The Second Canadian Division was chosen to be the main force for the Raid of Dieppe. The troops set out before the break of dawn on August 19,1942 to face the Germans for the first time, eager to put their excruciating training to use. Before they were able to embark on land, a German convoy discovered them, giving away their location and taking away the element of surprise. This caused a delay in the predestined attacks that were to be made on Dieppe's beach and the Canadians reached Dieppe's shore in broad daylight, becoming easy targets for the Germans. The raid commenced for nine hours with no advancement achieved from the Canadians who were trapped on the beach, nor from the air crafts scouring overhead. Other factors, including the underestimation of German fortification and lack of battle experience from the Canadians, caused the raid to turn into a massacre and marking it as the most devastating failure on the Allies behalf. In other words, it was a disaster.
The strategically planned invasion of Normandy beach on June 6, 1944 turned the tides of World War II and began the win for the Allies. Early that morning the attack began when The Royal Canadian Air Force bombed inland to distract from the oncoming attack from the shore. The Canadian Forces then stormed the beach riddled with land mines; dodging bullets from the fortified German strongholds added to the soldier’s troubles. Despite these obstacles the invasion was a success and The Canadian Forces went farther inland than any other allied force that invaded Normandy on June 6, 1944.
A long and strategically planned out campaign that took place after the main attack on the beaches of Normandy, also known as D-Day. The Canadian, British and Polish soldiers marched inland from the Beachhead of Sword and Juno on June sixth 1944 ready for battle. They worked their way towards the City of Caens and the Capriquet Airport. Hitting many important landmarks and encountering other battles along the way. Hoping to connect with the Americans that were fighting in the west at the end of the campaign. The Battle of Normandy was successful and ended on August thirtieth 1944, but was filled with many hardships and casualties along the way to success.
The Battle of the Scheldt in Belgium took place four years after the Germans invaded neutral Belgium, in 1940, with huge success. From that day, they deeply entrenched themselves in the land and took complete control of all the ports. They had absolutely no intention of leaving. In 1944, to defeat Hitler’s forces, the Allies decided to push through occupied Belgium. Here the Canadians were put in charge of opening up port Antwerp and its waterway, a vital supply route. The heroic and bloody battle was won through leaps and bounds along the Scheldt river in horrible, agonizing conditions. The Germans showed no mercy. Sadly, the Canadians weren’t congratulated for their major sacrifice and bravery at the Scheldt, commendations for this battle quickly went unnoticed... for no apparent reason.
*Header Photo:
British Soldiers Attacking in Normandy Landing:
http://www.historylink101.com/wwII_b-w/d-day/practice/images/IMG_4229.jpg
British Soldiers Attacking in Normandy Landing:
http://www.historylink101.com/wwII_b-w/d-day/practice/images/IMG_4229.jpg