Canadians in the Normandy Campaign, from the D-Day Landings to Falaise, 1944
Canadians in the Normandy Campaign, from the D-Day Landings to Falaise
"Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world..."
- From General Dwight D. Eisenhower's D-Day message to Allied soldiers.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4164905)
Fires caused by bombing with transports and men taking cover on the Caen-Falaise Road, 8 August 1944.
The Battle of Normandy was one of the most important operations of the Second World War. It began the campaign to free Western Europe from German occupation. Canadians played a key role in the Allied invasion of Normandy (called Operation Overlord). The campaign began on D-Day (6 June 1944) and ended with the battle of the Falaise Pocket (7–21 August 1944). Thousands of Canadians fought on D-Day and in the Normandy campaign and in this period, over 5,000 were killed.
Canada had been at war with Germany since 1939. By 1944, the Allies were on the attack. They were winning the Battle of the Atlantic and advancing through Italy. In the east, the Soviets were pushing the Germans back. Soviet leader Joseph Stalin had been asking the British and Americans to invade France for a long time. An invasion in the west would take pressure off Soviet forces. The Allies finally agreed to an invasion, code-named Operation Overlord. It would be launched from Britain across the English Channel in 1944.
The French side of the English Channel was well-defended. The Germans had built many kilometres of concrete bunkers and machine gun nests along the coast. They had also placed barbed wire, mines, and other obstacles on the beaches. The Allies were concerned about the likely high loss of men, as had happened during the Dieppe Raid of 19 August 1942.
Operation Julilee
Operation Jubilee or the Dieppe Raid (19 August 1942) was a disastrous Allied amphibious attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe in northern France, during the Second World War. Over 6,050 infantry, predominantly Canadian, supported by a regiment of tanks, were put ashore from a naval force operating under the protection of Royal Air Force (RAF) fighters. In this raid, 907 Canadian soldiers were killed, 2,460 were wounded, and 1,946 were taken prisoner.
The port was to be captured and held for a short period, to test the feasibility of a landing and to gather intelligence. German coastal defences, port structures and important buildings were to be demolished. The raid was intended to boost Allied morale, demonstrate the commitment of the United Kingdom to re-open the Western Front and support the Soviet Union, fighting on the Eastern Front.
The Luftwaffe made a maximum effort against the landing as the RAF had expected, and the RAF lost 106 aircraft (at least 32 to anti-aircraft fire or accidents) against 48 German losses. The Royal Navy lost 33 landing craft and a destroyer. Aerial and naval support was insufficient to enable the ground forces to achieve their objectives. The tanks were trapped on the beach and the infantry was largely prevented from entering the town by obstacles and German fire.
After less than six hours, mounting casualties forced a retreat. Within ten hours, 3,623 of the 6,086 men who landed had been killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. 5,000 were Canadians, who suffered a 68 percent casualty rate, with 3,367 killed, wounded or taken prisoner. The operation was a fiasco in which only one landing force temporarily achieved its objective, and a small amount of military intelligence was gathered.
(Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-291-1205-14 / Koll / CC-BY-SA 3.0)
Canadian wounded and abandoned Churchill tanks after the raid. A landing craft is on fire in the background.
Both sides learned important lessons regarding coastal assaults. The Allies learned lessons that influenced the success of the D-Day landings. Artificial harbours were declared crucial, tanks were adapted specifically for beaches, a new integrated tactical air force strengthened ground support, and capturing a major port at the outset was no longer seen as a priority. Churchill and Mountbatten both claimed that these lessons had outweighed the cost. The Germans also believed that Dieppe was a learning experience and made a considerable effort to improve the way they defended the occupied coastlines of Europe. (The Canadian Encylopedia)
The Allies also knew they needed a French harbour to supply their armies during the campaign. The Germans knew an invasion was coming, but they did not know where or when it would happen. Allied deception measures had convinced them the invasion might happen in the Pas de Calais, which was the shortest distance from England and the quickest route to Germany.
The Allies chose to invade Normandy, further to the west, and in doing so, they planned the largest seaborne invasion in history. More than 156,000 soldiers would land on the beaches of Normandy, and 18,000 paratroopers would parachute behind German lines. All armed land, sea, and air services would be involved.
