Join Us in France Travel Podcast
Society & Culture:Places & Travel
In this episode of the podcast with my guest Terri Brault, we discuss Canadian WW2 Normandy sites you can visit. Canadian forces were heavily involved in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, which marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.
The Canadian 3rd Infantry Division, along with the 2nd Armoured Brigade, landed at Juno Beach, a stretch of coast located between Sword and Gold beaches. Facing heavily fortified German defenses, they experienced fierce resistance, but their courage and determination saw them overcome these formidable obstacles. By the end of the day, Canadian forces had penetrated deeper into France than any other Allied force, a testament to their discipline and valor.
Canadian troops also played a significant role in the subsequent Battle of Normandy, a grueling two-month campaign to liberate the region from German occupation. They were central to Operation Totalize, an offensive designed to break through German defenses south of Caen, a strategic city that witnessed some of the war's bloodiest conflicts.
Moreover, Canadian soldiers were victims of one of the war's most infamous atrocities at the Abbaye d'Ardenne, where 20 prisoners of war were executed by the 12th SS Panzer Division, a crime later prosecuted as a war crime.
Today, the Canadian War Cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer, where about 2,000 soldiers are laid to rest, serves as a somber reminder of the ultimate sacrifice these brave men made in the pursuit of freedom and peace.
Their bravery, tenacity, and sacrifice significantly contributed to the successful Normandy campaign, marking a pivotal turn in the course of World War II. Their legacy lives on in the form of numerous memorials, museums, and preserved historical sites in Normandy, and their heroic efforts continue to be honored and remembered by both Canadians and the international community. Let's talk about the places in Normandy you can visit to honor their sacrifice and valor.
Table of Contents for this Episode
Best Practices When Preparing a Trip to France, Episode 317
Christmas with a French Flavor, Episode 316
Gaillac Wine Country, Episode 315
Renovating Houses in France, Episode 314
Aigues-Morte the Fortified City, Episode 313
Running a Trail Race in the Alps, Episode 312
Easy French Recipes You Can Make at Home, Episode 311
Remembering the Spanish Flu and WW1, Episode 310
Easiest and Hardest Words to Say in French, Episode 309
Latin Quarter Highlights, Episode 308
Annie and Elyse Chat About Emily in Paris
Louis Vuitton Foundation
French Kings and the Catholic Church, Episode 305
A Slice of Life in the Hilltop Village of Sancerre, Episode 304
The Auvergne Cheese Route, Episode 303
Day-Trips Around Bordeaux, Episode 302
Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, a Place of Refuge, Episode 301
Castelnaudary: Cassoulet in Cathar Country, Episode 300
5 Favorite Chateaux in the Loire Valley, Episode 299
A Brief History of the Bois de Boulogne, Episode 298
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