Juno Beach and Beyond

Seven days, seven lives. This is a short history of Canada’s Battle of Normandy presented through the stories of seven Canadian soldiers and airmen who gave their lives. On 6 June 1944, 14,000 Canadians landed on Juno Beach as part of the Allied invasion of Normandy, known to history as D-Day. By the end of...

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, 14,000 Canadians landed on Juno Beach in Normandy as part of one of the largest military operations in history. 90,000 Canadians would eventually take part in the ensuing Battle of Normandy, with countless other Canadians in support roles at home and overseas. How do we remember their sacrifices and their...

It’s not often that Hollywood produces a film featuring the Canadian armed forces during the Second World War. ‘The Devil’s Brigade’ released in 1968. The classic film features the wartime record of the First Special Service Force, a Canadian-American commando unit raised in 1942. Their mission was to airdrop into Norway to undertake extensive sabotage...

During the Second World War, women experienced anxiety, fear, worry and loss, while holding on to hope. They contributed to the war effort by working and by drawing upon their energy and skills to seize new opportunities and to successfully take on new responsibilities — often receiving little recognition in return. They paved the way to profound...

The St. Lawrence River and the Gulf of St. Lawrence have long been crucial waterways connecting central Canada to the Maritimes and Europe. In the Second World War, German submarines threatened this vital supply line, especially in late summer 1942. This was the year from hell for the Royal Canadian Navy. Although America’s entry into...

Seventy-five years ago, Canadians fought a bloody battle in and around Ortona, a small port on Italy’s Adriatic coast. Although supporting a larger offensive by British, New Zealand, and Indian troops, Ortona was a Canadian objective. Its capture was one of Canada’s first victories in the Second World War. The battle took place during the...

It was one of the oldest high schools in Canadian history. Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute (OSCVI) closed its doors in 2016, after 160 years of operation. As one of the few avenues for students in Ontario’s Grey and Bruce Counties interested in post-secondary studies, OSCVI can claim famous alumni like Norman Bethune, Agnes...

Since 2005, the Juno Beach Centre has provided over 350 Canadian educators an exciting professional development opportunity to discover the Canadian First and Second World War historic sites in France. During this 10-day tour, participants visit Vimy Ridge, Beaumont-Hamel, Dieppe, the Juno Beach Centre, the D-Day landing beaches and various other sites in Normandy. Some...

Commanding an infantry platoon in 1944 was arguably the most dangerous job in the world. General Harry Crerar, Canada’s top army commander during the war, kept tabs on his officer fatalities to ensure they were taking their share of the casualties. As it turns out, his officers took more than their share. Even though the...

It’s not every day that a veteran reunites with the aircraft he flew during the war. You may recall that a couple of episodes back we interviewed a Second World War Spitfire pilot during a visit to the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association in Windsor, Ontario. The name of that veteran is Tom Hennessy. Irish by...