On June 6th, 1944, allied forces along with members of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, stormed the beaches off the coast of Normandy, France, in an effort to bring the Nazi occupation of Europe to an end.
It was all part of Operation Overlord and that day, is known as D-Day.
This week marks 74 years since the invasion took place, and according to one local historian, a time that should not be forgotten.
John Boileau lives in St. Margaret’s Bay near Halifax, and not only is he an author and historian, he is a retired Colonel, having spent the better part of 37 years in the Canadian Armed Forces.
“Canada, at the time, was a nation of only 11 million people yet next to Nazi Germany, Canada had more people serving in the Armed Forces or in war industry than any other country in the world, which is quite an amazing feat,” says Boileau. “One of five beaches, assault beaches, landing beaches on D-Day, went to Canada, which I think shows you just how important Canada was, although still a minor player, to the whole allied effort.”
Thousands of Canadians took part in the offensive on D-Day, with roughly 340 Canadians killed and another 570 plus wounded.
D-Day is said to be the turning point of the Second World War that led to the final liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe.
Story by Craig Power
(with info from Veterans Affairs Canada)
@CraigTPower
power.craig@radioabl.ca
