The Tide Turns: Germany’s Defeat Canadian Infantry at Juno Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944

The Tide Begins to Turn After: Allies gained US military strength once US entered the conflict December 1941 Allies began to win Battle of the Atlantic Allies cleared North Africa of Axis forces and could focus on invasion of Europe

The Invasion of Italy Italy and Sicily seen as “soft underbelly”: best way to recapture Europe July 1943: Canadians participated in successful Allied invasion of Sicily September 1943: moved to Italy’s mainland

The Invasion of Italy Canadians fought for a month in Ortona; lost 1372 soldiers before Germans withdrew Fighting continued in Italy until spring 1945

D-Day and Liberation D-Day, June 6, 1944: biggest Allied invasion in WWII full-scale Allied invasion of Europe called “Operation Overlord” After Dieppe failure, this invasion carefully planned

D-Day and Liberation Five landings along Normandy beach: “Sword,” “Juno,” “Gold,” “Omaha,” and “Utah” Attacked via air first, then paratroopers sent behind German lines Morning of June 6, 1944: 30,000+ Canadians arrived at “Juno” beach http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/newspapers/operations/p_ddaymap_e.html

D-Day and Liberation Allies had two advantages: massive air and naval support, and fact that Germans don’t expect attack until later Allies successfully advance through Europe and eventually attack Germany March 1945

D-Day and Liberation April 1945: Canadians sent to liberate the Netherlands where people starving to death Over 6300 Canadian casualties in Holland May 4, 1945: German troops surrender in the Netherlands Canadians hailed as heroes

Germany Surrenders Hitler commits suicide in Berlin May 7, 1945: while being attacked from west by Allies and east by Soviet Union, Germany surrenders