Special Features - D-day and the Battle of Normandy

D-Day

The Cranbrook Townsman and Kimberley Bulletin are proud to mark the 75th Anniversary of

Juno Beach and the Battle of Normandy

Troops of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade (Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Highlanders) going ashore from LCI (L) 299 [Landing Craft Infantry], Bernières-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, 6 June 1944. Photo: Gilbert Alexander Milne/ Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-122765

• Introduction: X2 • Juno Beach: X3 • The war career of Russell Craig: X4 • The hours and days after D-Day: X6 • News from Normandy trickles home: X7 • Four casualties from Kimberley: X10 • They served and sacrificed: X11 • The tragedy of the Ruaults: X12 • The Battle of Falaise: X14 • The Old Man of Troop C: X15 • John Marunchak: X16 • Lee Brown: X17

X2 Thursday, June 6, 2019

East Kootenay Extra

Memory of momentous history must be kept alive

S

eventy-five years is a length of time when memory starts to shift; when history starts transforming into mythology.

The events of the summer of 1944 are among the most momentous of modern history — but as fewer and fewer of those who participated in that history are with us to share the stories of that time, we see the risk unfolding of that history fading into legend.

It is important to keep that story fresh and alive,

through the words and memories of those who were there, from the records and letters of the time, and from the analyses of historians looking back and sifting the truth and the patterns out of the awful confusions of war.

So that future generations will not forget the sacrifices, and the consquences, of those who went and took part in those epochal events.

We at the Townsman and Bulletin have tried to do just that, commemorating the 75th anniversary

of D-day and the Battle of Normandy. We used memories and recollections of veterans, the detailed coverage of the local newspapers of the time, and recent works of history, to paint a picture of that violent, bitter summer so long ago, and how it affected us, here in the East Kootenay.

Dozens of young people enlisted and went to war.

Many came back, many did not. Their names are on memorials in communities all over the region, and as a community we

have been keeping their names alive — lest we forget.

The invasion of Normandy — D-Day, and the subsequent campaign in northern France — saw warfare as violent and apocalyptic as any theatre of battle during the Second World War. Canadians, and many soldiers from the Cranbrook and Kimberley area were right in the thick of it.

On June 6, 1944, 14,000 Canadians landed during the D-Day invasion (see Page X3). 450 landed by

parachute. More than 10,000 sailors of the Royal Canadian Navy took part, along with 15 Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons.

Canadian casualties for June 6 were 359 killed, 574 wounded and 47 taken prisoner.

In the two and a half months of the Normandy campaign (Pages X6 and X14), Allied casualties totalled 210,000, including 18,000 Canadians. More than 5,000 Canadians were killed in that summer of 1944. German casualties were 450,000.

Military Ames hosts Kimberley ceremony June 8

M

ilitary Ames, Kimberley’s veteran camaraderie group and Veteran’s Canada, Calgary are proud to be officiating an Act of Remembrance and commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day at the Kimberley Veteran Memorial Park and cenotaph on Saturday, June 8, 2019.

There are approximately 60 veterans coming from Alberta and Montana who will be part of the service.

Cindy Postnikoff of Military Ames says that all veterans are invited, while a special invitation is extended to any and all WWII veterans in the area.

“All these years later, Canada’s impressive efforts in

WWII remain a point of great national pride and we will be honoured to have your presence among us,” Postnikoff said. “We will have priority seating for our WWII Veterans and the non-ambulatory. The public is encouraged to attend, and help preserve their legacy for generations to come.

We expect you will find the Service both educational and inspiring.”

She commented on the significant history that D-Day holds to veterans and family members of those who fought in WWII. “As June 6 approaches, and we are reminded of the sacrifices that were made on that day, D-Day, 75 years ago on

the murderous sands of Normandy, it is brought to mind that there was more bravery and courage on that day than one can imagine,” Postnikoff said. “The courageous Canadians that went ashore on D-Day in the Battle of Normandy were among the more than one million men and women from our country who served in the cause of peace and freedom during WWII. Sadly, over 45,000 did not return.”

Included in those 45,000 were four men from Kimberley, Gunner RJ Price, Bombardier W.H. Keays, Trooper C. Alton and Flying Officer Pilot R. Gill.

“These four Kimberley he-

roes are either buried or memorialized in the province of Normandy, France. They are also memorialized along with twenty other Fallen from WWII on the west tower of the Kimberley Cenotaph,” Postnikoff said.

The June 8 Anniversary ceremony will take place at 2 p.m., with the Colour Guard mustering at the Platzl clock at 1:30 p.m.

Military Ames will also be hosting a dinner for Veterans and spouses or family members at the Elks Hall on Howard Street, following the service, at 5 p.m.. All veterans are welcome. Seating is limited, so please RSVP to Cindy at 250919-3137 to reserve your seats.

The Townsman and Bulletin wish to thank David Humphrey of the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives, Larry Miller of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 24 Cranbrook, Marie Stang at the Kimberley Heritage Museum and Cindy Postnikoff of Military Ames, for invaluable assistance in producing this feature.

We also wish to thank all veterans for their service and sacrifice in conflicts throughout history and in current deployments around the world.

Legion holding Cranbrook ceremony June 6

T

he Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 24 Cranbrook, is marking one of the most momentous events in history with a special ceremony in downtown Cranbrook.

Thursday, June 6, marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe by Allied forces in the Second World War. The Cranbrook Legion is inviting all to attended the 75th anniversary of D-day, on June 6, 2019, in Rotary Park. The ceremony to honour the 14,000 Canadians that were on Juno Beach for the invasion begins at 1 p.m.

On behalf of all members of The Royal Canadian Legion, today we honor and remember the brave men and women who fought for freedom and supported operations on this fateful day in Normandy. We remember the sacrifices of the families who lost loved ones that day, and who supported those who came home. We will forever be grateful for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country and freedom around the world.

Lest We Forget.

Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 24

We Remember the sacrifices made by all who serve our country.

Tom Shypitka, MLA Kootenay East 1-877-417-6022

Doug Clovechok, MLA Columbia River-Revelstoke 1-844-432-2300

East Kootenay Extra

Thursday, June 6, 2019 X3

Storming the beaches: Tuesday, June 6, 1944 At Barry Coulter

7:49 a.m. (10 minutes late because of rough seas), Tuesday, June 6, 1944, the first wave of what would be 14,000 soldiers of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade landed on a heavily defended beach randomly named after a Roman goddess,* in Normandy, France.

On D-Day, Canadians were determined to take revenge for the Dieppe raid of 1942, the experimental assault from which only half their force returned.

Almost two years later, they were returning as part of Operation Overlord, the greatest amphibious landing in history by Canadian, British and American soldiers, and the invasion of Nazi-occupied France, which opened up a second front against Germany in the Secondary World War. The Canadian sector of Overlord, code-named Juno Beach, was a 10-kilometre stretch of coast between the British targets code-named Gold Beach and Sword Beach.

Juno Beach included the villages of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer and Bernières-sur-Mer and the small port town of Courseullessur-Mer, and was heavily defended by fortified machine-gun bunkers all along, and strategic strong-points near the villages.

The western section of beach, codenamed “Mike,” saw the assault that early morning by the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade — the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and Canadian Scottish Brigade — and tanks of the 1st Hussars.

The eastern section was codenamed “Nan,” and was stormed by the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade — the Queen’s Own Rifles and North Shore Rifles, with support from the tanks of the Fort Garry Horse. The Regina Rifles of the 7th Brigade landed at Nan Green, attacked

Second wave troops of 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, probably Highland Light Infantry of Canada, disembarking with bicycles from LCI(L)s (Landing Craft Infantry Large) onto ‘Nan White’ Beach, JUNO Area at Bernières-sur-Mer, shortly before midday on 6 June 1944.

the defenses at Courseullessur-Mer, along with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in sector Mike Red. The Royal Winnipeg and Canadian Scottish Regiment were able to clear the west beach then push inland past Courseullessur-Mer. The Regina Rifles, attacking the main part of the town, took heavy casualties, but by mid-afternoon the town had been cleared.

To the east, rough seas had prevented the landing of tanks in the initial wave, but the Fort Garry Horse was eventually able to offer support fire to help subdue fierce German resistance in Bernières-Sur-Mer. By 9 a.m. the Queen’s Own Rifles, having broken over the sea wall in less than an hour, were in Bernières-Sur-Mer, and the Regiment de la Chaudière had landed on the beach.

In Courseulles-sur-Mer, Canadian soldiers faced the danger of German soldiers re-

treating from the towns, only to slip back through tunnels and counter-attack the Canadians from behind.

At Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, the eastern sector of Juno, the North Shore Rifles took heavy losses from machine-gun, anti-tank and mortar fire. Arrival of the armour of the Fort Garry Horse help subdue the beach defenses and bunkers. Fierce house-to-house fighting ensued, with grenades, rifles and Bren guns (light machine guns).

The Canadians had managed to secure the beachheads and clear the towns by late afternoon, a remarkable feat of arms, and considered one of the most successful operations carried out on D-Day. The advance forces moved inland towards the objectives set for them, and were greeted by rapturous French civilians — especially the French-Canadians of the Regiment de la Chaudière.

The Canadian advance battlegroups pushed inland some five miles. But achieving their set objectives for D-Day was hampered by huge traffic jams behind them on the beach, and inability of the British to link up with the Canadians due to the fighting in Sword and Gold.

