Books photos about executed POWS June 1944

[Regina]

I haven't been here in a while, but I like what you've done to the place.

I have a little more information on the battle of June 8/44. It is from the perspective of a Major with the Regina Rifles, surrounded and fighting (with my uncle) just to the east of the RWR. I've been to these sites where the battles took place and found it amazing what these boys from the prairies were able to do.
One of the other things I read some time ago, stated that Meyer's defence for murdering the Canadians was that a prisoner from the RWR had a notepad in his pocket. In it was written "No Quarter Given" which is a pile of crap according to any of the Normandy Veterans I've spoken to. This battle is also being described by many current historians as the most important battle of the Normandy Campaign. This is where the 12SS was slaughtered by the Canadians when Meyer was trying to drive a wedge in the Corp lines and throw the "Little Fishes back into the sea."

Major G. Brown - Regina Rifles regarding June 8/44.
The first attack on the Reginas positions came in the early hours of 8 June. A battalion of Hitler Youth advancing with three companies up towards Norrey was quickly stopped by artillery and small arms fire. One company bypassed Norrey to the west and reached Cardonville where it dug in near Dog Company's position. With daylight the enemy was subjected to "brisk artillery and mortar fire" at every sign of movement and the German commander Monhke switched his attention to the RWR in Putot-en-Bessin.
The Winnipegs position was endangered by the failure of 69th British Brigade to reach the railway line to the west of Putot. Lt.Col. John Meldrum placed a battery of 17 pounder anti-tank guns to cover this open flank but this did not prevent infantry infiltration. When the 3rd battalion of the 26 Panzer Grenadier Regt. attacked Putot on the afternoon of 8 June they were able to break into the defences and capture the village inflicting heavy loses on the Winnipegs. Brigadier Foster organized a counterattack using the entire divisional artillery to lead the Canscots and Hussars in an all out and successful effort to recapture Putot. The Reginas watched this intense battle know their turn would come.
Quote:
"Then suddenly the Germans launched a very heavy attack on Putot, and their tanks and infantry overran the Winnipeg Rifles. We were stunned by the swiftness of the attacks as were the Winnipegs. Col Matheson had called and explained the situation, saying it seemed likely that the SS Armoured Div had reached the beachhead and would soon carry out further attacks. He also told me the Brigade's reserve battalion, the Canadian Scottish, would counterattack immediately to recapture Putot and restore the defensive line. Those of the Winnipeg Rifles who had survived the onslaught would form the Brigade Reserve."
"My faith in our weaponry was restored and in the 7th Brigade, the Canscots put in a heroic day-light attack. They followed right on the heels of the barrage and swarmed the German positions, firing Sten guns, Bren guns and rifles as they ran. The enemy fought fiercely for the ground they had won only hours before, but were forced to fall back to the rail line on the edge of the village. The Winnipegs and the Canscots had suffered grievous losses. Many died and many were wounded. It had been an awesome, horrible sight and I had watched it as though from a ringside seat."
Major G. Brown finished the war as Lt. Col. G. Brown DSO, MID, NBL

BTW - The Winnipeg Rifles monument on Juno beach doesn't actually sit on the beach they landed on D-Day. It is quite an impressive one but sits on the Regiana Rifles landing beach, across the Seulles river to the east a few hundred yards. Don't know why that is...........