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D-Day: The Canadians And The Normandy Landings

SiteAdmin — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 18:46:05 +0000

Dr. Reg Roy is an eminent expert on the Normandy battle. In this volume he concisely puts together the greatest military operation of the war with the significant role played by Canada. This volume concentrates on the preparations, logistics, strategies and planning that made this high-risk venture a relative cake-walk, at least for the Canadians on Juno. The days after the landings would bring the inexperienced Canadians face-to-face with a hard-hitting fanatical opponent, with their backs to the wall. Dr. Roy brilliantly explains the bitter fighting and brutal encounters with the 12th SS, and the quickly learned lessons that finally subdued our zealous enemy, and allowed for breathing room on the beaches and the establishment of a secure beachhead that would allow for the ultimate breakout and the defeat of Nazi Germany.

“What the Americans, British and Canadians were trying to do was get back a whole continent that had been taken from its rightful owners and whose citizens had been taken captive by Adolf Hitler’s German army. It was one of the most monumentally unselfish things one group of peole ever did for another.” Andy Rooney, US Army.

by DR. R.H. Roy

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Futility And Sacrifice

SiteAdmin — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 22:42:01 +0000

This volume tells the story of the participation of the Canadians in one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War, The Somme. In August 1916 the Canadians, now 60,000 strong were ordered to take their part in the Somme Offensive. Losses in the Battle had already exceeded 150,000 and more men were needed to feed the guns, now it was the Canadians turn. In a series of brutal assaults, in September-October 1916 they slowly pushed their line forward against uncut wire, massive gunfire and a tenacious German defense. In the end 25,000 Canadians were killed or wounded. It was a sobering experience that brought the Canadians an opportunity to evaluate the failings of the Campaign, and put the Lessons Learned in practice in the next big fight, Vimy Ridge. Asides include: The Odds, Execution by Firing Squad and The Make-Up of an Army.

by Norm Christie

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The Battle Of The Atlantic: The RCN’s Greatest Campaign

SiteAdmin — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 22:38:01 +0000

Dr. Sarty is one of Canada’s preeminent Naval historians. In this volume Dr. Sarty tells the story of the greatest and most important battles of the Second World War, the Battle of the Atlantic. It deals with the problems of ship shortages, over-whelming U-Boat superiority, radar advancement, and the significant role the Royal Canadian Navy played in the defeat of the German U-Boat menace. It traces the dark days after the fall of France, when Halifax became the most important port in the world, and the only lifeline to Britain to the days of victory in 1943 when the great battle and the freedom of the world was won. The volume is profusely illustrated with color maps, paintings and photos.

by Dr. Roger Sarty

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Hard-Won Victory: The Canadians At Ortona

SiteAdmin — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 22:36:11 +0000

The invasion of Sicily and the battle for Italy were the first full-fledged fighting for the Canadian Army. They performed well, and in December 1943 they would be handed the mantle, to crush the German Line at the Moro River and take Ortona. This was to be their first great test. Against brilliantly designed defensive works the Canadians cracked the Moro River Line, and turned into Ortona, where they would have to beat the Germans in hand-to-hand, and house-to-house fighting. They would have to ‘Mousehole’ their way to victory, and that’s what they did. Ortona was the Canadian Army’s first great challenge and its first great victory.

“The morbid fascination of destruction held us in its grip as life and its moments dissolved before our eyes. Over all, the deafening voice of guns beat a massive dirge like the unmuffled drums of Hell.” Charles Comfort.

by Norm Christie

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Deadly Mission: Canadian Airmen over Nuremberg

SiteAdmin — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 22:34:36 +0000

In this volume Dr. Bill Rodney, DFC & Bar takes the reader through the life of a RCAF Bomber crew. Eminently qualified as an Historian but even more so as a high-decorated Bomber pilot, Dr. Rodney explains in exciting detail the training, the flak, the night-fighters and the technology that made Bomber Command the most lethal posting of any airman. The night Ops to Nuremberg in March 1944 was the high-water mark of the Luftwaffe night-fighters. In a terrifying night the Germans shot down 95 Allied bombers and killed more than 500 airmen, including more than 100 Canadians.

WHAT WENT WRONG? Bill Rodney explains the strategies of the air war, and how if the other side got a little advantage it would be catastrophic to the flyers. Nuremberg was one of those nights. Asides include a Roll of Honour for all Canadians killed in the operation, and the special story of Jim Moffatt’s Halifax LV 923 collision with another aircraft. Jim was the lone survivor.

by Norm Christie

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