American Reacts- Canadians in the Invasion of Sicily During WW2 - Operation Husky 

John F....you included the Red Ensign. How thoughtful to do this. Many who fought under this flag in WW2 were upset when this flag was replaced. Most are gone now but those who came later heard about this change/loss. Thank you for including it here. Young Canadians need to know about it.

I served for 36 years under our MAPLE LEAF. I appreciate that you recognized the difference and, you are quite correct to do so.

My father served under Conne Symthe (Leafs) in the artillery during WWII. Conne told my Dad to look him up after the war, being they were both from Toronto. On my Dad's return, he paid a visit to Conne where he was given lifetime seasons tickets for the Leafs. My father went on later to become an air gunner on a Lancaster bomber with the RCAF. Thanks so much for bringing to light the contributions of Canadian forces during WWII.

The commentator made passing reference to the “Edmonton’s,” more specifically the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. As a teenager I joined that unit, by then a militia unit, for a brief period. Thankfully the experience paid off later when I served for 6 years in the regular forces. All these years later my posture still stiffens with pride whenever I hear them mentioned. On another note, I was born in 1953, so for my early years in school all of the classrooms sported the Red Ensign. The vast majority of my life has been spent with the maple leaf flag, ( which I love), but whenever I cast back to my days in school all I remember is that Red Ensign. Anyway, in closing I just want to say that I’m a huge fan of you and your videos. Thank you for all you do.

Very touching. Makes you very proud to be Canadian. Thank you to our Canadian solders.

My grandpa loses his voice, and his left hand trembles whenever he tries to speak of it.

There are countless stories of the Canadians that could be turned into movies or TV mini series, as you say in this video "they always get thrown into the shit" that's because they knew most of the time they'd get the job done, they were extremely tough and were the most feared fighting force on the Western front in WW1 and the reputation carried over into the second world war.

Love seeing the old flag; and you're right, that is the flag we fought under and for. It's important to remember.

Thank you for remembering and respecting our dead sir. You are a good neighbour and I sure don’t mind being there to help when you need it.

As always a great reaction. Thank you for creating this content. The Italian campaign generally is lesser known about than the Normandy/ Europe campaigns. It’s hard to sit and watch and know that this “greatest generation has pretty much all but passed. Makes me nostalgic. The Canadian contribution is also something I think an other of people outside of Canada overlook as well. Thanks for the interest!

I learn so much from your videos. These first hand accounts are riveting. I don't think all of the Italians were totally enamoured of Mussoloini nor eager to die for their dictator. We all know what finally happened to him. A friend's father was made to go into the Italian army and ended up a POW with life altering effects on his health. When I was in Monte Casino viewing a graveyard full of Canadian and Commonwealth soldiers I heard an American woman (of an age where one would think she should know better) say, "Oh, was Canada in the war? The Americans were probably buried where the big battles were". It made me very sad. Looking forward to your next episode. PS - As a piper for over 60 years since I was a kid, thank you. Mind you, a bad piper (and there are many of them) is a horrible thing to hear, a cry for help!

Thank-you for showing the " ENSIGN " That meant SO MUCH TO SO MANY !!

Extraordinary actions, undertaken by ordinary men. It is indeed a privilege to hear the words of the soldiers who survived the horrors of dodging bullets and watching their family and friends be blown to pieces before their eyes. Yet it didn't destroy them; if anything, it seemed to embolden many of them, as they continued to advance. They have certainly earned our utmost gratitude and respect, and I thank you for showing that in your reaction. 😢❤😢

Canadian Army fought amazingly well in Italy. They were very close to liberating Rome but were told to stand down and allow the Americans to get the glory. I had an Uncle who stood down. When the Americans drove past, the Canadians turned their backs. Totally understandable.

Thanks for that. merci beaucoup, from New Brunswick

Thank you for this, John. The "War Story" episodes from the History channel are very good and I always watch them when they come on. I really appreciate the personal accounts of the heroism and sacrifice from the veterans who were there. My Grandfather was there and never spoke of his experiences in the war. Thank You to all the troops who fought for our freedoms!

Again, John, thank-you very much for your heart-felt presentation of another piece of Canada's history. If I had the power, I would grant you honorary Canadian citizenship! In my books, however, I will always consider you a Canadian in a patriotic American's body.

My grandad was wounded in Sicily during that liberation. He was a Lance Corporal. He came back to Canada with a metal plate in his head and pretty much no memory. He had to relearn how to tie his shoes. RIP Burt Tennant.

