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Ortona: A Testament to Canadian Heroism
The Battle of Ortona was a small but brutal battle fought between Canadian forces and German troops in December 1943. It has become a legendary battle in Canadian military history.
The Allied campaign to capture mainland Italy had pushed the Germans back to the picturesque Italian seaside town of Ortona. Artillery from both sides rained down on the town, quickly reducing it to rubble. As the Canadians advanced through the narrow streets, they were met by German snipers, firing from nearby hills.
But the brave Canadians would not retreat.
Finally, after eight days of fighting, the Canadian attack had depleted the German troops. Small groups of Canadian soldiers cleared Ortona one street at a time until the Germans, who lacked reinforcements, withdrew from the town.
The Canadians had emerged victorious, but this was clouded by a heavy cost to the Canadian forces: almost one quarter of the 5,900 Canadians killed during the Italian Campaign died in the fighting in and around Ortona, making it bloodiest battle of the Italian Campaign.
Learn More
Suggested Links
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Attacking Ortona (CBC Archives)
Battle of Ortona (Wikipedia)
Canadian Campaign in Italy (Parks Canada)
Ortona: Canada's Mini Stalingrad (The Canadian Encyclopedia)
Ortona: The Italian Campaign (CBC News)
The Battle of Ortona (At War Canada)
The Capture of Ortona (Juno Beach Centre)
Suggested Reading
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And No Birds Sang by Farley Mowat
From Pachino to Ortona: The Canadian Campaign in Sicily and Italy by Lieutenant-General J.C. Murchie
Hard-won Victory: the Canadians at Ortona, 1943 by N.M. Christie
Ortona: Canada's Epic World War II Battle by Mark Zuehlke
The Canadian Battlefields in Italy: Ortona and the Liri Valley by Eric McGeer with Matt Symes
The Loyal Edmonton Regiment at War, 1943-1945 by Shaun R.G. Brown
Suggested Movies
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Road to Ortona (1962)
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