In the east sector, pushing out of Bernières-Sur-Mer and past Beny-Sur-Mer (site of the Canadian War Cemetery today), the Canadian Commander, Major General Keller, was expecting a strong counter-attack from the 21st Panzer Division, and around night-fall ordered the advance 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade and the Sherbrooke Fusiliers into defensive positions, short of the Carpiquet Airfield and the city of Caen. The Canadians would meet what would become their most bitter enemy of the war in the days and weeks ahead, in the battle for the airfield, Caen and beyond. See Page X6.

The Canadians suffered 961 casualties on Tuesday, June 6, 1944 — 340 men killed, 574 wounded and 47 taken prisoner. And the fighting was only beginning … * The name “Juno” arose because Winston Churchill considered that the original code name — Jelly — sounded inappropriate. The code names for the beaches to be taken by British and Commonwealth forces were named after types of fish: Goldfish, Swordfish and Jellyfish, abbreviated to Gold, Sword and Jelly. Churchill “disapproved of the name Jelly for a beach on which so many men might die”. He insisted on a change to the more dignified name Juno.

Sources: “D-Day: the Battle for Normandy,” by Anthony Beevor; Widipedia.

Canadian women served in so many military roles during the Second World War, eventually 50,000 enlisted in the air force, army and navy.

We at the Cranbrook Healthcare Auxiliary want to thank all the veterans as well as our volunteer Dawn Douglas, for their service.

X4 Thursday, June 6, 2019

East Kootenay Extra

Russell Craig’s Fateful War Career Buried Twelve Hours Later, while stationed in southern England, he suffered another bombing attack, and with two others had the harrowing experience of being buried alive for some twelve hours until extricated by a rescue squad.

No doubt thinking that a sea voyage would be beneficial to his health, young Craig transferred to the Merchant Navy, being signed on as a stoker.

Fickle fate pursued him, however, and while in a convoy Gibraltar-bound his ship was picked off by an Axis torpedo.

So far as Russell knew, there were only about six survivors, and they spent some three days in their life-boat before being picked up by a rescue ship.

From the Cranbrook Courier, 1944, 1945 Cranbrook sailor has many thrilling adventures Some people may travel their allowed span of three score years and ten without experiencing any untoward incident to disturb the even tenor of their way.

There are others, however, engaged in more hazardous occupations who meeting with many thrilling encounters after close brushes with death, without losing their mental composure and with little outward evidence of ill-harm.

Falling within the latter category is Stoker Russell Craig, of the Merchant Navy, 22-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. S.T. Craig, of Cranbrook, who has been spending a well-earned leave here with his parents — his first visit home in three years of strenuous service and land and sea.

During those three years Craig has experienced several aerial bombings, during one of which he was buried under debris for several hours, had three ships torpedoed under him in the U-boat infested Atlantic, and for good measure spent several weeks in an Italian prison camp in Tunisia, later effecting his escape in company with a group of fellow prisoners.

When interviewed at his home this week by a Courier representative, this quiet spoken young man was loath to speak of his exploits, but persistent questioning regarding his experiences elicited sufficient material for several thrilling novels.

More Torpedoes In the spring of 1942, Craig experienced his second torpedoing, this time just off Iceland, but he and his companions were picked up by another merchantman after a few hours in their lifeboat.

The third sinking also occurred off Iceland, the torpedo striking shortly after 1 a.m. just after Craig had come off watch.

He managed to effect his escape on a life-raft, and was picked up about four hours later by a rescue ship.

Taken Prisoner It was September of 1942 that Craig’s ship has halted by an Italian submarine and he, with other members of the crew, were taken prisoner. They were landed at Tunis and placed in a concentration camp in that vicinity. Conditions were appalling. The prisoners were allowed only one pint of water a day, and subsisted on starvation rations. They were not maltreated physically, but once when Craig attempted to take a little more than his ration of water from the bucket as it was being passed around he received a sharp reminder with a blow from the flat of a bayonet.

Continued on X5

Injured in Coventry Blitz It was about three years ago that Russell, then in the Royal Canadian Artillery, went overseas, and it was not long before he saw action in the form of aerial bombing. He was caught in the big air blitz on Coventry, suffering a broken leg in that encounter.

On the

75th Anniversary of D-Day 1525 Warren ave., Kimberley • P:250-427-2313 Open 7 days 8AM to 9PM

We Honor Those Who Served

June 6, 1944 Marks the day the D-Day y Landings and the Battle of Normandy Nor commenced.

Never forget the great soldiers who fought ought that day da and who have come to symbolize universal hopes for or freedom and peace.

East Kootenay Extra

Thursday, June 6, 2019 X5

The fateful war career of Russell Craig

Continued from X4 In this camp they were under the charge of a Vichy French officer, and after several weeks this officer, evidently fed up with conditions, suggested escape to Allied occupied territory. He warned them of the consequences in the event of recapture, however. A group of prisoners decided to make the attempt, as it seemed to be a question of either being shot or slowly starving to death. One night, accompanied by the French officer, twenty-six of them slipped away and headed in the direction of Algiers.

Made Good Their Escape They were seven days on the trip across the desert, subsisting on food obtained at villages along the way in exchange for articles of their clothing, etc, the Frenchman acting as interpreter. They were trailed by their Italian captors for some distance, but made good their escape, arriving in Algiers with nothing more on them than their pants.

At Algiers, they secured passage on an Oriental ship bound for England and upon reporting at the Merchant Navy headquarters there learned that the authorities were on the point of notifying their relatives of their being listed as prisoners of war.

Russell returned to Canada recently and was given leave while awaiting completion of arrangements for a new ship.

Mr. and Mrs. Craig, who moved to Cranbrook about a year ago from Arrow Creek in West Kootenay, have three other sons serving in the armed forces. Harry and Archie are now training with the Canadian Army, and a fourth son, Weldon, is serving with the Canadian Navy.

Weldon Craig has also had the experience, a minesweeper, torpedoed under him in the Atlantic, only recently, and a week ago Saturday Mr. and Mrs Craig received world of his safe arrival in an Eastern Canadian port.

Russell completes his furlough hits weekend and will leave to report for sea duty again, to face whatever fate has in store for him.

(Courier 1944-08-24) Rfn. Russell Craig Killed In Normandy Mr. and Mrs. S. T. Craig, who reside on French avenue, recently received the distressing news from Ottawa advising them that their son Rifleman Russell Sidney Craig, had been killed in action in Normandy. First notification was to the effect that their son was missing on July 5th. Several days later a second wire

Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery is about 1 kilometre east of the village of Reviers, on the Creully-TaillevilleOuistreham road (D.35), 15 kilometres north-west of Caen and 18 kilometres east of Bayeux and 3.5 kilometres south of Courseulles, a village on the sea coast. It was on the coast just to the north that the 3rd Canadian Division landed on 6th June 1944; on that day, 335 officers and men of that division were killed in action or died of wounds.

In this cemetery are the graves of Canadians who gave their lives in the landings in Normandy and in the earlier stages of the subsequent campaign. Canadians who died during the final stages of the fighting in Normandy are buried in Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery.There are a total of 2,048 burials in Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery. There is also one special memorial erected to a soldier of the Canadian Infantry Corps who is known to have been buried in this cemetery, but the exact site of whose grave could not be located.

advised of his death in action.

Born at Arcola, Sask., on February 21st, 1921, Russell was Mr. and Mrs. Craig’s second eldest son. The family moved to Cranbrook from Creston about two years ago.

Russell went overseas about four years ago, then serving with the Heavy Artillery. He was in Coventry at the time of the air blitz on that city and suffered a broken leg. Later in another raid in southern England he had the experience of being buried for twelve hours under the debris of a bombed building.

After about 18 months service with the artillery Craig entered the Merchant Navy, with which he served for a year and nine months. During this period the U-boats were taking a heavy toll of Allied shipping, and Russell saw much action. Several of his ships were sunk by torpedo and he and his shipmates spent many hours in ope lifeboats.

In September 1942 the ship on which he was serving was halted by an Italian U-boat, members of the crew being taken prisoners of war and placed in a camp in Tunisia. After about three

S. Craig, who was killed in action in the battle of Carpiquet, near Caen, shortly after the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

The letter narrates how this refugee family — father, mother, two sons and two daughters — living in the cellar of a house in the battle area, struck up a friendship with the liberating Canadian troops camped there, among them being Pte. Craig An excerpt from the letter follows: “…We used to go out, in the day during the quiet moments, to speak to the soldiers cantoning in the garden and in the house of which we occupied the cellar.

During their moments of rest, our Canadian friends used to come and see us and, the night, some or other went to take their guard we comforted them before their departure. One of our best friends was your son, Russell Sydney, whom we liked very much.

After the battle of Carpiquet, we heard by his comrades that he had been killed by a bullet in the forehead. We had a very great pain. If I write to you, dear Mrs. Craig, it is for saying to you that the sacrifice of your son has been at most profound of our hearts.

The French people will never forget that their Canadian Friends fallen for the liberation their country. The cemetery where is your son’s grave is a mile from our home and each time we can, we go and pray on his grave and we flower it.

I hope that my letter will bring a little softening of your immense sorrow, thinking that some French who knew your son, Russell, will never forget him.

The next 5th of July, there will be a solemn office in our church in Remembrance of your son and his comrades killed during the fight of Carpiquet and Caen. And often the mass is celebrated in our church for the rest of our friend Russell’s soul.

weeks a group of prisoners, including Russell, made good their escape, arriving at Algiers seven days later. During this trek they subsisted on food secured at villages along the way in exchange for articles of clothing, etc. At Algiers they secured passage on an Oriental ship bound for England. Later, after further months of sea duty, Craig again entered the Canadian Army, and serving with the Manitoba Regiment went into Normandy on D-Day. If I have your address, it is Russell who Mr. and Mrs. Craig and family have the gave it to me. I hope this letter will ardeep sympathy of the community in the rive to bringing to you all the best loss of a fine son, one who has served his regardsyou, from my family and from myself. country well — and given his all.

A memorial service in honour of the Mlle. Maggie le Ricque young man was held recently in the Chateau de Rosel Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day par Bretteville l’Orgneilleuse Saints, of which Mr. and Mrs. Craig are Calvados, France adherents, at Canyon.

Added to the letter was a note from the French Family Tends Grave of Local other sister, Mlle. Francoise le Ricque, Soldier (1945-06-21) saying: “Last week I went with a little Some weeks ago, Mr. and Mrs. S. T. whom Russell knew to put on his Craig of this city received a most wel- girl four bunches of flowers and we come and interesting letter from a French grave said a prayer for him…” family concerning their son, Pte. Russell

ALL GAVE SOME – SOME GAVE ALL

Military Ames invites you to join us June 8 @ 2:00 at the Kimberley Veteran Memorial Park for an honouring of all veterans and a commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. Priority seating for senior and non-ambulatory veterans.

Veteran dinner to follow at 5:00 at the Elks.

Military Ames Veteran Camaraderie Group – Kimberley & Cranbrook 250 919-3137

X6 Thursday, June 6, 2019

East Kootenay Extra

The hours and days after D-Day

Canadian soldiers meet their most bitter enemy of the war

Barry Coulter was during the hours and days after the landings on Juno Beach, Canadian soldiers met for the first time who would become their most bitter enemy of all in the Second World War. On June 7, the day after the D-Day landings at Juno Beach in Normandy, the 25th regiment of the 12th SS Panzer Division (Hitlerjugend), met a Canadian battlegroup comprised of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and the 27th Tank Regiment (Sherbrooke Fusiliers) northwest of Caen.

The Germans forced the Canadians back until the next day, when they themselves were stopped by determined defense by regiments of the 3rd Canadian Division, including the Regina Rifles, the Canadian Highlanders and the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.

Over the next few days, over a broadening front, a series of local attacks by both sides failed to grant any tactical advantage. Over the next two weeks savage close quarter fighting, both hand-to-hand and tank-to tank, became the daily condition in the crowded countryside and villages of the area. Casualties were high on both sides (the Highland Light Infantry lost 262 men in a single day of combat with the 25th SS Panzergrenadier Regiment at the village of Buron. But the village was taken, and a formidable counterattack beaten off).

In early July, Anglo-Canadian forces were finally able to drive the Germans out of Caen. Subsequently, Canadian and British forces were rammed into German defenses in a series of operations (Goodwood, Bluecoat and Cobra — the latter of which finally broke the German line, allowing for an American breakout in the west), with varying degrees of success (To-

It

Canadian troops entering Caen, France, July 10, 1944 Photo: Lt. Harold G. Aikman/Canada. Dept. of National Defence/ Library and Archives Canada/PA-116510

On this day,

the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, we remember them.

talize and Tractible), in which the Germans were able to stall offensive operations.

Time and again, the Canadians of the 2nd and 3rd Divisions came up against the 12th SS, to their mutual hatred.

The 2nd Canadian Division finally broke the 12th SS Division’s western flank, forcing German withdrawal back towards Falaise, which became a notorious killing ground in its own right, and the turning point of the Normandy campaign.

As many as 156 Canadians taken prisoner were believed to have been executed by the Germans in this campaign — taken aside in scattered groups and summarily shot.

Twenty Canadians were executed near Villons-les-Buissons in the Abbaye d’Ardenne, where Kurt Meyer, Commander of the 25th Panzer Grenadier Regiment (of the 12th Panzer Division), had established his headquarters.

Meyer was brought to trial for the Abbaye d’Ardenne executions in December 1945 and denied knowledge of them. He was found guilty and sentenced to death — a sentence later commuted to life imprisonment. He served eight years in a New Brunswick penitentiary and, on September 7, 1954, was released. He died of a heart attack seven years later.

Wars are not fought like this anymore — with such personalized, face-to-face savagry, over such broad fronts. Such a long time ago now.

Reprinted from the Cranbrook Townsman, June, 2014. Source: “D-Day: The Battle for Normandy,” by Antony Beevor

Indigenous people from every region of Canada served in the armed forces during the Second World War, fighting in every major battle and campaign of the conflict.

To serve their country, Indigenous people had to overcome unique cultural challenges.

Their courage, sacrifices, and accomplishments are a continuing source of pride to their families, communities, and all Canadians. - Veterans Affairs Canada

On June 6, 1944, Canadian, British, and American forces made history as 156,000 soldiers landed on five beaches along 80 kilometres of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy Region. This was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history, and marks the beginning of the end of the Second World War.

On this day, the th anniversary

75 we remember them Of d-day,

East Kootenay Extra

Cranbrook Courier 1944-06-29 Spr. Paul Staples Writes From Normandy First mail to be received from Cranbrook men who went into action on D-Day and are now fighting in France arrived in the city recently, being letters received by Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Staples from their son, Spr. Paul Staples, who is with the Royal Canadian Engineers. The first letter was dated June 7th, the day following the Normandy invasion, and the second is dated June 14th.

Acting upon our suggestion Mrs. Staples has very kindly submitted the letters for publication, and no doubt they will be read with much interest by Paul’s friends in the city and district. The June 7th letter reads, in part as follows: “Dear Mother: When you do receive this letter it will be some time between it and the last one. Well, I guess you already know that we are somewhere in France now, and the going has not been bad so far, I guess when you receive the next letter from me it will be marked “Berlin,” eh!

“The people in the towns we have already taken are sure some happy. They gave us eggs, wine, whisky, and I even had some real good cider. Most of the people do not understand us but they keep on talking although we do not know what they are saying.

However, there are a few French boys in our outfit.

“Before now you seldom got any war news out of me. It is impossible for us boys to say anything —I guess you realize that by now. Well, anyway, I can just tell you we are in France and I am still well and in one solid piece yet — and hope to stay that

Thursday, June 6, 2019 X7

News from Normandy comes trickling home

Canadian soldiers landing at Juno on the outskirts of Bernières. By Conseil Régional de Basse-Normandie / Archives Nationales du CANADA -

way —Well, guess my next leave will be in Paris!”

Excerpts from the June 14th letter follow: “Dear Mother: Just a few lines to let you know that I had received your first letter in France, and it surely did come in good time as it left Canada on the 20th of May, and we have only been in France a short time when I received it….

“Do not worry about me as we have had plenty of

training to know how to look after ourselves, and this war may not last so long —but it is very hard to tell. Tell Sandy that I quit doing things the hard way as it surely does not pay here …

Cranbrook Courier 1944-07-06 Officers of the Fund point out the prime necessity for all relatives, friends and acquaintances of men and women in the Armed

Forces, of keeping in close and frequent touch with them. Nothing contributes so much pleasure and builds the morale of Servicemen, as the receipt of friendly, cheerful letters from home.

On June 10th the Fund (C.D.S.C. Fund) airgraphed letters of cheer and encouragement to 227 men of Cranbrook and district on the occasion of the successful invasion of the Normandy coast.

Cranbrook Courier 1994-07-13 Pte. Lars Thompson Sees Action In France Mrs. George A. Thompson of this city recently received a letter from her son, Pte. Lars Thompson, written from France, in which he tells of conditions on the Normandy front. Excerpts of his letter, written on June 18th, follow: Dear Mother:

We remember the sacrifice of the many brave men who landed in Normandy. We honor and celebrate the courage, sacrifice and achievement of the greatest generation.

“Think not only about their passing, Remember the glory of their spirit”

“It seems like yesterday that we landed. None of us can believe that it has been 13 days since we landed.

Boy I sure got a lot of experience fast. It’s been pretty tough at times but I’ve enjoyed it. It is a relief to be here after laying around England. It was too doggone quiet there.

I’m having a pretty good time on the whole.

Our Div. commander said in England that the other 2 infantry battalions in our brigade would do alright, but that this outfit would let them down. Boy, did we make him eat those words! From what I’m told all you hear on the beach is Canadian Scottish. Our brigade was the only one Montgomery mentioned in a press conference. Excuse my bragging but I think I have a right to be proud of my outfit.

We just had a little French boy over here.

He told us a lot about the Germans and conditions up ahead. According to him, in one town there were 10 French killed to every dead Jerry. The civvies sometimes take quite a beating as many stay right in their house while the towns change hands.

A great many think nothing of walking across the fields and even working in the field that are being fought for. When things get too hot whole families start running, usually for our lines. Some that came through yesterday said they had been shelled by the British and machine gunned by the Germans.

You very seldom see young men or women as they have, according to the kid, been evacuated.

The men were going to work. He couldn’t say about the women, but some had gone to Germany.

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X8 Thursday, June 6, 2019

East Kootenay Extra

Continued from X7 Cranbrook Courier 1944-07-20 Kimberley Boys In “D Day” Invasion News has been received by relatives and friends from some of the boys in the services relating their experiences on D Day. Alex Bell states he reached France with the first invasion units and writes: “I also packed the first wounded soldier ashore in England. He was blinded by a land mine.” Tpr. J. W. Scanlan, with the Tank Corps in the invasion of Normandy, tells of a narrow escape when a shell missed him and buried itself in the frame of the truck he was driving. Jack Colvin, with the Paratroopers, tells of his experiences when dropped into Normandy during the invasion.