Kesselring thought they were fighting elite mountain troops! Little did he know they were just a bunch of farm boys from Canada. Famous Canadian author Farley Mowat served with the "Hasty P's" (Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment) and would later write about his experiences.

Hey John great video. Its unfortunately true that the Canadians were told to stand down when they were 26 miles outside of Rome with a clear run. General Mark Clark wanted the glory of liberating the city instead of going after and encircling the retreating army which were his orders. The Germans subsequently got away and the war continued due in a large part to vanity. He stated that any units other than American units that tried to enter Rome would be fired upon. So to observe political/wartime niceties Montgomery ordered us to stand down. The next day was D-Day and his triumph was overshadowed. After that the Canadians kept fighting in Italy but were sadly forgotten about back home and Lady Astor called us the D-Day Dodgers. So a song was written by these soldiers called "We are the D-Day Dodgers" (Hamish Imlach). Give it a listen. My dad belonged to the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, another D-Day Dodger. LOL

Canadians were the equal has fighting men of any I saw on the battlefields anywhere. The part they played was magnificent and it was a honor to have them under my command. General Dwight Eisenhower. My uncle severed with the loyal Eddie’s .He got his commission in 1939.

My grandad was there. Cowichan man . Duncan bc. Vancouver island Canada 🍁 ❤

Americans always get all the glory when it it comes to both world wars even though Canadians were involved years before the US military got involved. In films especially you would think only Americans and British soldiers did all the fighting.

Your reaction videos are by far the best! They are educated, insightful and respectful. Thank you!!

It seems to me that many Canadians involved in the liberation of the Netherlands had fought their way up through Italy but I've never known much about the invasion of Sicily. I visited Sicily a few year ago and wish I had know all this back then. Another great one, John!

What I still find amazing is the intestinal fortitude it took these boys to fight a war on foreign soil amazes me.

Love the t-shirt! Great video, as always, I really enjoy your channel. Cheers from Port Perry, Ontario Canada...This is active farm country, some local farm boys made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of freedom as happened in most rural towns in Canada and cities as well. Consider me subscribed!

My father was in the first division and served in Sicily. His best war stories are set there. He was there long enough to learn conversational Italian.

During the Hasty P's assault on Assoro and the Battle started, my father with the RCR was part resupply column. It should be pointed out that every Canadian soldier was a volunteer. Draftees didn't arrive in Europe until after the Normandy and very few saw combat.

The flag is appropriate. My kids once saw a map of D Day with a maple leaf flag, and they said, "This is wrong." They like flags.

Thank God for our brave Grandpa's. It's hard to believe that my sweet Grampa fought in both world wars and rumor has it the Geneva convention was created because crazy Canadian soldiers in the first world war. So proud of our soldiers they must have literally been terrified but I never saw it in my Grampa he was always so quiet . Thinking back I wonder if it stayed with him cause he never talked about it when we asked he just said be grateful for all your freedoms child.❤

Another good one, John. Listening to these men tell their stories was a real experience. They reminded me of a scene in the old film The 49th Parallel. This film was made in 1941 in Great Britain, as a tribute to Canada and with the hope of influencing an American audience, since the U.S. was still not in the war. It's entirely fictional, but loosely based on an incident where a German U-boat came into Canadian waters. The cast is almost all British, playing Canadians as best they could (Lawrence Olivier playing a French Canadian fur trapper is quite something!). The one Canadian in the cast was Raymond Massey. Massey had served in the trenches in WWI, and had seen a lot of nasty stuff, as well as acquitting himself with honour. In this film, he plays the Canadian soldier, a raw recruit who still hasn't been sent overseas, who confronts the Nazi in the last scene. Massey came from Toronto's wealthiest family, but was a farm boy at heart, more at home with horses than people. He knew the Canadians he had grown up with, and he poured everything he had into this performance. You'll recognize the men in this documentary when you see it. The Criterion print of the film is available on RU-vid: //ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AtEtMUXjuKw.html Massey's scene starts at 1:48 in the film.

