Hill 67 & Verrieres Ridge Monument Text

This is Point 67, the northern spur of Verrieres Ridge. On the night of 18 July 1944, the 5th Brigade, Second Canadian Infantry Division, was ordered to cross the River Orne from Caen and advance south as part of Operation "Goodwood-Atlantic". The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada forced the river crossing and the next morning the Regiment de Maisonneuve rached Fleury-sur-Orne. The Calgary Highlanders advanced to Point 67 digging in to repel counter-attacks from 188 Panzer Division.

On the afternoon of 20 July, 6th Brigade renewed the offensive. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada seized St. Andre-sur-Orne but attempts to move onto the ridge by the South Saskatchewans and Fusilier Mont-Royal Regiments were unsuccessful. After the Black Watch secured Ifs and the Maisonneuves captured Etavaux a second major operation code-named "Spring" was ordered for the night of the 24-25 July. The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry liberated Verrieres village but elsewhere the enemy was able to hold the high ground and launch counter-attacks towards Point 67 .

Verrieres Ridge and the villages of Rocquancourt, Fontenay-le-Marmion and May-sur-Orne were finally liberated by men of the Second Canadian Division on 9 August during Operation "Totalize". In all of these actions the infantry were valiantly supported by the Second Tactical Airforce, the Second Canadian Armoured Brigade, as well as the Divisional Artillery, Engineers, Anti-tank, Machine Gun including the Toronto Scottish Regiment, and Reconnaissance Regiments. Verrieres Ridge was the key to the German defences south of Caen and its capture was vital to the Allied cause. Canadian casualties in the battles for Verrieres Ridge were 1059 killed and 3003 wounded.

&Quot;Well may the wheat and sugar beets grow green and lush upon its gentle slopes, for in that half-forgotten summer the best blood of Canada was freely poured out upon them."

Story and Photos by Captain Tim Fletcher