Let’s plant a 75-year-old tree

THE AMAZING THING ABOUT HISTORY no longer relevant and that is, sadly, end is that it is always there to look back on, of story. learn from and ... be inspired by. Of course, that could not be farther The hard part is that with our fast- from the truth. paced, whirling world, what’s happening Let’s change that. Let’s move away from in 30 minutes right now seems much big- doom and gloom and focus on hope and ger than focusing on something that hap- dedication. pened 75 years ago. Let’s focus on the fact that millions of So, when does history get centre stage? people were being oppressed and that What about the millions of men and wom- young men and women from around the en who gave everything they had for the globe bound together that culminated in freedom of a dominated continent — and what was, and still is, the most complex fears of a dominated world? military operation in history. What about the single mothers and the There is a saying that the best time to orphaned children? What about living plant a tree was 50 years ago, but the sec- every day in a war-torn city, scared to ond best time is now. death about whether you will see the There is some planting to be done in the next? What about the younger brother or minds of today’s young men and women. sister back home in Canada left wonder- To teach them about holding onto hope, ing whether if they would ever see their rock-solid dedication and fighting for the family members, their role models, person beside you. again? This is the story of How can we talk to, and really educate, — D-Day — which took place in the early the young Canadian minds of today of the morning of June 6, 1944. It involved mem- sacrifice and global citizenship shown by bers from 12 Allied nations, including so many from just a few generations be- Canada with an honorably substantial fore; many of whom have direct family role, and was the beginning of the end of lineage to one of the ‘greatest genera- Hitler’s reign over continental Europe. tion?’ A huge misconception in today’s cul- — A special 75th anniversary of D-Day ture is that the Second World War was commemorative project of The Hamilton fought by a bunch of old men who went Spectator and The Canadian Warplane over, and it happened, and it’s done. It’s Heritage Museum A14 THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019 THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR l THESPEC.COM Countdown to D-DAY

PART 1 OF 8 Next week: The Canadian Objective June 6, 2019, will be the 75th anniversary of D-Day, one of the monumental days in human history. It was one that changed the course of the world, signalled the beginning of the end of the Second World War and shaped the image of Canada as a power on the world stage. The famous Hamilton will pay tribute to all D-Day photo as the veterans with a one-of-a-kind gala at landing craft’s the Canadian Warplane Heritage door goes down Museum on June 1, featuring the and Canadian World Famous Glenn Miller troops begin their Orchestra. assault on Today, The Spectator, in conjunction Fortress Europe with Newspapers In Education, begins in Normandy an 8-week countdown to D-Day, with France, 75 years a look at what Operation Overlord ago. was, and what was at stake.

bid to take back Europe. Not only that, but it would mark a second How the world turned victory for the Allies, just two days after the liberation of Rome in Italy alties with 1,946 taken prisoner. Nine and be a much-needed sign of hope on a single day hundred and sixteen died. The RHLI for a world desperately awaiting a lost 197, the second highest casualty miracle. It could be the beginning of total among Canadian Army units, the end of the Second World War. The stakes couldn’t have been higher according to Veterans Affairs Cana- If turned back, the Allies would as morning dawned on June 6, 1944 da. have been faced with an unfathom- The defeat at Dieppe made two able hole from which to climb. Loss- things painfully, deadly obvious. es of astronomical proportions ALEX DAY First, there was much to learn to be would be definite. It would take able to sustain any break in German years to be able to re-train and re- “They fight not for the lust of con- defences, which was vital in order to arm a fighting force of that size. quest. They fight to end conquest. seize and hold a swath of land. Sec- Hitler could focus on Italy again, or They fight to liberate.” ond, the risk to human life, resources focus entirely on the western front. — U.S. President Franklin D. Roo- and morale was very real and, even He would no longer have to worry sevelt. more so, difficult to rebound from. about the threat of a two-pronged On Sept. 1, 1939 — in a bid to estab- Unknown to the world — including attack. He could continue making lish a ‘Third Reich’ — Adolf Hitler’s the common citizens of Germany — strides in weapons innovations and Nazi Germany began to invade the Hitler was systematically extermi- MIKE LARGE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS would remain unopposed in his countries of Europe in sweeping nating every Jewish person in Eu- A Canadian veteran on Juno Beach, carrying out of his diabolical “Final fashion. His ‘Blitzkrieg’ attacks rope. He craved the extinction of the Courseulles-sur-Mer, France, on the Solution.” passed through shocked and helpless entire religion. In the end, he would 60th anniversary the of D-Day Fast-forward, 75 years later. We defences like a rolling fog. By early kill more than six million Jewish landings in 2004. know how the events unfolded on, 1941, only the British Isles had yet to men, women and children, including above and around the shores of Nor- fall. approximately three million Polish- United Kingdom, United States and mandy on June 6, 1944. But, in those Nearly a year and a half went by Jews alone. Canada. moments, not a single person in the before any attempt could be made to For those under his powerful heel, It was codenamed Operation Over- world knew what was going to hap- land a small invasion force on the there was no end in sight. lord, and D-Day — the secretive date pen. coast of France to fight back. Four and a half years after the start marked for the launching of the in- Those brave men did not just land On Aug. 19, 1942, a force primarily of war — and nearly two full years vasion — was scheduled for June 5, on the beaches of France, they land- made up of Canadians — including since the ill-fated landings at Dieppe 1944. ed themselves in history as part of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry — — the Allied powers were finally able The operation was comprised of the most complex military opera- attempted to land at the French port to try again at piercing the armoured naval, ground-based and airborne tions to ever take place. The opera- of Dieppe in what was codenamed wall lining the coast of France. operations that were all designed tion undoubtedly led to the end of Operation Jubilee. This attempt would include more around supporting one another and the war in Europe — not even a year Of the 4,963 young men who set out than 150,000 young men and women, cutting off Nazi reinforcement to the later in May 1945 — and the libera- for the operation, 2,210 returned and dwarfing the Dieppe invasion force in five target beaches along the coast of tion of millions of people whose a total of 3,367 were listed as casu- size and scale with troops from the Normandy, France. gratitude is just as strong today as it Much to the concern of Supreme was three-quarters of a century ago. Canadian troops Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisen- Hitler’s rain of V-2 rockets on land on the hower, early June had been plagued England ended and the Nazi’s dream beachhead in with extremely inclement weather. of developing an atomic bomb was Normandy, France, So much so that he decided to post- thwarted. France, Holland, Belgium in June 1944 pone the June 5 invasion until a — all of western Europe — rejoiced. shortly after the weather window produced itself in And there’s no telling how many D-Day invasion. the upcoming weeks. more innocent Jews were saved. On a chilly, grey At the last moment, he decided to “It was unknowable then, but so morning 75 years risk it all on an opening in the storms much of the progress that would ago, a few on early June 6. define the 20th century, on both sides boatloads of “This operation is not being of the Atlantic, came down to the scared, cold, often planned with any alternatives. This battle for a slice of beach only 6 miles seasick young operation is planned as a victory, and long and 2 miles wide.” Canadians that’s the way it’s going to be. We’re — U.S. President Barack Obama. charged ashore on going down there, and we’re throw- June 6, 2009. a windswept ing everything we have into it, and French beach and we’re going to make it a success.” he Alex Day is a member of the D-Day helped make said. Commemorative Gala Committee, history. If successful, the Allies would have and an employee of the Canadian DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE CANADIAN PRESS a foothold to thrust themselves in a Warplane Heritage Museum.

