 24th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA with eight 3.7” AA guns
    Moved to Camp Valcartier, PQ in 10/43
    Converted to 60th Anti-Aircraft Battery, Type H, RCA 1/10/43
    Moved to Gander, Newfoundland in 11/43 and put 4 3.7” AA guns in action
    Moved to AA Artillery Reinforcement Camp, Bedford, NS 3/45
    Disbanded at AA Artillery Reinforcement Camp, Bedford, NS 15/4/45

    61st Anti-Aircraft Troop, Type L, RCA

    Formed from the disbanded 3rd AA Battery at Levis, PQ 19/1/43
    Joined 24th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA in 7/43 while still at Levis
    Converted to 61st Anti-Aircraft Battery, Type 2L, RCA 1/10/43
    Moved to Camp Valcartier, PQ in 11/43
    Moved to AA Artillery Reinforcement Camp, Bedford, NS in 11/43
    Moved to Botwood, Newfoundland in 11/43 and joined 26th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA with 8 40mm Bofors
    Moved to AA Artillery Reinforcement Camp, Bedford, NS in 11/44
    Disbanded at Bedford 30/11/44

    63rd Anti-Aircraft Battery, Type 3L, RCA

    Although it is listed as being converted from 8th Light AA Battery, RCA, the 8th was disbanded at Camp Tracadie, NB
    on 15/6/43 and the men distributed to the other three batteries of 10th Light AA Regiment.
    The 63rd Battery was formed at Sites 9, 10, 11 and 12 at Chute a Caron, Arvida on 2/9/43 by handing over four
    Bofors AA guns and 3 officers and 76 ORs from 12th AA Battery and some men from 17th AA Battery
    Battery gradually increased to 12 Bofors AA guns and was located at Chute a Caron under 24th Anti-Aircraft Regiment
    from 9/43 to 8/44
    Moved with Regiment to Camp Shilo, Manitoba in 8/44 for farm duty
    Moved with Regiment to Camp Valcartier, PQ in 12/44

    24th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA

    HQ began operations at Arvida on 1/6/42
    Moved to Camp Shilo, Manitoba in 8/44 for farm duty with Batteries
    Moved to Camp Valcartier, PQ in 12/44 with Batteries
    Disbanded 15/1/45 at Camp Valcartier

    Batteries
    12th Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA 6/6/42 - 15/1/45
    17th Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA 6/6/42 - 6/10/43
    No. 3 Anti-Aircraft GOR, RCA 6/6/42 - 15/1/45
    18th Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA 11/6/42 - 3/8/42 - Anglophone
    41st Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA 3/8/42 - 15/1/45
    53rd Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA 15/6/43 - 16/6/43
    52nd Anti-Aircraft Troop, RCA 15/7/43 - 4/11/43
    60th Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA 15/7/43 - 4/10/43
    61st Anti-Aircraft Troop, RCA 15/7/43 - 4/11/43
    63rd Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA 1/9/43 - 15/1/45

    26th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA

    HQ converted to Francophone from HQ 26th AA Regiment Anglophone at Gander, Newfoundland 17/12/43
    Moved to AA Artillery Reinforcement Camp, Bedford, NS in 6/45
    Disbanded at Bedford 31/7/45

    Batteries
    No. 4 Anti-Aircraft GOR, RCA 17/12/43 - 31/7/45
    29th Anti-Aircraft Troop, RCA 17/12/43 - 29/10/44
    17th Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA 17/12/43 - 6/3/45
    60th Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA 17/12/43 - 6/3/45
    52nd Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA 17/12/43 - 9/6/45
    61st Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA 17/12/43 - 29/10/44
     
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  3. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Quite obviously there were Francophone units in the other branches of the Canadian Army such as the RCAMC, RCOC, RCASC, RCCS, RCAPC, CPC, CEME, CProC, CWAC and the Cdn Intelligence Corps. I would encourage other members with knowledge in these areas to add to the thread. I am currently working on the Veterans Guard of Canada Companies and a number of these were recruited in Quebec, but I have not gotten to these yet.
     
  4. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    There were two more Francophone units that were formed before the war ended, one very short lived and the other existed for about one year.

