Normandy, France - 6 June 2014
Our Government is committed to honouring the pivotal role that the Canadian Armed Forces played in D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. To this end, on the 70th anniversary of D-Day, Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined Canadian Veterans in Normandy, France, on June 6, 2014, to participate in a number of commemorative events.
Seventy years ago, after intense planning, Canadian and other Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy to put an end once and for all to Hitler’s occupation of Europe. Some 7,000 vessels carrying Allied troops and 8,000 aircraft crossed the English Channel to engage in Operation Overlord. The Nazi-occupied coastline, from Denmark to the south of France, was known as “Fortress Europe,” and the Allied plan was to breach the heavily defended 80 kilometre stretch of Normandy’s coast.
Before dawn on June 6, 1944, more than 450 Canadians of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion joined their British and American allies and parachuted inland behind enemy lines. Later that morning, some 14,000 Canadian troops from the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division landed at Juno Beach. They were to establish a beachhead fronting the villages of Courseulles-sur-Mer, Bernières-sur-Mer and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, and then push inland to capture the approaches to the city of Caen, an important communications centre for the Germans.
In addition to troops on the ground, Royal Canadian Air Force planes attacked German beach defences and inland positions, while 109 vessels and 10,000 sailors of the Royal Canadian Navy shelled German targets. Vessels of all types took part in Operation Neptune, the assault phase of the D-Day offensive. In fact, by the evening of June 6, 1944, Canadian troops had progressed further inland than any of their Allies – a proud and remarkable accomplishment.
Over the following months, the Battle of Normandy saw more than 90,000 Canadian troops serve in the campaign. Many Canadian soldiers in the Normandy Campaign were young and new to battle, but their courage and skill meant they often helped lead the Allied advance. However, success came at a significant cost, as more than 5,000 brave Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice.
D-Day was one of the most important military engagements of the 20th century for Canada and for the world, signalling the beginning of the end of the Nazi hold over Western Europe.
On the 70th anniversary of this pivotal milestone, the Government of Canada is committed to recognizing the importance of this major military anniversary and to fostering national pride and respect in the tremendous achievement and sacrifice made by all those who served our country.
Various commemorative and educational initiatives are being undertaken that will create a lasting legacy for future generations. These include the launch of a World Wars web portal, the expansion of educational programs at the Canadian War Museum, documentaries, public performances, naming of ships and buildings, and the creation of commemorative coins and stamps.
These initiatives are also part of the milestones on the Road to 2017, Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.
