OPERATIONCHARNWOOD: TheCanadianBattleforCaen

Producedby: H.CliffordChadderton

For: TheWarAmpsofCanada
Duration:57minutes,30seconds

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Introduction
H.C.Chadderton: InPartOneofthisfilm,wecoveredtheDDayLandings.InPartTwo, wewilltalkofthecounterattacksoftheGermansonDDayplus1, andtheeventualcaptureofCaenthattook30days. TheblockbusterHollywoodfilm iscalledSavingPrivateRyan.Fifty fouryearsafterDDay,StephenSpielbergisdefiningthewaywewill lookatthebattleforNormandy.Canadianswhoseethisfilm,and thatwillbeabignumber,mightwonderwhatourarmy,muchofwhich hadbeensittinginEnglandwaitingfortheinvasion,wasdoing. Thiswillbeparticularlytruewhentheyseeacameoconversation betweenTomHanks,theInfantryCaptain,andhisMajor,playedby TedDanson.WehearthestatementthatMontgomery,andby implicationtheCanadians,aredelayingmatters,whiletheydillydally overthecaptureofCaen. ThiscomplaintbyourAmericanalliesisnotnew.Itwasrunning rampantrightafterWorldWarII.Later,historiansrealizedthat MontgomerytieddowntheGermandivisionsonpurpose.Thisleft theAmericansfreetogoallouttotaketheirobjectives. Unfortunately,Spielbergssuggestionthatwewereholdingbackis gallingtoCanadians. Wesimplycannotleavethatimpressionoutthere. SavingPrivate Ryanisagreatmovie,butwehavetosettherecordstraightonthe CanadiansbattleforCaen.

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TheCounterAttack
H.C.Chadderton: LateonDDayplus1,intheareaontheleftoftheCanadianassault, theNorthNovaScotiaHighlanders,supportedbytheSherbrooke Fusiliers,triedtobreakthroughtotheAbbayedArdenne,adistance ofsomefivemiles. TheNorthNovashadleapfroggedthroughtheQueensOwnRifles andtheChaudires.Theyhadnoinklingofwhatlayinstore.Itwas th tobethefirstencounterwiththeHitlerJugendRegiment,the12 SS. TerryCoppdescribedthesituationinhisbook,ACanadiansGuideto theBattlefieldsofNormandy:
th TheNorthNovashadrunintoaregimentofthe12 SSPanzer DivisionwhichwasholdingadefensivepositionnorthwestofCaen untiltherestofthedivisionarrived.GeneralKurtMeyer,incommand ofaPanzerGrenadierRegiment,hadwatchedtheapproachofthe NorthNovasfromthetoweroftheAbbayedArdenneanddecidedto counterattackwithtwobattalionssupportedbytanks.TheNorth NovasinAuthiewereoverrunafteraviciousclosequartersbattle. Buronwasattackedandafiercetankbattleragedaroundthevillage. Buronwaslost.TheBrigadeCommanderbroughttheremaining NorthNovasandSherbrookesbacktoLesBuissonswheretheother battalionswerepreparingafortress position.Thevanguardofthe th 9 Brigadehadbeendecimated110menwerekilled,192wounded and120takenprisoner.Twentyonetankshadbeenknockedout. Lossesequalledmorethan40percentofallCanadiancasualtieson DDay!

TheCanadianshaddonearemarkablejob.Theyhadnotonly stormedthebeachhead,theymovedinlandandtheyhadcaptured vitalstrongpoints,likethisChteauSt.Come,nearCaen.Theybeat offviciouscounterattacks,andbythistimetheGermansrealizedone thing: wewereonthecontinentforkeeps. Muchhasbeenwrittenaboutthefatefuladvanceoutoftheoriginal bridgeheadarea.Itwasanattempttopuncturetheenemydefences beyondBuron.Itendedupinthecaptureandshootingofsome18 membersoftheNorthNovaScotiaHighlandersandtheSherbrooke th Fusiliers,awarcrimeforwhich12 SSGeneral,KurtMeyer,was foundguilty.Hisdeathsentencewaslatercommuted.Theother incidentinthisareainvolvestheslaughterof37helpless,unarmed soldiersfromtheNorthNovasinthevillageofAuthie.
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ThehistoryoftheSherbrookeRegiment,byLieutenantColonelH.M. Jackson,isdescriptiveofwhathappened: B Squadronhalted,formingafirmbaseofoperationsinan orchardsouthofLesBuissons,whiletheremainderoftheNorth NovasadvancedA,bypassingBuronontheright,C ontheleft. Afewminuteslater,anotherformationofenemytankssuddenly confrontedA Squadronasitmovedintoavalleyontherightof Franqueville,andatankbattlebegan...HardlyhadA Squadron engagedtheenemy,thenthePanzerforceontheleftrushedforward andenteredtheengagement.MostoftheRegimentwasthus involvedatonceinthepitchedbattle. Thesheerweightofenemyarmourandtheferocityoftheirattack forcedtheoutnumberedRegimenttowithdrawfromFranqueville,past AuthieandthenbehindGruchy,butthewithdrawalwasafighting retirementandtheenemybecameexhaustedbythetimehisforward infantryreachedBuron.TheSherbrookestanksthenreturnedtothe orchard,southofLesBuissons,toharbourforthenight Letsdiscussnowwhattookplaceontheright.TheReginaRifles wereholdinganobjectivearoundthistownofBretteville lOrgueilleuse. TheyweresupportedbythetanksoftheFortGarryHorse.One ReginaCompanyhadcrossedtheCaenBayeuxrailwaytracksand wereholdingasalientatNorreyenBessin,thefurthestpenetrationof theinvasion.Thisinvitedthefirstreallystrongcounterattacksbythe th 12 SS. Atthesametime,theWinnipegRiflesreachedthePutotenBessin area.Theywereholdingavitalrailcrossingtotherightofthe th Reginas.Junethe8 wasaveryconfuseddayfortheWinnipegs. Now,backtotheReginas.FosterMathesonhadbeenwiththeMilitia beforethewar.HehailedfromPrinceAlbert,Saskatchewan. FosterbecameoneofthemostfamousBattalionCommandersinthis magnificentstoryofhowtheCanadianscapturedthebeachheadand smashedtheirwaytoCaen. NofinerexampleofwhatFosterMathesonandhisReginasdidwas theholdingofthepositionsinandaroundBrettevillel=Orgueilleuse th th andNorreyenBessinonJunethe8 .The12 SSmountedamajor
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st attackontheReginaspositions.Thedescriptioninthe1 Battalion ReginaRiflesRegimentalHistory,writtenbyMajorGordonBaird,tells thetale: th th OnthenightofJune8 to9 ,theGermansputinaheavyinfantry andtankattackontheBattalionpositionandcarriedittothedoorof BattalionHeadquarters.OnePanthertankmovedtothehousewhere BattalionHeadquarterswaslocated.AsecondPantherbegantofire wildlydownthestreet.

