Operation Overload: Both a Win and a Loss

1212 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: How d-day impacted canada

As the sun was rising up over the Normandy coast at 5 a.m. on June 6, 1944, Canada was given a key role from the planners of the Allied forces to help free Europe from Germany’s invasion by invading Juno Beach. This was known as the greatest seaborne invasion in history; a great accomplishment for a great nation. The allied forces were dependent upon Canada’s successful invasion to continue fighting in Europe and establish a protected area for troops and supplies to land. Canada’s strong contributions to Operation Overload compared to other Allies had played an essential role in the success of the operation. Even though the allies did achieve victory, due to ineffectual commanders and poorly made decisions from executed commands and decisions many more allies were killed while prolonging Operation Overload. In contrast to any other Allied division, Canada attained its objectives for D-Day Landings and had accomplished much with a force of fourteen thousand soldiers and taking into consideration the great line of defense at Juno Beach, This was an achievement to be proud of. “Their courage, determination and self-sacrifice were immediate reasons for the success in those critical hours”. Compared to any other Allied force, Canada’s 3rd Canadian division penetrated the farthest into France. Veteran Affairs Canada states that it was the persistent efforts of the 3rd Canadian Division, the city of Caen was at last in Allied hands. It was because of their persistence and determination that Canada was able to invade Occupied Europe to contribute to the victor y of the war. Without their persistent efforts, the victory of the war would seem out of reach. The 3rd Division refused to back down despite the hardships of the war, de... ... middle of paper ... ...f destiny. Toronto: Dundurn Group, 2004. Graves, Donald E., Christopher Johnson, and Ron Volstad. Century of service: the history of the South Alberta Light Horse. Toronto: Published for the South Alberta Light Horse Regiment Foundation by Robin Brass Studio, 2005. McAllister, James. "Canada at War." Second World War. http://www.secondworldwar.co.uk/canada.html (accessed April 6, 2011). News, CBC. "D-Day: The allied invasion of Normandy." Canada 1 (2009). http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2009/06/02/f-dday-history.html (accessed June 24, 2011). Reynoldson, Fiona. Key battles of World War II . Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2001. Rohmer, Richard. Generally speaking: the memoirs of Major-General Richard Rohmer.. Toronto: Dundurn Group, 2004. Rowland, Robin. "CBC News In Depth: D-Day." CBC.ca . http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/dday/ (accessed April 6, 2011).

Show More
Related

  • General Sir Arthur Currie

    1958 Words  | 4 Pages

    One of Currie’s most impressive and important achievements had come during the winter or 1919-17, while he was still a divisional commander. By analyzing the fighting he had witnessed on the Western Front, Currie had drawn up what proved to be a blueprint for tactical success. In a paper, Currie synthesized the best of British and French concepts, and with many of his own beliefs based on personal experience. Under Sir Arthur Currie, the Canadian Corps emerged as an outstanding formation on the ...

    Read More

  • The Battle of Vimy Ridge: The Birth of The Canadian Nation

    1357 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of Canada’s largest military endeavors was the battle of Vimy Ridge during World War One. It was a fierce battle between Germans and Canadians. Canada was trying to take over the German controlled ridge, which ran from northwest to southwest between Lens and Arras, France. Its highest point was 145 feet above sea level, which was exceptionally helpful in battle because of the very flat landscape. Already over 200,000 men had fallen at Vimy, all desperately trying to take or defend this important and strategic ridge. As a result of its success in taking the ridge, Canada gained a lot more than just the strategic point. Canada was united as a nation, and the victory changed the way other counties viewed them. Canadians no longer viewed their soldiers as merely an extension of allied forces; they now viewed their troops as an independent and unified entity.

