Canadian WW2 Normandy Sites, Episode 452

In this episode of the podcast with my guest Terri Brault, we discuss Canadian WW2 Normandy sites you can visit. Canadian forces were heavily involved in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, which marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.

The Canadian 3rd Infantry Division, along with the 2nd Armoured Brigade, landed at Juno Beach, a stretch of coast located between Sword and Gold beaches. Facing heavily fortified German defenses, they experienced fierce resistance, but their courage and determination saw them overcome these formidable obstacles. By the end of the day, Canadian forces had penetrated deeper into France than any other Allied force, a testament to their discipline and valor.

Canadian troops also played a significant role in the subsequent Battle of Normandy, a grueling two-month campaign to liberate the region from German occupation. They were central to Operation Totalize, an offensive designed to break through German defenses south of Caen, a strategic city that witnessed some of the war's bloodiest conflicts.

Moreover, Canadian soldiers were victims of one of the war's most infamous atrocities at the Abbaye d'Ardenne, where 20 prisoners of war were executed by the 12th SS Panzer Division, a crime later prosecuted as a war crime.

Today, the Canadian War Cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer, where about 2,000 soldiers are laid to rest, serves as a somber reminder of the ultimate sacrifice these brave men made in the pursuit of freedom and peace.

Their bravery, tenacity, and sacrifice significantly contributed to the successful Normandy campaign, marking a pivotal turn in the course of World War II. Their legacy lives on in the form of numerous memorials, museums, and preserved historical sites in Normandy, and their heroic efforts continue to be honored and remembered by both Canadians and the international community.  Let's talk about the places in Normandy you can visit to honor their sacrifice and valor.

Table of Contents for this Episode

• Today on the podcast
• Podcast supporters
• Bonjour Itinerary Service
• The Magazine part of the podcast
• Canadian Heroes of Normandy with Terri Brault
• Seeing the Water Lilies at The Musee d’Orangerie
• Giverny
• No speeding tickets
• Rouen
• Going too cheap on the hotel
• Bayeux
• D-Day Sites, Longues-sur-Mer
• Arronmanches
• Juno Beach, Courseulles-sur-Mer
• Canada House, Bernières-sur-Mer
• Beny-sur-Mer Cemetery
• Abbaye D’Ardenne
• Chateau de Cruelly
• Battle of Normandy museums in Bayeux, Caen, and Juno Beach Centre.
• Bayeux Tapestry
• Mont St. Michel
• Ducey
• Don’t pack too much into your trip
• Hotel des Arènes, on Rue Monge,
• Walking some of Annie’s VoiceMap tours
• What she learned about France: Do and Don’t Do
• Warnings
• Why Normandy in September?
• Annie’s itinerary review service
• Orange travel sim cards
• Travel journal before leaving
• Thank you, patrons
• Getting ready for a trip to France
• The Olympic Village
• Next week on the podcast
• Copyright