Inthisskirmish,RiflemanJoeLaPointewithgreatcoolnessand determinationwasinstrumentalinknockingoutthefirsttankwithPIAT bombs. AfoolhardyGermandispatchriderrodedownthemainstreetof BrettevilleonacapturedCanadianmotorcycleonlytobebrought downbytheStengunofCommandingOfficerFosterMatheson. Atfirstlight,theSStankswithdrew.Weheldourgroundthe companieshadtakenaheavytollontheenemyinfantrywhofollowed thetanks.WealsobaggedfivePanthers,onelighttankandan armouredcar.OurstandatBrettevillethatnighthadbluntedthe Germanattack TheremarkableactionofCCompanyoftheReginasinholdingthe villageofNorreyisdescribedinalaterhistoryoftheReginastitled UptheJohns: C Company,underMajorStuTubb,atNorrey,heldthemost advanceandprecariouspositionofanyoftheAlliedtroops.The BrigadeCommanderwantedthecompanywithdrawn,butMatheson protestedthathewouldjusthavetoretakethepositionlater. C Companyremained TerryCopptakesupthenarrativeinACanadian=sGuidetothe BattlefieldsofNormandy: (GermanGeneral)KurtMeyernowdecidedthatNorreywould havetobecapturedbeforetheattackonBrettevillewasrenewed.As thePanthersapproachedNorreytheywerestoppedbyaminefield andcaughtinacrossfire.SevenPantherswereleftburning.This devastatingblowwasstruckbythetanksoftheFortGarryHorse TheimportanceofNorreyisdescribedbytheregimentalhistorianof th the12 SSHitlerJugendDivision,whostated:
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FourattemptstocaptureNorrey,acornerstoneoftheCanadian defence,hadfailed.TogetherwithBretteville,thevillageformeda blockingposition{inthepathoftheplannedoffensiveofPanzer GroupWest}.Therefore,repeatedeffortsweremadeviadifferent approachestotakethesepositions.Theyfailednotleastofall becauseofthebraveryofthedefenders...whowerewellentrenched andeffectivelysupportedbystrongartillery,antitankdefenceand tanks Meanwhile,disasterwasabouttostrikemyownbattalion,theRoyal WinnipegRifles.Thesituationisdescribedinourregimentalhistory, TheLittleBlackDevils: PutotenBessinwasacriticalpointinthebridgehead...it couldcontroltheroadandraillines(andthuscommunications andsupply)fromCaenwesterlytoBayeux.Becauseofthe speedoftheiradvancetoPutot,theRoyalWinnipegRifles createdasalient...TheRegimentwaslikeaspearthrustinto theGermandefencesystem.
th AsdawnadvancedonJune8 ,enemyinfantrysupportedbya PanzerMarkIIItankattackedtherailwaybridgebeingguardedby MajorFredHodge=sA Company.Theywererepulsed.Corporal H.V.Naylor=ssixpounderantitankgunknockedoutthetank.

By9:30,KurtMeyer=syouthfultroopswerereadytoresumethefight. Bynoontheenemyhadinfiltratedthevillage.Thegallantstandby theregimentisnowamatterofrecord.Whentheenemyoccupied thevillage,severaltanksbrokethroughthebattalionpositionat1300 hours.Thethreecompanies,A, B andC, werenowcompletely isolated.Ittookacertaintypeofsoldiertodiginandfightitoutwhen overrun,andtheRegimentwasfilledwiththistype.Eventually,sheer numberscombinedwithalackofammunitionoverwhelmedthe regiment. OnlyD CompanyunderMajorLockieFultonplustheirsupport companyremainedofColonelJohnMeldram=sregiment
th Itwasablackdayandforanotherreasonaswell.Onthe8 ,andin severaldaysfollowing,theHitlerJugendmurderedmorethan60 RoyalWinnipegRifles,whohadlongagothrownawaytheirarmsand givenupinanhonourablesurrender.

ThiswasthesubjectofafilminTheWarAmpsNEVERAGAIN!
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seriestitledTakeNoPrisoners,releasedinlate1995.