As part of the deception measures,the Allies sent fake radio messages. They also built a dummy army of rubber,wooden and papier mâché tanks, trucks, and other equipment in southeast England. The real invasion force, however, was located in southwest England, and its location was kept secret. Soldiers studied maps, photos, and 3D models of the invasion beaches so that they would be prepared.
The invasion was supposed to happen on 5 June 1944, but it was postponed because of severe weather. In the early morning of 6 June, waves of aircraft and gliders began dropping paratroopers into the Normandy countryside. In the English Channel, more than 6,900 ships (including 80 Canadian vessels) sailed towards the French coast. After Allied ships and aircraft bombarded the German defences, the first waves of landing craft headed for the beaches. Allied soldiers faced heavy fire from German defenders but secured the Normandy beachhead by the end of the day. This allowed more troops, tanks, artillery and supplies to come ashore.
The Allied forces were assigned to five beach sectors, with the US forces landing at Utah and Omaha in the West, and British forces assigned to Gold and Sword in the East, on either side of the Canadians assigned to Juno.
Juno Beach was 8 kilometres wide and stretched on either side of Courseulles-sur-Mer. The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division was the assault division, along with the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade under command to provide armoured support for the infantry assault brigades. The 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Harry Wickwire Foster, had been selected to take part in the initial assault.
The 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade consisted of the 1st Battalion, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Lieutenant-Colonel J.M. Meldram; the 1st Battalion, Regina Rifle Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel F.M. Matheson; the 1st Battalion, Canadian Scottish Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel F.N. Cabeldu; and the 7th Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots).
They would land on the left-hand side of the beach, supported by the 6thArmoured Regiment (1st Hussars). During the assault, the Regina Rifles would land at Courseulles which had the code name Nan Green beach, and the Royal Winnipeg Rifles would land on the western edge of Courseulles, which had the code names Mike Red beach and Mike Green beach.
The 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade consisted of the 1st Battalion,The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada; the 1st Battalion, LeRégiment de la Chaudière; the 1st Battalion, The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment; and the 8th Infantry Brigade GroundDefence Platoon (Lorne Scots).
They would land on the right-hand side of the beach, supported by the 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment (Fort Garry Horse). The 8th Brigade went ashore in the area of Courseulles-sur-Mer, Bernières-sur-Mer and St. Aubin-sur-Mer. Its task was to clear the beach and establish a beachhead perimeter before moving inland. Clearance of Courseulles was quickly done, thanks to detailed planning. Although the 8th Brigade reached is objectives byD-Day evening, "mopping-up" of by-passed German strongpoints took another ten days.
In the first hour of the assault on Juno Beach, the Canadian forces suffered approximately 50% casualty rates. Once the Canadians cleared the seawall (about an hour after leaving the landing craft transports) they started to advance quickly inland and had a much easier time subduing the German defences than the Americans at Omaha had. By noon, the entire 3rd Canadian Division was ashore and leading elements had pushed several kilometres inland to seize bridges over the Seulles River. By 6 pm they had captured the town of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. By the end of D-Day, the elements of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division had penetrated farther into France than any other Allied force, although counter-attacks by two German armoured divisions would stop any further movement for several weeks.
The 9th Brigade landed later in the morning. The 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade consisted of the 1st Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry of Canada; the 1st Battalion, The Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Highlanders; the 1st Battalion, The North Nova Scotia Highlanders; and the 9th Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon (Lorne Scots). The 9th Brigade was supported by 27th Armoured Regiment (The Sherbrooke Fusiliers).
At 10:50 a.m. Divisional Headquarters ordered the 9th Brigade to land. The preferred plan was to land the 9th Brigade at St. Aubin and Bernières and alternatively Courseulles. Then the 9th Brigade would pass through the lead brigade and head to the divisional objective, the high ground around Carpiquet airport. Based on the information General Rod Keller had received, he made the decision to land the 9th Brigade at St. Aubin and Bernières. He did not know at the time the Navy had closed Nan red beach at St.Aubin because of the enemy gun still in action there. The entire brigade was forced to land at Bernières and the resulting traffic jam on the one road leading to Beny-sur-Mer caused a critical delay for the 9th Brigade's advance.
