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
Famous Painters in Nice, Episode 357
Moving to France with Children, Episode 356
Not to Miss in Bergerac and Monbazillac, Episode 355
What's Special About Moissac, France? Episode 354
Back to Paris at Last! Episode 353
A Visit to the Chateau de Chantilly, Episode 351
Tips for Buying a New Condo in France
Travel to France in Covid Times
The Liberation of the Mediterranean in 1944
Montauban in Occitanie, Episode 348
Annie and Elyse Visit Èze in Provence, Episode 347
Tips for Paris Visitors with Mobility Issues, Episode 346
Nice France Travel Guide, Episode 345
Growing Roots in the Southwest of France, Episode 344
The New Carnavalet Museum in Paris, Episode 343
The New Normal in Paris in 2021, Episode 342
Buying an Apartment in Paris, Episode 341
Auvillar in Occitanie, Episode 340
Rebecca Rogers on the Education of Girls in France, Episode 339
Rocamadour the Medieval Village Hanging on a Cliff, Episode 338
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Concrete Pastures Podcast
The Atlas Obscura Podcast
Travel with Rick Steves
Point Me To First Class
Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad