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"It has been described as the largest invasionary force ever amassed.
On June 6th, 1944, ships "covered the sea" in the staging area between the Isle of Wight and Normandy, preparing to carry 150,000 American, Canadian and British troops to five key beachheads in France.
As the troops prepared for invasion, 11,000 planes began their bombing runs shortly after midnight, dropping nearly 1,800 tons of bombs on German positions. Paratroops, including the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, were dropped behind enemy lines, and 500 battleships moved into position to shell the Normandy coastline.
The Allied invasion of Europe, dubbed Operation Overlord, was originally scheduled for June 5th, but delayed by stormy weather. When meteorological reports suggested a break in the weather on the 6th, the invasion was ordered to go ahead - through seas so rough that most soldiers were seasick on the passage across the Channel.
The assault began at 6:30 a.a., on the beaches code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. The 15,000 to 20,000 troops of the 3rd Canadian Division concentrated on Juno, and the villages of Vaux, Graye-sur-Mer, Courseulles-sur-Mer, Beiniere-sur-Mer, and St. Aubin-sur-Mer,
Shortly after 8 a.m., the Canadian forces hit the beaches. Some battalions met little resistance, finding that the way had been cleared by the earlier bombardment; others discovered that the enemy positions were still intact, and faced heavy fire.
Among the first to land were the Royal Canadian Engineers, called on to blast through the concrete seawalls and barbed wire that blocked the coast, clear minefields, and prepare roads for advancing forces; and the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. Many of the Medics were killed while trying to assist wounded soldiers in that first assault.
By the end of the first day of fighting, 4,000 allied troops had been killed, 342 of them Canadians. But the beacheheads had been established, and the Canadians had penetrated as far as 11 km inland.
It was the beginning of the end for the Nazi war machine. Eleven months later, on May 7th, 1945, Germany surrendered.
"War is nothing but death, disease, destruction, disablement...and a terrible waste." - D-Day veteran."

"To the Bradford Witness:
Have arrived safely overseas. As this is my first trip to this country, I'm looking forward to seeing a great deal of it. I think, in fact, I know that I'll still like good old Canada. I'm writing this letter along with one to my family, so it will be short.
Will be glad to hear from anyone who will write to me.
There was a wonderful bunch of men who came over on the last draft, so it won't be long now. Will be seeing you all soon. -Bruno
In his letter to his parents Bruno Cavallo told of meeting Baldwin Stoddart, Calvin and Wilfred Aikens and several men from Orillia and Sudbury whom he knew when working in those towns. His address is - Cpl. Bruno Cavallo, B-108600, No. 4 C.I.R.U., Canadian Army Overseas."

Continuation of veteran biographies (see Related Description: "The noise of the aircraft, the guns..."): Gunner John Douglas Breeze, 1st Lieutenant Arthur Kneeshaw, Flight Officer James M. Booth, Corporal James G. McKinstry, Signalman Lester B. Woolven, Brigadier-General (Padre) Ormand A. Hopkins

"Citizens Pay tribute to Canada's Soldier Dead in Union Service in Town Hall"

"Council Hears Veterans' Delegation - Consider Fixing Up Town hall Basement As Banquet Room

The April meeting of the Village Council was held in the Council Chamber on Friday evening las with reeve Evans and Councillors Compton, Evans and Wood in attendance. Bills and accounts were passed for payment as follows ...

Messrs. A.O. Davey and Geo. Morton, representing the Veterans, suggested to Council that the town erect a new municipal building on the site of the present fire hall property to accommodate the village Clerk's office, police office, Utilities office and warehouse, fire hall, gaol, etc., on the first floor, with the second floor to be designated as a memorial and recreation quarters for the Veterans." ...

"Bradford Army and Navy Veterans had a fowl dinner and get-together in their new club rooms on the evening of Remembrance Day, Friday, Nov. 11th, when veterans and a few invited guests to the number of nearly forty, sat down to the wonderful repast provided. Before partaking of the meal two minutes' silence were observed in memory of comrades who fell in the Great War. After dinner Rev. C.H. Forth, who, it was announced, had accepted the office of Honorary Chaplain of the Bradford branch of the Army and Navy Veterans, occupied the chair, when a programme of short speeches and music was carried out. Reeve Nolan, who was one of those present, during his remarks, complimented the local Veterans upon the most able manner in which they arranged and carried out their big three days' celebration the past summer, and assured them that if they attempted another such affair in the future they would receive even a greater measure of support from the public of Bradford.
The Veterans are to be complimented upon the transformation they have made in the appearance of the large room above the Fire Hall, which they are now using as their club room. We would suggest that anyone who has an easy chair which they have discarded or put away in the attic to be forgotten, might get in touch with the Veterans, who could make good use of it in their club room."

"Bingo, Auction Sale, and Dance Draw Good Crowd. Farmers and Growers Give Generously
The local Canadian Corps Association's night of Bingo, an Auction Sale and Dance drew a good crowd to the Town Hall on Monday evening when about $310 was cleared. This money will be used for the purchase of gifts for the boys of the district now serving overseas." ...