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TheCanadianScottish
H.C.Chadderton: ImstandingbeforetheCanadianScottishmonumentatPutot.With th thedecimationoftheRoyalWinnipegRiflesonJunethe8 ,avery dangeroussituationhaddeveloped.Manyhistorianshavemissed this,butnotReginaldRoy,inhisexcellenthistoryoftheCanScots, ReadyfortheFray. TheCanadianScottishmustcaptureandholdPutot.Therewas nootherinfantrybattalionbetweenPutotandthebeaches... Hestatesfurther: Threedayspreviously,theareapresentedaquiet,pastoralscene intheNormandycountryside.Onthiseveningitwastobeturnedinto anarenawhereeverythingthatwentintothemakingoftheCanadian Scottishwouldbetestedbyfire. AsMajorDesCroftoncrossedthestartline,thetanksoftheFirst Hussarscrossedwithhimprovidingarmouredprotection. TheScots,allgreentroops,werehit,staggeredandfellbutthe CanadianScottishpushedforward.Theirjobwastoretakethe villageandnothingwouldstopthem. Approachingdarknesswasafactorwhichhelpedtheattackingtroops. Theenemy,byusingtracer,madehispositionseasiertospot.The SStroopswere,however,afardifferentcrowdfromthoseofthe coastaldefencedivision Indescribingthebattle,historianRoysumsupwhatitmeanttohave supportintheseterms:
th th The12 and13 CanadianFieldRegiments,RoyalCanadian Artillery,theNo.5PlatoonoftheCameronsandthetanksquadrons oftheFirstHussarswerestrikingbackovertheheadsoftheScottish withtheir105mmguns,theirVickersmachinegunsandtheir4.2inch mortars

ManyobserversofthisbattlegiveagreatdealofcredittoMajorArt Plows.ReginaldRoygivesaneyewitnessaccount. TheScottishwereheldup,thenrallied.Plowsshouldhavebeen givenaV.C.forhisefforts.HiscoolnesswhileorganizingD andA Companiesatthebridgewasaninspirationtoall.WithD

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Company=sheadquartersknockedout,LieutenantsAubreyC.Peck, MollisonandT.W.L.Buttersworkedstrenuouslyandwithcomplete disregardfortheirownsafety.ButitwasMajorPlowswithhiscool, calmdirectionwhostabilizedthesituation... Roydescribesthesituationonthemorningofthefollowingday,June th 9 asfollows:

th Thatafternoonthe26 SSPanzerGrenadierRegimentstruck againwithstrongtankandinfantryforces.Twice,underacovering barrage,theenemymoveduptobemetbyahailoffirefromthe forwardandsupportingtroops

TheCanadiansholdontheCaenBayeuxrailwayatPutothadbeen restored.ReginaldRoystates: They(theCanScots)hadrecapturedPutotandhadthrownback theenemy=sattempttotakeit.Thevillagewastheirs,andthey intendedtoholdit

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LeMesnilPatry
H.C.Chadderton: Indoingtheresearchforthisfilm,Iwenttotheusualsources(books bymilitaryhistoriansregimentalhistories,etc.) OneofsuchsourcesisthepapertitledBetweenStrawberryand RaspberrybyMajorMikeMcNorganofNationalDefence Headquarters.TheBattleforLeMesnilPatrytookplaceonJunethe th 11 .ItwasaninfantryandarmouredattackinvolvingtheQueens OwnRiflesandtheFirstHussars.Theattackmetstiffresistanceby duginGermantanks.Militaryanalystshavedrawndifferent conclusions.Thefactiswebloodiedtheirnoses. Thecasualtieswereheavyonbothsides.Itisevident,however,that theGermanslearnedthatwetoowouldsuccessfullyemploy combinedinfantryandarmour. TheBattleforLeMesnilPatryendedthepossibilityofanysuccessful rd Germancounterattacks.Thus,theunitsofthe3 CanadianDivision nd andthe2 ArmouredBrigadecouldgointoadefensivepattern. Thenextfourweekstookonaveryspecialcharacter.Foronething, thetroopslearnedallaboutmoaningminnies,theGermansixbarrel mortarswhichsoundedlikeMactrucksandhadasignificantfear factor.Wealsolearnedaboutthedeadlyaccuracyofthevaunted German88. Yes,andwelivedconstantlywiththewordscounterattackonour mindsbut,fortunately,itnevercame. Whatdidhappen,however,wasthattheDDaytroops,plustheir reinforcements,settledintostaticwarfareknowingalltoowellthatthe ordersforabreakouttoCaenwouldcomesoon.

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Carpiquet
H.C.Chadderton: ThestumblingblocktoanyfurtheradvanceintoGermanheldterritory inFrancewastheheavilyfortifiedcityofCaen.Theplanofattack,to getintoCaen,wasintwophases.ThefirstwasagainstCarpiquet, th boththecityandtheairport,involvingonlythe8 Brigademadeupof theQueensOwnRifles,theNorthShoresandtheChaudires, th augmentedbytheRoyalWinnipegRiflesfromthe7 Brigade. Inadditiontotheinfantrybattalions,tanksupportwasgivenbythe FortGarryHorse. Andso,nottofallintothetrapofprovidingtheexplanationfrom personalobservation,allowmetoquotefromReginaldRoys excellentbook1944CanadiansinNormandy.
th Caenhadtobetaken.BrigadierKennethG.Blackaders8 BrigadewereorderedtocapturethevillageofCarpiquetand theairfieldadjacenttoitwhichlayaboutthreeandahalfmiles fromthecentreofCaen.Theneedforadditionallandingsites madetheCarpiquetairfieldoutsideCaenaparticularly valuableprize.

