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Wallymanowar -> (8/13/2000 1:54:00 PM)
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"However, historically, there was very little opposition on the British beaches"
While the casualties suffered by the Anglo-Canadian forces during the landing on the Normandy beaches were less than casualties on Omaha beach, the opposition could not be classied as very little.
Casualties on the various beaches are as follows: Utah beach (American) - 197, Omaha beach (American) - 2000+ (this is an official estimate), Gold Beach (British) - 413, Juno Beach (Canadian) - 961, Sword Beach (British) - 630. The airborne landings averaged a loss of 1200 people for each division. These figures are taken form the official history of the Canadian army, with British and American numbers supplied from their official histories.
While it can be seen that historically Omaha beach was the worst place to be, the other beaches weren't a walk in the park either. The Airborne landings were even more hectic.
One of the things spoken about in the official Canadian history is the legend that the operation was 'easy and almost bloodless'. This arises from the fact that the estimates for casualties for June 6th were for 9250 (including 3000 drowned). For the Canadian forces (including the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion - attached to the British 6th Airborne Division) this would have meant 1982 casualties. Since the Canadian 'share' was actually 1074 casualties , it meant that for us it was a lot lighter than expected. Still, it was not that easy.
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'Bitter Mike'
[This message has been edited by Mike Tremblay (edited August 13, 2000).]
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