June 1944

Western Front - Battle For Caen

In Operation WINDSOR, both the airfield and village of Carpiquet are to be taken. The Canadian 8th Infantry Brigade is given that task. In the brigade are the North Shore, the de la Chaudière, and the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. Joining them is a battalion from the 7th Infantry Brigade, the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. They will be supported by tanks of the Fort Garry Horse, plus flail tanks and flame-throwing ones from the British 79th Armored Division. Artillery from 428 guns plus the 16-inch guns from the battleship Rodney and the 15-inch guns from the monitor Roberts will also be available for support. Carpiquet is being held by about 150 Hitler Youth, 100 at the airfield and another 50 in the village, from the 25th Panzer Grenadier Regiment of the 12th SS Panzer Grenadier Division. The village is the objective of the Regiment de la Chaudière. To help defend in the impending attack, a couple of tanks are moved into the hangars and an 88mm flak gun is borrowed from the air defense of Caen.

The Canadian attack fails as the defenders are in very well-built underground blockhouses which are interconnected by passages. The German Radio Intelligence Section also knows the Canadian codes, so they know ahead of time any plans made by them.