The memory lives on! Join us in reflecting on one of the most pivotal moments of all time at our 75th Remembering Our Past Anniversary D-Day Gala. th A once-in-a-lifetime occasion The 75 Anniversary of D-Day to celebrate peace, liberty and reconciliation and the chance to pay tribute to more than a dozen In honour of all those who sacrificed everything for their children, Second World War veterans who will their grandchildren and great grandchildren, The Hamilton be in attendance. Spectator will be publishing a special section commemorating Included: the 75th Anniversary of D-Day on June 1. ◆ Three-set dance by the World Famous Glenn ◆ Performance by Hamilton’s Hannah Bailey Miller Orchestra singing Vera Lynn’s famous Second World War ◆ AAA New York Sirloin steak dinner songs Written by The Hamilton Spectator’s award-winning journalism ◆ Chance to win a cruise for two on The Edge ◆ Chance to win a $4,000 diamond, courtesy of team, this will be a keepsake you won’t want to miss being a courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Canada H&Z Diamond Centre ◆ Two complimentary tickets per person for ◆ Special D-Day gift package part of and will feel inspired to share with children in the future. the June 6 Tiger-Cats game featuring a ◆ Chance to bid on a 9-day African ceremonial D-Day flypast photographic safari ◆ Chance to win a flight in the D-Day veteran Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your business and pay plane, C47 Dakota ◆ Chance to bid on a Mike Grice painting the artist will be producing live inside the hangar tribute in this commemorative section. ◆ A performance by HMCS Star band ◆ Performance by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders marching band For more information Tickets: $200/person A discount is available for current serving military please contact your account executive Date: Saturday, June 1, 2019 members and veterans. For details, please contact Emily Millar at [email protected] or 905-679-4183. Time: Doors open 5pm or call 905-526-3438. Ext. 253 with the name of your unit and rank. Location: Canadian To purchase tickets and for more information, Warplane Heritage Museum visit warplane.com or call 905-679-4183

Hamilton & Burlington

C M Y A16 THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019 THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR l THESPEC.COM Countdown to D-DAY

THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY, A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF THE SPECTATOR’S NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION PROGRAM From the air and the sea, the Canadians came

ALEX DAY

“There is going to be chaos and confu- sion and it’ll never be otherwise. You’re going to require leadership and initiative.” — Blake Heathcote, Testaments PART 2 OF 8 of Honour Those were the words of advice Next week: Hamilton’s General, given to Sgt. Andy Anderson and the Harry Crerar other officers of 1st Canadian Para- June 6, 2019, will be the 75th chute Battalion by their brigadier- anniversary of D-Day, one of the general in the hours leading up to monumental days in human history. their jump. It was one that changed the course of It’s not to say that Allied intelli- the world, signalled the beginning of gence was far off in their findings the end of the Second World War and leading up to June 6, 1944, but to Sgt. shaped the image of Canada as a Anderson and the brave young men power on the world stage. beside him, that sentence was the Hamilton will pay tribute to all D-Day most accurate piece of information veterans with a one-of-a-kind gala at they’d be given. the Canadian Warplane Heritage The 1st Canadian Parachute Bat- Museum on June 1, featuring the talion helped make up the approxi- World Famous Glenn Miller mately 30,000 Canadians who were in Orchestra. Britain being prepared for Operation Today, The Spectator, in conjunction Overlord. Canada had been tasked with Newspapers In Education and the with securing a plot of beachhead Canadian Warplane Heritage between the French towns of Cour- HAMILTON SPECTATOR FILE PHOTO Museum, continues an eight-week seulles to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, code- Lt.-Commander across the channel. We just dug in, made by the Germans. countdown to D-Day, with a look at named “Juno Beach.” D.W. Piers, trained harder, determined to do what Troops with the 3rd Canadian what faced Canadians that day, 75 “The Canadian invasion forces had commanding some were saying would be impos- Infantry Division’s made up the years ago. spent years in Britain training for the officer of the sible.” main invasion force with H-Hour task. They had tried very hard not to HMCS — Cliff Chadderton, Royal Win- (the time set for the landings of the think of what lay ahead. It was diffi- Algonquin, nipeg Rifles from his documenta- first assault wave) scheduled for 0745 Regiment Military Museum, “RCAF cult to realize the enormity of what we addresses his ry ‘Juno Beach to Caen.’ hours. Their objectives were to es- Bomber Group 6, composed of 14 would be attempting. I was part of crew on the way The Canadian effort on D-Day tablish a beachhead, secure three RCAF squadrons, attacked several that force. However, when we started to Juno Beach in could be broken down into four coastal towns and then advance key strategic targets. With railways, our assault training on the south of Normandy on groups — navy, air force, infantry inland in order to link up with the bridges and fuel and ammunition England and in Scotland, we began to June 6, 1944. and the airborne paratroopers — and progressing forces from the other depots damaged or destroyed, the realize what loomed before us. Untried they all had their own specific ob- beaches. The Canadian soldiers German forces were unable to launch troops would dare to set foot in Hitler’s jectives. pushed farther inland than any oth- an effective counterattack against Europe. Everyday while in Britain, In the hours leading up to the main er company from any of the other the Allied forces on the beaches of we heard stories of the heavily forti- landings, the Royal Canadian Navy beaches. Normandy.” fied French coast which the Germans, swept for mines in the waters ap- The Royal Canadian Air Force flew By the morning of June 7, nearly in four years with slave labour had proaching the five target beaches, alongside the Royal Air Force and 14,000 Canadians landed on or had turned into a continuous system of allowing a safer approach for the the Air Force been dropped into Normandy. But guns, pillboxes, mines, barbed wire corvettes and landing craft. and provided air cover and fire sup- their success came at a price. There and on the beaches, underwater pil- The 1st Canadian Parachute Bat- port for the invasion force. Spitfire were 1,074 casualties with 359 of those ings, some loaded with explosives talion was being dropped in behind fighters kept the German Luftwaffe young lives lost. waiting to blow up the assault crafts. enemy lines from C-47 Dakotas and pilots away from bombers and It was a terrifying picture. The men of on Horsa gliders. They were tasked ground troops while Typhoon attack Alex Day is a member of the D-Day the infantry and regiments cho- with securing bridges east of the aircraft took out armoured divisions Commemorative Gala Committee, sen for the invasion simply had to beach and to hinder any sort of rein- entrenched along the coast. and an employee of the Canadian disregard what lay ahead for them forcement attempt that was to be According to The Loyal Edmonton Warplane Heritage Museum. D-Day: The Allies invade Europe June 6, 1944 Assault areas • The Allies invade occupied France U.S. paratroopers • Some 175,000 British, American, Canadian, French, Valognes Polish, Norwegian and other nationalities participate in First assault waves Allied objectives for midnight on D-Day the first 24 hours of the Normandy invasion Attacks by British paratroopers Held by Allies at midnight on D-Day

German counterattacks Held by Germans at midnight on D-Day

U.S. VII Corps U.S. 2nd Ranger U.S. V UTAH Battalion Corps British XXX Bay of Seine Corps OMAHA Canadians British I Corps GOLD JUNO

SWORD

Bayeux Carentan German LXXXIV Corps IRELAND U.K. German GERMANY 5 km 7th Army Caen German

Atlantic 5 miles NORMANDY 15th Ocean Army

FRANCE Sources: "D-Day: Operation Overlord Day by Day" by Anthony Hall; “Soldiers 200 km The Chicago TribuneLost at Sea” by James E. Wise and Scott Baron; FRANCE German “Slightly Out of Focus” by Robert Capa; “Voices from D-Day" by Jonathan 200 miles ITALY Bastable; ” Fortitude: The D-Day Deception Campaign“ by Roger Hesketh; “ XLVII Panzer Andrew Jackson Higgins and the Boats That Won World War II” by Jerry E. Strahan; skylighters.org; U.S. Navy; Museum of Science and Industry./ Staff, Corps The Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times, History.com, NPR, Encyclopedia Britannica, National WWII Museum in New Orleans,The Chicago Tribune,

