June 4, 2004 D Day Canada's Date with Destiny

As the sun rose in France sixty years ago on June 6, 1944 “the most important event of the twentieth century was about to begin”.  On that date 5 separate forces of 15,000 men stormed the German defences on the beaches of Normandy.  Twenty one thousand Canadians attacked Juno Beach and 24 hours later 340 were dead and 574 wounded.  Over the next 6 weeks there would be over 900 dead among the 5,000 Canadian casualties. 

Headline of the North Bay Nugget on D-Day June 6, 1944

The Canadian achievement has been celebrated over the years including last June 6^th when a 3 million dollar Juno Beach Centre dedicated to Canada’s WWII contributions was officially opened.  As our veterans age this 60^th anniversary is especially important. 

There are several new books on the Canadian Juno Beach assault including one I recently read D-Day Juno Beach Canada’s 24 Hours of Destiny, which points out that “no other war was so necessary and no battle more pivotal” and “with an enemy as evil as the Nazi regime there was only one acceptable outcome”.  Hitler, who had become Chancellor of Germany in 1933, 70 years ago on June 30^th 1934 executed 1000 opponents in his party and began a decade of racist search for racial purity in which 50 million people died. 

One indication of the importance of the day as the beginning of the end of WWII is the number of new books recently added to the shelves of bookstores.

·        D-Day – 24 Hours That Saved the World.  Time Magazine
·        D-Day – the greatest invasion by Dan Van Der Vat
·        D-Day – The Climactic Battle of WWII, Stephen Ambrose.
·        Canadians at D-Day by Ted Barris. 

Cover of one of the many D-Day books available celebrating Canada’s contribution.  German POW’s on Juno Beach being transported to England until end of war.

Barris’ book has more text and fewer photos than the others but provides more depth based on interviews with 2,000 veterans and numerous French citizens.  If planning a trip to the Juno Beach Centre now or later look for the new publication The Canadian Battlefields in Normandy with full touring information, maps and coloured photos (www.canadianmilitaryhistory.com)  

The Goddard book, mentioned at the start of this article, has a “Prelude to D Day” introductory chapter which outlines Hitler’s rise to power and outlines Canada’s war achievements like the liberation of Rome with 5,400 deaths among 93,000 troops.  The abortive 1942 Dieppe raid where 907 Canadians died is also chronicled.  In November 1943 the allied commanders met to plan the rest of the war including “Operation Overlord” which ultimately became the Normandy Invasion.  Stalin committed Russia to an eastern front initiative to draw German troops away from France.  The allies were beginning to gain superiority in the air and at sea and Germany was short of fuel and manpower.  The final blow began on June 6, 1944 when the forces of Britain, the U.S. and Canada attacked.  For an American version of D-Day on Omaha Beach look for the D-Day release of the 2 disc DVD Saving Private Ryan. 

The Germans had 2,000 miles of shoreline defended with pillboxes, guns, barbed wire, mines, etc. from Norway to Spain but it was a huge area to cover.  The trick was to find the best location to penetrate the front and get inside enemy territory.  Five beaches over 70 miles on the Normandy coast of France were chosen.  The Canadians were given Juno Beach.  Bombers and Spitfires took to the air and thousands of paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines.  The navy bombarded the shore to soften the enemy.  The Goddard book provides 100s of photos and an evolving map showing the 24 hours of Canadian progress as they went further than the other groups that day.

The landing of the troops was the largest sea-borne operation in military history with 109 Canadian ships and 10,000 sailors helping out in 24 hours of hell that certainly deserves recognition. 

Goddard’s book is accompanied by a separate video which was shown on Global in early May and will be shown on Prime Television on June 5^th.  It has the same name as the book D-day 24 Hours of Destiny and is also available for purchase in an extended version.  The CBC will air the June 6 presentation at Juno Beach beginning at 11am. 

After an embarrassing effort by the Canadian government to send just 60 veterans many more will now be going.  Elsewhere the Memory Project of the Dominion Institute (memory@dominion.ca) has veterans available to speak to classes or families.  There is also a children’s book for 8 year olds and up called On Juno Beach: Canadian D-Day Heroes (Scholastic Canada 2004).  The Internet has extensive additional information including www.junobeach.org.  The 3 million-dollar Juno Beach Centre celebrating Canada’s total war effort will be the centre of much celebration. 

Canada post will issue a D-Day stamp on June 6^th showing the achievement and human price of the invasion.  The Canadian Mint has issued a bronze medallion and 5 cent silver coin along with a CD-ROM with photos on the war.  It is available through your Post Office.  I got the last one in Powassan but other Post Offices should have them and they can be ordered from the Mint. 

One way or another remember this monumental event and the contribution our people made 60 years ago that makes the freedom we have today possible.