    Read More

  • Biography of Mackenzie King, The Longest Serving Prime Minister of Canada

    943 Words  | 2 Pages

    Chong, M. R. (2002). Canadian History Since WWI. Retrieved May 19, 2014, from Markville: http://www.markville.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/history/history/fivecent.html

    Read More

  • Justification of the Canadian Participation in the Boer War

    1146 Words  | 3 Pages

    Canada’s Little War. James Lorimer & Company LTD. Toronto [7] Canadians and Conflicts. Edmonton Public School Board [8] Haas. Suzanne. History Television.

    Read More

  • Canada’s Military Contributions to World War I, World War II and Korean War

    1057 Words  | 3 Pages

    Canada was one of Great Britain’s empire who fought under British units or in the Canadian Corps, formed by the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. These Canadians who fought aside with Great Britain earned a recognition of becoming an independent strong fighting force. They earned this reputation through one of World War One’s battles called, Vimy Ridge. Canadian soldiers who were in the Canadian Corps had an awful General named, Sam Hughes who preferred to use the Ross rifle. This type of weapon was too heavy and often jammed too many times to be used as a rifle for upcoming horrific battles. Thus, a new general replaced Sam Hughes and that was, Arthur Currie. General Currie had the desire for the Canadian Corps’ four divisions to fight together to take hold of Vimy Ridge. Arthur Currie made precise plans of military tactics that no general had done to their troops. General Currie gave his troops maps and had a duplicate model of Vimy Ridge so that troops are able to have an ideal look of what they should be taking hold of. Als...

    Read More

  • The Dieppe Fiasco: Explanation of why the Dieppe Failed

    870 Words  | 2 Pages

    At daybreak, August 19th, 1942, the Allies began their raid on the French coastal city of Dieppe occupied by Germany. The raid has extreme Canadian significance, as it pertains to 5000 Canadians involved in the campaign, 3,350 of which became casualties and 916 died on the bloodstained beach at Dieppe. The Dieppe raid is widely considered a failure on every level and has left a dreadful mark in Canadian military history because of how poorly it panned out. Operation Jubilee remains one of the most hotly debated Allied aspects of the war. Tactically, it was a complete failure as little to no objectives were attained. This essay will explain that Dieppe failed because of the tactical errors on the part of the Allies, in conjunction with the fact the entire operation was very poorly planned out. It will do so by discussing 4 major points: poor allied planning, how Dieppe was a difficult place to attack, that the assault was launched for political rather than military reasons and finally, how it failed to upgrade morale.

    Read More

  • Canada and the Netherlands

    900 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...ton, Pierre. Marching as to War: Canada's Turbulent Years, 1899-1953. Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 2001. Print.

    Read More

  • Canada's Autonomy: The Chanak Affair Of 1922

    921 Words  | 2 Pages

    A century ago, Canada was under control by the British Empire. The battles we fought the treaties we signed and the disputes we solved all helped us gain independence from our mother country “Britain”. Canadians fought a long battle protecting others, and from these battles we gained our peaceful reputation and our independence from Britain. Canada became a nation on July, 1st 1867. Although we were an independent country, our affairs and treaties were all still signed by Britain. In the next years Canada would establish its own government, and lead its own affairs. Many important events led to Canada’s independence, one of the earliest signals that Canada wanted to establish autonomy was the Chanak affair of 1921. In addition the battle of Normandy, which occurred on June 6 1944, contributed to the autonomy of Canada. The Suez Canal Crisis, which took place in the year 1956, earned Canada a place in the media spotlight, displaying Canada as a peaceful country that deserves the right to be independent. One of the final steps that aided with Canada’s independence from Britain was the Canada Act of 1982. Independence from Britain steadily increased throughout the 20th century because of political decisions made in Canada.

    Read More

  • Why Canada was Successful at Vimy Ridge

    964 Words  | 2 Pages

    From a strategic point of view the Canadians were extremely innovative in their offensive tactics and without doubt led to their success in the battle. Should the Canadians followed similar tactics of the French or British of sending their soldiers wave after wave in tightly packed groups and not using their artillery to its best use the attack likely would have befell the same fate, accomplishing little and many dead. Instead the Canadians invented a tactic of using platoons that included specialists in different weapons (bombs, machine guns, etc.). These platoons attacked in a loose formation (unlike in waves tightly packed men) making it a lot more difficult for the Germans (or any other force for that matter)...

