The Disastrous D-Day Drop Of The Canadian 1st Paratroopers | War Stories
Hours before dawn on June 6th 1944, before the Allied armada made its way across the English channel towards Normandy, the fearless Allied Paratroopers had already started their D-Day. This is the story of the Canadian 1st Paratrooper's on D-Day and beyond, fighting deep in the heart of enemy territory.
War Stories is your one stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts.
Discover the past on History Hit, with ad-free exclusive podcasts and documentaries released weekly and presented by world-renowned historians Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Matt Lewis and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code 'WARSTORIES': historyhit.com/subscription
You can find more from us on:
/ warstoriesdocs
This channel is part of the History Hit Network. For any queries, please contact owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com.
#warstories #documentary #military
The fact these men saw parachute failures in training and still went through with it just shows the determination and pure balls of steel these men had.
Same kind of stupidity that makes astronauts today
It was training they didn't need to have a gun; they should have had the extra chute. LOL it almost is laughable stupidity. If it was too low fly higher and bring the extra. I would be embarrassed to write your son died in training letters to the family.
@@user-tc9ft8fs3eno not stupidity. Heroism.
My father did his training at fort benning georgia when he was at the jump tower 3 men died before they stopped because of the wind 😢
@@user-tc9ft8fs3e It wasn't "stupidity", it was determination and the kind that will never be seen again. Certainly not from the N.American youth of today. I worked with many men in the early 70s that had seen action (from both sides) during the war. They didn't put up with any BS and we owe each one of them a debt of gratitude.
I’m a ex Royal Marine Commando Corporal, my next door neighbour was Brigadier James Hill (Speedy Hill) an officer and a gentleman. He always talked about his Canadian Paratroopers with affection ,pride and their professionalism. We used to just sit in his garden drinking tea chatting about everything and nothing,I visited him for the last time a couple of days before he died. I miss the chats,he was a Brigadier with a maroon lid ,I was a corporal with a green lid such a gentleman.
Thank you sir. I'm sorry for your friend's passing. Men like you are very inspiring.
From a multiple tour Afghan Vet and a Canadian army Parachutist I got nothing on you guys! Your what made this country great. AIRBORNE!
Much Respect and Thank you .
Thank you for your service. Cheers 🇨🇦
What the presentation didn't make clear but needs to be noted is that the reason that the Battalion was rushed up to intercept and stop the Soviets was that the USSR had designs on capturing Denmark. Their armies in the region had orders to push as rapidly northwest through Germany as possible and occupy Denmark. SHAPE HQ became aware of this and needed to get a tough unit in place before the Red Army arrived to prevent that move. Thanks to the bravery and resolute character of the Canadian Airborne Demark remained free. An amazing achievement: imagine saving and entire country and people.
My Grandfather tried to join the Canadian Airborne. They didn't let him in because all of his fingers were the same length. He did join the Canadian Army though, and died at Normandy in 1944.
What kind of condition results in fingers all the same length? And/or why did they not let him in because of that?
@@winstonsmith8482 I don't know what it's called, certainly some sort of birth defect that the Airborne thought he couldn't perform properly with. But, he did get into the Army.
✝️🙏🏻
WOUW, that sounds like a serious warning, NOT to join the PUPPET armed forces of the evil elite selfproclamed upperclass psychopathic parasithic authoreties and their secret society's
He was determined to do his effort to serve his country and mankind. I thank him for his service and sacrifice being a man of honor.🇨🇦
Thank you 🇨🇦 for standing with us when the world needed it most.
Canadian service brothers, My sincere condolences for your family’s of service men fought gallantly for democracy, an freedoms from WWI an WWII. Plus more that history left out. Your black watch men in WWII fighting the nazi’s story is incredible. My honor to write this message…..
My late father was Royal Navy,The Royal Canadian Navy were Right Up There, in the U Boat War as far as he was concerned. He often mentioned them when I was a little kid and he talked about the war at sea. I am seventy now.
As it should be as a colony
My son is taking the Cdn Basic Parachute Course next month. I took mine 39 years ago. .... These guys had a level of toughness I don't think could be replicated in the current generation or my generation.
Thank you for your service and I'm certain your son will excell 🇨🇦 💪
Good times; been almost 20 years for me. As for the generational comment - nope. Every generation thinks they were tough and the next is not. Tough times create tough men no matter the time.
