Normandy Invasion

On 6 June 1944, after almost a year of special assault and combined operations training, the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division (Maj-Gen R.O.D. Keller) and the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade (Brig R.A. Wyman) were part of the Allied forces which attacked the Normandy coast of France in Operation Overlord. Landing on "Juno" Beach, between Vaux and St Aubin-sur-Mer, the Canadians penetrated about 9 km inland by the end of D-Day. Beating back enemy counterattacks during the next several days, the Canadians continued to thrust inland against growing opposition, aided by highly effective tactical air support. Supported by British formations on either flank, a lodgement area was gained and additional formations reinforced the assault forces. In the Canadian sector the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division (Major-General C. FOULKES) and 4th Canadian Armoured Division (Major-General G. Kitching) arrived to form the Second Canadian Corps under Lieutenant-General G.G. SIMONDS. With these and additional forces, the First Canadian Army (Lieutenant-General H.D.G. CRERAR) took over command of the eastern part of the Allied front.

During June and July the Canadians fought a number of battles to seize enemy positions. Carpiquet, Caën, Vaucelles, Bourguébus Ridge and Verrières Ridge were some of the major areas where heavy fighting took place. During late July and August while the Canadian and British forces held most of the German formations on the eastern sector, the American Army broke the German line at St-Lô. The possibility of a massive pincer movement to encircle the German armies in Normandy was presented to the Allied commanders. The Canadian Army was ordered to launch several massive armoured and infantry attacks towards Falaise. After a series of fierce battles, Falaise was seized on August 16, and in the final attack on Trun and Chambois, Canadians and Poles met with American forces to complete the pincer movement. This ended the Normandy Campaign. The pursuit of the enemy into Belgium and the Netherlands began. Canadian forces suffered 18,444 casualties during the Normandy fighting. The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, which fought under British command, lost over 300 officers and men in their operations.

See also WORLD WAR II.

Author R.H. ROY

Links to Other Sites
Historica-Dominion Institute
The website for the Historica-Dominion Institute, parent organization of The Canadian Encyclopedia and the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. Check out their extensive online feature about the War of 1812, the "Heritage Minutes" video collection, and many other interactive resources concerning Canadian history, culture, and heritage.

The War Amps
The War Amps website commemorates Canada's proud military heritage and the sacrifices of Canadian war veterans. Check out the "Canada's Military Heritage" section for extensive documentation, photographs and veterans’ accounts of their wartime experiences. Features a special section devoted to the 60th Anniversary of D-Day.

Juno Beach Centre
The Juno Beach Centre in France pays tribute to Canada’s valiant military and civilian effort in the Second World War. Their multimedia website offers biographies of Canadian military officers and other officials involved in the war, details about specific battles, and much more.

Remembrances: Canada and the Second World War
Click on the buttons on each page to access digitized archival material related to the war effort at home and on the battlefield. Also, check out the glossary of military terms. From the Royal Canadian Legion and the Virtual Museum of Canada.

D-Day: Canada's role
This multimedia CBC website features a minute by minute account of Canadian military action at Normandy on D-Day.

Johnny Lombardi
Watch a Heritage Minute about musician Johnny Lombardi entertaining his fellow troops near Juno Beach in the Second World War. Features musician Guido Basso. From the Historica-Dominion Institute. See also related learning resources.

Canada at War
A very detailed information source about Canadian military activity in the First World War and the Second World War. Also features an extensive database of Canadian soldiers who died in battle.

The Archives of Ontario Remembers the Home Front
In honour of the 60th anniversary of D-Day, the Archives of Ontario presents this stirring retrospective of Ontario’s extraordinary Home Front contribution to the war effort. Check out the personal stories, photographs, posters, video clips and other multimedia.

Canadian Forces: Glossary
A glossary of military terminology used in the Canadian Forces. From the forces.ca website.

The Second World War and the NFB: On all fronts
View a selection of historical and contemporary Canadian films about the Second World War. Also, check out the glossary of terms referred to in the films. From the National Film Board of Canada.

The Canadian Army Newsreels
Watched selected newsreels depicting Canadian soldiers on the battlefield in Europe. From "The Canadian Army Newsreels," a six DVD set of 106 newsreels filmed and produced by the Canadian Army Film Unit during the Second World War. From The War Amps website.

The Memory Project: Normandy Invasion
Listen to interviews with Canadian veterans who provide remarkable first-hand accounts of their wartime military service. See also related digitized artefacts and memorabilia. From the Historica-Dominion Institute.

The Memory Project: First Canadian Army
Listen to an interview with a Canadian veteran about his military service during the Second World War. Includes references to General Crerar and the First Canadian Army. Also check out related digitized artefacts and memorabilia. From the Historica-Dominion Institute.

D-Day: The Greatest Invasion
See illustrated online excerpts from the book "D-Day: The Greatest Invasion - A People's History." From Google Books.