The North Nova Scotia Highlanders, commanded by LCol. C. Petch, landed at 11:40 a.m. The narrow beach was already packed with troops from the 8th Brigade. The narrow streets were impatient troops, bicycles, vehicles, and tanks. At 12:05 Brigade Headquarters reported, "Beaches crowded, standing off waiting to land"; but fifteen minutes later it signaled that the brigade commander had landed, and the units were moving to their assembly area near Beny.
The severe congestion around Bernières slowed the movement and the battalions halted on the outskirts of the village. The North Nova Scotia Highlanders who were in the lead, did not move on towards Beny until 4:05 p.m. They were accompanied by the 27th Armoured Regiment (The Sherbrooke Fusiliers), commanded by LCol. M. B. K. Gordon, and were followed by the other battalions of the brigade, The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders (LCol. G. H. Christiansen) and The Highland Light Infantry of Canada (LCol. F. M. Griffiths).
At 6:20 p.m. the North Nova Scotias and the tanks of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers, acting as the brigade's advanced guard, moved off from the assembly area at Beny to pass through the Queen's Own and the Chaudière and carry the advance southward. Three companies of the Highlanders rode on the Sherbrookes' tanks. Machine-gun fire held up the advance along the way and in the vicinity of Colomby-sur-Thaon 'A' Company met opposition which caused further delay. The North Nova Scotia's reached Villons-les-Buissons by 2000 hours and ran into more German resistance. It was now evident that the advanced guard units could not reach their objective in the Carpiquet area before dark. They received the order to halt and begin digging in. The infantry and tanks accordingly formed a fortress in the area Anisy-Villons-les-Buissons. The brigade's other battalions were still in the assembly area at Beny.
They were less than 6 kilometres from Carpiquet airfield, the final divisional objective. But with the rest of the brigade strung out on the road from Beny, and the fear of a counter-attack from either the 12th SS Panzer or 21st Panzer Division, it was decided to secure their positions and the bridgehead.
Nearly 150,000 Allied troops landed or parachuted into the area on D-Day, including 14,000 Canadians at Juno Beach. In total, more than 10,000 Allied soldiers, sailors and aviators were killed, wounded,or captured on D-Day. 1,096 of these casualties were Canadians, including 381 killed in action.
On 8 June, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26 under command of SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer Wilhelm Mohnke arrived on the battlefield. Their orders were to drive over the Canadians and force a deep wedge between them and the British division to the west. The attack was launched at 03:30 but had little initial success. The various companies in the attacking 12th SS Panzer Division failed to co-ordinate their moves towards the Canadians, and, despite heavy casualties during repeated attempts by the infantry, Canadian artillery and supporting heavy machine guns of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa took a heavy toll on each attacking company of SS troops. The Regina Rifle Regiment held its ground and the German I Battalion fell back.
On the Canadian right, the German II Battalion attacked the Royal Winnipeg Rifles defending the village of Putot-en-Bessin. The battalion managed to break into the village and surrounded several companies, effectively pushing the Winnipegs out of the village, inflicting 256 casualties – of which 175 were taken prisoner. A counter-attack launched at 20:30 by the Canadian Scottish Regiment, however, regained Putot-en-Bessin, and the German II Battalion withdrew and dug in south of the village. Following the battle, SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12 deployed to the west of Mohnke's regiment and, by the evening of 8 June the division, while having failed in its assignment to drive the Canadians into the sea, had effectively halted the units of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, in the Allied advance on Caen.
It took a summer of hard fighting to push through Normandy. While the Americans attacked the port city of Cherbourg, the British and Canadians tried to capture the city of Caen. By 9 July 1944, both the Carpiquet airport and much of Caen had been captured. The Canadians then fought battles at Vaucelles, Bourguébus Ridge and Verrières Ridge.
Spending much of the next four weeks in static positions, the division participated in the battles to capture Caen in early July, known as Operation Charnwood, followed by Operation Totalize and Operation Tractable and the battles around Verrières Ridge, during the rest of the month. The brigade then took part in the pursuit across France and cleared the Channel ports, most notably Boulogne, Calais, and Cape Gris Nez.
By early August, the Allies had launched a huge pincer movement to encircle the German army in Normandy. Eventually, they forced the Germans into a “pocket” near the town of Falaise. On 21 August 1944, the Allies captured about 40–50,000 German soldiers.
