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CANADIANS GAIN BEACH-HEAD IN NORMANDY
ON BOARD HEADQUARTERS SHIP HMS HILARY- 10:30 a.m. June 6 – Message received from Major General R. F. Keller, the Canadian commander on the beach to General H. D. Crerar, commanding the First Canadian Army. "Beach-head gained. Well on our way to our immediate objectives."
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The invasion of France began early this morning. Thousands of Canadian, British and American soldiers are storming the beaches of what Hitler calls "Fortress Europe."
The first bulletins arrived at CBC headquarters in Toronto around 3:30 a.m.
- LONDON - British Prime Minister Winston Churchill has told the House of Commons in London that an armada of 4,000 ships has crossed the Channel to France. Mr. Churchill says the sea passage was made with minimal losses. The enemy was caught by surprise. The attack began shortly after midnight in France, with heavy bombardment by the planes from all Allied Air Forces. Airborne troops dropped by parachute in key locations and it is reported they have captured most of their objectives.
- WASHINGTON - President Franklin Roosevelt has told reporters in Washington that minesweepers and PT (patrol torpedo ) boats cleared the way for the fleet. Two U.S. destroyers and one LST (landing ship tank) boat have been lost.
- ALLIED HEADQUARTERS, S. E. ENGLAND - The Canadian Third Division has landed at a beach codenamed "Juno." The attack began just before 8 a.m. local time, three hours before low tide. There are reports of casualties on the landing craft due to beach obstacles and bombardment by the enemy. Heavy fighting is reported near the town of Bernières where the Royal Winnipeg Rifles landed just after dawn.
- LONDON - Nazi Radio monitored here claims the British have invaded the Channel Islands and are being repulsed with heavy casualties.
- LONDON - King George will address the Empire tonight.
- PARIS - Broadcast by Marshall Henri Philippe Petain warns the French not to support the Allies because there will be "tragic German reprisals."
- PORTSMOUTH - It can now be revealed that the fleet began to gather and men went on the ships on June 4, in preparation for an attack yesterday, Monday, June 5. Bad weather forced postponement of the invasion by 24 hours.
Mackenzie King
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At half past three o'clock this morning, the government received official word that the invasion of western Europe had begun.
Word was also received that the Canadian troops were among the Allied forces who landed this morning on the northern coast of France. Canada will be proud to learn that our troops are being supported by units of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The great landing in western Europe is the opening of what we hope and believe will be the decisive phase of the war against
Germany.
The fighting is certain to be heavy, bitter and costly. You must not expect early results. We should be prepared for local reverses as well as success.
No one can say how long this phase of the war may last. But we have every reason for confidence in the final outcome ....
Gen. Eisenhower
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Message to Allied troops on D-Day from Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force:
Soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well-trained, well-equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year of 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men.
The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!
Good luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.
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