The memory lives on! Join us in reflecting on one of the most pivotal Remembering Our Past moments of all time at our 75th th Anniversary D-Day Gala. The 75 Anniversary of D-Day A once-in-a-lifetime occasion to celebrate peace, liberty and reconciliation and the chance to In honour of all those who sacrificed everything for their children, pay tribute to more than a dozen their grandchildren and great grandchildren, The Hamilton Second World War veterans who will be in attendance. Spectator will be publishing a special section commemorating the 75th Anniversary of D-Day on June 1. Included: ◆ Three-set dance by the World Famous Glenn ◆ Performance by Hamilton’s Hannah Bailey Miller Orchestra singing Vera Lynn’s famous Second World War Written by The Hamilton Spectator’s award-winning journalism ◆ AAA New York Sirloin steak dinner songs team, this will be a keepsake you won’t want to miss being a ◆ Chance to win a cruise for two on The Edge ◆ Chance to win a $4,000 diamond, courtesy of courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Canada H&Z Diamond Centre part of and will feel inspired to share with children in the future. ◆ Two complimentary tickets per person for ◆ Special D-Day gift package the June 6 Tiger-Cats game featuring a ◆ Chance to bid on a 9-day African ceremonial D-Day flypast photographic safari Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your business and pay ◆ Chance to win a flight in the D-Day veteran plane, C47 Dakota ◆ Chance to bid on a Mike Grice painting the tribute in this commemorative section. artist will be producing live inside the hangar ◆ A performance by HMCS Star band ◆ Performance by the Argyll and Sutherland For more information Highlanders marching band please contact your account executive Tickets: $200/person A discount is available for current serving military Date: Saturday, June 1, 2019 members and veterans. For details, please contact Emily Millar at [email protected] or 905-679-4183. or call 905-526-3438. Time: Doors open 5pm Ext. 253 with the name of your unit and rank. Location: Canadian To purchase tickets and for more information, Warplane Heritage Museum visit warplane.com or call 905-679-4183

Hamilton & Burlington

C M Y A16 THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019 THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR l THESPEC.COM Count down to D-DAY

THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY, A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF THE SPECTATOR’S NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION PROGRAM The general who showed Canada the way

The Canadian Press

When General Harry Crerar — the “quiet man who got things done” — died at the age of 76 in Ottawa in April 1965, he was hailed as the most dis- tinguished military leader Canada had ever produced. A Hamilton native, Gen. Crerar was the first Canadian to be promot- ed to general while serving at the battlefront and the first to command a full-fledged Canadian army in the field. The stern-faced, soft spoken gener- al, who left Hamilton in his early 20s, won wide acclaim for the Canadian Army’s dramatic drive from Nor- mandy along the Channel coast into HAMILTON SPECTATOR FILE PHOTO Belgium, Holland and Germany General Crerar on the cover of Time during the Allied victory campaign Magazine on Sept. 18, 1944. that ended the Second World War. It capped a military career that began at the Royal Military College in Kingston where he graduated in 1909. He spent several years as a civil engineer with Ontario Hydro, but at the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, he went overseas as an artil- lery captain. He was in the Battle of Ypres where the first gas attack in PART 3 OF 8 history failed to crack the Canadian front. Rising rapidly through artil- Next week: The Build Up to D-Day lery command posts, he was a lieu- June 6, 2019 will be the 75th tenant-colonel and corps counter- anniversary of D-Day, one of the battery officer when the Great War monumental days in human history. It ended. was one that changed the course of In the interval between the wars, the world, signalled the beginning of he served in various headquarters the end of the Second World War and roles, attending the 1932 Geneva shaped the image of Canada as a Disarmament Conference and the power on the world stage. Imperial Conference of 1937. He rose Hamilton will pay tribute to all D-Day to full colonel in 1938, commanding veterans with a one-of-a-kind gala at the RMC in Kingston. A month after the Canadian Warplane Heritage the Second World War began, he was Museum on June 1, featuring the made a brigadier and sent to London World Famous Glenn Miller to plan for the arrival of the 1st Cana- Orchestra. dian Division. In July 1940, he re- Today, The Spectator, in conjunction turned to Ottawa as chief of the gen- with Newspapers In Education and the eral staff and was promoted to lieu- Canadian Warplane Heritage tenant-general in 1941. Museum, continues an 8-week Gen. Crerar took a step down in countdown to D-Day, with a look at rank later that year to go overseas THE ASSOCIATED PRESS what faced Canadians that day, 75 again as commander of the 2nd Cana- Supreme Allied Commander, General Eisenhower, right, with General Harry Crerar, commanding years ago. dian Division then training in Eng- Canadian First Army, watch a demonstration by Canadian troops during his visit to the Canadian land. He explained to a friend: “I sector on Dec. 19, 1944. must get away from a desk. I must get overseas, for that is where I belong.” an operation that received high Soon he was commanding the 1st praise from Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, Canadian Corps, and back at lieuten- the Supreme Allied Commander. ant-general in rank. It was the 2nd Eisenhower later described him as Division of this corps that carried out a humble leader who was much less the disastrous 1942 raid on Dieppe, an flamboyant than his contemporaries, operation that he always defended as George Patton and Bernard Mont- an essential prelude to the D-Day gomery: “He was not one to seek the operation of 1944. limelight or command headlines. He In the spring of 1944, Gen. Crerar was one of those great souls whose was returned to England, succeeding only ambition was to do his duty to Gen. McNaughton as commander of his troops and to his country.” the Canadian Army. Gen. Crerar once summarized his Two weeks after D-Day, Gen. Cre- personal philosophy of generalship: rar arrived in Normandy and began “Lead always, drive rarely, but when forming the 1st Canadian Army for you must, drive hard.” its special task of clearing the coast of On his return to Ottawa in August northwest Europe. He made his mil- 1945, thousands welcomed him on itary reputation — and Canada’s — in Parliament Hill, where, it was report- the bitter months of struggle toward ed, he received one of the greatest Germany. ovations in the country’s history. In the climatic attack across the About 20,000 people turned out for Rhine in February 1945, he had more a civic ceremony and parade in Ham- than 500,000 men under his com- ilton in 1946. He is remembered in his mand, including eight British divi- home town with a neighbourhood, sions sent to bolster the three Canadi- street and a park named in his ho- an divisions. By early March, he had nour. CANADIAN ARMY OVERSEAS PHOTO turned the Siegfried Line and cleared — with files from The Hamilton Gen. Harry Crerar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Canadian Army Overseas, drives his the west bank of the lower Rhine in Spectator archives. own Jeep to see Canadians in action shortly after he set up his headquarters in France after D-Day.

The memory lives on! Join us in reflecting on one of the most pivotal moments of all time at our 75th Remembering Our Past Anniversary D-Day Gala. th A once-in-a-lifetime occasion The 75 Anniversary of D-Day to celebrate peace, liberty and reconciliation and the chance to pay tribute to more than a dozen In honour of all those who sacrificed everything for their children, Second World War veterans who will their grandchildren and great grandchildren, The Hamilton be in attendance. Spectator will be publishing a special section commemorating Included: the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. ◆ Three-set dance by the World Famous Glenn ◆ Performance by Hamilton’s Hannah Bailey Miller Orchestra singing Vera Lynn’s famous Second World War ◆ AAA New York Sirloin steak dinner songs Written by The Hamilton Spectator’s award-winning journalism ◆ Chance to win a cruise for two on The Edge ◆ Chance to win a $4,000 diamond, courtesy of team, this will be a keepsake you won’t want to miss being a courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Canada H&Z Diamond Centre ◆ Two complimentary tickets per person for ◆ Special D-Day gift package part of and will feel inspired to share with children in the future. the June 6 Tiger-Cats game featuring a ◆ Chance to bid on a 9-day African ceremonial D-Day flypast photographic safari ◆ Chance to win a flight in the D-Day veteran Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your business and pay plane, C47 Dakota ◆ Chance to bid on a Mike Grice painting the artist will be producing live inside the hangar tribute in this commemorative section. ◆ A performance by HMCS Star band ◆ Performance by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders marching band For more information Tickets: $200/person Thanks to the generous donations of the gala sponsors, please contact your account executive Date: Saturday,June 1, 2019 tickets for all current or past member of the Canadian Forces are half price, including a guest. For details, please contact Time: Doors open 5pm or call 905-526-3438. Emily Millar at [email protected] or 905-679-4183, ext. 253. Location: Canadian To purchase tickets and for more information, Warplane Heritage Museum visit warplane.com or call 905-679-4183

Hamilton & Burlington

C M Y A12 THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019 THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR l THESPEC.COM Countdown to D-DAY

THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY, A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF THE SPECTATOR’S NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION PROGRAM

PART 4 OF 8

Next week: The Atlantic Wall June 6, 2019, will be the 75th anniversary of D-Day, one of the monumental days in human history. It was one that changed the course of It took a fake the world, signalled the beginning of army of real the end of the Second World War and troops and rubber shaped the image of Canada as a and guns to power on the world stage. help fool Nazi Hamilton will pay tribute to all D-Day leaders in the veterans with a one-of-a-kind gala at days before, and the Canadian Warplane Heritage even after, D-Day. Museum on June 1, featuring the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra. Today, The Spectator, in conjunction with Newspapers In Education and the Canadian Warplane Heritage HAMILTON SPECTATOR FILE PHOTO Museum, continues an eight-week countdown to D-Day, with a look at what faced Canadians that day, 75 It took a Bodyguard years ago.

