The Hawk and the Hare

A Saskatchewan farm boy and an Indigenous scout become brothers-in-arms, fighting across Europe.

In 1944, 21-year-old Private Ewen Morrison joins the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and meets his new platoon, including Reggie Johnson, an Indigenous soldier from an Ontario reserve. His new friend supplements the army’s training with some of his own, helping to prepare Ewen for scouting missions against the enemy.

As they advance across northern Europe, the men confront the brutal reality of war. Reggie’s bravery, skill and authority soon earn him a field promotion, but not necessarily the respect of all the men in his platoon.

This is not the story of generals and officers, but of the men on the ground and the hardships they endured.