Cranbrook Courier 1944-07-27 District serviceman featured in news The Vancouver Sun a few days ago showed a picture of a group of B. C. soldiers in England awaiting a call to battle on the Normandy front. In the group there appears that of Tpr. Harold Porter, of Cranbrook; Tpr. Fred Nixon, of Parson; Tpr. Ed Williams, Kimberley; Tpr. John Parkin, Creston, and Sgt. Doug. Unidentified personnel of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade in front of the altar of a church in Carpiquet. July 12, 1944. Photo: Ken Bell/ Putnam, Creston.

Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-162545 Cranbrook Courier 1944-08-17 Victory may be months away With successful landings by Allied armies on the western and southern coasts of France, coupled with the rapid advance of the great Red Army toward the very borders of Germany itself, even the most conservative

opinion will agree that we are all advanced along the last stretch towards ultimate victory on the European battlefront. The excellent news that continues to come from the various fronts, both in the European and Far Eastern theatres of operation fully justifies the theory that we have come to “the beginning of the end”

remember the sacrifices made by

in the long struggle against the Nazi and Japanese aggressors.

Nevertheless we are of the opinion that many are allowing themselves to be carried away by their enthusiasm in believing that the total collapse of the Nazi military machine is imminent and that fighting on the European front will come to an end

75

Canadians and Allies Who enabled canada, england and europe to enjoy our freedoms today

On th this day, the fraternal order of eagles, cranbrook 3032

within the matter of a few weeks.

Such enthusiastic optimism will do no harm so long as we do not allow it to affect our war effort on the home front. There is the danger, however, that the belief prevalent in some quarters that “it is all over but the shouting” may cause a slackening off in production of essential war ma-

terials. A relaxing of our determination and effort on the home front at this critical stage would be a betrayal of those who are doing the fighting and dying on the battle lines.

Let us not delude ourselves with visions of immediate victory. Despite the overwhelming power ranged against them we have witnessed how young, welltrained fanatics saturated with the Nazi doctrine can slow down the Allied advance to a mere crawl. We may expect that as they are forced back towards their homeland the Nazis will fight even more ferociously. The ruthless Gestapo holds the German populace under a tight rein, and while there may be internal stress, it would be unwise to count on the sudden collapse of the German home front that occurred in 1918.

There is no easy road to victory, and it is likely there will be many bloody battles fought before Germany’s military might—still a potent force—is finally crushed.

We all hope for speedy victory—but let us not count on it too soon. The breaching of the Nazi west wall on the coast of Normandy was a feat of first magnitude and the manner in which this hazardous task was planned and executed inspires utmost confidence in the Allied high command. This is matched by the fighting spirit and performances of the men of our armed forces.

These indisputable facts should not, however, encourage visions of immediate and easy victory nor lead us to underestimate the magnitude of the task that still lies ahead.

We

th

Anniversary of D-Day

thank the brave soldiers for their service, We Will alWays remember.

East Kootenay Extra

Lt.-Col. C. Petch (Montreal, Quebec) brings his North Nova Scotia Highlanders across the Odon River on the ‘London’ bailey bridge.

July 18, 1944.Photo: Ken Bell/Canada. Dept. of National Defence/ Library and Archives Canada/PA-131393

Spr. J. J. Morigeau Returns From Overseas Cranbrook Courier 1944-06-22 Monday’s issue of the Vancouver Sun published an article and photos dealing with a group of service men recently returned from overseas due to wounds or low category rating. Included among them was Sapper J. J. Morigeau of the Kootenay Reserve, one of several Cranbrook Indians to enlist in the Canadian Army, and who has spent the past three years in the British Isles.

Following is the article taken from The Sun: The 30 wounded and category British Columbia men who arrive here Sunday after being away from 10 months to six years, on widespread fronts from Britain to Italy, were walking up the gangplank of the ship that brought them to Canada when the news of D-Day was announced.

But even that thrilling send-off wasn’t as exciting

to them as the welcome they received from their relatives and hundreds of friends who thronged the CPR station.

A much more colourful and festive welcome awaits one of the men, Spr. Joe Morigeau, of Cranbrook, a Kootenay Indian, for members of his tribe have planned a great feast and powwow in his honor.

Daughter In CWAC Spr. Morigeau spent three years in England doing construction work.

“I wanted to go to Italy like most of my buddies who joined up with me,” he said, “but they figured I was a little too old.”

Spr. Morigeau has a daughter Ruth in the CWAC at Nanaimo and visited her there today.

Quite by accident, he found a solider member of his tribe at the station to meet him.

Pte. Bert Stone, also a Kootenay Indian, who returned recently after three years in Great Britain with the Forest-

ry Corps, was with a baggage party on duty last night and was startled but pleased to see his former reservation pal step off the train.

Meanwhile, back in Cranbrook Coming Events Cranbrook Courier 1944-06-08 Friday, June 9 — Meeting Ratepayers’ Assn., City Hall, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, June 14 — Annual meeting Cranbrook-Kimberley Sick Benefit Assn., K.P. Hall, Cranbrook, 8 p.m.

Monday, June 12 — I.O.D.E. meeting, city hall, 3.30 o’clock.

Sunday, June 11 — Special D-Day Services in United Church at morning service.

Thursday to Saturday this week — “Northern Pursuit”, Stat Theatre.

July 1st and 3rd — Gyro Barrel Derby and Happy Canyon.

Thursday, June 6, 2019 X9

HMCS Haida

From the Cranbrook Courier Summer, 1944 Letters to the Cranbrook District Services Comfort Fund have recently been received, acknowledging receipt of cigarettes, etc, from the following servicemen: L/Cpl. R.C.G. Moffatt; Gnr. J. W. Mathers; Pte. C.E Bylander; Gnr. W.R. Wardrope; L/Cpl. G.E. Palmer; Flt/Lt. S.R. W. Horwood; S/Sgt. F. L. Martin; LAW. E. W. Gray; L/ Sgt. H. Croot; Pte. L.W. Palmer (in hospital), L/Cpl. H. Andrews.

The letter from L/Cpl. Andrews is appended: L/Cpl. Andrews, H — Just another short note to acknowledge, with thanks, the parcel of 300 Export Cigarettes I received from you a few days ago.

I am writing these few words, during a lull in our work, from somewhere in the Picardy district of France. Our hospital unit landed in Normandy on D-53 and has been in steady operation, doing a very good work among the sick or injured, except for the times that we have been on the move.

Quite a number of your cigarettes have been passed on to our boys who have come to us wounded, after a long trip, just “dying for a smoke.”

It is almost surprising how comforting a cigarette seems to the fellows who come in like that.

So, my grateful thanks for your continued kindness.

Stan Chambers wounded in France 1944-08-31 News has been received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Chambers, that their son, Trooper Stanley Royston Chambers, has been wounded on active service in Normandy.

The extend of his injuries is yet unknown. TrooperChambers joined the Canadian forces four years ago and has been overseas for the past

two years. For the first month, he has seen action in Normandy.

1944-08-31 The many friends of George Stuart will be very happy to learn he is making an excellent recovery from the wound he received in Normandy.

Mr. and Mrs. H Stuart and W.E. Leaman have received letters from him stating that a bullet penetrated his left chest, passing through his body. He is now being cared for in a military hospital and is in the best of spirits.

1944-08-31 Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Davies have received word that their son Elvie, serving in France with the Canadian paratroopers, has been wounded but not seriously. Elvie was among the first to land on the D-Day drive in Normandy, June 6th.

Courier, 1944-10-26 Tel. J. Raine, H.M.C.S. Haida, who took part in the D-Day invasion, is home on leave, the guest of his sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. McCracken. Tel. Raine, previous to his enlistment, was a former employee of the C.M&S. Co. at Big Missouri.

Latest Song Hits 1944-09-28 Latest Song Hits Tonight We Love His rocking horse ran away For the First Hundred Years May Heaven Bless You Turn off the rain There are no wings on a Fox-hole The Bells of Normandy I’ll walk alone The desert song One. Alone.

New Boogie-Woogie Folios Harry Laker

Remembering all those who have made sacrifices, especially those who gave their lives, so that the rest of us could live in freedom. We remember….

June 6, 75th Anniversary of D-Day y

X10 Thursday, June 6, 2019

East Kootenay Extra

Four casualties from Kimberley Kimberley’s fallen are forever remembered at the Cenotaph in downtown Kimberley. Four of Kimberley’s Fallen died during WWII in the province of Normandy and are buried in France.

I cannot tell you more but that is all I know for now.

They would withhold this information for five weeks and correspond with the Red Cross to try to obtain information as to whether Don may be a Prisoner of War..

Letters of presumption of death and death certificate would follow. Don is Remembered with Honour at Cherbourg Old Communal Cemetery, France.

Born in Cranbrook, Donald Ross Gill lived in Kimberley.

Donald Ross Gill Flight Officer Reported missing after air operations and believe killed over Contentin Penisula, France. (this is north of the beaches of Normandy where the Germans were expecting the attacks to take place). He was actually killed Nov 7, 1942, so not actually during D Day. Worked in Trooper Calvin Alton the Kimberley Mine 1934-1938 Wounded in Caen, France then went into Air Force. in the province of Normandy, Trooper Calvin Alton died six weeks later on August 2, 1944 as a result of wounds received in action against the enemy.