England preparing to invade the Pas and some Fortitude de Calais. This was commanded by General George Patton, considered How deception played tion Mincemeat) showed that the by the German command as the natu- expected invasion of Sicily was actu- ral commander for the invasion. a key role in the success ally an invasion of Greece and Saloni- The deception plan was similar to of the D-Day invasion ka, just as Hitler expected. HAMILTON SPECTATOR FILE PHOTO that in Fortitude North but with the Fake Army camps, and dummy taking photographs from the air or Operation complication that the deployment tanks were built in Egypt and false the from the sea. Fortitude South could easily be observed by air and KEN LLOYD radio signals were sent to complete To make the deception work, the featured a fake coastal reconnaissance. the deception. At the time, Churchill plan had to involve different sources army under the Dummy tank parks, army camps, Where was the enemy? is reputed to have said, “Everyone of information all saying the same command of with fake airfields created a believ- Adolf Hitler had boasted his Pan- but a bloody fool would know it’s thing. Gen. George able and credible invasion force zer attack would drive the Allies into Sicily.” It then had to be checked to see if Patton, as well as against the Pas de Calais. the sea when the inevitable invasion Mussolini agreed with Churchill. the enemy believed the deception. dummy tanks and Double agents were very success- began. It was now the day after D- Hitler did not agree and moved 1st Through Ultra, the Allies could read guns. ful in Fortitude South. Day, there was no massive counter Panzer Division from France to Salo- Hitler’s command teleprinter net- On May 30, Hitler informed the attack, and with each hour, more nika; two Panzer Divisions from the work and confirm whether the decep- Japanese Ambassador, General Hi- Allied reinforcements landed. Eastern Front to the Balkans and tion plan was being believed. roshi Baron Oshima, that although Why? sent Rommel to defend Salonika. The Allied command structure in there might be diversionary attacks The Panzers were held back The Allied invasion of Sicily was a the Supreme Headquarters Allied in Normandy or the Netherlands, the through an Allied deception plan success. It was agreed that Deception Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) co- main invasion would be in the Pas de called Operation Bodyguard. plans for D-Day would be code named ordinated all the Intelligence agen- Calais. Against the Allies was a German Operation Bodyguard and co-ordi- cies under the Committee of Special For Hitler and his High command, Army of 300 Divisions with 58 Divi- nated at the High Command level. Means (CSM). This ensured that all the information from reliable Ab- sions in France, Belgium and the Operation Bodyguard was built the different groups were co-ordinat- wehr Agents across Europe; Signals Netherlands. Hitler had his favourite around 35 interlinked plans to build ed with each fake plan and had the Intelligence from Y stations; crypto Field Marshal, Erwin Rommel, de- such creditable threats that Hitler authority to make their part happen. analysis units; and aerial photo re- fending Normandy and Brittany. could not counter one threat without The Nazi command structure had connaissance all identified the Pas de In 1943, Rommel began adding exposing another. By mixing real and power focused in one leader. Hitler Calais as the main invasion site. pillboxes; gun emplacements; beach false threats, including an Allied created multiple separate and com- Perhaps, the best judgment as to obstacles, and posts stuck into pos- invasion of Norway, attacks across peting agencies providing different whether the D-Day Deception plan sible glider landing fields. The five the Black Sea into Rumania and into pieces of information for his approval worked are the words of General infantry divisions holding the coastal the Balkans; an invasion of the and direction. Omar Bradley who wrote to his su- defences were stiffened with experi- French Riviera; attacks into the Bor- Fortitude North created a fictitious preme commander General Eisen- enced leaders. Rommel took com- deaux region of France and a main 4th Army in Scotland that was pre- hower: “ ... was mand of three of the nine Panzer Allied invasion into Pas de Calais the paring to invade Norway. responsible for containing a mini- divisions of the counterattack force Allies could deceive Hitler and con- General Sir Andrew Thorne, who mum of 20 divisions in the Pas de although only one of the Panzer Divi- ceal Operation Overlord. had previously served as military Calais during the first crucial sions was close to Normandy. The most important operation was attaché in Berlin and was well known months of the invasion. The enemy Rommel said: “The war will be won Fortitude. to the German High Command, was led to believe - and reacted to - a or lost on the beaches. We will have Fortitude North: An allied invasion would be the commander. Scotland long inventory of opportune un- one chance to stop the enemy and of Norway, then through neutral was difficult for German reconnais- truths, the largest, most effective and that is while he’s in the water strug- Sweden, an invasion of Denmark and sance planes, so the deception relied decisive of which was that (Neptune) gling ashore. The first 24 hours of the an attack against the Reich into Ber- upon false radio messages creating a itself was only the prelude to a major invasion will be decisive … for the lin. complete army that could be listened invasion in the Pas de Calais area ... Allies as well as Germany. It will be Fortitude South: An allied invasion to and tracked by the German B- Best testimony to the effectiveness the longest day.” of France through the Pas de Calais Dienst Intelligence. with which this misinformation in- At the Tehran conference in 1943, with a diversion invasion in Norman- The codes used were low level and fluenced the enemy’s command deci- Churchill outlined the importance of dy to draw the defenders from the Pas known to have been previously de- sions is the historic record of the deception in the planning for an in- de Calais. coded by the Germans. German dou- enemy’s committing his forces piece- vasion of Europe and for it to be con- The deception plan had to agree ble agents who had agreed to work for meal-paralyzed into indecision in trolled at the highest command level. with Hitler’s opinion and be believ- the Allies were actively sending re- Normandy by the conviction that he The Allies already had successful able and credible. ports of fictional troop movements had more to fear from Calais.” deceptions as in August 1942 when a Intelligence was collected through and information on the 4th Army to haversack of fake mine fields found many sources, mainly through listen- their handlers in the German Ab- Ken Lloyd is a researcher and by Rommel’s troops helped defeat ing to enemy radio transmissions; wehr. presenter of Canadian Military him at Alam el Halfa. In July 1943, breaking enemy codes; sending spies Fortitude South created the fake communications and code breaking fake plans placed on a corpse (Opera- to report what was happening and 1st U.S. Army Group in southeast [email protected]

The memory lives on! Join us in reflecting on one of the most pivotal moments of all time at our 75th Remembering Our Past Anniversary D-Day Gala. th A once-in-a-lifetime occasion The 75 Anniversary of D-Day to celebrate peace, liberty and reconciliation and the chance to pay tribute to more than a dozen In honour of all those who sacrificed everything for their children, Second World War veterans who will their grandchildren and great grandchildren, The Hamilton be in attendance. Spectator will be publishing a special section commemorating Included: the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. ◆ Three-set dance by the World Famous Glenn ◆ Performance by Hamilton’s Hannah Bailey Miller Orchestra singing Vera Lynn’s famous Second World War ◆ AAA New York Sirloin steak dinner songs Written by The Hamilton Spectator’s award-winning journalism ◆ Chance to win a cruise for two on The Edge ◆ Chance to win a $4,000 diamond, courtesy of team, this will be a keepsake you won’t want to miss being a courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Canada H&Z Diamond Centre ◆ Two complimentary tickets per person for ◆ Special D-Day gift package part of and will feel inspired to share with children in the future. the June 6 Tiger-Cats game featuring a ◆ Chance to bid on a 9-day African ceremonial D-Day flypast photographic safari ◆ Chance to win a flight in the D-Day veteran Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your business and pay plane, C47 Dakota ◆ Chance to bid on a Mike Grice painting the artist will be producing live inside the hangar tribute in this commemorative section. ◆ A performance by HMCS Star band ◆ Performance by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders marching band For more information Tickets: $200/person Thanks to the generous donations of the gala sponsors, please contact your account executive Date: Saturday,June 1, 2019 tickets for all current or past member of the Canadian Forces are half price, including a guest. For details, please contact Time: Doors open 5pm or call 905-526-3438. Emily Millar at [email protected] or 905-679-4183, ext. 253. Location: Canadian To purchase tickets and for more information, Warplane Heritage Museum visit warplane.com or call 905-679-4183

Hamilton & Burlington

C M Y THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR l THESPEC.COM THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019 A15 Countdown to D-DAY

THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY, A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF THE SPECTATOR’S NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION PROGRAM

The imposing guns that fortified the Atlantic Wall from Norway to Spain, left, and one of the emplacements destroyed by the Canadians on D-Day in Normandy.

THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR WWII PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION, MCMASTER UNIVERSITY LIBRARY How to get PART 5 OF 8 Next week: Talk on the Homefront June 6, 2019 will be the 75th afoothold anniversary of D-Day, one of the monumental days in human history. It was one that changed the course of the world, signalled in a fortress the beginning of the end of the Second World War and shaped Facing the Allies on during high tide. Then the beach- the image of Canada as a power on D-Day was an Atlantic es were jammed full of landmines the world stage. and barbed wire, ditches were Hamilton will pay tribute to all Wall bristling with dug, and anti-tank walls built D-Day veterans with a deadly defences followed by pillboxes housing one-of-a-kind gala at the murderous machine-gun nests Canadian Warplane Heritage with interlocking sightlines so Museum on June 1, featuring the ALEXANDER DAY that all the beachhead could be World Famous Glenn Miller covered. Close behind were Orchestra. Seventeen million cubic metres heavy artillery and anti- aircraft Today, The Spectator, in of concrete and 1.2 million tonnes guns, armoured and infantry conjunction with Newspapers In of steel, stretched ominously and divisions and even a secondary Education and the Canadian continuously for 2,687 kilometres line of heavy artillery to support Warplane Heritage Museum, shaped the foundation of Adolph the beachhead during an inva- continues an 8-week countdown Hitler’s Atlantic Wall, also sion, in hopes of delaying any to D-Day, with a look at what known as his “Fortress Europe.” advance until reinforcements faced Canadians that day, 75 On March 23, 1942 — under could arrive. years ago. Führer Directive No. 40 — con- The term “Fortress Europe” Two of ‘Hobart’s Funnies,’ a tank that could swim ashore like a duck and a struction was ordered on the was warranted, and the fortress tank that flailed away at hidden landmines. defences along the European was formidable. continent’s coast with the Atlan- But, the Allies believed that in preparation for the landing tic. Initially built around his victory could only be achieved by crafts carrying the invasion Kriegsmarine’s U-Boats, the driving the occupying Nazi forces force to their five designated fortifications eventually expan- out, and that had to be done on beaches. ded to cover the coastline from land. Unfortunately, any sus- According to Veterans Affairs Norway all the way to the Span- tained invasion would need a Canada, “some 14,000 Canadians ish border. foothold to advance from and began the assault along their Nazi hierarchy concentrated that meant that the Nazi assump- sector of the coast — Juno Beach. on fixing defences along the as- tions of an inevitable beach land- Their mission was to secure the sumed target of the French coast. ing — one, presumably close to beach, and then push inland. So, in 1944 renowned and battle- England — were correct and Although only one Canadian tested, Field Marshall Erwin well-founded. unit reached its D-Day objective, Rommel, the famous “The Desert So, the Allies had to apply a few the first line of the German de- Fox” for his accomplishments in tricks to improve their chances fences had been smashed and North Africa — was given the on D-Day. Canadian troops had progressed responsibility with overseeing They were innovative in their further inland than any of their and improving the fortifications engineering of tactical vehicles Allies. Hitler’s Fortress Europe by Hitler. that could be used to help them was cracked. It was a remarkable Rommel, too, firmly believed crack the defences they were Just some of the obstacles that lined the beaches of Normandy as men achievement, but it was costly. that beaches of France were the going to face. 79th Armoured and machines tried to come ashore on June 6, 1944. By the end of D-Day, 340 Canadi- inevitable target for the Allies, Division of the British Army and ans had given their lives.” and that the invasion had to be specialists from The Royal Engi- and two propellers to drive territory of Normandy. It was the beginning of the end crushed right there. So, under his neers worked on what would through the water. Other notable The first wave was made up of for Hitler and the war. Paris was direction, in France alone, more become known as “Hobart’s inventions that saw success on paratroopers sent to capture liberated on Aug. 25, 1944 mark- than 6 million mines were plant- Funnies,” which were tanks that the frontlines were the Crab bridges and other crucial targets, ing the end of the Battle of Nor- ed. were specially-modified to the Mine-Clearing tank, the AVRE, while also disrupting any rein- mandy. Total victory in Europe Eventually, defences consisted problems that the more tradition- and Crocodile Flame-Throwing forcement attempts made by the was declared May 8, 1945. of anti-tank and vehicle obstacles al tank would face. tank. Germans. The second wave was known as ‘Rommel’s Teeth’ The most famous of these was The actual invasion force con- filling the sky with bombers and Alex Day is a member of the which were basically giant, the Duplex Drive tank, or “Don- sisted of 156,000 American, Brit- dropping thousands of bombs on D-Day Commemorative Gala jagged clusters of wood and steel ald Duck”, “Duck” or “DD” for ish and Canadian troops that coastal defences, followed by the Committee, and an employee of with explosives attached and short. These were amphibious went on to storm 80 kilometres of third wave consisting of warship the Canadian Warplane Heritage they were completely hidden tanks that used a flotation screen the ferociously defended French batteries pummeling the beaches Museum.

The memory lives on! Join us in reflecting on one of the most pivotal Remembering Our Past moments of all time at our 75th th Anniversary D-Day Gala. The 75 Anniversary of D-Day A once-in-a-lifetime occasion to celebrate peace, liberty and reconciliation and the chance to In honour of all those who sacrificed everything for their children, pay tribute to more than a dozen their grandchildren and great grandchildren, The Hamilton Second World War veterans who will be in attendance. Spectator will be publishing a special section commemorating the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. Included: ◆ Three-set dance by the World Famous Glenn ◆ Performance by Hamilton’s Hannah Bailey Miller Orchestra singing Vera Lynn’s famous Second World War Written by The Hamilton Spectator’s award-winning journalism ◆ AAA New York Sirloin steak dinner songs team, this will be a keepsake you won’t want to miss being a ◆ Chance to win a cruise for two on The Edge ◆ Chance to win a $4,000 diamond, courtesy of courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Canada H&Z Diamond Centre part of and will feel inspired to share with children in the future. ◆ Two complimentary tickets per person for ◆ Special D-Day gift package the June 6 Tiger-Cats game featuring a ◆ Chance to bid on a 9-day African ceremonial D-Day flypast photographic safari Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your business and pay ◆ Chance to win a flight in the D-Day veteran plane, C47 Dakota ◆ Chance to bid on a Mike Grice painting the tribute in this commemorative section. artist will be producing live inside the hangar ◆ A performance by HMCS Star band ◆ Performance by the Argyll and Sutherland For more information Highlanders marching band please contact your account executive Tickets: $200/person Thanks to the generous donations of the gala sponsors, Date: Saturday, June 1, 2019 tickets for all current or past member of the Canadian Forces are half price, including a guest. For details, please contact or call 905-526-3438. Time: Doors open 5pm Emily Millar at [email protected] or 905-679-4183, ext. 253. Location: Canadian To purchase tickets and for more information, Warplane Heritage Museum visit warplane.com or call 905-679-4183

Hamilton & Burlington

C M Y THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR l THESPEC.COM THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019 G13 Countdown to D-DAY

THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY, A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF THE SPECTATOR’S NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION PROGRAM

