In Memory of
DIETRICH VICTOR KLASSEN
Private, H/17884
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, R.C.I.C.
who died 20 age
23rd July 1943
Remembered with honour
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
Son of George and Anna Klassen, of Rivers, Manitoba.
Born April 16, 1923 in Furstenland Colony, South Russia. Emigrated to Canada in 1926 with his parents and siblings. Joined the service February 2, 1942, 19 years old. Joined PPCLI. Sent overseas in July 1942. Wounded at the battle of Leonforte July 22, 1943. Died of gunshot wounds to his arm and abdomen July 23, 1943, 20 years old.
Awarded 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and CVSM & Clasp. My uncle.
Jane Brown, 2009-07-23
Private Dietrich Victor Klassen, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Born on 16 April 1923 in Khiev, USSR (now Ukraine) and died of wounds received in action on 23 July 1943.
Dietrich was very likely wounded during the relieve of the cut of Loyal Edmonton companies inside Leonforte.
"A force consisting out of one troop of tanks, 90th Anti-Tank Battalion and 1 platoon of C-Coy and one of Battalion HQ of the PPCLI mounted on quads of the 90th Anti-Tank Battalion went through Leonforte. They relieved the cut off Loyal Eddies, consisting of around 30 men of all ranks in center of town, at 09.30 hours in the morning. The Loyal Eddies were completely out of contact with the rest of the Battalion. Machine guns from the Brigade Support Group (Saskatoon Light Infantry) provided covering fire against snipers from the escarpment on the east side of town. The relieve of the Loyal Edmontons was a complete success and three enemy tanks in town were brewed up. The men from C-Coy then pushed forward through town against stiff opposition and occupied the area around the railway station. The C-Coy of the PPCLI was the counter attack Company for the Battalion and were placed under Loyal Edmonton command. A and B-Companies of the PPCLI moved forward mounted on Shermans.
At noon the PPCLI engaged the enemy on the high ground on the northern outskirts of Leonforte. The battle continued throughout the day. During the battle the Regiment reorganized at its original base. In the evening the Patricias went back into town due to a threat of a counter attack."
Dietrich got a gun shot wound in his abdomen and had a fractured right arm. He was rushed to No 1 Field Dressing Station in Valguarnera where he improved. Then on the 23rd his condition went backwards and he died of his wounds the same day. He was initially buried in a temporary grave in Valguarnera and later reburied at Agira Canadian War Cemetery.
Dietrich lived in Myrtle, Manitoba with his parents. He had one older brother and one younger. He also had one older sister and one younger.
He enlisted on 4 February 1942 in Winnipeg.
Dietrich was very likely wounded during the relieve of the cut of Loyal Edmonton companies inside Leonforte.
"A force consisting out of one troop of tanks, 90th Anti-Tank Battalion and 1 platoon of C-Coy and one of Battalion HQ of the PPCLI mounted on quads of the 90th Anti-Tank Battalion went through Leonforte. They relieved the cut off Loyal Eddies, consisting of around 30 men of all ranks in center of town, at 09.30 hours in the morning. The Loyal Eddies were completely out of contact with the rest of the Battalion. Machine guns from the Brigade Support Group (Saskatoon Light Infantry) provided covering fire against snipers from the escarpment on the east side of town. The relieve of the Loyal Edmontons was a complete success and three enemy tanks in town were brewed up. The men from C-Coy then pushed forward through town against stiff opposition and occupied the area around the railway station. The C-Coy of the PPCLI was the counter attack Company for the Battalion and were placed under Loyal Edmonton command. A and B-Companies of the PPCLI moved forward mounted on Shermans.
At noon the PPCLI engaged the enemy on the high ground on the northern outskirts of Leonforte. The battle continued throughout the day. During the battle the Regiment reorganized at its original base. In the evening the Patricias went back into town due to a threat of a counter attack."
Dietrich got a gun shot wound in his abdomen and had a fractured right arm. He was rushed to No 1 Field Dressing Station in Valguarnera where he improved. Then on the 23rd his condition went backwards and he died of his wounds the same day. He was initially buried in a temporary grave in Valguarnera and later reburied at Agira Canadian War Cemetery.
Dietrich lived in Myrtle, Manitoba with his parents. He had one older brother and one younger. He also had one older sister and one younger.
He enlisted on 4 February 1942 in Winnipeg.
Jimbo Jimmy, 2024-09-29
Information courtesy of the 