In The duty of June 3, we rightly emphasize the 80e anniversary of the Normandy landings, which is described as “the greatest armada in history”.
However, from July 10 of the previous year, in 1943, the Sicily landings exceeded him in men, weapons and equipment (Operation Husky). Moreover, ultimately, almost 100,000 Canadians will serve in Italy, where nearly 6,000 are buried.
Of course, it is not a question of pitting one landing against another. But let’s take advantage of this moment to remember other little-known operations of the Second World War, including the Italian campaign, which killed so many Canadians, including many Quebecers.
In the popular mind, the Normandy landings settled everything. However, if you go to Italy, take the time to visit some of the eighteen military cemeteries where ours are buried. Above all, note the dates of the deaths of the remains resting in the cemeteries along the Adriatic.
Thus, near Ravenna, a city famous for its mosaics, you will see the tomb of soldier Dubé of the Royal 22e Regiment, died February 2, 1945 at the age of 21. Or that of soldier Isabelle, from the same regiment, killed a few days later, on February 7, 1945, during what is called “the battle of the rivers”.
Eight months after the landings of June 6, 1944, Canadians were still falling on distant battlefields in Italy.