Battle for Carpiquet Airfield - Normandy 1944

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  • čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
  • On 4 July, General Dempsey launches operation Windsor. The first target is the Carpiquet airfield; it was one of the initial objectives set for the D-Day, like Caen, and that has been resisting since nearly a month. The Canadians of the 3rd Infantry division 8th Brigade, reinforced by the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, conquer the town of Carpiquet on 5 July. But it takes three more days of fierce fightings to take the airfield to the Hitlerjugend panzergrenadiers, who defend their trenches, for much, to the bitter end. The Canadians have to push back several counter-attacks of the Leibstandarte division units supported by tanks; but on 8 July, the Allied forces are at the gate of Caen.
    The price of this partial victory had once more been high. The Winnipegs had 40 fatalities out of a total of 132 casualties; the North Shores reported 46 killed and 86 wounded. Carpiquet is still remembered as the graveyard of the North Shores because these were the heaviest losses it suffered during the entire campaign. "I am sure that at some time during the attack every man felt he could not go on", one of the North Shores recalled. "Men were being killed or wounded on all sides and the advance seemed pointless as well as hopeless. I never realized ... how far discipline, pride of unit, and above all, pride in oneself and family, can carry a man even when each step forward meant possible death." It had been another hard lesson for Canadian soldiers who were quickly becoming accustomed to such horrors.
    Source: Library and Archives Canada

Komentáře • 80

  • @371francis
    @371francis Před 2 měsíci +1

    My Grandfather was with the Canadian North Shore Regiment. Their Regiment had incredible losses that day. Thanks for a great video.

  • @camrenwick
    @camrenwick Před 4 lety +22

    Thank you Canadians for your trusted friendship and aid.

    • @patricktherrien9487
      @patricktherrien9487 Před rokem +1

      J’ai visité un ancien combattant chez-lui en 2013. Monsieur Germain Nault qui m’avait dit que Carpiquet avait été terrible.

    • @RPMZ11
      @RPMZ11 Před 8 měsíci

      Right back...🍻

  • @billfix1150
    @billfix1150 Před 4 lety +39

    I never realized how much fighting Canadian forces did in WW2. Not only Normandy but they bore the brunt of Italy at the same time. What a bunch of soft spoken hard hitten S.O.Bs . Thanks Canada.

    • @wekapeka3493
      @wekapeka3493 Před 3 lety +1

      Canada also created the worlds third largest navy. Largely, but not solely, to keep the Atlantic Ocean convoys safe.

    • @billfix1150
      @billfix1150 Před 3 lety +1

      @@wekapeka3493 I did not know that thank you for the information.

    • @tonymanero5544
      @tonymanero5544 Před 3 lety +5

      The British and Canadians stormed 3 of the 5 beaches. Their assigned role was to tie down all the German Panzer and mobile forces to allow the US forces to consolidate and breakout. In the Normandy campaign the British and Canadian forces suffered 2,000 tank losses against the Germans. Their casualties were 60,000 during the Normandy campaign. The 12th Waffen SS Panzer Division were reduced to 600 men fighting the British and Canadians and were removed to Belgium to reform their ranks, and again fought the British and Americans in operation Market-Garden in September 1944. It’s terrible that Trump ridicules Canada and our allies who have fought in every war with us since WWI. Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc.

    • @billfix1150
      @billfix1150 Před 3 lety +1

      @@tonymanero5544 hey you know what it happens every once in awhile you get a great leader. Every country has had some. And every once in awhile you get a horrible leader every country has had some. The difference is are allies are very intelligent and they know sometimes you got to just be patient and he or she will be replaced with some one less crazy.

    • @bruce8321
      @bruce8321 Před 3 lety +2

      The Canadians were in both WW1 and WW2 right from the start. Thank god the Americans showed up eventually in both.

  • @arrowbflight5082
    @arrowbflight5082 Před 4 lety +9

    A little known facet of this battle that took place is the first ( believed )
    allied aircraft to land at Carpiquet 26/July/1944, was a RCAF Typhoon.
    S/L William " Big Bill " Pentland DFC set his " Tiffie " down at this
    airfield due to the Sabre engine was acting up. " Bill " was leading a
    section of four " Tiffies " on an " op ". According to an article, Bill
    noted he came in " hot " did a perfect wheels up landing at 200 mph
    with two 1,000 pounders still under the wings. The bomb under the
    port wing came off and exploded taking the tail plane clear off. The
    Typhoon eventually came to a rest, then the 1,000 pounder under the
    starboard wing dropped on the ground. " Bill " walked away with nary
    a scratch. I came across the news paper article written up describing
    the event with more detail.

    • @arrowbflight5082
      @arrowbflight5082 Před 3 lety

      @@glennrobinson9795 My condolences on the loss of your Uncle Omer. His Name Liveth For Evermore.

  • @BigLisaFan
    @BigLisaFan Před 3 lety +2

    Was there in 1974 but we didn't stop to tour the area as we were on a tight schedule to be somewhere else. So close too and history everywhere.

