D-day/ normandy landing: June, 1944
Code-named "Operation Overload", the Battle of Normandy began on June 6th, 1944, also known as D- Day. The Battle of Normandy began along a 80 km stretch of the Normandy coast. Due to the tragedies that occurred in Dieppe, the Normandy Landing was extensively planned and rehearsed multiple times until perfection. Every single detail of this battle was planned out and unknown to the Germans. Because of these reasons, the Normandy Landing is now known to be "one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history". It also opened up a second front at which Hitler and Germany had to fight, much like in WWI. Approximately 156, 000 Allied troops were designated to one of the beaches along the Normandy Coast to land and begin the liberation of Europe from the Nazis. The beaches were nicknamed "Sword", "Gold", "Omaha" and "Utah". Although the majority of casualties were seen on "Omaha" beach, Canada took on a huge role in the Normandy Landing when they were designated beach “Juno”.
At around 7:45 AM on D-Day, the Third Canadian Infantry Division landed on "Juno", led by General Keller. Canadian involvement included the landing of 14, 000 soldiers on the beaches of Normandy and 450 dropped behind enemy lines by parachute. Upon landing on “Juno”, Allied soldiers had to fight through barbed wire and concrete barriers set up by the Germans, in order to advance inland. By June 26th, Cherbourg was captured, which began Germany's retreat. Paris was finally liberated on August 25th, 1944, by the Allies marking the beginning to the end of the war.
The end date of "Operation Overload" differs depending on the historian. Many believe that although the original plan was for "Operation Overload" to last 90 days, with the liberation of Seine, the operation ended up concluding on August 30th, 1944, when the Germans retreated across the River Seine. Some historians consider August 25th, 1944 the date when the campaign ended because Paris was liberated that day. D- day was a high price to pay, as 9, 000 Canadian soldiers were either killed or wounded. Even though historians are not able to agree on a common end date, they are all able to agree that Canada played an important role in the Normandy Landing leading Germany to surrender on May 7th, 1945. The actions taken by Canadian troops at the Normandy Landing were truly remarkable. The Normandy Landing was a success on Canada's part because Canada was able to take part in stopping the Nazi's and in result, putting an end to the war.
At around 7:45 AM on D-Day, the Third Canadian Infantry Division landed on "Juno", led by General Keller. Canadian involvement included the landing of 14, 000 soldiers on the beaches of Normandy and 450 dropped behind enemy lines by parachute. Upon landing on “Juno”, Allied soldiers had to fight through barbed wire and concrete barriers set up by the Germans, in order to advance inland. By June 26th, Cherbourg was captured, which began Germany's retreat. Paris was finally liberated on August 25th, 1944, by the Allies marking the beginning to the end of the war.
The end date of "Operation Overload" differs depending on the historian. Many believe that although the original plan was for "Operation Overload" to last 90 days, with the liberation of Seine, the operation ended up concluding on August 30th, 1944, when the Germans retreated across the River Seine. Some historians consider August 25th, 1944 the date when the campaign ended because Paris was liberated that day. D- day was a high price to pay, as 9, 000 Canadian soldiers were either killed or wounded. Even though historians are not able to agree on a common end date, they are all able to agree that Canada played an important role in the Normandy Landing leading Germany to surrender on May 7th, 1945. The actions taken by Canadian troops at the Normandy Landing were truly remarkable. The Normandy Landing was a success on Canada's part because Canada was able to take part in stopping the Nazi's and in result, putting an end to the war.