He met his wife Barbara Morris in Sussex, England in 1943, (he needed his parents to sign for him to get married as was the case then for anyone under the age of 21) he died 7 months later. He was 20 years old.

Donald Ross Gill The son of Joseph and Jessica A letter sent home to Don Alton. He lived in Kimberley Gill’s brother from his Squad- in 1940 at the time he signed ron Leader reads in part: Your up, he had lived here for three brother was attacking objec- years and was a painter. There tives in Northern France. He is a mountain in the St. Mary was leader of the section and his Valley named after Trooper CalNumber Two saw him complete vin Alton. his attack on his target. Number He was from Lamont, AlberTwo then turned for home think- ta. There is a memorial there to ing Don would join him, but for him too. some reason not known Don did He is buried in Bayeux War not rejoin formation and was Cemetery, 30 miles from Caen, not seen again and is now posted Normandy. as “missing”. I much regret that

Remember R and Honor

Richard Jones Price (right)

Gunner Richard J. Price Gunner Richard Price lived in Kimberley and enlisted in Kimberley, September 13,1939.

He died on August 16, 1944 of wounds received in action against the enemy.

His remains were buried in a temporary isolated grave at Beny-sur-Mer, 7 ½ miles from Caen, Normandy, France in the immediate vicinity in which he was killed. (By a bullet to the

neck). The grave was temporarily marked with a wooden cross.

He was exhumed and moved to the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Reviers, France

He is buried in the Brettevillesur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery that contains predominantly Canadian soldiers who, like the three previously mention, were killed during the later stagBombardier William Keays es of the Battle of Normandy William Keays was from Gold- in WWII. en, and signed up in Kimberley.

Thanks to Cindy Postnikoff of He had been a truck driver.

Military Ames for providing He died on July 23, 1944. the history of some of Killed in action, in the field, Kimberley’s fallen. against enemy.

D-Day

6 June 1944 th

25 - 10th Ave. South, Cranbrook, BC Phone: 250-426-8211 Toll Free: 1-866-426-8211 info@ekrealty.com • www.ekrealty.com

Thank you to all our fallen heroes.

Thank you for your courage, your sacrifice, your service.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”

East Kootenay Extra

Thursday, June 6, 2019 X11

They served and sacrificed, from all over the region 1944-09-14 Mrs. J. A. Clark received word that her husband, Pte. Joseph Clark, was wounded in action in Normandy on August 26th. Pte. Clark is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Clark of McDougall Townsite. He has been overseas since June.

Capt. Norman Reid in hospital in England 1944-12-21 W. R. Reid, former resident of Cranbrook but now residing in Calgary, has just had a letter from his son, Capt.

Norman Reid, from a hospital in England. Norman met with an accident in Belgium, he having been knocked down by a truck in the dark. He received head and chest injuries and his jaw was fractured. He will be laid up for about two months. He is attached to the 3rd anti-tank regiment and was in the assault in Normandy on D-Day and was in all the major operations around Caen, Falasie and many other engagements.

The oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Reid is in Belgium with the R.C.A.M.C. PO. Wm. Roskilly returns from overseas 1944-12-21 PO. William (Bill) Roskilly arrived home from overseas last Saturday morning where he has completed an operational tour of thirty-six flights. Bill had joined the Royal Canadian Army before being transferred to the RCAF. He went overseas as a sergeant in September 1943 and in June of this year received his commission as pilot officer. He was over France on D-Day. He is spending a month’s leave at the home of his parents here.

Carl Gunnarson, skier, killed in Normandy, June 6 1944-06-26 Word was received last week in Kimberley of the death of Carl Gunnarson of Revelstoke, who was killed in the invasion of France June 6th. Mr. Gunnarson, well-known in Canadian ski activities, was well-known in Kimberley.

His brother Hans resided here last winter.

He is survived by his wife and parents, who reside in Revelstoke.

German personnel captured on D-Day embarking for England.

Crash-landed in France on D-Day 1944-08-31 Two particularly interesting letters have recently been received by the Invermere Community Committee from boys overseas: F/O Hans Braathen — I would like to add my word of thanks to those of the other valley benefiters for the way in which you have kept us posted of happenigs in the valley. I do appreciate receiving the ‘Valley News’.

Some of the folks back home may be interested to hear that the crew, of which I am a member, crash-landed in France D-Day. We spent three days there after the crash in which no one was injured.

We were captured by about thirty Jerries. After some 48 hours with them, they ‘packed in’ and we returned to our own lines.

The Jerries treated us quite well though the food there was not very palatable.

They did, however, have lots of wine and at the end of our 48-hour imprisonment, they presented us with a bottle of 1813 French Champagne. We returned to England on D-Day plus 3. We were quite shaken by the bombing by our own aircraft and for the first time, realized the demoralizing effect it has on the people below.

I am looking forward to a few days in the valley on my return and hope to see all the old familiar faces in the old familiar places. Note ‘Packed in’ was interpreted by another airman as ‘agreeing’ to call off — each side returning to their own lines. Probably due to the Jerries realizing they were surrounded and their only hope was to try to get away.

L/Sgt. Berner, Overseas — Thank you

very much for the cigarettes just received.

Cigs are very scares here right now as quite a bit of mail has been lost lately.

The weather has been terrible for the past week or so. Raining and blowing continually. We are parked in a little wood. Each man has his own little trench to sleep in but most of them have moved out on top as it gets rather damp after a few steady hours of rain.

We see quite a few of the flying bombs here. Some of them have landed pretty close. They seem to make an awful mess of things where they land, but they don’t bother us as much. The biggest percentage either are shot down or fall into open country.

Thanks again for the cigarettes and I am looking forward to the next issue of the paper. It is just like receiving a letter from all of you.

“If they are remembered, they are not gone truly, they simply change duty assignments and are amongst our best”

Thank you for your service, Thank you for our freedom

X12 Thursday, June 6, 2019

East Kootenay Extra

The Tragedy Of The Ruaults

The Ruaults lived above Cranbrook on a farm, about where Idlewild Park is now. Many residents still remember the brothers Ernest and Severe coming into town, selling milk and produce.

The land the farm was on was later expropriated by the City of Cranbrook, and the reservoir was built there. It is now the site of Idlewild Park.

Pte. Ernest Ruault killed in Normandy 1944-08-31 Another native son of Cranbrook has made the supreme sacrifice in the service of his country. Mr. and Mrs. A. Ruault, who reside in Kootenay Orchards, recently received the distressing news from Ottawa advising them that their son, Private Ernest Phillip Ruault, had been killed in Normandy on August 7th.

Born in Cranbrook, Ernest was their second eldest son, and was 28 years of age. He had served with the Canadian forces in Kiska and went overseas in June.

In addition to his sorrowing parents, two brothers and a sister are left to mourn his death. Brothers are Severe E. now serving in France, and Maurice, at Invermere. Mrse. Estelle Stroud, residing at High River, Alberta, is a sister.

The sympathy of the community goes out to the family in their bereavement.

Brother wounded Mrs. S.E. Ruault also received a wire recently from Ottawa, advising that her husband, Sgt. Severe E. Ruault, had been wounded in action in France on August 17th. No further information has been received as yet. Mrs. Ruault and young son Bobby reside in Cranbrook.

Sgt. Ruault served in Kiska last fall, and went overseas in June.

Sgt. S.E. Ruault is Killed in Action 1944-11-02 Last Friday, Mrs. S. Ruault was notified that her husband, Sgt. Severe Eugene Ruault had been killed in action October 11th in Belgium. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Ruault of Kootenay Orchards.

Besides his sorrowing parents, he is survived by his wife, son Bobby and daughter Severena, a brother Maurice of Invermere and a sister Mrs. Estelle Strand at High River.

St. Ruault served at Kiska, last Fall for six months and went overseas in June of this year. He was born and raised in Cranbrook and was 24 years of age.

He is the second son Mr. and Mrs. Ruault have lost within the space of a few weeks, his brother, Pte. Ernest Phillip Ruault having been killed in action in Normandy on August 7th.

At right: Ernest Ruault’s enrolment form.

East Kootenay Extra

Thursday, June 6, 2019 X13

A French veteran of the First World War greeting Universal Carriers of the South Saskatchewan Regiment during a Canadian advance in Normandy. July 20, 1944.

Photo: George A. Cooper / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-131386

Cranbrook Courier 1944-07-06 Capt. Harry Eaton Killed In Normandy The sympathy of the community is extended to Dr. and Mrs. R. O’Callaghan in the death of their son. Capt.

Harry Eaton, who was killed in action in Normandy, June 17th, 1994.

Rfn. Roy F. Kirby Killed in Action 1944-11-02 Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Kirby received the sad news of the death of their son, Rifleman Roy Frederick Kirby, who was killed in action October 12, 1944.

Rifleman Roy Kirby joined the Edmonton Fusiliers in August 1940, going overseas in 1942 with the Regina Rifles.

He took part in the Invasion on D-Day and was wounded the following Sunday near Caen, Normandy, at which time he was returned to England for hospitalization.

He rejoined his unit early in September in Holland.

Deceased was born in Saskatoon, January 27th, 1913. He leaves to mourn his loss his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Kirby, and a sister, Mrs. J. A. Phaire, all of this city.

Above: Severe Ruault’s enrolment form.