ThetownitselfwasallocatedtotheNorthShoresRegimentonthe left,LeRegimentdelaChaudireontheright TheRoyalWinnipegRiflesweretoattacktheaircrafthangarsonthe southsideoftheairfield.TheQueensOwnRifles,positionedina counterattackroleweretopushthroughthetowntocapturethe controlbuildings. ThefightinginCarpiquetquicklydevelopedintoabitter,stubborn battleastheChaudiresandtheNorthShoresfoughttheirway forwardhousebyhouse. Fartotheright,weoftheWinnipegswereencounteringequallystiff resistancewithconstantheavymortaring.Ittookourprairieregiment almostfourhourstocoverthe1,500yardsbetweenMarcelet,our startingpoint,andtheapproachtothehangars. AsCorporalJimmyLowsummeditup,thatnightwelearnedthat Carpiquet,atleastfortheWinnnipegs,hadbeenadisaster. Hundredswounded,morethan50killed.
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Overonourleft,wecouldhearthattheNorthShoresweretakinga terriblebeating.LaterIreadintheirregimentalhistory,theycalled CarpiquetthegraveyardoftheRegiment. Still,theyhadindeedcapturedthevillageofCarpiquet,withthe ChaudsandtheQueensOwnfirmlyincontrol. Itwasvitaltoholdthisgroundinpreparationforthemajorassaulton thecityofCaenaboutfiveorsixmilestotheeast.

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THEBATTLEFORCAEN BuronandtheHighlandLightInfantry
H.C.Chadderton: ThemajorGermandefenceswerecenteredaroundthetownofBuron andatremendousantitankditchwhichwastofigureprominentlyin thebattlestocome. ThereisanexcellentgemofabookonthebattletitledBloodyBuron byCaptainAllanSnowie,thehistoricalofficeroftheHighlandLight Infantry.Itwaspublishedin1984.References,hereandthere,from thebookwillgivesomeideaoftheattackbytheHLIwhichledtothe fallofCaen. TheCOwasLieutenantColonelS.M.(Smokey)Griffithswho describes,inBloodyBuron,thetroopshehadavailable: IhadaBattalionGroup:TheHLIRegimentofcourse,plusa SquadronofSherbrookeFusiliertanks,aTroopofBritishself propelledantitankgunsandatroopmixedstuff,flails,andflame throwers ThebattalionWarDiarydescribestheactionoftheleading companies: D Company,underMajorAnderson,wasthefirstcompanyinto thevillage.Thetankswerenotabletofollowtheminastheystrucka minefieldontherightflank. D Companyhadtosmashitsway throughaloneandcleanoutallthetrenchesthatcomprisedthe defensivesystem.Theysufferedheavycasualtiesdoingthisand progressedontotheorchardontherightforwardsideofthevillage withonlyhalfacompany AnotherexcerptfromtheWarDiaryentrystates: Intheorchard,SergeantA.P.Herchenratterreorganizedthe remnantsoftwoplatoonsandledtheattackatclearingoutthe orchard.CplWeitzel,alreadywounded,heredistinguishedhimselfby leadingtwomenleftoutofhissectionintoanattackontwowellsited machinegunposts.Whenbothofthemwerehithecontinuedonand knockedoutbothpostsbeforehehimselfwaskilled ThebookBloodyBurondescribestheactionofaPrivateMichael Borodaiko.HewonaMilitaryMedal.
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Borodaiko,singlehanded,chargedandcleanedoutsixenemy positionswithhisBrengun.Attimes,heseemedtobeblanketedin firethatwassothickthatothermembersofhisSectionwerepinned downyethecontinuedonandclearedthewayforthem,miraculously escapinginjuryhimself Anotherquoteinthebook,fromSergeantJimmyKellytellsastoryof itsown: Iwasleftwith14menjustaftertheDitch,outof37supposedto be.Therewashardlyanythinginthetownatall.Ithadbeenbombed prettywell. Itwasalldugin,intheorchardssouthofthetownorin theantitankditch Thebattlecontinued.Theadvancewashousebyhouse.TheWar Diarystates: Nightfellonaquiet,smokingvillagewhichhadwitnessedoneof thefiercestbattleseverfoughtinthehistoryofwar.ItwastheHLIs th firstbigfightandthe8 Julywillgodowninitsmemoirsasadayto beremembered.Theranksweresadlydepletedandreorganization showedthemtobethinonthegroundtoothintostaveoffa counterattackinthenight.Yetdoggedlytheydugin,determinedthat theirdaysworkwouldnotbeinvain.Onehundredpercentstandto wasmaintainedduringthenightbuttheenemyhadexpendedallhis energyduringthedayandwiththeexceptionofafewsniperstrapped behindthelines,allwasquietandthenightpassedwithoutevent

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TheGlensandGruchy
H.C.Chadderton: WecangotoseveralsourcestotellthestoryoftheBattleofGruchy, astrongGermandefensiveline,builtalongthiscreek. TerryCoppinhiscleardescriptivestylegivesustheoverviewfrom A CanadiansGuidetotheBattlefieldsofNormandy: TheBattleforBuronlastedallday,butontherightflank,theGlens capturedGruchywithmuchlessdifficulty.Aidedbyanunorthodox th chargebytheBrenguncarriersofthe7 ReconnaissanceRegiment, theGlenswereabletomoveontotheChteuxSt.Louetby09:50 hours.TheGlenstooktheChteuxinmidafternoon TheregimentalhistoryofTheStormont,DundasandGlengarry Highlanders: Astheforwardtroopsdisappearedintothesmokeneartheir objective,theenemymachinegunsopenedup.By08:20hoursthe forwardtroopshadenteredGruchyandtheplacewascompletely occupiedwithin15minutes ThebattlejoinedandtheGlenscapturedthestronghold,butthereal costwasinthecasualtylist.Itincludedtwoofficerscommanding companies,andsome70otherranks.
th Thefamouscarrierattackisdescribedinthehistoryofthe7 ReconnaissanceRegimentofMontral.