    Read More

  • The Battle of Vimy Ridge and Its effect on Canada

    1102 Words  | 3 Pages

    Contrary to what many believe, the Battle of Vimy Ridge was more than “another bloodshed” for Canada as a nation. This battle confirmed Canada’s eligibility to participate on the world stage and that they are not to be trifled with by other nations. The accomplishments of the Canadian army brought respect from other countries to Canada. The Canadian army gained confidence in themselves after the victory at the battle Vimy Ridge. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was significant to the growth of Canada as a nation.

    Read More

  • Canada's Involvement in World War One

    1424 Words  | 3 Pages

    Battles such as Vimy Ridge, the Second Battle of Passchendaele and the Battle of the Somme were some of the worst battles that the world can find Canadian's. Our northern nation had boasted over 600,000 soldiers to the battlefields whilst also providing vital manufacturing facilities and training soldiers from across the world. The strong imperial bond between Canada and the 'Motherland' was an important factor in Canada's decision to participate wholeheartedly in World War I, and influenced many in their decision to join the army. Most Canadians felt a strong connection to the British Emp...

    Read More

  • Impact of World War 2 on Canada

    461 Words  | 1 Pages

    Canada also became a leader internationally as well. With such an enormous military contribution during the war, other countries began to recognize the success of Canada. People wanted to know more about Canada. Consequently, the war advanced Canada’s sense of identity.

    Read More

  • Growth of Canada as a Nation during WWI

    936 Words  | 2 Pages

    Canada's sacrifices and contributions to the war changed its history and enabled them to become more independent and they friendship with Britain grew stronger and stronger. Canada was first inducted into the World War 1 when Britain declared war on Germany, August 4, 1914. Canada being allies with Britain had to support those in the war even know they weren’t in there and fighting all on the front they were backup just in case the German soldiers broke through the trenches and head towards France. Later on the Governor General also declared war on Germany but the Canadians fought under the ruling of a Britain commander. The achievements of Canadian military during the First World War came during the Somme, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele battles and what later became known as "Canada's Hundred Days". They help fight for the freedom and peace for the small village of Passchendaele and however as it was a muddy hell, they still persevered throu...

    Read More

  • The Dieppe Raid

    2274 Words  | 5 Pages

    Stacey, C.P. Colonal, et al. Official history of Canadian Army in the Second worl War: Volume I.

    Read More

  • Acts of Conscription Throughout Canadian History

    911 Words  | 2 Pages

    Canada over the years have made itself known with it’s aspect of military combat. It’s soldiers have proven themselves undoubtedly strong willed and the prowess of Canadians shown bright in the battlefields of WWI and WWII. However, the brilliance of the Canadian forces was not without its own indigenous faults. In WWI alone, there have been 100,000 men conscripted into the armed forces, upping the count to meet the number Robert Borden, the PM at the time’s promised 500,000 by 1917. Simple math presents that over 20 percent of the men that then made up of Canada’s armed forces were conscripts, and the men were unwilling to do battle. Out of the French, 93% of those who were enlisted had applied for exemption. The lack of discipline out of the French Canadian soldiers even resulted in riots in Quebec. The savagery of the riots shocked conscripts and volunteers alike, and lowering the morales of both Conversely, the majority of soldiers who applied for the exemption of the military did not receive their goal. Nevertheless, those men still found other ways to avoid the frontlines, by assuming non-combat roles with duties of cleaning and other labour. While these militia servants were frowned upon, and even harassed by other soldiers, it did not stop the population of conscripts from ...

    Read More

More about Operation Overload: Both a Win and a Loss

Open Document