What Was The Role Of D-Day In Canada

On July 1, 1867, Canada was officially established as a self-governing country within the British Empire through the hard earned battles while overseas, but it wasn’t until December 11, 1931, when Canada was able to enjoy full legal autonomy. Canada’s independence was granted in the twentieth century. In particular, independence was gained through the major battles and conflicts Canada fought. These included the battle of Vimy Ridge, the D-Day landings, and the Suez Crisis. In each and every battle Canada played a significant role. For instance, after the British and the French failed to apprehend Vimy Ridge, Canada was quite successful in seizing the tenacious fortress. While Canada was victorious it came with a great loss. Another crucial
In this particular battle, Canada was able to become one out of the three nations that would change the course of history. The battle of D-Day was set on June 5, 1914, but the date was rescheduled onto the following day because of harsh weather conditions. Ever since the battle of Dieppe, the Allies have been well prepared for any situation. In an Article called Explaining D-Day a man known as John Maker states “They were well-prepared. The Canadians had been in England since the winter of ’39-’40, and had been building up their forces there. They were chomping at the bit by this time to get into the action.” As stated previously, the Canadian soldiers were given excellent training and information to make sure the failure of a battle known as Dieppe was not repeated. During the battle of D-Day, Canada was given a major role, Canada’s objective was to take on one of the five designated beaches known as Juno Beach where the Allied Forces were to begin the liberation of Nazi Germany. There were about fourteen thousand Canadian soldiers, another four hundred fifty were dropped behind enemy lines by parachute and the Royal Canadian Navy supplied ships. Other than the fact that this was Canada’s biggest military operation, this was also the first time in Canadian history when the Canadians were dropped from the skies using parachutes as they glided
The crisis formed when the Egyptian president Gamal Abder Nasser decided to take over the Suez Canal, which was an absolute vital conduit for oil to Britain and so if the canal remained blocked the British colony would have eventually crumbled. In addition, this action alarmed Israel, Britain and France and these countries responded by attacking Egypt. In response to that the Soviet Union and the USA threatened each other if one another stepped into the conflict. Around this time a secretary from the State for External affairs named Lester B. Pearson states “We need action not only to end the fighting but to make the peace… My own government would be glad to recommend Canadian participation in such a United Nations force, a truly international peace and police force” (296). Lester B. Pearson was able to convince the UN to set up the first United Nations Emergency Force to keep the peace between the rival armies until a settlement was made. The UNEF succeeded in bringing peace to the region. “Pearson was congratulated on his action by representatives from other countries, and in particular, by the United Kingdom, a pro-British segment of the English-Canadian electorate was highly indignant” (Louis S. St. Laurent National Historic Site of Canada). Lester B. Pearson was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1957. On behalf of Canada, Lester B. Pearson was