    The Canadian Army Occupation Force (CAOF) was formed in England in May 1945 of nine garrison battalions (1st-9th) in three brigades 107th, 108th and 109th. These were moved to Holland at the end of May and start of June 1945 to be fleshed out from volunteers from Canadian units serving in North-West Europe. On June 1st, the garrison units took on a shadow personna of 3rd Canadian Division, with units renamed to reflect units from the 3rd Canadian Division that had served in NW Europe. One of these Battalions was French-speaking.

    3rd Battalion, Le Régiment de la Chaudière
    Raised as 5th Canadian Garrison Battalion 14/5/45 at Westmeston Manor House, Sussex, UK under 108th Cdn Inf Bde
    Brigade moved to Leatherhead Area at Bookham, Surrey 20/5/45
    Battalion began move to NW Europe 29/5/45
    Battalion arrived in Amersfoort, Holland and re-joined the 2/8th Cdn Inf Bde (ex-108th Cdn Inf Bde)
    Battalion renamed 3rd Battalion, Le Régiment de la Chaudière 17/6/45
    Battalion left Amersfoort 9/7/45
    Battalion arrived at Neuenburg, Germany and relieved the Essex Scottish
    Disbanded 24/4/46

    The Canadian Army Pacific Force (CAPF) was also recruited at the end of the war in NW Europe, but its members were sent back to Canada and given 30 days leave before assembling at various points around the country. There was one Francophone unit among these units. It was the intention to employ the force under the title 6th Canadian Division (CAPF) against Japan, possibly during the invasion of the home island. By the time the men came back from leave, the war was over and the force disbanded shortly after.

    1st Battalion (Royal 22é Regiment), 1st Canadian Infantry Regiment
    1/8/45 - Commanding Officer arrived at Camp Debert, NS
    20/8/45 - Battalion commences War Diary with 18 officers and 118 other ranks
    24/9/45 - Battalion disbanded at Debert, NS
     
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  5. JohnS

    JohnS Senior Member

    According to the official RCE history (page 67) the 3rd Battalion, R.C.E., `a unit composed primarily of French-speaking Canadians and was to remain as such throughout its existence.' I have read the entire history and I can't recall another such unit.
     
  6. Kate LeBlanc

    Kate LeBlanc New Member

    [
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2016
  7. Kate LeBlanc

    Kate LeBlanc New Member

    Hi
    I have been searching for information about the 82nd Gaspe for a while now. My uncle was originally a Sapper with the RCE 7 Field, survived Dieppe and for some reason "transferred" in to the 82nd afterwards. Many men from the Gaspe enlisted in this Anti-Tank reg. I just can't find out much about them
     
  8. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    You can read the war diaries for the 82nd Anti-Tank Battery, RCA from July 1940 to September 1941 starting here:

    War diaries : T-16377 - Héritage

    You can find the war diaries for its superior headquarters, the 4th Anti-Tank Regiment, RCA starting here:

    War diaries : T-16456 - Héritage

    The 4th Anti-Tank Regiment war diaries continue as well on Reels T-16456, T-16457 T-16715, and T-16716. It covers the regiment from April 1941 through September 1945. This is thousands of pages of documents. You may find some mention of your uncle in the war diaries. Good luck. Get back to me if you need more assistance.
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2021
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  9. JohnS

    JohnS Senior Member

    Hi Kate, what was your uncle's trade? That might have a lot to do with his transfer.
     
  10. bird_dog36

    bird_dog36 New Member

    Hello dryan67,

    Your informations about the 57th LAA battery are nice.
    My grandfather was on that unit from 1941 up until its dissolution in 1944.
    He then has been integrated in 58th bty of the 4th medium regiment.

    I've found enough information on the 4th medium regiment following d-day to trace his path to Germany.

    However, I have little or no information on those two and half years in England.
    It would be great to have the War Diaries of the 57th LAA Battery / 7 LAA Rgt.

    If you have more informations to provide, I would be glad to collect them!

    Here's a photo of the 57th LAA Battery, RCA, in 1942.

    57th_LAAB_RCA_BW.jpg

    Here's a link to another forum where you can find a nominal roll the day they embarked on the Duran Castle, preparing to leave to UK.

    57th LAA Battery, RCA - Nominal Roll - 12 Nov 1941 - WARTIMES.ca
     
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  11. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    The war diaries for 57th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery are located here, but only cover 21 June 1941 to 31 August 1941.