Every soldier that does it is an absolute credit to the nation. ...And this is a sailor talking! LOL!
Bless all these amazing men, and their families. May we always remember the great will, determination, spirit and sacrifice of the courageous ones! Go in peace brave men, go in peace. 🙏 💜 🌿
As a footnote, medical services for the Canadian Paras were provided by the British 224 Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC. My late father, a conscientious objector from London, was unlucky enough to be captured along with most of his unit early on D Day when a German patrol stumbled across them setting up their field hospital in Varaville. Later in the war he rejoined the unit and saw action with the Canadians in the Ardennes and the the Rhine crossings, ending the war facing the Russians on the Baltic. Being a rather quiet, gentle Englishman he always referred to the Canadian Paras as 'bloody mad'! We will remember them.
The Canadian content makes me feel good. Thank you.
I suspect you are also a Canadian, as as such, I urge you to visit the Canadian battlefields in France should you ever get the opportunity. Vimy Ridge, where the Canadian forces fought a most heroic battle and wrote their proud names into the annals of history, is a truly spine tingling site. The huge, towering granite angels monument is a must visit place for any Canadians with the means. At Vimy ridge, your Canadian Grandfathers fought like lions, as they did everywhere they went, and many German memoirs cite Canadians as the enemy units they feared the most, of all allied armies. If you are, as I suspect, Canadian, then you have one of the greatest honours possible to have. You are of these men.
My prayers are for the real Canadian people as trudue has really messed up Canada.
@@NiSiochainGanSaoirsevery well said as myself a Canadian whos grandfather fought in the 2nd war I'm very proud of my grandfather told of how the Dutch he said were so incredibly happy to see the Canadian men and brought it clear to the men why they were there incredible stories I miss that most about him he could sure tell a story
From MT - USA... ... Thank you, Canada... ... For saving us, too. Very impressed - you are remembered.
Thank you for the recognition. My grandfather was one of the men who landed with the 1st Canadian Para at Normandy.
As a side note, it's always worth highlighting how the Germans feared Canadians more than any other armies. That's not to minimise our allied efforts, but serves to clarify just how fearsome and effective the Canadians were in he eyes of the enemy. I read a memoir from a German soldier who had been the first units attacked with the new tactic of rolling artillery barrages, which the Canadians pioneered, and which terrified the germans so thoroughly that there are countless German memoirs which single out the Canadians as the enemies they feared more than any other. The Canadians aren't just remembered in France. The French people actively lionize their memories, and hold Canadians in the highest regard for their exploits in liberating Europe. God bless the Canadians.
As are yours, they are all remembered!
My respect for these men who gave their lives for the freedom we have today. We will not forget them❤
What a drone comment, they fought on the wrong side, now we live with maxixt agents.
My wife and I are planning to attend the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, at Juno Beach while part of an organized memorial tour. After the tour concludes we will be travelling on our own to tour the 1 Can Para DZ and objectives in Normandy, then to Holland and Belgium where my father first entered combat with the Battalion. We will then follow his route from the Canadian Varsity DZ to Wismar, with a stop at Bergin- Belsen. He told me about coming upon the concentration camp, the "strike" in England, stopping the Soviets in Wismar, and several other stories. He was 20 yrs. 4 mos. on VE day. "We will remember them."
I’ve followed the route from the DZ to Wismar. My grandad was in 7 Para. If you need any help with locations let me know!
@@alex1975uk Thanks for the offer. I have the driving route planned out using my father's copy of "Out of the Clouds" , "The History of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion". I hope that the driving takes us over less traveled country roads for the most part. I don't enjoy driving on unfamiliar motorways/freeways with confusing entrances and exits. Wish we could be travelling by motorbike instead of automobile!
@@ArbutusWVI excellent. You got all the info for the DZ area?
@@alex1975uk Not much specific info in the book. A map shows the DZ in the vicinity of Wesel, text says "1 Can Para was expected to drop near the westerly end of the DZ, then move to rendezvous points. Enemy fire caused a certain amount of scattering to the sticks, but most were dropped in the general vicinity of their targets". The wife and I plan to drive to Wesel and have a look at the countryside before moving on to Lembeck. Do you have more detailed information?