At work at the Hastily, he called an official at Otis Factory in the plant and asked if the work- Hamilton. ers could be released for a brief prayer service. Betty Tossell, 19, listened to the PART 6 OF 8 Vi Connolly, who noisy sewing machines shut worked at Sawyer down as she made her way to the Next week: The D-Day Dodgers Massey Argus, a church. June 6, 2019 will be the 75th Hamilton factory “It was a wonderful gesture,” anniversary of D-Day, one of the involved in the war she said. “It was unusual for monumental days in human effort, while her them to stop the factory, but this history. It was one that changed husband William was an important day. Everyone the course of the world, signalled Connolly served had someone or knew of someone the beginning of the end of the on the over there.” Second World War and shaped Athabaskan. A few workers stayed at the the image of Canada as a power on mill to mind shop. Inside the the world stage. church people crammed pews Hamilton will pay tribute to all and aisles, their bodies spilling D-Day veterans with a out the main door into the street. one-of-a-kind gala at the More than 1,000 people attended Canadian Warplane Heritage the 15-minute service. Museum on June 1, featuring the HANDOUT COPY PHOTO THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR “It was a day of prayer and World Famous Glenn Miller hope, “ says Mrs. Tossell, now 69 Orchestra. and living in Burlington. “This Today, The Spectator, in was the big push that would get conjunction with Newspapers In D-Day, on the the boys home.” Education and the Canadian By mid-afternoon the rain let Warplane Heritage Museum, up and bursts of sun added to the continues an eight-week jubilation racing through the countdown to D-Day, with a look home front city. Rain clouds moved off and at what faced Canadians that day, the temperature reached 19 C 75 years ago. A LOOK AT HAMILTON ON JUNE 6, 1944 (66.2 F). KAZ NOVAK THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Joyce Hollings was oblivious to BY JIM POLING drowned the morning of the D- set in the city found eager listen- the excitement, making last- postcard saying her husband was Day invasion. The boat carrying ers, as broadcasts from the bat- minute dashes preparing for her alive and in a German prison This story was originally pub- soldiers to shore unloaded them tlefront echoed across the seas wedding that day. camp. lished in The Hamilton Spectator in seawater six feet deep. and Prime Minister Churchill Her future husband, a navy In downtown Hamilton’s regal in June 1994, on the 50th anniver- In July, a month after the in- and Premier Mackenzie King told man, was stationed in Halifax but Gore Park, office workers and sary of D-Day. vasion, the letters stopped. On their people that their armies at home on a two-week leave. others packed the space, stopping Aug. 8, a red half-ton truck pulled were on the sail for France, bat- “I had no idea of all the commo- traffic along King Street and AT8 A.M. MARYF OUN- up the long rural driveway. Mrs. tling the Germans on their for- tion until our minister called to spilling up to Main Street. TAINE rose from bed and, as her Fountaine received a final letter, tress front.” say we would have to put things “We brought sandwiches and usual routine, walked down the this one written on official gov- Along the harbour shore, the back a bit, “ says Mrs. Hollings, soda pop to the window in my wooden stairs from the second ernment letterhead. news rapidly spread from the 70. “The minister was being office and watched all the excite- floor of the family farmhouse to “We regret to inform you ...” it wharves to inside factories. Men called to a park in Burlington to ment,” says Ellen Fairclough, 89. the kitchen. began. Her husband of two years inside the steel mills broke from say prayers for the boys.” At the time, the future Conserva- Unlike other mornings during had been killed July 25, 1944, their duties for quick conversa- The wedding, in the backyard tive MP from Hamilton West was the spring of 1944, this one was during the battle of Falaise. tions about the development. of her husband’s parents’ home a public accountant. Her third different. There was a sense of In Hamilton on June 6, day- “I was working shifts and on Water Street in Burlington, floor office was on the north-west urgency in the sunny morning break was greeted with fresh heard about it through the grape- was postponed an hour. At 7:30 corner of King and James streets. air. Her mother, father and broth- winds and scattered showers. vine,” recalls Reg Wheeler of that night, the high school sweet- Eight or nine people stood in er stood breathlessly around the The sun rose shortly after 5.30 Hamilton’s Beach Strip. “We hearts wed. It was a small cere- her office, faces pressed to the radio soaking up the news that a.m. By then phone lines had were in the steel plant and work mony with 12 or 13 people attend- glass looking over the frenzied families across the continent had already been buzzing for hours, couldn’t stop, but you can bet ing. core. been expecting for months. the news of the much-awaited there was a lot of hurried con- “Everyone was at war, “ says “It was the perfect vantage One of them looked at her and invasion dominating conversa- versations. We got word there Mrs. Hollings. point to watch everything. There excitedly rattled on about the tions. was a tremendous invasion and Crowds gathered at Victoria was so many people in the Allied forces storming German “Hamilton Waits In Tense we were all proud, as proud as Park, a popular meeting spot in streets, the streetcars were troops on the shores of Norman- Anxiety As Invasion Begins,” you can be in a time of war. Ev- Hamilton’s then west end. slowed right down and had a dy, France. proclaimed a headline from the eryone was happy, but it didn’t Vivian Connolly was at the hard time getting through.” The day was June 6. Mary day’s Hamilton Spectator. People mean the end of the war.” park on the corner of King and Late into the afternoon and Fountaine was living on a 145- were hungry for news of the at- Wheeler, a former city alder- Locke Streets. into the night, folks were still acre farm just outside Caledonia. tack. man, was doing war work inside “It was bittersweet,” says Mrs. celebrating. On Barton Street She was 21 years old. “While the majority of Hamil- the Dofasco steel mill. He says Connolly, then a 21-year-old ar- East people packed the Trocad- “We listened to our radio and tonians did not learn of the in- news of D-Day was mixed. maments worker. “There weren’t ero Restaurant, which Maria heard the dramatic voices of vasion until they rose from bed “We had the lesson of Dieppe any planned festivities, but peo- Pantalone opened that morning. Matthew Halton and Lorne this morning, there was a consid- and that was still very much on ple just met. I was happy and She barely rested all day, trying Green informing us of the land- erable number who heard the everyone’s mind,” he said. “We sharing in the happiness that to keep pace with her revelling ing, “ Mrs. Fountaine, 71, said in a broadcast before resting and let knew a landing on the coast of others had, but still my main customers’ voracious demand for recent Spectator interview. “I their friends know this great France wouldn’t be easy.” concern was my husband.” her homemade Italian spaghetti was excited and frightened at the news,” the paper said. “The tele- “Hamilton had grieved before Unknown to her, William Con- and hamburgers. same time.” phone in The Spectator offices with a stout heart, the scars of nolly, her husband, was a pris- “It was a big party for every- Neil Bain, her husband, a 19- jangled from 2 o’clock in the Dieppe were still on her brow, and oner-of-war. He’d been captured body,” says her son Tony Panta- year-old farm boy from nearby morning on, as the editors gath- it was assuring to hear that the April 29, when his ship Atha- lone, himself stationed in Gan- York, enlisted the previous fall. ered their news from the teletype landings appeared to be strongly baskan was sunk in the Atlantic der, Newfoundland, at the time. Mary and their infant daughter machines. People wanted to supported and were, even at this by a German torpedo during a “It was a little restaurant. It seat- watched him go off to war. When know if it were true — wanted to early hour, making good headway pre-D-Day run. ed maybe 30 or 40 people, but she waved goodbye as he went off know if the news had been ver- against the German foe.” In May, Mrs. Connolly received there were many more inside. to serve, she realized it was duty. ified by the press services. For — Excerpt from Hamilton a letter from the Department of People were in the streets. That didn’t stop her from being the world, it was an exciting Spectator news story, June 6, National Defence saying her “My mother was so excited. frightened, she said. hour.” 1944. husband was missing and pre- She ran out of food at the end of “I was always conscious that The paper described word of In the city’s north end, women sumed dead. the day.” Mrs. Pantalone was something might happen,” she the invasion as “a thrilling fresh- working in the Eaton Knitting D-Day was important, she exuberant with her first day’s said. ness that lost nothing through Company Ltd., on John Street remembers. But Mrs. Connolly success. She believed people Her husband wrote faithfully, anticipation. were toiling making socks, sweat- still had a heavy heart. flocked for her food. his time away filled by letters “Hamilton was eagerly excited ers and underwear for soldiers. “I was waiting for some kind of “Later someone told her it was home. They were her hope, a link to learn that at least the great In the morning hours, Rev. A.J. word about my husband.” D-Day and the war was coming to between a husband off at war, a battle for Europe was underway, Love minister of Wesley United Three months after the sinking an end. My mother is from the old young wartime bride and 18- with local lads undoubtedly Church next door to the factory, and about six weeks after the big country and she spoke very little month-old daughter. In one of the among the spearhead troops, “ listened intently to radio reports invasion, her news arrived. Mrs. English. I don’t think she un- letters, he said he almost the Spectator said. “Every radio of the new front. Connolly received a Red Cross derstood.”

