Major General Christopher Vokes | |
|---|---|
 Brigadier Robert Moncel (left) and Major General Christopher Vokes, 10 April 1945 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Butcher"[1] "Chris" |
| Born | 13 April 1904 Armagh, Ireland |
| Died | 27 March 1985 (aged 80) Oakville, Ontario |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Service | Canadian Army |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | Royal Canadian Engineers |
| Commands | |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | |
| Other work | General Officer Commanding the Canadian Army Occupation Force in Europe |
Major-General Christopher Vokes CB, CBE, DSO, CD (13 April 1904 – 27 March 1985) was a Canadian Army officer who fought in World War II. Born in Armagh, Ireland, he commanded the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade during the Allied invasion of Sicily. Promoted to major-general, Vokes led the 1st Canadian Infantry Division through several battles of the Italian campaign, which included fierce house-to-house fighting in the Battle of Ortona and the advance north to the Hitler Line.
In 1944, he took over command of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division and fought in Operation Blockbuster. During the latter stages of this battle, Vokes ordered his division to raze the German town of Friesoythe. The division subsequently destroyed around 85–90% of the town and used the rubble to make good the cratered local roads. After the war, he commanded the Canadian Army Occupation Force in Europe, before returning to Canada to undertake further command assignments. Vokes retired in 1959 and died in 1985 at the age of 80.
- ^ Beevor, Antony (2013). The Second World War (in Norwegian) (1st ed.). Cappelen Damm. pp. 576–577. ISBN 978-82-02-42146-5.
- ^ "No. 37161". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 July 1945. p. 3490.
- ^ "No. 36180". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 September 1943. p. 4220.