More than two million Allied soldiers landed in France during the Normandy campaign. The Allies had 209,000 casualties (killed, wounded, captured). About 18,700 of these casualties were Canadians, including over 5,000 killed. More than 300,000 Germans were either killed, wounded, or captured in the Normandy campaign. Between 13,000 and 20,000 French civilians died. The Normandy campaign was a military success for the Allies. But they faced a hard winter of fighting before they finally defeated the German army in the west. (The Canadian Encyclopedia)
(Gilbert Milne, Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3408540)
View looking east along 'Nan White' Beach, showing personnel of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade (Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Highlanders) landing from LCI(L) 299 of the 2nd Canadian (262nd RN) Flotilla. These are second wave troops going ashore at Bernières-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, 6 June 1944.
The 260th Flotilla of infantry landing craft was assigned to Juno Beach. Two Canadian destroyers, HMCS Algonquin and HMCS Sioux, made themselves very useful in the early landing phases, with HMCS Algonquin shelling and destroying an enemy artillery position. The 29th Canadian Torpedo Boat Flotilla had the role of intercepting coastal trade and enemy warships operating in the landing zone.
(DND Photo)
Canadian tanks removing their waterproofing on the Normandy beachhead, 6 June 1944.
Of the nearly 150,000 Allied troops who landed or parachuted into the invasion area, 14,000 were Canadians. They assaulted a beachfront code-named “Juno”, while Canadian paratroopers landed just east of the assault beaches. Although the Allies encountered German defences bristling with artillery, machine guns, mines, and booby-traps, the invasion was a success.
The invasion commanders designated the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, commanded by Major-General R.F.L. Keller, along with the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade, to take part in the seaborne assault.
The Canadian Plan
Two of the 3rd Division's three brigades were to land in the first wave at Juno Beach. The Regina Rifle Regiment and The Royal Winnipeg Rifles of the 7th Infantry Brigade, as well as an attached company of The Canadian Scottish Regiment, led in "Mike" sector, with the rest of The Canadian Scottish in reserve. "Nan" sector was to be tackled by the 8th Brigade's Queen's Own Rifles of Canada and The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, backed up by Le Régiment de la Chaudière.
The tanks of the 1st Hussars and The Fort Garry Horse would land ahead of the infantry to soften up the defences and provide covering fire. Guns of the Royal Canadian Artillery were to be quickly put ashore to lend additional support. The Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps would treat the wounded. All the while, the sappers of the Royal Canadian Engineers would blast a path through enemy obstacles and the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals would ensure smooth communications. Later, the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps would see to it that all were adequately supplied with food, fuel, ammunition, and the other necessities of warfare.
Best laid plans
The Allied plan called for these Canadian units to establish a beachhead, capture the three small seaside towns which lay directly behind it, and then proceed sixteen kilometres inland to occupy the high ground west of the city of Caen by the end of D-Day. Then, in anticipation of the German counter-attack, they were to be reinforced by the 9th Infantry Brigade (The Highland Light Infantry of Canada; The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders; and The North Nova Scotia Highlanders) and the tanks of The Sherbrooke Fusiliers. Altogether, an estimated 15,000 Canadians would participate in the landing force. The remaining elements of the First Canadian Army—its headquarters under General Crerar, the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division and the 4th Canadian Armoured Division—would then gradually establish themselves in Normandy over the next few weeks.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4950962)
Landing Craft (Tank) LCT at Normandy beaches, 6 June 1944, with a Landing Craft, Assault in front.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3208270)
