Operation Overlord
PREPARATION
The raid onto Normandy (aka Juno Beach) on June 6, 1944 was a joint Allied effort which tipped the scales and led to the defeat of Germany. D-Day or ‘Operation Overlord’ was a top secret, heavily planned and co-ordinated effort by the United States, Great Britain, and Canada.
Months of planning was initially overseen by Supreme Allied Commander, Lt. Gen. Morgan in March of 1943, and further developed later on by US Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. Together they made sure that every detail of this invasion was planned to a ‘T’, and that all the men underwent months of training. There were many components that allowed this invasion to succeed where so many others had failed, and thorough planning and secrecy were two very important ones.
"Days before the initiation of Operation Overlord, men were sealed and held inside large waterproof machines in which they were debriefed so that no one had the ability to leak any of the vital plans to the enemy forces." Secrecy was important to the fruition of this large scale attack which consisted of 150,000 foot soldiers alone.
Months of planning was initially overseen by Supreme Allied Commander, Lt. Gen. Morgan in March of 1943, and further developed later on by US Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. Together they made sure that every detail of this invasion was planned to a ‘T’, and that all the men underwent months of training. There were many components that allowed this invasion to succeed where so many others had failed, and thorough planning and secrecy were two very important ones.
"Days before the initiation of Operation Overlord, men were sealed and held inside large waterproof machines in which they were debriefed so that no one had the ability to leak any of the vital plans to the enemy forces." Secrecy was important to the fruition of this large scale attack which consisted of 150,000 foot soldiers alone.
Going to battle
"You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of the Nazi tyranny over the oppressed people of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely... The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of the Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."
-Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower
Before sunrise on June 6, 1944, the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) bombed the heavily fortified shores of Normandy and allowed a small window for the first wave of 3,000 men (3rd infantry brigade) to disembark onto the shore at 7:55 am. By this time the Germans were well aware of the oncoming attack, were at their stations, and were arming their machine guns. Getting through the German offensive to their goal across France was not an easy feat. With the RCE (Royal Canadian Engineers) by their side the soldiers stormed across the beach riddled with mines while undergoing heavy machine gun fire.
Getting through the minefield was a major factor in getting closer to their objective, but German strongholds stood in their way. What turned the tables for the Allies was the determination and heroic Canadian soldiers who broke through the heavily fortified German offensive using hand to hand combat in order to reach their goal of liberation.
Along with the 2nd wave, the Canadians had to get other reinforcements to the beach but without a harbour, getting tanks and other key pieces onto land was difficult. However, hauling ‘artificial harbours’ to shore and using Duplex Drive or Sherman tanks outfitted with propellers allowed them to get extra reinforcements to shore. To this day, the attack on Normandy is considered the largest amphibious attack in Canadian history.
Getting through the minefield was a major factor in getting closer to their objective, but German strongholds stood in their way. What turned the tables for the Allies was the determination and heroic Canadian soldiers who broke through the heavily fortified German offensive using hand to hand combat in order to reach their goal of liberation.
Along with the 2nd wave, the Canadians had to get other reinforcements to the beach but without a harbour, getting tanks and other key pieces onto land was difficult. However, hauling ‘artificial harbours’ to shore and using Duplex Drive or Sherman tanks outfitted with propellers allowed them to get extra reinforcements to shore. To this day, the attack on Normandy is considered the largest amphibious attack in Canadian history.
Canada's Success
Operation Overlord gave the Allies the foot up that they needed and was the battle that tipped the scales and lead to an Allied victory in WW2. Out of the 14,000 brave men and women that risked their lives for the liberation of the world, 359 were lost and will forever be remembered as valiant soldiers who helped towards the beginning of the end. Through heavy planning, extreme secrecy, and determination, the Allies won the war. We owe our freedom to them and the countless other lives who have been lost. Canadians can be proud of their country for going farther than any other that day and for conducting such a large part of our freedom.
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“At the end of the day, its forward elements stood deeper into France than those of any other division. The opposition the Canadians faced was stronger than that of any other beach save Omaha. That was an accomplishment in which the whole nation could take considerable pride.” |
James Christopher Griffiths
James Christopher Griffiths, part of the 6th Field Engineer Squadron of the Royal Canadian Engineers, left for war at the tender age of 19 with his two brothers, George and Jack Griffiths, in December of 1942. In the RCE his job description was to build and tear down bridges, as well as going ahead of his fellow soldiers and checking the road for land mines and traps. James fought in France, Holland and throughout Europe during his time at war. When the time came, he stormed the beach of Normandy in the second wave with the RCE. Battling his way through the terrors of war and persevering the constant attacks and bombs, James C. Griffiths made it back to Canada along with both brothers who all fought valiantly for Queen and Country. James settled down, became a bricklayer and fathered three children. James Christopher Griffiths passed away at the ripe age of 81 in 2004 having lived a full and happy life.
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Cited Sources
"Alfred James Leslie Martin." Juno Beach Centre. Juno Bech Centre, n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <http://www.junobeach.org/tributes/ajlmartin/>.
"CANADA AT D-DAY." WarMuseum.ca. Canada Museum of History, n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/chrono/1931d_day_e.shtml>.
"MemoryBC." 6th Field Engineer Squadron Fonds -. MemoryBC.ca, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. <http://www.memorybc.ca/6th-field-engineer-squadron-fonds;rad>.
"Original Footage of D-Day." YouTube. YouTube, 6 June 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzgKMDydr5Y>.
W, Jane D. "Juno Beach." Juno Beach - The Canadians On D-Day. N.p., Nov. 2012. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <http://www.junobeach.info/>.
"WWII: Canadians on D-Day." Canada at War RSS. WorldWarII.ca, 3 Dec. 2007. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <http://www.canadaatwar.ca/content-14/wwii-canadians-on-d-day/>.
"CANADA AT D-DAY." WarMuseum.ca. Canada Museum of History, n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/chrono/1931d_day_e.shtml>.
"MemoryBC." 6th Field Engineer Squadron Fonds -. MemoryBC.ca, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. <http://www.memorybc.ca/6th-field-engineer-squadron-fonds;rad>.
"Original Footage of D-Day." YouTube. YouTube, 6 June 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzgKMDydr5Y>.
W, Jane D. "Juno Beach." Juno Beach - The Canadians On D-Day. N.p., Nov. 2012. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <http://www.junobeach.info/>.
"WWII: Canadians on D-Day." Canada at War RSS. WorldWarII.ca, 3 Dec. 2007. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <http://www.canadaatwar.ca/content-14/wwii-canadians-on-d-day/>.