Coast 67 - Cindais Memorial

by , Grasset Jacques

Text on plaque COTE 67

You are at cote 67, the northern buttress of the Crète de Verrières. During the night of July 18, 1944, as part of operation "GOODWOOD-Atlantic", the 5th Brigade of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division was ordered to cross the Orne, from CAEN, and then advance south. The BLACK WATCH (Royal Higlandes Regiment) of Canada regiment succeeded in crossing the river the next morning, followed by the Régiment de Maisonneuve, which reached Fleury-sur-Orne. The Galgary Highlanders seized cote 67 and held out, repelling numerous attacks from the 1st SS Panzer Division.
On the afternoon of July 20, the 6th Brigade renewed its offensive. The Queen's Own Cameroun Highlanders of Canada captured Saint-André sur Orne but, in their attempts to take the summit of the ridge, theSouth Saskatchewan Regiment and the Fusilliers Mont-Royal were less successful. After the BLACK WATCH had secured Ifs and the Maisonneuve had captured and Etaveaux, a second major operation, dubbed "Spring", was launched on the night of July 24-25. The Royal Hamilton LInfanterie Light Infantry liberated the village of Verrières, but elsewhere the enemy was able to hold the plateau and launch attacks there against Cotes 67.
On August 9, during operation "Totalize", the Crête de Verrières and the villages of Rocquancourt, Fontenay le Marmion and May-s ur-Orne were finally liberated by the men of the 2nd Canadian Division. During these engagements, the infantry were valiantly supported by the Second Tactical Air Force, the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade, as well as units of divisional artillery, engineers, anti-tank, machine guns, including the Toronto Scottish Regiment, and reconnaissance. The Crête de Verrières was the key to the German defense south of Caen. Its capture was vital to the Allied cause. Canadian losses in the battles for Verrières Ridge amounted to 1059 killed and 3093 wounded.
"Wheat and sugar beet should grow well and full of sap on these gentle slopes, for in that half-forgotten summer Canada's best blood was freely shed there."
Lest we forget n'oublions jamais
The Canadian battle of Normandy Foundation

Credit Text and Photos: Grasset Jacques

Text on plaque COTE 67You are at cote 67, the northern buttress of the Crète de Verrières. During the night of July 18, 1944, as part of operation GOODWOOD-Atlantic, the 5th Brigade of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division was ordered to cross the Orne, from CAEN, and then advance south. The BLACK WATCH (Royal Higlandes Regiment) of Canada regiment succeeded in crossing the river the next morning, followed by the Régiment de Maisonneuve, which reached Fleury-sur-Orne. The Galgary Highlanders seized cote 67 and held out, repelling numerous attacks from the 1st SS Panzer Division.On the afternoon of July 20, the 6th Brigade renewed its offensive. The Queen's Own Cameroun Highlanders of Canada captured Saint-André sur Orne but, in their attempts to take the summit of the ridge, theSouth Saskatchewan Regiment and the Fusilliers Mont-Royal were less successful. After the BLACK WATCH had secured Ifs and the Maisonneuve had captured and Etaveaux, a second major operation, dubbed Spring, was launched on the night of July 24-25. The Royal Hamilton LInfanterie Light Infantry liberated the village of Verrières, but elsewhere the enemy was able to hold the plateau and launch attacks there against Cotes 67.On August 9, during operation Totalize, the Crête de Verrières and the villages of Rocquancourt, Fontenay le Marmion and May-s ur-Orne were finally liberated by the men of the 2nd Canadian Division. During these engagements, the infantry were valiantly supported by the Second Tactical Air Force, the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade, as well as units of divisional artillery, engineers, anti-tank, machine guns, including the Toronto Scottish Regiment, and reconnaissance. The Crête de Verrières was the key to the German defense south of Caen. Its capture was vital to the Allied cause. Canadian losses in the battles for Verrières Ridge amounted to 1059 killed and 3093 wounded.Wheat and sugar beet should grow well and full of sap on these gentle slopes, for in that half-forgotten summer Canada's best blood was freely shed there.Lest we forget n'oublions jamaisThe Canadian battle of Normandy FoundationCredit Text and Photos: Grasset Jacques