SDGhadbeenstoppedbyveryheavymachinegunfirejust th outsidethetown.LieutenantDonAyer,ofthe17 DukeofYorks whowithhis15or16carrierswaswaitingfortheSDGstopushon, sawthis.So,withouthesitation,hechargedrightthroughthem,in realoldcalvarystyle,rightintothemiddleofanenemyCompany position.WithgrenadesandBrenguns(nottomentiontheAyer pistol)firingatpointblankrange,theydrovetheenemyfromhisdug outs,killingdozens,woundingothersandcapturing25or30 prisoners.Duetothisactofextremegallantryonthepartofallranks th ofthe7 RecceallowedacompletebattalionofinfantrytheSDGsto advanceintoGruchy

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AuthieandtheNorthNovaScotiaHighlanders
H.C.Chadderton: TheheavilyfortifiedvillageofAuthieanchoredtheleftendofthe Germanposition.ThestoryistoldinNoRetreatingFootsteps,by WillBird: ThiswasthedayofrevengefortheNorthNovas,andeveryman wasfilledwithgrimresolve.ThistimetheywouldtakeAuthieand staythere. NowtheyweretomeettheGermanfanaticsagain,menwhowereto clingwithblind,bittertenacitytohiddentrenchesinthewheatfields andtobattlethroughBuronandAuthiefromhousetohouseandwall towall MajorCyKennedywasaclosepersonalfriend.HewasaWarAmp andbecameaMemberofParliament.Theregimentalhistory describeshisactionsonthatday: MajorC.F.Kennedywashitbeforehiscompanyreachedtheanti tankditch.Hisarmwasalmostseveredbyshrapnelandhecoolly calledCaptainS.S.Birdonhis18setandshoutedencouragementto thenearestmen.HehadPrivateAdrianGaudetuseaknifetosever therestofhisarmbeforehestartedbacktotheAidPost TheNorthNovasweretomovethroughBuronwhenithadbeen takenbytheHLI.Theregimentalhistorydescribeswhathappened: WordwasgivenfortheNovastoattackandthebarragestartedto comedownonthefarsideofBuron.Abigsurpriseawaitedthe Novas.Anorchardandstonewallmarkedthesouthernlimitof Buron. D andB Companiesfoundthereasystemoftrenchesfilled withGermans Thismapdescribestheactionsofar.ThiswastheHLIsstartline. Theycamethroughtheantitankditch,downthroughBurontothis position.WhentheNorthNovaspassedthroughthem,theycameto thesouthernlimitsofthetown,onlytofind,thattheGermanshaddug instrongdefensivepositionsjustbeyondastonewallwhichmarked theperimeterofthetown.

SincetheCanadianshadfirstenteredthisareaonDDay,anditwas recapturedbytheGermans,theyhadmadethepositionimpregnable. ThestoryistoldintheNorthNovashistory:

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TheGermanshadworkedhardtostrengthentheirpositionduring the30daystheNovasstayedinHellsCorneroutsideBuron.Butthe HLIhadtornintoitandtheNovashadfinishedthecleaning.Men wonderedwhatthenextdaywouldbring.Nowtheywerenomore thansevenkilometresfromCaen

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TheReginasandtheAbbaye
H.C.Chadderton: TheAbbayedArdenneiscentraltothisentirebattlefromJunoBeach toCaen. Thefirstattempttotakeit,whichwasdescribedinourfilm,TakeNo Prisoners,wasonDDayplus1.Itendedinarepulseofthe Canadiantroops.ThemurderscarriedoutonordersofGeneralKurt th Meyerofthe12 SShadgiventheAbbayeitsnotoriety. TheAbbayewasoncommandinggroundanditscapturewas necessarybeforetheCanadianscouldenterCaen. TheoverallpictureofthetaskfacingtheReginasisdescribedin GordonBairdsearlierhistoryasfollows:
th Itlookedlikeatoughassignment.9 BrigadewastotakeBuron, Gruchy,andAuthie,andweretopassthroughusingAuthieasastart linewithourfinalobjectivetheancientArdennesAbbaye

MajorBairdthendescribesthehorrendousshellingandmortaring whichtheReginasunderwentwhenclosetothestartline.Hethen states: Despitethis,theyproceededwiththeirattackdirectedatthe Abbayeitself Fortunehasagainblessedus,inthatMajorGordonBrown,whose th companyactuallytooktheAbbayeinafiercebattleonJulythe8 , haswrittenanaccountofit.ItwaspublishedinCanadianMilitary Journalin1995. WeareincludingherewithsomeexcerptsfromMajorBrownsarticle. AsRobertsandIlayinsomesmallscrubbushes,tracerbullets flashedpastourfaces.Werolledbackand,asRobertssaid,we couldhavelitourcigarettesonthetracers. Whenwefinallygotgoing,theadvancewasawfullyslow becauseoftherelentlessmachinegunandriflefire.Thetwo forwardplatoonsbegantousefireandmovementeffectively, butitwasheavygoing.Wehadalreadylostseveralmenand wereforcedtocrawlandruninshortburststoavoidheavier losses.Wehadtolimitourlossesifweweretohaveanyone
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leftforthefinalassault. Themortarsmokewasfiredandcreatedaperfectscreen.Thetwo platoonsrosefromthewheatandfiringontherun,weallmadethe dashtowardsthewalls.Thereweremanyslittrenchesanddugouts inwhichwethrewgrenades. WhenitwasoverwefoundsomemembersofCharlieCompanywho toldusthattheyhadlostabout90men,includingallfiveofficers.I askedaboutmyfriend,StuTubb,andbreathedagreatsighofrelief whentoldthathewasaliveandwasjustnowbeingcarriedoffthe battlefield. Hehadbeenhitinalegandwouldlaterhaveit amputatedabovetheknee