Remember our Fallen Heroes. They are the reason that we are free.

“When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”

X14 Thursday, June 6, 2019

East Kootenay Extra

Falaise: The bloody final battle of the campaign Barry Coulter

T

he decisive battle that ended the Normandy campaign revealed scenes of horror and death.

The Battle of the Falaise Pocket, or Falaise Gap (the engagement is known by several names according to the geography of that part of France 30 kilometres south of Caen), was an attempt to destroy German Army Group B, six weeks after D-Day, when the Allies had finally broken out into the countryside south of their beachheads.

After the fall of Caen in early July, 1944, a series of simultaneous Anglo-Canadian and American offensive operations north, west and south of the Germans finally broke their lines, forcing Army Group B back into a pocket demarcated by the towns of Falaise in the north, Argentan to the south, and Trun and Chamois to the east. The German army, which included the 7th Army and the Fifth Panzer Army, was hemmed in on three sides — north, west, and south.

The German Commander, Field Marshall Kluge, was ordered by Hitler to counter-attack the Allied Forces. “Operation Luttich,” was a disastrous failure, and only drove the German forces deeper into the partial encirclement.

The First Canadian Army, along with the troops from the 1st Polish Armoured Division, came up against their arch-enemy, the 12th SS Panzer Division “HitlerJugend,” in Operation Totalize. taking the high ground north of Falaise and sustaining heavy casualties. Totalize ended up driving the Germans back towards the city of Falaise.

The plan was then to swing east and cut them off at the town of Chamois, while the U.S. Third Army blocked the escape route between the Seine and Loire rivers, trapping all surviving German forces.

The Battle of Falaise began on the 14th of August with Opera-

Canadian troops with armor support advance cautiously through the streets of Falaise, encountering only light scattered resistance. wikipedia/commons

tion Tractable — Canadian and Polish troops set out to capture the towns of Falaise, Trun and Chamois. Unlike previous offensives, Tractable was launched in daylight.

Heavy bombing by the RAF mistakenly dropped their payloads short of their targets, and caused 400 Canadian and Polish casualties.

That first day, two Canadian divisions attacked under cover of smokescreens laid down by their artillery, and after two days of heavy fighting, had taken Falaise, clearing it of the enemy two days after that in savage handto-hand and house-to-house fighting.

The drive east to Trun began on August 17, with Polish and Canadian armoured divisions coming up against, once again, the 12 SS Panzer Division. The Poles were able to outflank the HitlerJugend and capture the high ground above Trun, which

allowed for a heavy assault by the Canadian 4th Armoured Division on the town. Trun was captured on August 18.

The Canadian commander, Lt. Gen. Simonds sent the Polish 1st and the Canadian 4th Armoured against Chamois, while the 2nd and 3rd Infantry Divisions attacked south into the Falaise Pocket, still fighting the 12th SS Panzer Division.

On August 19, the Canadians and Poles had linked up with U.S. Forces, closing the eastern end of the pocket, and trapping 150,000 German soldiers. The German commander Kluge — who was suspected in Berlin of being involved in the plot to assassinate Hitler, refused another counter-attack and was relieved of his command, to be replaced

by Model. Kluge committed suicide shortly afterwards.

But the encirclement was lightly held, and the German 2nd Panzer Division broke through,

re-opening the gap, allowing tens of thousands of Germans to escape. Meanwhile, German units inside the pocket were launching bloody counter-attacks of their own, and were subjected to heavy bombing and artillery.

Vicious hand-to-hand fighting lasted for two more days — but

by August 21, the vast majority of German soldiers still in the pocket had surrendered.

Controversy still sticks to the Battle of the Falaise Pocket, in particular the slowness with which the Polish, Canadian and Americans troops that closed the gap were reinforced, which allowed the encirclement to be broken. Falaise is also considered the bloodiest battle of the western front. Gen. Eisenhower wrote afterwards: “The battlefield at Falaise was unquestionably one of the greatest ‘killing fields’ of any of the war areas. Forty-eight hours after the closing of the

gap I was conducted through it on foot, to encounter scenes that could be described only by Dante. It was literally possible to walk for hundreds of yards at a time, stepping on nothing but dead and decaying flesh.”

While historians differ on exact casualties, it’s estimated that more than 10,000 German soldiers dead or wounded, while more than 50,000 were captured.

Canada sustained 5,679 casualties, the Poles 5,150.

After Falaise, the Allies were able to consolidate the gains of the Battle of Normandy and move on to the liberation of Paris.

Such a bitter, bloody summer, 75 years ago. And Operation Market Garden — “A Bridge Too Far” — lay just ahead.

Sources: “Overlord,” by Max Hastings; “D-Day: The Battle For Normandy,” by Anthony Beevor; militaryhistoryonline.com; Wikipedia.

June 6, 1944 Marks the 75th Anniversary of D-DAY We remember & honor those who served.

• Fire & Water Restoration • Insurance Claims • 24 Hour Service Emergency Service Serving Cranbrook, Creston & the Elk Valley • 1201 Industrial Rd #3, Cranbrook, BC • 250-426-5057

East Kootenay Extra

Thursday, June 6, 2019 X15

Three soldiers with the South Saskatchewan Regiment, A Company, C Troop, sitting on a Valentine tank-destroyer in Nijmegen, Holland, 1944. Left to right: Jim Harter, John Murray, Les Clarkson. Photo courtesy Brian Clarkson.

Barry Coulter

The Old Man of C Troop

Although Cranbrook residents Brian Clarkson and John Murray had known each other for almost 30 years, neither was aware of a special connection between them.

Brian Clarkson became aware of the special link between past and present when Murray’s wife Francis brought some old photos into Cranbrook Photo, which Clarkson used to operate.

“If it had been anyone else who’d brought them in, I wouldn’t have seen it, because normally I didn’t see the photos that go through,” Clarkson said. “But I knew her, so I asked if I could look through

them.

“So I’m going through them and chatting with her. And then there’s this picture of three guys on a tank. I look at it and say ‘Golly, does that ever look like my father!’”

It was, in fact, Clarkson’s father Les, sitting on the tank with two other soldiers, one of whom was John Murray. The photo was taken in Nijmegen, Holland, in 1944. Nijmegen was the site of the second bridge in the Operation Market Garden campaign (of “A Bridge Too Far” fame).

The connection was thus made. The next day, Murray dropped off a note identifying the three soldiers as members

of C Troop of A Company of the South Saskatchewan Regiment, of the 6th Brigade of the Second Canadian Infantry Division. Clarkson immediately called up Murray.

“I said, ‘I can’t believe you knew my father.’ And he said, ‘Brian, I can’t believe you’re Les’s son.’

Murray said Les was a great friend, and “one of the finest soldiers I ever served with in the front lines.”

John Murray made it clear Les Clarkson, who was in his mid-20s in 1944, was considered a mentor and leader by the younger soldiers like Murray, who was all of 18 at the time the photo was taken.

The regiment had come ashore at Normandy (D-Day plus 8), and had been involved in all the heavy fighting in Normandy and the subsequent Market Garden campaign.

But Clarkson had also been involved in the ill-fated Dieppe raid, two years earlier. He had made it back to England, but had received numerous wounds from German shrapnel, which he carried with him for most of the rest of his life, Brian said.

Les Clarkson passed away at age 85. Five years earlier, Brian said, he had undergone surgery to have the last piece of shrapnel taken out of him.

Brian has childhood memories of Les pinching pieces of metal

out of his legs before setting off to work — souvenirs of Dieppe.

Murray told Brian Clarkson that during their time fighting in Europe, the younger guys always thought that if they stuck with Les, they’d be safe. They called him “The Old Man.” After the slog across Normandy and Holland, Murray’s and Clarkson’s unit finished off the war near Oldenburg, in Northwest Germany.

“We had a good group,” Murray later said. “We were great friends, and we all survived too.”

Revised and reprinted from the Cranbrook Townsman, December, 2005.

Remembering those who served on the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and The Battle of Normandy

X16 Thursday, June 6, 2019

East Kootenay Extra

Up to Ortona with the 5th Armoured Division

A Cranbrook veteran reflects on momentous events 75 years ago Barry Coulter

S

eventy-five years after D-day and the Battle of Normandy, and a few days before his own 100th birthday, John Marunchak of Cranbrook is recalling that historic time in which he took part, as a soldier — a tank mechanic — with the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, which fought its way up the Italian peninsula in late 1943 from the Po Valley to Ortona.

Marunchak, who was born in Wycliffe in June, 1919, is clear-thinking, reflective and good-humoured today, with a clear vision of the past and his own role in those momentous events in the 1940s.

Marunchak enlisted in the Canadian army in 1941, and it was a long, circuitous route which took him and thousands of other Canadian soldiers to Italy. Training took him from enlistment in Vernon, to Nanaimo, then down east to Barriefield, Ontario, near Kingston.

As a recruit to what would be known as the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Marunchak spent a year in training in Barriefield in “trade school.”

“They had an outfit

from California training us in all sorts of stuff,” he recalled.

“Mechanics, welding …”

From Barriefield, Marunchak’s unit entrained to Halifax, then shipped to Scotland on the Queen Mary — “First class all the way.” Then to southern England, where the division shipped out to the Mediterranean on an American ship, the USS Monterey.

“Strange that I can still remember all these boats,” Marunchak said.

“We landed in Napoli [Naples] in 1943 — late November.

There was rain all over Italy, and we were in the mud until spring,” Marunchak said.