The memory lives on! Join us in reflecting on one of the most pivotal Remembering Our Past moments of all time at our 75th th Anniversary D-Day Gala. The 75 Anniversary of D-Day A once-in-a-lifetime occasion to celebrate peace, liberty and reconciliation and the chance to In honour of all those who sacrificed everything for their children, pay tribute to more than a dozen their grandchildren and great grandchildren, The Hamilton Second World War veterans who will be in attendance. Spectator will be publishing a special section commemorating the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. Included: ◆ Three-set dance by the World Famous Glenn ◆ Performance by Hamilton’s Hannah Bailey Miller Orchestra singing Vera Lynn’s famous Second World War Written by The Hamilton Spectator’s award-winning journalism ◆ AAA New York Sirloin steak dinner songs team, this will be a keepsake you won’t want to miss being a ◆ Chance to win a cruise for two on The Edge ◆ Chance to win a $4,000 diamond, courtesy of courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Canada H&Z Diamond Centre part of and will feel inspired to share with children in the future. ◆ Two complimentary tickets per person for ◆ Special D-Day gift package the June 6 Tiger-Cats game featuring a ◆ Chance to bid on a 9-day African ceremonial D-Day flypast photographic safari Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your business and pay ◆ Chance to win a flight in the D-Day veteran plane, C47 Dakota ◆ Chance to bid on a Mike Grice painting the tribute in this commemorative section. artist will be producing live inside the hangar ◆ A performance by HMCS Star band ◆ Performance by the Argyll and Sutherland For more information Highlanders marching band please contact your account executive Tickets: $200/person Thanks to the generous donations of the gala sponsors, Date: Saturday,June 1, 2019 tickets for all current or past member of the Canadian Forces are half price, including a guest. For details, please contact or call 905-526-3438. Time: Doors open 5pm Emily Millar at [email protected] or 905-679-4183, ext. 253. Location: Canadian To purchase tickets and for more information, Warplane Heritage Museum visit warplane.com or call 905-679-4183

Hamilton & Burlington

C M Y A16 THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019 THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR l THESPEC.COM Countdown to D-DAY

THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY: A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF THE SPECTATOR’S NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION PROGRAM

Below: A hole blasted in a hilltop wall in PART 7 OF 8 Italy gives this Canadian, Pte. Next week: It all comes down to M.D. White of the weather Grassland, June 6, 2019, will be the 75th Alta., a vantage anniversary of D-Day, one of the point to observe monumental days in human any enemy history. It was one that changed movements the course of the world, signalled while men of his the beginning of the end of the unit move into a Second World War and shaping new position. the image of Canada as a power on the world stage. Hamilton will pay tribute to all D-Day veterans with a sold out, one-of-a-kind gala at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum on June 1, featuring the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra. Today, The Spectator, in HAMILTON SPECTATOR WWII PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION, MCMASTER UNIVERSITY LIBRARY conjunction with Newspapers in An official War Office photo, titled Two Minutes in Ortona: “A cameraman in a doorway on Education and the Canadian the main square when Canadian tanks broke into Ortona. For two minutes, he clicked his Warplane Heritage Museum, camera. From his pictures this composite was made — one of the most outstanding of the continues an eight-week war in Italy. On the left, a Canadian tank officer, crossing the square in overalls had opened countdown to D-Day, with a look up his tank to check firing results. A sniper’s bullet hit him in the shoulder. He is being at what faced Canadians that day, helped to a dressing station by a medical assistant, while another is standing by. The 75 years ago. Sherman tanks on the left are still in action. Near the centre of the picture, another medical assistant runs forward across the exposed area to follow the war up another street straight ahead. On the right, a group of half a dozen men have gathered round a wounded officer, The Italian campaigners who kneels while his back is bandaged. One man has caught sight of the camera, and peers gained their now-famous nick- inquiringly around the doorway.” name after D-Day when British MP Lady Nancy Astor is reputed to have said the 8th Army was ambush. We first met the Ger- dodging D-Day while the real For many Canadians, mans at a place called Gram- fighting was going on in North- michele. We were riding tanks west Europe. The ensuing up- and they opened up on us with roar among the troops produced their D-Day was in 1943 88s. That was the start of our war. the sarcastic Ballad of the D-Day From there on, it was you fought Dodgers. When the campaign ended 20 months later, nearly 93,000 Canadians and you died. Or you lived.” Today, what was an insult 60 In Canada, the first news of the years ago is a curious badge of had fought in Sicily and Italy, 5,764 were killed and another 20,490 invasion was from Canadian honour for the surviving vets of were wounded or taken prisoner. Press correspondent Ross Mun- the Italian campaign. ro, who through a stroke of in- “After June 6, we were kind of JAMES ELLIOTT Canada committed an entire light — seven Canadian dead and credible good luck, gained a sev- forgotten,” said Mathias. The Hamilton Spectator division, about 18,000 men, to the 25 wounded — but it was really en-hour advantage on the En- “And the Germans left their invasionary force — but it would just the calm before the storm. glish and American press. elite troops down there for us. We This story by James Elliott of The be overshadowed by the Norman- CBC radio correspondent Peter His detailed account of the didn’t have it any easier after Hamilton Spectator was pub- dy invasion 11 months later as the Stursberg would later report on Canadian landing, because it was D-Day; it was tough going all the lished on July 10, 2003, on the 60th decisive blow to break German the ominously peaceful dawn the first and mentioned no other way. I’m proud to be a D-Day anniversary of the start of the military power on the continent. that greeted the Canadians on forces, gave the impression the Dodger.” campaign to liberate Sicily. Canada remembers June 6, July 10, 1943. Canadians were rolling up Sicily It’s a view seconded by Kel- 1944, as D-Day and there’s a “There was something fantas- all by themselves. From Sicily, man. “We should get more atten- “Look around the hillsides brand-new Canadian memorial tic about it all. The early morning the campaign moved north to the tion. They talk about everybody Through the mist and rain at Juno Beach, but few Canadians sun was shining now, and I could mainland where a Hamilton else, but we did a lot of tough See the scattered crosses realize the original campaign to see the vineyards above the yel- farmboy, Eric Mathias, manned fighting. They were great sol- Some that bear no name liberate Europe began 60 years low-brown beach and the little Sherman tanks with the Ontario diers, I’ll tell you right now.” Heartbreak and toil and suffering ago today on a sandy bay called white houses in the vineyards Regiment. And O’Neill. “Once the Nor- gone Costa dell’Ambra on the south- and a town spread out on the hills Of the three complete five-man mandy landing took place, they The lads beneath, they slumber on east coast of Sicily, between Syra- beyond. It was just like a col- tank crews that he served with, forgot about us. We fought longer They are the D-Day Dodgers cuse and Pachino. oured picture in a geographical Mathias was the only survivor. than any other division in the Who stay in Italy.” By the time the Italian cam- magazine.” “Some were brewed up (burned), Canadian army because we — Ballad of the D-Day Dodgers paign ended some 20 months Huck Kelman, a platoon ser- drivers got shot in the head. One started 11 months before the Just before noon today, a spry later, nearly 93,000 Canadians geant with the Lorne Scots, re- shell came through the side of the France landing. But I wouldn’t 82-year-old will make his way to had fought in Italy, 5,764 were members the heat — 46 C in the tank, took the seat out from un- change a nickel, I wouldn’t the Cenotaph in downtown Mil- killed, another 20,490 were shade — “was killing, honest to der me and cut the gunner in change a dime. I was proud to be ton. As his custom has been for wounded or taken prisoner. God it was killing.” half. I always figured I had an down there.” the best part of the last six de- Almost all of the fighting was Hamilton native Pat O’Neill, angel sitting on my shoulder.” Historian Daniel Dancocks in cades, he’ll come alone to the against the cream of the German who went ashore with the Has- The opposition were the fear- his 1991 book, The D-Day Dodg- grey granite marker — no med- Wehrmacht. ting’s and Prince Edward Regi- some German panzers. ers, provided a sad epilogue to als, no beret — place a single red Although D-Day was bigger in ment — the famous Hasty P’s — “When you see a tracer bullet the Italian campaign. poppy on the base, pause for a few terms of ships and aircraft, the was one of the first to hit the hit the front of their tank and just “There are few memorials to moments and leave. Sicilian invasion — code name beach, sent in to blow up razor bounce, yeah, it’s scary, but we their efforts. Unlike Normandy It is Huck Kelman’s homage to Husky — was in fact the largest wire with Bangalore torpedoes. got around it. The thing I remem- where every city, town has a his best friend, Pinky Coxe, killed amphibious assault of the entire Once ashore, “it was so hot it ber the most was the respect we picturesque plaque or monu- right beside him on an island war, landing 180,000 troops, 15,000 was like walking in your sleep. got from the Germans. And we ment recalling its liberation, long ago and far away in a cam- vehicles and 1,800 guns of the There was so much dust, you respected them, even though we Italy (perhaps understandably) paign largely forgotten by Cana- British Eighth Army (including couldn’t see your feet.” were trying to do away with each has virtually turned a blind eye dians. the 1st Canadian Division) and Helmets and rifle steel became other.” to its recent past. Superhighways Coxe lies buried in the Agira the American 7th Army. unbearably hot. Indeed, German war records have been built over the battle- War Cemetery in the centre of The invasion itself, however, Despite the overwhelming indicate that the appearance of fields and most of the concrete Sicily, one of 500 Canadians killed was by no means a precursor of success of the landing, O’Neill Canadian forces in any sector fortifications constructed by the in the month-long campaign to what lay ahead. The actual land- says there was no false optimism. during the often-bitter campaign Germans have been removed. liberate the first stepping stone of ing was largely unopposed by a “We knew it was coming. The was generally the signal for the “Only the cemeteries tell the Nazi-occupied Europe. demoralized Italian army and first day was a cakewalk and then Germans to commit their best tale of what happened here in It was big news at the time — casualties were extraordinarily four days later, we walked into an troops. 1943, 1944 and 1945.”

