Download Canadians in Action

Dieppe, Italy, D-Day, France and Holland
 August 9, 1942 – 5000 Canadians cross the English
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channel to raid the French port of Dieppe
It was the first attempt to attack German positions in
France since 1940.
The Canadians lost the element of surprise and were
cut down by the German defenders
907 Canadians killed, 1946 captured
Complete failure
 Canadians fought throughout Italy and were some of
the best soldiers in the Campaign
 They were deeply involved in the capture of Sicily and
breaking the Gothic and Hitler defensive lines
 Canadian and American commandos joined forces to
form the 1st Special Service Force – one of the world's
first “SpecOps” teams. This unit was given the
nickname ‘The Devil’s Brigade” or the “Black Devils”
by the Germans because they were so feared
 They specialized in Night, Mountain and Close
combat
 The most important battle for Canadians in Italy
 A small but extremely fierce battle between German
elite paratroopers and the first Canadian Division
 The town was important because it had a large port
 The battle lasted 8 days and involved the some of the
most vicious street fighting of the entire war
 Canadians won the battle using a technique called
mouse holing to get around traps and ambushes
(using explosives to break though walls and ceilings
rather than use doors and windows) This technique is
still used today!
 The full scale invasion of France, June 6, 1944
 Using paratroopers, bombers, massive artillery
barrages from battleships and over 5000 landing craft
British, American and Canadians Forces stormed the
beaches of Normandy (in France)
 Five Beaches were hit (Utah and Omaha by the USA,
Sword and Gold by the British and Juno by the
Canadians)
 Casualties were very heavy but the battle was won and
the allies begun the liberation of France and the drive
towards Germany
 Canadians were important in the battles in France
 Canadians fought and defeated the 12th SS Hitler Youth division
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(an entire division of fanatical 18 year old Hitler Youth members)
Canadians also were some of the first men to cross into Germany
However, Canadians were pulled out of Germany and given the
job of liberating Holland
The Canadian Army single handedly drove the Nazis out of
Holland and saved the country from oppression and starvation
Canada and Holland still have a special relationship and our
there are parades and festivities hold every year in honor of
Canadian veterans.
In Holland, the grave of every fallen Canadian soldier is taken
care of by young child as part of their schooling
 VE Day = Victory in Europe Day
 Surrounded by Russian forces and with the German
army in complete ruins, Hitler commits suicide on
April 30th 1945
 Germany officials surrenders on May 8th 1945 (VE day)
 Japan is the only enemy that continues to fight