Hi John, Thanks for presenting this video. It's definitely one of the best short-medium documentary pieces that's been put together w.r.t. the Canadian Army, and their roles in the Sicily and Italian campaigns. When I was growing up, I knew several men whose first major combat was in this campaign. You mentioned Churchill's view that many British, many of the newly-arrived Canadian Infantry artillery and tanks, and the "Fresh Green" U.S. Army troops simply hadn't the experience to successfully take and hold the Normandy beachheads. Some British Army and RCAF fighter units who'd been battling the Afrika Corps for months, which gave a leavening of experience in a hard school. There's one story that's too funny (!) not to pass along, but I should write it down before posting. In retrospect, it's actually kind of a funny story, the sort that front-line troops swapped about various Allied commanders. I've heard various versions, from different Artillery units, so it may be true. Those guys were given the job of shooing the Germans off of the mountain-tops, while the Germans replied with "Moaning Minnie" mortars (the multi-barrel Nebelwerfer) as well as direct fire with the famous 88 and equally nasty 75mm guns. But, that's a post for a bit later. Thanks for showing this - I had never seen this one before.

My Uncle served in the Sicily campaign. I have some pictures of his regiment during their off time from fighting. You should check out the Essex Scottish Regiment, Windsor, Ontario. Many Americans joined this regiment during WW2, they suffered the most casualties in Dieppe.

Hi, John. I am a Canadian woman born in Regina. Saskatchewan 1961. My mother Betty Lou Sears was born to harry and Louise Sears. They had 13 kids. My mom being the youngest. She was born in 1940. Apparently I had 7 uncles go into World War 2 I think we were Guinea pigs. I really do because I believe war made money for countries such as England who was in control of as Commonwealth countries. Italy did not watch Germany.That's why they had an upheaval, no one wanted war, just higher ups.

Thanks for all of this...your the BEST...thanks for all your work to get this out there.

I am so happy to be learning new things about canada along with you .

Also John, just an FYI, 'Come from Away' is having another run in Ottawa this summer (iirc) in the last half of August. Specific details are surely available on the National Arts Center website, if interested.

That’s PTSD “ even today whenever I smell that licorice, I see that body

Good work, great T-shirt, love the Tragically Hip. RIP Gord, you are missed. I have friends whose dads were fighting in Italy. There were scores to settle with the SS Divisions.

A lot of Italian Canadians help and we’re interpreters, they were able toco communicate with the locals

I have the same shirt ☺️. My gramps fought with the Calgary Tanks. Was a tank commander and lost his fingertips by dropping the hatch whilst being shot at. Also survived Dieppe. Way to go Canucks!

I believe this was where my Grandpa Bailey was stationed. He was a Sapper with the Calgary Engineers.

The other “theatre” of operation Canadian were facing in Italy is the fortress of Monte Casino where we lost numerous men. That win was, I believe, the greatest of the Italian campaign!

Great John Moving video Im llearning

My deceased father in law was a Polish 15 year old who made his way from a Russian internment camp to join the fight in Italy. I forget the name of the monastery they were trying to take but he said the Germans could look down and see what they were eating for breakfast.

Next Monte Casssino, Ortona and clearing the way to Rome. After D-Day the 2nd Canadian moved north to link up with the 3rd Canadian who had landed on Juno Beach. They gained the good-natured title of "D-Day Dodgers" by the rest of the Canadian forces in Europe in 1944.

The Red Ensign is the REAL flag of Canada, under which so many brave souls fought and died for the freedom that our "leaders" are giving away wholesale.

Thanks for all these good videos friend, all done with understanding kindness and respect! Always looking forward to new reactions. Still waiting for history hit- black watch snipers!! If you can do that I’d appreciate it. Its amazing and means a lot to me ❤️👊

Oh by the way they were from Newfoundland which was a Dominion like Canada. Proud and sad Newfoundlander here and so glad that you take so much interest in our history. You should check out the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

Great job

Dieppe, Sicily, Anzio, Ortona, Monte Cassino, Juno Beach, the Scheldt Estuary. Montgomery had almost been canned because of high British losses so he started using colonial troops, particularly Canadian, to spearhead tough assaults. Through the latter part of the war, Canadian losses were much higher than British per capita.

Many of the towns you mentioned are now streets on Canadian Garrisons

thank you

Loved watching this. The footage was great as well as the interviews! God bless our military and especially our veterans 🙏🏻 without some of these wars the world sure would look different. My Mother played the bag pipes as a little girl also had them at her funeral most love the pipes! Have an awesome week 🫶

To answer your question in another video. The m10 tank destroyer was considered a self propelled anti tank gun. Thin but sloped armor, couldn't confront something like a Panther except for a well placed shot from ambush

love the Ted Ensign :)

Thank you John for this. 1 or maybe 2 of my uncles fought in the Italian campaign. Wishing you, your family and the Islanders well ! (My Jets are in a tough position right now too.)