WereturnnowtoGordonBairdsearlyhistoryoftheReginastosum up: MannedbyfanaticSStroopstheAbbeyhadbeenatough nuttocrack.IthadperhapsbeenthetoughestfightsinceD Day.ButithadhelpedpiercethedefenceofCaen ThecosttotheReginasissetoutinStewartMeinshistoryUpthe Johns.Meingivesthefollowingdescriptionoftheobjective: BeforeattemptingtheassaultontheAbbey,GordonBrownand MajorStuTubbdidacarefulreconnaissance.Theyclimbedachurch steeplenorthofRotswheretheywereabletoseethefieldsstretching outbetweenAuthieandtheAbbey.Theydidntlikewhattheysaw. Theareawasflat,openanddevoidofcoverwhereanattackingforce wouldhaveeasilybeenseen.Whatsmore,thedefendershadthe advantageofdugindefencesandclearfieldsoffire Meintellsofthecasualtiesasfollows: TheBattalionsuffered11officersand205otherranks casualties,36ofthemfatal,withonemissinginaction.This hadbeentheworstfightingfortheBattalionsinceDDay.The captureoftheAbbeybytheRifleshelpedpiercetheringofthe defencesofCaen.ThatactioncausedtheGermansto withdrawbackintoCaenitself

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TheTakingofCaen
H.C.Chadderton:
th The9 Brigade,knownastheHighlandBrigade,haddonea tremendousjob,aidedbythetanksandtheartillery.Nowitwasupto th the7 Brigadetofinishthetask.

TheonlymajorobjectiveleftwasCussy.TerryCoppinACanadians GuideToTheBattlefieldsofNormandysetsthestage: BothflankswerestillheldbytheSSandthebattleforCussy becamealong,confusedaction. TheCanadianScottishfoundtheirapproachtothestartlinecontested bysnipersandshellfire.Attheappointedtime,theCanScotswere ready,butsoweretheGermans. Towardsdarkness,twocompaniesoftheWinnipegswerebroughtup tothickenthepositionbeforetheanticipatedcounterattackcame in InReadyfortheFray: OncebeyondBuron,walkingatasteadypaceasifona SouthDownsexercise,allHellbrokelooseastheCanadian Scottishcameunderahailoffirefromtheenemysmortars, MoaningMinnies(Germanmortar),machinegunsandanti tankguns.Thegroundshudderedandshookwiththe poundingofexplodingshellsandbombs Thebattleprogressedandthehistorystates: SoterrificwasthefireandsogreatwasthecarnageinCussythat LieutenantColonelCabeldu,ashortdistanceaway,fearedhis battalionwasbeingcuttopieces.Hewasdoingeverythinghecould callingupcarrierstoevacuatethewounded,bringingthetanksupto giveclosesupporttotheinfantryinthevillage,callingforadditional artilleryfire,sendinghisantitankgunsrightintothevillage,and warningthebrigadierthatwithammunitionrunninglowandhis casualtiesmounting,hewouldhavetocallonthereservebattalion, theWinnipegRifles,tosendsomehelptothickenupthefront Andyetanotherdescription: ThearrivaloftwocompaniesoftheWinnipegsnotonly
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strengthenedtheweaklyheldareabetweenA andC Companies,buttheybroughtwiththemsorelyneeded ammunition. By10:30thateveningtheReginashadcapturedtheAbbayeArdenne (describedpreviously),thussilencingahornetsnestanddepriving theGermansoftheirexcellentviewoverthebrigadearea

rd WiththeentrenchedGermansbeingoverrun,theboysofthe3 Div nd andthe2 ArmouredBrigadeconvergedonthecityofCaen.

Thefightingfrontwasconfused.ManyGermansgaveup,butsome heldontothebitterend.Thebombingtothisarea,totheCanadian FrontandtheperimeterofCaen,hadputtheGermandefendersin disarray. Caen,cornerstoneoftheGermandefence,wascapturedby th CanadiansbyJuly10 .Some33daysearlier,thisbandofuntried citizensoldiers,mostofwhomhadenlistedin1940,hadfirstgaineda toeholdinNormandyandintheweekfollowingDDay,theyhad foughtoffwickedcounterattacksbyHitlerssocalledsupermenand indrivingtheGermantanksandGrenadiersfromCaen,theyhad earnedthebattlehonours,whichtodayadorntheircapbadges. Namessuchas:Putot,Bretteville,Carpiquet,Buron,Authie,Gruchy, andCussy,andofcourse,theAbbayeArdenne.
th ByJuly11 ,morethanamonthafterDDay,Caenwasinourhands. ThehistoryoftheHLItellsthestory:

CaptainG.E.LowecommandedaGuardofHonouratthe ceremonyofraisingthefirstBritishflagoverCaen.The th honourwenttothe9 Brigadeasbeingthefirsttroopsinthe city

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CLOSESUPPORTELEMENTS CameronHighlandersofOttawaDDay
H.C.Chadderton:
rd TheCameronsofOttawawereanintegralpartofthe3 Divwiththeir powerfulVickersmachinegunsandtheir4.2mortars,theyprovided closesupportfortheinfantrybattalions.

