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60 Years Later: June 6, 1944

© Mary M. Alward

Today marks the 60th anniversary of D - Day. It was on this day in 1944 that the Allies launched an attack on Nazi-occupied Europe. It was the greatest military invasion in history.

Canadian soldiers played an important role in the invasion. Juno Beach was the landing area for the 3rd Canadian Division. The men were very concerned with the part they were about to play, as they remembered vividly the slaughter of the 2nd Canadian Division at Dieppe on August 19, 1942.

At 8am, thousands of Canadian soldiers scrambled ashore at Juno Beach. 450 more landed behind enemy lines by parachute and glider. 10,000 men from the Royal Canadian Navy were close by on the heavy ocean waves. Others flew an integral part of the 171 Allied squadrons that were sent to support the invasion.

At sea, the HMCS Sioux and the HMCS Algonquin were part of the flotilla devoted to pounding the German's coastal defenses. Cruisers HMCS Prince Henry and HMCS Prince David, carried 18,000 troops toward Juno. Canadian mine sweepers, adorned with the maple leaf, had cleared a safe path across the English Channel.

The sea was rough that morning. The men were suffering from fatigue, cold and seasickness even before the battle began. They were greeted at Juno by heavy machine gun fire from the Nazi batteries. Against all odds, they surged forward.

Because of high waves, the tanks that were to lead the Canadians ashore followed them instead. The result was a blood bath. Soldiers darted across the open beach to reach the seawall. They were cut down rapidly by enemy fire. Still, they fought on. The Canadians advanced further inland that day than any of the other Allies.

Veteran's Affairs Minister John McCallum called it, "almost incomprehensible." "They jumped off ships into water waist-deep, under heavy machine gun fire. They died, or watched their friends die beside them. They jumped out of planes into enemy territory. I don't think any of us can even conceive being called to do something like that for our country."

But they did do it. It was an honour to serve Canada in those days. 340 Canadians died on Juno. 574 were wounded and 47 were taken prisoner.

One Family's Tragedy

In Toronto, the Westlake family had three living sons. Two other boys had died in infancy. When WWII broke out, George enlisted in the army. A short time later, Tommy decided to join and talked Albert into joining with him. The three brothers were all in their twenties.

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