A group of Canadians retraced the route Canadian soldiers took 70 years ago in Sicily. It’s called Operation Husky 2013, and it’s made up of men and women of all ages, some in uniform, most in civilian clothing. Some were walking to retrace the footsteps of fathers and grandfathers, others to honour the role of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division.
Last night in Agira, Sicily, a concert was held to commemorate the celebrations that took place there on July 30th, 1943 following the liberation of the island from Nazi forces.
The allied invasion that included 25,000 Canadian soldiers began on July 10, 1943. The soldiers landed and began a 300 kilometre trek across the island in the hot summer sun.
Steve Gregory, who only became aware of the events when his son was working on a school project seven years ago, organized the event. He says it is in an effort, “To write a wrong. These men, in my humble view, never received the credit that they deserved for their sacrifice eleven months before D-Day. Canada should know about this and honour the memory of these men.”
562 Canadians died during the campaign and over 2,000 men were injured. Yesterday a ceremony was held in Agira’s War Cemetery where 484 Canadian soldiers are buried. The visiting Canadians stood by each grave and answered for the soldier in a commemorative roll call.
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