On June 6, 1944, Canadian and Allied troops launched an invasion of Nazi-occupied France that would prove decisive in the war against Hitler.
In a commemorative Facebook post from The Royal Canadian Legion, it says that 14,000 Canadian soldiers, including the First Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force attacked the beaches of Normandy as part of an Allied force to secure a critical bridgehead for the invasion.
“The battles for the beachhead were crucial for the success of ‘Operation Overlord’, the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe.”
In just a few hours, Canadians suffered 1,074 casualties, including 359 killed.
“Today, we honour and remember the brave men and women who fought for freedom and supported operations on this fateful day in Normandy.”
The Battle of Normandy lasted from June to August 1944, and resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control.
June 6, otherwise known as D-Day, was when the battle begun, with some 156,000 American, British, and Canadian forces landing on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of heavily fortified coast.
It was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history, according to history.com.
By late August, 1944, all of northern France had been liberated. The Nazis were defeated the following spring.
The Royal Canadian Legion post says: “We will forever be grateful for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country and freedom around the world.”
“Lest we forget.”
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josh.fischlin@thefreepress.ca
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