My grandmother was a little girl in holland during the war. She used to tell me of how good it was to have real chocolate for the first time in years when Canadians came and liberated the town in Friesland she was temporarily living in with family because the winter 44 famine was harsh on the towns closer to the front (she originally was born in Delft). The liberation was one of the main inspirations her parents had to come to Canada later in the mid 50's. Thanks to men like your Father my grandmother survived the horrors of the german occupation and built a new life here in Canada cheers 🍻
I am proud Canadian. My grandfather and great-grandfather were in WW1 WW2. I asked my grandfather a few questions about the war, but he really didn't talk about it. My grandmother later told me he got hit in the side and leg with shrapnel from hand grenade, and he lost his brother.
Canadians were brave and incredible warriors. I've watched many documentaries about Canadian troops and the tank corps. I never felt like Canada celebrated them enough.
@@nmr6988 Agee with you 100%
When I go to graveyard to visit my grandparents,each time I take Chester my golden retriever and we always visit the veterans and straighten out their little flags and maple leaf markers! I'm so grateful for our freedom which so many unselfishly gave their young lives for our freedom! Thank u all veterans ur the real heroes!
Thanks for this Canadian contents. My dad trained for the infantry in WW2. It was an uncaring industrial sausage factory. That's where that generation learned not to complain.
American paratrooper, I look at these men in awe
Thank you for your service.🇺🇸
The 1st Paras were the Elite of a very special Army. Thanks to all of these men from the bottom of my heart. God bless us all.
Thanks to these Paratrooper Veterans for their Service 🙏🇨🇦
To ask a man child to jump out of a perfectly good plane and kill anybody in a uniform is incredible. These Men who fought World War 2 are truly the greatest people who have ever walked the surface of the Earth.The families and women who supported them made an incredible sacrifice to help humanity.
What about the people who discovered how to make fire with a stick and some brush, or a rock. There are many generations that have great tools to help man with everyday life, such as the bow and arrow even. These ones are just more relevant and known. Heat is the most important thing for humans on Earth as well as shelter.
The first guy being interviewed is my grandfather! So proud!
The Greatest Generation. Thank you for all you did and all you gave.
What would have happened to the world if Commonwealth nations hadn't stood with Britain before the USA became involved in the war? I think the world would have been a far different place today. Canada, Australia, India and all the others who fought beside britain all deserve to be remembered.
To be a "Commonwealth nation" is you fought for Britain First. The CN were not independent countries on their own yet. They were subservient to Britain. Great Britain discovered these countries so they were property of the Crown. That was the way it was. WW2 made many more of them INDEPENDENT from the Crown which knocked out the "Great" part out of Britain as many of the colonies decided to be a country of their own and not be a colony anymore. It was a negotiated break up of Britain(not a war). They still "loosely" associate with other former colonies. Around 54 countries gained independence from the United Kingdom throughout its history, the most in the world, showing you how big an empire it was. BTW The Brits were winning after the Canadians beat back the Germans on the most fortified beach front Juno Beach. Without the U.S. it would just take LONGER. Still the outcome would be the same. Germany would be defeated.
@@bunzeebear2973 Some were independent some were not. WWII certainly sped up the push for independence is those who weren't. Australia was already independent and did not initially fight Britain so generalisations can be inaccurate.
Sure but to a lesser extent then the Americans 🇺🇸 TRUMP 2024
@@nicohands9171 Trump is a vile human being. If he gets elected, expect WW3 soon afterward.
Absolutely, the commonwealth troops contribution was very important. We recognise that in Britain. Conversely we needed each other, without the British contribution the commonwealth armies would have been crushed.
Oh man the amount of servicemen on this day 😢 R.I.P to those who served
These aren't just service members, these are true real life Super-Heroes. They're called The Greatest Generation for a reason, They Literally SAVED the world from Nazism. To think little twerps college students call these Heroes Racist & "Old white males" as a derogatory term. Truly makes my blood boil, when I was a kid we looked up to them, we practically worshipped them.
Paras were new to the Canadian army. My Dad was one of the first to volunteer and like so many others, he was injured in training in Canada and transferred to tanks where he didnt have to march. He still saw lots of action in Sicily, Italy, Belgium, Holland and N.W. Germany.
Greatful thank you so much God bless from (Holland) The Netherlands
My Uncle now passed on for 20 years was in France and Holland not a para though. Just a private that saw too much death as a young fellow . He often would speak of Holland and how they treated the Canadian soldiers so fondly.
