Re: “D-Day 75 years,” June 2.
It seems when newspapers publish anniversaries of Canadian participation in the Second World War, D-Day dominates the headlines.
I can’t remember the same coverage being given anniversaries of the Italian Campaign. Canadians were fighting and dying in Italy almost a year before D-Day.
I served with the infantry in both Italy and Europe.
The first Canadian Infantry Division was an integral part of the Allied forces that invaded southern Europe, landing on the beaches at Pachino, Sicily, on July 10, 1943.
The First Division was joined later in the Italian campaign by the Fifth Canadian Armoured Division. Both divisions continued fighting in Italy until early 1945, then moved to Europe to join the D-Day Canadian forces already fighting there.
I believe Canadian losses in Italy amounted to more than 26,000 dead or wounded.
Jack Rossiter
Qualicum Beach