Canadian Tank Destroyer crews removing the waterproofing kits from their tanks after landing in Normandy, June 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3203630)
Mike Beach, Juno, with a tracked 40-mm Bofors AA Gun and an A Squadron, 6 CAR, DD tank with floatation kit collapsed, on the Normandy beachhead, 7 June 1944. The organization chart of the 22nd Armoured Regiment (CGG) had the CO's control party; HQ Squadron with 2 halftracks, 4 scout cars in Intercommunication Troop, 11 Stuart tanks in Recce Troop, and 7 Crusader III AA Mk. II tanks. As the war progressed, the size of the recce troops expanded. Some had up to 13 cars by the end, with the AA vehicles being used for recce, as there was no Luftwaffe to defend against.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3524524)
Canadian tanks firing into German positions in Normandy, 8-9 June 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3524788)
Unfurling of the Canadian flag at 1st Canadian Army Headquarters on Dominion Day: the first time that the Canadian flag flew on French soil after D-Day. Normandy, France, 29 June 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3199223)
RSM Rutherford raising the first Canadian flag to fly in Caen, France, 11 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205648)
10 Jul 1944. Canadians celebrating the liberation of Caen, France. The one in the centre is J.D. Orr, an RCAF Forward Air Controller (FAC) pilot from No. 403 Squadron. He is carrying a captured German MP40 9-mm SMG. The soldier wearing a helmet on the left is carrying a a .303 SMLE No. 4 rifle. The pilot and the Queen's Own Rifles Captain officer on the right are both armed with Enfield revolvers. The soldier on the left is likely with the QOR as well. (Ed Story and Bruce Morton)
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226177)
Canadian Infantry and Royal Air Force personnel talking to French civilians and gendarme, Caen, Normandy, 10 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4002569)
RCAF Fighter Squadron groundcrews flown to Normandy by Dakota, 16 June 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3191765)
H/Major John W. Forth, Chaplain of The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (MG), helping the unit's Regimental Aid Party to treat a wounded soldier near Caen, France, 15 July 1944.
(Lt Ken Bell, Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395947)
Pte. F. Madore with Nursing Sister M.F. Giles waiting for an air-evacuation from an RCAF Spitfire base, Normandy, France, 16 June 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3206448)
Members of the Regimental Aid Party of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa treating a wounded soldier near Caen, France, 15 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3395918)
Chaplains working with the Regimental Aid Post (RAP), evacuate wounded from the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Caen, France, 15 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226396)
Ambulance delivering a wounded soldier of Le Régiment de la Chaudière to the 14th Light Field Ambulance unit, RAMC, 8 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3194287)
Nursing Sisters of Canadian General Hospital, No. 10, RCAMC, landing at Arromanches, France, 23 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226332)
M5 or M9 International Halftracks of the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade advancing in first stage of the attack of Caen, Normandy, 18 July 1944.
The Battle of Verrières Ridge was a series of engagements fought as part of the Battle of Normandy in Calvados. The main combatants were two Canadian infantry divisions, with additional support from the Canadian 2nd Armoured Brigade, against elements of three German SS Panzer divisions. The battle was part of the British and Canadian attempts to break out of Caen, and took place from 19 to 25 July 1944, being part of both Operation Atlantic (18–21 July) and Operation Spring (25–27 July).
The immediate Allied objective was Verrières Ridge, a belt of high ground which dominates the route from Caen to Falaise. The ridge was occupied by battle-hardened German veterans, who had fallen back from Caen and entrenched to form a strong defensive position. Over the course of six days, substantial Canadian and British forces made repeated attempts to capture the ridge. Strict German adherence to defensive doctrine, as well as strong and effective counterattacks by Panzer formations, resulted in heavy Allied casualties for little strategic gain.