Thanks John for making this for all to see

I have an interest in the Italian campaign. I have read many of the books about Ortona, including some from my grandfather’s who was in Sicily. There are many good videos on RU-vid about the Battle of Ortona. If you want to go deep into this important conflict I highly recommend the American Army University press video only released about 4 months ago. 50 minutes long, excellent graphics from the American Army and excellent analysis from Jayson Geroux of the Canadian military who is a specialist in the study of urban warfare.

If you haven’t already you should look at the 1st Special Service Force, a joint U.S./Canadian unit in WW2.

thank you for another great video. I love watching these clips, never having to go to war. keep up the good work John.

The street fighting in Italy was brutal too

Canada got the tough trail in the north advance in Italy too. Nothing ever came easy for us in Italy. Or France either. Or the Netherlands either. Its why Remembrance Day November 11th at 11am is such a sombre occasion in Canada. We remember what the cost of war really is.

My father treated many from the Italian Campaign.

Your recognising the Italians surrendering wasnt because they were poor soldiers is significant. Their political leaders lost their legitimacy and the army surrendered to the Allies. The Brits, Canadians and Americans were there to rid the nation of Germans and Fascists and not for conquest. They made the right call. When motivated the Italian army could fight. They were often just poorly led

Don't be afraid to say it.. we were thrown into the meatgrinders.... and came out as Triple AAA Alberta Beef... the opponents were the the hamburger.. So, the map... Americans up one side, British up the other, but the obviously strongest defended, the point down the middle... (The Americans said.. we can handle this side, no worries... the British said... we got this side, no problem... then they said to each other.. what about the middle point? send the Canucks, the meat for the grinder.. we proved 'em wrong!!! Amazing their memories are so clear... I think not.. put yourself in that position and see how clearly you recall all the little details.... as much as you may wish and pray to forget, that's not to be your lot. I am no literary giant on this stuff.. but your comment about Italians maybe not being the best fighters.... it occurs to me, they didn't want to fight,,, it wasn't their war, and yes, "liberation", meant they were done, and happy to be conquered/SAVED, by any force from any side, who let them keep their lives.. it wasn't cowardice.... it was self preservation in a situation that they felt they were forced into, against their actual thoughts/beliefs... 👍🏼to those smart enough to stay true to themselves.... I'm Canuck, and I love Italians! As I said.. we got the short straw.. we had to deal with the well trained and experienced Germans... meanwhile, the Brits and Americans tackled Italians who had no will to fight this war, since it wasn't theirs. In the end, most of those very few remaining vets we still have.... they are proud, of what they did for others, they are proud to serve.. but they hate war.... If there was any use of this term that is most appropriate................. The World Needs More Canada!👍🏼✌🏼🇨🇦 (Peace, My Friend)

Thanks John, my grandfather was there, then the Italian campaign, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Odds are very small, but loved watching that video, hoping I'd maybe spot him.

As a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces (Princess Louise Fusiliers and RCAF) thank you for bringing this back to light.

Canada lost a ship full of vehicles intended for this operation, which were not replaced. That is why the footage shows columns of marching men.

Re: Italians My Dad, uncle, and great uncle fought Italians and Germans and said the biggest difference was the Italians generally had poor leadership. This wasn't always the case of course but when the Italians were fighting poorly their leaders would be found to be puffed up martinets. Poor leadership undermines morale, fighting spirit, and unit cohesion. Some Italian units were amongst the finest fielded anywhere during the war and my relatives who faced them respected the soldiers, sailors and airmen.

Those are memories that no matter how much you may want to forget, you never will. I have plenty of those.

Aquino was another in the mountains of central Italy fighting Germans sent to stop the allied advance google The Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum here in Oshawa Ontario , their tanks were there in Italy museum is amazing

My Dad and 2 cousins were there in Sicily and Italy including Ortona with the Seaforths. The Sicily invasion is mostly unknown these days. Thank you for showing this.

Bagpipes are a love or hate thing. I personally dont mind good musicians with them, as i (not so much anymore) spent many years learning how to play them. They really are very loud when they're next to your ear. Lol. I'm incredibly proud of our soldiers, very much respect their sacrifices, and achievements. Words alone cannot describe it. Hope everyone is taking care.

Maybe look at Canada’s involvement in the battle of casino and the entry into Rome. The Canadian troops were spearheading the assault to Rome and were pulled back to allow the Americans to march into Rome.

