Canadians in Normandy, 1944

Canadians in Normandy, 1944

"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

(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 ten miles (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 9 mi (14 km), the Allies were halted 7 mi (11 km) 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.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4164905)

Fires caused by bombing with transports and men taking cover on Caen-Falaise Road, 8 Aug 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)

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