While failing to achieve its original objective, an important strategic result of the Battle of Verrières Ridge was to aid the overwhelmingly successful Operation Cobra, by tying down powerful German Panzer formations that might otherwise have been moved to counter-attack Cobra.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226376)
Night photograph of an anti-aircraft searchlight in the field, 29 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 33206446)
Lieutenant George Cooper, Canadian Army Film and Photo Unit, talking with Captain R.T. Miller, his brother-in-law, who is aboard a Humber light reconnaissance car, Caen, France, 11 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3227231)
Major Gen. C. Foulkes, General Officer Commanding of the 2 Div. and Lt. E.C. Argue, Aide de camp of the Cameron Highlanders of Winnipeg, passing through the street in an armoured car, 17 Aug 1944. Operation Tractable, 14-21 Aug 1944, leading to the closure of the Falaise Gap is underway.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3207524)
Dispatch rider armed with a 9-mm STEN gun handing an item to a Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE). The RCE sappers are placing demolition charges, Caen, France, 10 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226316)
Lorry, 3 ton, 4 x 4, Bedford QLD cargo truck on a street with Royal Canadian Engineers attempting to demolish the wall of a damaged building in Caen, Normandy, 13 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226316)
Armoured bulldozer in action widening the cross-roads immediately after it was cleared by the sappers of the Royal Canadian Engineers, Caen, Normandy, 9 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226713)
Armoured bulldozer in action widening the cross-roads immediately after it was cleared by the sappers of the Royal Canadian Engineers, Caen, Normandy, 9 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226767)
Trucks of the Canadian Army Fire Service, Caen, Normandy, 10 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226777)
Canadian Army Psychological Warfare van in the streets of Caen, Normandy, 10 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226754)
Royal Canadian Engineer armoured bulldozer clearing the damage in the street near St. Etienne Church, Caen, Normandy, 13 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226776)
Royal Canadian Engineer armoured bulldozer clearing the damage in the street near St. Etienne Church, Caen, Normandy, 13 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226718)
Royal Canadian Signal Corps soldiers installing communication lines near the French city of Caen, Normandy, 9 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225608)
Members of the Russian mission from Moscow and Canadian Army personnel viewing the remains of an Airspeed AS.51 Horsa glider that landed in Normandy on D-Day. 28 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225660)
Artillery Observation Post (AOP) spotter aircraft, No. 661 Squadron, RAF, being dug in hidden with camouflage netting at a forward airfield in Normandy, 31 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4233206)
Allied Officers checking a map, in front of a Normandy War Memorial, June 1944. The soldier wearing the British Mk. III helmet in the centre is likely a Canadian.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4002570)
Douglas Dakotas arring in Normandy to evacuate casualties, 16 June 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4233766)
Cromwell tank passing through a town in Normandy, June 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226407)
An Allied 105-mm Priest Self-Propelled Gun entering Caen, Normandy, 10 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3396194)
Infantryman of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders armed with a German MP40 9-mm SMG, searching through the rubble for isolated pockets of resistance after the capture of Caen, France, 10 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205216)
Infantrymen of The Regina Rifle Regiment, one armed with a German MP40 SMG, two armed with SMLE rifles including a despatch rider, firing into a damaged building, Caen, France, 10 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3358137)
Lieutenant-Colonel R.S. Malone (left) wearing an Enfield revolver, helping to erect the sign at the editorial office of the Maple Leaf newspaper, Caen, France, 11 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225663)
An aerial view of the Orne River flowing through Caen, Normandy, after an intense aerial bombardment, 31 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225658)
An aerial view of the centre of Caen, Normandy, after an intense aerial bombardment, 31 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4002571)
Hawker Typhoon with No. 440 Squadron RCAF air and groundcrew, Normandy, Aug 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3521421)
Canadian soldiers draining gas from a crashed Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter that crash-landed beside a German radar station near Beny-sur-Mer, France, 16 June 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225655)
Queen's Own Rifles demonstrate flame throwers in action against dugouts among the trees, 29 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3623559)
Artillery OP Sherman, C Troop Commander, 14th RCA, moving along Rue du Général Moulin 132, Caen, Normandy, 10 July 1944. Note the RC marking on the front transmission cover. (Anthony Sewards)
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225996)
Artillery OP Sherman, C Troop Commander, 14th RCA, on a streets in Caen, Normandy, 10 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225997)
Artillery OP Sherman, C Troop Commander, 14th RCA, on a streets in Caen, Normandy, 10 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226822)
Canadian Sherman tanks (possibly with the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment), in Caen, Normandy, 11 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226819)
Canadian Sherman tanks (possibly with the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment), in Caen, Normandy, 11 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No.3226821)
Canadian Sherman tanks (possibly with the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment), in Caen, Normandy, 11 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226824)
Canadian Sherman tanks (possibly with the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment), with one covering the rear, in Caen, Normandy, 11 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225647)
Sherman tanks rolling along the Orne River, near Caen, Normandy, 18 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3203609)
Close shave - Sergeant William Gerard Hussen with the Fort Garry Horse, Winnipeg, sitting on his Sherman tank, Bayeux, France, 14 June 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3198827)
RCA OP Sherman tank barreling at a clip through Caen, Normandy, 10 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225558)
Canadian armour in a laager near Caen, Normandy, 23 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205475)
Canadian tanks move into position for attack toward Falaise, between Hubert-Folie and Tilly-la-Campagne, Normandy, 8 Aug 1944. Operation Totalize is underway.