My great grandfather served in the liberation of the Netherlands. He passed just after i was born. But from what my grandfather told me growing up I'm just summing it up here but he was just happy to help those who truly needed it. 😊😊
My grandfather brought back a pair of children's clogs he purchased in the Netherlands. He spoke fondly of the Dutch people. 🇨🇦 & 🇱🇺 are forever friends.
My old Dad was RN (and a Boxer) and he said that the only squadies they would'nt get in a bar brawl with was the Canadians. They had max respect for the Canadians. Everyone else was fair game 🤣🤕
My father served twice in ww2. He signed up under age. Was sent to Italy. My.grandfather was inspecting the new recruits. Leaned into my dad and asked him...wtf are you doing here. Was sent home to Canada. Trained more and landed at Normandy Dday +5.
It was a wonderful historical coverage video about Canadian paratroopers' missions in D.Day operations during WW2.
Wow. This was my first Canadian story on WWII. The Paras were truly bad Azz troops. I can’t imagine what they went through. I just want to thank my Northern brothers and sisters for everything they did for us and for the sacrifices they made for our Allies. Bless you all.
We stand with u guys always. Unless it's a conflict we can't agree on. Like Nam' I or Iraq. But we were with ya during Korea Afghanistan and Desert Storm eh !
Thank God for these wonderful and brave men...the greatest generation!!!!
amazing. hats off to my canadian brothers up north
Thank god we had men like this.
Loving the Canadian content! Love seeing the comments from the other allied nations about how they’re learning new things about our contribution.
The Canadians seem to have been forgotten for their part in the military and industrial contributions in the war but they were there in Dieppe paid the price and everywhere else till the end 🫡🫡🫡
WW 1 and the Boer war also. The thing is they were fighting for and under the British Empire. It was later during Korea & Afghanistan where they were under the Canadian flag
They've been forgotten because of our educational system. Kids are hardly taught a thing about our notable history or the sacrifices of those who died for our country.
@@webleypugI'm a teacher and it's because our provincial governments across the country have neglected our education system to such an extent where most kids only have one history class through their entire high school career. Funding for education continues to be laughable and the money only seems to go to maths and sciences.
Wonderful film! My uncle, Steve Kowbel, was in the Paras in WW II. He was traumatized by his combat experiences and wouldn’t talk about them until late in life, when he started going to regimental reunions. I spoke with him in August of 1998, at my other uncle’s funeral, and he told me how proud he was to have been part of the 1st Canadian Paratroop Battalion in the war. He died less than a year later, but I am grateful he was able to connect with his fellow veteran Paras and come to terms with his past. As Canadians, we should all be proud of the accomplishments of this unit.
My grandfather was a Canadian paratrooper on D-Day. We still have his combined ops patch (gold stitching). Watching this gave me chills, and allowed me to witness a little bit of what he had to live through. Truly amazing video.
A better soldier I could never have been. These men were a different breed.
To bad the Canadian contribution in WW 2 is not more recognized. But we are a humble people. Not looking to be glorified. We Know who we are.
He Shoots He Scores!
What does anyone know of the part Denmark or any of the other smaller nations played in WW2? More people will know what contribution the Canadians played than what the Danes did.
Always been very well aware of the massive part Canada, with Australia, New Zealand and most numerously, India played in the WW2, thank you. Anybody who has the slightest interest in the history will always be aware. I grew up in Kenya, and the East and West African soldier made their own significant contributions, from Ethiopia to Burma. Poland - never forget Poland either.
@@HankD13 Yes, the whole of the British Commonwealth answered the call to arms in both big wars. As did resistance fighters in occupied countries. Kudos to them all.
@@chucktheperson1063 not all. Under the statute of Westminster of 1932 the Irish chose not to tazke up arms as a nation as a nation, but as individuals stood against oppression as they had against the British.
I am happy whenever I see my nations war history in a documentary, our Warriors deserve more credit in documentaries and film.
Excellent! A new (to me) video about a topic I'd never heard of before. Also, remembrances of Canadian veterans! Wonderful!
Parachute units were very new in WW2 & there was a lot to learn! The fact that people were dropped in the wrong place was hardly surprising.
War Stories, You're so talented! I had to hit the like button!
These channels don't make the doccos, they just show them with permission.