  • @Paul-wl3uh
    @Paul-wl3uh Před rokem +3

    My grandfather was there that day. He said it was the worst battle he faced during the war.

  • @69dawber
    @69dawber Před 2 lety +5

    My grandfather was killed here on july 5th. Lance Sergent James Phalen of the queens own rifles.

  • @Rusty_Gold85
    @Rusty_Gold85 Před 3 lety +8

    Very few units can say they wiped out a SS Division , well done Canadians .

  • @Anullu22
    @Anullu22 Před 6 lety +15

    Operation Windsor went from 4th to 5th juli and was an operational failure by the Allies. The main hangars and the control tower remained in german hands: I./SS Pz.Gren. Reg.26 of 12. SS Pz.Div. HJ. - supported by artillery and panther tanks. The one and only serious german counterattack, which was also a failure, was executed by: III./SS Pz.Gren. Reg.1 of 1.SS Pz. Div. LAH on early morning of 5th july (without Tank support). The remains of I./SS Pz.Gren. Reg. 26/12th SS were removed according to plan in the morning of 5th july. Main hangars and tower of Carpiqeut Airfield were taken by operation charnwood on 8th july.

    • @wolfmuller6737
      @wolfmuller6737 Před 6 lety +4

      Yes. The Young Grenadiers of the 12 SS Div. Hitlerjugend fought a hard fight until the last Boy. ( Mostly between 16-17 years old). Some of them were executet.No pows were taken by the canadiens, only a handful. p.s. There was no artillery and no Panthers. Please, do you have source for that? They had absolute no Chance.

    • @Anullu22
      @Anullu22 Před 6 lety +5

      I/SS Pz.Gren.Reg 26 was supported by 2. Battery (8,8cm) of SS Flakabteilung 12, III. Battaillon of SS Art. Reg 12 and parts from Werferregiment 83 of Werferbrigade 7 (Wehrmacht). Further there were 5 Panzer iV from 9th company and a few Panthers from 4th company of SS Pz.Reg.12
      Best sources: -Kriegsgeschichte der 12. SS Panzerdivision HItlerjugend- by Hubert Meyer (former staff Officer at 12th SS)
      -Steelinferno- by Michael Reynolds

    • @wolfmuller6737
      @wolfmuller6737 Před 6 lety +1

      Anullu . Thanks. I own the "Kriegsgeschichte der 12............. But i Forget this Facts. I read the parts again. Maybe i answer you.

    • @wolfmuller6737
      @wolfmuller6737 Před 6 lety +3

      Wilkins. The Story of oradour will be writen again. Read the books "Division das Reich". Then you know the answer. All the german prisoners in this case were free after a few months. Why? Becourse they were guilty? Everyone knows, if they were guilty, the French had hang them.Citizens of oradour said after the war: "If they had found them guilty, we had tell the truth". Two old woman told to a former SS soldier (Weidinger). "We were rescued from the burning church by german soldiers". Do you know what the Partisans had done with german soldiers before? One exampel: One medic car were found with 4 woundet Germans and the two Drivers. On the road to oradour. The Drivers Hands were bound. All These soldiers were burned to dead, alive. Woundet soldiers! The leader of the Partisans in this area was a high criminal murder. A "good friend "of Eisenhower and his commanders.

    • @wayinfront1
      @wayinfront1 Před 3 lety +3

      @@wolfmuller6737 Shameless liar. Just like all Nazis.

  • @nickthorp5790
    @nickthorp5790 Před 5 lety +19

    Best wishes to France and Canada. From England.

  • @Teh_Monk
    @Teh_Monk Před 5 lety +4

    They must have felt pretty secure before the battle. Look at that gaggle in an open field - a wet dream for any mortar section or artillery battery.

  • @philbyd
    @philbyd Před 6 lety +16

    Good on the Canadians,nice people

    • @jamesstraith6391
      @jamesstraith6391 Před 3 lety +2

      2 rules with Canada. Q: don’t go to war with us 2: don’t play us in a hockey tournament

    • @brustar5152
      @brustar5152 Před rokem +1

      @@jamesstraith6391 Third rule don't let Kurt Meyer murder 29 Canadian prisoners and you won't get the same treatment.

  • @trashdupasse3597
    @trashdupasse3597 Před měsícem

    Very interesting
    The place is alway s there
    It s a museum now
    How hard it was to cross the fields around the airfield
    Thanks to canadians

  • @nicholaspatton1742
    @nicholaspatton1742 Před 9 měsíci

    All these news reels are on the War Amps site , all 100 or so

  • @morikanteyekeyeke6147
    @morikanteyekeyeke6147 Před 5 lety +10

    130 canadians got killed, it easn’t that easy.

  • @RPMZ11
    @RPMZ11 Před 8 měsíci

    🍁The Young & Way Brave.🍁

  • @MikeyRumi180
    @MikeyRumi180 Před rokem +1

    took months for them to capture places that were supposed to be captured on day 1. Give the Krauts a lot of credit.

  • @pnartg
    @pnartg Před 5 lety +3

    Did the Canadian armor have a big white star on the side like we see at 0:44 and 1:10?