Operation Totalize (also spelled Operation Totalise in recent British sources) was an offensive launched by Allied troops in the First Canadian Army during the later stages of Operation Overlord, from 8 to 9 August 1944. The intention was to break through the German defences south of Caen on the eastern flank of the Allied positions in Normandy and exploit success by driving south, to capture the high ground north of the city of Falaise. The goal was to collapse the German front and cut off the retreat of German forces fighting the Allied armies further west. The battle is considered the inaugural operation of the First Canadian Army, which had been activated on 23 July.
In the early hours of 8 August 1944, II Canadian Corps launched the attack using mechanized infantry. They broke through the German front lines and captured vital positions deep in the German defences. It was intended that two fresh armoured divisions would continue the attack but some hesitancy by these two comparatively inexperienced divisions and German armoured counter-attacks slowed the offensive. Having advanced 14 kilometres, the Allies were halted 11 kilometres north of Falaise and forced to prepare a fresh attack.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3227267)
Universal Carrier moving through the ruins of a heavily shelled French town in Normandy, 17 Aug 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3227258)
Refugees passing a Canadian Sherman tank, passing through the ruins of a heavily shelled French town in Normandy, 16-17 Aug 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3227272)
Canadian Provost Corps directing traffic past a burning building in Normandy, France, 17 Aug 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3227253)
Bomb damaged church with Canadian jeep, Normandy, France, 17 Aug 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3206554)
The driver of a Humber I scout car receiving orders, Falaise, France, 17 August 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225633)
Reynolds Bridge, Normandy, 29 July 1944. This bridge over the Orne River near Caen was named after Canadian Captain George Gilbert-Reynolds who was killed in heavy fighting near Caen in July 1944. The bridge crosses the Orne River where Reynolds' crew worked feverishly to construct bridges for advancing Canadian soldiers.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3220016)
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Petch, Commanding Officer, leading The North Nova Scotia Highlanders across London Bridge, a Bailey bridge across the Odon River south of Caen, France, 18 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225639)
Military policeman directs traffic of the Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders across a Bailey bridge over the Orne River built by Royal Canadian Engineers, 18 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3192332)
View from Vaucelles of Monty's Bridge, built in eight days by the 20th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, 12 Aug 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3192329)
Artillery CMP tractor with limber and 25-pounder field gun, Caen, Normandy, 17 Aug 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226327)
Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa on motorcycles near Caen, Normandy, France, 15 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. Photographs)
French civilians crowding around a Universal Carrier to receive candy and cigarettes from Canadian soldiers in Normandy, 11 July 1944.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3231574)
Lance-Corporal Don Fife of No.2 Provost Company, Canadian Provost Corps (C Pro C), on a motorcycle en route to Falaise. Fresney-le-Puceau, France, 12 August 1944.
German Equipment Facing the Canadians in Normandy, 1944
10.5cm leFH 18 (Sf.) auf Geschutzwagen 39H(f), Sturmgeschuetz-Abteilung 200. This is a French H39 chassis with a 10.5cm leFG 18 howitzer mated to the top. At least 24 were in service with the 21st Panzerdivision, Normandy, in June 1944. Geschützwagen, translates as a ‘gun vehicle’. The letters SF stand for ‘Selbstfahrlafette’ - self-propelled carriage. The letter (f) indicates that the chassis was of French origin. (The Online Tank Museum)
15cm sFH 13/1 (Sf) auf Geschützwagen Lorraine Schlepper(f) in Normandy with long extended large tail spade at the rear. Notice the D shaped handles fitted to the sides of the front armour plate and the spare bogie wheel mount on the front.
Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 155 which was part of the 21.Panzer-Division (neu), went into action in Normandy in June 1944. Six 15cm sFH 13/1 were issued to the 6th Battery, 2nd Battalion (II. Abteilung (sf)) and six were issued to the 9th Battery, 3rd Battalion (III. Abteilung (sf)). Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 125 was shown as having six 15 cm sFH 13/1 SPGs and Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 192 also had six. The last ones were knocked out when they were caught in the Falaise Pocket and subjected to intense bombing, shelling and gun fire in August 1944. (The Online Tank Museum)