I love learning about other Allied efforts in World War II, especially the Canadian stories 🫶🏽 God bless all who serve and who have served 🙏🏽
A pleasure to watch the Canadians. It is a shame that for 60 years we could see the dead and the living in the concentration camps in a documentary - but not on YT today.
well it is YT afterall...free, accessible to everyone including young kids. I dont think it changes the impact and anyway those images are out there , on some YT channels but certainly on the non-free platforms etc
To all these men and all who were there we say thankyou.and bless you.to all your comrades that never left there may you rest in.peace and bless you for your sacrifice. Blesd you all
My respect to al Canadees vetrans the liberait my home town deep bow tho you all respect gratiings from Holland
🇨🇦 & 🇱🇺 are forever friends. The Dutch are held in high regard in Canada. I don't see that changing anytime soon. Cheers.
My uncle was in the American Paratroopers of the group he dropped with on D-Day only he and his lieutenant made it back. He carried his lieutenant out on his back and was sent home with an injured wrist that he never had full use of. Diz had one of the shortest tours you could have.
Great video. Thank God someone is making the effort to tell the stories of Canada's contribution to the war effort - often overlooked. I've met some of these fine gentlemen and am sad to say they are all gone now. Videos like this give them a chance to tell their story before it's too late. One complaint: the title. The use of the word 'disastrous' is an insult. These brave men achieved all their objectives. Nothing 'disastrous' about it.
lib556 - They did achieve their objective, but 340 casualties out of 600 men is indeed a disaster.
Danemark 🇩🇰 OWES IT TO Canada 🇨🇦 ‘s Sons to NOT EXPERIENCE FIRST HAND the niceties of a soviet red liberation. Wonder how the 🇳🇴 citizens of Kirkenes felt about the soviet liberation then.
Cam on nhieu. Its true that Denmark came close to being under the Iron Curtain. The story of Canadians liberating Holland in WWII is fairly well known, but not so well know was their role in keeping the Russians from occupying Denmark. And quite interesting that they drank vodka with them to ease the tensions :) I bet most of those Russians, orders or not, were just happy to see the war over and Germany defeated.
I've never heard about this before.More and more of these stories are coming out.Usually 2nd World War is told from the.American perspective.I had an American customer who thought that the Korean War was fought only by Americans. " I thought we were on our own there!" He said.
Love the story of getting drunk with the Russians then returning back to tell their general that they're friendly and they have peace.
I know that every Canadian was a volunteer, Real Heroes! 🤕👍
We did have the draft. But drafted soldiers aka zombies were not used for combat.
'We stand up and hook up. So now it's getting pretty serious' got to absolutely love the Canadians 🇬🇧🍻🇨🇦
😆 We have a thing for understatements. 🍻🇨🇦🇬🇧
So tragic and sad, war. So many young men getting blown to bits. Unimaginable horror. Such heroism, too. 😢
The greatest and most generous generation ever! Volunteer to fight and die for someone else and country other than yours! They have my greatest respect and aspiration!
I met a couple of Ex-British Paratroopers and other Ex-British Servicemen as a teenager in the 50s and 60s, and later as a young Doctor in the 70s. A wonderful generation. Brave beyond my ken. Post Thatcher? Greed and kudos. ☘👿
My Uncle was with A Company and is mentioned in the book " Holding Juno " 🇨🇦
We stand on the shoulders of giants! Thank you for everything that you have done for Canada and the freedoms we have enjoyed. I am a Canadian Veteran and pray that our future will continue to be bright. 🇨🇦
Such bravery and modesty combined, thank you for all you did.
From a long-retired member of the Canadian Army I was privileged to serve under men like BGen Rockingham who years earlier led Canadians in the Korean War, and Col Don Holmes who commanded Canadian troops on UN Peacekeeping in Egypt circa 1974. Holmes impressed us in Egypt as a tough natural leader. He was also a paratrooper who jumped the Rhine in WW11. I can relate to the fellow early in the video who said the second jump was harder because you’re more aware of what you’re about to do. I made only five jumps with a civilian club and also found the later jumps harder. I read a book by a former member of the French Foreign Legion who said much the same about members of 2 REP. Some simply were unable to continue jumping and so were posted to other FFL regiments. A bit of black humour I remember being told is that when people on the ground look like ants, all is well, but when the ants look like people, then you’re in trouble. Respect to the men in this video. They made Canada proud.
Well done! And you stopped the RushkiesToo!!
Feel so proud of our forces Thankyou for everything! So Respected!