OnDDay,theCameronslandedwithorimmediatelybehindthe assaultbattalions,thatistheNorthShoreRegimentatSt.Aubinon theleft,theQueensOwnRiflesatBerniresinthemiddle,andthe ReginasandtheWinnipegswithacompanyoftheCanadianScottish ontheright.Tactically,theCameronsandtheinfantryregiments workedasone. ItissomewhatdifficulttogiveaclearpictureofwhattheCamerons did,ifyoutriedtocompareitwithaninfantrybattalionwhichhada concentratedobjective.Intraining,however,theCameronshad workedcloselywiththeinfantrybattalions,theofficersandNCOsall kneweachother.Itwasoftenasituationwhereacompany commanderin,forexample,theNorthShorescouldgetonthe communicationsnetandaskformachinegunsorheavymortar support.AnexamplequotedinTheHistoryoftheFirstBattalion CameronHighlandersofOttawafollows: TheRegimentdelaChaudireandtheQueensOwnRifleswere havingtheirhandsfullwithsnipersandan8.8cmgunwhich, effectivelypositioned,completelyblockedofftheapproachtoward BnysurMer.Number6PlatoonoftheCameronstookupposition andwasinstrumentalinsilencingmanysnipers. MajorJ.M.Carson, commandingB Company,andhisbatman,LanceCorporalR.L. Parkerpersonallydirectedtheinfantryagainstthe88andsucceeded intakingitoutofplay Anotherexamplefromtheregimentalhistory: LieutenantJamesC.Woodwardandhisbatman,PrivateA. Caron...penetratedtheenemydefenceswheretheywere pinneddownbyfire...Refusingtowithdraw...Woodward electedtofightitoutanddispatchedhisbatmantotherearfor reinforcements...Hisboldaggressiveactionwasinstrumental instartingtheinfantryforwardandhewasawardedthemilitary crossforhiscourageandgallantry

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Ontheright,14and15PlatoonsoftheCameronslandedinsupport oftheReginasandtheWinnipegsandtheCanadianScottish.Their heavymachinegunsinparticularwereinonthecaptureofBanville bytheReginasandtheWinnipegs.

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CameronHighlandersofOttawa DPlusOneandTwo
H.C.Chadderton: Aswehavenoted,thetanksoftheSherbrookesandtheinfantry th regimentsofthe9 Brigadesawbitter,bitterfightingaroundLes Buissons. BrigadeCommander,BrigadierDonCunningham,orderedthestand th st tobetakenintheBuronareawhenthe12 SSandthe21 Panzer Divisionsthreatenedtobreakthroughtothecoast. TheCameronsregimentalhistorystates: Number11Platoonpositioneditselfwellupneartheditchand sluggeditoutwiththeenemyuntilMajorC.C.Hill,commandingthe Company,ordereditswithdrawaltothewoodsatLesBuissonswhen theammunitionwasexpended.Number10Platoonmovedinbeside Number11andtogethertheycontinuedtohotupthefront TheCameronsdidnotescapethefatalshootingofprisoners.This mostlyfellupontheRoyalWinnipegRiflesintheattackonthe extremerightoftheCanadianfront. TwoCameronswerecapturedandexecutedattheChteau dAudrieu.Theywerenotsolucky.TheirnameswereHaroldAngel andD.J.Burnett.

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rd 3 AntiTanks

H.C.Chadderton:

Anotherofthegroundforcesthatlandedwithus,andfoughtsideby rd sidealltheway,werethebravemembersofthe3 Candian AntiTankRegiment. Wheretheinfantrywent,sowenttheAntiTanks.Listentothis excerptfromtheirregimentalhistory. ATroopwasdeployedinLesBuissons(supportingtheabortive attackoftheNorthNoviesandtheSherbrookestowardstheAbbaye) butwastakenfromtherealmostimmediatelyandsenttoPutoten BessinreplacingH Troopwhichhadbeenoverrunbytheenemy Thebigprobleminadocumentaryofthistypeistheabsoluteinability ofincludingreferencetoallunitswhichplayedsuchavitalroleinthe th th invasion.Thegunners,forexample,includedthe12 and13 Field Regiments.Thentherewastheheavyartilleryandtheantiaircraft batteries.Obviously,withoutthem,therewouldhavebeenno successonthebeachesorinland. Itwasdecidedfromtheplanningstagesofthisdocumentary, however,thatwecouldtellthestoryofonlythosewhomtheinfantry couldreachoutandtouch.Hopefully,everyonewillunderstand. At leastIhavetheprivilegeofincludingoneregimentofthegunners, rd themuchdecorated3 AntiTanks. Wehavespaceforonemorestoryfromtheirregimentalhistory,as reportedbySergeantJackRuddofHTroop:
th June7 ,atapproximately13:00hours,LieutenantRegBarker stationedmeinanappleorchardatPutotenBessin.Wehad contactedtheRWRandwerenowinsupport. th June8 .Iwaswithoutinformationuntil10:00hoursatwhichtime LieutenantBarkerappearedtotellmetobepreparedtomove...The firstinclinationIhadthatthingshadsouredwaswhenNorm JohnstoneandBill(Weldon)Clarkecamerunningbacktomyposition tosay,Theyareallgone.Theyarealldead. Basedonthis information,Idecidedtolimberupandmovebacktobattalion headquartersforneworders.

Approximately300yardstothenorthedgeoftheorchard,wewere
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stoppedbyaLieutenantfromtheCanScotswhoinformedmethatwe weresurroundedandthatweshouldremainwithhim...Unfortunately itwastoolate,astheSSwereontopofusandthegamewasover for23ofus.Sostartedourprisonerofwarlife. TheSSmarchedusapproximatelyonemiletotherearoftheirlines andintoafield.Bythistime,theyhadcollectedapproximately100of us. ItwasyearslaterthatIfoundouthowfortunatewewere, becausetheywerepreparedtohandoutthesamefateaswasmeted outtoLieutenantBarkerandtheother66Canadiansmurderedbythe th 12 SSattheChteaudAudrieu. Lt.RegBarkerwasshotasaprisonerofwar.Hisstorywastoldin TakeNoPrisoners!,theforerunnertothisdocumentary. ExcerptfromTakeNoPrisoners!:
th ItwasalongthisroadnearFontenaylePesnelonJune8 ,1944, nearduskthatabout40membersoftheRoyalWinnipegRifles,two rd membersofthe3 AntiTankRegiment,andamemberofthe CameronHighlandersweremarchedasprisonersofwar.