“Wet, wet wet. Everyone was sick with dysentery, sleeping in pup tents.”

The division was camped under the shadow of the volcano Vesuvius, and not far from the rediscovered Roman city of Pompeii the volcano had buried almost 2,000 years before. The Canadian soldiers went and saw the ancient city in groups — then it was time to move north. Vesuvius erupted a couple of months later.

The Canadians headed north up the

John Marunchak in his Cranbrook home, 2019, with his medals from World War II. Barry Coulter photo

Italian peninsula, “following the Germans,” Marunchak said, until the two armies faced each other at the Ortona, where some of the most savage fighting of the war was to take place. The culmination of fighting on the Adriatic Front, the Battle of Ortona was known as the “Italian Stalingrad,” fought during “Bloody December,” 1943, the

Canadians faced elite, battle-hardened troops of the German 1st Parachute Division.

The fighting resulted in 2,300 Canadian casualties in a single month (including 500 dead) before the town was won for the Allies.

Some historians say the fighting on Adriatic Front was used to draw German troops down from northern

France — planning for D-Day was at that time underway.

The tanks took a hammering at Ortona — “shot up, blown up, driven over landmines,” Marunchak said.

And as a mechanic, Marunchak was behind the battle lines, but had plenty of occasion to go out on to the battlefield. “When we needed parts, we had to go out onto the

battlefield to recover them. We were very close. What was badly needed often took a long time to get to us.

You couldn’t get parts on demand.”

In spite of the savagery of the fighting at Ortona, Marunchak never saw anyone die. And he was shot at only once, when he and some fellow mechanics took a tank for a spin down the road, with Marunchak at the controls.

“We had all the hatches closed,” he relates. “When someone said ‘is that hail, falling on us?’ And dust [seemed to be rising up on the roadway in front of them]. They were in fact getting strafed by a German fighter plane from above. “They said later that he had probably got lost,” Marunchak said. The pilot had probably shot off his guns to demonstate to his superiors afterwards he’d been in action, Marunchak added.

During his time in Italy, Marunchak had one encounter with Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery, who would go on to take command of the British and Canadian Forces in Normandy.

It was in the Po Valley, and Marunchak’s Division had been preparing for an inspection from the visiting Field Marshall.

All the tanks were lined up, polished to gleaming, with all the turret guns pointing

at exactly the same angle. The men of the Division lined up along the road at stiff attention. Then Montgomery appeared with his motorcade.

“He went roaring by at 40 miles an hour,” Marunchak said.

“Didn’t even slow down.”

From Italy, Marunchak shipped to Marseille, then up north through France, in the aftermath of the battle of Normandy.

He finished his war in Groningen, Holland, in sight of German territory, without ever setting foot on it.

He remembers the Italian people with fondness, good people who had had war forced on them by their fascist leaders, and whose countryside and living had been devastated by war.

After the war, Marunchak came home, married, started his family, and began work as a heavy equipment operator.

He didn’t talk much about the war to his family over the years, until the first Gulf War of 1991 the Canadian involvement in the subsequent war in Afghanistan, and the ongoing events of war in the Middle East.

War seems different now that during those epochal events 75 years ago, Marunchak observes — one can’t tell who the enemy is.

War also seems much crueler today, he said.

“The living owe it to those who no longer can speak to tell their story for them.”

- Czeslaw Milosz, “The Issa Valley”

We will remember them

East Kootenay Extra

Trevor Crawley

Thursday, June 6, 2019 X17

Air gunner on board the Lancasters

S

eventy-five years ago, Lee Brown was in the skies over Normandy with the Royal Air Force, as the Allied invasion of Normandy was underway.

Lee Brown, a Cranbrook resident who entered the military when he was underage six months shy of his 18th birthday, trained and served as an air gunner on a Lancaster bomber. Seventy-five years ago, he was in the skies over Normandy as the Allied invasion of occupied France was underway — among the 33 missions Brown flew in the Lancaster, with two different crews, over the course of the war.

Brown enlisted in 1943 and shipped over to Europe early the following year, coming back home to Canada when the war ended in 1945.

In August, 2016, Brown was presented with the Legion of Honour by the government of France, the highest French order for military and civil merits, at a ceremony at the Cranbrook Legion.

He was one of the more than 1,000 Canadian Second World War veterans who are finally receiving the Legion of Honour after the French government decided to bestow the award on all living veterans who helped liberate France in 1944.

Joining the Airforce In 1943 Brown went up to Edmonton go try and slip through the screening process.

When it came to choosing which branch to serve in, Brown went to all the recruiting offices—Army, Navy and Air Force—to

Lee Brown as a member of 626 Squadron, One Group, during the Second World War.

get a feel for what he wanted.

“I went to the Army recruiting office and visited with them. I didn’t take medicals or anything, just wanted to look around,” Brown said. “I didn’t like what I saw or the way they talked. I went to the Navy but I don’t like water; I’m a poor swimmer, so I went with the air forces.”

Brown passed all medical and written exams, but when it came time to swear the oath to serve King and country, he didn’t produce a birth certificate, and so, without a way for the recruiters to verify his age, they turned him back.

He returned home for a few months before getting a call from the air forces recruiters, who promised to pay for transport back up to Edmonton to officially enlist.

Even though he wasn’t technically 18 years old, he had permission from his parents to serve and— depending on how long it would take until his birthday—the government had the discretion to accept him or turn him

Lee Brown receiving France’s Legion of Honour, August, 2016, in Cranbrook.

Barry Coulter photo

away.

But this time, Brown was accepted.

From Canada, Brown shipped over to Britain in a trip that normally would take just under a week, but ended up lasting 12 days as his vessel had to zig-zag over the Atlantic to avoid German U-boats.

He was posted with 626 Squadron, One Group, which was under the command British military leaders under the Royal Air Force and began training with Wellington and Halifax bombers before ending up with the ‘Lancs’.

Life of an air gunner Brown’s military service consisted mostly as an air gunner on bombers, flying mainly in a Lancaster aircraft, doing trips into Germany and up and

down the Finnish coast from 1944 until the end of the war.

Stationed in Lincolnshire, on the east coast of England, Brown was part of a crew that served together until one fateful day.

Brown was coming back from a trip, but developed a headache after his ears wouldn’t clear from the air pressure of descending to the ground level high altitude.

He went to see a doctor and was promptly grounded for three days.

“They called a spare gunner to take my place and I’m sitting there feeling sorry for myself and my ears, and they went out and got shot down,” Brown said. “They crashed in France, they weren’t all killed, but three of them were.”

The same night his crew was shot down, another plane came back to base that was missing a tail gunner who was killed in an aerial dogfight.

Being that crews were tight-knit group that stuck together, Brown talked with the group and volunteered to take the gunner’s place, subject to approval from a commanding officer.

At the time, Brown had two more bombing trips to his record that his new crew, so they did a few more without him to catch up.

Some of his missions included flying up the coast of Finland to bomb German naval ships, while other targets included military manufacturing plants in the Ruhr Valley in Germany. Another trip was an attack on the entire German naval fleet that was anchored in Kiel harbour.

“They sent four or five hundred of us in there. It was no trouble at all getting there,” Brown said.

“We came in over the water, we stayed off the shoreline quite a bit, and they heard us coming. We were in the first wave and all those destroyers had huge search lights on them, plus the ones on the shore.

“The guns they had— we’d never saw a sky like that in our life. It was just like the 4th of July magnified.”

However, the crew was able to deliver their payload and return home unscathed.

The war ends By the time the German military forces surrendered in May 1945,

Brown had exactly 33 bombing runs in his service.

When a crew member hit 30 trips—one tour— they were rotated out to serve as instructors for incoming recruits.

However, 30 trips came and went for Brown, and the crew completed three additional runs before the authorities caught on.

By that time, the war was essentially over, and Brown was shipped back to North America, landing in New York, but had to stay on the ship for two days because there was nowhere to stay in the Big Apple.

Upon getting back to Calgary, he volunteered to serve in the Far East— the war against Japan didn’t end until August 1945—but then that front soon surrendered to Allied forces.

Even though he put himself forward, the air gunner position was being phased out anyway with the advancement of new aircraft and technologies anyway, Brown added.

After his graduation in early in 1944 as a flight sergeant, he ended his military service at the rank of flying officer, which he received five days after his discharge in 1945.

He returned to Alberta to see his parents, who were living in Medicine Hat and got a job working for CPR. He eventually took a transfer to Cranbrook and retired in 1986.

Revised and reprinted from the Cranbrook Townsman, November, 2015.

With respect, honor and gratitude, we salute you.

Dean’s May we never forget.

Plumbing & Heating (2010) Ltd.

X18 Thursday, June 6, 2019

East Kootenay Extra

An anti-aircraft crew manning their Bofors light anti-aircraft gun on Carpiquet airfield, near Caen, Normandy, after its capture on 9 July 1944

B.E.M. Awarded To Son Of Cranbrook Resident Cranbrook Courier 1945-12-27 Canadian Army Headquarters in Ottawa announced last week that additional decoration awards had been made to personnel of all ranks in recognition of service overseas, among them the British Empire Medal to Sgt. Dennis Eric Terry, of Cranbrook, son of Lieut. and Mrs. E.W. Terry, formerly of Belleville, Ontario.

Sgt. Terry enlisted at the age of 18 in the 32nd Battery of the 4th L-Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA, in April, 1941, at Belleville, Ontario, where the 32nd Battery was formed.

