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
Burgundy Wine and Gastronomy Tours, Episode 337
Penne in the Tarn, Episode 336
Napoleon: the Long and Short of It, Episode 335
Are You a Proper Francophile? Episode 334
A Brief History of the Knights Templar in France, Episode 333
The Paris Saint-Ouen Flea Market, Episode 332
Avignon: Popes, a Bridge, Marvelous Gastronomy and a Festival, Episode 331
To Airbnb or Not to Airbnb? Episode 330
Bastides in the Southwest of France
A Vacation in the French Alps with a Baby, Episode 328
Exploring Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, Episode 327
The Inauguration of the Paris Metro, Episode 326
The Charming Village of Bruniquel, Episode 325
A Conversation About Bread in France, Episode 324
La Rochelle, France, Episode 323
Growing Old in France, Episode 322
5 Things You Must Do in the Marais Poitevin, Episode 321
Starting a New Life in the Mayenne, Episode 320
The Life and Times of Louis Pasteur, Episode 319
House Hunting in France, Episode 318
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