Great video, important for everyone to know of this history and the mentality of these vets. True north strong and free. Greatest generation.
My uncle was in the 82nd, 505 PIR. So many had experiences similar to these Canadians. So good to learn of their experiences. The unheard of tough training, weeding out of stranglers, comradeship, valor, were shared by all of the airborne groups. We owe them all our eternal gratitude. I’d never heard of the standoff with the Russians, BTW.
just hearing that man say hes from the same town as me gives me so much pride
Definitely the Greatest Generation. Much respect. 👊🏻
another excellent video. keep up the good work. thaqnk you.
My son was a paratrooper. Now he’s in the skies forever looking down at us
God bless you lads! From a grateful Englishman.
Truly amazing men. They really were the 'Greatest Generation'.
The word "Disastrous" in the title is an insult to the soldiers whether they were killed or survived. We weren't there.❤ 🇨🇦
Militarily, 340 casualties out of 600 is a disaster.
What makes me sad, other than the loss of life of some of Canada's finest. It the fact that the parade up Bay Street that was held in their honour, would never happen today. I want our country back.
It's great to see Canadian paratroopers recognized for their glory and not over their less than honourable disbanding over mishandling prisoners in Africa.
What would you expect when you use professional trained killers to keep peace and not do what they were trained to do. Shame, and not on them.
@@savagemax9091 Yes. It's always the sycophantic military higher-ups & queasy civilian types who love to pontificate on common soldiers in a combat theatre.
Last March (PIA Symposium) and summer Operation Pegasus Jump, I hung out with veterans of the Canadian Airborne Regiment and they blamed their problems in Somalia on a failed pharmaceutical trial. Mefloquin caused a lot of problems. I also chatted with a Kenyan doctor who was returning home after a conference about malaria. He reassured me that mefloquine is no longer used because it is toxic and has too many nasty side-effects.
@@savagemax9091 I was with the Airborne Regiment in Somalia and that mission was a fail from the beginning. You're right, it wasn't our place to be, it's a shame that the actions of a few tarnished the reputation of thousands of Canadian Paratroopers and most importantly those who served during WW2 .
My 7th grade teacher was in this battalion.
Will we have Market Garden documentary?
Montgomery's initial plan called for the 1st Canadian army to take part, but when the actual operation got underway it was only the US & Brits.
@@webleypug and it failed. the canadians were sent in later and succeeded.
I barely know what to say. I'm an old white guy, so nobody pays any attention to me, but my neighbour was in this battalion, my dad and his brothers, my baseball coach, my teachers all killed somebody so I could do whatever I wanted. If they were alive today, they would be very, very, very angry at what we have done with the freedom they gave us.
What does you being white has to do with anyging ?
Why? I fought for my country too and I have zero problem with what is going on. Freedom is just that - freedom, not what YOU believe it to be.
@@thatcanada Assuming you must be an ex-pat. What's going on in Canada is something goldbug7127's friends & relatives would indeed be angry with.
Such a well done program.To be honest I did not know very much about the Canadian Paras….now I do! Thank you.
Wish I could give more than a thumbs up for this video. What an amazing tribute, worthy of a tv series ❤️
This was a great documentary! Thanks for putting it out. I knew some of this history, but not all of it. In particular, I really appreciated hearing the story from these amazing men. A friend who knew I served in the Canadian Airborne Regiment 2 Commando/Pathfinder sent this to me, I'm glad he did.
Marvelous documentary! Heroes one and all! 🎖🎖🙌🙌
British stock who then became frontiersmen. 40 below no central heating, neighbor miles away. Cleared the land homesteading. All very common. They all became tough.
British stock? Everything else you said is accurate but Canada is made up of people of French, British, First Nations and other ethnicities, from Ukrainians, Germans, Italian, Japanese and many others… all of whom are Canadians and served.
Thank-you for this documentary. My mother was born in Germany. She would recount her memory as a 12-year-old child about the “Americans” she saw passing through Oldenburg (northwest Germany) just before the war ended. Today, I realize that she is mistaken, as these “Americans” were in fact Canadians. She with my father, immigrated to Canada in the late 50s, where we all still live today.
Hi, as old as you are, there is a certainty in your life “once a Para, always a Para!”. Utrinque Paratus, cheers mate. Harera
Wow ,just wow, I knew you Canadians were there but never knew how up front you guys were... absolutely amazing,even when the video was on the older today's persons,,, I saw warriors.... thank you Canada, heroes absolute ✌️ from liverpool uk ❤
Respect to them all past and present. Thank you all for your service😊 regards😊❤😊❤
Excellent film
Respect!