The memory lives on! Join us in reflecting on one of the most pivotal moments of all time at our 75th Remembering Our Past Anniversary D-Day Gala. th A once-in-a-lifetime occasion The 75 Anniversary of D-Day to celebrate peace, liberty and reconciliation and the chance to pay tribute to more than a dozen In honour of all those who sacrificed everything for their children, Second World War veterans who will their grandchildren and great grandchildren, The Hamilton be in attendance. Spectator will be publishing a special section commemorating Included: the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. ◆ Three-set dance by the World Famous Glenn ◆ Performance by Hamilton’s Hannah Bailey Miller Orchestra singing Vera Lynn’s famous Second World War ◆ AAA New York Sirloin steak dinner songs Written by The Hamilton Spectator’s award-winning journalism ◆ Chance to win a cruise for two on The Edge ◆ Chance to win a $4,000 diamond, courtesy of team, this will be a keepsake you won’t want to miss being a courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Canada H&ZOUTDiamond Centre ◆ Two complimentary tickets per person for ◆ Special D-Day gift package part of and will feel inspired to share with children in the future. the June 6 Tiger-Cats game featuring a ◆ Chance to bid on a 9-day African ceremonial D-Day flypastSOLD photographic safari ◆ Chance to win a flight in the D-Day veteran Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your business and pay plane, C47 Dakota ◆ Chance to bid on a Mike Grice painting the artist will be producing live inside the hangar tribute in this commemorative section. ◆ A performance by HMCS Star band ◆ Performance by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders marching band For more information Tickets: $200/person Thanks to the generous donations of the gala sponsors, please contact your account executive Date: Saturday, June 1, 2019 tickets for all current or past member of the Canadian Forces are half price, including a guest. For details, please contact Time: Doors open 5pm or call 905-526-3438. Emily Millar at [email protected] or 905-679-4183, ext. 253. Location: Canadian To purchase tickets and for more information, Warplane Heritage Museum visit warplane.com or call 905-679-4183

Hamilton & Burlington

C M Y A14 THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2019 THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR l THESPEC.COM Countdown to D-Day

THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY, A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF THE SPECTATOR’S NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION PROGRAM.

PART 8 OF 8

June 6, 2019, will be the 75th anniversary of D-Day, one of the most monumental days in human history. It was one that changed the course of the world, signalled the beginning of the end of the Second World War and shaped the image of Canada as a formidable nation on the world stage. Hamilton will pay tribute to all D-Day veterans with a sold-out one-of-a-kind gala at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum on June 1, featuring the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra. Today, The Spectator, in conjunction with Newspapers In Education and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, completes an eight-week countdown to D-Day, with a look at the role weather played on June 6, 1944.

VE-DAY 60 The June 5, 1944, weather map that Allied leaders used to decide if D-Day would proceed on June 6 or not. It all came down ...

beaches. to the weather The next suitable date for launch was forecast for two HAMILTON SPECTATOR WWII PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION, MCMASTER UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Presented with the latest, advanced weeks away, and every day that A base in the south of England, loaded with troops and ready to set off passed, the Allies risked losing for Normandy. forecast, Eisenhower said, ‘Let’s go’ the element of surprise. Similar forecasts were being had a hunch that there would be weather was still far from ideal. ALEX DAY slow the advancing army and its presented by meteorologists in an opening for the invasion in Allied air support was off the transports in mud. the Luftwaffe to Field Marshal morning hours of June 6. mark, paratroopers were landing IT WAS JUST HOURSBE - Proven over and over during Erwin Rommel. He and his com- “Let’s go.” scattered, miles off their targets FORE the amphibious assault of the course of the Second World manders assumed that because The plan was set, and with and landing craft were flipping D-Day was scheduled to com- War was the importance of the of rough seas and gale-force those two words, Eisenhower and flooding. mence that Allied Supreme Com- weather. It could make or break winds, any suitable window for took the full responsibility of the Fortunately by noon, the mander Dwight Eisenhower any operation quicker than the an invasion would be pushed into operation onto his shoulders. weather cleared to reveal a land- postponed it for 24 hours. Origi- enemy. But, it could aid in one, mid-June. Rommel went to visit With victory, there would be a ing force that took the German nally planned for June 5, some- too. his wife on her birthday and foothold on Europe to push back defences by surprise and ulti- thing made him change his mind. The Allies knew that and their many troops and high-ranking the occupying German forces. mately changed the course of the The reason? The weather. plans called for a full moon to officers were moved around for With defeat, a crushing loss of war, and history, forever. Treacherous seas and fierce reveal defences, obstacles and war games and drills. manpower and resources was winds threatened the amphibi- landing zones for their gliders However, armed with ad- certain to devastate morale. Not Alex Day is a member of the ous assault. Air support would and paratroopers, as well as pro- vanced weather tracking and to mention putting any hopes of D-Day Commemorative Gala also have to deal with cloud cover viding a low tide at dawn to ex- projecting systems, specifically another attempt back a year or Committee, and an employee of obscuring targets and landing pose the well-positioned un- ones in Canada, Iceland and more. the Canadian Warplane Heritage sites, and the storm’s rain would derwater obstacles along the Ireland, British meteorologists As the operation unfolded, the Museum.

FILE PHOTO TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO Horsa gliders await their cargo of soldiers the day before the invasion launches. Torpedo boats await the signal to go. Remembering Our Past The 75th Anniversary of D-Day In honour of all those who sacrificed everything for their children, their grandchildren and great grandchildren, The Hamilton Spectator will be publishing a special section commemorating the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. Written by The Hamilton Spectator’s award-winning journalism team, this will be a keepsake you won’t want to miss being a part of and will feel inspired to share with children in the future.

Look for your copy inside the Hamilton Spectator tomorrow, May 31st.

C M Y