08/27-29/1944
In Italy, 1st Canadian Infantry Division smashes through German positions along the Arzilla River known as the Red Line. Intended to provide warning of a major Allied offensive along the Adriatic coast of Italy, these defences were to hold for seven to 10 days until reserves could arrive to fully man the Gothic Line. Instead, 1st and 2nd Canadian Infantry brigades swarmed the Red Line, quickly killing or capturing most of the defenders and throwing German headquarters into panic.
08/27/1953
No. 414, 422 and 444 squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Force begin to depart from Canada for Baden-Soellingen, West Germany. The deployment fulfils part of Canada’s responsibility to her North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies in Europe by contributing 12 fighter squadrons. All three squadrons are equipped with the CF-86 Sabre fighter.
08/28/1942
While on convoy duty, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Oakville sinks U-94 in the Caribbean.
08/29/1911
The Canadian government is notified that His Majesty the King has authorized that Canada’s naval forces are to be designated the Royal Canadian Navy with the abbreviation RCN.
08/29/2005
Hurricane Katrina is devastating New Orleans. The storm has by this day knocked out power, flooded the low-lying city and torn part of the roof off the football stadium where many have sought shelter.
08/30/1916
The Canadian Corps begins relieving the 1st Australian New Zealand Army Corps on the Somme front near Pozières, France.
08/30/2001
At the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague, former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic is told he is to be charged with genocide. He is already facing charges relating to the Kosovo conflict of 1999.
08/31/1997
Diana, Princess of Wales, dies in a car crash in Paris. The world is in shock as details of the story unfold. Also killed are her friend Dodi Al Fayed, son of Harrods owner Mohammed Al Fayed, and the car’s driver.
09/1/1905
Alberta and Saskatchewan join Confederation.
09/1/1939
German forces sweep into Poland with the power of the “lightning war,” better known as the blitzkrieg.
09/1/1942
U-756 is discovered by radar astern of convoy SC-97 in the mid-Atlantic. His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Morden launches three depth charge attacks. Two days later the U-boat is listed as missing. Years later the corvette is given credit for the U-boat’s destruction.
09/1/1944
Second Canadian Infantry Division returns to Dieppe. Two years previously—on Aug. 19, 1942—the division shed a lot of its blood during the disastrous raid on the French port town. On this day in 1944 , vehicles of the 8th Reconnaissance Regiment reach the outskirts of Dieppe in the early morning and soon discover that the German rear parties have left. With only minutes to spare, a planned Allied aerial bombardment is cancelled. When the main bodies of the 2nd Cdn. Div. reach the town they are embraced by a population overcome with joy. British engineers begin work to repair the town’s much-needed port installations, and by month’s end, the port’s daily capacity is approximately 7,000 tons.
09/2/1918
In France, throughout September and October, the Canadian Corps breaks through the Hindenburg Line, pushing the German army back from east of Arras to Cambrai and beyond. Beginning at Canal du Nord the Canadians advance steadily, but casualties are high. Fully 20 per cent of all casualties suffered by Canadian forces during the entire conflict occur during the last three months of the war.
09/2/1945
Japan signs unconditional surrender, bringing to an end six years of war.
09/2/1998
Swissair flight 111 bound for Geneva crashes into the Atlantic a few kilometres off the shore of Peggy Cove, N.S. All 229 people on board perish; a major recovery effort is launched.
Advertisement