Thesesoldierswereherdedintoabunchinthemiddleofafield. Someofthemwerewounded.Theywereadvanceduponbyseveral HitlerJugendwithschmeissersreadytofire.

rd AnotherLieutenant,RegBarker,ofthe3 AntiTanksalsoriskedhis lifeinanattempttoarguetheGermansoutofshootingthese Canadianprisoners.

Gunner,WeldonClarke,gaveevidenceconcerningBarkersheroism: Lt.Barkertoldustostandsteadyuntilthefirstburstwas fired.Hewasgoingtotrytotalkthemoutofit.Iamsurethey hadtheideaofgettingridofusbecausenobodytriedto escapeuntiltheycameforwardwiththoseautomatics

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TacticalAirSupport
H.C.Chadderton: AgreatdealhasbeenwrittenabouttheGerman88mm,anantitank gun,anantiaircraftgun,anditcouldbeusedasafieldpieceto breakupinfantryattacks. Butintheconfinedbridgeheadarea,thedevastationitcouldcause wasbeyondbelief.Theworstwordswecouldhearwere:Theyve gotan88duginwithafieldoffireoveranareaweintendtouse. Coupledwiththisisthefrankadmissionthatour34tonSherman tanks,althoughplentiful,werenomatchforthe88smountedonthe sleekGermanmobilehalftracksorpanthertanks. Butwedidhaveananswer.IrememberitwasablazinghotJuly afternoonacompanyoftheRoyalWinnipegRiflesweretaskedto attacktheChteauSt.LouetnearCussy.Everytimeweclimbedout ofourformingupplacealongthesunkenroad,theGerman88s pushedustoground. AbovetherewaswhatwasknownasaCabRankofcirclingair forcefighterbombers.Wefiredyellowsmokewhichlandedamong the88sand,inafewshortminutes,theTyphoons,orTiffiesaswe knewthem,neutralizedtheGermanposition.OurShermans,even withthe75mmfirefly,wereoutgunned,buttheTyphoonswerethe greatequalizers.

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TheBombing
H.C.Chadderton:
th rd OnJuly7 ,atlonglast,the3 Divwasgiveninstructionstakethe cityofCaen. Itwouldbetough,toughgoing.

Imagineourreliefwhentheattackwastemporarilycalledofftoallow theRCAFandtheRAFtobombtheoutskirtsofthecitywhich,sofar asweknew,containedthousandsofGermans,orderedtofighttothe last. Thoseofuswhosatinthefieldsandwatchedthatbombing,cheered wildly.Incidently,thecheeringcametoasuddenendwhenwesaw atleasttwoLancastersfallfromthesky,andwerealizedthatthere wouldbeapriceinhumanlivesamongtheairforcecrewsthatnight. TherehasbeenpubliccriticismaboutthebombingofCaen.Icantell you,becauseIwasthere,thatitwasvery,verynecessaryforthe softeningupprocessotherwisewecouldneverhavegottenintothat city. In1992,forexample,inaCBCtelevisedseriestitledTheValour andtheHorrorthefollowingwassaid: TheAlliedmilitarywasunderenormouspressurefromthepress andthepoliticansforresults.Tobuytime,GeneralMontgomery decidedtoprovideapublicrelationsvictoryatCaen.Despitethefact theGermandefencewascenteredoutsidetheoldNormancity,the AlliesdecidedtoboostAlliedmoralebylevellingtheplace ThebombingofCaenwasanessentialpartofthemilitarystrategy, asapreludetotakingthisvitalstrongpointintheGermandefences. HereweseeanofficialCanadianarmymapwhichshowsthe th CanadianfrontlineonJulythe7 ,thenightofthebombing.Itwillbe notedthattheCanadiansstillhadtocapturesomemajorGerman strongholdswhichguardedtheentrancestothisancientcity. Strongholdssuchas:Buron,Authie,Gruchy,CussyandtheAbbaye Ardenne. ThestrategicplanbehindthebombingofCaenwastosoftenupthe rearareasofthisheavilyfortifiedGermanposition.Then,wemust examinetheactualairforcebombingtarget,shownintherectangular section.Itwillbenotedthatthetargetzonewasnotintheheartof thecity,asclaimedinTheValourandtheHorror,butratheronthe mostlightlypopulatednorthernoutskirts.Muchofthisancient
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Normantownwasspared,includingtheancientchurchofSt.Etienne, foundedbyWilliamtheConquerer.

CONCLUSION
H.C.Chadderton: Andsoendedthe33daybattleforCaen.Ittriedthemetalofthese youngvolunteersfromCanada.Theyservedwiththeinfantrythey servedwiththearmouredcorps,theartillery,thesignalcorps,the medicalcorps,allthesupportgroups,thetacticalairforce.Itwasjust onegrandmagnificentbattlethatshowedwhatitreallywouldtaketo drivetheGermansallthewayfromJunoBeachtothepivotalcityof Caen. TheCanadianshadpiercedtheAtlanticwalldefences.Theyhad capturedCaentheyhadopenedthegatewaytoFalaise.AtFalaise, twoweekslater,theGermanforcesinWesternFrancewouldbe trappedorannihilated.TerryCopp,inACanadiansGuidetothe BattlefieldsofNormandy,sumsitup: TheGermandefensiveringaroundCaenhadbeenbroken. DuringthenightRommelhadorderedthewithdrawalofallheavy weaponssouthoftheOrneandrearguardsleftinthebatteredcityof th Caenwereinnomoodtoputupresistanceonthe9 .Thebridges acrosstheriverweredownandtheenemyfirmlyentrenchedonthe otherside.Butthecity,whichhadloomedbeforetheAngloCanadian forcessinceDDay,wasatlastintheirhands

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