    • @michaeldicker4839
      @michaeldicker4839 Před 5 lety +10

      Yes, as did the Brits, known as the "liberation Star" it was adapted to reduce casualties by friendly fire during the invasion.

    • @jgmitchell
      @jgmitchell Před 5 lety +9

      Canadians had the star but often painted it at an angle, to distinguish themselves from the Americans.

    • @S35Somua
      @S35Somua Před 4 lety +5

      All vehicles had the marking, but as Jack points out, Canadians often skewed the star as at 0:25 above

    • @terrymcconville3659
      @terrymcconville3659 Před 3 lety +3

      Yes...it was the only thing that kept Americans from shooting everything that moved!

    • @Rusty_Gold85
      @Rusty_Gold85 Před 3 lety +1

      @@terrymcconville3659 The typhoons attacking Tanks were shot down by Thunderbolts in one case . I read a Sons account from his Dads memoirs . His Dad lost a Squadron Buddy

  • @MiguelPerez-tj3ev
    @MiguelPerez-tj3ev Před 3 lety

    Que tomas tan originales

  • @malcolmanon4762
    @malcolmanon4762 Před 4 lety +3

    Hitler Jungend at 3:13?

  • @robertblache-fraser5479
    @robertblache-fraser5479 Před 4 lety +5

    I trust that the German POW went to a POW camp and not to a concentration camp.

    • @BarnDoorProductions
      @BarnDoorProductions Před 3 lety +5

      "Concentration camp" generally meant "a place where prisoners are concentrated" at that time. It was only later that the current meaning took over completely.

    • @johnpotter4750
      @johnpotter4750 Před 3 lety +1

      @@BarnDoorProductions Thought the term started in the Boer war, Africa. The above are, Prisoners of war regardless of age. eg, POW camp

    • @BarnDoorProductions
      @BarnDoorProductions Před 3 lety +1

      @@johnpotter4750 Yes, the term originated with the Boer War, but if you watch some of the Pathe-type newsreels on CZcams related to the Normandy campaign, you'll hear them refer to POW camps as "concentration" camps. That usage changed quickly, though, as the allies began to advance into Germany.

    • @johnpotter4750
      @johnpotter4750 Před 3 lety

      @@BarnDoorProductions Weired....

  • @eduardomoreira5599
    @eduardomoreira5599 Před 4 lety +1

    Bom

  • @johnpotter4750
    @johnpotter4750 Před 3 lety +1

    Teenagers thrown into battle,

  • @wolfmuller6737
    @wolfmuller6737 Před 4 lety +4

    The airfield was defended by small Elements of the 12. SS Hitlerjugend. Mostly 16,17, 18 years Young.They had no Chance again the Tanks, artillery and spec.airforce. Many were shoot after Fighting. But. they show them how to fight till the end.

    • @billfix1150
      @billfix1150 Před 4 lety +13

      Don't even try to jerk a single tear from anybody's eye . The 12th SS was Hitler's baby brigade and those little bastards committed more war crimes in one month than the Allies did in the whole entire war.

    • @Chiller01
      @Chiller01 Před 3 lety +9

      Yes they along with their commander Kurt Meyer were responsible for the Ardenne Abbey massacre on June 7, 1944. Canadian POW’s from the Nova Scotia Highlanders and Sherbrooke Fusiliers were shot in the back of the head and buried on the Abbey grounds. When Canadian troops learned of the massacre they were not very willing to take prisoners from the 12th SS Panzer Division no matter their age.

    • @wolfmuller6737
      @wolfmuller6737 Před 3 lety

      @@Chiller01 The allies shoot german prisoners of war from the beaches to germany. The shooting from the german side were singel actions. US Army. A army with no diszypline.

    • @wayinfront1
      @wayinfront1 Před 3 lety +3

      @@wolfmuller6737 Your succession of absurd lies is laughable, but typical of a modern Neo-Nazi.

    • @colindebourg3884
      @colindebourg3884 Před 3 lety +3

      I don't give a damn whether they were shot or not in fact I rather hope they were, SS units were the most brutal, murderous, evil of all Nazi units.

  • @FEvogelfrei33
    @FEvogelfrei33 Před 4 lety +4

    Holy propaganda Batman!

    • @euanreid6682
      @euanreid6682 Před 2 lety

      Unlike the Hollywood propaganda... like Saving private Ryan but there was no armour in that sector.

    • @nicolasi1844
      @nicolasi1844 Před 3 měsíci

      @@euanreid6682 Wrong. During operation Windsor (4-5 July 1944), the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade and an attached battalion of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division attacked Carpiquet, supported on the flanks by the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade which had Shermans. The Priest self-propelled guns we see are from the artillery regiments of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division.

  • @plumduff3303
    @plumduff3303 Před 4 lety +2

    General Montgomery said well done....he was driving like a bat of hell....bet he said sod all

    • @wayinfront1
      @wayinfront1 Před 3 lety +1

      He was en route to meeting his soldiers, you idiot.