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Planning for the "Second Front" had been ongoing since 1942. By the spring of
1944, everything was finally in place for Operation "Overlord", the invasion of
France, and its assault phase, Operation "Neptune". The Supreme Allied
Commander, American General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and his staff had decided that
the attack should fall on the Cotentin Caen area of the Normandy coast. It would
be a longer and more hazardous journey for the invasion fleet and its air
umbrella than taking the shorter route from Dover to the Pas de Calais where the
Germans anticipated an Allied landing but the Normandy beaches were suitable,
the enemy defenses lighter, and the possibility of surprise greater.
PHOTO:
Overhead shot showing part of the invasion fleet: LCTs
fully loaded and camouflaged
As the experience of Dieppe had confirmed, and subsequent German improvements
to their defenses emphasized, a landing at a fortified port was likely to fail.
Therefore, until a port fell to the Allies, essential supplies would be
transferred ashore through artificial "Mulberry" harbors, put together from
sunken ships and huge concrete caissons. Since complete air and naval
superiority had to be attained, a massive sea and air bombardment would precede
the invasion. An effective ship-to-shore communications network was put in
place. Moreover, large numbers of landing craft of various kinds had been
produced to ferry infantry and tanks to the beaches. The utmost secrecy and
security were maintained, to the point of establishing a "fake" army in that
part of England considered ideal as a jumping off point for the Pas de Calais.
Finally, earlier amphibious operations in North Africa and Sicily had helped
perfect new tactics, weapons and equipment, notably ingenious devices like the
DUKW (a supply and personnel carrier that could travel directly from sea to
shore), and DD (duplex drive) Sherman tanks which could "swim"' in the water and
then travel on land.
PHOTO:
LCAs going ashore from H.M.C.S. PRINCE
HENRY during a D-Day training exercise
The invasion plan called for five infantry divisions to wade ashore on a
fifty mile (eighty kilometer) stretch of the French coast. The British Second
Army including units of General H. D. G. Crerar's First Canadian Army was to form
the left side of this front, the First U.S. Army the right. Three airborne
divisions, one on the British flank incorporating the 1st Canadian Parachute
Battalion, and two on the American, would precede them to delay enemy movements
and facilitate expansion of the bridgehead.
The invasion commanders designated the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division,
commanded by Major-General R. F. L. Keller, along with the 2nd Canadian Armored
Brigade, to take part in the seaborne assault. Two of the 3rd Division's three
brigades were to land in the first wave at "Juno" Beach. The Regina Rifle
Regiment and The Royal Winnipeg Rifles of the 7th Infantry Brigade, as well as
an attached company of The Canadian Scottish Regiment, led in "Mike" sector,
with the rest of The Canadian Scottish in reserve. "Nan" sector was to be
tackled by the 8th Brigade's Queen's Own Rifles of Canada and The North Shore
(New Brunswick) Regiment, backed up by Le Régiment de la Chaudière.
PHOTO:
LCAs leaving H.M.C.S. PRINCE
HENRY during a D-Day training exercise
The tanks of the 1st Hussars and The Fort Garry Horse would land ahead of the
infantry to soften up the defenses and provide covering fire. Guns of the Royal
Canadian Artillery were to be quickly put ashore to lend additional support. The
Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps would treat the wounded. All the while, the
sappers of the Royal Canadian Engineers would blast a path through enemy
obstacles and the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals would ensure smooth
communications. Later, the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps would see to it
that all were adequately supplied with food, fuel, ammunition, and the other
necessities of warfare.
The Allied plan called for these Canadian units to establish a beachhead,
capture the three small seaside towns which lay directly behind it, and then
proceed ten miles (sixteen kilometers) inland to occupy the high ground west of
the city of Caen by the end of D-Day. Then, in anticipation of the German
counter-attack, they were to be reinforced by the 9th Infantry Brigade (The
Highland Light Infantry of Canada; The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
Highlanders; and The North Nova Scotia Highlanders) and the tanks of The
Sherbrooke Fusiliers. Altogether, an estimated 15,000 Canadians would
participate in the landing force. The remaining elements of the First Canadian
Army - its headquarters under General Crerar, the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division
and the 4th Canadian Armored Division - would then gradually establish
themselves in Normandy over the next few weeks.
The invasion date was set for dawn on June 5, 1944, the hour and day when the
tides should be most favorable. An impressive array of personnel, materials,
and machines had been assembled. But it was still a risky undertaking,
particularly for the many Canadian soldiers who, though ready, willing, and as
well-trained as possible, had still never met the enemy in action.
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