I'm going to assume this was probably recorded 15 years ago because these guys are getting older and older but this was a f****** good documentary. This was really a gem.
Yep. If they were alive today, they'd be about the century mark. They looked to be in their 80s when interviewed.
Years later when the book Tip of the Spear: An Intimate Account of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was published, I was amazed to find a picture of my uncle in the book. He would have been very proud.
I knew a veteran of this jump. Sgt. Glenny. I could talk to him about training and equipment, but he would never speak about combat. Not a surprise that he isn't in this. My brother in law lost a cousin during the second drop. We visited his grave in the Netherlands and my Grandfather's grave just over the border in Germany April 2023. Lest we forget!
My grandfather, Robert Abbott, was part of 1 Can Para. He was part of one of the first groups to join the Battalion before they had developed a Canadian version of the para qualification. He did his training with the US airborne and initially was issued with US jump wings. He used to tell a story of being held back after basic training and being promoted to Lance Corporal and ordered to be an instructor at the basic training camp in Brampton, Ontario. By November of that year he had become so fed up with living in a tent as the temperatures started to fall below freezing that he felt like the notice on a mess hall bulletin board proclaiming "Paratroopers Wanted" nearly went unnoticed by him, but the location of training listed at the bottom caught his eye as it read "Fort Benning, GA". He said " Georgia!? It's warmer in Georgia!" And skipped the meal that day to report to his CO to volunteer for the Paras. He said he had no idea what a para was, he just wanted to be warm! He jumped in D-day and landed on a house miles away from th3 intended LZ. The man of the house came out with a shotgun believing him to be a German paratrooper on a training jump. He had to explain to them in high-school French he was Canadian and that the invasion had started. Years ago in the late 1960s he went back to Normandy, found the house and had dinner with that family. I am always thankful for the years of his youth that my grandfather and other men like him sacrificed to free the world and experience the horrors of war so we didn't have to. He and his friends could have been chasing girls, starting families, and being young men, but instead they were fighting and dying for us. Bravo Zulu.
Merci à tous ces héros canadiens. Vous êtes tous des héros. Merci !!!! RIP !
Brave men! Very brave men! May their memories be long lasting!
Anyone who has even a passing interest in the wars will know how fearsome the Canadians were. Ive wen blessed to visit vimy ridge, where the Canadians achieved the impossible, and the Germans learned to fear the Canadians greatly. Many German memoirs cite CANADIANS as the enemies the Germans feared more than any other army. That's not to lessen the monumental achievements of the allied forces in general, instead wha my comments seeks to achieve is to offer my respects to, and eternal admiration of, the fearless warriors of the Canadian armed forces. Truly, lions of freedom.
Really cool show , thank you for the service respect
Love this! Wasn't aware there were Canadian paratroopers on DDay.
Thank very much. I was an Airborne medic. Still am at heart :)
Thank you for all that I have today
@39:12 Looks likr the Reds riding a commandeered German SdKfz 251 half-track armoured personnel carrier, The Soviet Union will not develop their own Armored Personnel Carrier until the 1950's. During the war, their main APC was the US M3 half track Was "Patton" right.. Patton was gravely concerned over the Soviet failure to respect the demarcation lines separating the Soviet and American occupation zones Patton’s duties as the military governor took him to all parts of Germany and intimately acquainted him with the German people and their condition. He could not help forming a favourable opinion of German people. He came to believe that the Allies had destroyed what could have been a good race and exposed Eastern Europe to the danger of Soviet occupation. All this experience led him to believe that America had been fighting the wrong enemy, Germany instead of Russia. 80th anniversary - June 6, 2024 will mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings along the Normandy coast during World War II as well as with community events around the UK.
Looked like the first guy off the back of it had a captured FG 44. Looked like an AK at first but I quickly realised it hasn't been inveted yet.
Soviet infantry would ride on the tops of the T34 tanks in the absence of half-tracks or APCs. Of course their casualties were very high doing that.
My cousin was among these paratroopers. He dropped behind enemy lines in the early hours of June 6, and survived the first few weeks, but was killed in late August 1944. He was a farm boy, aged 22, and is buried in Bayeux War Cemetery.