My Father fought through Sicily and Italy. He was wounded in Italy was captured and was a POW.My Father said to me after I had join that every time he went into battle that he was a dead man walking, so that he wasn't disappointed when it was over. My Father said the Germans called the Canadians McNaughton's Traveling Circus.

Thanks for sharing and highlighting the importance of some of these battles that are to often forgotten. Might I suggest a book written by Farley Mowat titled, And No Birds Sang. It covers Farley's years in the Canadian infantry including front line fighting in Sicily and Italy. As a Canadian literary icon I was surprised to learn about this unlikley part of his life.

As a soldier, always loved the pipes

My brother-in-law was in Sicilian, Ital and France.

My father drove a tank during the liberation of Sicily and Italy. He was with the Canadian Grenadier Guards. Calgary Regiment. Went on to the liberation of the Netherlands. He didn’t talk about it much.

The Canadians used the Red Ensign when they were going into battle with the British. The ensign allowed the soldiers to determine who was who on the battlefield. If the British weren’t involved the Canadians used the Union Jack.

Just think about our resources, we have less than other Countries. But WE do not QUIT. and do not forget.

Hey John, just a suggestion brother but you should post yourself a mailing location for us, your subscribers. Maybe not your home address though if you're not comfortable with that. Reason being is I have a "care package" for you but have nowhere to send it. Oh yeah, if you are still going to Halifax this summer ensure you get tickets for The Royal Nova Scotia Military Tattoo in July I believe. Tickets go fast. Lots of military pipes and drums and the U.S. is generally well represented yearly by the Marines, Army, Navy or Airforce. Great show you'll never forget

I agree with you that the Italians never had their hearts completely in the war. By 1943 they were starving and literally occupied and dominated by the Germans. They just wanted it all over.

sooo as a volunteer of operation yellow ribbon in another town not igander but stillt he same what we did there ... I see alot of americans saying america first when it comes ot helping ukriane and im shocked and appalled by this because during 9/11 they was so grateful to have help and comformt with acts of kindness given toward htem in their time of need but yet they never want to help ukraine pls john ..pls help americans to wake up that they should help ukriane as they was helped in 9/11

Well said Into The Shit!!

Graphic things are forever imprinted on your mind

Do you suppose that after the great successes Canadian shock troops gained at Vimy Ridge and elsewhere, in the Great War, that a sort of jealousy arose from the brass of Great Britain and the USA that carried on into the Second World War and led to Canadians getting only really bad assignments, like Hong Kong, Dieppe , Juneau Beach, Caan, and the flooded Netherlands without air support? This was much like the Newfoundlamders had been treated in WW1 too!

I’m embarrassed to say I really don’t know much about the Italian campaigns :( 🇨🇦

We cannot begin to imagine what these men went through mentally, physically, and emotionally, not just during active service, but for the rest of their lives. This is why I get so irritated with today's crop of "freedom fighters" and "patriots" sitting in the safety of Canada griping about nonsense.

Is it 360p for anyone else?

The Sad Truth, is that, Canadians, were Attached to the ; Brits " ) ~~ They were always put on :" Point " one may say used as Cannon Fodder !! But They Proved Their Worth,, On All Fronts & Theatre's as CHURCHILL SAID !! & SADLY AT GREAT LOSSES... ~~ T.Y. & RESPECT for showing these Video's .. You & Yours are Respected & Valued !!! Hands Across the Border !!! :)))

The Italians were not bad soldiers, by and large, but they were hamstrung by horrible leadership. I think their... eagerness to surrender, was about staying alive vs their lives being wasted by their commanders.

The ridicule these troops got from our Allied troops who landed in Normandy had the temerity to call those who landed in Italy, D-Day Dodgers. Not realizing that if Italy had held their own, more German Forces would have been available to defend Normandy.

Its not bravery! Its that so many Canadians love Italian food, women and booze, we believed it belonged to the Italians or the Canadians and if anyone thinks they are taking it from us will find out we will not allow it.

The best soldiers in the world ! i T IS SO SAD THAT COMRADE TRUDEAU AND SINGH HAVE DESTROYED THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES .

Excellent Ukraine 🇺🇦 🇨🇦

Why is this in 360p?

As a Canadian veteran I have to say, although we're normally given the shitty end of the stick, the boys had a sense of humour about it. It's a shit sandwich and everyone gets a bite, the lucky ones get to go back for seconds. mmmmm