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ARDENNE
(abbey) Calvados
- 1 km west of Caen
A
tragic chapter in the Battle of Normandy
On June 7, 1944, Regiment 25 of Hitlerjugend Division set up its headquarter
in Ardenne abbey, a key observation post. The SS standartenführer
Kurt Meyer prepared an attack against the Canadians progressing in
Buron and Authie. The Germans wreaked havoc with the Canadians. Sherman
of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers, infantrymen of the Camerons and the North
Nova Scotia were driven from the field and hastily dug in Buron. The
SS made many prisoners, who were frisked, interrogated and evacuated.
But from 8 to 17 June, twenty-seven Canadian soldiers were executed
within the abbey. Front line stabilizes until July 8 when General
Montgomery launched the Charnwood offensive. The abbey was
shelled, the fighting were fierce and the SS were decided to go on
to the bitter end. But Kurt Meyer gave order to withdraw. The Germans
broke off during the night of 8-9 July, and the Canadians of the Regina
Rifles Regiment entered into deserted and quiet Ardenne abbey.
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Canadian soldiers monument and plaque