Going overseas in July, 1941, in the advance party of the 4th L.A.A. Regiment, Sgt. Terry served on Bofor guns and other anti-aircraft weapons for nearly three years, seeing action long both the east and south coast of England.

On D-Day, Sgt. Terry went ashore with the self-propelled Bofors and saw action through Normandy, the Falaise Gap, the Leopold Canal, Holland, and had the honor of putting one of the first anti-aircraft guns inside the German border in November, 1944.

Sgt. Terry’s gun crew, as part of the 4th L.A.A. Regiment, took part in the huge barrages that heralded the

two biggest attacks in the European campaign when anti-aircraft guns were used as support for the infantry, first, the advance into Germany on Feb. 8, 1945, and secondly the crossing of the Rhine on March 23, 1945. Sgt. Terry is now in England waiting to come home.

Sgt. Terry’s father, Lieut. Terry, a veteran of the last war, is in the Veterans’ Guard and is stationed at Seebe, Alberta. He is expected home for Christmas by Mts. Terry, who moved to Cranbrook in April of this year. William Jack Terry, elder son of Lt. and Mrs. Terry, was a Sgt. in the 3rd Anti-tank Regiment, R.C.A. Jack Terry went to Tialy in 1943. Her was wounded in September, 1944, and was later mentioned in dispatches for silencing and enemy pillbox after the vehicle had been hit. He returned to Canada in March, 1945, and is now married and living in Calgary.

Mrs. Terry does not know the details of her son Dennis’s award, the first news she heard being when she was told of a radio broadcast concerning the announcement of the decorations. She is eagerly awaiting details from her son.

According to press reports, Ralph Malshinger of this city has also been award the M.B.E. Civil Division.

In memory of all who have given their lives in the service of their country

East Kootenay Extra

Thursday, June 6, 2019 X19

View of life on the front, life on the streets

Wardner Girl Writes of Life In Belgium Cranbrook Courier 1945-03-15 Lt. Josephine Rosicky, (Belgium) — Thank you ever so much for the lovely Christmas box. Everything was very useful and the candy delicious.

The fact that I have spent such a short time in my home town the past few years makes me appreciate your thoughtfulness that much more.

I hope that it won’t be too long before I see you again.

But I imagine that is the wish of everyone overseas, to get home soon.

We’ve had both interesting and unpleasant experiences in work.

In eleven months we’ve stayed in Wales, England, France and now Belgium. At present we are near Germany operating in a tent hospital.

At first we had to cope with the mud, now it is snow and rain.

There are three nurses in each pyramidal tent. Our furniture consists of army cots with German mattresses (they compare favorably with boards) a cupboard, stools and stove. Up till a few days ago we had kerosene lamps, but now have a small dynamo for electricity. With the help of some red and white paint, boxes and some pieces of gingham we now have quite a cheerful looking tent.

Our ward tents hold thirty beds and surprising enough, are quite warm. Since we first started, we’ve acted in the capacity of an evacuation hospital. The patients receive emergency treatment and go by vehicle, train or plane to the hospital further back.

Life for the last two months has been most unpleasant at times. That was due to the robot bombs which Germany

Nursing sisters of No. 10 Canadian General Hospital, R.C.A.M.C.Photo: Harold G. Aikman / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-108174

used on the city, and hospitals were not spared.

I don’t think anyone can ever describe the feeling of helplessness which over comes one listening to them soaring overhead, hearing the motor stop, and so many times watching them dive toward the ground.

We’ve seen the wrecked homes, the old men, women and children killed or wounded. For the past few days they haven’t been so frequent, and we are hoping the worst has

passed.

The city where we are located is quite large and beautiful.

They have some lovely stores but everything is so expensive you don’t do much shipping.

Their night clubs and cocktail lounges are much like those in the States. There is a weekly opera and many concerts to attend also.

The Belgium people are very friendly. They speak French, and resemble them in their vivaciousness, and their style of wearing clothes. The wealth-

ier ones dress very well, but the not so fortunate ones wear wooden shoes and patched clothing.

The continent is so much more advanced than England in regards to central heating and plumbing. In towns not wrecked by war it is difficult not to imagine you are back in the States. Maybe I became prejudiced after almost freezing in England.

Guess I’ve rambled on quite a bit for a “thank you” note.

Maybe it is a good thing I

didn’t start back on the Normandy beach and continued to Paris, I’d be short of stationery.

But before I quit, I’d like to say what a wonderful job the Red Cross is doing at home and overseas. I’d like you to know your work is appreciated.

Right now I have a pair of flannelette bed-sox from them I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Again many thanks and may this year bring us victory and the return of your loved ones.

To those who courageously gave their lives, we thank you and we remember you

X20 Thursday, June 6, 2019

East Kootenay Extra

“As the men come home …”

Returned Man Joins Courier Reporting Staff Cranbrook Courier 1945-11-29 Filling the vacancy created by the retirement of F.J. Smyth, announced elsewhere in this issue, John R. (Dick) Ayres arrived from Vancouver on Saturday to join The Courier’s reporting staff. Mrs. Ayres accompanied her husband to Cranbrook.

Mr. Ayres is a returned man, having recently received his honourable discharge after serving overseas four years with the Third Division. He served through France, Belgium, Holland and German, his unit going into action in Normandy shortly after D-Day. Mr. Ayres has had considerable reporting experience, having served on various British Columbia papers, also with the Press Association at Birmingham, England, his former home city.

Due to the acute housing shortage existing in Cranbrook, Mr. and Mrs. Ayres are at present residing with the former’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Ayres, in Chapman Camp, but will Allied officers examining a damaged aircraft of the Luftwaffe in a hangar at Carpiquet. July 12, 1944. Photo: Ken Bell/Canada. Dept. of move to Cranbrook as soon as National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-162519 suitable living accommodation is arranged. far as the border of Germany. Canadian Scottish joined up nadian Forestry Corps in ScotThere, he met with an accident in July 1940 and went overseas land. He was with the Princess Capt. Norman Reid that put him out of action. in August 1941. He saw action Louise Dragoon Guards, later Home from overseas Stepping down from a truck, on D-Day and served in North- in the Italian Campaign, where 1945/07/19 he saw considerable action. He Capt. Norman Reid, who re- he was bowled over by some ob- West Europe from then on. ject (to this day, he doesn’t know His brothers Sgt. Dave and also served in Holland. He is cently returned to Canada after what hit him) and woke up in a Pte. Leigh Nixon preceded him now with the New Brunswick serving overseas since January hospital with a broken jaw and home a few weeks ago.

He is Hussars. of 1940, was in Cranbrook for several days this week meeting other injuries. However, he has spending leave with his parents, fully recovered and is looking Mr. and Mrs. W. Nxon. his many old friends.

Trooper Roy Clement was As The Men Come Home He was visiting here with his very fit. overseas four years this month. Cranbrook Courier 1945-02-01 sister and brother-in-law, Mr. He served with the 5th Regi- Ask the fellow overseas what and Mrs. Eugene Krown, and District Service Men ment, B.C. Dragoons, in Italy, makes his pulse go up every came from Calgary where his Home from Overseas France and Holland. He is time he thinks of home. You parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Reid Cranbrook Courier 1945-11-08 spending rehabilitation leave in will get a barrage of answers. now reside.

Three Windermere District Windermere with his parents, Ham and eggs for breakfast, Capt. Reid went overseas with mother’s way. See the wife and the 107th Field Battery in the boys returned from overseas on Mr. and Mrs. G.R. Clement. winter of 1939. He went into the Queen Elizabeth and were Tpr. Alex Johnston, son of kids again! Baseball on Saturday action with his unit in the Nor- re-united with their families this Mr. and Mrs. George Johnson, afternoons! The old job back Invermere, went overseas in again, of course and a raise, too! mandy invasion on D-Day and week.

Corporal Jack Nixon of the 1943, serving first with the Ca- You’ll find that his mind, served through the campaign as

under the battle strain of mud and blood, has made him idealize everything back home. That picture in his breast pocket —it was taken when everyone was smiling, and the smile doesn’t come off, that is, it doesn’t come off the picture. All this and other thoughts about home too ‚ they all somehow get framed in the blossoms of Normandy and Belgium as he lies in that hedgerow ditch.

But some of these men have already come home. And they don’t find it quite that way after the first forty-eight hour flush has worn off. Mother still seems worried. Dad is even more irritable than he used to be. The kids start bawling. And then the newspapers —strikes in industry, political bickering, pressure groups. “Is this the home and country I dreamed of ?”

So he switches from idealizing to criticizing. The crucial hour for him—and for Canada— begins. If he gets mentally and spiritually ditched in bogs of grousing, that means that Canada is in for a pack of trouble.

Bitter and cyclicals, he becomes the breeding ground for broken homes and civil war in industry.

But he doesn’t need to stall there. Some fellows separated from their families for years have found an answer. Not, idealize.

Not, criticize. But, realize! Realize, for one thing, the possibility of clean-cut honesty with wife and kids. Honesty about money, the budget, the job, the in-laws.

Honesty about yourself instead of pointing scolding fingers at the other person. Honesty that wins because it warms with real caring. These two things alone— honest and real caring— can give the family so much to fight for, in themselves and in the country that they won’t waste time fighting against each other.

If this is good policy for the fellows coming back, it’s twice as good for us here at home—and we will show them the way!

June 6, 1944 was a defining moment in history and we thank you for your service, we will always remember 552 Key City Air Cadets