    War diaries : T-16851 - Héritage

    You can then pick up the 57th's service with the war diary for 7th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, which starts here:

    War diaries : T-16756 - Héritage

    Here is a summary for the service of 57th Medium/Light AA Battery until it left for England:

    57th Medium Battery (H), RCA, CASF

    History

    1 September 1939 – Authorized – Serial 71 (GO 135/39)

    1 September 1939 – Mobilized at Lévis Armoury, Lévis, PQ (Military District No. 5 AQ War Diary)

    1 June 1940 - Redesignated and Combined with Serial 73 - 1st Medium Battery, RCA, CASF to form Serial 71 - 1st/57th Medium Battery, RCA, CASF (GO 123/40) (Dated 1 July 1940)

    9 June 1940 - Combined with Serial 73 - 1st Medium Battery, RCA, CASF to form Serial 71 - 1st/57th Medium Battery, RCA, CASF (2nd Medium Regiment War Diary)

    7 November 1940 - CASF designation dropped (GO 273/40) (Dated 29 November 1940)

    24 May 1941 - Battery was reorganized into two separate batteries and each was redesignated - Serial 459 - 1st Medium Battery, RCA and Serial 71 - 57th Medium Battery, RCA. Reorganized and Redesignated: Serial 71 - 57th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA (GO 149/41) (Dated 19 July 1941)

    11 June 1941 - Reorganized and Redesignated Serial 71 – 57th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA (2nd Medium Regiment War Diary)

    21 June 1941 – 57th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA renamed as 1st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA – Serial 459 (2nd Heavy AA Regiment War Diary)

    21 June 1941 – 57th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA –Serial 458B - authorized at Petawawa Military Camp from French-Canadian personnel of 1st/57th Medium Battery, RCA (War Diary) (HQS 24-9-B and 21-9-B dated 21/6/41)

    25 July 1941 – CO appointed (War Diary)

    17 July 1941 – Two officers and 59 other ranks are struck off the strength of 2nd Heavy AA Regiment, RCA and posted to 57th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA (War Diary)

    21 December 1941 - Allotted New Serial 458B – 57th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA (GO 54/42) (Dated 17 February 1942)

    1 March 1944 – Disbanded (GO 357/44) (Dated 29 July 1944)


    Command

    HQ Military District No. 5 1/9/39 - 26/5/40

    NDHQ 26/5/40 - 27/5/40

    HQ 2nd Medium Regiment, RCA 27/5/40 - 10/6/41

    HQ 2nd Heavy AA Regiment, RCA 11/6/41 - 21/6/41

    HQ Staff Petawawa Camp 21/6/41 - 3/9/41

    HQ 7th Light AA Regiment, RCA 3/9/41 - 10/11/41

    NDHQ 10/11/41 - 12/11/41


    Location

    Levis, PQ 1/9/39 - 26/5/40 - Lévis Armoury

    11/12/39 – The Battery took over from 57th Field Battery, RCA.

    In transit 26/5/40 - 27/5/40

    Petawawa Military Camp, Ontario 27/5/40 - 18/10/40

    In transit 18/10/40 - 20/10/40

    18/10/40 – The Battery moved to spend the night at Lansdowne Park, Ottawa, Ontario as part of Petawawa Force.

    19/10/40- The Battery moved from Lansdowne Park to Lachute, PQ for night with the RHQ in a hotel and the men in stables.

    Montreal, PQ 20/10/40 - 22/10/40 - ‘Battle of Montreal’ Exercise

    20/10/40- The Battery moved to Montreal, participated in the ‘Battle of Montreal’ and then spent the night at the Craig Street Drill Hall.

    In transit 22/10/40 - 23/10/40

    22/10/40- The Battery left Montreal and were quartered for the night in school houses and the Armouries at Prescott, Ontario.

    Petawawa Military Camp, Ontario 23/10/40 - 10/11/41

    23/10/40- The Battery returned to Petawawa from Prescott via Brockville.

    In transit 10/11/41 - 12/11/41 - TS-484

    [Embarked at Halifax on Durban Castle (E-357) 12 November 1941. Sailed on 13 November 1941
     
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  12. bird_dog36

    bird_dog36 New Member

    Thank you dryan67. It's really appreciated, I'm going to study all of that.
     

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